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Digital Culture Network
Beginner Read · Typical · Updated: Oct 2026

Digital Culture Podcast episode #28 – Connecting communities at Manchester Museum with Sam Kalubowila

Blue graphic featuring the Digital Culture Podcast and Digital Culture Network logos. Featuring photos of James Akers, smiling at the camera, short brown hear, wearing a pink jumper. Sam Kalubowila, smiling at the camera, round black glasses and a big grey beard. Adam Sykes, smiling at the camera, ginger hair and beard, brown glasses.

The Digital Culture Podcast is for creative and cultural professionals to get to know the Digital Culture Network team, learn how we can help your digital skills development, and find out what’s happening across the sector.

In this episode, the team speaks with Sam Kalubowila, Head of Learning and Participation at Manchester Museum, about his route into the museum sector and the work of making the museum relevant and welcoming to a wide range of people. Sam explains how the museum combines formal learning, visitor experience, volunteering, public programming and community partnerships.

The conversation explores Manchester Museum’s ambition to take its collection beyond the museum walls, reduce barriers to engagement and respond to what people across Manchester want from the museum over the next decade. Sam also reflects on the museum’s complex histories, its relationship with communities, and how digital opportunities can complement in-person experiences.

They discuss:

  • How Manchester Museum’s learning and participation teams connect with schools, visitors, volunteers and community groups.
  • Taking collection objects and experiences beyond the museum building to reach people who may face barriers to visiting.
  • The museum’s developing ten-year strategy and the public consultation that helped shape it.
  • Creating a welcoming space for communities, including through celebrations and events connected to religious calendars.
  • How digital engagement can support, rather than replace, the value of in-person connection.

Links and resources discussed in this episode:

Music by ⁠⁠SHAR

Further support

The Digital Culture Network is here to support you and your organisation. Our Tech Champions can provide free one-to-one support to all creative and cultural organisations who are in receipt of, or eligible for, Arts Council England funding. If you need help or would like to chat with us about any of the advice we have covered above, please get in touch.

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Digital Culture Network
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