Can Interpretation Make Us Better?
26.09.2025
Community, Wellbeing, Empathy, Ideas
Eric Langham thinks so…
In a compelling and inspiring talk, Eric Langham – founder of Barker Langham and trustee of both the Migration Museum and the Association for Heritage Interpretation – explored the idea that interpretation can make us healthier, happier, and more connected. Framed through three lenses – raising awareness, inspiring action, and offering therapeutic value – Eric shared deeply personal and powerful examples from his career.
From convict love tokens to vaccine-awareness games in Hackney, from immersive exhibitions like BLINK to hospital art installations in Doha, he revealed how interpretation can touch hearts, change minds, and even support healing. With clarity and compassion, Eric argued that interpretation is far more than storytelling – it is a catalyst for transformation, a means of addressing social issues, nurturing empathy, and enriching lives.
His message was clear: when approached as an act of generosity, interpretation holds the power not just to reflect the world, but to help mend it.
