Knowledge Exchange and University Collections

Knowledge Exchange and University Collections (KEUC) aims to unlock the potential of the University’s collections to create social and cultural impact. We work with a range of university and community partners to develop a scalable approach to participatory research and practice, asking questions together in order to bring about change.

Our team of four Practitioner Researchers draw on established practice and initiatives focused on wellbeing, community participation and early childhood to create sustainable partnerships with communities and organisations across the region and beyond.

Projects are co-developed with our partners to ensure they respond to the issues and questions which are most relevant to their lives. Our findings help us to evaluate and reflect on our practice and to better understand and evidence the impact of museums, art and culture.

KEUC is funded through Research England's Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF).

Current projects

Our Early Childhood Research programme focuses on how young children & those who care for them experience the Museum. We work with families and educators to create meaningful connections between young children and artworks. Together we explore innovative pedagogies and resources to understand how best to support learning, participation and engagement.

Connections Through Collections is co-led by ten collaborators drawn from across the Cambridge community and investigates how the Museum collections, displays and programmes could be made more accessible and relevant to a wider range of people.

Take A Walk in My Shoes explores how it feels to be 'in' and move around the Museum. By working with people affected by non-visible disabilities we consider how each individual's experience is unique, and address potential challenges and opportunities.

Related publications

Wallis, N. (2024) The Family Welcome: A Museum Research Project, Blog post, University of Cambridge Museums

Wallis, N. (2024) Positioning families as co-researchers at the museum: How do we see and hear the voices of parents and children?, Blog post, Ethical Research Involving Children

Wallis, N. (2024) Drawing in the museum, drawing out ideas, Blog post, National Society for Education in Art and Design

Dryzek, R (2024) Welcoming Families at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Blog post, University of Cambridge Museums

Hales, R, Lister, S & T, Pollard-Crowe, J & Farrell-Banks, D (2023) Breaking the Silo: Delivering a Participant Led Workshop, Blog post, University of Cambridge Museums

Hales, R. & Farrell-Banks, D. (2023) Making Connections through Collections, Blog post, University of Cambridge Museums

Project team

Project Team

Neal Spencer, Deputy Director Collections and Research

Jo Vine, Head of Research and Impact

Kate Noble, Senior Research Associate Museum Learning

Emily Bradfield, Practitioner Research Associate: Collections and Wellbeing (Older Adults)

David Farrell- Banks, Practitioner Research Associate: Collections and Wellbeing (Young Adults)

Becky Jefcoate, Practitioner Research Associate: Collections and Wellbeing (Older Adults)

Nicola Wallis, Practitioner Research Associate: Collections and Early Childhood (Older Adults)

Christina Bulow, Practitioner Research Coordinator

Outcomes of the project

Opportunities for people traditionally excluded from museum and university research to shape and get involved in a range of different projects

Co-created museum displays, exhibitions and programmes

Training and mentoring in participatory approaches for researchers and practitioners

New resources and guidelines for developing participatory research and practice

Long-term partnerships with local, regional, national and international collections, sector organisations and universities

New methodologies and ways of working embedded into the Fitzwilliam Museum, with potential for replicability and scalability in other contexts, underpinned by robust evidence