Museums, Researchers and Engagement Report

On the 25th January people from across the UK joined together to discuss the opportunities and challenges of museums and researchers working together to engage with the public.

Sophie Duncan, Deputy Director of the National Co-ordinating Centre welcomed everyone to the event before introducing the first session - a panel discussion.

Xerxes Mazda, Head of Learning at the British Museum, invited delegates to consider some of the fundamentals of engagement activity - and shared some of the audience research and modeling that influences how the British Museum seek to engage with their various audiences. Audiences are segmented by their motivations for coming to the museum, including social, intellectual, emotional and spiritual.

Audio of Xerxes talk

Sally McDonald, Director of the UCL Museums reflected on the common view that researchers had much to learn from museum staff. She challenged delegates to think about the mutual benefits of working together, and to consider what museums could learn from researchers.

Audio of Sally's talk

David Wyatt, Lecturer in Early Medieval History encouraged us to think about the role of learning, and how we can provide multiple pathways and support for publics wanting to develop their own learning. He reflected on the role of higher eduation and museums in doing this.

Audio of David's talk

Following discussion about emergent themes and ideas, delegates were invited to join one of ten taster case studies. These case studies had been selected from over forty that had been suggested for the workshop.

1. Researcher Curator

2. University engagement at the Eisteddfod

3. Moving Memories

4. Do you hear what I hear?

5. Can Manchester Feed itself?

6. History, heritage and Public engagement:

7. Future Animals

8. Accessing our National Heritage

9. Research on show

10. Naming Nature 

The afternoon session kicked off with three presentations of case studies from across the UK.

Speakers:

Louise McDermott, Royal Cornwall Museums and Jason Cleverly, University College Falmouth, talked about their project: Objects of Inspiration

Audio of Louise's talk

Madge Dresser and Peter Fleming, University of West of England shared their thoughts on partnership working between HEIs and Museums: Creating the Mshed

Antonio Benitez, Manchester Beacon and Sheena Cruickshank, University of Manchester talked about the: Manchester Beacon Science Festival Community Awards

Audio of Antonio's talk

Audio of Sheena's talk

Following this there was an Open Space session allowing delegates to talk about relevant themes.

1. Measuring Impact (PDF 398kB)

2. Make Research Interesting (PDF 340kB)

3. Accessing Resources (PDF 380kB)

4. Collaboration and Skills Sharing (PDF 411kB)

5. Reaching Out  (PDF 352kB)

6. Involving Students (PDF 345kB)

7. Making the Case (PDF 278kB)

The closing plenary, chaired by Paul Manners, the Director of the NCCPE reflected on the day's events. Veronika Sekules and Patrick Yarker shared their perpectives on museums and university partnerships.

Audio of Veronika's talk

Audio of Patrick's talk

UCL then invited delegates to a sneak preview of the Grant Museum of Zoology - which provided an opportunity to continue discussions in the wonderful redisplay of the collection. A really fitting end to an eventful day.