Janet leads the Public Engagement team at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History and is responsible for all elements of public engagement, including temporary and permanent exhibitions, learning and programming activity and audience development.
As Deputy Director Janet has responsibility for innovation within, and strategic development of, the museum across all areas with a particular focus on operations, international partnerships and research, as well as Public Engagement. She deputises for the Director and works closely with colleagues across GLAM (Gardens, Libraries and Museums).
Janet has over 20 years of experience of working as a Public Engagement professional at the University of Oxford. She became Head of Education at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History in 2003, Head of Public Engagement in 2014 and Deputy Director in 2016. The Museum has built a national reputation for the excellence of its informal science education programmes, winning major UK awards for museum learning and public engagement, and has been recognised as a leader in Public Engagement with Research, winning Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for PER in both 2015 and 2017.
Janet has particular interests in Public Engagement with Research, Museology: Objects and Authenticity and Equity in informal science learning. She is passionate about the difference that science and cultural engagement can make to our lives. Along with Cat Vicente, Janet helps bring an active and vibrant programme of public engagement to college life.
