ROYAL MUSEUMS GREENWICH: Biographical Details
Dr Kevin Fewster, Director, Royal Museums Greenwich
Appointed as Director of the National Maritime Museum in September 2007. From
January 2012 his title changed to Director, Royal Museums Greenwich (RMG), the
collective name for the National Maritime Museum, the Royal Observatory
Greenwich, the Queen’s House and the Cutty Sark historic ship. RMG sits within the
Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site and is the world’s pre-eminent and most
visited maritime museum.
Before coming to the UK Kevin was Director of the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney,
2000-2007. Prior to this, he was the inaugural Director of both the Australian
National Maritime Museum, 1989-1999, and the South Australian Maritime
Museum, 1984-1989. He is currently President of the International Congress of
Maritime Museums, a position he also held from 1996-99. Other Honorary roles
include Chairman of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site Executive; board
member of the Royal Greenwich Destination Management Company; member of the
National Museum Directors Council and Chairman, UK Maritime Heritage Forum.
Previously, Kevin taught at the University of New South Wales, RMC Duntroon
(Canberra) and Monash University (Melbourne). He holds a PhD from the University
of New South Wales and a BA with Honours from Australian National University,
Canberra. Kevin was made a Member of the Order of Australia in June 2001 for
service to museum administration, and to the preservation of maritime history.
Dr Marek Kukula, Public Astronomer, Royal Observatory Greenwich
Marek completed his doctorate in Radio Astronomy at Jodrell Bank Observatory then
carried out postdoctoral research into black holes and galaxy evolution at a number
of institutions including the Space Telescope Science Institute, home of the
NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, and five years as an Advanced Fellow at the
University of Edinburgh. He subsequently worked for the University of Edinburgh’s
Office of Lifelong Learning as Course Organiser for Science, Archaeology and
Computing, and as Project Manager for Researchers in Residence, a UK-wide scheme
to train young researchers to work with secondary school pupils. As Public
Astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, his role is to ensure that the
Observatory's exhibitions and public programmes accurately reflect the latest
research and to promote astronomy to the public and media.
Mike Sarna, Director, Programming & Exhibitions
Mike joined Royal Museums Greenwich in July 2012 taking up the lead on the
development of our public offer including learning, exhibitions, digital and design.
He comes from the Natural History Museum where he was the Head of
Interpretation and Design. At NHM he developed a series of award winning
exhibitions and managed the museum’s Design Studio. Before coming to the UK he
worked for years in Chicago in exhibition and curatorial roles for a range of science
and history museums, notably the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago History
Museum, and Nature Museum. Mike is a Fellow of the RSA and the Clore Leadership
Programme and founded the Sustainable Exhibitions Group.
Robert Edwards, Head of Science Learning & Public Engagement
Studied Applied Biology at Demontfort University in Leicester. In 1994 he moved to
London working at the Science Museum as an ‘Explainer’ and remained there until
2004 working his way up the management structure. His final three years at the
Science Museum were spent setting up and managing their outreach department.
While continuing to work full-time he began studying at night-school for degrees in
Biology and Geology at Birkbeck College and University College London graduating
with first class honours in 2000. Subsequently he worked as a freelance writer,
illustrator and toy designer in his spare time before joining the Museum. He has
worked at the NMM for 10 years, was made the head of his own department in 2008
and promoted to the senior management team in 2009. He is currently the manager
of a team of 8 astrophysicists, science communicators and educators.
Simon Daniels, Head of Development
Simon joined the Museum in August 2013. His team is responsible for securing
donations and sponsorship from individuals, trusts and foundations, statutory
organisations and corporate partners, and for running the Museums membership
programme which currently enjoys the support of over 12,000 members. Prior to
joining the Museum, Simon was Head of Development at the Whitechapel Gallery
(2012-13) and Trusts and Foundations Manager at Historic Royal Palaces where,
amongst other projects, Simon secured many of the major gifts to transform
Kensington Palace in 2012. Simon read music at the University of Edinburgh and
completed an M.Phil. at Birmingham University; he remains active playing and
performing life outside work. Simon also holds an MA in Museum Studies from
University College London.