My fascination with archaeology and historic buildings began as a young child, intrigued by the history and experiences of people, animals and places in the past. Studying for a BSc in Archaeology at the University of York was something of a logical progression, combining learning about archaeology in a city with a rich and varied history. It was during my time at York that I first became involved in the study of Egyptian mummies; a research area which went on to form the focus of my academic career.
The study of the ancient Egyptian civilisation and its material culture has long captivated the imagination of people of all ages. I work extensively with broadcast and print media to share my research with the general public. Recently, this includes live and pre-recorded features for the BBC, Channel 4, the Discovery Channel, Discovery Science, local and national television and radio stations, and international print media outlets. In my role as Honorary Curator of Archaeozoology at Manchester Museum, I passionately work towards improving accessibility to cultural collections, to enhance learning and to promote interaction with the people of the past, particularly for the underrepresented groups within the visitor demographic. As Project Curator of a touring exhibition developed around my research, I continue to gain valuable expertise in exhibition design, content, contractual arrangements, artefact selection and care, logistics, cross-institution communication, project management and public engagement. The interdisciplinary nature of my research relies on my ability to manage projects across academic and cultural institutions, to forge and maintain exemplary collaborative relationships with partners in the public, private and heritage sectors, and to communicate science to broad audiences in a comprehensive way. Ultimately, with advancements in science and technology continuing at lightening pace, the ability to work across disciplinary and institutional boundaries to investigate material culture, and to present results in interactive and captivating ways, leads to an increased understanding of the past.
