To celebrate the launch of our third collection with the Natural History Museum, we’re sitting down with some of the ‘unsung heroes’ of the NHM to learn more about their jobs and what they love most about working at the Museum!

Meet Leonie Biggenden, Learning Volunteer Manager

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Hi Leonie! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your career so far?

I started volunteering at the Museum in 2005 and loved every single moment. Delivering learning activities to the public is a privilege that I never take for granted. From 2009, I started working with volunteers on a casual basis, which meant that I could facilitate them hopefully having as much fulfilment as I get as a volunteer. Then I became a Science Educator, and now I’m a Learning Volunteer Manager. I have the luck to work with over 100 volunteers who inspire visitors during their time at the Museum.

What made you want to work at the Natural History Museum?

From the moment I started volunteering at the Museum, I knew that I wanted to work here. I came from an arts background, so it really was a new experience for me to find out about science, and then I got sucked in and became determined to study science and education so that I could make my learning interactions with the public that much more meaningful for them. There is absolutely no way that I could ever get bored. We have so much in our collection, so many experts to talk to and people whose passion is palpable. Never ever a dull day.

What’s the most exciting thing about your job?

The Learning Volunteers develop and deliver free Highlighting Histories: Women in Science tours, and I’m always highly excited to find out new things and share them with the public. Our latest tour is “Women in Science: Fashion,” and it is always exciting to see the volunteers make their mark on the tour and imbue it with their personalities and enthusiasms. Another thing that motivates me is the exciting nature of talking to volunteers and the public about science. This is because you’ve got no idea when you start what direction the conversation will go in. It keeps every day fresh and unique and is a great chance for me to learn from others.

What’s your favourite thing in the Natural History Museum’s collections and archives and why?

Oh no, I hoped you weren’t going to ask me that! What a difficult choice. When I am training Learning Volunteers new to the Museum, I always ask them what their favourite thing or gallery is in the Museum, and if I’m going to ask them that, I feel I should always be able to give an answer myself. I am well known for cheating on the answer, and rather than choosing a single thing – and they all groan at me when I do this – I choose the whole of the Marine Invertebrates. I’ve got away with that answer in my years as a Volunteer Manager, so I hope I can here. I love the ocean and the fabulous diversity of plants and animals in it and its power to make me feel better when times are tough.

What advice would you give to someone looking to follow in your footsteps or to somebody who aspires to work at the NHM?

Volunteering is a great way to ‘try before you buy’ and see if you’re going to like certain aspects of being in the Museum. You get to meet wonderful people at the Museum, and in my experience they are always happy to share their experience with you. My advice would be to actively reflect on everything you do in order to see how it can be improved. Get yourself a museum notebook, and as my dad always said to me: “Write it all down.”