The British Society for the History of Science (BSHS) is delighted to announce the fourth round of scheme to support small and local museums, archives, galleries and libraries whose collections can be linked to themes in the history of science, technology, engineering and medicine. The aim of the scheme is to support heritage organisations in producing engaging resources for their visitors, in making new connections to scientific topics, and in reaching new audiences.
This scheme funds the placement of Master’s or PhD students with heritage organisations and museums for the equivalent of a month’s work (timescales can be arranged between the partner museum and student) as an Engagement Fellow and contribute £1000 towards the costs of public engagement outputs related to the research undertaken.
We welcome proposals for collaboration from museums and heritage organisations based in the UK. Please note science, technology, engineering and medicine are broadly defined. and we would welcome applications from local authorities or community organisations whose collections offer insight into, for example, the social histories of technologies, industrial history or technical professions. We particularly welcome applications from organisations who are at the early stages of engaging the public with these themes. If you are interested please complete an expression of interest form, which is Available here.
If selected, your proposal would be circulated to postgraduate students studying the history of science, technology, engineering and medicine who will then apply to be involved in the project. This scheme requires the heritage partner to provide training and mentorship for the appointed student during the placement. The student will develop valuable skills and experiences while producing outputs of high research quality.
In previous rounds Fellows have:
- catalogued and mapped image archives at Essex Record Office, Chelmsford
- produced new material for digital displays at the Polar Museum, Cambridge
- devised educational resources for an exhibition on the 1919 Global Flu Pandemic, at the George Marshall Medical Museum, Worcester
- developed connections between eighteenth-century botanical collections and the heritage of Afro-Caribbean communities at Bristol Museum
Please direct your completed applications form or any queries you have about the programme to Dr Elizabeth Haines (outreach@bshs.org.uk). The deadline for expressions of interest is 16th March, 2020.
