The National Museum of Australia's curators are passionate about objects and their stories and these are at the heart of their work. Curators work with collectors, communities, artists and makers to build a collection that represents the richness and diversity of Australian history and culture.
Curators work with teams across the Museum to bring the collection to life, developing exhibitions, digital projects, publications, seminars and events.
The Museum also has research Fellows who are working to help facilitate key conversations around major issues of national significance.
Explore curatorial and collections
Learn more about the story of the vast and vibrant Australian continent in our newest gallery.
Letters that express a shared commitment to changes to firearm safety legislation in Australia have been donated to the Museum.
We are working with DFAT to collect objects about Australia’s diplomatic history.
Our National Historical Collection of 250,000 objects represents Australia’s history and cultural heritage.
Explore Research and Partnerships
Lyndon Anderson leads a program to showcase the work of important Australian designers of the past and the present.
Dr Kirsten Wehner aims to build understanding of how Australians are fostering flourishing land and waterscapes into the future.
Dr Luke Keogh explores and shares history, influences and future trends in Australian gardening.
The National Museum also supports honorary research fellows and associates. The Museum works with many external partners and participates in Australian Research Council projects.
Honorary research fellows
- Eric Archer
- Prof Kylie Message-Jones, Australian National University
- Margo Ngawa Neale
Honorary research associates
- Rhonda Ayliffe
- Carol Cooper
- Dr Marie Geissler, University of Wollongong
- Meredith Hinchliffe
- David Kaus
- Assoc Prof Julie McIntyre, University of Newcastle
- Pip McNaught
Australian Research Council projects
- Conviction Politics (Monash University)
- Entangled Knowledges in the Robert Neill collection (Deakin University)
Banner image: openwork bracelet with Australian flora and birds, about 1858, Hogarth, Erichsen and Co, Sydney, gold, 3 x 25 x 1.3 cm. Donated by Trevor Kennedy through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program. Each panel depicts an Australian motif (from left), waratah, flannel flower, lyrebird, banksia, emu, fern and native pear. National Museum of Australia