Project Archivist

The Lapworth Museum contains the largest geological collection in the West Midlands Region, located within the heart of the University of Birmingham's Edgbaston campus, and is open to the public 7 days a week with free admission. The museum contains collections of around 300,000 objects and one of the most important geological archives in the UK.

Our 'Unlocking Lapworth's Legacy' Project will see the cataloguing of the archive of Professor Charles Lapworth FRS, an enormously influential geologist of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Lapworth's archive represents the most complete archive of any Victorian or Edwardian geologist in the UK. All collections within the Lapworth Museum, including specimen based collections and archives, have Arts Council England 'designated' status reflecting their national and international significance. Charles Lapworth's unique archive covers popular and topical themes such as fossils, dinosaurs, natural hazards, environmental change, evolution, extinctions, natural resources and industry, but there is much more. Lapworth trained as an English and Art teacher, became a leading scientist nationally and internationally, and was a significant figure in local and national society. The archive includes details of scientific debates, controversies, discoveries, pioneering women in science, roles of amateurs and professional scientists, creative writing, beautifully illustrated works and fascinating personal stories, including Lapworth's own mental health struggles. The diverse content goes beyond the scientific subjects covered, and records how science generally related to, and influenced, late 19th and early 20th century life and society in the Midlands and the UK.

SUMMARY OF THE ROLE:

The Project Archivist will be responsible for cataloguing and developing online access to the archive of Professor Charles Lapworth FRS (1842 - 1920), and at the same time enhancing collection management. Charles Lapworth's archive is the most complete archive of any UK geologist. It uniquely records the interaction between geology, sciences, education, arts, people and wider society in the late 19th and early 20th century.
Through an innovative and creative programme, including social media activity, events and exhibitions, the post-holder will allow a much wider, and more divers audience to engage with this collection and encourage research into this unique interdisciplinary resource.

Applications via University of Birmingham vacancies portal: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/index.aspx (*Post Number: 96811)

For further information contact: Jon Clatworthy via J.C.Clatworthy@bham.ac.uk

Jon Clatworthy
Director - Lapworth Museum of Geology
J.C.Clatworthy@bham.ac.uk