Community-led Collections Research Fellow at NMS
Closing date 27 August 2021
National Museums Scotland is one of the leading museum groups in Europe. With one of the largest and most diverse collections in the world, we are responsible for the acquisition, preservation and display of a substantial part of Scotland’s cultural, historic and national heritage.
The project will commence in September 2021, led by Dr John Giblin (National Museums Scotland) and Dr Robert Blyth (National Maritime Museum). This project will study collections-based participatory research methods with a range of community groups and Gardens, Libraries, Archives and Museums (GLAMs) to inform best practice and increase Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in the UK sector. For this pilot phase, the project will work with South Asian, African and African Caribbean Diaspora community groups in partnership with GLAMs. Diaspora community groups will direct research design, implementation and production of creative outputs using relevant historic and contemporary collections, including those collected as part of British imperial activity. Individual projects will explore and represent the multiplicity of experiences of empire, migration and life in Britain and in so doing will challenge and enhance established representations. Through this work, the project will also explore the relevance of world history collections and museum engagements for Diaspora communities.
This post offers an exciting opportunity to develop your career at the intersection of academic and practice-based research. This is a cross-directorate and departmental role working across Collections, External Relations and Public Programmes. You will be line-managed by Jilly Burns, Head of National and International Partnerships, at National Museums Scotland, while there will significant collaboration with Learning and Engagement departments at both National Museums Scotland and the National Maritime Museum, and Dr Giblin, as Keeper of World Cultures, and Principal Investigator, will lead the overall project.
At the start of the project: you will organise training events and multidisciplinary workshops with National Museums Scotland, National Maritime Museum, GLAM partners and community groups; you will manage the allocation of funds to GLAM community-led collections-based research projects and creative outputs; and you will design a longitudinal qualitative and quantitative evaluation method that privileges community-group voices. You will implement the evaluation across the life of the project and draft a report at the end of the project with Dr Giblin and Dr Blyth that will inform best practice in the UK sector. Towards the end of the post you will also organise a GLAM sector knowledge sharing event at National Museums Scotland.
Educated to postgraduate level, or having equivalent experience in a relevant subject, you will have experience of working with the GLAM sector and community groups to deliver participatory collections-based research and creative outputs. You must have proven project management and evaluation ability, be able to work effectively to meet deadlines (both independently and as part of a team) and possess excellent communication and ICT skills. While some regular project meetings may be held digitally, you will be expected to travel to attend workshops, training events, and some meetings at GLAM partners in all parts of the UK. Demonstrable experience related to Diaspora identities in Britain, knowledge of the UK GLAM sector, undertaking evaluation and facilitating meetings is also desirable.
This is a fixed-term, full-time post for 12 months.
Deadline: Friday 27/08/2021 23:59
Please see here for the full recruitment info, pack and application form