Release date: June 8, 2025 | By: Zhang Yihan

From June 5 to 6, the Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development of Natural History Museums, part of the 2025 Zhongguancun Forum Regular Activities, was successfully held at the Zhongguancun International Innovation Center in Beijing. Jointly hosted by the Beijing Academy of Science and Technology and the Chinese Association of Natural Science Museums, and organized by the Natural History Museum of China, the forum gathered around 200 participants. Attendees included academicians, directors, and experts from museums and related institutions, as well as directors and experts from more than 30 influential Chinese natural science museums, together with representatives from technology and media enterprises. Speakers from Germany, Finland, Kenya, Italy, Denmark, Canada, and the United Kingdom and the ICOM-NatHist delivered insightful speeches. They engaged in in-depth discussions on the theme “Natural History Museums and Science Communication.”

At the opening ceremony, Xue Li, Chairwoman of the Chinese Association of Natural Science Museums, and Wu Jianmin, President of the Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, delivered an address respectively.

Xue Li emphasized that museums serve as vital platforms for preserving human civilization and bridging science with art. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, China’s museum sector has flourished, establishing a modern museum system. Natural history museums are users, demonstrators, and promoters of sci-tech innovation. Against the backdrop of rapid technological development, their role has become increasingly significant, with artificial intelligence injecting fresh vitality into museums. Natural history museums should become smarter, greener, and more humane. Their innovative development will become a vivid illustration of the efforts to build a beautiful China and achieve sustainable development. Meanwhile, museums and schools should collaborate to foster inheritance, research, integration, and innovation. She hoped that all parties would explore new pathways for the innovative development of museums, so as to bring achievements in natural sciences and the concept of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature to wider audiences, and contribute to the progress of human civilization.

Wu Jianmin noted that Beijing is building itself into an international sci-tech innovation center, as well as a city of museums and a city of science centers, showcasing its charm with complementary technological strength and cultural vitality. Guided by the vision that “science and technology make life better”, the Beijing Academy of Science and Technology adheres to the strategy of “innovation-driven development, talent empowerment, service-oriented growth, and open cooperation”. It has been comprehensively and deeply involved in the construction of the International Center for Science and Technology Innovation, and in serving the capital’s development in the new era. He emphasized that the scientific spirit is the foundation and driving force behind innovation, and that the museum's mission must be passed down through generations. The construction of the new site for the Natural History Museum of China is progressing smoothly. He expressed hope that, by harnessing collective strength, scientific and technological innovation would serve as a powerful catalyst for the sustainable development of natural history museums.

The opening ceremony and the first day’s keynote speech on June 5 were chaired by Wan Shilin, Vice President of the Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Party Secretary and Executive Vice President of the Natural History Museum of China. During the session, nine academicians, directors, and experts from China and abroad delivered insightful reports.

Wang Jingxiu, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, explained the Sun’s importance to humanity and the Earth, its structure and solar phenomena, China’s achievements in solar research, and the opportunities and challenges facing solar science. His speech vividly presented a grand and intriguing picture of the Sun, inspiring the audience to explore the mysteries of the universe and reflect on the harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.

Dorit Wolenitz, Chair of the Committee for Museums and Collections of Natural History (NATHIST) of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), underscored natural history museums’ key role in science communication as bridges between science and the public, inspiring public interest in and passion for science.

Johannes Vogel, Director General of the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, illustrated with the museum’s Biodiversity Wall how humans are inseparably linked to nature, and how natural history museums help people find their place within nature.

Guo Zhe, Director of the China Science and Technology Museum, provided an in-depth analysis of how an open and innovative strategy integrating exhibition, education, and research can create transformative learning scenarios, guide audiences to embrace the popular science movement together with museums, and bring science into everyday life.

Douglas Gurr, Director of the Natural History Museum in London, delivered an online speech. He introduced the museum’s Urban Nature Project, which aims to reconnect people in urban settings with nature, and has already covered over 6,000 schools.

Nicola Clayton, a Professor at the University of Cambridge and Fellow of the Royal Society, presented a unique biological perspective, using vivid examples such as octopuses and other cephalopods to demonstrate the adaptive strategies of cognitively complex organisms in responding to social and environmental challenges. She also emphasized the vast potential of nature in shaping the mind.

Meng Qingjin, Chief Scientist of the Natural History Museum of China, reviewed the evolution of exhibition methods in natural history museums, providing a detailed analysis of their characteristics and primary applications. He also outlined eight trends for future development, offering valuable insights and guidance for exhibition design in natural history museums.

Paula Kankaanpää, Director of the Finnish Natural History Museum, introduced the museum’s basic information, key focus areas, and achievements in digitization and citizen science. She highlighted the importance of collections and shared insights on why museum exhibitions are popular, what are the current trends and future plans for exhibition upgrades and how to promote international research.

Mary Gikungu, Director General of the National Museums of Kenya, highlighted the museum’s active role in natural and cultural heritage preservation and socio-economic development, showcasing the diverse value of museums for socio-economic development.

In the roundtable session, Cheng Donghong, Honorary President of the Chinese Association of Natural Science Museums, moderated with humor and wit, linking discussions by Mario Taddei (Director, Leonardo da Vinci Academy), Matti Sahla (Director, Finnish Biodiversity Information Facility), Maria Piacente (Senior Vice President, Royal Ontario Museum), and Kristoffer Szilas (Director of Petrology and Associate Professor at the Natural History Museum of Denmark). They shared their insights and experiences in science communication from two dimensions—exhibition curation and science education—based on their own research work, providing valuable ideas and recommendations for the future development of natural history museums.

On June 6, a series of engaging discussions and exchanges were held. The keynote session of the day was jointly chaired by Bai Jiade, Director of the Beijing Milu Ecological Research Center; Jin Haiyue, Director of the Paleozoological Museum of China (Baoding Natural History Museum); Lin Hongxuan, Director of the Dalian Natural History Museum; and Zhang Jinshuo, Director of the National Zoological Museum of China. 14 domestic and international experts in the museum field delivered insightful speeches.

On the morning of June 6, Maria Piacente, Senior Vice President of the Royal Ontario Museum, provided an in-depth analysis of how museums can better meet audience needs in the digital age and lead industry development trends.

Wu Mingke, Party Secretary and Director of the Zhejiang Museum of Natural History, shared the museum’s innovative initiatives and practical experiences in popular science education, particularly its sustainable operational model in public cultural activities, offering valuable insights for museums to further explore sustainable development.

LI Qian, Director of the Hunan Museum of Geology, explored how natural resource venues can better fulfil their popular science education role under the “Double Reduction” policy to support the holistic development of youth.

Liu Jie, Deputy Director of the National Maritime Museum of China, showcased the museum’s innovative practices in popular science education and science communication, particularly how modern technologies are used to create immersive exhibition experiences and enhance public interest in and understanding of marine science.

Zeng Xiaoyun, Director of the Zigong Dinosaur Museum, shared the museum’s innovative approaches and achievements in science communication, highlighting the seamless integration of dinosaur culture with modern technology.

Xu Li, Director of the Henan Natural History Museum, emphasized the importance of exhibition design in science communication, highlighting how in-depth interaction between exhibits and audiences can facilitate effective knowledge transfer and engagement.

Wang Shiwen, Deputy Party Secretary of the Natural History Museum of China, emphasized from the perspective of family-school-museum collaborative education that promoting holistic development and socialization is a dynamic process of cultural inheritance and innovation. Drawing on distinctive science outreach activities such as "Specimens Up Close," "Global Natural History Day," and "Citizen Science Survey," she explored in depth the unique role and value of natural history museums in scientific education among youth.

Wu Yasheng, Dean of the Sino-Korean School of Multimedia Design at Shanghai University of Engineering Science and Founding Dean of its International Institute of Creative Design, elaborated on the shift in exhibition design from “objects” to “people.” He highlighted efforts to create exploratory spaces for public participation, activate the “vitality” of collections through scientific use of technology, and cultivate interdisciplinary talent, positioning museums as bridges of civilization.

On the afternoon of June 6, Mario Taddei, Founder and Director of the Leonardo da Vinci Academy, introduced the distinctive features of Leonardo da Vinci’s paintings and expounded on the similarities between some of Leonardo da Vinci’s manuscripts and ancient Chinese inventions, which reflect the exchange and integration of Chinese and Western cultures. His speech provided new perspectives and directions for innovation in cultural communication at natural history museums.

Yang Xiujuan, Party Secretary and Director of the Museum of Chinese Gardens and Landscape Architecture, introduced the museum’s characteristics, explored the ecological wisdom of Chinese gardens and their cultural communication pathways, and emphasized their important role in preserving and promoting China’s outstanding traditional culture.

Li Zhongyuan, Director of the Jilin Province Museum of Natural History, drew on the museum’s practical experience to provide an in-depth discussion of the key factors affecting the effectiveness of science communication, and offered targeted strategies and suggestions, providing strong support for enhancing the science communication effect at natural history museums.

Matti Sahla, Director of the Finnish Biodiversity Information Facility, presented a speech titled Natural History Museums: Professional and Authoritative Institutions for Biodiversity Information, highlighting the professionalism and authority of natural history museums in communicating biodiversity information, and providing strong evidence of their role and value in biodiversity conservation.

Su Tao, Director of the Chengdu Natural History Museum (the Museum of Chengdu University of Technology), shared the museum’s practical experience as a university-local government jointly established museum in popular science education and science communication, particularly how it innovates exhibition formats and content through the commercialization of research findings and interdisciplinary collaboration, building a science communication brand and enhancing public interest in and understanding of natural sciences. 

Zhang Yong, Director of the Beijing Forestry University Museum, drew on the museum’s “Nature+” science communication network that integrates exhibitions, guided tours, media, study tours, and cultural and creative activities, to explore the unique advantages and strategic approaches of university museums in science communication, providing valuable reference for the science communication efforts of other university museums.

Wan Shilin delivered the closing remarks. He extended sincere thanks to all guests, participants, and museum colleagues, and advocated for strengthening international exchange and collaboration among museums to jointly create an innovative, integrated, and mutually beneficial future.

Centered on the theme “Natural History Museums and Science Communication,” the forum explored innovations in science communication in light of the latest trends, focusing on collections, exhibitions, scientific research, popular science education, and cultural and creative development. During the keynote session, 23 renowned directors and experts from home and abroad delivered speeches online or in person, covering topics such as biodiversity, innovation in science communication, and family-school-museum collaborative education. In the roundtable session, participants discussed science communication in natural history museums from the perspectives of exhibitions and popular science education, sparking fresh ideas, exploring innovative models, and proposing new approaches. Museums, entrusted with the dual mission of cultural preservation and innovation, must increasingly harness scientific and technological advancements to elevate public scientific literacy and address the evolving needs and aspirations of society for a better future.

As the organizer of this forum, the Natural History Museum of China will continue to drive the modernization and innovative development of natural history museums by incorporating international best practices and strengthening global cooperation. It will advance sustainable museum development in line with the new development philosophy, further enhance sci-tech innovation, and optimize science communication strategies, to provide the public with richer, more diverse and engaging exhibitions, educational resources, and cultural experiences, and contribute to Beijing’s development as a city of museums, a city of science centers, and an international sci-tech innovation center.