ASDC, the Museums Association and the Liminal Space were honoured to be invited to the House of Lords on 24th November 2023 by invitation of the National Windrush Museum and the Royal Museums Greenwich.
The National Windrush Museum is the cultural institution dedicated to preserving and showcasing this history and the contributions of the Windrush generation and their descendants to the UK. This year marks Windrush 75, commemorating 75 years since the Empire Windrush arrived in the UK. Yet until now, there are no UK museums that permanently dedicate and acknowledge the social and cultural contribution of the Windrush generation to the UK.
During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by Dr. Les Johnson, Founder and Chair of the National Windrush Museum, and Paddy Rodgers, CEO of the Royal Museums Greenwich, witnessed by individuals such as the NWM Patron Baroness Floella Benjamin, Moira Stuart and Levi Roots, the Lead Ambassador and Head of the NWM Development Council.
ASDC Chief Executive Shaaron Leverment, reflects on the event below:
"The signing of the MOU was a meaningful moment, with both organisations now sharing a commitment to preserve the maritime history and profound legacies of the Windrush generation. In his speech, Dr. Johnson eloquently described his mother’s footprints being erased behind her by the waves on a wet beach. A poignant metaphor for forgotten histories and under-recognised impact. This partnership promises to move these histories from ephemeral and fragile, into something more tangible, accessible and permanent. Such is the power of museums to nationally recognise and represent histories and build bonds between the past and the future.
The National Windrush Museum is part of 'Mindsets+Missions', a collaborative project funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). It's ambition aligns with the UKRI strategy to break down the barriers between research, innovation and society. A favourite moment of the evening was leaning into conversation with the inspiring Denize Ledeatte (Museum Director of the National Windrush Museum). At an event that was buzzing with histories, talks, music and conversations, across multiple generations, and overlooked by the prestige and portraits of the House of Lords, she said "Did you think that this is what research and innovation would look like?!".
The research of the Aspires and YESTEM resonate here. A moment to feel inspired and hopeful, but also to acknowledge we still have a way to go in our institutions. If our sector of science and discovery centres and museums are enablers that support active citizens for the future and diverse participation in STEM, we must keep doing the work to broaden 'what counts' in order to broaden 'who counts' in UK science, culture, research and innovation."
