Malavika Anderson announced as co-chair of University Museums Group

Great North Museum: Hancock manager Malavika Anderson is the new co-chair of the University Museums Group. Alongside Luke Syson, she brings her insight and leadership to the UMG at a critical moment for the sector.

Please find Malavika’s candidate statement below.

I am delighted to have been nominated for the role of Co-Chair of the University Museums Group, and I would welcome the opportunity to contribute to the vital work UMG undertakes across both the museum and Higher Education sectors. At a time when both higher education and the cultural sector are under pressure, I am energised by this opportunity to champion the essential role university museums play in society: enriching lives, promoting equity, and expanding intellectual horizons. At this moment, UMG’s role in listening to its membership, engaging with the wider museum community, articulating shared priorities, and shaping our collective contribution to the sector, feels more crucial than ever.

At Newcastle University’s Great North Museum: Hancock, I oversee major accredited collections in Natural History, Archaeology, and Ethnography. As the only university museum in the UK managed by a Local Authority museum service, North East Museums, we occupy a distinctive position that offers insights into civic partnerships, regional priorities, and the realities of operating beyond traditional university structures. This perspective, shaped by the North East’s unique opportunities and challenges, enables me to advocate for institutions whose voices are not always foregrounded. 

Before joining Newcastle, I spent five years at Wellcome Collection where I developed strategic university partnerships and supported research through high-quality public engagement. In 2017, I was selected for Arts Council England’s Change Makers Leadership Programme with University of Cambridge Museums, during which I led a cross-collections public programme and established the Change Makers Action Group, a forum still driving conversations about representation and diversity within UCM. At the University of Cambridge, I also led the Public Engagement and Research Festival for the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences for five years. I have also served for several years as a Committee Member for Kettle’s Yard, University of Cambridge.

Alongside my current work, I remain involved in national initiatives that contribute to the broader museum and research landscape. I have been closely engaged in the DiSSCo programme for the digitisation of natural science collections, and I serve on the UK Parliament’s Collections Advisory Group, advising on interpretation, collections development, and public engagement.

I would be delighted to work more closely with colleagues across the UMG Executive, the wider university museum community, and the Co-chair of the group. I am confident that, if given the opportunity, I can bring a distinctive and positive perspective to UMG’s leadership at this pivotal time.