Dr Laura Humphreys

Trustee

With a background in museums and heritage, Laura's current role is that of Collections Information Project Manager for the Science Museum Group (SMG). She is responsible for the curatorial input into the One Collection project: a £63million collection move to a new purpose-built storage facility at the National Collections Centre in Wiltshire. This includes looking after the project’s research programme, building partnerships, and applying for funding to grow an understanding of SMG’s stored collections, and leading on the Digital Engagement programme to engage online audiences with inspiring stories found in the collections.

Laura has also worked with SMG trustees in a variety of roles, and from this experience, she has learned first-hand what good trustees can do for a project in terms of advice, support, advocacy, and constructive criticism.

As Laura’s career in museums began in historic houses, they remain one of her passions. She started out as a tour guide and events assistant at Tredegar House and worked as a house steward for English Heritage at Chiswick House. Laura completed her PhD in the global histories and geographies of home in 2016 at Queen Mary, University of London, in collaboration with the Museum of the Home (formerly the Geffrye Museum) with a focus on Victorian and Edwardian domesticity. She published a book on the same topic, Globalising Housework, in 2021.

Laura is fascinated by the architectural, social, and economic history of Insole Court, and is committed to helping preserve the site for future generations.’