Major funding award for University collections

The funding, announced this week, will enable the University to continue to use its globally important collections and their research potential to engage with communities in meaningful ways and fulfil its purpose as a civic university.

It specifically recognises the impact of the University’s collections and related research work in the HE sector, as well as to society more broadly.

The Barber Institute of Fine Art’s collection of fine and decorative art and coins is globally significant and consistently generates and supports high-level research outputs. The Lapworth Museum of Geology, as one of the UK’s principal geological collections also offers unique opportunities for interdisciplinary research.

The University’s Research and Cultural Collections, which has received funding for the first time this year, looks after contemporary and historic collections from the arts and sciences across the whole University estate. These collections are used to inform research and teaching.

The University’s collections have public and community engagement activities at their heart, offering access to highly diverse communities, and busy programmes of activities throughout the year.

Professor Jennifer Powell, Director of the Barber Institute, said: “We’re delighted to receive news of this crucial funding from Research England; it will enable us to continue, and to grow, the work we do to support the use of our collections for research and engagement, in the widest possible ways.

“The Barber’s ‘designated’ collections have so much research potential and we are particularly excited to enable cross-disciplinary thinking and projects working with wide-ranging communities that have real relevance to the world that we live in.”

Jon Clatworthy, Director of the Lapworth Museum, said: “The Lapworth Museum is thrilled to receive support from Research England’s Higher Education Museum and Galleries funding, allowing the museum and its remarkable collections to play a key role in advancing interdisciplinary research, both nationally and internationally. It will also enable the Lapworth to make this cutting-edge research, accessible and relevant for the diverse communities we engage through our popular public programmes.”

Clare Mullett, Head of Research and Cultural Collections, said: “Research and Cultural Collections (RCC) is delighted with this national recognition of our cultural offer as a valuable contributor to the wider research environment, and we are looking forward to doing even more with our community researchers and audiences thanks to the funding from Research England. This underpins RCC’s integral role in the delivery of the University of Birmingham’s Public and Cultural Engagement strategy, launching later this year.”