Ruddock Project Curator: East African collections
The British Museum
Ruddock Project Curator: East Africa
Africa Oceania and the Americas
Full-time
Fixed-term (12 months)
£30,955 per annum
Application deadline: 12pm (midday) on 29th August 2022
About the role:
The British Museum is seeking a Ruddock Project Curator: East Africa to join the Africa Oceania and the Americas department. The main purpose of the role is to deliver a programme of research, documentation and collaboration focused on the collections from East Africa, with a particular emphasis on Kenya and Ethiopia. To create detailed collection histories and object/photographic biographies and make these accessible through the Museum’s online database, in displays, and through publication. To provide core curatorial support for the Africa section in associated projects.
Key areas of responsibility:
- Research, collate and document the East African collections and make them accessible through the Museum’s online database
- Digitise photographs and archival materials related to the East African collections
- Develop curatorial content for digital platforms, including blogs
- Disseminate research on East African collections through publication of peer-reviewed articles and/or participation in conferences, seminars
- Liaise with external stakeholders, including members of relevant East African communities, embassies and institutional colleagues
- Support the development of future displays of East African material
- Act as an advocate for the Museum, especially in relation to East Africa
- Work as a team member with colleagues in the Africa section, and undertake some departmental duties as required
- To have or develop a good understanding of museums and relevant best practice
- Respond to public and scholarly enquiries
- To change the focus of work as needed in line with museum priorities
- Other duties as assigned
About you:
- Education: BA/BSc (or equivalent) in anthropology, history or related subject.
- Specific technical/professional skills & experience: working knowledge of and experience in working with museum databases and image systems; knowledge of African material culture and history (especially East Africa); research experience in relation to an area of the African continent; IT literate.
- Work experience: experience of working as a museum curator/researcher.
- Specific managerial skills: assessing priorities and meeting deadlines.
- Specific interpersonal skills: articulate and effective communicator with good written and oral skills; ability to work as part of a team and independently; highly organised and self-motivated; adaptable, resourceful, imaginative.
- Publications record: some prior experience of peer-reviewed publication.
