Collaboratory Researcher Profiles
Project Title: To investigate the provenance, cultural meanings, and the history of display of African instruments in Nottingham Castle Museum’s collection.
What were you doing (e.g. type of work/study) before your PhD/Placement?
I am a PRINCE2 qualified project manager and I used to manage large scale community regeneration projects in London, my specialism was in Community Safety with an emphasis on Drugs and Alcohol and the impact on young people and the coercion of young women into prostitution. Since austerity hit and the government withdrew community based services from regeneration projects I have been working in education primarily with SEND pupils.
What are you researching?
Researching African artefacts that were donated to Nottingham by W.J. Thompson in the 1950’s mostly these are weaponry but there are some musical instruments about which very little is known so I am finding out more about them.
What motivated you to apply for this specific Placement project?
I love African sculpture and artefacts and have a varied collection sourced from Africa but also from auctions, I am also a dancer who has performed in Kairo Kaira a West African dance troupe so this project appealed because it encompasses two things which are close to my heart.
Why do you think this research is important?
Because African art is important. Finding out more about these beautiful artefacts and getting to discuss them with people from Africa and exploring how they were played and when they were used – what ceremonies and events.
What difference do you hope to make in Nottingham through this research?
I will find out more information about these objects so that they can be shared with the public in an informed way that enriches the lives of the population.
What do you hope to be doing in five years’ time? (personally and/or professionally)
In five years’ time, I hope to be Studying a PhD in Africa.