Meredith Whitfield

Exhibition Developer, Field Museum, Chicago, USA.

Course: MA Art Gallery and Museum Studies, Full Time, 2016-17

In the AGMS programme at the University of Manchester, I found a home for my background in writing and dual interests in visitor experience and digital interpretation.

Coming from the US, the work placement module was an especially interesting pathway into creating criticality about organisational behaviour: observing differences between US institutions and those in the UK, from funding and grants all the way through to programming priorities, allowed me to place museum work in an international context. In addition, programme partnerships with the Whitworth and Manchester Museum allowed me to participate in projects with real, practical applications.

Additionally, because the course modules allow for focused study in a few areas, I was able to develop my skills in digital interpretation and creative learning, which led to my research focus on art memes. I've been able to present this research at several international conferences, and I look forward to continuing study of internet-mediated behaviour in museums.

Manchester, with its wide variety of cultural institutions, is the perfect place to undertake museum work. Over my year there, the city's rich history and warm, friendly attitude found a place in my heart, just as a truly astonishing volume of scones, curries, tea, Sunday roasts, and Marks and Spencer's Percy Pigs found their places in my stomach.

Since graduating, I have been fortunate enough to join the Field Museum in Chicago as an Exhibition Developer, applying not only my rigorous training in writing, but also practical programming skills, on-the-job knowledge, and an international perspective I gained from the AGMS programme.