Research Interests

Kate has been conducting research since 1989 when she undertook a master’s dissertation on the schools use of the Rutland Dinosaur. This then led Kate to develop an interest in informal learning in museums. Over the last few years she has concentrated on developing methodologies for evaluation and research in this field and in particular with young people. Evaluating learning on pre-determined outcomes set by a museum’s exhibition team is often an inadequate way of finding out about visitor experience. Thus her focus has been on considering how best we can evaluate such diversity. Kate is also interested in the use of museums by socially excluded groups and much of her freelance work has been evaluating such projects.