Profile
I have been an Associate Tutor since 2006 and really enjoy my role as a tutor. For the majority of my career I was a senior museum manager managing learning community and access services. I’ve had a varied career which included setting up the science education programme for Thinktank at the National Holocaust Centre I worked on the development of ‘The Journey’ exhibition (the first exhibition in Europe that aimed to discuss Holocaust issues with primary-aged children) and I ran Hackney Museum in London. In 2013 I completed my PhD with the School of Museum Studies which focused on supporting young disabled people to gain access to decision-making in museums. I currently work for Arts Council England as a Relationship Manager (Engagement & Audiences) which involves assessing grant application and managing the relationship between ACE and organisations who receive regular funding. I bring this wealth of knowledge/experience to my role as a tutor in Museum Studies and particularly enjoy supporting dissertation students.
Research
My PhD research focused on unpicking the factors behind the process that excludes disabled people from UK museums. The theoretical underpinning of my thesis is the social model of disability and how this places the onus on society to break down the barriers that can prevent disabled people from fully participating in society. This led me to explore emancipatory disability research methodologies as a way of supporting a group of young disabled people to advocate for their needs and gain access to decision-making to influence change. The thesis focused on issues of empowerment and inclusion.
Publications
Hollins, H. 2004. Can Your Museum Demonstrate That It Meets Its Duties Under the Disability Discrimination Act? Barriers Free. Issue 18, 9-19. London: Museums and Galleries Disability Association.
Hollins, H. 2007. Emancipatory Research Methodologies: the Road to Social Justice. In Museological Review. Issue 12, 88-100. Leicester: University of Leicester.
Hollins, H. 2010a. Mainstreaming Outreach: Taking Audiences to the Core. In The New Museum Community: Audiences, Challenges, Benefits, edited by Museums Etc., 236-271. Edinburgh: Museums Etc.
Hollins, H. 2010b. Reciprocity, Accountability, Empowerment. Emancipatory Principles and Practices in the Museum. In Re-presenting Disability. Activism and Agency in the Museum, edited by R. Sandell, J. Dodd, and R. Garland-Thomson, 228-243. Abingdon: Routledge.
Hollins, H. 2010c. Disability and the Holocaust: A Hidden History and Its Legacy. In Out of Institutions: Disability and Politics of Care, edited by A. Teittinen. Helsinki: Gaudeamus Helsinki University Press.
Teaching
MS Flex (Distance Learning MA in Museums and Galleries) course: I teach on the following core modules: 'Designing for Creative Lives' and 'Engaging Audiences' and the following option modules: 'Lifelong Learning', 'Digital' and 'Museums and Contemporary Issues' modules.
MA (by Distance Learning) in Socially Engaged Practice in Museums/Galleries course: I teach on the 'Developing Socially Engaged Practice in Museums and Galleries' module and the 'Project in Practice' module.
Qualifications
1990 - 1993 University of Manchester: BSc. Joint Honours Biology and Geology
1993 - 1994 University of Leicester: Post Graduate Diploma in Museum Studies
1996- 1997 University of Leicester: Part-time Masters Degree Conversion in Museum Studies
1998 - 1999 University of Leicester: Post Graduate Certificate in Education
2003-2013 University of Leicester: Part-time PhD in Museum Studies