Testimonials
Find out what clients and colleagues say about me:
Carol Swords
Interpretation Manager  Historic Royal Palaces
I recently worked with Emma on Kensington Palace’s exhibition ‘Untold Lives' (2024) where she was integral to the exhibition’s success. Emma curated sections of the exhibition, coordinated and wrote a substantial part of the text and we worked together to commission contemporary artists and discussed how to approach inclusive subjects.
Emma is an excellent curator. Her twin capacities of creativity and pragmatism make her a valuable asset to any team. She is always professional, delivers what is requested, on time, setting out clearly what she will do.
Above all, Emma is a pleasure to work with. She has a wonderful sense of humour and people respond very positively to her sensitive, nurturing way of working. Her curatorial knowledge is vast and her ability to transform complex information into exhibition text surpasses expectations. We would definitely work with her again and I would without hesitation recommend her to any colleague.
Professor Richard Sandell
Research Centre for Museums and Galleries, Leicester
'To all her work, Emma brings a highly effective blend of intellectual rigour and a deep knowledge of the culture sector. She is a creative and committed collaborator who works with partners to tackle challenges and to devise and implement solutions that genuinely move organisations forward in their thinking and practice.
Through working with Emma, I have seen how her deeply set professional values shape her approach to making museums as relevant, dynamic, forward looking and resilient as they can be. In my experience of working with Emma over many years, I have found her to be a highly collegial, insightful, generous and energetic collaborator.'
Claudia Williams
Curator, Historic Royal Palaces
'Emma is a joy to work with. She joined the Curators team at Historic Royal Palaces to deliver the representation of a permanent visitor route exploring Queen Victoria’s childhood at Kensington Palace.
Emma supported all aspects of the project. From the initial object research to the design development and production of text, she responded creatively to the brief and brought a wealth of experience and expertise which was invaluable.
One of Emma’s strongest assets is her commitment to inclusivity and her ability to speak to varied audiences. Her research is thorough and scholarly but her approach to interpretation is eminently accessible and wonderfully engaging. She is a committed, dynamic and reliable team member and I very much hope to work with her again.'
Joseph Galliano
CEO and Co-founder, Queer Britain
'Emma was a total joy to work with professionally and personally. Her deep experience of museum practice, curatorship and extensive networks guided a challenging project to a safe landing on time and on budget.
With Emma's leadership and practical, energetic approach, the new Queer Britain team successfully curated, designed and installed the first high profile mixed loan exhibition in a new space from a standing start to opening in less than four months.
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Every time we hit an obstacle, Emma cheerfully manoeuvred us around it. I wouldn't hesitate to work with Emma again and hope I get the opportunity'.
Nick Samuels
Former Executive Director of Strategy, Communications and Policy, Royal College of Physicians, London
'Emma is a superb colleague and was a brilliant ambassador for the Royal College of Physicians museum. Through her vision and determination, creative strengths, problem-solving and hardworking ethos, Emma turned a historical collection in well-intended custodianship into a professional accredited museum and a centre for promoting and cherishing medical history.
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Passion and enthusiasm alone do not make a museum and Emma’s ability to connect the academic and artefact to professional and lay audiences was crucial to her success. She was a visible and effective leader, developed a skilled team, supported colleagues and raised the profile of the collections within the College and beyond. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Emma to anyone looking for a talented, professional, intelligent, passionate leader in her field and would relish the opportunity to work with her again'.
Stephen Clarke
Chair, Dr Johnson's House Trust
'We were delighted to be recommended Emma. At Dr. Johnson’s House in Gough Square during the coronavirus pandemic, with the House having been shut to the public for six months, the curator on maternity leave and the other staff furloughed, we needed a temporary curator who would lead the House reopening.
Emma provided the leadership and vision that we were looking for, assessing the situation and issues promptly and addressing them enthusiastically—not just advising on what might best be done, but getting it done. She reported to the Trustees in a focussed and constructive way that was most useful. In her short time with us she made a valuable and positive contribution for which we are very grateful.'
Dr Barnabas Calder
Senior Lecturer in Architecture, University of Liverpool and Trustee, 20th Century Society
'I've worked with Emma for many years and she is a joy to work with: professional, efficient, full of excellent ideas and the knowledge and talent to bring them to life.
Emma's positivity, diligence and humour get the best out of everyone and produce outstanding results. I have worked with Emma on a book, an exhibition and numerous events, and her outstanding work did an immense amount to make the Royal College of Physicians the lively hub of architecture, culture and medical history that it became under her leadership.'
Katie Dabin
Current chair, London Museums of Health and Medicine network
From 2014-2017 Emma was a brilliant chair of the London Museums of Health & Medicine network. Emma skillfully steers, enthuses and brings people together with great humour and tact. Her dedication and organisational strengths were instrumental in growing the network in size, confidence and visibility through a new website and numerous successful events.
Kate Jarman
Trust Archivist | Barts Health NHS Trust
It has been a delight working with Emma in her role as curator for our 900th anniversary exhibition ‘Life and Death in the Archives: St Bartholomew’s Hospital 1123-2023’. The exhibition was a new venture for our service and an opportunity to engage with new audiences in London's outdoor spaces.
Our priority was to put the hospital’s outstanding archives and collections at the centre of the celebrations. From the outset Emma demonstrated her understanding of the brief, together with a clear sense of how to bring the collections to life through a design-led approach. Emma’s in-depth research has brought new and diverse stories to light, and her curatorial guidance was invaluable in steering a course away from traditional archival narratives to produce an eye-catching and unexpected exhibition that speaks to a wide range of audiences.
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It has been a genuinely fun experience working with Emma to develop the exhibition, and the immensely positive feedback we have received is a testament to her skills as a researcher, curator and collaborator.