Stromness Museum is looking for professionals with a background in natural sciences who are interested in being part of an exciting new project to digitize, research and catalogue 5000 specimens in the collection.
The project aims to digitize specimens from the Magnus Spence herbarium, historic seaweed collections, the Robert Rendall shell collection, taxidermy, zoology, birds eggs, entomology, geology, and marine life.
This project is based at the museum but there may be opportunities for some home based tasks relating to transcribing of historic records to be added to the database. There is also an opportunity to be involved with outreach events based on this project such as the Creative Climate Assembly and Orkney Nature Festival.
This project highlights the importance of regional museums in enabling the exploration of natural diversity close to home. In this was the museum strengthens the sense of place in Orkney and the islands' role in connection to biodiversity and climate change.
Volunteers will gain the opportunity to see specimens and collections that are not on display to the general public. They will be contributing information to Stromness Museum's catalogue and also to national databases and networks such as GBIF. There will be opportunities to meet other Natural Sciences / History specialists in Orkney and those with a more general interest in the natural world.
Experience required
- Professional background and degree in natural sciences;
- Experience working with natural history specimens;
- Familiar with excel spreadsheets, databases;
- Interest in biodiversity and climate change.
Training details
An introduction to Museum Collections by Honorary Curator including object handling. Training in how to fill in the data sheets for specimen cataloguing. Training will be given as needed depending how the volunteer role evolves.
The named contact for Specialist Volunteers is Dr Gareth Squire, Natural History Collections Assistant, Stromness Museum.
Frequency & commitment
The project will run until September 2027. Hours are flexible to suit the volunteer.
