Conal McCarthy

Conal McCarthy is a Professor of Museum and Heritage Studies at Victoria University of Wellington's Stout Research Centre. He holds concurrent roles as Honorary Professor at the Australian National University's Humanities Research Centre and serves as an advisor to institutions in China, including Shanghai University and Fudan University. His research focuses on museum history, Māori visual culture, and contemporary heritage issues, with a transnational emphasis on Indigenous engagement with cultural institutions. McCarthy has authored/co-authored numerous publications, including a 2017 edited volume on Māori Renaissance and recent works emerging from ARC/Marsden-funded projects on New Zealand's museum history. He actively participates in professional development initiatives across the Asia-Pacific, leveraging collaborations with ICOM, UNESCO, and other international bodies.

• Education: PhD (Victoria University of Wellington, 2000–2004), MA Art History (University of Canterbury), MA English (University of Canterbury), Dip Tchg (University of Canterbury)
• Languages: English (native), Māori (fluent), Mandarin (spoken)

His work bridges anthropology, history, and art history, emphasizing critical heritage frameworks. Recent projects explore Indigenous methodologies in museum practice and the intersection of ethnology with government policy.