MCN 2026

In 2026, crowdsourcing methodologies are not considered "new and innovative." However, the erosion of public trust and proliferation of AI-generated content give these methodologies new and greater significance. Far from being made irrelevant by emerging tech, crowdsourcing and collaboration are more important than ever to balance thoughtful use of advanced computing techniques and engage audiences that are increasingly skeptical of authoritative narratives. 

Participatory engagement invites audiences to take ownership of the preservation and diffusion of knowledge. Such programs reinscribe the museum’s role as steward, rather than owner, of memory and learning. As hosts and facilitators, museums empower experts, scholars, and members of the public to create community in pursuit of a common goal, facilitating inter- and intragenerational connections through lifelong learning.  

On this panel, speakers share their methodologies for two crowdsourcing activities: Wikipedia edit-a-thons led by the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum and Lost Women of Science; and Freedmen’s Bureau transcribe-a-thons led by Smithsonian Transcription Center and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.  

Through these two event formats, organizers create communal spaces for participants to learn and practice, with guidance and encouragement from experts and one another. These projects illuminate women’s and African American history by empowering the public to engage directly with primary and secondary sources and take an active role in the discoverability of science and cultural heritage data. Here, crowdsourcing builds trust by offering an opportunity to contribute that promotes a fuller understanding of historical sources and how history is documented, preserved, and shared. 

This session will discuss how participatory engagement can be a catalyst for endurance and sustainability in the maintenance of public trust. These methodologies also serve as both counterbalance to and critical partner for responsible AI-supported methodologies. How can a museum balance goals of completion with goals of participation? How can we make complex and detail-oriented processes approachable and appealing to broad audiences? What is the unique value of human-generated contributions in the current moment? 

Attendees will learn about the importance of developing multiple points of access to ensure accessibility and engagement across audiences and consider models for building trust, community, and an enduring practice. They’ll consider the critical role presenters play in engaging audiences and the emerging relationship between AI and crowdsourcing work. Panelists will discuss the strategies for designing crowdsourcing projects and programs that appeal across generations and cultures. Attendees will also learn about models for collaboration involving both internal and external partners.