Article written by Samuel Hurley, Social Responsibility and Public Engagement Intern

The students’ view during their placement

This month two students begin their Institute of Cultural Practices (ICP) placements with the Museum of Medicine and Health (MMH), part of the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health.

Esha Mishra and Jiarui Lui, who both study within the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures, chose to take up a brand new project to curate a digital version of the Instruments of Change exhibition, currently on display in the Stopford Building foyer.

Designed to be hosted by Manchester Digital Exhibitions, this is the latest digital project for the museum. Manchester Digital Exhibitions (MDE) is an online exhibitions platform allowing visitors to engage with curated research online from anywhere in the world. Working closely with the John Rylands Research Institute and Library’s Digital Curator John McCrory and Heritage Officer for MMH Stephanie Seville, both Esha and Jiarui will spend part of their time in the stunning surroundings of the Rylands and on campus where the museum collection is based.

Esha says: “I have already worked with the Museum of Medicine and Health as part of my course MA Art Gallery and Museum Studies. I was intrigued by the collections hence the desire to do my work placement here. As part of the placement I will keep in mind the growing relevance of digital exhibitions. Along with my partner in this placement, I will select the stories that will resonate with people the most and research objects on display, making them accessible for an online audience. Prior to the exhibition and placement, I was never quite interested in the evolution of medicine. However, I have discovered that any inhibitions I had regarding the history of medicine or handling medical objects have fallen away”. 

Esha and Rui working with Rylands staff in the Historic Reading Room

Rui comments: “As a Heritage Studies student, I was introduced to the Museum of Medicine and Health’s collection during my course. Through this placement, I want to investigate how to address any difficulties in changing a physical exhibition into a digital one. When I first visited the Rylands Library, it was closed to the public on a gloomy winter day. The library seems almost hidden on one of Manchester’s busy streets. Through this first meeting with John and Stephanie I was able to perceive the Rylands Library differently as a result of placement.”

The ICP offer a range of placements based in arts and cultural organisations in Manchester (or areas within daily travelling distance), which are a great way to learn in the work place and gain a positive experience, contacts and useful examples for use in future job applications.

Later this Spring we will invite Esha and Jiarui to update us on their progress with the project. Best of luck to them both!

For a past ICP placements with the Museum of Medicine and Health, see ICP Placement at the Museum of Medicine and Health.

Find out more around the Museum of Medicine and Health digitised collections part of Manchester Digital Collections, created by The University of Manchester Libraries

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