THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER ANNUAL REPORT 2007-8 THE MANCHESTER MUSEUM INTRODUCTION 2007-8 saw the Museum undertake its most ambitious exhibition yet ‘Lindow Man: A Bog Body Mystery’, which focused on issues concerned with how we know the past, and with the ethics of display and human remains. At the same time, we focused efforts on improving the quality of our offer to visitors, particularly concentrating on schools. International interactions received particular attention and there was an increase in both the number of courses drawing on the Museum and on the number of students using us. There was a decline in the number of research activities using the Museum compared with the previous year, due to staff leave and re-focusing of priorities, and a decline in visitor numbers due to concentration on quality, and competition from other museums. Interaction with the Beacon for Public for public engagement was more limited than expected because of delays in recruitment (University of Manchester project manager took up post in August 2008). Overall, relationships with Estates and HR have improved, and the finances of the Museum are more transparent following a bottom-up budgeting process. PERFORMANCE AGAINST THE MANCHESTER MUSEUM STRATEGIC PLAN As with the previous year, the Museum developed a detailed Operational Plan for 2007-8, which was cross-referenced to the 2015 agenda and to the agendas of other funders such as AHRC and the Renaissance in the Regions scheme. The Plan was based around six strategic objectives, and progress against these objectives is summarised here. 1. Establish and maintain the Museum’s high regional, national and international standing as a university museum The collections of the Manchester Museum are of world class importance, containing thousands of type specimens (the specimens that are the basis for our understanding of biodiversity, both contemporary and fossil) and specimens of particular biogeographical and environmental history importance. They are consulted constantly by researchers from around the world, and staff are linked to global networks of colleagues in universities, museums and related organisations. In line with the recommendations in last year’s OPR report, the international dimension of the Museum’s work is particularly highlighted here. It is important to bear in mind that only one full-time member of Museum staff, and the four Museum Academic Joint Appointments (part-time in Museum and part-time in different schools) are on Academic grades. All other staff, including curators, are Academic-Related or Other.
2