Present: Alan Knox (Aberdeen, Convenor), Neil Curtis (Aberdeen, Secretary), Justin Parkes (Robert Gordon University), Matthew Jarron (Dundee), Dawn Kemp (Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh), Jacky MacBeath (Edinburgh), Ewen Smith (Glasgow), Ann Jones (Heriot-Watt)
1. Apologies
Ian Carradice (St Andrews), Jane Cameron (Stirling), Donna Holford-Lovell (Abertay)
2. Minutes of previous meetings
The minutes of the committee meeting on 23rd July 2007 were approved, with the addition of Ewen Smith as a candidate for SMC Board.
3. Matters arising
There were no matters arising.
4. Reports from UMAC, SMC etc.
Peter and Alan reported that they had attended the UMAC conference in Vienna, noting that UMAC was looking to revitalise itself with engagement with more members. There had also been some discussion about advocacy by university museums and collections. Conference papers had been web-mounted on the UMAC website.
There was no report about SMC. Subscription rates for university museums had recently been discussed, being particularly problematic for universities with multiple small collections. It was agreed that UMIS should seek clarification from Fiona Wilson about the SMC subscription review in 2008 to ensure that this review used appropriate, and transparent, metrics for university museums. Alan agreed to discuss this issue with Fiona Wilson before the SMC AGM.
5. UMIS conference 2008
The 2008 conference would take place in Aberdeen. There was some discussion about whether it should be held adjacent to the UMAC conference and UMG AGM in Manchester (16th - 20th September). The European medical museums conference 17th - 20th September in Edinburgh was also noted.
It was agreed that the conference would be held on 20th and 21st November. The theme of the conference was agreed to focus on controversial and contentious issues, with topics such as dark tourism, human remains, slavery, collecting, censorship, race and other ethical controversies. It was noted that the Nurnberg trial started on 20th November 1945. A call for papers would be issued before Christmas with the UMAC newsletter suggested as useful for advertising the conference.
The production of a banner and leaflets to advertise UMIS and the 2008 conference was suggested. Both RCSEd and Aberdeen University had stands that could be used for such banners. There was also a suggestion that Scottish university museums could offer speakers to form a panel at the UMAC conference. It was agreed that Ewen would discuss this with Nick Merriman as conference organiser, particularly considering UMG involvement in the conference.
6. Future funding for university museums
Alan had met with David Lott of the Scottish Funding Council, who had agreed to attend the UMIS meeting on 6th February 2008 as part of consultation as part of the review of this funding in 2008-9. It did not appear that a solely metrics-based approach would be followed. David Lott is administering museum funding alongside his responsibility for Cultural Engagement funding, while Judith Henderson (previously responsible for museum funding) was continuing with her responsibility for Research Support Libraries Project funding.
It is unlikely that there would be significant growth in funding for university museums, particularly given the small increase in SFC funding announced by the Scottish Government. The impact of Significance Recognition since the last review of SFC funding had also been noted, particularly the role of SMC in assessing eligibility. The Knowledge Transfer stream has been suggested as a possible source of project funding for smaller collections, rather than hoping for a separate SFC-administered museums fund. The possibility was also raised of university museums putting in a collaborative bid as a Beacon of Cultural Engagement to improve documentation to increase public access.
7. Advocacy
It was agreed that UMIS should advocate the continuation of the ring-fenced museum funding stream, with additional funds being made available from other schemes (such as Beacons and Cultural Engagement). There was a need for more information about university museum activities and funding to reinforce the messages made in 'Opening Doors to Learning', particularly metrics and current case studies. This would be particularly important for collections that had not been Recognised. Ewen highlighted a document by Universities Scotland on wellbeing that emphasised cultural activities that would be particularly valuable for such advocacy (web-mounted at http://www.universities-scotland.ac.uk/Wellbeing%20Scotland.pdf ) and circulated a letter that had been written by Evelyn Silber on behalf of UMIS to David Lott and Charles Marriott (Universities Scotland) which included further evidence.
Matthew agreed to take the lead on gathering information for advocacy, building on the headings used by UMG. He would circulate a set of suggested headings for consideration and would then collect data under those headings.
The production of advocacy material, such as a banner and leaflets to advertise UMIS would be discussed at a future meeting.
8. Partnerships
There was discussion about the possibilities of partnership bids for Recognition, with one suggestion being one that focused on the collections that related to Scottish higher education. The possibility of a single bid by Glasgow School of Art, a similar partnership bid by the art colleges and partnership bids focusing on scientific instruments or fine art were also raised. It was agreed that such ideas should be discussed among those interested and with Mike Taylor (SMC Recognition Manager), noting that it was likely that successful bids should come from existing partnerships rather that those created for this purpose.
Alan reported that he continued to have discussions with colleagues in the library and special collections sector about possible partnership working.
9. AOB
Scotland and Medicine had received further funding relating to the 500 years of the printed word celebrations, focusing on medical publishing. A leaflet would be produced with a meeting 5th December to discuss the programme.
Dawn was thanked for hospitality.
10. Dates of future meetings
6th February 2008 - Glasgow - committee meeting
21st May 2008 - Dundee - committee meeting
3rd September 2008 - Stirling (to be confirmed) - committee meeting
20th / 21st November 2008 - Aberdeen - conference/AGM/committee meeting
4th February 2009 - committee meeting
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