This is a hybrid event; attendees can either join in person or on Teams. Please select either an 'In person' or 'Online' ticket. A Teams link will be emailed a few days before.

There is a significant shortage of BSL signs for STEM subjects. It's a barrier which can impact the deaf community's ability to study STEM subjects, pursue scientific careers, and participate in key public debates.

The Science Museum Group, in partnership with Royal Holloway and the glossary project at the Scottish Sensory Centre, recently embarked on an experiment to try and address this need. Because BSL signs can communicate meaning spatially and temporally, we realised there was an opportunity to use the materiality of SMG's historic collections to help BSL researchers and scientists collaborate to create new signs which more accurately communicate scientific ideas.

In addition to demonstrating the practical and creative utility of museum collections to meet clear social needs, the pilot BSL workshop also had a variety of internal and external impacts which this seminar will explore. These include the ability of cross-cutting experimental research to coordinate and gather together museum departments and functions often operating separately, to the intellectual and practical impacts that working with the deaf community has had on museum staff and scientists.

The experiment has also generated ideas about how museum stores and objects can become prompts to action; moving the object of research away from exhibitions and the transmission of knowledge onto the backroom and everyday methods and practices of museum work.

About the speakers

Dr Scott Anthony is Deputy Head of Research & Public History at the Science Museum Group. He has recently completed a new research strategy/action plan that aims to both stimulate and embed more experimental practices into the work of the Museum Group.

Dr Laura Blair is Research Manager, Postgraduate & Skills at the Science Museum Group. She is particularly interested in the role of stored museum collections in connecting communities with STEM heritage.

Fiona Slater is Head of Access and Equity. Fiona joined the Science Museum Group in April 2021, in the newly developed role of Head of Access and Equity, to oversee the Groups public commitment and core value of being ‘Open for All’.