This volume explores the contemporary role of museums as spaces for research, education, and social transformation. In a context where cultural institutions are increasingly expected to address complex challenges, from inclusion and participation to digital innovation and well-being, the book offers a comprehensive theoretical and methodological framework for understanding and designing research in museum settings. Adopting an interdisciplinary perspective, it examines the evolving functions of museums, the foundations of heritage education, and the key phases of empirical inquiry, from problem definition to impact evaluation. Particular attention is devoted to the potential of immersive technologies, cross-institutional collaboration, and the growing evidence of the benefits of cultural engagement for individual and collective well-being. By combining conceptual reflection, methodological guidance, and examples from international research centres, the volume is intended for scholars, professionals, and students seeking to develop rigorous and innovative approaches to the study and enhancement of cultural heritage as an educational, social, and scientific resource.