Strategy for the NTNU University Museum
Strategy for the NTNU University Museum 2026–2035
The NTNU University Museum is Norway's oldest museum and can trace its origins back to the Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters, which was founded in 1760. Our academic communities develop and share knowledge in the fields of natural and cultural history. In addition to our activities in the fields of natural history, archaeology, and cultural history at Kalvskinnet, we operate the Ringve Botanical Garden and the National Laboratory of Age Determination at Gløshaugen. Our scientific collections form the basis for the Museum's research.
NTNU’s social mission is to promote knowledge-based and sustainable development through applied and long-term research. NTNU has a special national responsibility to establish, operate, and maintain a museum with scientific collections and public exhibitions. We are one of NTNU’s key showcases, with a particular focus on public outreach. The University Museum also has statutory administrative responsibilities involving the exercise of public authority related to the protection of cultural heritage as part of a comprehensive environmental and resource management framework.
This strategy is established and implemented in coordination with and between the respective strategies of the affiliated departments.
Our ambitions
We will continue to develop as an internationally recognized museum with high quality standards
We will compare ourselves to, and be on par with, leading international cultural and natural history institutions when concerning protection, preservation, accessibility and research within cultural and natural history. We are a research-driven museum that fosters outstanding research communities and serves as an attractive collaborative partner for world-leading researchers. Drawing on our unique collections and highly qualified staff, we will facilitate research initiatives that make their mark at a global level.
We will utilise our position as part of NTNU by adopting advanced technology and research infrastructure in our research, as well as interdisciplinary collaboration for development and innovation.
We will build upon our role as a driving force for sustainable development and social dialogue by contributing towards converting knowledge into action
We will achieve this through collaboration and interdisciplinary research partnerships with other academic communities at NTNU, and by strengthening our dissemination activities. Quality-driven collaboration between research, the scientific collections and public exhibitions is the key.
Priorities
In order to achieve our objectives we will prioritise assigning resources towards two primary objectives:
Research: We will develop world-class research communities that engage in increased interdisciplinary collaboration based on our collections.
Public exhibitions: We will develop high-quality exhibitions based on our scientific collections that contribute towards shedding light on societal challenges. One of our objectives is to reach more people, as evidenced by increased visitor numbers at our exhibitions.
Prerequisites for success
Academic freedom: This is a fundamental value and prerequisite for trust, credibility, quality, and professional integrity in all of our research activities.
The scientific collections: Our most important research infrastructure. This source of knowledge is our greatest asset. The collections must be developed, preserved, and made available at a level of quality that facilitates internationally recognized research.
Sustainable finances: Corporate governance that ensures predictable operating conditions and sufficient resources to fulfill our social mission through strategic priorities.
Qualified, dedicated, and development-oriented employees: Our employees are our most important resource. Strong administrative expertise in the form of sound knowledge and a culture of quality, promotes secure operations, adaptability, and continuous improvement. We aim to be an attractive academic community where diversity of perspectives and experiences underpin academic dialogue.
