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University Museums and the Community 16-20 September 2008

Hosted by The Manchester Museum and The Whitworth Art Gallery at The University of Manchester, in partnership with the University Museums Group UK UMAC.brochure.qxd:Layout 1 8/10/08 10:41 Page 3

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Welcome

We would like to welcome you to the University of Manchester and to the 8th conference of UMAC – the first Contents time it has been held in the UK. The conference theme ‘University Museums and the Community’ is a vital one, as universities increasingly seek to engage with their local Page 2 Welcome population. University museums, of course, are well placed to act as channels for communication between the public Page 3-4 Programme and the world of academia. Page 5-23 Abstracts & We think we have put together a stimulating series of Biographies keynote speakers, lectures, and workshops, as well as a programme of visits to museums in the area. In order to maximize discussion we have experimented with the format of the conference and introduced more roundtable and small discussion groups – we hope you will find these a good way of engaging more closely with colleagues.

There is also a good social programme in the course of the conference, so we hope you will enjoy your experience of visiting Manchester overall.

We hope that you will find all the information you need about the conference and the locality in this handbook and other accompanying information. If you have any questions at all, please ask one of the conference team.

Nick Merriman Director of The Manchester Museum Maria Balshaw Director of The Whitworth Art Gallery

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programme

TUESDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 12.00 Lunch Followed by two presentations: South Gallery 1. Darwin exhibition (Henry McGhie, Head All sessions are in The Whitworth Art (Committee meeting of University of Natural Sciences) Gallery unless otherwise stated Museums Group UK) 2. Collections and engagement (Malcolm Worthington Room Chapman, Head of Collections 15.00 UMAC Board Meeting Management) Worthington Room 13.00 University Museums Group UK Followed by discussion AGM Meet in the foyer of the Manchester 16.00 Conference registration opens Lecture Theatre Museum

16.30 UMAC working group meetings Session 2: Digital futures B: Art Gallery based session (Chair: Maria Balshaw, Whitworth Art 18.00 Introduction by Maria Balshaw, Gallery) Delegates are invited to explore the Director of the Whitworth Art Gallery, Whitworth Art Gallery, and can choose followed by Welcome by Sir Howard 14.00 Keynote: Professor Michael from the following: Bernstein, Chief Executive, Manchester Shanks (Stanford University, USA) City Council Animating the Archive: mixed reality 1. Drawing Stonehenge and Some Smaller South Gallery museological futures Things: tour of the modern collection Lecture Theatre displays by Mary Griffiths (Curator, 18.10 Opening of ‘Cloth & Culture’ Modern Collection) exhibition by Lesley Miller 14.45 Panel session: 2. Cloth and Culture: tour of the exhibition South Gallery University Museums and the by Jennifer Harris (Deputy Director) Internet Community 3. Art and Labour’s Cause is One: Walter 18.00-19.30 Drinks reception Lucia Almeida Matos (University of Crane in Manchester: tour of the exhibition South Gallery/ Gulbenkian Gallery Porto, Portugal), Carl Hogsden (University by Helen Stalker (Assistant Curator) of Cambridge), Damon Monzavi 4. Public Engagement at the Whitworth: (University of Teheran, Iran), Cornelia Talk by Andrea Hawkins (Head of Public WEDNESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER Weber (Humboldt University of Berlin, Engagement) Germany), Mark Carnall (University Meet in the foyer of The Whitworth 09.00 Welcome by Cornelia Weber, College London) Art Gallery Chair of UMAC Lecture Theatre Lecture Theatre 19.00-21.00 Drinks reception 16.15 Break Mammals Gallery, Manchester Museum Session 1: Public Engagement South Gallery (Chair: Nichola Johnson, Chair of UMG UK) 19.15 Welcome from Professor Alan 17.15-18.45 Session 3: Choice of two Gilbert, President of the University 09.05 Keynote: Dame Nancy Rothwell site-based tours and discussions of Manchester (Deputy President and Deputy Vice- Chancellor, the University of Manchester) A: Multiple Voices in the University The Increasing Importance of Public Museum THURSDAY 18 SEPTEMBER Engagement in the Higher Education Sector Delegates are invited to explore the Session 4: Formal and informal learning Lecture Theatre Manchester Museum’s community (Chair: Pete Brown, University of engagement work with two 15 min tours Manchester) 09.45 Break from the following three options: South Gallery 1. Myths about Race (Sam Alberti, 09.00 Keynote: Michael John Gorman, Research Fellow and Stephen Welsh, Science Gallery, Trinity College Dublin 10.15 Panel session: University Museums Curator of Living Cultures) Re-imagining the public face of the as Beacons of Public Engagement 2. Lindow Man (Bryan Sitch, Curator of University in the 21st Century Erinma Ochu (University of Manchester), Archaeology) Lecture Theatre Steve Cross (University College London), 3. Collective Conversations (Gurdeep Lindsay Allason-Jones (University of Thiara, Curator of Community Newcastle) Engagement) Lecture Theatre 3 UMAC.brochure.qxd:Layout 1 8/10/08 10:41 Page 6

09.30 Choice of participation in round 11.45 UMAC AGM C: Strategic realignment to reach table discussions or site based tour and Lecture Theatre specific communities: presentations Axel Christophersen & Morten A: Roundtable workshop discussions 13.15 Lunch Steffersen (NTNU University, Trondheim, on role of university museums in South Gallery Norway); Edmon Castell (National formal and informal learning. University of Colombia) Presenters: Table 1: Karl van Dyke 14.30 Museum visits: Worthington Room (Macquarie University, Australia); Table 2: 1. Lowry Art Gallery and Imperial War Juliette Bianco (Dartmouth College, Museum North 11.30 Break USA); Table 3: Celine West (University 2. Urbis South Gallery College London); Table 4: 3. Museum of Science & Industry Foo Su Ling (National University of 4. Manchester City Art Gallery 12.00 Report back and plenary Singapore); Table 5: Rebekah Moran Lecture Theatre (University of Reading, UK); Table 6: Janet 18.00 UMAC Board meeting Stott & Sarah Lloyd (University of Worthington Room 13.00 Lunch Oxford, UK); Table 7: Carmen Sanchez- Session 6: Audience development Mora (University of Mexico); Table 8: 19.30 Conference dinner (Chair: Andrea Hawkins, University of Chris Jarvis (University of Oxford, UK); Moso Moso restaurant, Oxford Road Manchester) Table 9: Christopher Parkin (University of Oxford, UK); Table 10: Dominick 14.00 Keynote: Jane Pickering (Peabody Verschelde (University of Ghent, Belgium) FRIDAY 19 SEPTEMBER Museum, Yale University, USA) South Gallery Ivory Tower or Welcoming Neighbour? Session 5: Developing relationships Engaging Our Local Communities 10.30 Break (Chair, Nick Merriman, University of Lecture Theatre South Gallery Manchester) 14.30 Panel session: 11.00-11.45 Feedback from facilitators 09.30 Keynote : Professor Amareswar The internal audience as leisure users and plenary discussion led by chair of Galla (University of Queensland, Australia) Jack Ashby (University College London, overall morning session The University Museum as a Site for UK); Joy Todd (University of Oxford, UK); Lecture Theatre Intercultural Dialogue and Sustainable Tiina Metso (University of Helsinki, Development Finland); 09.45-11.15 Lecture Theatre Mirna Heruc (University of Adelaide, B: Site-based session at Manchester Australia) Metropolitan University 10.00 Three concurrent workshops Lecture Theatre Special Collections A: University Museums and their Public Speaking – research, exhibition relationship to the city: 16.00-16.30 Final Plenary session. and the public imagination David Ellis (University of Sydney, Summary of conference themes by Sally Australia); Adele Finley (University of MacDonald, Chair of UMAC Conference Three case-studies will be presented: Manchester, UK); Reet Mägi (University of Academic Committee and closing remarks Tartu, Estonia) by Cornelia Weber, Chair of UMAC. Out of the Ordinary 2006: work by Sharon Lecture Theatre Lecture Theatre Blakey and Hazel Jones, artists/staff from MMU B: University Museums and hard-to- Saturday 20 September: reach audiences: Optional trip to Liverpool Firing Thoughts: exploring the relationship Susan Birch (University of Oxford, UK); (for those who have signed up and paid). between ceramics and drawing Ingrid Birker (McGill University, Canada); 9.30: coach pick-up from central Manchester Gill Hart (University of Cambridge, UK) 11.00: Visit to Albert Dock area (Tate Confected Landscapes, Cultural Wallpaper South Gallery Liverpool, International Slavery Museum, and Contemporary Vignettes: Ceramics, Merseyside Maritime Museum) print and a selection of objects from the Lunch (own expense) MMU Special Collections. Bringing the 2.00: Coach to World Museum results of a practiced based PhD into the Liverpool and Walker Art Gallery public arena. 4.30 Return to Manchester (arrive c.5.30) Manchester Metropolitan University Further details can be found in your delegate bag. 4 UMAC.brochure.qxd:Layout 1 8/10/08 10:41 Page 7

abstracts and biographies

Wednesday 17 September Nancy Rothwell obtained a first class 10.15am: Panel discussion degree in Physiology in 1976, a PhD University Museums as Beacons 9am: Keynote address in 1978 and a DSc in 1987 from the of Public Engagement Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell University of London. Her early (Deputy President and Deputy research identified mechanisms of The UK’s funding bodies for higher Vice-Chancellor, The University energy balance regulation, obesity and education have recently launched of Manchester) cachexia. In 1984 she was awarded a major new scheme designed to The Increasing Importance of a Royal Society Research Fellowship encourage universities to engage Public Engagement in the Higher and relocated to Manchester in 1987. better with the public. The Beacons Education Sector Nancy was awarded a Chair in for Public Engagement initiative physiology in 1994, then a prestigious is intended to bring about a Public Engagement (PE), once the Medical Research Council, Research fundamental culture change, “hobby” of a rather few academics, Chair in 1998. Her current research ‘making public interactions and social is now increasingly prominent. focuses on the role of inflammation considerations a core part of the role Universities are facing pressures from in brain disease which involves of any member of staff or student in government and funding bodies to experimental and clinical studies. She any discipline’. Interestingly, each enter dialogue with those outside has recently served as president of the of the six Beacon universities will be academia and to train their staff and British Neuroscience Association and working with a museum partner, in students in public communication. a council member of MRC. recognition of the fact that museums But the higher education sector is also have greater experience of running beginning to recognise the intrinsic Nancy currently oversees a research public engagement programmes. value of PE as a means of training group of about 20 scientists, with The Beacons scheme offers the their staff and students to listen as significant external funding and potential for university museums to well as talk and write about what they is Deputy President and Deputy explore their role as a bridge between do in plain English, to seek input and Vice-Chancellor at the University academics and the community and ideas from those outside the ivory of Manchester. She is a Trustee of as agents for this cultural change. towers (and to our surprise their ideas Cancer Research UK, the Campaign This session brings together a panel are often very good), to engage with for Medical Progress, a Council drawn from Beacon universities where communities that have barely heard member of BBSRC, Chair of the the university museums are playing a of Universities, let alone ever entered Wellcome Trust Public Engagement key role in this process. The panellists one, to seek talented students from Strategy Committee, and a non- will outline how the scheme works, less privileged communities and even executive director of Astrazeneca. the developing programme of public to open new avenues for research. In 2003 she won the prestigious Pfizer engagement that they are undertaking, Research Prize, in 2004 was elected and the potential of this kind of Museums and galleries can pay a a Fellow of the Royal Society and in approach to be adopted by university critical role in these activities. Staff 2005 was honoured with a DBE. museums across the world. in academic departments tend to forget that many Museum staff are Nancy takes a strong and active Panellists: professional public communicators, interest in training young scientists Erinma Ochu who understand what the public is and public communication of science, (The University of Manchester) interested in and how they want to and regularly gives talks to schools Erinma is director of the Manchester learn. The Museums themselves are and the public and contributes to Beacon for public engagement. ideal venues to support a diverse television, radio and press, particularly She has worked across the boundaries range of PE activities and are more on sensitive issues in science. In 1998 of science, technology, media and the likely to attract wider audiences than she delivered the Royal Institution arts, as a producer, curator, science sterile labs or daunting theatres. Christmas Lectures, televised by communicator and festival the BBC. programmer. Her research background includes: a PhD in neuroscience, a 2-year NESTA fellowship to explore 5 UMAC.brochure.qxd:Layout 1 8/10/08 10:41 Page 8

new ways to communicate science 2pm: Keynote address pioneering the use of Web 2.0 to the public and action research into technologies to facilitate collaborative creative teaching and learning through Professor Michael Shanks multidisciplinary research networks in Creative Partnerships and the engage (Stanford University, USA) archaeology, design history and media enquire programmes Animating the archive: mixed materialities. This comes after a long reality museological futures collaboration with the European Steve Cross performance company Brith Gof (University College London) Archives - the store rooms of and with performance artists in the Steve Cross in the Co-ordinator humanity - what has come down to Presence Project. As a Director of of the London Beacon for public the present. Modernity feeds on the Stanford Humanities Lab he is engagement, based at UCL. He was past. Memories make us who we are. championing experimental research once a scientist, but since then has And when there are no memories we and development in transdisciplinary managed exhibitions and events have diaries, written accounts and arts and humanities. A key theme in for the Centre for Life, Newcastle, documents, pictures perhaps, and, his current lab projects is the future curated the permanent exhibitions above all, things. History, and who we of The Archive. at Wellcome Collection and helped are, lies in the material remains of the create The Science of Survival for the past, in archives. This talk will argue A series of critical interventions in Science Museum. At UCL he will be for some radical shifts in archival and debates about the character of the working to integrate engagement into museums practice drawing upon new archaeological past, including the the fabric of research careers, and kinds of digital environments - Web books ReConstructing Archaeology helping academics to get more 2.0 participatory and collaborative (1987), Social Theory and Archaeology involved with various communities software, such as wikis and social (1987), Experiencing the Past (1992), outside the university. software like “Flickr”, and 3D virtual Art and the Early Greek State (1999) worlds like “Second Life”. Examples and Theatre/Archaeology (2001) Lindsay Allason-Jones will include several collaborative have made him a key figure in (University of Newcastle) experiments in the curation and contemporary archaeological thought. Lindsay Allason-Jones was, until 2008, exhibition of collections at Stanford For Michael, archaeologists do not Director of Archaeological Museums University involving academic faculty, discover the past; they work on what for Newcastle University before contemporary artists, students, local remains. Archaeology, the discipline of becoming the Director of the Centre and international communities, and things, is about our relationships with for Interdisciplinary Artefact Studies museum institutions. The case will be what is left of the past. This means and Reader in Roman Material Culture presented for a reanimated archive, we are all archaeologists now. at Newcastle University. She has new prosthetic architectures for rich published many books and papers on and cocreative engagements with the archaeology of the Roman Empire, the remains of the past. particularly on artefacts and issues relating to women in the provinces. Michael Shanks is the Omar and She is involved in the governance of Althea Dwyer Hoskins Professor of many of the museums on Hadrian’s Classical Archaeology at Stanford Wall and is also a member of a University. He has worked on the number of international, national and archaeology of early farmers in regional bodies concerned with the northern Europe and Greek cities in dissemination of archaeological the Mediterranean, has researched knowledge to the public. the design of beer cans and the future of mobile media; currently he is exploring the Roman borders with Scotland and investigating the Anglo-American antiquarian tradition. His lab at Stanford, Metamedia, is 6 UMAC.brochure.qxd:Layout 1 8/10/08 10:41 Page 9

abstracts and biographies

2.45pm: Panel presentations Contemporary Art at Faculdade de broadcast; the potential to reverse and discussion: University Belas Artes, University of Porto, where the technology, thereby creating Museums and the Internet she is also responsible for the MA bidirectional access and fully Community program in Museum and Curatorial embedding the ‘internet museum’ Studies. She is head of the Fine Arts into the work of its physical counterpart. YOU ARE HERE: a collaborative Collection of University of Porto and This paper draws on ongoing work on line platform for art and coordinator of the Research Center for with Arctic communities to highlight social engagement Contemporary Art (CICAC) of the the difficulties experienced in using same university. the internet for distance community Lucia Almeida Matos collaboration and how ‘work in (Faculdade de Belas Artes, Museums and the Internet: progress’ at MAA is seeking to University of Porto, Portugal) Reversing the Technology address this.

The fine arts collection of the Carl Hogsden (Museum of Carl Hogsden has developed computer University of Porto is housed in Archaeology & Anthropology, applications for the museum sector the Faculty of Fine Arts where it is University of Cambridge) since 2002. His ongoing research regularly used as a learning tool interests lie in the use of for students’ artistic education. Museums are currently experiencing communications technology to The programme of activities of the a ‘broadcast’ heyday in their insatiable enhance the interplay between Museum of Fine Arts of the University desire to harness the possibilities people, museums and objects. of Porto acknowledges changes both provided by the internet. Whilst there In combining technical development, in contemporary art practice, which is utility value in the broadcast model, exhibition production and curatorial often is relational in nature, and in the surely the communications aspect of practice for the Museum of university’s understanding of the need the ‘internet museum’ suggests a Archaeology & Anthropology in for a more engaged role in society. use beyond simply a one-to-many Cambridge, Carl strives to find ways YOU ARE HERE is an ongoing project distribution channel? Just as outreach in which community voice can be led by the Museum of Fine Arts of initiatives increasingly connect the represented in both the physical and the University of Porto that brings external with the museum by technical dimensions of the museum. together different areas of knowledge embracing collaborative projects Carl also provides technical leadership ranging from Geography, Sociology involving communities in museum for Pacific Voyaging, a community and Economy to Computer work, so too could the ‘internet collaborative initiative based at the Engineering, History, Architecture, museum’ connect the physical University of Auckland, and is Art and Design. The project aims at museum to the external in ways that currently involved in developing facilitating interaction between the art challenge broadcast monopolisation. CollectionSpace, an open source, web- students and the population that lives Over the last four years, the Museum based collections management system. and works in the surrounding area of of Archaeology & Anthropology the Faculty of Fine Arts. Using Google (MAA) in Cambridge has reconsidered The effect of digitalizing the maps and Wiki technology to build its approach to the role of the documentations on learning a collaborative on line platform it ‘internet museum’. In viewing the offers an open area for creative internet as a discursive hub around Dr Damon Monzavi (Darya-e-Noor projects intended to promote mutual which communities can engage Gemstones Museum & Kooh-e- Noor understanding between the art school with museum collections, MAA is Sadabad historical-cultural complex, & community and its neighbourhood developing web-based technology to Faculty of World Studies, Tehran while inviting visitors to become establish a platform from which to University, Tehran, Iran) acquainted with people, places, create online dialogic interaction with history and culture. its various communities. Rather than The Gemstones Museum began 5 separating the physical museum from years ago introducing Iranians to Lucia Almeida Matos is a professor of the ‘internet museum’, we are the art, science and the industry of History and Theory of Modern and interested in the opposite to gemstones and minerals. One of the 7 UMAC.brochure.qxd:Layout 1 8/10/08 10:41 Page 10

ways that gemstones museum tries The internet opens up new horizons to communicate is through making for (science) communication: through its digital documentation accessible classical websites, weblogs, wikis, through Bluetooth technology. When podcasts, or videos. Specific research visitors turn on their Bluetooth in the on the potential these communication Museum entrance, they are asked to media offer for university museums subscribe to the SMS newsletter. By and collections is still missing. subscribing, the member receives an Therefore, I would like to present and SMS newsletter every two days. When to survey the current use of internet a child or student subscribes, he communication in order to provide or she receives a quiz question or a fundamental material for further puzzle which in turn produces points discussion at the conference. The in a competition, leading to a gift. study will be based on collections Inside the Museum, visitors are registered in the online database encouraged to enter into their phone system “University Museums numbers next to exhibits. On doing and Collections in Germany” this, they receive information about the (http://publicus.culture.hu- exhibit, together with images and music. berlin.de/sammlungen/). Most of the Museum’s visitors (especially younger generation) enjoy this kind of Cornelia Weber is General Manager learning, and in the course of less than of the Helmholtz-Zentrum für one year more than 5000 people have Kulturtechnik (Helmholtz Center subscribed to our SMS newsletters. for Cultural Techniques), Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany, & Damon Monzavi has been the Deputy Managing Director of the manager of the research department Department Scientific Collections and of Towlidi Fanar (industrial company) Science Communication. At university examining the use of garnets in she studied German Philology, industry and electronics from 2003-7, particularly Medieval Language and has been manager of the and Literature, and Art Education Gemstones Museums of Darya-e-Nour and undertook at PhD. From Kish island and Kooh-e-Nour, Tehran, 1990-1995 she was Scientific since 2002. He prepared two traveling Coordinator at the Institute for the museums in Semnan province in 2006 European Cultural History, Augsburg and in the last five years has produced University; since 1995 she has been 42 hours of radio and television involved with science management programmes on gems and minerals at Humboldt University. She was and 110 workshops in the Gemstones co-organiser of the exhibition Theatre museums. He has also produced and of Nature and Art – Treasure-trove published a guide book on multimedia of Knowledge, Martin Gropius Bau, and software. Berlin, 2000/01; and has undertaken a Research Project University Collections Web communication. A content in Germany: Research on their analysis of German university Holdings and History, funded by the collections and museums websites Germany Research Foundation. Since October 2004 she has been Dr Cornelia Weber (Humboldt Chair of the International ICOM University of Berlin, Germany) Committee University Museums and Collections (UMAC) 8 UMAC.brochure.qxd:Layout 1 8/10/08 10:41 Page 11

abstracts and biographies

Have we missed the boat? 5.15pm: Choice of two site-based Cloth and Culture: tour of the tours and discussions on involving exhibition by Jennifer Harris (Deputy Mark Carnall (University College communities as part of curatorial practice Director) London) 1. Tour of the Manchester Art and Labour’s Cause is One: Walter My misanthropic view is that museums Museum: Multiple Voices in Crane in Manchester’: tour of the in general (including university The University Museum exhibition by Helen Stalker (Assistant museums) are severely lagging behind Jeff Horsley and Sam Alberti Curator) especially when it comes to engaging (The Manchester Museum, with the internet community. Between The University of Manchester.) Public Engagement at the Whitworth: Flickr, Amazon, Second Life, Youtube Talk by Andrea Hawkins (Head of and Wikipedia there is very little that University museums are uniquely Public Engagement) is not covered by sites like these to placed to provide a forum for different leave a viable niche for university interpretations and responses to their Thursday 18 September museums to engage with the internet collections. Across its practice, The community. I am a member of the Manchester Museum is committed 9am: Keynote address generation that grew up with the to challenging the curatorial voice Michael John Gorman internet ingenuity technology created as the sole narrative. This session will (Science Gallery, Trinity College Dublin) by ‘Generation X’ and I think that give delegates the opportunity to university museums, with limited engage with the principles of this Reimagining the Public Face resources, cannot compete with these approach through recent and ongoing of the University in the products and companies with their projects. The Manchester Museum Twenty-First Century billion dollar turnovers and teams of staff involved in polyvocal projects Universities have an ever-increasing hundreds of administrators, creative will engage reflect on the challenges need to engage the public with thinkers and even ethnographers! and rewards of this approach. different areas of research, to justify Quite frankly, I think that university public funding, to extend their museums missed the internet Content and contributors: relationships with local communities explosion boat and attempting to Delegates choose two 15 minutes and to attract potential students. catch up is throwing money into a tours from the following three Science Gallery (www.sciencegallery.com), bottomless pit, only to be superseded options; a new initiative of Trinity College by the next innovation in creative 1. Myths about Race (Sam Alberti / Dublin, is an experiment in public technology. It is an old fashioned view, Stephen Welsh) engagement with science and but our strength as museums is the 2. Lindow Man (Bryan Sitch) technology, bringing science into physical objects we have and until we 3. Collective conversations in the dialogue with the arts through can really work out how to engage Contact Zone (Gurdeep Thiara) exhibitions, events and festivals and internet audiences without incessantly Followed by speakers in the Museum acting as a sociable environment for worrying that 3D models and images Lecture Theatre face-to-face interactions and between will all end up free to all on Flickr (in 4. Darwin bicentenary (Henry McGhie) the public and scientists. Key perhaps an infringement of stale 5.Collection Management challenges that will be discussed copyright laws), university museum (Malcolm Chapman) include: engaging the research websites should just resign themselves community with the public, creating to being online contact detail listings. 2. Tour of the Whitworth Art Gallery a two-way conversation, engaging young adults with science and Drawing Stonehenge and Some technology and balancing research Smaller Things: tour of the modern priorities with public interest. collection displays by Mary Griffiths (Curator, Modern Collection) Michael John Gorman is the founding Director of the Science Gallery at

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Trinity College Dublin, a major new Increasingly the university museum is Out of the Ordinary (2006). Work initiative for public engagement with seen as a site of public engagement by Sharon Blakey and Hazel Jones, science and technology through yet often the collections are artists/staff from MMU. exhibitions, festivals, workshops and “treasures”; gifts to the university that Using existing collections as research events. He was Lecturer in Science, do not reflect the current activity of material for arts practice and how that Technology and Society at Stanford the university. So too, HE research process can be translated for a wider University for three years and has held activity (particularly in the visual arts) audience. Museums can often get fellowships at MIT (Dibner Institute), can be a difficult idea to communicate stuck using objects/collections, and Harvard University, Stanford University or engage with and often remains creating output that they are and the Warburg Institute. He holds invisible to the wider community. comfortable with and understand. a BA in Physics and Philosophy from Exhibition in the public space can be By being open to learning from Oxford University and a PhD in History a means of engaging the public by unexpected routes, and acknowledging of Science from the European highlighting current research interests the different value systems inherent University Institute in Florence. of the academic community and the in different disciplines, new dialogues He is the author of Buckminster Fuller: research output of the university. can be found that may be a more Designing for Mobility (Skira, 2005), Research can be “seen”, understood effective means of communication and (with Nick Wilding), La Technica and appreciated if the skills and for new audiences. The visual nature Curiosa di Kaspar Schott (Edizioni talents of other disciplines are brought of the research of arts practitioners dell’Elefante, 2001), as well as articles to bear on it, and at the same time can be a fertile resource for museums; on the history of science and bring the museum into the heart and in response the museum can technology in journals including of university activity. This will be validate this, alternative form of Nature, Leonardo, SIGGRAPH and discussed using three case studies: research in the HE sector. the Burlington Magazine. Firing thoughts: exploring the Confected Landscapes, Cultural 9.30am: Choice of participation in relationship between ceramics Wallpaper and Contemporary round-table discussions or a site- and drawing (2007). Vignettes: Ceramics, print and a based tour and presentation Using the museum and exhibition as selection of objects from the MMU an alternative/accessible vehicle for Special Collections. An exhibition 9.45-11.15 Site-based session dissemination of academic research, by Paul Scott. (2008) at Manchester Metropolitan and the value of collaborative working Bringing the results of a practice University Special Collections between curators and academics to based PhD into the public arena. Public Speaking – research, bring new aspects of collections to Practical arts based research is a exhibition and the public imagination light. This project was a collaboration relatively new field of higher with the Peter Scott Gallery, Lancaster education, this new and growing area Convenor: Stephanie Boydell University, MMU and Manchester resulted in an unusual and challenging (Manchester Metropolitan University Institute for Research in Art and exhibition. The museum space can, Special Collections) Design, based upon material from the through display, be an active part of two University’s collections. The theme the university’s research profile. Academics, practitioners and curators emerged from academic research There will be some discussion of the reflect upon their involvement in interests and the variety of means by intrinsic difficulties in displaying and recent exhibitions held in MMU which it was presented; exhibition, interpreting practical and higher Special Collection’s public gallery. publication, conference, website and research to a wider audience, and The exhibitions, based upon academic films, might be seen as a model for touch on issues such as should research and practice, utilised material public engagement with research. curatorial practice count as part of the from University collections, act as a PhD particularly if the exhibition is site for the display of such research accepted as the practitioner’s normal and a public interface with the university. means of communication/dissemination.

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abstracts and biographies

2. Roundtable workshop and increase interest in, and access to, resources serving the needs of both discussions on the role of their unique collections. the academic institution and the university museums in formal surrounding community. University and informal learning Karl Van Dyke is director of the museums can be seduced to favor (NB Tables can accommodate 12 Museum of Ancient Cultures at their appreciating public, resulting in persons only) Macquarie University in Sydney, faculty disenfranchisement that in turn Australia. He has been at the Museum makes it harder for the museum to do Table 1: since 1991, building it up into a first its work. The museum can also focus On the Road Again: Reaching Out class collection representing the too much inward, making the To Isolated School Communities ordinary aspects of ancient peoples’ museum, and by association the Karl Van Dyke (Museum of Ancient lives. He was national President of University itself, less relevant to the Cultures at Macquarie University in the Council of Australian University community, jeopardizing precious Sydney, Australia) Museums and Collections (CAUMAC) town/gown relations. Either way, for 5 years and Vice-President for 3 the museum, the university, and the Country New South Wales is very years. During his term as President he community suffer equally. This does isolated from the urban environment guided CAUMAC into affiliation with not have to be so. Through careful of Sydney. As such, country schools Museums Australia, the peak industry consideration of mission, find it difficult to access real museum body. During the period when implementing strategic planning material to support the teaching of Australia was nationally investigating that involves all stakeholders, and the school curriculum in Ancient the plight of university museums evaluating the impact of the mission History. With the financial burdens of he was an official observer to the on its audiences, the University distance along with severe drought, investigation, contributing to the museum can transform itself into a many schools cannot make the final publications of the two Cinderella purposeful museum and address the journey to Sydney to see the Collections reports as a proof-reader academic/community conundrum. archaeological material held in the and sub-editor. Before entering the This process demonstrates the Museum of Ancient Cultures (MAC) world of university museums, he museum’s commitment, not to one at Macquarie University, one of only a worked for 15 years as a secondary audience or another, but to the handful of such museums in Australia. school teacher specialising in Ancient purpose of teaching—formally in the Consequently we have developed a and Modern History. He then worked classroom and through facilitated ‘travelling road show’, which takes for a short time as a sub-editor for gallery presentations, and informally our education programs to them. Australian Consolidated Press before in the galleries for the unguided In this way we also fulfil our strategic joining Macquarie University. Karl has visitor. This presentation will use the obligations to our parent university in an interest in the university museum Hood Museum of Art’s two year the core area of community outreach. movement, in museum education initiative to demonstrate that through In return the University benefits from programs, the history and realigning its mission towards the on-going goodwill of teachers, development of museums and in cultivating teaching and creating students, their families and the local museum leadership, administration meaningful learning encounters, communities. It is through such and governance. the museum, the university, and the networks and the loyalty our programs community benefit equally. foster, that we help the University Table 2: attract students to Macquarie.This The Purpose-Driven University Juliette Bianco, Assistant Director of presentation looks at the approaches Museum: Addressing the the Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth we take to support disadvantaged Academic/Community Conundrum College, holds an M.A. in Art History rural communities. It also suggests Juliette Bianco (Hood Museum from the University of Chicago and a that this travelling program may of Art, Dartmouth College, B.A. from Dartmouth. She provided serve as a model for other university Hanover, USA) College and public access to the museums in similar geographical museum through exhibitions, circumstances to follow, as they also University museums expend much publications, public programs, seek to reach out to wider audiences energy dividing their time, staff, and marketing, and public relations. 11 UMAC.brochure.qxd:Layout 1 8/10/08 10:41 Page 14

She works closely with the director on and how their children learn and the museum's strategic planning. raising aspirations. Object handling Juliette also coordinates and curates workshops provide a forum for exhibitions at the Hood, including discussion with others in the _Coaxing the Spirits to Dance: Art community and often act as a starting and Society in the Papuan Gulf of point for people to tell their own New Guinea_, and _Wenda Gu at stories for the first time. Dartmouth_, a site-specific work by the Chinese avant-garde artist. She Celine West is the Head of Learning presents often at conferences in the and Access at UCL Museums & United States about university museums. Collections (University College London), working across the Table 3: university’s diverse collections to Building creative communities develop learning opportunities for Celine West (UCL Museums and a wide range of audiences. Collections, London) Prior to this, Celine worked for UCL Museums & Collections as Education UCL Museums and Collections has and Access Officer, focusing on worked with parents and children in delivering outreach workshops to the London borough of Haringey for school students and family learning the past 4 years. The successful groups all over London. She has also partnership work between the worked for Brighton & Hove Museums Collections’ education officer and as Children and Families Education Haringey’s parental involvement Officer, and completed an MA in coordinator has led to a sustained Museum Studies at the University programme of outreach in the of Southampton. borough, mainly with parents at family learning workshops in schools, and with parents and Primary school children in schools, Children’s Centres and play groups. The Haringey context includes one of the most diverse populations in the UK, with a high proportion of recent immigrants as well as low levels of attainment at school, high levels of poverty and crime. Community cohesion is viewed as key to strategies for improvement;

Haringey has been a leader in parental involvement in schools and in creative work with museums partnering schools for the past decade. This paper analyses the special impact a university museum can have in this context, with museum outreach used to engage parents not only in new subjects and their own creativity but also in understanding more of what 12 UMAC.brochure.qxd:Layout 1 8/10/08 10:41 Page 15

abstracts and biographies

Table 4: Foo Su Ling is a Manager at the modes of assessment and most The Value of Integrating Formal National University of Singapore (NUS) importantly the validity of such Learning Museum where she designs and learning within a university context. Foo Su Ling (National University of implements programmes promoting This session aims to look beyond the Singapore, NUS) the use of museum resources in ‘glitter and glue’ and engage with the teaching, learning and research. She pedagogy and policy underlying family Most museums offer a range of initiated the Paper-to-Gallery series, learning initiatives. It will also explore informal learning opportunities an exhibition platform encouraging how such theory intersects with through talks, workshops and short NUS’ academic community to present logistical and ethical issues in the courses, usually associated with their research findings in a visually design, delivery and assessment of collections and exhibitions. Whilst a enriching format through family learning. Finally, it will university museum may provide curatorial strategies. investigate how family learning can avenues for such free choice learning, tie into key government learning it should also be mindful of Su Ling curated ‘Sculpting Life’, an initiatives, meet university widening synergising with and providing ongoing exhibition of works by late participation objectives and provide support for the mainstream academic Singapore sculptor Ng Eng Teng who university students with key pursuits of its parent institution. This explored the human condition, transferable skills through innovative active participation in formal academic relationships and identity. This is used ‘family learning volunteer’ goals may be approached through by schools for comparative studies programmes. In this way this session integrating the museum’s resources – with the styles of modern European will illustrate that intergenerational exhibitions, collections and professionals sculptors. Su Ling holds a Masters of learning is an important area – into relevant faculty curriculum. As Arts (Southeast Asian Studies) from of potential growth for part of an education institution, a the National University of Singapore university museums. university museum is also in a and a Bachelor of Engineering from compelling position to participate in the Nanyang Technology University. Bekky Moran is a museum educator the school system. Collaborative with 13 years of professional efforts and regular dialogue with Table 5: experience. Over this period she has teachers generate ideas on how Family Matters: the role of established herself as a specialist in museum trips enhance lesson plans university museums in ‘family learning’. She currently works and learning experience. Pronounced intergenerational learning as Learning Manager for the University integration with formal curriculum Rebekah Moran (University of of Reading Museums & Special differentiates a university museum’s Reading, UK) Collections Services where she has programming from the largely leisure- developed an innovative family based approach embraced by state Most people’s first visit to a university learning programme. Bekky’s work and private museums. It is a direct and museum is as part of a school trip or with university museums and tangible way of participating in the on a family outing. As university collections builds on her previous national education system. This museums we focus time and resources experience as Family Learning Officer presentation introduces NUS on developing engaging programmes at the British Museum and as Learning Museum’s initiatives towards greater for schools but what is being done Officer at the Royal Naval Museum. participation in formal education with families? When engaging with She now delivers ‘family learning’ offered by the university and ‘the wider community’ there is no training courses for the Museums community schools, the challenges curriculum and groups are self- Association, ‘Renaissance’ and Arts encountered and the benefits of selecting, mixed-ability and ephemeral Council England. She is also a member continuing to widen the Museum’s – so how do we design, market and of the European Family Learning involvement in the formal map this kind of informal learning? Network and participated in their education arena. Family learning programmes often recent training and networking course represent a marketing coup and a in Finland. boost to visitor figures but they also raise questions about style of delivery, 13 UMAC.brochure.qxd:Layout 1 8/10/08 10:41 Page 16

Table 6: topic covered in one of the lectures. University Museums as Motivators Groups are facilitated by scientists for Science Engagement from within the University. Scientists Janet Stott (Oxford University Museum are given a framework to work with. of Natural History) Those with little experience can support the more experienced and There is widespread concern in the UK everyone willing to contribute can be and US about the dwindling number involved in the programme. Uptake of students who choose science for from both schools and academics is university and careers. Research has very strong; the University Museum shown that the teenage years are a context provides an ideal opportunity time when many students (particularly for students and scientists to engage. girls) turn away from science. Many Each discussion is unique, however factors have been identified as ‘Science Behind the Headlines’ enables contributing to this shortfall, including students to understand the impact lack of opportunities to do science, that science has on their lives and lack of high quality maths and science provides role models to inspire students education, peer pressure, a lack of to consider a career in science. encouragement, and misguided student perceptions about science, Janet Stott is Head of Education at scientists and their ability to pursue Oxford University Museum of science careers. As institutions with Natural History access to tremendous scientific resources through the university, and Sarah Lloyd is Secondary Education a public mission, University Museums Officer at Oxford University Museum are ideal places to address this crucial of Natural History. Both Sarah and issue. This panel discusses activities in Janet have a background as secondary three major Natural History Museums school science teachers. OUMNH has and a Museum of the History of considerable experience in working Science that aim to inspire and excite with secondary school students and a students about science. particular interest in teaching evolution.

Sixth Form Study Days and Science Behind the Headlines Sarah Lloyd (Oxford University Museum of Natural History)

The Oxford University Museum of Natural History runs a series of themed science study days for up to 300 Key Stage 5 students. The day’s programme includes short lectures from academics and curators and a range of smaller group activities. The programme always features an activity called ‘Science Behind the Headlines’; a small group discussion framed around a theme taken from science stories in the news and focused on a 14 UMAC.brochure.qxd:Layout 1 8/10/08 10:41 Page 17

abstracts and biographies

Table 7: education, that he called informal and Table 8: A non formal science programme non formal education. With these The Role of University Natural for teachers at the University terms he wanted to highlight the History Museums as Centres for of Mexico existence of an education outside of Public Engagement in Conservation Dr Carmen Sanchez-Mora the regular school programs. But at and Wildlife Research (University of Mexico) the same time, Coombs was very clear Chris Jarvis (Oxford University Museum about referring to those activities of Natural History, Oxford, UK) University museums have become a that were organised intentionally to vital link between universities and achieve some educational goals as With growing public awareness of the their communities as important non formal education. Non formal issues of global warming, biodiversity sources of formal learning outside education is organised and systematic and habitat loss, university museums the classroom, as well as places of and is directed to specific population are perfectly placed to bridge the gap informal learning for visitors of all groups. Many common practices in between the varied habitat and kinds. There is also another line of our museum related to non formal wildlife conservation groups, academic education, the so called non formal, education include lecture cycles, researchers and the general public. that serves as a bridge between the conferences, courses and workshops. The Oxford University Museum of world of the university and the many We have developed an interesting Natural History has run a large public and varied communities outside it. approach and methodology related to event for the last 4 years called this form of education, that permits all ‘Oxfordshire Goes Wild’ at which the This presentation is about the role of the public who for many reasons is general public gets to meet local and UNIVERSUM, a science museum at the far away from schooling, to become national conservation groups and National University of Mexico in scientifically and technologically literate. academics working in these fields. formal and informal learning, but Whilst promoting the museum as a mainly in the non formal one. This Carmen Sanchez-Mora was born in place to gather trustworthy scientific museum was established in 1992 and Mexico City in 1950. Her present information on these issues, the event has more than 22 000 square meters position is Deputy Director of Studies also allows an ‘All under One roof’ and over 800 interactive exhibits. The and Training in Science venue for the public and conservation museum is essentially entertaining and Communication, National University groups to meet, discuss important accessible while strongly linked to the of Mexico (since 2000). Her fields of local and global issues and raises national educational agenda providing expertise are Museum studies, peoples political and ecological literacy an important program geared towards Scientific illustration, Science by offering them information about schools. As an informal educational communication, Didactics of Science local organisations with which they resource, Universum is a prime site for and Biology. Her main studies are can become involved. This type of learning about learning and about Ph.D. in Science Education, University event raises the profile of the museum learning to learn. The most important of Mexico (2000), Master in Science, as a place of active research and as a thing is that being a university University of Stanford, CA. (1996), hub for parties interested in becoming museum, Universum has the possibility and she is a Bachelor in Biology, more active in conserving the natural to engage on learning research with University of Mexico (1972): She also world around them. many of our faculties, researchers owns a Diploma Degree in Museum and students. Studies (2001). Carmen Sanchez-Mora Chris Jarvis has been the Education is the author of several research Officer responsible for Early Years, But the main contribution we could papers on museum studies, and she Primary, SEN and Family education at share with other institutions is our is the author of six books on science OUMNH since 2002 having previously experience in a different form of communication, four text books on been an Early Years teacher. At college education: the non formal one, Biology and twelve museum lay-outs. he studied Philosophy and History proposed by Coombs in the 1970´s. She is an Academic advisor of 5 rather than science, having been put Coombs emphasized the need to graduate students in the field of off by his Biology teacher at secondary develop different educational Science Communication, and 6 in school, but he has always had an approaches other than formal Biology (Bachelor level). active interest in Natural history, 15 UMAC.brochure.qxd:Layout 1 8/10/08 10:41 Page 18

collecting live and dead specimens of inspiration and motivation. At Key animals as well as fossils and rocks’ Stages 3 and 4 the workshops are and reading widely on the subject. often best suited to students He writes and draw cartoons based identified as ‘gifted and talented’. on Natural History and has also proof written children’s books on the subject. In this session I will explore how the interpretation of the history of science Table 9: can be used to support science Harnessing the history of science education in schools, and how and the development of special curatorial research programmes at exhibitions to support science a university museum can inform the education in schools development of workshops. Christopher Parkin (Museum of the History of Science, Oxford University, Christopher Parkin has a background Oxford, UK) in science teaching and has taught in a range of secondary schools in the The Museum of the History of Science maintained and private sectors. houses a world class collection of After completing an MSc in Science scientific instruments and models Communication at Imperial College with a particular emphasis on the in 2001 he moved towards museum early modern period. The museum education and over the last five years maintains a programme of special has led the development of a new exhibitions which are developed in Education Programme at the Museum combination with academic research of the History of Science at the into specific aspects of the collection University of Oxford. He has particular which can appear highly specialised interests in curriculum development and inaccessible to public audiences. and informal learning experiences.

Over the last four years the museum has developed a formal education programme for schools which now offers a range of workshops and study days at secondary level, several of which have been developed in conjunction with special exhibitions. They offer students the opportunity to engage with cross-curricula learning experiences in a novel environment informed by current research in the history of science. In particular, the interpretation of the history of science enables students to relate to science in its broader cultural and social contexts highlighting many aspects of ‘how science works’. For some students this historical approach, drawing on the stories of individuals involved in the making of science, can provide an additional source of 16 UMAC.brochure.qxd:Layout 1 8/10/08 10:41 Page 19

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Table 10: community, in carrying out research minimising global warming on the one The community service of the and training students to get a degree, hand and the challenges of promoting Ghent University Zoology but need to focus on the entire social cohesion provide university Museum: a cup of t’s population in order to get the critical museums new opportunities to Dr. Dominick Verschelde scientific way of thinking into the engage with communities. This (Curator, Ghent University Zoology society. Taking all of this in regard, presentation addresses some of the Museum, Gent, Belgium) UMAC does not only stand for challenges and calls for the need ‘University Museums and Collections’, to develop new and innovative The Ghent University Museum of but even more so for ‘University approaches in promoting sustainable Zoology not only provided guided Museums and Communities’. heritage development through exhibitions to the general public, university museums. but is more and more focusing on Dominick Verschelde has a masters organising fun workshops and degree in Zoology and wrote a thesis Amareswar Galla was educated in practical exercises. These are given on Systematics of Marine Nematodes. both south and north India including to all members of the community: Between 1990 and 1996 he described the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru families, kindergarten schoolchildren, many new species which were University in New Delhi. He provides students of the primary, secondary, published in 10 international papers. strategic cultural leadership in and high schools as well as adult In 1997 he became the conservator/ Australia and the region as the education. Our approach is an curator of the Ghent University Professor of Museum Studies at the informal teaching of formal learning; Zoology Museum, where he teaches University of Queensland and the we offer ‘tantalizing teasers to taste and gives practical courses to founding Convener of the Pacific Asia Science’. We teach the public to use university students. But his main Observatory for Cultural Diversity in their senses to observe, and their objective has always been to open the Human Development in partnership mental sensibilities to create critical collection and Museum to the general with UNESCO ideas; all this in a fun and passionate public in any way he can, and ensure (www.pacificasiaobservatory.org, way instead of the commonly believed its importance to the university. http://www.pacificasiaobservatory.org/) ‘boring scientific way’. We allow high school trainees and apprentices of Friday 19 September He is the Chairperson of the ICOM unemployment offices and the Cross Cultural Task Force (2004-2011) Department of Social Service to work 9.30am: Keynote address and a Trustee of the Pacific Islands and train in our museum thus getting Professor Amareswar Galla Museums Association. Prof Galla has a taste of the immense workload (University of Queensland, led research and capacity building surrounding a university collection. Brisbane, Australia) 'fingers in the dirt' projects on all The University Museum as a Site the continents of the world during But this is not a fairy tale, as it is not for Intercultural Dialogue and the past three decades dealing with without some bitter side effects: not Sustainable Development culture as the fourth pillar of all students are as interested in joining sustainable heritage development. an excursion chosen by their teacher, The relevance and significance of A recognised champion of cultural problems in attitude and motivation university museums continue to democracy, he has been bridging can also occur in apprentices of the challenge both academics and the gulf between the academy and unemployment office, but the hardest bureaucracies. Several universities have community constituencies through challenge comes from persons sent by opted for high profile art museum advocacy and applied work in the the Department of Social Services as initiatives to engage with their Pacific Asia Region. they carry the psychological burden stakeholders. There are still no easy and background along which brought answers for research collections that them to their predicament in the first are not amenable to visualisation and place. Universities and university interpretation due to legacies of their museums have a duty not (only) collecting histories. The imperatives of towards a small part of the 17 UMAC.brochure.qxd:Layout 1 8/10/08 10:41 Page 20

10am: Concurrent breakout sessions: and benefaction (no longer just undertake a sustained period of work the domain of alumni) will also experience as a museum volunteer. 1. University Museums and their be explored. Evidence from the evaluation of the relationship to the city programme at the end of Year 1 David Ellis is Director of University suggests that it is very successful, both The role of the university museum Museums, comprising the Macleay in terms of recruiting and sustaining in community development Museum, Nicholson Museum and the contact with hard to reach groups and University Art Gallery at the University also in terms of benefits for individuals; David Ellis (Director, University of Sydney in Australia. He has a participants report that the Museums & Acting Director, background in the visual arts and has programme has had a major impact Community and Alumni Engagement over thirty years experience working on their self confidence and motivation (Cultural), The University of Sydney, across the museum, library and gallery to progress into employment and Australia) sector in exhibition development and further learning. The project’s success management positions. Prior to joining is dependent on the close working The development of universities as the University in 2003 he was partnerships developed with service cultural participants in the cultural life program manager for museums at the providers, community groups and of a city is a new and exciting New South Wales Ministry for the Arts government agencies. Partners development that in many cases has where he managed a grants program recognise the impact and potential been lead by the university’s for museums and advised on museum of the project on employment and museums. The resulting change in the policy. As an artist he has works in the development of key skills for perception of university museums, many regional, state and national employability and engagement in from both within the institution and collections in Australia. the community. The presentation will from the broader community will be reflect on the successes and difficulties discussed together with university Contributing to urban of this innovative project. It will museums unique placement to be regeneration: the power of highlight the partnerships that cultural ‘players’ and leaders within ’In Touch’ at The Manchester are available and the impact such their university and community. With Museum and IWM North partnerships and projects can have direct call on experts across a diverse on individuals, organisations and range of subject areas they have an Adele Finley (The Manchester communities. ability to provide an extraordinary Museum, University of Manchester, range of public programs from UK) Adele Finley is Volunteer Co-ordinator performances, concerts, and artist and ‘In Touch’ Project Manager at interventions to more traditional The presentation will illustrate how The Manchester Museum. She has lectures and forums. The benefits can university museums, through 10 years’ experience of working in be enticing. For some museums that partnerships with other cultural venues, cultural heritage organisations and has have gone down this path and FE providers, community groups and a vast array of experience in project strategically aligned themselves other service providers, can engage management relating to the with their university’s goals these with disadvantaged individuals in development of volunteer training developments have lead to an Greater Manchester and contribute schemes for people at risk of social, increased visibility (internal and towards economic inclusion and cultural and/or economic exclusion. In external) and indeed funding regeneration. The ‘In Touch’ volunteer 2003, Adele worked in collaboration (including new buildings and and training programme targets with a national partner at The British increased staffing numbers). individuals across Greater Manchester Museum to develop a volunteer that are socially and/or economically programme at the Manchester The University of Sydney’s Museums excluded. It is supported by the Museum recruiting, training and and their role in developing and Heritage Lottery Fund for three years managing a core team of 30 defining the University as a cultural and offers participants the opportunity volunteers as object handlers on the precinct will be taken as a case study. to find out more about museums and Museum’s galleries. In 2005/06 she The relationship between the heritage, update skills, gain a concentrated her efforts on promoting cultivation of diverse audiences recognised literacy qualification and access and inclusion through volunteer18 UMAC.brochure.qxd:Layout 1 8/10/08 10:41 Page 21

abstracts and biographies

led initiatives, working with colleagues other cultural activities of the Following introductory outreach at the Imperial War Museum North to University. The paper will present of sessions, the participants were given develop a new and innovative the role that the museums of the behind the scenes tours by members volunteer training and progression University play in developing culture, of staff - from receptionists to curators. programme. The ‘In Touch‘ project education and tourism in the city of They photographed their visit, where specifically targets disadvantaged Tartu. It will also present these appropriate, and interviewed the staff, individuals and promotes access museums’ position in the University finding out not just about the to heritage, re-engagement with and how they are supported by museum, but also each staff member’s learning and improved prospects for the University. own particular working environment employment. This project is endorsed and personal experiences. The by the Heritage Lottery Fund Reet Mägi graduated in History from photographs and interviews were until 2009. the University of Tartu and later took a used as inspiration for a series of graduate degree in European Studies workshops, led by the professional University Museums in a at the University’s EuroCollege. She artists, and resulted in art installations University City: University of has been Director of the University exhibited at the museums. Tartu Museums in the Service of of Tartu Museums since 2005 and Local Community Director of the University History This project provided a unique Museum since 2004. Before that she experience not only for the Reet Mägi (Director of the University worked 9 years in the Rector’s Office. community participants, but also of Tartu Museums, University of Tartu, In 2002-2004 she served as Director the museum staff. This mix of new Estonia) of Administration of the University audiences and non-front line staff of Tartu. For a shorter time she has allowed for learning to take place on University museums bring academic also worked at the Estonian both sides. It enabled us to see the potential to bear on community Literary Museum. real and perceived barriers and development in culture, education and anxieties that existed on both sides tourism. Tartu as the seat of Estonia’s 2. University Museums and and to try and work towards oldest and only classical university hard-to-reach audiences alleviating them. provides an excellent example of this. Tartu is a place where the university Behind the Façade: Bringing Susan Birch is the Community has for a number of centuries played museum staff and new Education Officer for Oxford University an important part in shaping the face audiences together Museums and Collections. The role and identity of the city and the entire involves attracting new audiences to nation. The University of Tartu Susan Birch (Community Education these traditional museums by creating Museums is a university institution Officer, Oxford University Museums and delivering community outreach consisting of University History and Collections Oxford University, UK) programmes. She has been in the post Museum, Art Museum and Natural since 2005. In the previous 5 years History Museum. The museums have The Behind the Façade project paired Susan worked and volunteered for the potential, the capacity and the four groups from “non-traditional” museums across the Midlands, traditon to provide services for the audiences with one of the University’s experiencing everything from development of the community. The Museums (The Ashmolean, the photographing corsets and recreating university museums hold a series of Museum of the History of Science, the the Home Front to designing leaflets unique collections. They are located Oxford University Museum of Natural and organising family activities. in historical university buildings, a History and the Pitt Rivers Museum). number of which represent important The four groups included users of the tourist sights and are regarded as city’s Nightshelter for the homeless, symbols of the city. Being part of the adults with learning difficulties, the university system, these museums can visually impaired and children with draw on experts from other university special needs. units, as well as work together with 19 UMAC.brochure.qxd:Layout 1 8/10/08 10:41 Page 22

Hot science/cool programming- the museum’s total visitorship. science outreach at the Redpath There were twice as many french Museum/ McGill University students compared to english, and university students represented 28% Ingrid Birker (Public Programs, of the annual attendance, which is Education and Science Outreach, four times the proportion in a general Redpath Museum, McGill University, public museum. Montreal, Quebec, Canada) In 2008 science outreach begins with For over one hundred years, the "Soup and Science" lunch hour talks Redpath Museum at McGill University for new undergraduates, followed by has worked with young Canadians to Dinner with the Darwins on Feb. 10th, inspire curiosity and interest in science. Flashlight tours on Nuit blanche, and One of the Museum’s first science Origami dinosaur workshops during outreach programs, the bilingual the March school break. Family Discovery Workshops, was started in 1993 and nominated in After 20 years as the Curator of 2000 for the Michael Smith Science Invertebrate Paleontology, Ingrid was Promotion Award. These Workshops recently appointed by the Dean of enable young children and their Science to coordinate all aspects of families to learn about science in a Science Outreach at McGill University relaxed and informal atmosphere. as well as manage the public Other science outreach programs education program at the Redpath include the Museum’s dynamic Hands- Museum. In 2001 – 2003 she on science in the classroom (see: coordinated the renovation of the www.mcgill.ca/science/outreach/school geoscientific exhibits and galleries and s) and Hot Talks/ Cool Science (see: procured the necessary grant funding www.mcgill.ca/science/outreach/hottal from the Ministere de la Culture et ks) where McGill scientists presented communications. She has developed talks at local high schools. Last year’s and produced bilingual travelling lively schedule provided “specimen exhibits such as High Diversity; handling sessions” for over 3,000 Mapping the Past; Nine frogs and a students, from as far afield as a toad, and Wanted Alive!. In 2002 high school on a remote military base she published the bilingual booklet: to the Mohawk immersion school at What Building Stones Tell, a hands-on Kanien’kehaka Raotitiohkwa Indian walking tour of local fossils, rocks and reservation. Both the weekly Super building stones. Ingrid is a long-time Science Documentary film series (see: member of Biological Curators Group, http://www.mcgill.ca/science/outreach/ the Geological Curators Group, the documentaries/) and the Freaky Friday Society for the Preservation of Natural presentations, where McGill scientists History Collections, and the Canadian bust myths and popular Museums Association. misconceptions (see: www.mcgill.ca/science/outreach/freaky fridays), are held in the atmospheric Victorian lecture hall. The total number of participants in science outreach programs this past year was close to 18,000; almost half 20 UMAC.brochure.qxd:Layout 1 8/10/08 10:41 Page 23

abstracts and biographies

Ways of Seeing: An annual • Evaluation of this kind of project initiative of the museum director in programme run in partnership • Integrated models of working – this 2005, and was a response to a with the Cambridge Mental Health specific project involved working challenge from the University on how Resource Centre with mental health service users but the museum could play a stronger role is a model that is adaptable to other in the outreach activity of the university. Gill Hart (The Fitzwilliam Museum, groups and individuals An outline of a concept and a renewal University of Cambridge, UK) • Challenging perceptions – we got plan was worked out by a group of a lot of colleagues involved in this internal and external experts to start a This project was devised by staff at project and witnessed a mutual process of renewal from 2007–2014. Cambridge Mental Health Resource development of understanding The essence of the renewal plan was Centre and the Fitzwilliam Museum between new audiences engaging to establish stronger links between Education Department. The aim was with the museum’s collection and the community and the university, by to move towards a programme that staff engaging with new audiences. establishing a knowledge-based center was inclusive and did not involve for attractions, communication and segregated access for people Gill Hart is an Arts Professional learning related to science, recovering from mental health dedicated to engaging as wide an technology, natural and cultural problems. Sessions took place at the audience as possible. She taught history in the center of Trondheim. Resource Centre and were open to History of Art at the National Gallery In the presentation we will present service users and the general public. in London before working in a where we are today and where we Drop in sessions led to a 5 week community venue for Glasgow want to be in 2015, pinpointing some course that gradually moved away Museums as an Education and Access of the challenges we have experienced from the Resource Centre and into Curator. She has been working at so far, and the challenges we expect the museum. the Fitzwilliam Museum since October to encounter in the time to come. A quote from a participant: 2006. As well as co-ordinating and ‘I walked past a couple of paintings in managing education programmes Axel Christophersen has a Ph.D. from the museum that we had looked at as and events within a large organisation the University of Lund, Sweden in a group. I felt such a shiver of delight she has a vast experience of teaching Historical Archaeology and was as I looked at a painting I’d otherwise a wide range of audiences. In her appointed a professor in Historical paid little mind to - thinking about current role she spends a lot of time Archaeology at the Dept. of what I knew about it now. The joy of teaching in community venues and Archaeology in the Norwegian recognition; the beginning of hospitals as well as in the Museum. University of Technology and Science knowledge & skills.’ She is particularly interested in in 1998. Since 2003 he has been developing research into multi-sensory Museum director at the NTNU- Some participants then signed up for approaches to paintings. University Museum of Archaeology a ten week course taking place in the and Natural History (2003). In 2005-6 Fitzwilliam Museum and at Kettle’s 3. Strategic re-alignment to reach he was a member of an official Yard. Members of the public booked specific communities committee considering the role and places on the course (30% of the responsibility for the university places were allocated to those referred The Challenge of renewal: NTNU- museums as a part of the national by CMHRC). Participants visited University museum in Trondheim university structure and from 2008 he different departments within the (VM), Norway, meets the community. has been a member of the steering museum and met Keepers, Technicians committee OECD Global Science and other staff as well as taking part Axel Christophersen and Morten Forum. He has ongoing projects in in group discussions and debates. Steffensen (NTNU-University Museum China and Afghanistan on culture of Archaeology and Natural History, heritage management. As museum For the conference I would like to Trondheim, Norway) director he has specifically worked briefly describe the project as outlined (theoretically and practically) with above and also discuss The renewal process (“Nye VM”- museum based research-, collections • Successful partnership work “The new VM”) started at the and dissemination strategies within 21 UMAC.brochure.qxd:Layout 1 8/10/08 10:41 Page 24

the university system. The National University of Colombia of Colombia, where he directs the Morten Steffensen is Head of hopes, through the development of System of Cultural Heritage and Exhibitions and Public Programmes, at a stronger, structured, ethical, Museums. He also participates in the the NTNU Museum of Natural History responsible, efficient and representative management committee of the first and Archaeology. He was Cand. project about Museums and Cultural M.A. in Museum Studies in Colombia. Phil, University of Bergen, Norway in Heritage to be better prepared for Mass Communication and Cultural current challenges. In addition, the 2pm: Keynote address Interpretation (1989), and has project hopes to generate a new Jane Pickering (Peabody Museum, extensive experience in science landscape of accessibility to the Yale University, USA) communication and project museums and collections of the development. National University of Colombia. In Ivory Tower or Welcoming short, the Museums and Cultural Neighbour? Engaging Our Local The Museums and Cultural Heritage System of the National Communities Heritage System: new politics University of Colombia, through a of accessibility to the cultural "Museums portal" located in a The Yale Peabody Museum is situated heritage of the National University colonial building in Bogotá known as in the economically and ethnically of Colombia Claustro de San Agustín (Cloister of diverse urban environment of New St. Augustine) seeks to highlight the Haven. For over ten years the museum Edmon Castell (Vicepresidency for cultural heritage of the university, and has run extremely popular cultural the Bogota Campus, Museum and become, beyond the classrooms and festivals that attract a diverse audience Cultural Heritage System, Universidad research centers of the campus, an of thousands, but we discovered that Nacional de Colombia) important reference for the meeting attendees rarely came from the city of teachers, students, citizens and itself. Clearly, having high-quality In the National University of Colombia other cultural and academic institutions. programming was not enough to currently exist 25 museums and attract our local community. To collections including art, medicine, Edmon Castell is geographer and has investigate this issue the museum natural science, anthropology and degree in Human Geography and a launched a yearlong research study to history. Taken together, they comprise M.A in Museum Studies. In the field address the following questions: What the largest, most diverse and most of museum work he began his activity is the perception that residents have important museum in Colombia, and as a documentation officer in the of the museum and what are the also the least known. The collections Museums Network of the barriers to their engagement with the are the product of the conservation /Metropolitan Area of Barcelona and museum? How can we serve visitors and researchwork of the University in as a researcher in the Department of from our neighbourhood? How does its 140 years of existence. In the last Teaching in Social Sciences/ of the being part of Yale University affect years, the National University of University of Barcelona. Subsequently, people’s relationship with the Colombia not only has become more he promoted and directed the WIND- museum? Our results were aware of the importance of its cultural MUSEUM, an interdisciplinary museum comparable to other studies by urban and scientific heritage, but also of about Geography, History and institutions but there were some the marginality of the work in the Anthropology. Between 2003 and differences that are of particular university museums. 2007 he worked as a museum interest to university museums. professional at the city museum of For example, we discovered that negative For that reason, in 2006 the university the Metropolitan Area of Bogota, opinions about the university were began to work on a Museums and The Government of Arauca (a region a significant barrier. There was also Cultural Heritage Project to develop in the North Colombia) about the confusion as to our target audience, policies in the university about the XIXth Bolivar Campaign, the Colonial and a perception that our programs conservation, acquisition, documentation, Art Museum of Bogota and the would not be of interest to “regular” research and communication of its National Library of Colombia. He is people. University museums need to own cultural heritage. currently the advisor to the Vice make considerable efforts if they hope President of the National University to attract and serve non-traditional 22 UMAC.brochure.qxd:Layout 1 8/10/08 10:41 Page 25

abstracts and biographies

museum-goers – particularly changes academic teaching. These two formats In a Different Light: An Event with in how they communicate and partner enhance each other. a Difference with the community. New initiatives at the Peabody include programming for UCL students and staff attend the Joy Todd (Oxford University Museums local teenagers, diversity training for Museum s public events. Not only and Collections) frontline staff, new outreach programs, does this communicate our value to and targeted marketing plans. UCL, but as our local community they A case study of this unusual evening can be easier to attract than people event of music, light, dance and some Jane has nearly 20 years experience further afield. Internal communication more traditional museum activities at in university science museums. systems allow for cheap, efficient the Pitt Rivers and Oxford University She began her career at the Oxford marketing. We run free specimen- Museum of Natural History. Running University Museum of Natural History based activity days for families, which for 4 years now, it regularly attracts up where she was Assistant Curator for succeed in attracting UCL staff as well to 3000 university students, staff and Zoology. After a year as Senior Curator as the wider public, and programmes local people to the visit the museum at the Royal College of Surgeons in of innovative, light-hearted, as part of a night out. In 2007 it won London, she moved to the U.S. to be evaluation-driven events for adults the Award for best event for Museums Director of the MIT Museum. In 2002 which interest students too. These and Galleries Month. she joined the Yale Peabody Museum include exhibitions, hands-on where she supervises all aspects of activities, talks, discussions and film For four years Joy has been the public programs and serves as Deputy nights. Themes addressed are animal- Volunteer Coordinator for the six Director. Jane has an MA in Natural related, but look beyond individual Oxford University Museums and Sciences from Cambridge University, disciplines to attract students and staff Collections. A trained science teacher, an MSc. in Museum Studies from with wider interests. Choosing topics she has previously worked as Leicester University, and is an that pique our colleagues interests, Education Manager at the National alumna of the Getty’s Museum but are fun enough to encourage Space Centre and at various science Management Institute. them out of work hours and bring in centres in the South West. the public as well are a recipe for 2.30pm: Panel Session success at the Grant Museum, with Polyteekkarimuseo – Polytechnical visitor figures increasing 1000%. Students’ Museum: Why do the The internal audience as technical students need a museum leisure users After studying Zoology at Cambridge of their own? University, Jack Ashby went on to Beyond Teaching: Out of Hours work in the Learning Department of Tiina Metso (Doctorate student of at the Grant Museum the science centre At-Bristol delivering history at University of Helsinki, public and schools workshops. In Finland) Jack Ashby (Grant Museum of 2004 he was appointed at the Grant Zoology and Comparative Anatomy, Museum, UCL, with the task of Finnish student traditions have their University College London, UK) starting a new Learning and Access roots in mid-17th century. Since then Programme to open up the Museum Finnish students have had unique To a large extent university museums to new audiences. This included the symbols and traditions, which have are dependent on their governing wider UCL community, schools, adults reached their modern state through institutions for operational funding and families. He especially enjoys adaptations and loans mainly from and support, space and staffing. At programming events for adults, and neighboring countries. A subspecies the Grant Museum of Zoology, we is interested in more innovative of Finnish student evolved in late 19th identify UCL students and staff as our techniques for engagement. Working century, when technical higher level primary audience in order to advocate in a teaching collection allows him to education started in Finland. The our work and worth. We strive to act as a strong advocate for object modern students of technology attract the UCL community to use the based learning. needed ways to identify and to collection informally, in addition to separate themselves from the much 23 UMAC.brochure.qxd:Layout 1 8/10/08 10:41 Page 26

larger mass of the university students Polytechnical Student’s Museum situated on the cultural boulevarde of in Helsinki and the general academic (est. 1958). North Terrace alongside the University: student population. the South Australian Museum, Art Research interests: academic traditions Galley of South Australia, State Library This need for an identity has lead to and etiquette, students honor duels and the Botanic Gardens. Students several symbols which are still in active 1808-1939 at the University of Tartu, have been harder to entice, but we use, the most visible being a student Estonia (thesis topic), academic now attract a growing number – cap with a large tassel as well as a traditions exchange and international mostly higher degree candidates. whole culture of overalls. Today’s connections, student songs, Finnish, The university community has thus technical students – like their forbearers Estonian and Baltic German student provided informed participants for – are clearly identified as members organizations history etc. as well as events. Further, university staff have of this very unique and well know military history of the Baltic Sea region come forward as volunteers within Art subspecies of Finnish students: during 21st c. Published books and & Heritage programs, their knowledge TEEKKARI! international articles on the of the university proving to be a same topics. particular asset. The cycle of staff – Just the word: TEEKKARI brings a audience member – volunteer has knowing smile on Finns faces. Practical Running a museum without proved to be a particularly productive jokes, tasseled caps, demonstrations a museum if unexpected aspect of our activities. and general public jolliness around May 1st are the trademarks of these Mirna Heruc (Art & Heritage Mirna Heruc was born in Zagreb, happy technical students. But behind Collections,The University of Adelaide, Croatia and migrated to Australia the jolliness there is a carefully Australia) in 1979. She is trained as an researched, maintained and presented anthropologist and a teacher, tradition which spans over 130 years. The University of Adelaide (founded studying at the University of Adelaide. 1874) is a third oldest university in Appointed Art & Heritage Collections The presentation would cover the Australia. It has 23 collections that Manager, University of Adelaide, roots of Finnish student traditions represent the wide range of its 2004, assuming responsibility for since 1640, and the development of academic research across the arts visual arts and a wide range of the technical students’ traditions since and the sciences. A central challenge other collections and public cultural 1870’s. With plenty of pictures I would in utilising these collections is the activities. Prior to this she had like to demonstrate why the absence of a comprehensively worked for ten years at the Nexus TEEKKARI’s are worth a museum of representative museum. Multicultural Arts Centre, Adelaide, their own, and why the tradition is from 1996-2004 as Executive Director, so highly regarded that the students We have developed awareness of organising programs of visual arts and themselves bother to maintain a the university’s collections through performing arts, community extension museum. The museum is not by far a strategic public programs of focused and engaging in multicultural advocacy. mainstream sight – the students like exhibitions, discussion forums and to experiment and innovate, and the partnerships. From 2004, the first year museum reflects their unprejudiced of Art & Cultural Heritage operations, approach with a smile. these activities have enhanced key

Master of Arts (history, University University activities while proving to of Helsinki), doctorate candidate in be of significant interest to the same field Univ. of Helsinki. Born in general public. Rovaniemi, Finland (proud to be born on the Arctic circle…) Our core audience at the outset was Current position: Technical University principally staff with an interest in Student Union (founded in 1872) culture. These people also tended to archivist and manager of the be patrons of the other institutions 24 UMAC.brochure.qxd:Layout 1 8/10/08 10:41 Page 28

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Information in this handbook is based on that available on 20 August 2008. While every effort will be made to realise the advertised programme, the organisers reserve the right to change any aspect of the programme and other arrangements should circumstances demand.

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The Manchester Museum The University of Manchester Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL tel +44 (161) 275 2634 email [email protected] www.manchester.ac.uk/museum

The Whitworth Art Gallery The University of Manchester Oxford Road, Manchester M15 6ER tel +44 (161) 275 7450 email [email protected] www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk