2012-2013 Research Use of the Grant Museum Collections
The only performance indicator for research use we are required to report on is a generic “number
of research visitors” a number derived from the weekly visitor sheet. For 2012-2013 this figure is 126
research uses (49 UCL, 77 external). The number of returned research forms was 91. The following
analyses are derived from the information given on these forms.
Date of Research
Number of Researchers
16
Number of Researchers
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Date
Type of Research
Many of the forms were returned with unspecified research objectives, particularly the many art
researchers. Broadly grouping the type of research 59% of the 91 forms returned were some art
researchers including photography 41%, drawing 37%, drawing and photography 2% and art filming
2%. Much of the art research wasn’t specified but included preparatory sketches and images for
other works such as painting and sculpture or photgraphy for design or 3D animation work.
Just over a quarter of the research was zoological either; studying specimens for reference 11%,
measuring of specimens 8% or identifying specimens from other remains 2%. In addition two
courses this year required students to create documentaries about zoology and these are included in
this category and make up 4% of the visits.
Other categories are study for children’s book illustration 4%, archive access 4%, images for
marketing by other organisations 4%, research into object conservation 2% and the use of objects in
a perception experiment 1%.
Where specified the following research projects were supported:
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Phylogeny of Mesozoic salamanders
Variation in green lizard mandibles
Confirmation of animal remains from police
Reference material for resource on sponges
19th Century archival studies: Victorian things
Identification of Ursus spp.
Analysis of British mammal skulls for project on British landscape
Experiment to test the information content of virtual objects
Mammalian forelimbs and locomotion
Cranial and mandibular variability in sloths
Illustration for exhibitions
Early Jurassic fauna of Lesotho
Survey of carpal weapons and foot spurs in birds
Conservation of skeletal material
Investigating pest presence in museums
Historic stone carving
Investigating segmentation during development of the vertebral column
How art is used to represent the ‘unknown’ or recently discovered in science
Design work for headpieces theatre performances
Examining the Negus collection and use of comparative anatomy in ear nose & throat
surgery
HE Researcher Institution
Of the 92 forms returned, 64 were from HE researchers. However, because the current form doesn’t
specifically ask for the institution name 18 forms didn’t specfiy the institution. The returned forms
were as follows:
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Central St Martins 19 (skewed by a class of 18)
UCL 11
KCL 4
Cambridge and Bristol 2
Canterbury (not specified which), Queen Mary, RIBA, Sheffield, Royal College of Art, Chelsea
College of Art, Molley College, Southampton, Sheffield and Leicester 1
How did you find out about the Collection?
Responses sorted by frequency. There were 13 non responses in this category.
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From Supervisor (16)
Online (13)
From a friend (10)
Previous visitor (6)
From another museum (7) KCL, Horniman (2), NHM(4)
University (4)
Word of mouth (3)
UCl Alumni (3)
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(I am) Staff at UCL (2)
The following appeared once
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Used to work here
Randomly walked by
Short course
ZSL Library, 2000
From a colleague
Used to volunteer
Through funding scheme
NatSCA
Student at UCL
UCL Open Day
New Scientist
(Heard about it) From UCL staff
Objects Researched
Of the 92 forms returned only 36 of them had specimen lists associated with them. This was either
due to them not being completed or not being given to our art drawing and art photography
researchers. For the 36 forms filled in a total 344 objects were used in research.
Taxa Researched
Reptilia
Unspecified (slides)
Primates
Aves
Carnivora
Artiodactyla
Rodentia
Porifera
Marsupialia
Xenarthra
Amphibia
Proboscidea
Chiroptera
Cetacea
Perissodactyla
Monotreme
Chondrichtyes
Pholidota
Insecta
Erinaceomoprha
Lagomorpha
Macroscelidae
Mollusca
Object Category Used
Skeleton
Microscope Slides
Fluid
Fossil
Cast
Dry Pinned
Taxidermy
Dry
Model
Off-site research of specimens
This year there were no research loans of objects, however there were two off-site research trips.
One to the NHM to scan a paddlefish specimen and one to the Royal College of Art for scanning of
elephant tooth plates. Both are written up as blogs here and here.
Comment on service provision
Responses sorted by frequency. There were 27 non responses in this category.
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Excellent (15)
V. Good (5)
Good (3)
Very helpful (3)
Excellent, very helpful (3)
 (3)
Brilliant (2)
Good and helpful (2)
Excellent, helpful, informative (2)
Excellent very helpful and friendly (2)
The following appeared once
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Awesome
Perfect
Excellent, friendly service. Prompt emailing
Fantastic as usual
Excellent staff (especially Mark) very helpful and accomodating. Fantastic specimens
Excellent- I hope to be visiting again
Excellent helpful and warm
Excellent! Thank you!
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Excellent lovely people very accomodating
Excellent prompt and friendly
Very good, friendly, professional
Wonderful collection and assistance from staff
Good friendly person at desk very helpful
Most helpful, prompt and understanding
Friendly and efficient
Fantastic
Excellent, very accomodating
Extensive helpful staff
Friendly helpful and accomodating
Great I was given all relevant materials and even advised on other possible areas of research
and given tea!