{"id":2,"date":"2018-05-25T09:06:47","date_gmt":"2018-05-25T08:06:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/uor-nhm-partnership\/?page_id=2"},"modified":"2025-09-24T18:04:50","modified_gmt":"2025-09-24T17:04:50","slug":"about-us","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/uor-nhm-partnership\/about-us\/","title":{"rendered":"About Us"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-430 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/uor-nhm-partnership\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/325\/2024\/05\/open-day-high-res-e1716389335505-300x165.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"440\" height=\"242\" srcset=\"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/uor-nhm-partnership\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/325\/2024\/05\/open-day-high-res-e1716389335505-300x165.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/uor-nhm-partnership\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/325\/2024\/05\/open-day-high-res-e1716389335505-1024x565.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/uor-nhm-partnership\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/325\/2024\/05\/open-day-high-res-e1716389335505-768x424.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/uor-nhm-partnership\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/325\/2024\/05\/open-day-high-res-e1716389335505-1536x847.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/uor-nhm-partnership\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/325\/2024\/05\/open-day-high-res-e1716389335505.jpeg 1757w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 440px) 100vw, 440px\" \/>The\u00a0<a class=\"customize-unpreviewable\" href=\"http:\/\/reading.ac.uk\/\">University of Reading<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a class=\"customize-unpreviewable\" href=\"http:\/\/nhm.ac.uk\/\">The Natural History Museum<\/a>, London, home to a vast range of life and earth science specimens, have entered into an exciting long-term research collaboration.<\/p>\n<p>Inspired by the planned move of 28 millions specimens from the Museum&#8217;s collections to an ambitious new science and digitisation centre on the Thames Valley Science Park (TVSP), the partnership provides a framework for joint initiatives which align with the specialisms and aims of both institutions.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>This is a collaboration agreement at institutional level, which goes beyond the development at TVSP to form a strategic partnership and covers areas such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>development of joint education and training provision, research proposals and postgraduate opportunities<\/li>\n<li>mutual access to and potential development of research infrastructure<\/li>\n<li>delivery of joint events to highlight research synergies<\/li>\n<li>exploration of potential innovations to improve professional and public engagement with each institution\u2019s Collections<\/li>\n<li>collaboration to deliver benefit to the communities around TVSP and in the wider local area<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Governance<\/h4>\n<p>Joint Governance Board membership<\/p>\n<p><strong>University of Reading:<\/strong><br \/>\nParveen Yaqoob, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation)<br \/>\nTom Oliver, Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor &#8211; Research (Environment)<br \/>\nJohn Gibbs, Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor &#8211; Research (Heritage and Creativity)<br \/>\nCharlotte Johnson, Senior Research Development Manager<br \/>\nBeth Steiner, Research Facilitation Manager<\/p>\n<p><strong>Natural History Museum:<\/strong><br \/>\nTim Littlewood, Director of Science<br \/>\nKen Norris, Research Leader in Biodiversity Change<br \/>\nCaroline Smith, Head of Collections<br \/>\nEmma Hayes, Programme Director (NHM Unlocked)<br \/>\nPaola Ricciardi, Research Themes and Partnerships Manager<\/p>\n<h4><a id=\"priority-areas\"><\/a>Priority Areas<\/h4>\n<p>The partnership aims to make progress aligned with the specialisms and goals of both organisations, against five priority areas:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"5\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Priority Area 1: Research and Innovation<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u200b<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Encourage and support research and innovation in areas of mutual strategic interest; drive collaborative impactful research focusing on solutions to the global polycrisis; collaborate in engaging with the UK and global research agenda<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u200b<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"5\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Priority Area 2: People<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u200b<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Support professional development of staff maximising opportunities offered by the Partnership; increase collections-based research opportunities; drive collaboration and sharing of expertise and experience across the two organisations and wider TVSP networks<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u200b<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"5\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Priority Area 3: Skills<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u200b<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Enhance the student learning experience; support development of students maximising opportunities offered by the Partnership; increase collections-based teaching and learning opportunities <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u200b<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"5\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Priority Area 4: Infrastructure<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u200b<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Facilitate shared access to existing research infrastructure; <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">identify future facility needs; jointly develop cases for purchase of equipment<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u200b<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"5\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Priority Area 5: Audiences and Collections<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u200b<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Support and develop programmes to increase high-quality professional and public engagement with collections; support collaborative work to remain at forefront of\u202fapproaches to collections research, engagement and impact<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u200b<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span class=\"EOP SCXW71667038 BCX8\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:288}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"vimeotheque-player align-left landscape\" data-title=\"1\" data-byline=\"1\" data-portrait=\"1\" data-loop=\"0\" data-autoplay=\"0\" data-color=\"#\" data-dnt=\"0\" data-aspect_ratio=\"16x9\" data-width=\"900\" data-max_height=\"0\" data-video_position=\"below-content\" data-video_align=\"align-left\" data-lazy_load=\"\" data-play_icon_color=\"#dd9933\" data-volume=\"45\" data-playlist_loop=\"0\" data-aspect_override=\"1\" data-start_time=\"0\" data-muted=\"\" data-background=\"\" data-transparent=\"\" data-size_ratio=\"1.78\" data-video_id=\"899799477\" style=\"width:900px; height:505px; max-width:100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/899799477?h=e5838c8684&autoplay=0&loop=0&title=1&byline=1&portrait=1&color&dnt=0\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" frameborder=\"0\" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The\u00a0University of Reading\u00a0and\u00a0The Natural History Museum, London, home to a vast range of life and earth science specimens, have entered into an exciting long-term research collaboration. Inspired by the planned&#8230;<a class=\"read-more\" href=\"&#104;&#116;&#116;&#112;&#115;&#58;&#47;&#47;&#114;&#101;&#115;&#101;&#97;&#114;&#99;&#104;&#46;&#114;&#101;&#97;&#100;&#105;&#110;&#103;&#46;&#97;&#99;&#46;&#117;&#107;&#47;&#117;&#111;&#114;&#45;&#110;&#104;&#109;&#45;&#112;&#97;&#114;&#116;&#110;&#101;&#114;&#115;&#104;&#105;&#112;&#47;&#97;&#98;&#111;&#117;&#116;&#45;&#117;&#115;&#47;\">Read More ><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":219,"featured_media":259,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"__cvm_playback_settings":[],"__cvm_video_id":"","footnotes":""},"coauthors":[14],"class_list":["post-2","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.8.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>About Us - University of Reading and Natural History Museum<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/uor-nhm-partnership\/about-us\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"About Us - University of Reading and Natural History Museum\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The\u00a0University of Reading\u00a0and\u00a0The Natural History Museum, London, home to a vast range of life and earth science specimens, have entered into an exciting long-term research collaboration. 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