Summer Studentships available in 2021/2022:
Community knowledge, Crowd-sourcing, Citizen Science and Collections Online - Collection Information and Access
This financial year Auckland Museum has an annual plan goal to: “Grow our online audience by developing features that encourage reciprocal engagement from communities, citizen scientists and other users, enabling them to share their knowledge to enrich and enhance Auckland Museum’s collection records and research information.”
Over the course of the year, we will be looking at ways to integrate community, crowd-sourced and citizen science knowledge into our Collections Online as part of a wider strategy to shift our digital platforms from search engines into knowledge platforms. This Summer Student will play an important role in the foundation of this work by undertaking research into current GLAM best practice in this area, surveying potential tools and platforms to use and communities to work with as well as consulting with Museum staff to identify collections that are candidates for enrichment.
This project will require the student to:
* Design and implement a survey of the current state of GLAM online collection enrichment including crowdsourcing and citizen science tools and platforms, AI and machine learning techniques and relevant Wikimedia Foundation projects.
* Identify suitable platforms depending on enrichment objectives.
* Design and implement a survey Museum staff to find out what collections are suitable for this sort of enhancement.
* Complete a report outlining the findings for this research.
This project will best suit a student with:
* An interest in GLAM access, particularly around online engagement, community knowledge and citizen science.
* Strong research skills, and the ability to synthesis a wide range of sources.
* Strong writing and communication skills.
Legacy Collections from Excavated Archaeological Sites - Human History
Auckland Museum is the only collecting institution to have a curator Archaeology permanently on staff and, significantly, the only institution to curate archaeological assemblages containing not only formal artefacts but faunal bone and shell samples, stone flakes and botanical material from excavated sites in the Greater Auckland, Northland and Coromandel Peninsula regions.
This summer student will be working alongside the curator and associate curator Archaeology to process legacy collections of faunal bone material from excavated archaeological sites. The archaeology collection is in high demand from academic researchers, students and this project will help to increase the accessibility of the archaeological faunal collections by updating existing records and creating new records on our collection management system.
This project will require the student to:
* Replace unsuitable packing materials and transcribe any information recorded on existing packing.
*Sort mixed bags of bone into material type such as bird/fish/sea mammal bone.
* Consult archived field and analysis notes for specialist identifications of genus and species and incorporate into records.
* Record information using an excel template for later upload to museum Vernon database.
* Improve storage of material using appropriate materials and techniques according to faunal type and excavation notation.
* Complete a blog on the history of the archaeological site(s) OR write a set of guidelines to be given to potential assemblage donors out outlining the preparation requirements of faunal material prior to donating to museum.
This project will best suit a student with:
* An interest in faunal bone material (bird/fish/land mammal/sea mammal) AND/OR an interest in collection management in museums
* Neat handwriting and ability to transcribe information from one place to another.
* Proficiency in excel.
* Would suit an archaeology, a biology or a cultural heritage student.
Sparrow Industrial Photography - Documentary Heritage
The Sparrow Industrial Photography collection comprises over 50,000 individual negatives documenting Auckland’s commercial history encompassing working life, design, architecture, manufacturing, advertising, and fashion from 1946-1966. Clients of Sparrow Industrial included iconic New Zealand brands such as Fisher and Paykel, Foodstuffs, Smith and Caughey, Auckland Savings Bank and Holeproof.
This project will utilise the Sparrow Client Index to research companies that SIP photographed for and provide a brief description of these companies including dates of operation and nature of their business.
There is potential for a publication and exhibition exploring the SIP works in the collection in the near future. Research into the breadth of the collection and the companies and clients will be of huge value ahead of those potential projects.
This project will require the student to:
* Research Sparrow Industrial’s clients and rights holders to gain better insight into the scope of the collection and inform.
* Record this research into a brief description and subject headings to enable searchability and accessibility for researchers.
* Participate in rehousing the collection alongside collections staff.
* Write a blog or topic page using either a client or cliental of Sparrow Industrial Photography as a focal point.
This project will best suit a student with:
* Proficiency with research.
* Knowledge of copyright law.
* An interest in either industrial design, architecture, advertising or commercial photography.
Flipping the lid on our mahi – turning static blog posts into dynamic podcasts - Marketing
According to research from Radio New Zealand (RNZ) and Acast released in June 2019, New Zealand is one of the fastest growing and actively engaged podcast markets globally and 12% of New Zealanders listen to a podcast every day. We bet that in two years those figures have grown exponentially.
Our marketing team are tasked with sharing the stories of the work we do at Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum and engaging with our audiences in exciting and meaningful ways.
This project will research the feasibility of a museum podcast that aims to tell stories of the museum in an exciting new format.
This project will require the student to:
* Collaborate with Marketing and Visitor & Market Research teams to research key audiences for the podcast.
* Review best-in-class podcasts such as the BBC’s ‘A History of the World in 100 Objects’, SFMoMA ‘Raw Material’, Hannah Hethmon’s ‘Museums in strange places’ and develop a set of metrics or analysis matrix to measure successful indicators of a podcast.
* Understand the key attributes of what makes a successful podcast here in New Zealand. Who’s listening, why, when how and what for? Unlock the secrets to help us get on the top 5 list!
* Prepare a draft content plan or series that could form the backbone of a podcast series, identifying potential topics, themes and subject-matter experts. Use learnings to identify key criteria that will ensure we attract and retain an audience of regular listeners.
This project will best suit a student with:
* Marketing and/or Research background, illustrating a customer-focused mindset
* Interest in digital marketing ideal but not essential.
* Background in New Media or Communication Studies.
Stakeholder Connections - Development
The Development Team are responsible for fundraising and membership at Auckland Museum. They build relationships across many areas of the Museum and Community including funders, members, donors, and key stakeholders.
This project will investigate and plan the best methods of communication with these groups and how to grow our data and knowledge of our stakeholders.
This project will require the student to:
* Identify how we communicate with stakeholder groups at present.
Identify cross over areas and risks.
* Research funder prospects.
* Develop and write a communication plan for all Development and membership communication.
* Research and collate data on existing and new stakeholders.
This project will best suit a student with:
*Communications or business studies background.
* Ability to research.
Geology – Natural Sciences
Our Geology collection contains 12,000 specimens, which includes material from the Waihi, Thames and Coromandel gold fields, collections donated by private collectors, volcanic specimens of research and historical interest and contains a number of nationally important materials that supports the research and collections held by other museums, universities, and Crown Research Institutes.
This project will be looking at where our Geology collections are stored and creating an inventory of the Geology collection to better support internal and external research requests. This project will be a one-off opportunity for a student to sight over 37 types of minerals (from native elements, organic minerals, manmade minerals and more) and 69 rock types (Igneous, Metamorphic or Sedimentary) from New Zealand and the rest of the world.
You will be working alongside the Marine fauna Collection Manager and also the selected Palaeontology Summer Student and will primarily be based at Auckland Museum’s offsite facility Manu Taiko.
This project will require the student to:
* Create a full inventory of all Geology packing units with the contents sighted and not sighted.
* Identify and flag specimens that need treatment and packing units which need rehousing.
* Undertake a taxonomic reorganisation of specimens where appropriate.
* Select a specimen or a group of specimens of interest for further research.
* Write a long-read blog using the findings of the research undertaken
This project will best suit a student with:
* Biology degree with background in Geology.
* Computer skills - Knowledge of Excel and understanding of database systems.
* Eye to detail and excellent record keeping practices.
Palaeontology – Natural Sciences
The Palaeontology collection was established in the early 1900s and, with more than 20,000 specimen lots, is one of the largest collections of fossil invertebrates in New Zealand. Its importance lies in its ability to contribute understanding of evolutionary change, past biodiversity and the record of dynamic change during the past 65 million years with rapid submergence and uplift at various times during New Zealand’s geological history. Past climate change and the significance of glacial cycles and oscillation are also reflected in the specimens and their associated data
This project will be looking at where our Palaeontology collections are stored and creating an inventory of the Palaeontology collection to better support internal and external research requests.
You will be working alongside the Marine fauna Collection Manager and the selected Geology Summer Student and based at Auckland Museum’s offsite facility Manu Taiko.
This project will require the student to:
* Create a full inventory of all Palaeontology packing units with the contents sighted and not sighted.
* Identify and flag specimens that need treatment and packing units which need rehousing.
* Undertake a taxonomic reorganisation of specimens where appropriate.
* Select a specimen or a group of specimens of interest for further research.
* Write a long-read blog using the findings of the research undertaken.
This project will best suit a student with:
* Biology degree with background in Palaeontology or marine invertebrate taxonomy.
* Computer skills - Knowledge of Excel and understanding of database systems.
* Eye to detail and excellent record keeping practices.
Taonga Māori Repatriation - Human History
Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum is open to repatriation requests from whanau, hapu, and iwi. By repatriating taonga the intention is that the Museum will ensure taonga are shared with the descendants of that taonga now and for future generations.
The Museum is approached by iwi, hapu and whanau who have a desire through the repatriation of taonga to empower iwi, strengthen cultural identity and further the revitalisation of language and mātauranga.
The Museum has long-term responsibilities to multiple parties with an interest in our collections to carefully consider each repatriation request on a case-by-case basis using a thorough assessment process. The requests for the repatriation of taonga Māori has grown in recent years and is expected to continue to grow in the coming years as whanau, hapu and iwi have identified taonga in the Museum’s collection that has a connection to them.
This project will look at the current process of repatriation requests and aims to capture the process and decision making at each point.
This project will require the student to:
* Undertake desktop research/literature review of how other major institutions deal with repatriation requests e.g. Te Papa, Australian Museum’s and other international museums.
* Interview key staff in Auckland Museum involved in the repatriation/deaccession process to gain an understanding of the many elements of each request and the information that is required for capturing in a Register.
* Create the structure for the Deaccession-Repatriation Register e.g. excel spreadsheet that can be used to track repatriation requests through the museum process. The Register will capture and note decisions that are required at each step of the process, who is required to make decisions and approvals needed at each step.
This project will best suit a student with:
* Previous experience in writing literature reviews and research.
* Experience working with primary source or archival material.
* Proficiency in excel.
Pacific Research - Māori and Pacific Development
Fuluhi ki tua
ke kitia mitaki a mua
(Niue proverb)
Look to the past
to clearly see the way forward
The Pacific Dimension of Tāmaki Paenga Hira, through the Teu Le Vā framework, aims to create a Pacific focus and a space within which to consider how we can strengthen the Pacific programmes, activities, culture, and ways of working and engaging within the Museum in line with the goals and objectives outlined in the Museum’s 5 Year Strategic Plan. The Teu Le Vā framework upholds the principles of He Korahi Māori through collaboration, acknowledging mana whenua and the voice of iwi, manaakitanga for our visitors and kaitiakitanga guiding how we care for all our collections so that it can be accessed now and for future generations. It acknowledges the Pacific taonga housed in the Museum and respecting the relationship of these taonga with its Pacific peoples and cultures.
The Pacific Advisory Group is recommending a review of the frameworks in alignment to the new Five-Year Strategic Plan.
The research undertaken by this student would contribute to the scope and foundational work for the framework’s review.
This project will require the student to:
* Identify what Teu Le Vā looked like in the Museum in 2013, through Museum documentation and interviewing Museum staff.
* Design and implement a survey of the current state of Teu Le Vā activity across the Museum.
* Design and implement a survey of Museum staff to find out what Teu Le Vā understanding, and implementation looks like in their work.
* Complete a report outlining the findings for this research.
This project will best suit a student with:
* An interest in Pacific research, particularly around engagement, community knowledge and Pacific studies.
* Pacific connection whether through descent, participation, or education.
* Strong research skills, and the ability to synthesis a wide range of sources.
* Strong writing and communication skills.