GEM RESEARCH & TRAVEL BURSARIES
The closing date for applications for GEM's 2008 bursaries has now passed.
Each year the Group for Education in Museums (GEM) awards two bursaries for GEM members to explore an aspect of museum education. A research bursary of up to £1,500 and a travel bursary of up to £1,000 may be applied for by GEM members for the year 2008.
On completion of the project, successful applicants are required to submit a 3,000 word article for the Journal of Education in Museums and for the GEM website. Applicants are also encouraged to disseminate their experiences further to benefit the wider museum profession.
On 14 December 2007, applicants must either (a) have been a personal member of GEM for more than two years, or (b) have worked continuously for more than two years for an institutional member.
Details of each bursary and how to apply now follow.
BURSARY AIMS
The general aims of the GEM Bursaries are to:
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encourage the sharing of good practice and research on museum education;
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assist in the continuing professional development of GEM members;
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develop and broaden research work being undertaken into museum education;
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encourage the interchange of ideas and experiences on a global basis.
GEM RESEARCH BURSARY
It is intended that the Research Bursary will be used to investigate a contemporary issue or concern within museum education, and that the conclusions reached will be of practical use to museum educators in general and GEM members in particular. The Research Bursary will not be awarded to subsidise the costs of academic research as part of a degree course.
The Research Bursary will be awarded for research costs including associated travel up to £1,500.
GEM TRAVEL BURSARY
The Travel Bursary will be awarded to support continuing professional development by allowing a GEM member to see other ways of working in his or her selected field.
The Travel Bursary will be awarded for travel and accommodation costs up to £1,000.
Please note that neither Bursary award is intended to be used simply for conference fees or associated travel.
Applications are welcomed from all GEM members who wish to embark on an innovative project linked to an aspect of museum education which satisfies the above aims and guidelines.
Current Research
GEM news and the Journal of Education in Museums contain reports and research papers. Selected items are available here.
Researching
Museum Education
A Journal of Education in Museums (JEM)
published annually by Group for Education in Museums.
GEM members each receive one JEM free each year. Past copies of JEM are on sale to anyone, except the most recent JEM which is not sold to non-members until it becomes a back-issue.
JEM includes lengthier and more wide-ranging
articles on current research and topics such as the use of handling
or costume collections. It also usually incorporates regular updates
of the GEM Bibliography (see above).
"Interactive
art exhibitions for families" (large file)
Moira Simpson
This is an illustrated summary of a report of a research trip to the USA funded by a GEM research travel grant to examine developments in the presentation of interactive art exhibitions designed for children and families. The full article entitled "Interactive art exhibitions: an overview of developments in the USA" can be read in Issue 22 of the Journal of Education in Museums (2001).
The University Bookshop
The University Bookshop, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester (Tel 0116 2523000) produces a mail order list of an extensive selection of books relating to museum studies amongst which are many on museum education. The Department of Museum Studies also publishes:
- Museum Studies Bibliography, 1994, ISBN 0954500544, £7 inc. post and packaging.
- You may find useful pointers in the following three publications:
- Museum and Gallery Education by Eilean Hooper Greenhill, published 1994, in the series Museum Studies edited by Susan M Pearce, published by Leicester University Press.
- Initiatives in Museum Education by Eilean Hooper-Greenhill, published 1989 by Leicester University Press.
- Writing a Museum Education Policy edited by Eilean Hooper-Greenhill, published 1994 by Leicester University Press.
- The Museums Association produces a variety of papers and manuals about professional and ethical issues relating to many aspects of museum work. Contact them for further information at 42 Clerkenwell Close, London EC1R OPA. Tel. 0471-250 4789.
- The National Association for Gallery Education (engage) might also have useful information. Contact: Membership and Administrative Officer, engage, Basement, Old Brompton Road, London NW6 7L5. Tel: 020 7244 0110. Fax: 020 7373 7223
You could enquire whether your research quest could be advertised through such outlets as:
- The Museums Association's monthly Museums Journal (free to members but single copies can be purchased by non-members). Write to the editor at the address above.
- AIM - the bi-monthly bulletin of the Association of Independent Museums. Write to the Editor, AIM, Park Cottage, West Dean, Chichester, W Sussex PO18 1RX.
You may wish to interview specific museum education officers to find out more about their ideas and philosophies. Some may be able to send you their departmental policy papers and samples of the materials they produce for use with the public or publicity purposes, in advance of your meeting. All will appreciate you taking time to sift as much of the general information as you can in advance of the visit, and that you define your needs or specific areas of interest very clearly.