HEI: Host organisation: Jane Austen’s House
Duration of the internship: 3 months full-time
My PhD research is focused on representations of women’s work in the First World War in visual media through the lens of emotion. I’m particularly interested in artworks and objects which had been used in centenary commemorative projects on national, regional, and community levels.
Why did you decide to undertake an internship?
I wanted to gain some practical work experience alongside the academic side to a PhD. I also thought it would be great to get involved in a project outside my thesis, as it can become overwhelming researching one thing for so long. I had been researching projects which commemorated the First World War. I wanted to learn what it was like to work on a public engagement project myself.
SGSAH provided us with an opportunity to dream up and work on something we wouldn’t otherwise be able to
What was your internship and what did you do?
My internship was with Jane Austen’s House, who were preparing their celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the house being run as a museum. I had first contacted the Director of the house Lizzie Dunford to ask if there was any room for me as an intern, and together we came up with a great idea.
My role was to guest curate the exhibition for these celebrations, which ran from April to October 2024, and remains online. The exhibition was titled ‘Memories and Memorials: 75 Years of Jane Austen’s House’. I brought together some objects associated with the opening, such as a scrapbook put together by T.E. Carpenter who bought the house, as well as some which related Austen to the Second World War. I also organised some workshops and events which ran parallel to this exhibition. These included lectures from the Jane Austen Society and craft workshops.
What aspects of the internship did you find most rewarding?
Jane Austen’s House gave me free rein to follow what was interesting to me. I was given access to their archives and some local archives and was able to pull any material that was relevant. I was able to create a narrative using objects, which I really enjoyed. The people at Jane Austen’s House were so welcoming and friendly, it was an excellent place to work.
Going back to see my finished exhibition was the most exciting and rewarding experience. Getting to see physical evidence of my work and see everything work in the room as I had imagined was so brilliant!
Has the internship influenced your future plans at all?
I was interested in the idea of working as a curator but had little working experience of it. This internship allowed me to embrace my creativity and learn as I worked. I was able to learn from people experienced in the field, who were friendly and approachable. Since then, I’ve taken on other small curation projects which I otherwise would have felt quite intimated to attempt.
What are some of the skills you have picked up or improved through the internship?
I’m more confident signing up for or seeking out opportunities, where before my internship would have felt out of my depth. I curated a display for the University of Glasgow’s International Women’s Day in 2024. I came up with the theme, structure, practical elements, and followed through liaising with printing companies, budgeting, etc. I would have been quite intimidated doing this on my own without the experience working with Jane Austen’s House.
Do you have any tips for researchers looking to do an internship?
Don’t be afraid to dream big! SGSAH encouraged us to go out and contact institutions who might benefit from your skill set or interest area. I contacted Jane Austen’s House because I had an interest in Jane Austen, and we were able to come up with a project which worked for everyone.
I would also say that you should embrace a project which doesn’t necessarily line up with your thesis – in fact I’d encourage this. My thesis has nothing to do with Austen or that period. However, I had experience studying commemorative exhibitions. I was able to bridge my research with a practical experience about a different era. It’s important to find that bridge that allows your skills as a PhD researcher to shine through into a new project.
Where can people find out more?
The exhibition has closed in person but remains online. You can scroll through and read the exhibition panels and see images of each object here.
CONNECT WITH RACHEL (she/her)
Email: Rachel Millar
Twitter/X: @RachelM1213