In the context of the Open University's FutureLearn initiative, which offers a selection of online courses from leading universities and cultural institutions from around the world, a 6-week course entitled 'Behind the Scenes at the 21st Century Museum' will be offered from 1 June. Through a range of inspirational case studies and thought-provoking ideas, this free online course aims to show how modern museums seek to impact our contemporary world. To this end, 'Behind the Scenes at the 21st Century Museum' will explore questions such as the following:

• How can we understand museums today?
• Who makes the decisions about what to put in them and whose stories they tell?
• Who are museums for and why are they working to engage new audiences?
• How do we respond emotionally to museum objects and spaces?
• And how can museums play a role in the pursuit of social justice, human rights, or health and wellbeing?

Throughout the course, participants will be encouraged to share their thoughts and contribute to these key questions from their own perspective. The course is aimed at anyone with an interest in museums, including current or prospective students, who want to find out more about training in museum studies; museum volunteers; or museum practitioners. 'Behind the Scenes at the 21st Century Museum' has been created by leading academic researchers and museum professionals in the field of museum studies. It results from a collaboration between the School of Museum Studies at the University of Leicester, UK, and National Museums Liverpool, UK. The course is led by Dr. Suzanne MacLeod, Director and Head of the School of Museum Studies at the University of Leicester. The course is offered free of charge and starts on 1 June 2015. Certificates for participants completing the course will be available. For further information and registration, please visit https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/museum