Experience

Brighton & Hove Museums

• United Kingdom
• Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Curator - Local History & Archaeology

  • Apr 2017 - Present

  Curator - Local History & Archaeology Curator - Local History & Archaeology


Royal Pavilion & Museums
• United Kingdom
• Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
• Collections Assistant

  • May 2016 - Apr 2017


Norfolk Museums Service

• Teaching Museum Trainee | Norwich Castle: Gateway to Medieval England Project

  • Apr 2015 - Apr 2016

  I am one of nine trainees forming the third cohort of Norfolk Museums Service's Teaching Museum Programme. The programme consists of a job and integrated training designed to equip trainees with the skills, knowledge and experience to pursue a career in the museum and heritage sector, which traditionally has required a related Masters (Level 7) qualification. The traineeships are funded by Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). I've formed an integral part of the project team behind a significant HLF Heritage Grant for the service; a redevelopment of Norwich's Norman castle keep titled 'Norwich Castle: Gateway to Medieval England'. In preparing for a HLF Stage 1 application, I've assisted the team in: • consultation with stakeholders, including facilitating and observing focus groups, surveying, and invigilating an interactive recording booth; • creating informal learning activities within the castle; • in-house and external research of archival material; • assisting appointed architects, engineers and conservation partners; • developing promotional activities including a promotional film with Norwich University of the Arts and using social media, etc., to increase advocacy; • conducting benchmarking research; • writing reports and other documentation supporting the funding application. Alongside this project work, I've assisted the Archaeology department at Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery in a curatorial capacity. Activities and projects I've been actively involved in include: • writing funding applications for the acquisition of objects; • organising the touring exhibition of the Rudham Dirk around regional museums; • researching collections and archives for projects; • representing the department at outreach events; • documentation using the museum’s collections management system (MODES Complete) to SPECTRUM standard; • reorganisation of stores; • overseeing volunteers; • preventative conservation; • assisting researchers with inquiries. Show less

• Assistant Curator

  • Jul 2013 - Apr 2015

  I initially worked as part of a team of cataloguers and packers responsible for the safe transfer of objects to a new archive facility, The Keep, in Brighton. Activities included:• documentation using the museum’s collections management system (MimsyXG) to SPECTRUM standard;• object labelling and marking;• securely and safely packing objects for transfer;• identifying objects for quarantine;• ‘put away’ of objects and their containers.Following this role, I was involved a number of discrete projects and ongoing work within a number of departments primarily including: Collections Management; Community Engagement; Digital Development; Fine Art; and, Local History & Archaeology. Activities included:• retrospective cross-collections documentation of accessions registers;• data cleansing of collections records, making them ‘web ready’ for publication, adhering to Data Protection;• supervising volunteers;• transcription of audio of local schoolchildren for a WWI display;• photographing/digitisation of mixed media including topographical works and magic lantern slides, images of the latter used in a schools art project and associated exhibition;• researching collections and archives for displays, promotion and engagement, including blogging, talks and appearances on BBC South East Today;• facilitating events including open days;• supervising contractors safely around collections;• conducting safety and condition audits of artworks at internal sites, removing those identified for conservation, etc., preparing risk assessments in advance;• display installation, including that of touring exhibitions;• evaluation of displays and development proposals, consulting with visitors and the general public at external sites;• working with National Museums Liverpool to deliver material towards an app ('My House of Memories') for people living with dementia and their carers/family members;• assisting public/academic research;• store audits. Show less

• Administrative Assistant

  • Sep 2011 - Jul 2013

  I initially covered the role of Senior Administrator within the department responsible for the management of the Council’s crematorium and seven cemeteries. Tasks included:• bookings of cremation and burial services;• discrepancy checking medical certificates and other legal documentation;• production of ‘order of service’ information;• ordering of equipment and other material;• passing ashes to named persons;• handling other inquiries including genealogy;• maintaining the burials and cremations database (Epilog) and registers, adhering to statute including Data Protection.When this post was filled, I was then requested to assist in other areas of operation, improve systems of work and help clear backlogs. Tasks included:• instructing gravediggers regarding burials and services;• issuing memorial permits to stonemasons and policing unauthorised memorials;• reducing the number of deeds to Exclusive Right of Burial to be issued;• resolving a backlog of requests for the transfer of Exclusive Right of Burial, necessitating the drawing up of legal documents including statutory declarations, etc.;• creating Excel databases to store information and improve process flow;• rationalising archive material to improve the storage of documentation;• appointed the site’s ‘super-user’ to consult with and test updates to Epilog with the system provider;• providing training to colleagues on updated elements of the database;• amending Epilog to facilitate different working operations while major works were undertaken;• assisting in discussions regarding management operations during major works;• introducing new departmental regulations, reacting to changes within the sector.I also engaged in research to improve historical knowledge of the crematorium and cemeteries, speaking to researchers and historical groups. I was involved in discussions regarding the setting up of a friends group, helping to improve care of registers and other promotion of the department. Show less



Brighton Dome & Festival

• United Kingdom
• Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Bartender

  • May 2009 - May 2012

  My role at Brighton Dome & Festival (BD&F) included bar work and catering duties, including front of house tasks as and when required. I played a key part in the provision of hospitality services for an organisation hosting a diverse range of events, including: classical concerts; comedy; conferences; performance art; rock/pop concerts; and theatre. Brighton Festival is one of Europe's leading arts festivals. The Brighton Dome and its interlinked venues, the Corn Exchange and Dome Studio Theatre (formerly the Pavilion Theatre), act as the hub of the festival. Anish Kapoor, Brian Eno, Aung San Suu Kyi and Vanessa Redgrave all featured as Guest Artistic Directors during my time with BD&F. Working varied and occasionally ambitious and controversial shows was very exciting, attracting diverse audiences and introducing them to all manner of performances by local, national and international artists. I was fortunate enough to be entrusted with catering for artists backstage in my role as a runner across the Dome complex. Throughout the 2011 Brighton Festival, I was a runner alongside my other duties, which also included tending to musicians during the Great Escape Festival, Europe's leading festival for new music. This required adaptability to respond quickly and prioritise tasks to meet the needs of artists, customers and fellow colleagues effectively. General tasks and responsibilities required of me included: • serving customers a range of products including alcoholic beverages, soft drinks and food; • stock control whilst on shift, ensuring products were available to staff and customers at time of need; • till operation and cash reconciliation; • maintaining levels of cleanliness and hygiene in operative areas; • cellar management; • receiving deliveries, managing invoicing, stock counts and setting up mobile bar units; • assisting with training and induction of new employees; • maintaining health and safety and accident reporting. Show less