Working group on Women and the Sea in the Mediterranean

Coordinator

Name and surname: Kate Šikić Čubrić
Affiliated institution: Betina Museum of Wooden Shipbuilding
Contact email: kate@mbdb.hr

Take part in our Call for Contributions

Year of establishment of the working group      

2024

Participating museums / institutions (to date)

Elvira Mata (Spain), Francesca Acarenza (Italy), Maria Paola Profumo (Italy), Kate Šikić Čubrić – Betina Museum of Wooden Shipbuilding

Thematic area / keywords

Women and the sea, maritime heritage, intangible cultural heritage, gender perspectives, coastal communities, traditional knowledge, oral history, cultural transmission, heritage interpretation, community engagement

Working Languages

English, Italian

Group description

The Donne e mare working group brings together maritime museums and heritage professionals across the Mediterranean to explore and highlight the role of women in maritime contexts. Through research, storytelling, and participatory approaches, we collect and interpret both historical and contemporary experiences. The group focuses on increasing visibility, fostering knowledge exchange, and developing innovative forms of heritage presentation. A key outcome is a modular, travelling exhibition, both physical and digital, designed to grow through collaboration.

Objectives of the group

  • Collect and document stories, experiences, and roles of women in maritime contexts (past and present)
  • Increase visibility of women in maritime heritage through coordinated communication and storytelling
  • Foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among maritime museums and heritage institutions
  • Develop a modular, travelling exhibition (physical and digital) adaptable across the Mediterranean
  • Promote inclusive and participatory approaches to heritage interpretation

Working format

Hybrid (online or in person)

Indicative frequency of meetings

Once a month

Activities carried out / main outcomes

  • Developed and launched an online questionnaire to collect data and stories on women in maritime heritage
  • Created a visual identity and communication framework to strengthen online visibility (for website and social media)
  • Initiated the collection and interpretation of stories for future dissemination and exhibition use
  • Held coordination meetings and presentations within the AMMM network to align activities and partners
  • Defined the concept and structure of a modular, travelling exhibition (physical and digital) as the main project outcome

Ongoing / planned activities or projects

The call for participation has been launched and the dissemination of the questionnaire is ongoing, aimed at expanding the network of contributors (open to non-AMMM members). The collection and interpretation of stories will begin following this phase and will feed future online content and exhibition development. In parallel, the concept of a modular travelling exhibition (physical and digital) is being developed, primarily within AMMM with selected external partners. Workshops, public programmes, and collaboration with Mediterranean institutions are planned and open to wider participation.

Questionnaire available here: https://tally.so/r/0QjEly

Open to new AMMM members

New members are welcome

Profile of participants sought

The group seeks participation from maritime and coastal museums, as well as institutions engaged in cultural and heritage interpretation. It is open to professionals such as curators, researchers, educators, and communication specialists, particularly those working with intangible heritage, community-based projects, and gender perspectives. Interest in storytelling, participatory methods, and digital or exhibition development is especially relevant.

Additional notes

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