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Research and Museums Galleries Scotland KT Scotland: Policy and Practice Conference 23 April 2010. Alison Turnbull Head of Research & Standards. Outline. Research at Museums Galleries Scotland Future research plans Exploring opportunities for closer working with Universities. Background.
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Research and Museums Galleries ScotlandKT Scotland: Policy and Practice Conference23 April 2010 Alison Turnbull Head of Research & Standards
Outline • Research at Museums Galleries Scotland • Future research plans • Exploring opportunities for closer working with Universities
Background • Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) is the lead voice of over 350 museums and galleries representing an industry worth an estimated £800m to the Scottish economy • Research capacity at MGS is fairly new • First time we have had staff whose remit is specifically social research
MGS Research Team • established in 2007, with aims to • Assess whether our strategies and programmes are facilitating development for the sector • Better focus our strategies, programmes and grants • Improve our knowledge of the sector so that we are better able to advocate the case for museums • Develop and promote our services for better efficiency and effectiveness
Social Impact Research Key priority for MGS • Examines how museums and galleries’ activities impact upon communities and individuals • Purpose is to provide robust evidence of impacts to stakeholders to show how museums can support the delivery of policy
Research and Evidence Framework • Provides a robust and comprehensive evidence base for the sector • Developed in consultation with member museums • States research priorities • Annual review • Linked to National Performance Framework
Impacts on Communities Research Report (2008) • Provides robust evidence of social and economic impact of the museum sector in Scotland • Contains comprehensive literature review and results survey with sample of museum operators • Informed policy and future research
Volunteering in Museums (2009) Study area • the role and impact of volunteers in museums • impact on the wider workforce development • impacts of volunteering on individuals and communities • Built a demographic profile of volunteering in museums in Scotland
Cornerstones of the Community (2009) • Uses 5 case studies to evidence how museums are a vehicle or means of creating community cohesion and identity • Shows museums can deliver on range of Government policy • Published recent advocacy document based on findings
National Performance Framework • National Outcome 5 – Our children have the best start in life and are ready to succeed - Grampian Transport Museum’s sponsorship arrangements with Foster Care Associates help provide a profile for the important work of fostering services in the area
Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) • MGS in partnership with Scottish Arts Council and funded by UNESCO commissioned research in 2008 • Napier University received AHRC funding to develop an inventory of ICH in Scotland • MGS will manage inventory at project completion
Research and Evaluation section on MGS website • Research and evidence framework • Completed research and evaluation work • Research and evaluation conducted by other organisations • The research and evaluation work currently in progress • Tendering opportunities with Museums Galleries Scotland
Evaluation Framework • Internal framework to evaluate impact of work on wider sector • Has a range of outcomes and indicators • Will assist with wider reporting • Start to use in current financial year
Quality Improvement System (QIS) • Continuous Improvement model which will allow museums to gather outcome based information • Uses self-evaluation and produces an improvement plan • Plan ran from September 2009 – March 2010 • Reviewing final report
Economic Impact Methodologies • Leading UK group to map economic impact methodologies across the museums, libraries and archives sector • Develop a series of toolkits for individual organisations • Finish early 2011
Local Authority Museum Services and alternative delivery models • Working with Local Authorities to develop an options appraisal toolkit • Pilot with Local Authorities • Complete September 2010
Partnerships • Regularly meet with research colleagues • Build relationship with Universities • Main contact with Universities is through membership and commissioning research
Knowledge Transfer • Like to develop this role • Can develop projects with MGS • Scope to facilitate an event with member museums
Summary • Research capacity at MGS • Previous research reports • Current research priorities including Economic Impact and work on Trusts • Setting up partnerships and collaboration on Knowledge Transfer work
Alison Turnbull Head of Research & Standards Museums Galleries Scotland 1 Papermill Wynd McDonald Road Edinburgh EH7 4QL Tel: 0131 440 4136 Fax: 0131 550 4139 alisont@museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk www.museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk