This past year has been one of adaptability, change, connection, and exploration. The Museum Education Roundtable has continued to do what it does best: transform, as we approached change and complexity with integrity and creativity. This Annual Report for 2024-2025 continues to serve as a measure of transparency, sharing MER’s organizational priorities, initiatives, and accomplishments. It reflects what we achieved and how we grew together.

At the heart of our community is the Journal of Museum Education. This year, we published four thoughtful issues which explored essential questions about learning, collaboration, and care in museums. We expanded our community of peer reviewers by 28%, hosted workshops and author panels that provided clarity around publishing, and helped new authors find their voice. We celebrated a Virtual Special Issue honoring Co-Editor Nathaniel Prottas who left us in December 2024. It was also our first full year working alongside Co-Editor Preeti Gupta and Communications Manager Jo Schonewolf. We additionally said goodbye to our Operations manager Emma Trone as she starts her next adventure as a PhD student, and hired Courtney Carter as our new Operations Manager for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. 

We spent the past year focused on sustainability through building and strengthening systems and relationships that will carry us forwards. This year reminded us that progress requires daring, teamwork, and trust in one another. We refined our leadership and mentorship programs and made our processes more transparent and equitable. We hosted a panel at the American Alliance of Museums Conference, created a tabling toolkit and tabled at other conferences internationally, brought on five new board members, and launched our strategic planning process. We also audited our website for accessibility and additionally began contract negotiations with Taylor & Francis, ensuring the long-term viability of the JME.

Despite the challenges this year has brought, I want to take a moment to recognize the extraordinary dedication of our board and staff. The accomplishments listed above represent only a fraction of what our board and staff achieved together. Their insight, creativity, and resilience have been the driving force behind all we accomplished, and they have my deepest respect and gratitude.

To our members, readers, guest editors, authors, and peer reviewers: thank you. You are the heart of the Museum Education Roundtable. Your curiosity, scholarship, and commitment to sharing knowledge keep our work meaningful and the field vibrant.

Together, we continue to explore, question, and learn. As we look ahead, I know that with this community, we will keep pushing the boundaries of what is possible: boldly, thoughtfully, and with purpose.

Live long and prosper,
Dr. Alexandra F. Morris
MER Board President FY25