Untold Histories Research Volunteer - LGBTQ+ Stories in Reading Museum

Untold Histories Research Volunteer - LGBTQ+ Stories in Reading Museum



Location: Reading Museum, with opportunities to do independent research from home.

What will you be doing?

Although they have often been forgotten or erased from mainstream history, LGBTQ+ people have always existed, and it is important that their stories are told.

This brand new project will help us explore our collections through an LGBTQ+ lens.

We aim to uncover and share untold histories within Reading Museum’s collection to highlight voices and perspectives which have historically been under-represented.

As part of this role you will:

  • Be supervised by a member of the collections team to help choose and research into objects in our collection with LGBTQ+ connections, using our collections management database
  • Your findings will help us update our collections management database to make these stories more accessible to researchers, and to support future projects and learning
  • Where applicable there may be opportunities to handle and photograph objects

We hope to offer a buddy system in which existing research volunteers share their experience in getting started into researching with our local collections


What will you get out of it?

  • The opportunity to use our collections databases, gaining valuable experience working with a museum collection
  • Develop your research skills using online and physical resources
  • Connect with staff members and other volunteers who share your interest and enthusiasm for local history

This role will suit you if:

  • You are interested in LGBTQ+ history and telling diverse stories through museums
  • You are self-motivated, with some experience in research
  • You have good written communication skills
  • You have good IT skills

How much time will it take up?

Our preferred session time for in-person meet ups will be on a Monday afternoon every two weeks from Monday 6th November from 1.30 – 4.30pm (excluding January 1st!)

After the initial introductory sessions there may be opportunities to work remotely whilst carrying out independent research into your chosen objects and writing up your findings.

We expect that this project will run for three months initially.

To apply

Please complete your volunteer registration form on our volunteering platform by midday on Friday 6th October.

If you are using a mobile or tablet, once you click ‘Fill in an Application’, look out for the suggestion ‘It looks like you are on a mobile device. For a better experience on smart phones, go to Mobile Application Form’ and click on the link it suggests.

*Please ensure you tick ‘Untold Histories Research Volunteer - LGBTQ+ Stories’ in your ‘Interests’ section under My profile, when registering*

When you are happy with your application, please don’t forget to click SUBMIT – otherwise we will never receive your form! 

We sometimes find that more volunteers apply for the role than we have vacancies. You are welcome to attach your CV if you wish, but please include key relevant information when answering the application form questions, as this may be used if we need to shortlist from a larger group of applicants. 

Existing volunteers - If you are already registered to volunteer with Museums Partnership Reading, please log in to the volunteering platform, click on My Profile, select the ‘Interests’ section, and ensure you tick the box next to ‘Untold Histories Research Volunteer - LGBTQ+ Stories’.

Matching to the role

If we think you are a match for this role, we will invite you to a 30-minute informal interview with the Collections Assistant and Sheila Fisher (Museum Partnership Reading Volunteer Coordinator) either in person or over Zoom, where you can have an opportunity to tell us about your interests and experience, and ask us any questions that you have.

We intend to hold the Project Kick Off meeting on Monday 6th November from 1.30pm – 4.30pm.