University of Nottingham project
Nottingham Students Illuminate Queer Histories with Culture Leicestershire
University of Nottingham students have been taking part in the Villiers Revealed project with Culture Leicestershire, helping to bring hidden LGBTQ+ histories to light through hands-on curating, research, and photogrammetry.
Unique partnership
The Digital Transformations Hub at the University of Nottingham and Culture Leicestershire have forged a unique partnership to co-develop a student placement that blends academic learning with real-world heritage practice. Rooted in the VCCC project’s aim to deepen research-policy collaboration, this initiative empowers students to research, digitise, and co-curate museum collections, creating immersive exhibitions and contributing to Leicestershire’s cultural strategy.
Hands-On Heritage Experience
Taking part in the Villiers Revealed project offered students a unique opportunity to develop both personally and professionally. They gained valuable insight into curating, exhibition planning, and collections care while also engaging critically with underrepresented LGBTQ+ histories. Through hands-on activities, such as designing mock exhibitions and researching queer artefacts, they developed practical museum skills and a deeper understanding of inclusive storytelling.
Connection, Reflection, and Representation
Just as importantly, the project created space for meaningful personal reflection and connection. Many students spoke about how the experience strengthened their sense of identity, challenged their understanding of historical narratives, and inspired a commitment to amplifying marginalised voices in heritage spaces. For some, like Eddie, it sparked a passion for making museums more accessible and inclusive. For others, like Conrad, it reaffirmed the emotional impact museums can have on visitors. Overall, the project empowered students to be part of a movement toward more inclusive, representative histories.
Read the students’ blogs below to discover more about their project experiences and research.
Digitising Emperor Hadrian’s Coins By Kaitlen Elaine Wood
Fashioning Identity: Clothing as a Form of Queer Self-Expression By Eddie Haigh
Queer Identity in Roman Britain: The Hidden Stories of the Past By Emily Moseley
Culture Leicestershire and Leicestershire Museum Collections at UoN By Daniel H. Mutibwa
The Vivienne Westwood Suit, Gender and Clothing By Kate Ratcliffe
The CRDE (LMC) Placement: The Digitisation Process By Matt Davies
Team Building on the Leicestershire Museum Collections Placement 2024-2025 By Arwyn Clayton
Museum Collections and Finding the Queer in the Past By Conrad Padgett
Exploring Queer Histories Through Digital Heritage By Christy Hsu
Tracking Liberation and Subjugation through Clothing By Melissa Campbell-Oulton
The Gendering of Articles of Clothing By Robin Deciacco
Re-dressing the Past: Reading Queerness in 1920s Corsets By Lily Roslof
Care Bears: Their Significance to the LGBTQA+ Community By Bryony Reeves
Become a volunteer www.cultureleicestershire.co.uk/volunteering