Portrait of a Londoner

Museum of London Director Sharon Ament on why museum access is so important, the role of Museum of London in the climate crisis and the impact of BLM.

As part of our current series, and to celebrate the reopening of the Museum of London on Wednesday 19th May, Muna speaks with the museum’s Director Sharon Ament. Sharon has had a varied career working in wildlife conservation, the Zoological Society, and the Natural History Museum. In her current role as Director of the Museum of London, Sharon is overseeing the construction of a new museum site in West Smithfield. In this episode, we discuss: * An introduction to Sharon and her career path (00:40) * What it is about museums that Sharon loves so much, and some of her favourites (04:00) * Why access to museums is important for everyone in the UK (06:24) * The role of museums and the Museum of London in the climate crisis (10:24) * The conversion of the General Market in Smithfield into the new Museum of London and what this will mean for the city (12:50) * The impact of the Black Lives Matter movement and the removal of the statue of Robert Milligan from outside the Museum of London in 2020 (17:00) * The staff that make up the Museum of London and their varied and multimedia programming (20:45) * Sharon’s early life and upbringing (23:00) * What Sharon loves about where she lives in East Dulwich (27:00) If you want to find out more about Sharon, you can find her on Twitter at @SharonAment This episode was produced by Sophie Monaghan-Coombs on Twitter at @sophiemc01 Be part of the conversation We’d love to know, which museum are you most excited to visit with the new lockdown rules relaxed in the UK? Find us on Instagram @portrait_of_a_londoner Facebook @Portrait of a Londoner Twitter @portraitpodcast or email us at portraitofalondoner@gmail.com [portraitofalondoner@gmail.com] We are completely self funded so if you would like to support us we would be extremely grateful: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=34411265 Please rate, review and subscribe to our podcast! If you’ve enjoyed this episode, why not send it to a friend?

Georgie Wemyss Co-Director at the Centre for Research on Migration, Refugees and Belonging at the University of East London

As part of our series looking at cultural institutions in London, as well as how we memorialise and learn from the past, we speak with Georgie Wemyss. Georgie is the Co-Director at the Centre for Research on Migration, Refugees and Belonging at the University of East London. Georgie also runs walking tours In this episode, we discuss: * An introduction to Georgie and her work (00:35) * Georgie’s personal background, her early career, and (01.50) * How Georgie first became involved in anti-racism work and the context of East London at the time (06:00) * The main findings in Georgie’s book “Invisible Empire: White Discourse, Tolerance and Belonging” (11:15) * How far we have to go with teaching history in this country (13:45) * The changes in the experience of British Bangladeshi’s over the years as seen through Georgie’s work (15:30) * Everyday Bordering across health, education, and housing and the importance of more work in this area (19:27) * The influence of family on Georgie’s life and work (22:45) If you want to find out more about Georgie, you can find her on Twitter at @GeorgieWemyss. Be part of the conversation We’d love to know, where do you think your gaps are in your knowledge of British history? Find us on Instagram @portrait_of_a_londoner Facebook @Portrait of a Londoner Twitter @portraitpodcast or email us at portraitofalondoner@gmail.com [portraitofalondoner@gmail.com] We are completely self funded so if you would like to support us we would be extremely grateful: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=34411265 Please rate, review and subscribe to our podcast! If you’ve enjoyed this episode, why not send it to a friend?

Katharine Alston of The Deptford Ragged School Archive and Imperial War Museum London

Continuing our series on museums and galleries, we’re thrilled to welcome Katharine Alston, Volunteer Director of the Deptford Ragged School Archive and leading in public engagement learning at Imperial War Museum London. Katharine is passionate about heritage learning In this episode, we discuss: * An introduction to Katharine and her transition from teaching to museums (01:15) * An introduction to the Deptford Ragged School (04.46) * The work that Katharine is doing to address inequality in the borough (10:04) * Katharine’s lightbulb moment for starting her PHD on museum learning (13.57) * Katharine’s favourite museums in London (16:15) * The influence of Katharine’s grandparents (18:27) If you want to find out more about Katharine, you can find her on Instagram at @deptford_ragged_school_archive and Twitter @art_e_facts Be part of the conversation We’d love to know, which are your favourite museums in London? Find us on Instagram @portrait_of_a_londoner Facebook @Portrait of a Londoner Twitter @portraitpodcast or email us at portraitofalondoner@gmail.com [portraitofalondoner@gmail.com] We are completely self-funded so if you would like to support us we would be extremely grateful: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=34411265 Please rate, review and subscribe to our podcast! If you’ve enjoyed this episode, why not send it to a friend?

Zoe Whitley, Director of the Chisenhale Gallery East London

To kick off our brand new series on museums and galleries, we’re thrilled to start with a conversation we had with Zoe Whitley. Zoe is the director of the Chisenhale Gallery in London and we talk about all things art and galleries, including Zoe’s career, the uniqueness of Chisenhale Gallery, and the need to ensure marginalised voices are included in museum spaces. In this episode, we discuss: * An introduction to Zoe and Chisenhale Gallery (01:00) * Zoe’s entry into art, artists, and art museums (03:50) * Challenges Zoe has faced throughout her career, including as a black woman in the arts, and how these issues can be addressed (07:20) * The importance of showcasing marginalised artists and some of Zoe’s most inspirational influences (11:00) * Zoe’s proudest career moments (16:40) * What Zoe loves most about galleries and her favourite ones around the world (19:00) * How the public can get involved in the Chisenhale Gallery (21:15) * What Zoe loves about where she lives in South East London (24:00) * The influence of Zoe’s parents (25:15) If you want to find out more about Zoe, you can find her on Instagram at @zoe.whitley and the Chisenhale Gallery can be found on Twitter at @ChisenhaleGal and Instagram at @chisenhalegallery Be part of the conversation We’d love to know, which are your favourite galleries in London? Find us on Instagram @portrait_of_a_londoner Facebook @Portrait of a Londoner Twitter @portraitpodcast or email us at portraitofalondoner@gmail.com [portraitofalondoner@gmail.com] We are completely self funded so if you would like to support us we would be extremely grateful: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=34411265 Please rate, review and subscribe to our podcast! If you’ve enjoyed this episode, why not send it to a friend?

Ellie Reeves, Member of Parliament for Lewisham West & Penge

We are excited to share with you our conversation with Labour MP Ellie Reeves, who represents Lewisham West and Penge and is also Shadow Solicitor General. Episode notes In this episode of Portrait of a Londoner, Muna speaks with Ellie Reeves MP about politics and life in parliament, and how they impact the lives of Londoners. In this episode, we talk about: * Ellie’s journey into politics and how and why she became an MP (0:50) * Equality and the realities of parliament for female MPs (4.00) * Diversity in parliament: the current status and the changes still needing to be made (7.15) * Ellie’s work as Shadow Solicitor General to help support women who are victims of sexual violence (10.25) * Questions from our listeners on some of the most pressing issues for Lewisham including emissions and the death of nine-year-old Ella Kissi-Debrah, racial inequality, and support for asylum seekers (14.40) * What Ellie loves about where she lives in South East London (21.45) * How Ellie’s parents have influenced her (23.10) * Advice for women and girls on becoming more involved in politics (23.50) Find out more about Ellie’s work as an MP through her Twitter @elliereeves and Instagram @elliereevesmp Be part of the conversation We’d love to know, which issues are most important to you and where you live? Find us on Instagram @portrait_of_a_londoner Facebook @Portrait of a Londoner Twitter @portraitpodcast or email us at portraitofalondoner@gmail.com [portraitofalondoner@gmail.com] We are completely self funded so if you would like to support us we would be extremely grateful: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=34411265 Please rate, review and subscribe to our podcast! If you’ve enjoyed this episode, why not send it to a friend?