In my dissertation, which lies in the middle ground between visual studies, museology and social criticism, I examine the changing role of 21st century museums as social actors and democratic platforms. I ask how museums build their identity in this time and what is the impact of art in the process of museums' self-determination and openness for multiple voices.

Through its institution-critical forms, art has had a strong impact on the development of museums since the 1960s. In my research, I study the dialogue of art and the museum by asking how is contemporary art shaping and challenging the museum institution today and how are the aspirations of art approached in the museum industry.

As director of EMMA - Espoo Museum of Modern Art since 2012 I have been able to monitor closely the current development of the museum scene and the acute professional discussions. In my research, I utilize the network of experts created through the profession, and, in the case of case study material, exhibitions produced by EMMA. Methodologically, I utilize the case study methodology and the semi-structured interview methods. The interviews are made with museum professionals within the European museum field. The case studies consist of exhibitions produced during the years 2015-2023.

Right now, the museum industry is undergoing a strong social upheaval: challenges amid globalization, growing market-orientation, tourism promotion and current societal changes are an integral part of the context where museums are operating today. There is a lively, timely and critical self-reflection going on in the industry on how to define the profile and indentity of museums as democratic platforms in society. With my research, I hope to be able to answer the question of who and what purpose does the museum serve today.