What Should I Read?

I was just thinking last week that social media has taken over the world as the most thing in existence, corporeal or not, when this article came out about how scientists should all be trained in its use; Social Media; More Scientists Needed. No hope of escape for any of us then. (I say on a social media platform).

Last Wednesday, sadly, New Walk Museum had items stolen from display; From Rhino horns to Egyptian jewels. Whilst the objects stolen last week weren’t of natural history origin, this article (if you can see it through the adverts) also reveals that rhino horn was stolen from there a few years ago. The huge rhino horn problem faced by museums, primarily in 2012, was largely curbed by museums removing all horn from display. An update on this situation was published on our website recently in Rhinos and Museums.

Finally, if you’re looking for something a little more breathing than the average museum specimen, Jack Ashby recently wrote about Australian wildlife in an article called Does an animal’s name affect whether people care about it?

What Should I Do?

In possibly the best named museum evening event ever, the Horniman Museum is holding a Bloody Late. Note the capitals- I’m not being derisive, yes that’s its name. Ahhh how much fun are the staff in the press and marketing office having with this one!? Taking place next week on Thursday 19th October, the description is as follows: ‘[Blood] is essential and deathly, a source of poetry and horror, vital for surgeons and vampires. Join us for this special evening dissecting the scientific and symbolic nature of blood, with performances, music, talks and more activities in a similar vein.’ Similar vein…. hah.

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition opens this month at the Natural History Museum. I for one will be first in the queue, as always.

What Can  I Apply For?

The Oxford University Museum of Natural History is currently looking for a conservator to cover maternity leave, details here, closing date 20th October. This could be your chance to get your mitts on this fabulous collection in Oxford.

The Horniman Museum and Gardens is seeking a Volunteering Administrator, details here, closing date 19th October. The Horniman Museum supports over 300 volunteers a year so I’m sure you’ll have plenty to keep you busy in this role.

The Natural History Museum has a number of vacancies advertised at the moment;

1- Citizen Science Project Officer, details here, closing date 23rd October.

2- Research Leaders in Life Sciences, details here, closing date 9th October.

3- Postdoctoral Researcher, GCRF Global Seaweeds, details here, closing date 16th October.

4- Postdoctoral Researcher, NERC Bees, details here, closing date 16th October.

Before You Go…

If you have seen an exhibition, visited a museum, or want to tell us about your work, do get in touch as we are always looking for material from external authors. Email us with your ideas at blog@natsca.org.

Written by Dr Emma-Louise Nicholls, Deputy Keeper of Natural History at the Horniman Museum and Gardens, and NatSCA Blog Manager.