
Digital as Catalyst: Designing for Surprise in Trusted Spaces
From Museum Buzz by Emily Kotecki
April 13, 2026 · 23 min · Season 5 · Episode 6
About this episode
Sarah Van Haastert discusses the role of digital learning as a catalyst for enhancing visitor experiences in museums.
Sarah Van Haastert, Global Director of Strategic Partnerships at AVI-SPL offers a beautifully layered take on digital learning in museums. As she puts it, digital learning is both "a drop and the ocean": a small spark of curiosity that surprises visitors in the gallery, and the vast infrastructure behind the scenes that makes it all possible. In a place where visitors come to be social, learn, and connect with stories, digital becomes a catalyst — delivering moments of delight that stay with people long after a visit. This conversation digs into what it really takes to make those moments happen, from the essential foundations to the magic of a visitors experience. We also explore: Sustainability and Infrastructure What Museums Mean When They Say "Personalization" Learning From Other Industries The Vendor Trust Gap
People in this episode
Guest: Sarah Van Haastert
Topics covered
- digital learning
- museums
- visitor experience
- sustainability
- personalization
Keywords
- strategic partnerships
- infrastructure
- curiosity
- delight
- vendor trust gap
More episodes of Museum Buzz
- A View From Sweden: What Record Digital Reach Really Means · April 21, 2026 · 31 min
- Magic in the Background: On Storytelling, Tech & Digital Engagement · April 6, 2026 · 24 min
- Small Teams, Big Digital Dreams · March 30, 2026 · 17 min
- The Future of Digital Learning Starts With Trust · March 23, 2026 · 20 min
- AI, Audio, and Accessibility: Personalizing Museum Learning at Scale · March 16, 2026 · 19 min
- Educators are at the Heart of Digital Transformation · March 9, 2026 · 27 min
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