The Anthropocene in Natural History Museums: A Productive Lens of Engagement

The Anthropocene is a proposed geological epoch, generally defined by the significant impacts of human activities on the Earth system. It provides a conceptual framework that traces historical causes, possible futures, and fundamental questions of human responsibility, values and purpose in a changing world. Here, we examine how natural history museums are engaging with the Anthropocene using two novel exhibits as a case study. First, we argue that the museum context, as a social space for learning through a range of embodied sensory experiences, is a valuable medium within which to experience the Anthropocene and communicate about it with a wide audience. Second, we observe that the Anthropocene has conceptual and practical implications for these museums. Thus, we suggest the Anthropocene is an especially productive lens of engagement for natural history museums, catalyzing both development in the science and representation, and also in public comprehension of global change.