Asha Hall-Jones, Research Manager at the Imperial War Museum

Course: MA Art Gallery and Museum Studies, Part Time, 2019-2021

Having always had a desire to work in the museum sector, the MA in Art Gallery and Museum Studies at Manchester seemed like a natural progression for me after studying a BA in History and Political Science. However, it was not until I started the course that I realised just how complex the sector was. The MA gave me an entirely new perspective on the challenges facing the sector both internally and externally and this was a deeply valuable experience.

One of the highlights of the MA for me, and something which drew me to the course in the first place, was the work placement module. This was a brilliant opportunity to get real experience working within the sector. Despite the challenges of running this module during the pandemic, the department did an incredible job at facilitating valuable virtual placements. My social media placement at National Museums Liverpool taught me a great deal about how different departments within large national museums work together towards a common goal.

My experience studying Art Gallery and Museum Studies, and particularly the work placement, gave me the theoretical and practical knowledge necessary to kick start my career at the Imperial War Museum. In addition to this, though studying at Manchester I have been welcomed into a wonderful network of current and future museum professionals which is something I will always be grateful for.