University of Leicester deepens Smithsonian Institution partnership
Professor Sir Nishan Canagarajah and Smithsonian’s Becky Kobberod, Chief Digital and Innovation Officer, at the Smithsonian Institution MoU signing.
The University of Leicester’s Institute for Digital Culture has renewed its long-standing partnership with the Smithsonian Institution, signing a memorandum of understanding in Washington DC, USA.
The extended partnership will continue to support the Smithsonian Institution to pioneer digital transformation and research collaborations within the institution and across the broader cultural sector.
The University’s long-standing relationship with the Smithsonian Institution dates back to the founding of the University more than 100 years ago, when they were among the first donors to the University, gifting books to support the University’s foundation.
In a visit to the Smithsonian in 2023 to mark the hundredth anniversary of the relationship, President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Nishan Canagarajah gifted books from the University to symbolise mutual partnership, respect and shared values.
In a new era for the partnership, Sir Nishan and Director of the Institute for Digital Culture, Professor Ross Parry, returned to the Smithsonian Institution on Thursday 16 April to celebrate the progress of the partnership and sign an extended MoU that will run for a further three years.
The collaboration will see the Smithsonian’s Office of Digital and Innovation take a seat on the board of Leicester’s Institute for Digital Culture and contribute to the work of the Institute’s Research Observatories within the USA.
Designed to support interdisciplinary research, sector collaboration, and policy development in digital culture, these Research Observatories bring together cultural institutions, professional bodies, policy makers, communities of practice, technology experts and academic researchers to activate digital transformation for heritage, arts, culture and creative industries.
Professor Sir Nishan Canagarajah, left, with Jorge Zamanillo at the Smithsonian Institution.
The University also proudly recognised the outstanding achievements of alumnus, Jorge Zamanillo, founding director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino – a prestigious new national museum that was approved by Congress in 2020.
In an event to celebrate the partnership, it was announced by Sir Nishan that the University will award Jorge an honorary degree in recognition of his distinguished career illuminating Latino contributions to American history and culture, his leadership as the founding director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino, and his wider contribution to the preservation, interpretation and promotion of cultural heritage.
As a graduate of the University of Leicester’s Museum Studies programme, Jorge also represents the global impact of Leicester’s training of museum professionals and the values of community, education and cultural stewardship that the University seeks to advance.
Professor Parry said: “As a graduate of our Museum Studies programme, Jorge is part of the global community of postgraduates who, over the last sixty years, have trained in museum practice here at the University of Leicester. It is our privilege, in this anniversary year for Museums Studies at Leicester, to recognise Jorge’s exceptional achievements. As a pioneering leader, and as a cultural champion, Jorge demonstrates the qualities of a true Citizen of Change.”