1

ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 Discover ◗ Connect ◗ Inspire 95 years of the History of Science Museum Vision 2024: Shining a light on the heritage of science

In 1683 the building on Broad Street, , which is now the History of In today’s world, where expectations of a museum have changed beyond Science Museum, opened as the home of a new institution, the Ashmolean recognition, it is not enough to have a breath-taking world-class collection. The Museum. Created to house the collection of Elias Ashmole, it was much History of Science Museum must ensure it remains relevant, outward-looking more than just a display of objects. It became the centre of Oxford science and sustainable for the future. in the late 1600s, with teaching in the entrance gallery and a chemical As science and expertise are contested, our objects offer stories and laboratory and anatomical theatre in the basement. By the time the perspectives from the past to make sense of the present. The Museum’s was built, experimental science was already flourishing remarkable collection has the power to illuminate ideas crossing faiths, cultures in Oxford: in particular, Robert Boyle and carried out their and time, illustrating what we have in common rather than what divides us – a famous research on the air pump in a house on the High Street. Boyle and need ever more important in a post-9/11 world. Hooke were leading lights in the early days of the Royal Society of , founded in 1660. We are passionate about these stories and want to share them as widely as possible in a fully accessible way, in stunning displays that are relevant for In 1924 the Museum of the History of Science was founded in the same audiences of today, supported by technology and tools that enhance visitor building. Like Noah’s Ark, it was intended as a place of safety, preserving experience, and accompanied by an ever-changing inclusive programme of objects from the threat of destruction. and Lewis Evans learning and participation. together were the driving force behind the new museum. Evans donated his collection of historic scientific instruments to the University in 1924. Vision 2024 encompasses the ambitious plans to ‘Revolutionise’ the History 2 Gunther campaigned for them to be displayed in the building then known of Science Museum in time for its first centenary, and will include sensitive 3 as the Old Ashmolean. A well-connected individual with an encyclopaedic refurbishment of its landmark building. knowledge of the history of science, Gunther rescued many historic The History of scientific artefacts and transferred them to the Museum. Science Museum Be part of making the History of Science Museum a museum Lewis Evans’s collection provided the nucleus around which the Museum for the future. grew. Subsequent acquisitions have come especially from Oxford colleges must ensure it and departments as well as major donors such as J A Billmeir (1957), C F Please contact: C Beeson (1966), the Royal Microscopical Society (1968) and the Marconi remains relevant, Corporation (2004). The Museum now holds an unrivalled collection of outward-looking Dr Silke Ackermann FSA early astronomical and mathematical instruments from Europe and the Director Islamic world and an exceptionally rich set of microscopes. Complementing and sustainable t: +44 [0]1865 277 281 the wide range of objects are manuscripts and early printed books, early e: [email protected] photographs, portraits of scientists and scientific prints. for the future. Lynda Knill Senior Development Manager t: +44 [0]7894 838737 e: [email protected]

ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 Discover ◗ Connect ◗ Inspire From the Director

2018-19 has been a hugely exciting year for our Museum, a time of change and first steps towards the realisation of Vision 2024, the ambitious strategy I am delighted for our centenary. Vision 2024 is a complete review of who we are, what we and hugely proud do and how we wish to do it, summarised by one word: Revolutionise. Who we are and what we stand for is behind our change of name and logo to be able to look – it may seem a small step at first glance, but as our Pro-Vice-Chancellor is back on twelve reflecting in the following pages, a huge leap for us. Hand in hand with name and logo changes we developed a brand-new months during website: sleek, stylish, and much lauded - please have a look yourself at which we have www.hsm.ox.ac.uk. I spoke about our first ever business review in last year’s Review and I very successfully am delighted and hugely proud to be able to look back on twelve months implemented during which we have very successfully implemented a change in mindset. A mindset that underpins the realisation that in the current day and age a change in the Museum needs to operate like a business with a strong commercial 4 performance that supports and enables many of the successes that we are mindset. 5 very proud to share with you in the following pages. We have pushed the boundaries beyond anything our bijou Museum was believed to be capable of and we are determined that this is only the beginning. None of this would have been possible without the phenomenal team that I am very proud to be part of, our committed volunteers who never cease to amaze us, our Visitors under the dynamic leadership of Professor Roger Davies, our outstanding colleagues within our Division and across the University, our generous supporters, and our audiences who continue to challenge us to reach for the stars. THANK YOU! Dr Silke Ackermann FSA Director

ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 Discover ◗ Connect ◗ Inspire From the Pro-Vice-Chancellor

It was Juliet in that famous tale of star- Multaka, in many ways. And for me this This reinterpretation of the collections I cannot finish without crossed lovers who asked “What’s in is exemplified not only by its award- can also be seen in the way that the noting the birthday a name?”. The observant reader might winning Multaka-Oxford programme of Young Producers voluntary group celebrated this year. spot that this year the annual report is activities, but also the many learning, have turned their hand to refreshing Ninety-five years ago this not of “The Museum of the History of public, and private events that are displays – bringing together the March the University Science” but “The History of Science taking place in the Museum. historical artefacts with more passed a decree to Museum”. This change of name contemporary objects, art and design accept Lewis Evans’ The Multaka programme has brought reflects a rethinking of the Museum and related religious text to create an donation of scientific to life the fact that the Museum is a and perhaps more than the name engaging display that offers a much instruments and meeting point for culture in its broadest itself might indicate. Together with more accessible interpretation of books. This marked sense. It has operated in collaboration the new logo of the swirling colourful the scientific objects. A different but the foundation of with local organisations Asylum interpretation of an astrolabe, which equally important cultural meeting the Museum, which Welcome, Connection Support, draws in both those who recognise point. opened to the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation what it represents and those for public in 1925. It Scheme and Refugee Resource and The various learning programmes from whom it is simply attractive, the name is wonderful to be through those partners has brought school children to degree students captures beautifully that the Museum able to report on the in to the Museum individuals who find offer another meeting point, helping is one of history, of an integration great successes of 6 themselves in Oxford having had to children identify mathematics in 7 7 of cultures and time, told through this small museum leave their homes in other parts of the everyday, and degree students scientific instruments and technology. ninety-five years later. the world. Those individuals come to experience the bringing together In previous Annual Reviews we have the Museum and its collections with of mathematics, art and religion – My congratulations spoken about the collections of a very different understanding and something that perhaps the History to Silke, as Director, the Museum, the exhibitions based cultural interpretation of the objects. of Science Museum is most uniquely and her team for all around those collections and the Their sharing of that understanding positioned to do. they have achieved curiosity that has been ignited in does much more for the listener than this year. As ever the funding of museums, and young people having experienced educate them about an object, it opens all they contribute, is constrained Professor Anne the Museum. We have referred to the up a window into a completely different and the team at the Museum have Trefethen FBCS FREng cultural importance of the collections way of life and provides a context that worked hard this year to improve the and the scientific and technological takes the object, and themselves, out Pro-Vice-Chancellor for various streams of income, attracting advances that they represent. This of the Museum and into a new world. People and Gardens, donations, increasing public giving and year, in my view, more than ever Having been fortunate to take part Libraries and Museums opening the Museum to host public the Museum is the embodiment of in a Multaka tour myself, and having (GLAM) This year, in my view, more than ever and private events. They are to be bringing together cultures, history and listened to volunteers speak about congratulated on these efforts which the Museum is the embodiment of magnificent scientific collections. It the collections from their own cultural are clearly leading to an improved has truly become the meeting point, and experiential point of view, I can financial position for the institution. bringing together cultures, history and say how poignant and expanding an experience it was. No wonder magnificent scientific collections. the programme is also attracting the attention of the awards committees.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 Discover ◗ Connect ◗ Inspire Headlines 2018/19

Multaka-Oxford OPS Move Project Maths through This multi-award- completion History winning project has The Museum’s largest ever collections The excitement of maths introduced new ways project was successfully completed on is shared with children of working across an schedule at the end of October. A total through this 18-month excellent partnership of 79,000 individual items were moved project using the Museum’s between the History of and 43,000 photographs taken while collection of mathematical Website and rebranding Science and Pitt Rivers vacating the Museum’s main offsite instruments. Children were 2018 saw the creation of a new Museums, and local community store. inspired through ‘real world’ museum identity. The Museum worked organisations, and shared learning problem-solving in workshops closely with external design experts across wider networks. Volunteers for schools, from Early Years to to create a vibrant new logo and from refugee communities have been Key Stage 4. corporate identity. The multi-colour at the heart of new Museum displays, logo, new fonts and styles can be bilingual tours and object handling, and events – an incredible 1,025 seen throughout the Museum, on print Tomorrow’s Oxford Heads branding and across the new website. people attended the Multaka-led event 8 The creation of a new website on the for Oxford’s Christmas Light Festival Eye-catching artistic diversity was 9 Mosaic platform was successfully over three hours. added to the 350 year - old stone heads delivered, on time and in budget, fronting the Museum and the Sheldonian resulting in improved user numbers, with newly commissioned temporary new users and page views. sculptures displayed outside the New Handrails Museum during the summer. Financial sustainability Our grand central staircase has These opened a rich dialogue presented challenges for many people, on how public sculpture In an ever-challenging climate in particular those with mobility could be diversified in the Museum continues to issues. With the expert support of Aric the future to better deliver a strong financial Barcena in Estates Services and the represent today’s performance. An enhanced approval of Conservation Officers, Oxford community. commercial offering, Colbalt Blacksmiths created and improved visitor giving and installed bespoke handrails on both careful expenditure planning New Penicillin case sides of the staircase. These look like meant that the Museum The Museum’s award-winning Back they have been in place for centuries closed the financial year from the Dead exhibition now has and were immediately put into use without draining its trust-fund a permanent legacy in a high-spec by visitors and staff of all ages and resources to offset operating showcase in the Basement Gallery. abilities. costs. The dramatic Oxford story of penicillin is told through the new display, which includes a Nobel Prize medal, other newly-uncovered objects and an animation.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 Discover ◗ Connect ◗ Inspire Learning and Participation

Facts and 103 students in student teachers 1683 volunteers gave increase in take up Building opened as a museum hours facilitated primary of the primary school (PGCE) in sessions 1,874 at the Museum Figures (Tour guides, Welcome 636 school sessions 20% taught programme 151 Hosts, Collections Move 30 projects, school and public students in facilitated 1924 events) Staff at 31 July secondary school and students in HE Established as History of Science 2019 (including part post-16 sessions and training Engagement Museum (formerly Museum of the 1,067 time and short term 1,703 61 in facilitated History of Science) contracted) school age (5-18) students in sessions free drop in highlight facilitated sessions guided tours of HSM 208 by our volunteer tour 28 volunteering 2,219 children and guide team Research, Teaching & Collections adults at family events, opportunities adults engaged in 1,103 independently and with 54 created in offsite outreach family events children (0-16) participating Masters teaching children activities in family activities at the modules drawing children and adults Museum 200+ on collections 250 15 2 involved in other research enquiries new acquisitions written responses to Social Media 129 events and special Tomorrow’s Oxford Heads projects delivered into the plinths new displays in the Islamic Instagram beneath the temporary World cabinet by the Young Audience (Followers): Twitter sculptures 79 Producers group 2 September 2018 – 1668 / Audience (Followers): research visits 1 new permanent September 2019 – 1963 18% September 2018 – 8664 / increase 10 written responses on display case September 2019 – 10994 27% 11 increase the Pink Head (Penicillin) Engagement: 1,000+ Engagement: September 2018 – 500 / September 2019 – 623 24% September 2018 – 226 / Operations & Planning increase September 2019 – 819 262% increase Impressions: 159,275 Impressions: September 2018 – 5117 / Museum visitors welcomed September 2018 – 25100 / September 2019 – 11481 124% increase September 2019 – 92400 268% art commissions - dance, drama, £41,000 increase music, poetry and sculpture from visitor donations: 6 Website visitors for the year average 26p per visitor, 2017/18 – 122,180 visitors over 3 increase of 73% per visitor Increase in website users 2018/19 – 142,112 hours to Lovelace’s Facebook between 31 July 2018 Labyrinth public 1,700 Audience (Page Likes): and 31 July 2019 event in March 2019 September 2018 – 6870 / 2,000 £3,000 September 2019 – 7461 8% tours delivered in 7 languages; profit from 14 increase 14.8% 18,000 audio clips played venue hire events Impressions: increase September 2018 – 50659 / Increase in new website September 2019 – 10270 users over the year £14,000 (big decrease) shop profit; 39p average spend per visitor; increase of 30% in average spend 15.4% increase

ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 Discover ◗ Connect ◗ Inspire RESEARCH, TEACHING & COLLECTIONS Collections

New Display Acquisitions A group Carton of Twelve (Empty) Penicillin of modern Boxes The Museum’s award-winning Back from The following objects were acquired by school by Commercial Solvents Corporation, the Dead exhibition now has a permanent the Museum: drawing sets, Terre Haute, Indiana, USA, 1944 legacy in a high-specification showcase British Army Heliograph, in case collected to Inv. 15779 in the Basement Gallery. This follows and with tripod document Presented by Polly Fengou on behalf the model of developing a temporary Inv. 15747 faulty of the Microbiology Department, John exhibition into a permanent display Presented by Peter McMaster manufacture: Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford pioneered by the previous Dear Harry Four instruments for forestry ‘Woolworths’ exhibition. The dramatic Oxford story measurement and management: Geometry of penicillin is told through the new Abney Level Set display, which includes Howard by Keuffel & Esser, New York, c. 1910 Chinese?, c. Florey’s Nobel Prize medal. The medal Inv. 15758 1995 only came to our attention as a result Inv. 15764 of the exhibition, and was generously ‘Auto Simplex’ Hypsometer lent by the Ashmolean Museum. The by J. H. Steward Ltd., London, c. 1910 Three Incorrectly Printed display also includes an animation Inv. 15757 Semicircular Protractors 12 and other newly-uncovered objects – ‘Vade-Mecum’ Timber Trade Slide Chinese, c. 1995 13 such as a remarkable painting by one Rule Inv. 15761-15763 of the technicians of the Dunn School by George Bousfield, Grimsby, c. 1900 ‘Grafix’ Geometry Set Brochure Describing Photographs of of Pathology, where Oxford’s penicillin Inv. 15759 Chinese, c. 1995 the Moon by Warren De La Rue research was conducted. Inv. 15765 Service Pattern Clinometer printed by Taylor & Francis, London, by Short & Mason Ltd., London, 1910 School Drawing Set 1862 Collections Projects Inv. 15760 Chinese, c. 1995 Inv. 15781 Presented by Toby Garfitt Inv. 15766 Presented by Frank Manasek The Museum’s largest ever collections The dramatic Oxford School Geometry Set project was successfully completed on Chinese, c. 1995 Four Letters from Dr Lewis Evans story of penicillin is told schedule at the end of October. A total Inv. 15767 (History of Science Museum’s of 79,000 individual items were moved founding donor), 1911-1914 through the new display, which from the Old Power Station at Osney in School Geometry Set To be catalogued with the Lewis Evans advance of redevelopment of the site by Chinese, c. 1995 includes Howard Florey’s Nobel manuscripts as MS Evans 121 the Saïd Business School. With the help Inv. 15768 Presented by Sue Pocock Prize medal. of volunteers, the Move team took 43,000 Correspondence on Faulty object photographs during the project. The Protractors objects have been moved to commercial by Peter Bailey, 1995-1999 collections storage while the new GLAM Inv. 15769 Collections Teaching and Research Centre is Presented by Peter Bailey being developed.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 Discover ◗ Connect ◗ Inspire RESEARCH, TEACHING & COLLECTIONS Digital Our Research Facilitator has processed 250 New website As an indication, there was a 147% Beyond collections images this will increase in traffic to the Museum’s support a wide range of other Museum The Museum launched its new research enquiries online shop after the website went live. functions, particularly in programmes website, hsm.ox.ac.uk, on 20 January and public engagement. and hosted 79 2019, on the centrally hosted Mosaic platform, providing a more modern and Digital projects Proof of concept has also been research visits. responsive interface and sporting the The GLAM Digital Strategy is delivering demonstrated for the cataloguing in new branding. major investment in digital asset EMu of manuscripts and archives. management and the improvement of These are the last part of the The project team, led by Georgina collections databases. collections outside modern digital Brooke, worked across the University’s management and when this project is Gardens and Museums on developing The Museum is therefore engaging in a complete next year, every area of the new websites, with brand cohesion major overhaul of the way it manages collections will be accessible online. across the different sites, reconfiguring its digital assets. After auditing items the Mosaic platform to meet the needs such as digital photographs of objects The Museum has also benefited from of the commercial, public-facing sites. and scoping the project, the way has further IT infrastructure development been cleared to begin migrating assets and investment across the Museums Test users reported positively and the to ResourceSpace, a purpose-built and Gardens. 14 number of visitors to the Museum’s digital asset management system. 15 website has increased significantly.

Conservation able to switch focus to the backlog of have come together to use a single conservation documentation. Other upgraded environmental monitoring Extensive work was done during the activity included the installation of the platform which gives greater resilience final few months of the Old Power new penicillin display, the condition and skill-sharing across the Division. Station Move project, especially on assessment of new acquisitions and preparing and packing the physics preparation of objects for loan out to glassware collection, and dealing with Library & Archives various institutions both nationally and hazardous materials such as mercurial Our Research Facilitator has continued internationally – all of which required barometers and asbestos-containing to run the Library and Archives and conservation treatment, detailed objects. Subsequent work has been has acted as a first point of contact condition loan out reports and packing carried out at the interim storage for research enquiries. During the for transit. A number of research visits facility throughout the year, ensuring year 2018-2019, he has processed was also facilitated by assessing the the hazardous objects were safely 250 research enquiries and hosted 79 condition of the requested objects and stored and located. This was done research visits. The enquirers were passing on the relevant information to alongside two members of the Move from many parts of the world. They the Collections Manager and Research team, retained for this follow-on work. included students from undergraduate Facilitator. level upwards, academics at all levels After two and a half years of the The GLAM (Gardens, Libraries and of seniority and a considerable number Move project, our conservator was Museums) Conservation departments of independent scholars.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 Discover ◗ Connect ◗ Inspire RESEARCH, TEACHING & COLLECTIONS Research and Teaching

Research- In a collaboration with Oxford’s paper on “Nature and Art in the Context’, in: Roy MacLeod, Russell Mathematical Institute Dr Macdonald Renaissance”, given in the Museum. G Egdell, Elizabeth Bruton (eds.): For active Museum staff produced a detailed catalogue of the He supported teaching for science and Science, King & Country: The Life and Museum’s MS Buxton 7, a volume history of art undergraduates through Legacy of Henry Moseley, Unicorn gave papers and of papers by Charles Babbage, the guided visits to the Museum. He acted Publishing Group: London, 2018, pp. computer pioneer. as examiner for the MSc in History of 244-69. keynote speeches Science, Technology and Medicine Additional academic service included (with Taha Yasin Arslan): ‘Instruments and served as internal examiner for an nationally and Dr Johnston refereeing papers for from Islamic Lands’, in: Anthony Oxford DPhil and external examiner for British Journal for the History of Turner, Mathematical Instruments in the a Swansea University PhD. internationally. Science, Notes and Records of the collections of the Bibliothèque National Royal Society and International Journal Dr Macdonald taught the MSc de France, BNF Éditions / Brepols: of Nautical Archaeology, while Dr Advanced Paper on “Science and London, Turnhout, 2018. Macdonald refereed for Annals of Practice: Instruments, Collections and ‘In the Service of Religion? “Islamic Science and the British Journal for the Museums, 1700-1900” supported by Science” in the Museum’, in: Bulletin of Research History of Science. the Museum’s collections, enabling the Scientific Instrument Society, 139 The Museum has been successful students to learn about the history of (December 2018), pp. 2-6. 16 in an application to the Oxford Teaching science through direct engagement 17 University Museums’ Arts and HSM staff continued to take an active with objects. He also gave tutorials in Stephen Johnston Humanities Research Council (AHRC) part in the teaching of the History the History and Philosophy of Science (with Silke Ackermann and Elizabeth Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Faculty, particularly at postgraduate Supplementary Subject for science Bruton): ‘Artefacts and Archives: Programme. Jointly supervised by level through Masters courses in the undergraduates. These tutorials took Presenting Moseley in a Museum the Director Dr Silke Ackermann and History of Science, Medicine and place in the HSM Library and Dr Context, in: Roy MacLeod, Russell G Professor Michael Reiss (University Technology. The recently launched Macdonald used a small selection of Egdell, Elizabeth Bruton (eds.): For College London), the successful Advanced Paper within the MSc our pre-1900 scientific books as props Science, King & Country: The Life and candidate Mathilde Daussy‐Renaudin curriculum, “Astrology in the Medieval to support his teaching. Legacy of Henry Moseley, Unicorn will begin research on “Science in the and Early Modern World” continues Publishing Group: London, 2018, pp. service of religion? A museum study” to be very popular. It ranges across Publications 244-69. in October 2019. both Europe and the Islamic world, Silke Ackermann Miranda Millward Research-active Museum staff and makes extensive use of artefacts (ed. with Josefina Rodríguez-Arribas, (with Tim Procter-Legg): ‘If pupils can’t gave papers and keynote speeches at HSM. Charles Burnett and Ryan Szpiech): nationally and internationally, focusing go to a museum, bring the museum to In addition to the history of astrology Astrolabes in Medieval Cultures. Brill: on topics ranging from the definition them’, Times Educational Supplement, course, Dr Johnston contributed Leiden, Boston, 2019. and role of ‘Islamic Science’ and 12 April 2019, pp. 34-35. to the teaching of “Methods and religion in teaching and displays (with Elizabeth Bruton and Stephen Themes in the History of Science” at to Chinese visitors to 17th-century Johnston): ‘Artefacts and Archives: postgraduate level. At undergraduate Oxford and digital projects. Presenting Moseley in a Museum level, he provided the majority of lectures in the History Faculty Prelims

ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 Discover ◗ Connect ◗ Inspire RESEARCH, TEACHING & COLLECTIONS Advisory bodies National and International Impact The Director, Dr Silke Ackermann, served as follows: Member of the Research Advisory Boards of Deutsches Museum Munich, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Loans the Centre for History of Science at the The Museum regularly supports exhibitions in the UK and abroad, requiring Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences collections staff input on facilities and logistics as well as conservation and Stockholm, and UNIVERSEUM The the preparation of detailed loan out condition reports and packing for European Academic Heritage Network. transit. The following went out on new loans this year: External Advisor for Eton College Sandwich Guildhall Bodleian Libraries Bodleian Libraries S. T. Lee Collections Committee on outreach Museum S. T. Lee Gallery, Gallery, Weston Library and access. November 2018 – November 2019 (with Weston Library Babel: Adventures in Translation Research Facilitator, Dr Lee possibility of extension) Talking Maps 15 February – 2 June 2019 Macdonald, served on two Royal Astronomical Society committees: Inv. 14912: Zodiacal Ring, English?, c. 5 July 2019 – 8 March 2020 MS Buxton 4: bound collection of Chair of the Library Committee, and 1400 printed papers by and relating to Inv. 34611: Astrolabe, Indo- member of the Astronomical Heritage Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace. National Maritime Museum Persian, c. 1600 Committee, the latter responsible for The Moon Inv. 44055: Geomantic Bildmuseet, Umeå the Society’s historic astronomical 19 July 2019 – 5 January 2020 Compass with Cover, Chinese, University, Sweden artefacts (some of which are on long- 18 before 1654, on long term term loan to HSM) and the history of 19 Inv. 48213: Astrolabe with geared Entangle / Physics and the Artistic loan to HSM from the Bodleian astronomy generally. calendar, by Muhammad B. Abi Bakr, Imagination Libraries was returned to Bodleian Isfahan, 1221/2 temporarily for this exhibition 16 November 2018 – 21 April 2019 Rete Inv. 31528: Islamic lunar calendar on Inv. 11714: Einstein Blackboard No.2, The Museum continues to administer parchment, Turkey, 1795-6 Aga Khan Museum, 1931 Rete, the international mailing list on Science Museum, London Toronto, Ontario, Canada the history of scientific instruments. Ashmolean Museum The list grew by a further 7% to 696 Top Secret: From Ciphers to Mirror of Time: The Moon in Islamic Spellbound: Thinking Magically, Past subscribers over the year, and the Cybersecurity Art and Present number of countries represented 10 July 2019 – 23 February 2020 9 March – 18 August 2019 6 September 2018 – 6 January 2019 also rose from 35 to at least 39, from Inv. 20815: Marconi Bellini-Tosi Inv. 33411: Astrolabe, Indo- Inv. 46378: Magical Sigil, found in China to Mexico, Ecuador to Estonia. Direction Finder Persian, 17th Century Devil’s Dyke, English, 16th century This increasingly global coverage underlines the Museum’s role in Inv. 33474: Astrolabe, by Inv. 51476: Crystal Ball, 17th century serving and connecting a worldwide Muhammad Salih Tatawi, Indo- Two long term loans to Royal community of individual researchers, Persian, Thatta, 1666/7 Museums Greenwich and the Museum academics and museum professionals. of Oxford came to an end. Inv. 33739: Astrolabe, by Khalil The mailing list is also used as the Muhammad ibn Hasan `Ali and principal means of communication by `Abd al-A’imma, Persian, Early 18th the Scientific Instrument Commission Century of the International Union of History Inv. 52473: Astrolabe, by Muhammad and Philosophy of Science. ibn Sa`id as-Sabban, Guadalajara, 1081/2

ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 Discover ◗ Connect ◗ Inspire PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT & PROGRAMMING Multaka-Oxford

Astrolabe (by Azfa Awad)

Multaka ( ), which means Volunteers are the centre of Multaka- I am an astrolabe, point me to the sun, ‘meeting point’ in Arabic, creates Oxford: 56 volunteers have contributed A symbol of nobility from when the world began. volunteer opportunities that use their skills, knowledge and experience I am an astrolabe, with me you will go far, the History of Science Museum to the Museum and its visitors, giving I’ll show you your destiny, hidden in the stars. and its collections to bring people over 1,200 hours of their time. The I am an astrolabe, point me to the sky, together. The project is funded until team is truly a ‘meeting point’ of September 2019 by the Esmée cultures with people from all over On my throne are holy verses praising the Most High Fairbairn Collections Fund and takes the world – Albania, Burma, Egypt, Extract from the poem commissioned by Multaka-Oxford for the ‘Christmas its name and inspiration from Multaka: Hungary, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Sudan, knowledge of the faith and cultures Light Night’ event, November 2018 Treffpunkt Museum, a project in Berlin Turkey, the UK and Zimbabwe. where these objects were made. Their that aims to aid integration and cultural At the History of Science Museum, personal insights have been revealing understanding. the Multaka team have been focusing new perspectives on the objects to on the Islamic scientific instruments the Museum’s audiences and these collection. Many of the Multaka insights have also been documented volunteers have experience and on the Museum database. Multaka volunteers have also supported the 20 planning, delivery and communication 21 of public events, tours and workshops. It’s an Over the winter and spring 2018/19 Multaka volunteers have trained as opportunity to speak tour guides. These tour guides have together, for learning led 15 Arabic tours for 162 people, Multaka-Oxford is a highly together, for living enthralling them with their own stories collaborative project, delivered jointly together, for sharing our and perspectives. by the History of Science Museum culture together,” Multaka In November 2018, a team of Multaka and the Pitt Rivers Museum and in volunteer volunteers co-produced an evening partnership with local organisations in event as part of the Oxford citywide Oxford: Asylum Welcome, Connection “It is my first time of ‘Christmas Light Night’. With additional Support, Syrian Vulnerable Persons understanding the funding from the Oxford City Council, Relocation Scheme and Refugee the team commissioned two artists: Resource. The project is able to acceptance of new Oxford poet Azfa Awad and musician focus on the individual motivations of cultures. Seeing this Bilal Alasali. The evening was a each person and supports a flexible meant that me, as a volunteers gave celebration of the Museum, faith and 58 programme that highlights transferable newcomer, I can also be culture as Azfa Awad performed her skills and signposts volunteers to other accepted. Multaka has commissioned work ‘The Astrolabe’ opportunities. been a second home for and the Museum was brought alive 1,200 hours me. It is a place where I through performances of Islamic am not a foreigner.” nasheed (a style of traditional vocal music) and the prayer call ‘Al Azan’. Multaka volunteer

ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 Discover ◗ Connect ◗ Inspire PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT & PROGRAMMING

At the museum it changed my idea about work, if I work in a place that has understanding of people it can be ok, it made me feel relaxed about the future. Because of this I want to work in school.”

The volunteers also planned displays Oxford is part of a larger network that of artwork by Syrian artist Akram Abo is bringing together Multaka projects Alfoz, Qur’anic verses about ‘light and from around the world. knowledge’, lanterns made by Syrian families in Oxford, and gave tours in The Multaka-Oxford team are: Arabic. An incredible 1,025 people Abdullah, Abi, Ali, Basma, Chaitanya, attended the event. Dhamyaa, Dilber, Dot, Eniko, Evi, Farida, Feng, Ghazala, Gihan, Hadi, Since March 2019, Multaka volunteers Jo Cox-Photography have been running events and Hussein, Khalil, Maggie, Mariam, activities to demonstrate the ‘meeting objects. For example, volunteer Rukan Miranda, Mohamed, Mohammad, Nav, point’ between people and cultures in shares a small square of the black Nawar, Nicola, Niran, Nivin, Nuha, Oxford. To mark the Vernal Equinox, curtain (al-Kiswah) of the al-Kaaba Rachel, Rana, Rawan, Richard, Rita, the volunteers planned and ran a (the holy house) in Mecca (Makkah), Roushin, Rukaia, Rukan, Sanda, Safaa, the holiest place for Muslims in Saudi Safaa, Sarah, Shaimaa, Shom, Suffia, Simon-Callaghan-Photography family event to highlight cultural celebrations that mark the start of Arabia. Suheer, Tammam, Thabo, Tom, Trish, Ursula, Waed and Wesal spring, including Kurdish Nowruz, The project has been developing 22 Sham Ennessim in Egypt and dolls networks for change. In June 2019 Their dedication and contribution was 23 made by the csángó people. the Multaka Cross-Sector Networking nationally recognised when they won Over the summer, Multaka volunteers Day brought together 70 people the Museum + Heritage Awards Best I didn’t know there have been running object handling from museums and other heritage Volunteer Team 2019. The cross- were these objects here sessions to extend the ‘multaka’ organisations, support agencies and sectoral partnership work was also from Islamic world…I find I (meeting-point) in the Museum. In the the voluntary sector to look at how awarded a ‘Highly Commended for was so happy and I feel so Upper Gallery, the volunteers have partnership working can develop Partnership Working’. talked with visitors about Islamic programmes with and for forced pleased when I show people astrolabes and Qibla indicators, linking migrants. Internationally, Multaka- these are from my country... these objects with their own personal Now I don’t just want to listen now I want to speak and to show these things Visitors to Oxford Christmas Lights event produced by myself.” Multaka volunteer 1,025 Multaka-Oxford over Object Handling hours Tours in Arabic: 3 volunteers gave 15 200visitors tours for trained volunteers 10 7 162 people

ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 Discover ◗ Connect ◗ Inspire PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT & PROGRAMMING Tomorrow’s Oxford Heads This is an amazing and long overdue idea. Future heads should be specific women whose contributions have been overlooked by history – there are plenty to choose from!... Get local communities involved!

Oxford’s Stone Heads to complement, challenge and diversify phase of the installation, without the with conservation scientists and see the existing historic sculptures. artists present, the Pink Head was some of the equipment and techniques Outside the Museum sit four stone moved into the Sheldonian yard near to they use to investigate stone decay heads, continuing the line of heads With support from the Oxford the stone heads there and within view of and environmental impacts. During a around the front perimeter of the University’s Diversity Fund and the Van the Museum. Museum late opening, the public were neighbouring Sheldonian Theatre. It is Houten Fund, we put out an open call invited to hear what archivists have not known whether they are intended to artists for proposals for temporary discovered about the history and to represent emperors, philosophers or sculptures to stimulate this dialogue. mysteries of the stone heads, and other mythical figures, but we can see A panel including wide representation to imagine heads for the future with that they all represent bearded men, of groups and expertise within the artist Kay Sentance. Kay’s source and we know that they are the third University and city selected two of inspiration, the brain which lies generation of stone heads, the first proposals, consulted widely on their beneath the exterior head, was on having been installed 350 years ago. designs and worked with the artists to temporary display in the Basement Earlier generations, from 1669 and 1868, develop the plans. Gallery. were replaced because they were badly Future Heads? The result was the installation from mid- eroded and disfigured by rainfall and air 22 June: Museum visitors June to mid-July 2019 of two artworks. pollution, despite conservation efforts. Alongside this exhibition, the Museum Over 200 people wrote or drew their responded to the question of 24 partnered with the School of Geography Outside the entrance to the Museum responses to the new sculptures or diversifying sculpture by shaping 25 2019 presented the opportunity to and the Environment to open up stone mason Alex Wenham’s ‘Work in their ideas for future public sculptures their own heads in clay. People celebrate the 350th anniversary of a dialogue, asking artists and the Progress’ was installed on temporary to post into the plinths, and well over of all ages were fully engaged the Heads, to share with the public public: how can we diversify public plinths. Just as the original heads are 1,000 people added their marks and to produce 49 very different, investigations into what scientific sculpture to better represent people in not thought to be portraits of actual suggestions to the Pink Head. Public thoughtful, touching, and analysis can tell us about the state of today’s Oxford? We wanted to explore people, so the two plaster of Paris heads response was overwhelmingly positive sometimes funny heads. These the Heads past and present, and to look the possibility of new, more diverse did not represent individuals but were and interested, with a few less positive were displayed in the Basement to the future. representations of the Heads, which intended to represent demographics but searching comments opening up Gallery while the temporary heads The Oxford Rock Breakdown Laboratory might lead to more permanent or long- within Oxford’s diverse community interesting discussion. remained outside, and have been in the School of Geography and the standing additions to public art within which are woefully underrepresented in documented digitally for future Environment collaborated with the the University and central Oxford areas the public sculpture of the city. Public Engagement reference. Bodleian Library to present an exhibition On the cobbles outside the Museum The art installations were accompanied from May to July 2019 in the Weston artists Naomi Lawrence and Patricia by a public engagement programme, Library, across the road from the Scherer constructed, in public view, including: Outcomes Museum, about Oxford’s Stone Heads: Evaluation of the public responses a giant Pink Head, and invited public 17/18 May: A science and art weekend, History and Mysteries. will inform future proposals for public interaction and contributions through in collaboration with the Weston Library, sculpture. This project is feeding into writing or drawing their answers to when the Mobile Heritage Lab from Urban Culture Dose, an associated the question of how to diversify public SEAHA (the EPSRC-funded Centre research project looking into the impact sculpture in Oxford. For the second for Doctoral Training in Science and of the urban environment, including Engineering for Art, Heritage and public sculpture, on mental health and The installations excluded various layers of ethnicities, religion, gender, Archaeology) was stationed outside wellbeing. etc. yet this intentional exclusion made people stop, evaluate and discuss.” the Museum, inviting the public to talk

ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 Discover ◗ Connect ◗ Inspire PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT & PROGRAMMING Events

Multaka-Oxford with them, we were able to reach Wonderful! So audiences who would not otherwise Public programming with the Multaka- have visited the Museum, in particular great to be guided Oxford team included tours in Arabic from local Islamic communities. For in Arabic + English and English, object handling sessions, many it was the first time that they around astrolabes and a special evening event for were able to enjoy the Museum space Oxford’s Christmas Light Festival. from the Muslim world – and experience being part of this Fabulous.” The night was co-curated by the annual Oxford festival. Multaka-Oxford volunteers. Working “Thank you to all for the Welcome and the work involved. Lovely to be “transported”, see the enthusiasm and hear the IF Oxford Science & Ideas Excellent A Knight in the Museum range of the human voice & Festival 2018 performance, a A new initiative, a Dungeons and ingenuity.” The Museum was part of the new IF real treat. Drama Dragons evening event, offered 26 Oxford Science & Ideas Festival in and science go a Student Stress Soother in May, 27 2018 with three events. attracting a very high proportion of well together.” new visitors, both student and public, 200 years of the publication of Mary with excellent feedback. Shelley’s Frankenstein was celebrated through public performances of The bespoke campaign, featuring the specially commissioned drama objects from the Museum’s collections Frankenstein Reconstructed, and the building itself, was written by I Swear I Saw This theatre / by Museum volunteer Alex. Players documentary collective, alongside defeated goblins, puzzled out devious flash talks on 18th-century science. traps and searched for the elixir of life. The night was a huge success and Lovelace’s Labyrinth brought Ada welcomed a new, younger audience Lovelace alive in the Museum for a to the Museum, 95% of whom had family event exploring mathematical never been to an event at the Museum puzzles and problem-solving activities. before. Victorian Speed was an event developed with the Diseases of Really fun event, Modern Life research team. This I loved the immersive late night event showed setting.” people that the fear that modern life moves too fast was shared by our Victorian ancestors. Activities included a photo-booth, first aid trivia, and a sexual health tombola.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 Discover ◗ Connect ◗ Inspire PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT & PROGRAMMING

A Million Memories Monthly Thursday evening Blogs Brain Awareness Week was marked by a sold-out performance talks included: The following blogs were published on of dance and poetry with live music. The Dance Creative group A Lab of One’s Own, by Dr Patricia the Museum website at http://blogs. adapted their piece for the Museum space. A Million Memories was Fara, about the pivotal role of women mhs.ox.ac.uk/insidemhs/ based on their personal experience of and research into early onset scientists during the First World Young Producers Curating Prayer: A dementia and explored the poignant story of a mother with early War – part of the Women in Science display in the Islamic World collection onset dementia and her daughter. Emeritus Professor Chris Kennard, celebrations by Ellie Martin and Sam Hudson from the University’s Medical Sciences Division, and Anna Eden, Closing the Gap, by Dr Vicky Neale, from charity Young Dementia UK, participated with the dancers in an One Giant Leap… a retrospective about breakthroughs in prime numbers informative Q&A following the performance. on the family friendly Apollo 11 Ada Lovelace: The Making of a celebration by Lead Learning Officer 28 The performance was part of the city-wide Dancin’ Oxford festival, 29 Computer Scientist, by Professor Chris Parkin and was supported by Oxford City Council. Ursula Martin; repeated later in the Drawing the Moon by artist Jo Lane Thought provoking and creative. year due to popularity The Search for Snoopy by Peter Ells Beautifully presented.” The Art of Old Age, by Dr Maria del Pilar Blanco, exploring the art of My favourite object: an Islamic geriatrics and degeneration in Spanish astrolabe by Collections Projects Wonderful. America in the late 1800s Officer on the Multaka-Oxford project Regular events Rana Ibrahim Moved me to and Talks Science Fictions, by Professor Rob Iliffe, about how the human imagination My fortnight at the Museum by intern tears and all Marconi Day returned with the shaped science and scientists over the Kelly Lau elements worked support of Oxford and District last 400 years so well together - dance, Amateur Radio Society. In addition The Foundation of a Museum by Public poetry, music.” to establishing our amateur radio Redefining Measurement, by Professor Engagement Officer Robyn Haggard station in the Basement Gallery, Graham Machin, about why and My Favourite Object: an Earl’s we set up Morse code stations in how internationally defined units of armillary sphere by Primary Education the Top Gallery so people could measurement are changing Officer Helen Pooley write their own messages and 250 Years of Weather in Oxford, by experiment with code. Stephen Burt, based on weather observations at the Radcliffe Observatory in Oxford since 1772

ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 Discover ◗ Connect ◗ Inspire PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT & PROGRAMMING Learning 2018-19

The project has I went to 2 put museum- sessions at the Secondary Schools The aim of the project was to visiting on their History of Engaging with the secondary and encourage children to feel confident in radar which is Science museum post-16 sectors, under the leadership accessing the Museum’s collections brilliant.” Teaching Assistant from of Chris Parkin, the Museum as a child - making an and to foster a sense of ownership Wood Farm Primary School, Expert continued to deliver a wide range escapement mechanism of the Museum’s spaces. Initial visits of taught sessions, and to develop Explainer Project for a clock and an out to the school were followed by the programme of themed study astrolabe. It made me return visits to the Museum to explore “The children were really days which, in addition to curriculum decide to do a degree in our objects over two sessions. The inspired by the sessions.” enrichment, provide valuable children were then invited to bring their opportunities for students to engage Teacher from St. Phillips and St. mathematical families to the Museum to give them a with academics and researchers from engineering.” tour and become ‘expert explainers’. James’ Primary School Oxford University. A young woman completing a PGCE 30 31

Despite the challenging Primary Schools and is very ‘hands-on’, encouraging children to consider aspects of economic climate resulting in The redevelopment of the primary maths in everyday life. The session cuts to schools’ budgets, we schools’ programme, led by Helen on electricity, which features guest have maintained a lively and Pooley, continued this year with a appearances by the Victorian inventor diverse learning programme new session piloted on Medicine James Wimshurst creating sparks with engaging with new primary through Time; changes to the House the Wimshurst machine, is increasingly schools and experimenting of Wisdom session in response popular. with new collaborative study to schools working with the new day events for secondary National Curriculum specifications; Extended reach included working schools. The Maths Project and a new Key Stage 1 session, The on the Expert Explainers project has gained momentum, and Measurers, as part of the Maths with schools from The Headington there have been rewarding Project. The primary programme has Partnership, including Wood Farm opportunities for the Young seen a 20% increase in the number of and Bayards Hill, based in some of Producers to work with different schools subscribing to taught the most socio-economically deprived volunteers from the award- sessions. neighbourhoods in Oxford. The winning Multaka-Oxford participating children had all been The Measurers focuses on the project. awarded Pupil Premium funding (a collection of measuring instruments Government grant to help children from surrounding a delightful 16th-century disadvantaged backgrounds). Dutch painting of the same title,

ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 Discover ◗ Connect ◗ Inspire PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT & PROGRAMMING

Frankenstein Bicentenary The Frankenstein sixth- Many of them seldom The bicentenary of the publication form study days engaged benefit directly from living of Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein with 91 students from 6 in Oxford, and this was provided an opportunity for the local secondary schools, one of those rare Museum to stage events for the public and schools in partnership with the and the GCSE study day occasions where we all Bodleian Libraries, which hold an engaged with 50 students felt very lucky to be so archive of materials related to Mary from the Cherwell School. close to the university and Shelley, including a manuscript draft its extraordinary of the novel. Honestly today was such a resources.” Teacher, Cherwell A contemporary drama, Frankenstein pleasure and I School Reconstructed, was commissioned Women in Astronomy from theatre / documentary collective enjoyed myself I Swear I Saw This for public so much. It’s given me a Our partnership with the Physics performances in the Museum on lot of contextual Department continued this year with a new study day, Women in Astronomy, 32 the evening of 12 October. The information as well as a 33 performances were complemented by better appreciation of aimed at girls studying physics at short gallery talks around Museum GCSE. This was designed to highlight objects from the time Frankenstein Shelley and Science. the role of women in astronomy and was written, and an evening Amazing. Really, really astrophysics, both past and present, programme of Frankenstein activities interesting and eye- and to encourage girls considering at the Weston Library. This was all opening.” Student the possibility of a career in research. part of the IF Oxford Science + Ideas As well as hands-on workshops in the Festival 2018, and was aimed at adult I just wanted to Museum and Physics Department, audiences. thank you once pupils were treated to an inspiring again for such a keynote address by Professor of The Museum and Weston Library Astrophysics, Katherine Blundell, and collaborated to deliver three academic brilliant day last participated in an extremely useful study day events for local schools: Friday. I thought the day Q&A session with a panel of female I think students really enjoyed the The activities are pitched one for Key Stage 4 (GCSE), and two was very well put together researchers and academics. Hearing visit – have had a couple talk to for Key Stage 5 (sixth-form) linked to high but explained well and - it was imaginative and the disarmingly honest responses me in the days following to say well worth offering to other the curriculum for English Literature varied, with a good to the many questions posed by the and the gothic novel. Performances they found it interesting and students to see/meet balance of academic students was refreshing and inspiring. of Frankenstein Reconstructed Feedback from teachers was very useful. I think it was good for the girls to female scientists and ask were included in the study day depth and entertainment. positive: see women in astronomy (what they do) questions.” Teacher programmes, alongside talks and The activities were and have a chance to talk to them.” Teacher workshops on aspects of literary engaging and enjoyable, interpretation and science. Feedback but also very useful for was very positive on all aspects. our Literature students.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 Discover ◗ Connect ◗ Inspire PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT & PROGRAMMING

be working with the Iffley Academy, a school for special educational needs, Lovelace’s in autumn 2019. Labyrinth March Young Producers event attracted The HSM Young Producers is now into its fourth year, and its membership over 1,700 has grown amongst the target group visitors. of young people (ages 18-30) with Touch Tours diversity in public sculpture; and 12 active participants this year. The One Giant Leap, a hugely successful The Museum continued to offer group has been involved in curatorial Apollo 11 commemorative event on 20 quarterly hands-on tours for visitors planning activities and its work has July featuring activities related to the who are blind or partially sighted. This led to an innovative display in the Moon, including drawing with Galilean year we welcomed 48 visitors (and Islamic World cabinet, featuring telescopes and making Moon globes. several guide dogs) on four tours the theme of prayer in Islam, and with topics ranging from the wonders another in development on the theme Meet Me at the Museum of radio and the history of medicine, 34 of craftsmanship. Young Producers to a brief history of telling the time 35 benefited from consultation with The Museum benefits from the and the instruments we use for volunteers from the Multaka-Oxford ongoing support of the cross-GLAM measurement. Tours were delivered project who have also contributed Community Engagement team. This in collaboration with Ken, Mary and colleagues from the Department of Maths, Art, Religion and Maths Project to the displays, enhancing their year with their support we delivered Lucy, all Museum Highlight and History Computer Science at Royal Holloway, Science - MARS This project has gathered momentum contemporary relevance. a series of events within the Meet Volunteer Guides, who each helped University of London; hands-on The Museum’s partnership with Oxford this year with the development of new me at the Museum programme research and deliver a tour. activities with mechanical calculators City College continued in supporting workshop sessions for primary and Families for the elderly. Over five events and navigational instruments; trails at the Museum, the group the MARS curriculum programme for secondary schools. These include: Family audiences Volunteers and measuring activities. expanded from 15 to 25 elderly students on art and design foundation The Measurers session for Key continued to enjoy a full participants who enjoyed The Museum’s learning programme and degree courses. We delivered a Stage 1; and Ingenious Geometers, a We delivered a modified version range of activities at the object handling activities, and has benefited from the contributions series of eight practical workshops revised workshop about geometry and of this event at Templars Square Museum. These included sharing stories relating to themes of an extraordinarily committed and involving science and art, including navigation for Key Stage 3. shopping centre in Cowley, East Lovelace’s Labyrinth presented by the Museum and diverse team of volunteers who have the printing workshop Making Oxford, as part of the May 2019 Maths maths events; a Heads- The Maths Project delivered two its collections. The project participated in both schools and public Micrographia; the workshop Secret Festival organised by the University’s up clay modelling hugely successful public events demonstrated the power events, and from the ongoing support Knowledge about the invention of Mathematical Institute, enabling us to workshop within entitled Lovelace’s Labyrinth, with of tactile activities in of the cross-GLAM Volunteering linear perspective in art; and Globe reach out to more socio-economically the Tomorrow’s activities for adults and children, bringing memories and Team in promoting volunteering Makers. deprived areas of the city. Oxford Heads bringing to life different aspects of the associations to life for opportunities. project exploring Museum’s extraordinary collection The Maths Project continues with elderly people, as well of mathematical instruments. These generous support from individual as the opportunity for included demonstrations of a table-top donors and additional funding from the new learning. working model of one of Babbage’s University’s Van Houten Fund. We will difference engines, brought to us by

ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 Discover ◗ Connect ◗ Inspire OPERATIONS & PLANNING Visitor Giving & Commercial Activity Income

University funding £552,000 The Museum received just over half trading activity, covering a number of Research England £135,000 of its income from the University of new revenue streams. These included: The Museum welcomed 159,275 daytime visitors. Oxford. Additionally, in 2018-19 we Event & Venue Hire, Filming, Audio- Arts Council England £150,000 These visitors made an average donation of 26 pence, which means that we continued to receive funding from both guides and Group Bookings. We are Research income £1,000 Research England and Arts Council aiming to generate up to 20% of our saw an increase in per-visitor-donations of 73%. This increase resulted in a Donations: England which supports the delivery of income via trading activity across record-breaking £41,000 of visitor giving income. This has grown our the Museum’s core activities and roles. various revenue streams. Visitor Giving £41,000 visitor income as a total cash value by 53%, despite a drop in visitor numbers Other Donations £23,000 Throughout 2018-19 the Museum The Museum improved its programme over the year in common with other museums. worked tirelessly to generate more of of driving visitor giving by utilising new Trust & Investment its own income and reduce the reliance training approaches and a contactless Donations Income on our trust funds. The Museum donation terminal. Visitor Giving Our Head of Operations & Planning, Per Visitor Museum Trust Fund £28,000 delivered an enhanced programme of The Museum achieved the highest Kingston Myles, has been heavily 2018-19 drawdown donations per visitor across the involved in the roll-out of contactless Van Houten Trust £4,000 Gardens, Libraries and Museums donations terminals across GLAM. 26p 2017-18 Trading income £117,000 (GLAM) Division in 2018-19. The Front The devices were installed at the end of March 2019 and have contributed 15p 36 Other income £41,000 of House (FOH) team continues to 37 develop new and exciting ways of £2,081 to the visitor giving income. TOTAL INCOME £1,092,000 ensuring that we proactively encourage We continue to embed these as the ask. every visitor, every time, to support the an alternative ask for visitors who We have Museum. don’t necessarily have cash, and we worked 2016-17 Expenditure hope to see a steady flow of income hard to A number of key initiatives have helped throughout 2019-20. listen to 11p Museum expenditure continues to of our operating costs (66%). Capital support the exemplary performance Payroll £719,000 Our welcome and ask for visitors has visitor rise in line with generating surplus and Infrastructure costs have been of the Museum. In September 2018 Consumables / £12,000 been completely re-structured with the and team income and rising operating costs. The significantly reduced (17%) thanks to a our new FOH Manager, Cai Marshall, Supplies removal of our no backpacks policy, feedback and managed to “buck the overall position (drawing down less re-evaluation of space charges which introduced the ‘at-till-ask’. Every the introduction of our FOH Volunteer trend” even with a decline in visitor Premises & Equipment £46,000 on trust funds, delivering more, and took effect in 2018-19. We continue customer in the shop is presented with Visitor Hosts, and a clear welcome numbers. Costs operating more efficiently) shows an to operate with a lean premises, an opportunity to support the Museum message alongside other initiatives. Staff Related Costs £8,000 improvement from previous years. We equipment and consumables budget, by donating at their time of purchase. This agile innovation and willingness to have a Divisional agreement to close which can at times limit the Museum’s This initiative successfully added Publicity Related Costs £18,000 adapt alongside our visitor profiles has 2018-19 with a small (1%) deficit of ability to meet its key aims and grow £3,818 of visitor giving income to the meant that we have seen Professional Fees £12,000 around £11,000. This was due to the its visitor numbers. The Museum Museum’s accounts and we saw a near continued growth in our Cost of Trading Activity £45,000 rebranding costs and is covered by the continues to pay a recharge for a 35% uptake rate from our visitors. We donations’ income and (Goods/Services) Museum’s reserves. number of central University services continue to grow this as a target for our a higher level of team Total £ from Visitor Giving but, in accordance with 2018-19 retail and supervisory team in 2019-20. University Recharges £54,000 The Museum continues to grow its engagement in delivering planning, these have been reduced 2018-19 Capital & Infrastructure £188,000 staff resource in order to meet the and continue to be evaluated on a Costs demands of delivery and operation. Total £ from Visitor Giving £41,000 regular basis. Payroll in 2018-19 was the majority Total £ from Visitor Giving TOTAL EXPENDITURE £1,102,000 2017-18 2016-17 £26,000 ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 £24,000 OPERATIONS & PLANNING

Events & Venue Hire Since January 2019 the Museum has received over 200 queries for group When the Museum closed its accounts bookings and self-guided group visits. The Museum’s retail business continued to grow and in 2018-19 in 2017-18 we committed to developing Since the introduction of the £50 a venue hire business that would the shop saw an average spend of 39p per visitor. per group charge in April 2019 the contribute a profit to help support Museum has generated an additional This is an increase of 30% and contributed to an overall growth in retail the general operating costs of the £3,000 of turnover to support the Museum. In early 2019 we introduced turnover of over £10,000. The shop had a final operating profit in 2018- Museum’s offer. 19 of just over £14,000. The profitability of the shop has grown by a venue hire offer and more recently piloted having a part-time post Audio Guides & Other 75% since 2017-18. dedicated to delivering events and group bookings. Income Retail In November 2018 the Museum agreed 2018-19 2017-18 Our venue hire and events trading During 2018-19 a number of dynamic to introduce a new platform to deliver activity (c. £20,000 turnover) covered changes ensured that the performance Total Retail audio content and tours to visitors. all of its own costs and generated an of the shop continued to grow and £61,907 £51,169 We partnered with Guide ID to deliver Turnover operating profit of just over £3,000. We move from strength to strength. In a simple and effective platform to are working hard to grow this business 38 2017-18 the shop was relocated to the enhance our visitor experience. We 39 in 2019-20 and are aiming to achieve Entrance Gallery and throughout 2018- worked with our Front of House team £80,000 of turnover in 2019-20. 19 we continued to make changes, 39p Spend Per Visitor 30p and other Museum staff to ensure we had a great selection of content. including a refurbishment with new Group Bookings shop units and display equipment. Since launching the audio guide we Total No. To support the pressure on staff time This and the re-positioning of the delivered nearly 2,000 tours in seven 6646 5070 and Museum resources of a high information desk and donation boxes Transactions languages for our visitors. We also number of group booking requests, opened up the gallery space and made launched a trial of a ‘family friendly’ we, along with the other University the shop instantly more appealing. The Average audio tour. ongoing support of our Collections £9.31 Transaction £10.09 Museums, have been piloting a team to re-locate objects and cases reservation charge for group bookings. The audio guides are part of a wider has ensured that the shop can Value This guarantees timed admission commercial strategy. They have grow around itself and attract more to the Museum, with a welcome for contributed around £4,000 to our customers. Average Margin visiting self-guided groups. The charge trading turnover, and have generated a 51.3% 52.7% does not apply to groups from primary, profit which goes towards supporting Changes to the team, including secondary and further education the Museum’s long-term financial the appointment of the permanent institutions using the collections as sustainability and commercial growth FOH Manager, ensured that our Customer part of a formal learning programme. plans. retail operation was able to move 4.2% Conversion 2.82% from strength to strength, with the introduction of range plans and improved pricing to manage product Full Year Retail margin. £14,000 Profit £8,000

ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 Discover ◗ Connect ◗ Inspire Museum Staff and Volunteers

Directorate Public Engagement and Nick Wicker, Caretaker Volunteer Tour Guides Gallery Attendants: Marie Chapman, Dr Silke Ackermann, Museum Director Programmes Chaitanya Chintaluri Manfred Driver, Bob Ellis, Peter Ells, Danielle Battigelli, Executive Assistant Robyn Haggard, Public Engagement Graham Forbes Silvia Pinna, Rana Ibrahim, Anthony Dr Laura Crossley, Head of Public Officer (until 19 June 2019) Lucy Gasson Lummis, Matthew Scott, Sukie Trowles, Engagement and Programmes (from 01 Rachel Harrison, Community Mary Lale Sam Hudson, Cai Marshall October 2018 until 31 March 2019) Engagement and Volunteer Officer Ken Taylor Dr Stephen Johnston, Head of Research, (Multaka-Oxford Project) Shared Services within John Ward Teaching and Collections Keiko Ikeuchi, Photographer/ Designer 8 others who preferred not to be Kingston Myles, Head of Operations and Chris Parkin, Lead Learning Officer GLAM (Gardens, Libraries named Planning Helen Pooley, Learning Officer and Museums) Owen Shaw, Technician Anjanesh Babu, Gardens & Museums IT Volunteer Visitor Hosts Research, Teaching and Sukie Trowles, Education Officer Nicola Bird, Outreach Chris Humphrey Collections Georgina Brooke, Project Lead & Web Karen Humphrey Content Manager Lucy Blaxland, Collections Manager Operations and Planning Judith Williams Ruth Connor, Finance Thomas Hopkins, Collections Management Samantha Evans, Events, Sales and 2 others who preferred not to be Antony Green, Development Assistant (until 17 December 2018) Bookings Officer (from 7 May 2019) named 40 Susan Griffiths, Outreach 41 Rana Ibrahim, Collections Project Officer Veronica Ford, Gallery and Shop Catherine House, Development (Multaka-Oxford Project) Supervisor (acting up until 31 December Public Engagement Hayleigh Jutson, Volunteering Dr Lee Macdonald, Research Facilitator 2018) Volunteers Miranda Millward, Arts Engagement Dr Paul Trafford, Digital Projects Officer Sam Hudson, Front of House Officer The Museum is very grateful to the Cheryl Wolfe, Conservator Supervisor (from 7 May 2019) Caroline Moreau, Volunteering many volunteers who helped run Chris Humphrey, Front of House Carl Parker, Gardens & Museums IT activities and events for families and Supervisor (from 9 May 2019) OPS Move Project Team Joy Todd, Volunteering the public throughout the year, without Cai Marshall, Gallery and Shop Janine Fox, Team Leader (until 31 October Spiro Vranjes, Gardens & Museums IT whom it would not be possible to Supervisor (until 31 March 2019), Front engage with so many people. 2018) of House Manager (from 1 April 2019) Move Project Assistants: Silvia Pinna, Gallery and Shop Honorary Research Fellow Maia Balint (until 31 January 2019) Supervisor (acting up until 31 May 2019) Dr Elizabeth Bruton Laura Egginton (until 28 October 2018) Asima Qayyum, Administrative Rowena Hartley (until 28 October 2018) Assistant Volunteers on Matthew Harrop (from 14 February 2018) Asima Qayyum, Administrative OPS Move Project Melanie Howard (from 14 February 2018) Assistant Amreet Kular (until 28 October 2018) Supervisor (acting up until 31 May 2019) Dr Michael Heaton Megan MacLean (until 31 January 2019) Sukie Trowles, Gallery and Shop Yimin Ma Jack Ord (until 08 August 2018) Supervisor (acting up until 31 May 2019) Shomik Mukherjee Paula Reyes Arce (until 28 October 2018) And two others who wished to remain anonymous

ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 Discover ◗ Connect ◗ Inspire Thank you for your support

We are enormously grateful to all our Fund, John Ellerman Foundation, donors, friends and volunteers who Maxson Network Limited, the Millburn have so generously supported the Bequest, Oxford City Council, Oxford History of Science Museum over the University’s Diversity and Van Houten past 12 months. Our mission cannot Funds, Research England, and all our be achieved without the donations anonymous donors. and support of individuals, trusts We are also deeply grateful to: and charitable foundations and other organisations who contribute to a wide Our talented and knowledgeable variety of projects and activities. volunteers who have helped our Collections Team, led free tours for the We would particularly like to thank the public, and assisted with learning and following: participation events and activities The Edward Penley Abraham Our many colleagues and partners Cephalosporin Fund, Arts Council across GLAM (Gardens, Libraries and England, The Barakat Trust, Esmée Museums) and the wider University 42 Fairbairn Collections Fund, the Evans of Oxford, as well as other museums, 43 Collection Fund, the AE Gunther universities, schools and collections.

Board of Visitors If you would like to become involved in supporting the History of Science Museum, please contact: The Vice-Chancellor, University of the History of Science Professor Mark Pollard*, Edward Hall Dr Silke Ackermann FSA Lynda Knill Oxford Dr Sloan Mahone* for Professor Mark Professor of Archaeological Science Director Senior Development Manager Professor Roger Davies*, Chair of Harrison, Reader in the History of (Social Sciences Division) t: +44 [0]1865 277 281 t: +44 [0]7894 838737 Visitors, Philip Wetton Professor of Medicine Tony Spence*, Head of Collection e: [email protected] e: [email protected] Astrophysics Dr Laura van Broekhoven*, Director, Services, Kevin Rodd*, Divisional Secretary Pitt Rivers Museum Professor Marcus du Sautoy, The for Gardens, Libraries and Museums Professor Sally Shuttleworth*, Simonyi Professor for the Public (GLAM), for Professor Anne Trefethen, Professor of English Literature Understanding of Science Pro-Vice-Chancellor with responsibility (Humanities Division) Dr Asma Mustafa, Research Fellow in for GLAM Professor Zoltán Molnár, Professor of the study of Muslims in Britain, Oxford One of the Proctors and Assessor; Developmental Neurobiology (Medical Centre for Islamic Studies pictured is Junior Proctor Professor Sciences Division) Secretary: Dr Silke Ackermann*, Sophie Marnette* Professor John Wheater, Professor of Museum Director Professor Robert Iliffe*, Professor of Physics (Mathematical, Physical and * pictured above Life Sciences Division)

ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 Discover ◗ Connect ◗ Inspire 44 BROAD STREET, OXFORD OX1 3AZ WWW.HSM.OX.AC.UK @HSMOXFORD

As part of our environmental policy this brochure has been printed on 100% recycled FSC Certified paper and uses vegetable-based inks to lessen the impact on the environment. Cover image: Ian Wallman Oxford. Cover Imageworks, Designed and produced by

ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19