National Museum of Australia collaborates with ANU Humanities Research Centre to offer 2023 Summer Scholars program

This new partnership provides four young scholars with an outstanding opportunity to contribute to the work of the museum while learning valuable skills in research and museum practices.

“The National Museum of Australia is very pleased to be joining hands with the HRC and ANU more generally to enable a group of talented, young scholars to undertake this opportunity in Canberra,” Libby Stewart, Senior Curator and Manager, Research and Partnerships, National Museum of Australia said.

“We think their exposure to the NMA collections and making valuable contacts with academics and museum professionals will be enormously beneficial to their careers. It will also have positive impacts on the museum’s work and practices. We hope it will be the start of a long and fruitful collaboration with the HRC to foster new talent in the museum sector.”

The program encourages students to engage creatively and collaboratively with globally significant collections and research topics. They will work with interdisciplinary methods and museum collections alongside Australia’s leading experts, world-class curators and ANU academics.

During the six-week intensive program, the scholars will have access to the core research sites, resources, facilities and networks of both institutions.

Professor Kylie Message-Jones, HRC Director, said, “The HRC is delighted to be leading this research training program with colleagues at the NMA. We were overwhelmed by the level of interest and quality of applications received, and are excited about bringing together four students from diverse backgrounds, and parts of Australia to work together on topics of critical importance to the future of the nation.”

The four scholars selected for the program are Samuel Farr (ANU), Emily Tomlinson (University of Melbourne), Evelyn Lambeth (University of Tasmania), and Jade Croft (James Cook University).

Samuel Farr is a Master of Museum and Heritage student with interest in collections and museum education. "This programme blends aspects of both these areas together, with a focus on the tertiary and research environment which is often a whole hidden world when it comes to museums. This programme offers an invaluable practical opportunity to work alongside the National Museum and gain insights and learn from the professionals in their team, especially helpful to someone entering the final year of their degree," Samuel said.

"I am very excited to be working with curator Craig Middleton on a project that is focused on LGBTIQ+ collections and museum practice. With World Pride being hosted in Sydney in 2023, it is fantastic to see that the National Museum will be doing more work on their LGBTIQ+ collection and cannot wait to get involved."    

The program will be held from 16 January to 24 February 2023. During this period, scholars will be based in Canberra and will receive a stipend to support their living costs.