An opportunity like no other for students in Year 12 (S5 Scotland/Y13 N.I.) interested in exploring the relationship between people, biodiversity, environmental change, and the natural world
Apply now using the link at the end of this page
This innovative programme invites 30 young people to co-curate a public exhibition at the University Museum of Zoology and Kettle's Yard. This year's programme theme is 'Art and Nature' and will explore the participants' chosen area of the relationship between people and the natural world.
The programme includes a week-long residential in ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ in April 2025. All associated activities are fully funded for participants, with thanks to the support of the Isaac Newton Trust.
Applications for the 2025 programme are now open and will close at 5pm on Friday 7 February 2025. Please read the programme information below and use the link at the bottom of the page to apply.
What is ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Future Museum Voices?
ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Future Museum Voices is an innovative outreach initiative from ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ College, ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½, and the University Museum of Zoology for high-achieving students in Year 12 (England/Wales), S5 (Scotland) and Year 13 (Northern Ireland).
Thirty students will take part in a residential in ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ in April 2025, during which they will co-curate an interdisciplinary exhibition at the Museum of Zoology and Kettle's Yard exploring the connections between people and the natural world across time, animal species, and human societies. Its theme, title, content, and design will be chosen by the participants.
In 2023, 19 students took part in the inaugural year of the programme and co-curated the exhibition Tangled Planet at the Museum of Zoology. Read more about Tangled Planet .
The programme grew in 2024 to include 29 participants. Their exhibition, Trodden Earth, opened on 28 September 2024 at the Museum of Zoology and Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. It runs until the end of 2024. Read more about Trodden Earth .
Part 1: Warm-Up Webinars, March 2025
The programme begins with four online sessions introducing the University of ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½, the latest research on innovative approaches to climate and environmental change, and the network of museums and resources a ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ student can access.
Tuesday 4th March - Introducing the University of ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ and ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Future Museum Voices
Tuesday 11th March - Nature-based solutions to climate and environmental change
Tuesday 18th March - Exploring ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½'s collections and museum storytelling
Tuesday 25th March - Introducing the Kettle's Yard collection and the theme 'Art and Nature'
Part 2: Residential in ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½, Monday 7th to Saturday 12th April 2025
The cornerstone of the programme is a week-long residential at ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ College, ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½.
In the daytime, students take part in tours, workshops and taster lectures at the Museum of Zoology, Kettle's Yard, and other sites around the University before coming together to co-curate their exhibition on the theme of 'Art and Nature'.
Students stay in ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ College undergraduate accommodation and enjoy meals and social activities in College, including a ‘formal hall’ dinner. All accommodation, activities, travel, and meals are fully funded.
Part 3: Exhibition Launches, Autumn 2025
The programme concludes with a VIP launch event of the new exhibition for students and their guests before the exhibition opens to the public.
Read more about Tangled Planet, the exhibition by the 2023 ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Future Museum Voices cohort, .
Trodden Earth, the exhibition by the 2024 ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Future Museum Voices cohort, is on at the Museum of Zoology and Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology until the end of 2024. Read more .
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the programme cost?
The programme is completely free to participate in. All accommodation, activities and meals for the residential are fully covered. We reimburse reasonable travel expenses to and from ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ for the residential in April and the exhibition launch event in the autumn.
ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Future Museum Voices is supported by generous funding from the Widening Participation and Induction Fund. We express our thanks to the Isaac Newton Trust for their support of this initiative.
Who can take part in this programme?
Essential criteria
ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Future Museum Voices is open to young people who meet all of the following criteria:
- You attend a state (non fee-paying) school or college in the UK
- You are in Year 12 (England/Wales), S5 (Scotland) or Year 13 (Northern Ireland)
- You achieved at least 5 grades 8/9/A* at GCSE (or equivalent, including a majority of A grades in National 5s)
- You are on track to achieve at least A*AA at A Level (or equivalent, such as AAA in Scottish Highers/Advanced Highers, or 42 points with 776 at HL in the IB)
If you have not taken any of the qualifications listed above, for instance because you completed some of your schooling overseas or because you have been home-schooled, please contact Libby (Outreach & Admissions Officer) at schoolsliaison@clare.cam.ac.uk, who will provide you with a modified application form.
A Level/equivalent subject criteria
The programme will appeal to students interested in the climate crisis, environmental change, biodiversity, and the natural world. There are no subject criteria; we welcome students taking any subject combination at A Level/Advanced Highers/IB. The 2025 programme introduces the broad theme of 'Art and Nature' and we encourage students interested in this theme to apply.
Past participants have gone onto university study in Biology, Geography, History, Medicine, Natural Sciences, and Politics, among various other courses.
Selection for the Programme
If the programme is oversubscribed, we will prioritise students according:
- The Widening Participation criteria listed here
- The strength of students' statements of interest, submitted in the application form
Where can I learn more about the Museum of Zoology and Kettle's Yard?
Who can I contact if I have more questions?
Please contact Libby Beckett (Outreach & Admissions Officer) at schoolsliaison@clare.cam.ac.uk with any questions.
ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Future Museum Voices is led by Libby Beckett (ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ College), Roz Wade (Museum of Zoology), and Ed Turner (ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ College), working closely with colleagues at ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ and at the museums and collections of ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½.
How do I apply?
If you have checked you are eligible using the criteria above, and would like to take part in this programme, please apply using the link below.
Applications close at 5pm on Friday 7 February 2025. We will communicate the outcome of your application by Monday 16th February.
"I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. This outreach programme is life changing, and completely changed my perspective on university."
"I enjoyed speaking to so many people who are so knowledgeable and passionate about their fields, seeing parts of museums that normally aren’t accessible, and the experience of the college and city."
"It was so much fun!"