Project 2: Developing an Evaluation Report

Note: With this partner, we offer two projects. Read both project briefs carefully and select the project you wish to enrol in on the application form.  

Project

Developing an evaluation report against learning outcomes and demographics engaging with Splats and Spindles: Six English Regional Chairs

Partner: Museum of the Home

Museum of the Home is delivering a collections disposals project that involves community members in decisions about the future of museum objects. Community groups will take part in workshops where they review parts of the Museum’s collections using a community co-created assessment framework and help determine whether those objects should remain in the Museum. As this approach has not been taken in museums before, the project requires evaluation to understand participants’ experiences and assess how effectively the project achieves its aims and intended outcomes? 

Challenges to be Addressed

Museum of the Home recently incorporated small exhibitions, usually focusing around Museum collections or recent acquisitions, in the Undercroft space. There is anecdotal and general visitor feedback suggesting they are successful, but no in-depth evaluation has been conducted yet to evidence audience impact and measure these against learning outcomes.

Evaluation

For centuries, across the different regions of England, people made chairs for everyday use based on local traditions, using timber and other materials readily available in the area. The craftmanship and design that informed regional chairmaking was passed from generation to generation, and distinct features formed unique chairmaking dialects associated with each region. In this exhibition, visitors can get up close with six chairs from the Bernard and Geraldine Cotton Chair Collection and Archive, most of which have not been on display for 20 years. Each chair links to a different region, where you will learn the stories of both celebrated and lesser-known makers, discover how everyday furniture can reflect local history and gain insight into Bernard and Geraldine Cotton’s work.  

 A recent digitisation project saw the digitisation of over 100 boxes of archival material – from photographs to transcripts, notes and newspaper clippings – recently acquired as part of the Bernard and Geraldine Cotton Chair Collection and Archive. This will be a valuable resource for chair enthusiasts (and those new to this) too as there’s still so much history to be uncovered linked to regional furniture – this is soon to be also fully available on the Museum of the Home website. 

Museum of the Home is looking to evaluate Splats and Spindles against learning outcomes and project aims through on-site evaluation – this could combine observations of dwell time and anecdotes and visitor survey to capture feedback and demographics. 

Key Questions to Consider

• Do visitors enjoy the exhibition? 
• Do visitors find the interpretation and presentation of the collection accessible?  
• Do the visitors know about Splats and Spindles: Six English Regional Chairs beforehand? 
• Do visitors have an existing interest in chairs before visiting? 
• Are visitors inspired to learn more about chair-making, woodworking and the regional furniture collection after their visit? 
• Would visitors return to the Museum for similar exhibitions or displays? 

Application Process and Key Dates

Stage 1: Online application - deadline is Friday 06 November 2026 
Stage 2: Shortlisting and selection  
Stage 3: Application outcome notification by Monday 16 November 2026  

Programme duration: Wednesday 03 February to Thursday 25 March 2027 (final presentations will take place at Museum of the Home premises) 

You must complete a pre- and post-project survey, which includes writing a short reflective review of up to 300 words, to receive certification.   

Eligibility

• Current Queen Mary students.
• Highly motivated and teamwork oriented.
• Passionate about heritage and making a real impact in the world. 
• Willing to dedicate a total of 15 -20 hours across the project, including client meetings, teamwork, and individual work.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse learning environment. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, as we believe diverse perspectives drive innovation and success.   

Apply

Please submit your application via this form by Friday 06 November 2026. 

We will contact you if you are shortlisted. If you do not hear from us by 16 November 2026, you have not been successful on this occasion.  

If you have any questions, please email:  history-qHeritage@qmul.ac.uk

We look forward to receiving your application!