Research

At the heart of object-based research carried out at the Museum is the exploration of the history of artefacts and of the contexts within which they have had meaning - in the past and today. Research into the composition and manufacture of artefacts is necessary to identify the best conditions for storage and display.

General historical research

Our historical research is directed toward the development of new exhibitions and galleries, ensuring the accuracy of our presentations and enabling us to present new perspectives on key issues in science, technology and medicine. Topics covered by recent and forthcoming books based on this research have included penicillin, science documentary films, the jet engine, defence research, the British space programme,organic chemistry and modern chemical instrumentation. Other outcomes include the Ingenious website and the Making of the Modern World, a 3,000 sq metre gallery of the history of technology and science since 1750 with a companion volume and website.

Museological research

Objects are considered within the museum context, focusing on their use and the methods by which their meanings can be displayed. One major aspect of this work is understanding how multimedia presentations of museum objects might work.

Conservation research

Conservation research is aimed at prolonging the lives of our objects and enabling their display in the museum.

Research collaboration

The Science Museum collaborates with other institutions in the support of its research programme. With its neighbour, the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, it offers a fortnightly research seminar series and also a monthly informal gathering. Museum staff are currently supervising postgraduate students in collaboration with several universities, including Imperial College, Royal Holloway University of London and the University of Warwick. The Museum is working with the Deutsches Museum in Munich and the National Museum of American History in Washington DC to develop a better understanding of the significance of objects in the history of science and technology.