Recent projects
Selected freelance projects 2017-2023
Tower of London, Historic Royal Palaces
Lead curator of a major reinterpretation of the Beauchamp and Bloody Towers.
The Beauchamp and Bloody Towers reinterpretation opened in July 2018 and tells the world-famous stories of Tower executions, the disappearing 'Princes in the Tower', Sir Walter Raleigh's imprisonment and Tudor prisoner graffiti.
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I led historical and image research, writing and editing content outlines and all project text to create new visitor narratives, revealing the multi-layered history of prisoners and executions in the Tower, including a recreation of Raleigh's medicinal garden.
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I worked with the team of interpretation specialists, historic buildings curators, gardeners and external designers Northover Brown.
Queer Britain Museum
Project lead for award-winning 'We are Queer Britain!' exhibition
Working closely with the Museum's leadership team and exhibition curator Dawn Hoskin, I directed the project from a wish-list of objects through to a successful and acclaimed public launch in five months.
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​Queer Britain had just moved into its first permanent venue and I provided hands-on, practical direction on every aspect of exhibition creation from loan management and object care to installation, design, environment, display, text writing and editing, selecting and buying all gallery furniture and equipment.
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The exhibition generated global press and won 'Best Small Exhibition Project' at the Museums Association awards, 2022.
Natural History Museum, London
Report author and strategic vision support
I worked with the Interpretation team writing and editing a new strategic vision for the future redevelopment of three permanent galleries.
I wrote ‘Collection Fundamentals’ - a report for the Engagement Directorate providing a detailed overview of the collection’s foundation, governance, use, contemporary collecting and ethics.
Both projects involved interviewing and collaborating with staff across all departments, and integrating the Museum's complex contemporary global scientific research role with clear and compelling audience and stakeholder information and engagement.
Kensington Palace, Historic Royal Palaces
Curator, 'Victoria: A Royal Childhood' - a major reinterpretation of eight state rooms telling the story of the Queen Victoria’s childhood at Kensington Palace, opened May 2019.
I joined the specialist project team delivering the representation of a permanent visitor route exploring Queen Victoria’s childhood at Kensington Palace.
I supported all aspects of the project from narrative development, content outline, object selection from the Royal Collection Trust, major loans requests, design development with external designer Verity Quinn and researching, writing and editing all text.
Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museum
Historical research, curatorial consultancy and interpretation.
I was commissioned by the Fleming Centre to deliver a museum collections review with recommendations for environmental and documentation management.
I wrote historical research reports on the Paddington area and St Mary's Hospital during Alexander Fleming's time, and an article on the recreation of Fleming's laboratory in 1993, exploring the provenance of the artefacts - many of which have direct associations with Fleming and his colleagues.
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I recruited and supported a documentation freelancer to inventory and catalogue the Fleming collection.
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I coordinated content for a new interactive virtual tour of Fleming's lab bench, selecting featured items and writing text.
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It was a joy to work with public engagement curator Dr Emily Scott-Dearing, Fleming Museum curator Kevin Brown and documentation specialist Kathleen Lawther on this project.
St Bartholomew's Hospital Archive and Museum, Barts NHS Trust
Curator of an outdoor London squares anniversary exhibition.
Throughout 2023 St Bartholomew’s Hospital celebrates opening its doors to Londoners for 900 years. It is the oldest hospital still running on the same site in England.
Working closely with the Trust Archivist and designers Northover&Brown I researched and selected stories, objects and images from the unique archive and museum collections of St Bartholomew's Hospital to capture this extraordinary history. Ancient account books, medieval marginalia, records, maps, art works, diaries and photographs reveal the famous and forgotten who worked, lived and died at Barts.
The exhibition tours open spaces in the City during 2023 including Guildhall Yard, Aldgate Square and Barts Hospital itself.
Dr Johnson's House Trust
I directed reopening following 6 months closure due to Covid-19 pandemic.
Dr Johnson's House is a Grade 1 listed historic townhouse in the City of London.
I devised and implemented a full re-opening risk assessment and action plan
Implemented a new cleaning and maintenance programme.
Managed budgets and successfully applied for London Museum Development reopening grant.
Gained 'We're Good to Go' Visit England certificate and revised visitor experience.
Wrote and commissioned a new suite of visitor signage and house interpretation.
Science Museum, London
Content consultant for 'Technicians: the David Sainsbury Gallery' - a new permanent gallery launched in November 2022.
I worked closely with Content and Interpretation leads and the project director at a critical stage in gallery development throughout autumn/winter 2021 including:
Reviewing deadlines
Liaising with the external design team
Writing and editing briefs for tender for external contractors and filmmakers
Recommending new staffing
Streamlining project content
Supporting team members
Research Centre for Museums and Galleries, University of Leicester
Authored impact report on the RCMG's research projects on disability and difference.
The report 'Advancing disability equality through cultural institutions' investigates the impact of RCMG disability projects in the museums and heritage sector led by Professor Richard Sandell and Professor Jocelyn Dodd, from 2013 to 2020.
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It explores the influence of RCMG research through evidence gathered from in-depth interviews and quantitative and qualitative data from an online survey of over 100 museum, heritage and cultural sector professionals.
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Museum of the Order of St John, London
Long term loans review
Commissioned to deliver a review of long term loans with all recommendations subsequently approved by the museum.
The report included stakeholder consultation, condition assessments, and analysis of legal, ethical, financial, security and environmental issues.
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I arranged and oversaw the safe deinstallation and transportation of a significant long term loan to a private collection.
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Florence Nightingale Museum
Interim director
I led and supported the museum team on operational. front of house and learning programme management, liaison with grant awarding bodies, public programming, permanent gallery refreshment, commissioned exhibition evaluation and all aspects of day-to-day management and visitor services.
Burnham-on-Crouch Museum, Essex
Curatorial and interpretation advisor
I worked with the team managing volunteer-run Burnham-on-Crouch Museum in Essex, writing a report which gave practical ideas and templates to focus and develop their displays and interpretation.
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I guided the creation of a brand new entrance display, sharing best-practice tips and creating a 'how-to' guide for on-going display work throughout the museum.
