Compiled by Milo Phillips, Digitisation Co-ordinator at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
Welcome to the October 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
MIDS Standard Public Review Now Open
The MIDS Task Group is pleased to announce that the public review of the Minimum Information about a Digital Specimen (MIDS) standard is now open.
MIDS gives collections a shared, measurable definition of what it means for a specimen to be “digitized”. It helps institutions prioritize digitization work, track progress consistently, and publish specimen data that are fit for research and reuse. MIDS complements existing standards such as Darwin Core and ABCD rather than replacing them.
The review begins on 5 October 2026 and will remain open until 4 December 2026. You can participate via the TDWG site here.
Communicate – Annual Conference 2026 Registration Now Open
Communicate is a conference for nature and environmental communicators across the UK. The conference takes place November 17th to 19th both online, and in-person. Registration details, programme information, and bursary applications can be found on the event site here.
SHNH seeking new committee members
The Society for the History of Natural History has two exciting and important roles available.
They are currently recruiting for two roles to join SHNH Council, firstly a new Meetings Secretary, who takes the lead role in planning and delivering Society conferences and events. You can read more about the role in our Portfolios of Council document.
They are also appointing an Early-Career Researcher Representative, which is a new role on Council. Their role will involve bringing together the annual ECR Symposium as well as steering opportunities for our growing ECR community within the Society.
If you are interested in either of these opportunities, or would like to know more, please email, ideally before 21st October 2026.
Symposium on Palaeontological Preparation and Conservation
A reminder that registration for the 31st Symposium on Palaeontological Preparation and Conservation is ending on 16th October.
This year’s abstracts can be found here: https://www.geocollections.org/events/191-sppc-2026
Where to Visit
Victorian Palm Houses – Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
As of October 2026, the newly refurbished Victorian Palm houses at RBGE are open to visitors once more. Part of a larger project, the Edinburgh Biomes work will eventually see all the Glasshouses and their collections restored, re-housed, and re-opened to explore. Visiting details can be found here.
Online Exhibition – Dead or Alive: Birds in our World
Uncover the stories of eight amazing birds, now either extinct or endangered, hidden within Manchester Museum’s stores.
Dead or Alive: Birds in our World takes a closer look at specimens not usually on display within the galleries at Manchester Museum and asks what they can tell us about conservation and colonial dominance.
Explore it here. The exhibition runs until December 31st 2026
What to Read
This month Clare Brown, Natural Science Curator for Leeds Museums and Galleries breaks down some top tips for natural science collections funding opportunities and gives an overview of recent success with The Dead Plants Society – A Case Study for Fundraising for Natural Science Collections.
We also have Maria Dragoi, PhD Candidate, UCL Institute of Archaeology & NHM Science getting up close with the entomology collection at the Natural History Museum, London, exploring the history and practicalities of natural science models and the role they play in make the very small feel (literally) larger than life in Micro to Macro: Modelling and Magnifying Insects.
Where to Work
DiSSCo UK Head of Digitisation – Natural History Museum London
Natural History Museum, London are looking for a new Head of Digitisation to lead in delivering DiSSCo UK, helping to unlock millions of collections records and specimens for research, innovation and public benefit. Details and applications here.
Fixed-term/Full-time; £75,000pa; 36hrs/week. Closing date: 14th October 2026.
Head of Zoology – National Museum Cardiff
Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales seeks a new Head of Zoology to lead an experienced curatorial team driving forward innovative research and public engagement programmes. Details and applications here.
Permanent/Full-time; £57,822.85 – £62,434.05; 35hrs/week. Closing date: 2nd November 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.
