Scientific study of the British Museum collection

The British Museum maintains world-class laboratory facilities for scientific research on the collection and employs a team of scientists (find out more about their work).

The Museum also makes the collection available for scientific examination and analysis by external researchers, a need that must be balanced with the duty to care for and preserve the collection for future generations laid out in the in the British Museum Act of 1753.

Applications to conduct scientific analysis of British Museum material

The Museum receives a lot of requests to access collection material for external scientific research. To safeguard the collection, all requests are subject to a review process following a formal application procedure. Decisions to permit access are based on the expert opinions gathered during the review process, which is conducted by the curator(s) of the objects in question and members of the Museum's science team with expertise in the area. Vulnerable objects may also require conservation assessment.

All applications are assessed on the following criteria:

• The scholarly merit of the proposal
• The feasibility of the project
• The appropriateness of the proposed scientific techniques/methods to answer the questions posed
• Experience and expertise of the research team in applying these techniques/methods
• Previous work undertaken on similar material
• The fragility of the material in question
• Sample sizes required in relation to the size and rarity/uniqueness of the object
• Other immediate or long term impact on the object(s)
• Experience of the research team in working with museum material
• Anticipated outputs of the research (publications, etc.)

Applicants are expected to indicate good appreciation of previous work undertaken (citing appropriate references). The potential of novel techniques should have been demonstrated on model material in advance of their application to Museum samples.

If the information provided is insufficient to review the application satisfactorily then further information may be requested. Please note that any further information provided is also subject to review, so the provision of supplementary information is not a guarantee of access. The application should be submitted as far in advance of the deadline for the work as possible, as access at short notice cannot be guaranteed. It should be completed as fully as possible and may be accompanied by supporting material. Applicants are encouraged to make an honest assessment of the likelihood of success/risk of failure of the project and small-scale pilot studies on collection material prior to a full-scale study may be suggested in certain cases.

Where two or more requests for substantially the same work are received applicants may be asked to collaborate. Collaboration with British Museum scientists may also be suggested, particularly where the Museum has a research interest in the area, the material is very fragile or where the suggested analytical equipment/techniques (or more suitable non-destructive techniques) are available in the Museum’s laboratories.

How to apply

Applications for samples for scientific study, or to undertake non-destructive analysis of British Museum material should be submitted using the British Museum’s External Examination Application form.

Download an application form (49kb) 

The form should be sent to the relevant curatorial department in the first instance.

Conditions

Applicants should be aware that if permission for scientific work is granted the following conditions will apply:

• All analytical data and results must be made available, in confidence and prior to publication, to the appropriate department of the British Museum
• The Museum shall be allowed to make these data publicly available five years after they are received, whether or not they have been published elsewhere
• All residual samples remain the property of the British Museum (all mounted and residual samples shall be returned to the British Museum within one year unless otherwise agreed)
• Samples may only be used for the purpose(s) outlined in the application (any other purpose must be the subject of a further application)
• Two copies of any publications arising from the work must be provided
• Any agreed costs of sampling by British Museum staff shall be paid by the applicant

Applicants should note that previous conduct in respect of these conditions will be taken into account when reviewing subsequent applications. The Museum may also consult with colleagues at other institutions when assessing applications, particularly if samples have been requested from several collections.