A docent is an educator, most often in the setting of a museum or institution. The term comes from the Latin docere, to teach. Docents can also work at universities, although the title has different meanings depending on which nation the university is located in. Docents often volunteer their expertise and labor, and are an important part of outreach programs for the public designed to educate, intrigue, and assist.

Within a university setting, a docent acts as a type of guest lecturer. A docent would not be on the regular staff of the university, and would be compensated per lecture offered, generally. This type of docent usually has the same qualifications that a full time professor does. Different universities use docents slightly differently, and in universities with libraries and museums, it is not uncommon to find a docent acting in the capacity of guide, rather than lecturer.

Within the context of a museum, institution, or organization, a docent is an important part of the staff. Most frequently, a docent volunteers because he or she is interested in the collections of the museum or the cause of the organization. The docent is given extensive training about the collection, the types of questions people ask, and how to deal with a variety of social situations. Once the docent passes his or her training, the docent is usually given an official tag or uniform so that guests will be able to identify the docent.

Docents can be found in museums, parks, botanical gardens, zoos, and a variety of other institutions. When docents are out among the public collections, they are available to provide guidance and answer questions. They can also leaded guided tours or other public outreach programs, such as animal feedings at a zoo, or touch tanks at an aquarium. By educating the public, the docent hopes to get people interested in the collections of the institution, perhaps encouraging future generations of researchers and collectors.

In some cases, a docent has access to museum collections in return for acting as a guide. Researchers may act as docents, which is exciting for the public, since they get to ask the researcher directly about the collection and the research being performed. Especially at natural history museums, this is often the case, and it can encourage members of the public to volunteer as well, after they have interacted with a docent who is passionate about the research or work being done.

Becoming a docent is not easy. You will need to be trained, and be willing to work a set number of shifts in return for the time the institution invests in you. For people of lower income who still want to contribute to local museums and institutions, becoming a docent is a wonderful way to help out. You can also learn a great deal about the collections and the people who work on them as a docent, as well as inspiring members of the public to get involved. If you are interested in becoming a docent, ask about volunteer programs at your local museum.