Compiled by Olivia Beavers, Assistant Curator of Vertebrate Zoology at World Museum, National Museums Liverpool.
Welcome to the June edition of NatSCA Digital Digest.
A monthly blog series featuring the latest on where to go, what to see and do in the natural history sector including jobs, exhibitions, conferences, and training opportunities. We are keen to hear from you if you have any top tips and recommendations for our next Digest, please drop an email to blog@natsca.org.
Sector News
Journal of Natural Science Collections – Call for Papers
The deadline for submissions to the 15th Volume of the Journal of Natural Science Collections is 30th June. If you have projects and practices to share that will benefit the museum community, please send your manuscript to editor@natsca.org
The Journal represents all areas of work with natural science collections, and includes articles on best practice and latest research across disciplines, including conservation, curation, learning, and exhibitions. Articles should be relevant and accessible to our diverse membership.
If you would like to contribute to the Journal, please contact the editor (editor@natsca.org) and see our guidelines for authors.
All submissions are peer reviewed, resulting in high quality articles. If you are interested in contributing to the Journal by acting as a reviewer, please contact editor@natsca.org, along with the areas of specialism you would be confident reviewing (e.g. bird curation, mineralogy, conservation techniques, etc). You can read our information for reviewers here.
Registration Open for SHNH Summer Meeting 2026
There is still time to register for ‘The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) at 200: Science, Society and the Natural World’. A three-day conference co-hosted by the Society for the History of Natural History and The Zoological Society of London (ZSL).
They have an incredible programme of speakers, tours, and networking events lined up – plus a conference dinner and drinks – and they would love for you to join them as they celebrate their 90th anniversary.
Location: Hybrid – Huxley Lecture Theatre, Zoological Society of London, and Online
Dates: 1-3 July 2026
Programme: https://shnh.org.uk/the-zoological-society-of-london-zsl…/
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/zsl-at-200-shnh-summer…
Registration will close at 6pm (BST) on 12th June 2026.
Where to Visit
Our Beautiful Oldham
Gallery Oldham is opening a new nature gallery: Gallery Oldham – Our Beautiful Oldham on Saturday 27th June:
A permanent gallery examining each of Oldham’s habitats including our nationally important moorland where Mountain Hares thrive.
This gallery will continue supporting their popular school science offer with the addition of new interactive spaces which have been developed with the help of a group of local families. Included in this is an artist commission, an animation explaining Climate Change through geological time up to present day. As much as possible sustainable materials have been used throughout.
Sussex Retold: Symposium on Sussex heritage diversity and progressive futures
On 19th June, Pauline Rutter will be reflecting on her NatSCA presentation from 2025 and ‘From Collections to Connections‘ initiative at the University of Sussex Conference – Sussex Retold: Symposium on Sussex heritage diversity and progressive futures.
Pauline’s talk: ‘Landscapes of Resistance’ will take place at 2:45pm. For more information about the event, please click here.
What to Read
From the NatSCA blog, Dr John-James Wilson, Lead Curator of Zoology at World Museum, writes about his discoveries whilst Unpacking the Entanglements in Liverpool’s Lost Drawer of White-eyes.
Lauren Burleson, Assistant Conservator at the Natural History Museum London, would like to distribute this survey to NatSCA members, related to fluid preserved collections and sealants. Please check out her survey here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/smJwaFGJAb.
Where to Work
The deadline for two of the positions at National Museums Northern Ireland is approaching fast. Details for the Curator of Marine Invertebrates position can be found here. The closing date is 14th June 2026.
Details for the Curator of Vertebrates position at National Museums Northern Ireland can be found here. The closing date is 21st June 2026.
If you’re passionate about, and have some experience in working or volunteering with geological collections, and have the time to volunteer and dedicate to a role – the Geological Collections Group (GCG) is seeking two volunteer Regional Collections Assistants to join their fantastic Collections Working Group. The role description is available here. To apply, please send ~200 words detailing why you would like the role to secretary@geocurator.org by 30th July 2026.
GCG is also seeking a Web Coordinator to join their Committee. The role description is available here. To apply, please send ~200 words detailing why you would be a good fit for the position to secretary@geocurator.org. Please apply by Friday 17th July 2026.
Before You Go…
If you have any top tips and recommendations for our next Digest please drop an email to blog@natsca.org. Similarly, if you have something to say about a current topic, or perhaps you want to tell us what you’ve been working on, we welcome new blog articles so please drop Jen an email if you have anything you would like to submit.
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