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The Science Museum Group (SMG)[1] consists of five British museums:

Items in the SMG collection that are not on display are usually stored at the National Collections Centre in Swindon, Wiltshire.

History

[edit]

The origins of SMG lie in the internationalisation and optimism of the Great Exhibition of 1851, which enabled the foundation of the South Kensington Museum in 1857.[2]

The term "National Museum of Science and Industry" had been in use as the Science Museum's subtitle since the early 1920s.[3] Prior to 1 April 2012 the group was known as the National Museum of Science and Industry (NMSI).[4][5]

The National Science and Media Museum, formerly the National Media Museum, was established by the Science Museum in 1983. The Science Museum was run directly by HM Government until 1984, when the Board of Trustees was established and NMSI was then adopted as a corporate title for the entire organisation.[6] At this point NMSI became a non-departmental public body under the auspices of the sponsoring government department, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.[citation needed]

From January 2012 the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester became part of the Science Museum Group.[7][8]

From 2017 Locomotion, The National Railway Museum at Shildon, became part of the Science Museum Group.[9]

In 2010 the Science Museum, London opened its climate science gallery Atmosphere which, as at April 2021, has been visited by over 5 million people. In 2021 the Science Museum, London also opened a temporary exhibition 'Our Future Planet' which explores the science of carbon capture. Environmental campaigners criticized the decision of SMG to appoint Shell as a major sponsor of this exhibition.[10]

Throughout 2021 SMG is hosting Climate Talks which are a series of online talks, Q&As and events exploring problems arising from climate change.[citation needed] In October 2021, the SMG announced that a new climate change gallery to be opened in 2023 at the Science Museum would be sponsored by an arm of coal producer Adani Group.[11]

SMG continues to work to reduce carbon emissions from operations, recruitment and supply chain, and by using resources efficiently.[12] On 15 April 2021 SMG announced that it expects to achieve overall Net Zero/Carbon Neutrality by 2033.[13]

Collection

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The collection includes:[14]

Over 380,000 of the items in the Science Museum Group's collections are available to view online at its Search Our Collection web page.

Chairman and Directors

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The chairman of the group is Sir Timothy Laurence who was appointed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak[15] on 1 January 2024, succeeding Dame Mary Archer who had served from 2015. [16][17]

The following have been directors of the National Museum of Science and Industry, the Science Museum and the Science Museum Group:

The following have separately been directors of the NMSI:

References

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Science Museum Group

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The Science Museum Group is a public body comprising five museums in the dedicated to preserving and interpreting the history and contemporary practice of , , , industry, and media. It operates the in , the Science and Industry Museum in , the in , Locomotion: The National Railway Museum in , and the in Bradford. With origins tracing back to the South Kensington Museum established following the of 1851, the Group curates an extensive collection of over a million objects spanning , , engineering, mathematics, and , making it one of the world's foremost institutions for science heritage. The organization emphasizes public engagement through exhibitions, educational programs, and research, fostering understanding of innovation's role in society while maintaining free entry to its core displays.

History

Origins in the Industrial Era

The collections forming the basis of the Science Museum Group originated amid Britain's , with the serving as the foundational catalyst for preserving and displaying technological artifacts. Organized by Prince Albert and figures like Henry Cole, the Exhibition—formally the Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations—opened on 1 May 1851 in , a prefabricated glass-and-iron structure designed by in . It featured over 100,000 exhibits of machinery, manufactures, and raw materials, highlighting steam-powered engines, textile looms, and ironworks that epitomized 19th-century industrial innovations, with Britain dominating displays to affirm its manufacturing supremacy. The 's commercial success generated a surplus of £186,452 after expenses, which the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 invested in acquiring 86 acres of land in for public educational purposes, including museums to house industrial specimens for study and instruction. This reflected a governmental recognition of the need to institutionalize knowledge from empirical industrial advances, countering the era's rapid obsolescence of machinery and the dispersal of prototypes amid factory expansions. Select objects from the , such as working models of locomotives and chemical apparatus, were retained for educational use, forming initial collections that emphasized causal mechanisms of production over mere . By 1852, these efforts materialized in the Museum of Manufactures at Gore House, which absorbed Exhibition artifacts alongside items from the School of Design, evolving into the Museum upon its formal opening on 22 June 1857. The museum's nascent department acquired industrial relics through targeted purchases and transfers, including early engines like those from Boulton & Watt (dating to the 1780s) and patent models from the , prioritizing verifiable engineering feats that drove economic transformation. These holdings underscored a commitment to first-hand examination of technologies underpinning Britain's GDP growth from to , with collections growing to document innovations in railways, textiles, and by the late .

Establishment of Individual Museums

The in originated from collections assembled after the of 1851, which were housed in the South Kensington Museum established in 1857 to promote scientific and industrial education. In 1909, the science and engineering collections were formally separated from the art holdings of the South Kensington Museum (later renamed the ), forming the basis of the independent , which opened its dedicated galleries to the public in stages thereafter. The in was founded in 1969 as the North Western Museum of Science and Industry, initially operating from temporary premises on Grosvenor Street to showcase regional industrial heritage, particularly Manchester's role in the . It relocated to the historic Liverpool Road railway station site in in 1983, where purpose-built facilities expanded its capacity to display steam engines, , and computing artifacts. The in was established in 1975 by the on the site of the former York North locomotive depot, consolidating national railway collections previously scattered across institutions like the . It was officially opened by the on September 27, 1975, marking the first national museum dedicated to railway history, with early exhibits including locomotives from the national collection. Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at opened on October 22, 2004, as an outpost of the , developed on the historic site in to highlight early railway engineering and George Stephenson's legacy. The £8.25 million project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and partners, featured outdoor tracks and a timeline gallery tracing 200 years of . The in was established in 1983 as the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television, built on a brownfield site with government and lottery funding to centralize national collections in optical technologies and moving images. Its opening emphasized Bradford's photographic industry heritage, including the UK's first purpose-built cinema, and it later incorporated science exhibits before renaming in 2017.

Formation of the Group and Post-War Expansion

The Science Museum Group was formally constituted as an executive non-departmental public body in 1983 under the National Heritage Act 1983, which transferred oversight of the in and its affiliated institutions from direct administration to an independent board of trustees. This legislative change enabled greater operational autonomy while maintaining public funding through the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, reflecting a broader government shift toward arm's-length management of cultural entities to foster specialized preservation and exhibition of scientific heritage. Post-World War II, the precursor institutions to the Group underwent significant expansion to address the growing need for dedicated spaces to house and interpret Britain's industrial and technological artifacts, many of which had been dispersed or neglected during wartime mobilization. In 1969, the North Western Museum of Science and Industry opened in on the site of the world's oldest passenger railway station at Liverpool Road, initially in temporary premises before relocating to a purpose-built facility, focusing on regional industrial history including textiles, , and power technologies. This initiative stemmed from post-war reconstruction efforts to commemorate 's pivotal role in the , with collections drawn from local industries and national loans to showcase operational machinery. Further decentralization occurred in 1975 with the opening of the National Railway Museum in York on September 27, on the former site of the North Eastern Railway's York carriage works, housing over 300 locomotives and rolling stock from British Rail's national collection transferred under government directive. The museum's establishment addressed the rationalization of railway heritage following the 1960s Beeching cuts, preserving artifacts from the steam era amid electrification and modernization. By 1983, coinciding with the Group's formalization, the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television (later renamed the National Science and Media Museum) opened in Bradford on June 16, incorporating purpose-built facilities for interactive displays of optical, photographic, and broadcasting technologies, with collections exceeding 3 million items emphasizing the evolution of media sciences. These developments collectively expanded the Group's footprint, distributing expertise and artifacts beyond London to regional sites, thereby enhancing national accessibility and supporting post-war economic narratives of technological resilience and innovation.

Constituent Museums and Sites

Science Museum, London

The Science Museum in London, situated on Exhibition Road in South Kensington (SW7 2DD), serves as the flagship institution of the Science Museum Group, housing extensive collections that document advancements in science, technology, engineering, and medicine from antiquity to the present. Its origins trace to the surplus materials of the Great Exhibition of 1851, with the South Kensington Museum opening on 24 June 1857 to display scientific instruments, machinery from the Patent Office, and other artifacts initially scattered across sites. By 1862, key transport exhibits such as the locomotives Puffing Billy (1813–1814) and Rocket (1829) were installed, marking early emphasis on industrial heritage. In 1909, the science collections were formally separated from the and designated the , reflecting a dedicated focus on empirical and technological subjects amid growing in industrial progress. Physical development accelerated post-World War I, with the East Block opening in 1928 to accommodate expanded displays, followed by the galleries (1963–1969) for themes in , , and , and the Wellcome Wing in 2000 for interactive medical and contemporary science exhibits. The museum maintains free general admission, operating daily from 10:00 to 18:00 except 24–26 December, and emphasizes public engagement through temporary exhibitions on topics like and . The institution's holdings, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, include foundational industrial artifacts such as the Boulton and Watt rotative beam engine (1788), which demonstrated efficient power application, and the R4 rocket stage (1971), Britain's only successful launcher. Other prominent items encompass the (c. 1390), one of the oldest surviving mechanical timepieces; Marconi's 1.5 kW transmitter (c. 1900), pivotal in early wireless communication; and space-related objects like Helen Sharman's suit (1991) from the first British astronaut mission. These artifacts, drawn from the broader Science Museum Group collection, prioritize tangible evidence of causal innovations in human capability, with ongoing curatorial efforts to contextualize their empirical impacts. Annual attendance reflects sustained public interest, with 3,419,000 visitors in 2015–2016 marking a historical peak for the museum, and 2,827,242 recorded in 2024 amid post-pandemic recovery. Data from the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions indicate consistent positioning among London's top free attractions, underscoring the museum's role in fostering direct encounter with verifiable technological milestones.

Science and Industry Museum, Manchester

The in occupies the site of the world's first purpose-built passenger station at Road, which opened on 15 September 1830 as the Manchester terminus of the . The museum itself opened to the public on 15 September 1983, marking the 153rd anniversary of the railway's launch, initially featuring the Power Hall as its first major gallery. Prior to this permanent location, precursor activities began in 1969 with the North Western Museum of Science and Industry operating from a temporary site to highlight 's industrial heritage. As a constituent of the Science Museum Group, it emphasizes 's role as the world's first , showcasing innovations in , , and that originated there and influenced global development. The site spans five listed buildings, including two Grade I structures such as the 1830 Warehouse, preserving a globally significant heritage ensemble tied to early rail and industrial operations. Collections focus on key sectors like power generation, textiles, , , and communications, with the Power Hall housing one of the United Kingdom's largest assemblages of operational stationary engines from the 19th and 20th centuries. Notable exhibits include historic locomotives, , and demonstrations of , , and gas technologies, alongside displays on Manchester's machinery and advancements. The museum integrates interactive elements, such as live engine demonstrations, and hosts events like the annual Manchester Science Festival to connect historical innovations with contemporary research. Annual visitor figures have varied, reaching a peak of 819,000 in a year marked by heightened media attention to its exhibits. Ongoing redevelopment, including the restoration of the Power Hall completed in 2025, aims to enhance and preserve machinery while addressing structural needs in the Grade I listed building. Admission is free to core galleries, with the museum drawing on its location in Manchester's area to contextualize exhibits within the urban landscape of early industrialization.

National Railway Museum, York

The (NRM) in , operated by the Science Museum Group, houses the United Kingdom's National Collection of historically significant locomotives, rolling stock, and railway artefacts, spanning over 300 years of railway development. Established as the world's largest dedicated railway museum, it opened to the public on 27 September 1975, following provisions in the Transport Act 1968 that mandated the preservation of key items from British Railways and predecessor companies. The site occupies former sidings adjacent to York station, utilizing 20 acres of land including two main exhibition halls: the and the recently refurbished Station Hall. The museum's collection exceeds one million items, including over 100 locomotives and nearly 300 pieces of , with highlights such as the LNER Class A4 4468 Mallard, which set the world speed record for steam locomotives at 126 mph (203 km/h) on 3 July 1938, and the LNER Class A3 4472 Flying Scotsman, the first steam locomotive officially recorded over 100 mph in 1934. Other notable exhibits include Stephenson's Rocket (1829), the winner of the , and preserved royal saloons used by British monarchs from onward. The collection emphasizes engineering innovation, operational history, and social impacts of , with artefacts drawn from nationalized railways post-1948 and private collections acquired through the . Since opening, the NRM has attracted nearly 40 million visitors, operating daily from 10:00 to 17:00 except over , and features interactive elements like the Wonderlab gallery for hands-on demonstrations. In 2025, marking its 50th anniversary, the Station Hall underwent an £11 million refurbishment, enhancing accessibility and integrating digital narratives on railway heritage. Funding primarily derives from the , supplemented by government grants including £15 million confirmed in February 2025 for the museum's masterplan to expand facilities and conservation efforts. The NRM collaborates with its sister site, Locomotion in , to manage the full national collection, prioritizing preservation of operational heritage amid ongoing challenges like maintenance of steam-era locomotives.

Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon

Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon is a railway museum located in , , , operated as a branch of the in . It serves as a showcase for elements of the national collection of rail vehicles, emphasizing the site's historical role as the world's first railway town, where the established its engineering headquarters in the 1820s. The museum originated from the National Railway Museum's need to address overcrowding and deterioration of its collections at the York site in the late , leading to the selection of as a suitable location for expansion by the early 2000s. Construction began at the end of 2002, and the facility opened to the public in September 2004, with an official opening on 22 October 2004 by then-Prime Minister , in partnership with . Initially conceived as a major storage site for the national rail vehicle collection, it was designed to also engage visitors and support local regeneration in . Locomotion houses over 50 historic locomotives, carriages, and wagons from the national collection, with displays highlighting their societal impact and the evolution of . In May 2024, the museum opened its £8 million New Hall, a new building accommodating 47 rail vehicles—many displayed indoors for the first time—establishing Europe's largest undercover collection of historic rail vehicles. Notable exhibits include vehicles built at the former Shildon works, snowploughs, and a tracked Bren Gun Carrier adapted for rail use, alongside items tied to the Stockton and Darlington Railway's pioneering operations. The site's significance stems from Shildon's foundational role in railway history, including the 1825 debut of operations on the , the world's first public railway to use steam power for passengers and freight. Locomotion complements the museum by providing specialized storage, conservation, and public access to overflow collections, while exceeding initial visitor projections—often doubling the targeted 60,000 annually—and contributing to regional economic revitalization through events and educational programs.

National Science and Media Museum, Bradford

The , located in , , , is a constituent institution of the Science Museum Group dedicated to exploring the , , and cultural impact of and technologies, including , , , , gaming, and related media. It occupies a seven-story building in central and features permanent galleries, temporary exhibitions, and spaces aimed at inspiring interest in and . The museum opened on 16 June 1983 as the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television, initially focusing on the historical development of photographic and cinematic technologies amid 's industrial heritage in textiles and emerging media industries. Originally established to preserve and display artifacts related to visual media, the institution underwent a name change to the National Media Museum around 2006 to broaden its scope, before adopting its current title in March 2017 to emphasize scientific underpinnings alongside media history, reflecting a strategic shift toward integrating technology-driven narratives. This evolution addressed declining visitor numbers—from a peak of nearly 1 million in 2001 to 460,000 in 2016—by refocusing on interactive science exhibits and digital innovation, while maintaining free admission to core galleries. The museum includes three cinemas, one being the United Kingdom's first IMAX theatre installed in 1999, which screens large-format films and supports public engagement with visual technologies. The museum's collections encompass over 3 million items, forming a significant portion of the Science Museum Group's media-related holdings, with strengths in historical apparatus, archival , and cultural artifacts spanning from 19th-century to modern . Notable holdings include the world's earliest known surviving photographic negative from 1835, pioneering television from the , and the Ackermann & Co. camera used to create Britain's first moving pictures in 1890, which illustrate key technological milestones in image capture and projection. These objects support research, exhibitions, and educational programs, with efforts enhancing through online catalogs and public stories. Following an 18-month closure for renovation starting in summer 2023, the museum reopened on 8 January 2025 with updated galleries, including the transformed spaces featuring over 500 interactive exhibits funded by a £6.8 million , timed to align with Bradford's designation as 2025.

Collections

Scope and Scale

The Science Museum Group's collections encompass over 7.3 million items, encompassing physical artifacts, archival materials, photographs, and resources related to the history and development of , , , , , and media. This vast holdings represent one of the largest assemblages of scientific and technological heritage in the world, with approximately 7 million items in photographic, archival, and formats forming the bulk, supplemented by tangible objects such as locomotives, scientific instruments, and medical equipment. The collections are unified under a single curatorial framework despite being distributed across multiple sites, enabling coordinated preservation, research, and public access. Key categories include around 150,000 medical items (including loans from the ), 38,000 railway-related artifacts, 26,000 scientific instruments, 17,000 photographic and cinematographic materials, and 7,000 artworks, alongside broader holdings in , , and media technologies. Approximately 380,000 items are digitized and accessible via the Group's online collection portal, facilitating global research and virtual exhibitions. Recent infrastructure developments, such as the 2023 opening of the National Collections Centre in , have centralized storage for over 300,000 objects previously dispersed, enhancing conservation capacity equivalent to 30,000 meters of shelving and supporting ongoing digitization efforts. The scope spans from 15th-century precursors to contemporary innovations, with a strategic emphasis on acquisitions from the last decade to capture rapid technological change, such as from missions like Tim Peake's in 2015–2016. Geographically, the collections prioritize British contributions to global scientific advancement—rooted in artifacts from the —but incorporate international perspectives through items like Amy Johnson's . This breadth supports interdisciplinary research, with ongoing reviews ensuring sustainability amid the challenges of managing such scale, including deaccessioning underutilized holdings to prioritize high-impact preservation.

Notable Holdings by Category

The Science Museum Group's holdings span diverse categories, including scientific instruments, computing, medicine, transport, and media, with over 7.3 million items preserved across its institutions. These collections emphasize empirical advancements in technology and industry, featuring artifacts that document pivotal innovations from the Industrial Revolution onward. Scientific Instruments and Technology: The group maintains approximately 26,000 scientific instruments, alongside models and prototypes illustrating foundational technological developments. Notable examples include Charles Babbage's Difference Engine No. 1, the first successful automatic calculator constructed in the 19th century based on Babbage's designs from the 1820s, which demonstrates early mechanical computation principles. Additionally, the collections house the earliest models used to represent atomic structures, originating from late 19th-century crystallographic work, and Alan Turing's Pilot ACE computer prototype from 1950, a pioneering electronic stored-program machine that influenced post-war computing architectures. Computing and Data Processing: Encompassing mechanical calculators to early digital systems, this category highlights the evolution of information processing. Key items include Babbage's components and drawings, conceptualizing programmable computation in the 1830s; the DEC PDP-8 from 1965, one of the first commercially successful ; and personal pioneers such as the from 1976 and the from 1975, which spurred the revolution. Medicine: With around 140,000 medical artifacts, including loans from the , the holdings cover diagnostics, treatments, and biological modeling. Prominent exhibits in the Science Museum's Wellcome Galleries, opened in 2019, feature over 3,000 items such as René Laennec's original from 1816, enabling non-invasive ; the first physical model of a , derived from Dorothy Hodgkin's 1949 of penicillin; and early surgical tools illustrating 19th-century advancements in and . Transport (Aeronautics and Railways): Transport collections total tens of thousands of items, focusing on , vehicles, and infrastructure. In , highlights include Amy Johnson's Gipsy Moth biplane from 1930, used in the by a woman from to ; the R4 rocket stage from Britain's 1971 satellite launch, marking the nation's sole independent orbital success; and artifacts from the bomber, such as the "Lucky Jim" mascot carried on the 1919 by Alcock and Brown. For railways, the preserves over 38,000 objects, including George Stephenson's locomotive replica from 1829, which won the and epitomized early traction; LNER Class A4 No. 4468 , holder of the world speed record at 126 mph in 1938; and LNER Class A3 No. 4472 Flying Scotsman, the first steam locomotive to reach 100 mph officially in 1934 and a symbol of heritage. Media and Photography: Comprising 17,000 items related to and technologies, primarily at the , this category documents visual and auditory recording evolution. Standout holdings include the world's earliest surviving photographic negative from 1835 by William Henry Fox Talbot, foundational to process development; extensive archives spanning photographic chemistry and cameras from the 1880s; and cinematographic equipment like early film projectors, tracing motion picture origins from the 1890s.

Preservation and Digitization Efforts

The Science Museum Group maintains a dedicated conservation program to safeguard its collections, encompassing preventive measures, interventive treatments, and condition assessments aimed at minimizing deterioration and enabling sustained access for , display, and loans. According to the group's Conservation and Collections Care Policy, updated in 2023, these efforts prioritize the long-term physical integrity of objects while respecting their , including specialized care for over 4,392 human remains from diverse global origins. Conservation activities include stabilizing fragile items, such as a model from the film conserved in 2024 with enhanced storage protocols, and preparing artifacts for exhibition or international loans, with thousands loaned annually. A of preservation is the National Collections Centre, also known as the Stephen Hawking Building, completed under the One Collection programme and operational from 2021 onward, which relocated over 300,000 objects to a purpose-built, sustainable facility in Wroughton featuring climate-controlled storage, conservation laboratories, and 30,000 meters of shelving. This £25 million initiative, incorporating innovative materials like hemp-lime for eco-friendly , ensures stable environmental conditions to prevent degradation, while facilitating on-site and . The centre's design supports operational efficiency in handling hazards and carriage preservation, particularly for transport-related holdings from the . By 2025, the programme had revolutionized physical care, enabling public access elements projected for full opening in 2024. Complementing physical preservation, the group pursues extensive digitization to enhance accessibility and mitigate risks from handling originals, with the Digital Lab spearheading efforts to record and image up to a quarter-million objects as part of the relocation to the new centre. Initiatives include partnerships, such as with , which by 2023 had digitized thousands of items ranging from vaccines to polar expedition artifacts, integrating them into online databases for global research. The group joined the Digital Preservation Coalition in 2020 to manage and digitized assets, aligning with its 2022-2024 digital strategy to link photographs with descriptive metadata and expand public-facing collections online, building on platforms active since the early . These efforts, supported by grants like a 2023 resilience award for ingest workstations and carrier training, aim to create one of the world's largest online scientific collections while preserving against obsolescence.

Governance and Leadership

Organizational Structure

The Science Museum Group operates under a governance framework led by a Board of Trustees, which bears ultimate responsibility for the strategic oversight, policy-setting, and compliance of the entire organization, including adherence to the National Heritage Act 1983 and charity regulations. The Board, accountable to the through the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), comprises members appointed for fixed terms—typically four years—based on expertise in fields such as , , technology, and cultural management. Chaired by Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence since 1 December 2023, the Board met four times during the 2024–25 fiscal year, with additional strategy sessions to guide Group-wide priorities. Executive leadership is headed by the Director and Chief Executive, Sir Ian Blatchford, appointed on 1 November 2010, who also serves concurrently as Director of the flagship in . As Accounting Officer, Blatchford reports to the Board of Trustees for internal governance and to DCMS for public funding accountability, overseeing the Group's 2,000+ staff and operations across five geographically dispersed sites. Supporting the Director is the Group Executive, a senior management team tasked with operational delivery, including resource allocation, strategic implementation, cultural programming, and maintenance of organizational values. This team coordinates centralized functions—such as collections management, research, finance, and digital initiatives—while delegating site-specific responsibilities to managing directors and local teams at each museum, enabling tailored visitor experiences and preservation efforts without fragmenting overall Group coherence. The structure emphasizes efficiency through periodic reviews of Group-wide integration, as noted in recent annual accounts, to balance national coordination with regional autonomy.

Key Leadership Roles and Transitions

Sir Ian Blatchford has served as Director and Chief Executive of the Science Museum Group since 1 November 2010, overseeing strategic direction, operations across its sites, and accountability to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) as Accounting Officer. Prior to this role, Blatchford held positions including Deputy Director at the , bringing expertise in , , and cultural ; he was knighted in 2019 for services to cultural . His tenure coincides with the formal establishment of the Group in 2012, marking a period of relative stability in the top executive position following the integration of independent museums like the and . The Chair of the Board of Trustees provides leadership to the governing body, which holds ultimate responsibility for the Group's compliance with the National Heritage Act 1983 and charity regulations, while advising on strategy. held the position from 1 January 2015 to December 2023, initially appointed for a four-year term and reappointed for subsequent periods, during which she emphasized scientific outreach and institutional governance; Archer had previously served as a Trustee from 1990 to 2000. Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence succeeded her, with his appointment announced on 1 December 2023 by the , reflecting a transition to emphasize naval and perspectives in oversight. Trustee roles, appointed by the on DCMS recommendation for terms typically of four years, have seen frequent changes to bring diverse expertise in science, , and . Notable transitions include resignations in 2021 by trustees and Jo Foster amid debates over climate-related sponsorships, and by Chris Rapley protesting oil industry funding, highlighting tensions between funding sources and environmental priorities. Recent appointments, such as those of Professor Stephen Belcher ( Chief Scientist) and others in 2022, underscore efforts to bolster scientific and leadership credentials on the board. Historically, figures like Dame Margaret Weston, Director of the predecessor from 1973 to 1986, drove key expansions including the National Railway Museum's opening in 1975, setting precedents for Group-wide leadership.

Funding, Sponsorships, and Economic Impact

Government Funding and Public Status

The Science Museum Group functions as an executive , operating at arm's length from the government while sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). This status enables independent under a that outlines core responsibilities, performance monitoring, and accountability to DCMS, including annual reporting and alignment with public sector objectives such as public access to collections. As an exempt charity under the Charities Act 2011, the Group is regulated directly by DCMS rather than the Charity Commission, exempting it from standard charity registration while mandating equivalent standards of and public benefit. Government funding primarily arrives via annual Grant in Aid (GIA) allocations from DCMS, supporting operational costs, collection care, and public programs across its five museums. In the 2023–24 financial year, GIA and other government support accounted for approximately 47% of total income, totaling £56.2 million in GIA alone amid efforts to diversify revenue through trading, donations, and sponsorships. Core GIA has declined by one-third in real terms since 2010, reflecting broader public spending constraints, though nominal increases occurred post-2021 Spending Review, including a 2% uplift in baseline allocation. This funding model underscores the Group's hybrid public-private character, where GIA covers statutory duties like free admission to permanent collections but leaves capital projects and expansions reliant on non-governmental sources. DCMS oversight includes approving major investments exceeding specified thresholds and ensuring value for money, with GIA subject to parliamentary vote via the department's budget. Recent negotiations have secured additional support to mitigate deficits, though projections emphasize sustaining non-GIA income above 50% of unrestricted funds to buffer against fiscal pressures.

Corporate Sponsorships and Partnerships

The Science Museum Group (SMG) pursues corporate sponsorships and partnerships to fund specific exhibitions, galleries, interactive experiences, and STEM-focused programs, often tailoring collaborations to align with partners' goals such as brand visibility and talent development in science and . These arrangements typically involve multi-year commitments, providing sponsors with , marketing activations, and access to audiences exceeding 5 million visitors annually across SMG sites. Sponsorship income contributes to non-government , with sector partners historically accounting for around 8% of fund-raised commitments between 2011 and 2022. Notable partnerships include , which sponsored the Wonderlab: The Gallery—an interactive STEM space for ages 7-14 featuring over 50 hands-on exhibits and live demonstrations—from its opening in 2016 until the agreement ended in July 2024. Shell served as a major sponsor for the 2021 "Our Future Planet" exhibition on technologies, including carbon capture solutions, under a signed in February 2021 that was not renewed beyond the exhibit's run. has maintained a long-term relationship with SMG since the early , supporting initiatives like the Academy of Engagement launched to address STEM skills shortages, with funding continuing as of February 2025. Adani Green Energy sponsored the permanent Energy Revolution Gallery, which opened in March 2024 and had attracted one million visitors by October 2025, providing over £4 million in support since the deal's inception in 2023. Other collaborators include , a supporter since 2019 focused on inspiring future STEM professionals, and as an associate sponsor for exhibitions like in the 2024-25 fiscal year. These partnerships emphasize mutual benefits, such as corporate access to educational outreach, while SMG maintains that selections prioritize alignment with its mission to advance public understanding of .

Economic Contributions and Visitor Statistics

The Science Museum Group's museums attracted 4,299,000 visitors during the 2023–24 financial year, surpassing the original forecast of 4.1 million. This figure reflects recovery toward pre-pandemic levels, following 3.8 million visits in 2022–23. Visitor numbers in 2024–25 reached approximately 4 million, matching historical averages but falling 11% short of internal targets. The group projects combined annual attendance of 5 million by 2026, driven by post-recovery growth across its sites including the in (2.83 million visits in 2024). These attendance levels underpin economic contributions through and direct operations. International visitors, a key segment, bolster local economies in host cities like , , , and by stimulating spending on hospitality, transport, and retail. The group's activities support around 900–1,000 direct employees, with total income nearing £128 million in recent years, enabling sustained public access and related job creation in the cultural sector. While specific metrics for the group as a whole are not publicly detailed in recent reports, individual sites like the Museum of Science and Industry in have historically generated direct economic benefits equivalent to millions in local GVA through visitor-driven activity. Overall, the Science Museum Group's role as a leading attraction enhances regional tourism resilience, particularly amid challenges like reduced international post-COVID-19.

Research, Education, and Public Programs

Research Initiatives

The Science Museum Group conducts research to deepen understandings of its collections, audiences, and exhibitions, emphasizing historical and contemporary dimensions of science, technology, engineering, medicine, and media. This program integrates diverse academic disciplines with museum practices, supporting collaborations such as joint grant applications with universities, conferences, and workshops. The Research Strategy 2018-26 positions the group as the world's most research-informed science museum organization, prioritizing strengths in material culture while expanding into international partnerships, digital methods, and visitor experiences. A dedicated Research Department facilitates this by aiding professional teams in areas like conservation, learning, and collections management, with early involvement in funding bids to embed research across operations. Doctoral initiatives form a core component, hosting numerous students whose work shapes displays, collections data, and public outreach. Funding includes Arts and Humanities Council (AHRC)-supported Collaborative Doctoral Partnerships via the Science Museums and Archives Consortium (SMAC), partnering with entities like the Royal Geographical Society, , BT Group Archives, and . Additional awards come through university Doctoral Training Partnerships. Past projects, documented in the SMG Repository, span topics from object analysis to impacts. Dissemination occurs via the peer-reviewed, open-access Science Museum Group Journal, which publishes global research on curatorship, history, and innovative methods relevant to museums, amassing 247 articles and 42,000 annual readers since its inception over a decade ago. The repository further offers downloadable outputs like reports and . Notable projects include the Congruence Engine, launched in November 2021 to explore interdisciplinary alignments in collections; collaborations on early years STEM engagement with objects, generating evidence for low-science-capital audiences; and digital tools like analysis of photographic datasets to reveal collection patterns. The group also advances targeted research in and , including an embedded researcher role for collecting related artifacts and a strategic focus on these themes. Complementary efforts recognize external contributions through the Science Museum Group Fellows Programme, honoring scientists for transformative academic work. Staff development incorporates research training, such as master's and doctoral pursuits, to sustain internal expertise.

Educational Outreach and STEM Promotion

The Science Museum Group (SMG) advances educational outreach through a multifaceted approach encompassing on-site experiences, off-site programs, and digital resources designed to foster STEM interest across diverse audiences. Central to this effort is the adoption of a science capital framework, which measures individuals' knowledge, experiences, and connections to to tailor engagement strategies that broaden participation, particularly among underrepresented groups. This strategy underpins initiatives aimed at inspiring future scientists, inventors, and engineers by linking museum collections to real-world applications in , , , and . Key programs include Wonderlab, an interactive space launched to encourage hands-on experimentation and problem-solving, extended digitally via Wonderlab+ with online experiments, games, and videos accessible to schools and homes. Explainer programs deploy trained facilitators to guide visitor interactions with exhibits, while school-specific offerings feature group visits, workshops, and sleepover events like Astronights, integrating STEM themes from galleries such as the forthcoming Space exhibit (opening September 20, 2025) and the Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery, which highlights engineering careers. Outreach extends beyond museums through festivals, expert training sessions, and collaborations with educators and employers to promote STEM skills nationwide. The SMG Academy provides research-informed training for teachers, museum staff, and STEM professionals, emphasizing inclusive and memorable learning experiences in science and ; courses cover topics like equitable STEM engagement and have been developed to support formal curricula. Complementing these are resources aligned with the Learning Strategy 2020-2030, which builds on historical precedents such as the group's first children's gallery in to set ambitious goals for innovation and reach in diversifying STEM pathways. Partnerships, including corporate initiatives like the STEM Circle membership launched to connect industry with , further amplify efforts to inspire career interest in and related fields. The Open for All Strategy (2022-2025) reinforces these activities by prioritizing accessibility and equity, positioning SMG as a nationwide promoter of STEM through evidence-based programs that encourage active participation and social interaction with scientific objects and concepts. Digital expansions, such as STEM stories hosted on in collaboration with the platform, make museum-inspired content available globally to support . These initiatives collectively aim to cultivate a society where feels relevant to all, drawing on the group's origins in the of 1851 to sustain long-term STEM enthusiasm.

Exhibitions and Public Engagement

The Science Museum Group maintains a portfolio of permanent galleries and temporary exhibitions across its five museums, emphasizing interactive displays on , , , and to foster visitor interaction with historical and contemporary artifacts. Permanent installations include the Energy Revolution gallery in , featuring technologies; the Wonderlab: The Bramall Gallery in , with hands-on experiments in physics and engineering; and the Power Hall in , showcasing industrial machinery. These galleries integrate over 7.3 million collection items, enabling public exploration of topics from railways to . Temporary exhibitions rotate to address current themes, often drawing significant attendance. In 2024, "Turn It Up: The Power of Music" at the in examined audio technology's , attracting 146,000 visitors from October 2023 to summer 2024. "Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You" in , focused on for families, welcomed over 100,000 visitors before closing in 2024, while its successor "Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You" opened in February 2025. The international tour of "Injecting Hope," detailing development, reached over 6 million visitors across the , , and by March 2025. Other 2024-2025 highlights included "Versailles: Science and Splendour" in (December 2024–April 2025), featuring historical scientific instruments, and "Summer of Steam" at Locomotion in , celebrating railway heritage. The Group offers touring exhibitions in formats such as setups, curated collections, and packs, allowing for partner venues without full artifact transport to reduce costs and environmental impact. Examples include "Operation Ouch!" and "Science Fiction: Voyage to the Edge of Imagination," which incorporate elements like "Space Descent VR" for immersive experiences. These tours extend reach beyond fixed sites, supporting local storytelling while upholding curatorial standards. Public engagement extends exhibitions through educational programs, events, and digital initiatives, with 295,000 formal visits by children under 18 in 2024-25 and 835 volunteers contributing 59,116 hours. The Science Museum Group Academy provides training in STEM engagement, including courses on planning public activities based on models like Maslow's for audience needs. Events such as the Science Festival in 2024 featured demonstrations like Arachnobot , while online climate talks and digitized collections via the Hawking Building (opened October 2024) enhance accessibility, with over 300,000 objects now publicly viewable. New facilities like the New Hall at Locomotion, opened May 2024 with an £8 million investment, hosted 23,500 visitors in its first seven weeks, displaying Europe's largest undercover rail collection. Overall, these efforts supported 5.01 million total visits in 2024-25, including boosted family attendance from interactive exhibits like and Wonderlab.

Controversies and Criticisms

Sponsorship and Ethical Funding Debates

The Science Museum Group (SMG) has encountered significant criticism for its sponsorship agreements with companies, including , Shell, , and Adani, which campaigners argue enable corporate greenwashing and conflict with the group's mission to promote evidence-based on . These deals, often funding exhibitions on and , have prompted accusations that SMG prioritizes financial support over ethical consistency, particularly as sponsors continue expanding extraction despite global emissions reduction goals. SMG maintains that such partnerships align with its ethics policy, which requires and rejects funds from illegal sources, while emphasizing the sponsors' roles in transitions. A notable controversy arose in 2021 when Shell sponsored SMG's "Our Future Planet" exhibition, leading to backlash over a restricting SMG staff from criticizing the sponsor publicly, interpreted by critics as a suppression of scientific . Similar provisions appeared in a 2018 deal for the Energy Revolution Gallery, which SMG terminated in July 2024 amid protests linking the sponsor to new developments like the Rosebank field. BP's ongoing sponsorship of al programs drew calls in June 2025 from the for schools to boycott SMG sites, citing BP's reduced green energy investments and increased focus as incompatible with . The 2021 sponsorship of the Gallery further fueled debates, with detractors highlighting Adani Group's dominant coal operations and allegations of environmental harm in , despite the gallery's renewable focus; these intensified after U.S. charges against Adani executives in November 2024. Internal dissent included the October 2021 resignation of SMG board member Professor Chris Rapley, who argued that funding eroded institutional credibility on climate . In response, SMG has defended retaining such ties, asserting they support public access to without influencing content, while sector-wide discussions, including Museums Association proposals in 2025 for phasing out sponsorships, reflect broader ethical pressures. Critics from activist groups like Culture Unstained view these arrangements as emblematic of institutional capture by polluting industries, though SMG counters that rejecting viable funders could limit outreach without advancing decarbonization.

Influence on Educational Content

Critics, primarily from climate advocacy organizations such as Culture Unstained, have alleged that the Group's acceptance of sponsorships from fossil fuel companies like , Shell, and compromises the impartiality of its educational exhibits and programs, particularly those addressing science and energy transitions. In a 2018 formal complaint signed by over 200 scientists, including prominent researchers, 's £4 million sponsorship of the museum's gallery was cited as enabling the oil company to exert over content, potentially softening critiques of contributions to global warming and prioritizing industry-friendly narratives in materials viewed by millions of schoolchildren annually. These allegations stem from broader concerns that such partnerships facilitate "greenwashing," where sponsors' branding appears alongside educational displays without proportionate scrutiny of their environmental records, thus shaping public and youthful perceptions toward viewing as integral to energy solutions rather than primary drivers of emissions. A notable instance involved the 2021 "Climate Changing" exhibition, sponsored by Shell, which included a reported "gagging " prohibiting the museum from criticizing the sponsor's policies or operations, raising questions about in interpretive content aimed at educating visitors on anthropogenic impacts. Similarly, the 2023 opening of the permanent "Energy Revolution" gallery, funded by —a company linked to expansion despite its renewable branding—drew protests for allegedly diluting discussions of necessities in favor of hybrid energy portrayals that align with sponsor interests. Advocacy groups argue this influences STEM outreach, including school workshops and online resources reaching over 500,000 educational visitors yearly across SMG sites, by embedding subtle pro-industry biases that contradict empirical data on rapid decarbonization needs derived from IPCC assessments. In response to these pressures, the UK's (NEU), representing over 500,000 educators, endorsed a 2025 boycott of SMG institutions for school trips, asserting that fossil fuel-linked erodes trust in the group's as an unbiased educator and risks indoctrinating students with sanitized views of sector . SMG has consistently maintained that sponsorship agreements include clauses safeguarding , with content developed by in-house curators and scientists adhering to peer-reviewed evidence, and no verified instances of direct sponsor alterations to scripts or displays. However, the persistence of such campaigns highlights tensions between imperatives—SMG received £25 million in corporate support in 2023—and demands for uncompromised truth-seeking in public , where activist critiques often amplify unproven influence claims from ideologically aligned sources amid institutional pressures favoring consensus-driven alarmism over balanced causal analysis of systems.

Responses to Activist Campaigns

The Science Museum Group has faced repeated campaigns from climate activist groups, primarily targeting its sponsorship deals with energy companies such as , Shell, , and , which activists allege enable greenwashing and contradict the museums' educational mission on climate science. These efforts, led by organizations like (XR) and Culture Unstained, have included protests, building occupations, event disruptions, and calls for boycotts, often focusing on the in . In response to direct actions, such as XR's 2021 protests and attempted overnight occupation of the over Shell sponsorship, the Group emphasized de-escalation and public engagement, training staff to interact calmly with demonstrators while prioritizing visitor safety and continuity of operations. Activists criticized these measures as "intimidating" and "heavy-handed," claiming security involvement and event cancellations stifled dissent, though the museum maintained that such responses were necessary to prevent disruptions like glueing to exhibits or blocking access. No sponsorships were terminated as a result; instead, the Group proceeded with partnerships, arguing they fund critical exhibits on energy transitions despite activist pressure. More recent campaigns, including 2024 protests against Adani's sponsorship of the "Energy Revolution" gallery—where over 150 demonstrators gathered and scientists occupied the space—prompted the museum to open the exhibit on schedule while defending the deal as enabling public education on renewables, even as critics highlighted Adani's coal ties. In 2025, following XR-led demonstrations outside a private event for a fossil fuel-linked sponsor and the National Education Union's boycott call over BP and Adani deals, the Group did not alter its funding model, with external partners like Save the Children withdrawing from events independently due to supporter backlash rather than museum concessions. The Group's overarching stance, articulated in public statements, prioritizes evidence-based dialogue and the role of sponsorships in sustaining free access and STEM outreach, rejecting activist demands to sever ties as incompatible with operational realities and the net benefits of industry-funded content on solutions. This approach has sustained partnerships amid ongoing campaigns, with no verified instances of policy shifts directly attributable to protests as of October 2025.

Strategic Initiatives and Future Plans

Long-Term Strategies

The Science Museum Group's long-term strategies are primarily outlined in the Inspiring Futures: Strategic Priorities 2022–2030 framework, which serves as the organization's guiding mission to inspire futures through science and technology while advancing a vision of a society that celebrates . This framework identifies six interconnected priorities to drive organizational growth, audience impact, and operational resilience over the decade, with measurable targets such as rebuilding annual visits to exceed 5 million by 2030 and achieving over 50% unrestricted income by the same year. Key priorities include enhancing audience engagement by increasing physical and digital interactions, with goals to elevate visitor recommendation ratings and broaden reach to underrepresented groups through science capital-building initiatives. Sustainability efforts target a 59% reduction in emissions by 2030 and net-zero operations by 2033, supported by site-specific action plans implemented from 2022 onward. Equity focuses on fostering inclusion and diversity, drawing on evidence-based approaches to address barriers in science participation. Digital innovation forms another pillar, emphasizing expanded online access and tools like the Congruence Engine for enhanced content discovery and personalization. prioritizes maintaining and showcasing what the Group describes as the world's leading science and technology collection, including completing the One Collection programme by 2024 to relocate 270,000 objects to a new National Collections Centre and achieve 15,000 annual public visits there by 2025/26. Organizational resilience addresses financial diversification and estate improvements to ensure long-term viability. Supporting these are targeted initiatives, such as the £60 million Vision 2025 programme at the , aimed at transforming facilities to attract 1.2 million visits annually and fulfilling broader strategic aims. Complementary strategies, including the International Strategy 2024–2026 and Learning Strategy 2020–2030, integrate with Inspiring Futures to extend influence globally and amplify educational impact. The framework aligns with the government's 2025–2028 oversight document, emphasizing and public value delivery.

Recent Developments and Expansions

In , the Science Museum Group completed the Hawking Building at the Science and Innovation Park in , a state-of-the-art facility spanning nearly 300 meters in length and housing over 300,000 objects from its collections, with advanced conservation labs and spaces to support long-term preservation and study. Public guided tours and school visits to the facility were introduced in , alongside ongoing efforts under the One Collection programme, which has made half a million object records available online. At the museum in , a new display hall opened in May 2024, enabling the exhibition of nearly 50 additional rail vehicles and nearly doubling the site's capacity for showcasing historic locomotives. The in announced expansion plans in March 2025, including a new Wonderlab gallery for children aged 4-10 with interactive exhibits on invention, set to open in late 2027; a Technicians gallery in historic arches targeting 11-16-year-olds for career inspiration, with feasibility studies beginning in 2025; a recreated 1830 station rail experience ahead of the site's 2030 bicentenary; and a to improve public access, supported by over £40 million in investments for site renewal by the end of 2025. At the in , the Sound and Vision galleries are scheduled to open in July 2025 as part of a sustainability-focused redevelopment, enhancing accessibility and exhibition space. Reopenings planned for 2025 include the restored Power Hall at the and Station Hall at the in , featuring new exhibitions following structural works, with Central Hall at York following in 2026.

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  151. https://www.scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk/about-us/press-office/science-and-industry-museum-announces-plans-extend-transformation
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