Matematikens tredje dimension : En jämförande studie av två universitetssamlingar

Sammanfattning: The purpose of this thesis is to compare how the mathematics departments at Uppsala University and Alvar Aalto University relate to and manage their collections of mathematical models. In the thesis the importance of individuals in relation to this type cultural heritage and the situation for university collections will be discussed. Therefore the individuals’ interpretations of the approach are a major part of the study. Questions regarding the collections condition, placement, role, the knowledge about them and the responsibility for them are discussed and analysed. The methods used in the study were qualitative and taped interviews were done with three informants. The method of observation was also used to study the condition and placement of the collections and data was also collected from e-mail and conversations. The theories chosen for this study are phenomenology, cultural heritage and ideas of objects containing social ideas. The result from the study shows that the universities relate to and manage their collections differently. The collection at Aalto University has been cared for, been made available and used in teaching, which has resulted in that the awareness of it is high. At Uppsala University the majority of the collection is in poor condition and it is almost considered forgotten by the department. A few of the objects have been used in teaching. The collection has not been made available to students or employees. The study has also found that university collections could be considered museum objects as well tools for teaching and research. Universities are not museums, their main goal is not to care for huge collections and this affects their values and the management of them. Individuals have a significant impact on how university collections are managed and made available although this varies depending on the responsibility taken by the department itself. If the individuals’ knowledge about the collections is recorded, the collections are managed better.