Our methodology

The Museums Association undertook sector wide research into workforce wellbeing in summer 2022 with the following aims:

• To identify the current picture of individual wellbeing within the workforce, understanding the wellbeing of all colleagues – volunteers, freelancers and employees
• To identify factors at an individual, organisational and sector level that affect our individual wellbeing
• To identify ideas and priorities for action to positively effect change within the sector for all – volunteers, freelancers and employees

An anonymous online questionnaire was made available to anyone in the sector between 15 July 2022 and 26 August 2022, with 648 responses.

We extended the research window to encourage participation from underrepresented groups, specifically those based in Northern Ireland and museum professionals from diverse ethnic backgrounds. This resulted in a small increase in participation with the final respondent size being 658.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to complete the questionnaire and share their experiences, meaning we had rich information to inform our thinking.

The preliminary findings were shared at a series of sector roundtables, as an opportunity to test the findings with those active in this area of practice, as well as being published on our website. During the 2022 MA Conference in Edinburgh, we ran in-person consultations with delegates to gather their views.