Co-creation
I’m truly passionate about co-creation because it helps bring communities and cultural spaces - like galleries, libraries, archives, and museums - together in meaningful ways. When done thoughtfully, it can make decision-making more inclusive and diverse.
For Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens’ redevelopment, I partnered closely with designers Mather & Co. to craft a co-creation strategy. I ran consultations and workshops with staff and project teams to build on the great work already happening. With the £5 million project wrapping up in 2027, the strategy will guide the next steps.
No matter your goals, I’m here to help your organisation create genuine, fair community partnerships.
Facilitation
I’m an experienced facilitator who has worked with higher education and cultural organisations to develop and lead training sessions and workshops - both my own and client-generated. My top priority is always ensuring participants feel comfortable, their needs are met and clients achieve their goals.
My co-creation workshops regularly feature in Museum-iD’s study day series. I’ve also planned and facilitated online events for the Transatlantic Slavery and Legacies in Museums Forum, engaging up to 100 members across the UK. I use an empathetic, inclusive style to create a safe space where everyone feels free to participate.
Get in touch if you need an experienced facilitator or help creating events or workshops.
Consultation
I’ve managed a range of projects as a consultant, helping arts, cultural, and heritage organisations enhance, streamline, or grow their operations. I work closely with staff, stakeholders, and supporters to deliver tailored solutions that encourage change and socially engaged practice.
For example, I led a five-month consultation for the War and Conflict Subject Specialist Network, using interviews, workshops and reports to support their goal of deepening engagement with British Empire histories and conflict legacies. My research gave them a strong foundation to continue this vital work.
If your organisation is facing change and needs support reflecting on your processes or practice, get in touch.
Ideation
One of the most rewarding parts of my work is helping arts, culture, and heritage organisations bring their ideas to life. Through ideation, a simple vision can grow into a strategic reality, often leading to exciting and innovative projects.
I led workshops with the Harris Museum, Art Gallery, and Library to provide collections staff a creative space to explore their goals for renovating the second-floor galleries. Supported by the Garfield Weston and Wolfson Foundations, this £450,000 project is part of a larger £10 million capital plan set to complete in 2024.
If you need help sparking creativity or an objective project review, let’s chat.
Curation
I’ve worked with a wide range of collections during my time as a curator and Arts Council England museum mentor - from archery to contemporary art and everything in between. Improving community access to collections is something I’m truly passionate about.
As the Curator of Living Cultures and Acting Deputy Head of Collections at Manchester Museum, I led the unconditional repatriation of 43 sacred cultural heritage items as part of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies’ Return of Cultural Heritage project. This marked the first time a UK museum had unconditionally repatriated items to Australia’s First Nations.
If your organisation wants to democratise care and improve access to cultural heritage collections, I’d be happy to help.
Since 2022, I’ve been running yearly Museum-iD study days on ethical community co-creation, bringing together people from arts, culture and heritage to connect and learn.
Photo courtesy of Museum-iD.