Research on increasing the attractivity and optimizing virtual access of Lithuanian national museums

The overall aim of this project is to determine the virtual access usage pattern of Lithuanian national museums in order to understand the social networking of these museums and the creation mechanism of the experience economy values added at virtual environment.

The research of the cultural development project aims to create new fundamental scientific knowledge (understanding of museums involvement in the social networking, clarifying value added creation mechanism) and present applied results (formulate new recommendations on museum virtual access which take into account our country's cultural, social and political characteristics). It is planned to analyze the results of research, to formulate theoretical knowledge and final recommendations using the "New Museology" concept, of which one of the pioneers is the project leader Professor Peter van Mensch.

During the project research it is planned to adapt eye-tracking technology and equipment for the first time in the museum studies in Lithuania. Eye-tracking equipment and technology makes it possible to find out the of the virtual space visitors' basic focus points, entry points and reading paths, time spent, fundamental interests, and so on. The project research results and the generation of scientific knowledge will produce the recommendations on virtual museum access optimization. This method may become an important step that will enable Lithuanian museums not only to improve their virtual access user interfaces, but also to make museum more attractive to visitors, to improve the competitiveness of the museums, to increase the total value of our country's cultural and creative industries.

Duration: September 1, 2014 – December 31, 2015

Financing source: the Research Council of Lithuania

Executive team:

• Prof. Peter van Mensch (project manager), Media Research Laboratory
• Dr. Andrius Šuminas, Media Research Laboratory
• Dr. Arūnas Gudinavičius, Institute of Book Science and Documentation
• Justinas Červokas, Media Research Laboratory