Robert Stein is the Deputy Director for Research, Technology and Engagement at the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA). In that role, Stein leads a wide range of activities for the museum including an extensive effort in media, web technology and software. Since 2006, he has shaped the way that the IMA has applied technology and media to the mission of the museum. As a result, the IMA is widely recognized as a leader among museums in the use of technology. Under Stein’s leadership, the museum launched the IMA Dashboard in 2007. A pioneering effort that supports and encourages transparency among museums, the IMA Dashboard has since been released under an open-source license for the benefit of other institutions. A long-time leader and technical innovator behind the Steve.Museum social tagging project, Stein continues to advocate for user-generated content that can be usefully integrated with museum practice. In 2009, Stein and colleagues launched the streaming video website, ArtBabble.org. Awarded the 2009 AAM Gold MUSE Award for Best Online Presence and the 2010 Best Overall Site award from the International Conference of Museums and the Web, ArtBabble brings together 33 prominent cultural organizations creating a true destination for art video online. Stein serves on the board of the Museum Computer Network, the advisory board of the NMC’s Horizon Report for Museums, and the International Program Committee for Museums and the Web. He continues to be active in writing and speaking on topics related to museum technology, transparency, and strategy.

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