Projects per year
Personal profile
Biography
Prior to working at Macquarie University I was a museum curator at the University of Queensland. While there, I secured internal research funding for a review of UQ's museums and collections. This led to the first development of a set of policy proposals for museums and collections at the university. These were subsequently endorsed and implemented by the University's Senate.
At Macquarie, I introduced and developed Australia's first undergraduate degree program in Museum Studies followed by named postgraduate degree programs. These programs were delivered by the Science Faculty and designed as an alternative to the usual art history / cultural heritage study to career path. It produced graduates for the sector with an enhanced understanding of science in museum practice as well as the more traditional areas of history and culture. These programs ran for 10 years.
Since ceasing full time employment at Macquarie in 2014, I undertake a range of paid and voluntary project work in higher education, heritage, museums and galleries. Recent projects include a casual teaching appointment to deliver AHIS205, An Introduction to Museum Practice and casual professional work with the university's archives and collections.
Research interests
I have research interests in the history, role and functions of museums in society, in particular, university museums, museum education, natural history and the public understanding of science. I also retain research interests stemming from my PhD studies in Paleozoic geology and conodont biostratigraphy and taxonomy.
External positions
Member, Australian National University Collections Advisory Group
20 Jan 2023 → 31 Dec 2023
President, UMAC University Museums and Collections, an International Committee of ICOM (International Council of Museums).
19 Sept 2022 → Sept 2025
Postdoctoral Research Affiliate, Chau Chak Wing Museum, The University of Sydney
19 May 2022 → 19 May 2024
Strategic Evaluation Review Committee, International Council of Museums
18 Sept 2020 → 30 Jun 2023
Vice President, UMAC University Museums and Collections, an International Committee of ICOM (International Council of Museums).
5 Sept 2019 → 5 Sept 2022
Executive Officer, NSW Branch, Museums Australia
Feb 2016 → Feb 2018
Visiting Scholar, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Qian Xuesen Library and Museum
Feb 2016 → Apr 2019
Casual Academic, Bachelor of Heritage, Museums and Conservation Program, University of Canberra
Jul 2015 → Nov 2015
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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ART-Ethnography Research Lab
Hermkens, A., Davis, R., Yalcinkaya, C., Tranter-Santoso, D., Decottigny, L., Houston, C., Lloyd, J., Simpson, A. & Senay, B.
7/09/22 → …
Project: Research
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#OBLCoP: Curriculum mapping of collections and source-based learning pilot
Thogersen, J., Simpson, A., Hammond, G., Janiszewski, L. & Guerry, E.
8/01/18 → 30/06/19
Project: Teaching
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Australian University Collections: towards a third sector-wide review
1/08/09 → 31/07/11
Project: Research
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A Neoplatonic investigation of light
Simpson, A., Mar 2022, Luminosity: Salvatore Zofrea Retrospective. Sydney, NSW: Macquarie University, p. 86-93 8 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Other chapter contribution
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A university-based art and object engagement program for dementia patients and carers
Thogersen, J., Hammond, G., Simpson, A., Davis, R., Hargraves, K. & Janiszewski, L., May 2022, In: University Museums and Collections Journal. 14, 1, p. 30-40 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile41 Downloads (Pure) -
Bundit Puangthong
Simpson, A., 2022, The art of giving: the Macquarie University Art Collection. Sydney, NSW: Macquarie University, p. 56-57 2 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Other chapter contribution
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Conceptualising and effecting change in university museums; functionality, projects and audiences.
Simpson, A., May 2022, In: University Museums and Collections Journal. 14, 1, p. 6-7 2 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial
Open AccessFile21 Downloads (Pure) -
Foreword
Davis, R., Gouriotis, K., Janiszewski, L. & Simpson, A., Aug 2022, Nationalism in the wake of COVID. Sydney, NSW: Macquarie University, p. 4 1 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Foreword/postscript/introduction
Prizes
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Macquarie University Innovation Award
Simpson, Andrew (Recipient), Mawson, Ruth (Recipient), Talent, John (Recipient) & Winchester-Seeto, Theresa (Recipient), 1 Dec 2004
Prize
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Museums and Galleries National Award
Davis, Rhonda (Recipient), Simpson, Andrew (Recipient), Menadier, Blanche (Recipient), Sheedy, Kenneth (Recipient), Eyre, Elizabeth (Recipient), Hammond, Gina (Recipient), Jones, Jana (Recipient), Oldfield, Ronald (Recipient), Van Dyke, Karl (Recipient), Hargraves, Kathrine (Recipient), Janiszewski, Leonard (Recipient), Thogersen, Jane (Recipient) & Downing, Alison (Recipient), 17 May 2014
Prize
Activities
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UMAC 2023
Andrew Simpson (Participant)
28 Aug 2023 → 1 Sept 2023Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Organising a conference, workshop or event series
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Ethnographic museums and two-way museology
Andrew Simpson (Speaker)
5 Dec 2023Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
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What does decolonizing the museum mean?
Andrew Simpson (Speaker), Mungo Campbell (Speaker) & Trần Nguyên Khang (Speaker)
4 May 2023Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
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ICOM Prague 2022
Andrew Simpson (Organiser)
21 Aug 2022 → 26 Aug 2022Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Organising a conference, workshop or event series
Press/Media
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Meeting with Ukrainian university museum professionals
22/09/22
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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Impacts
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Inquiry into museums and galleries in NSW
Andrew Simpson (Participant)
Impact: Policy impacts, Culture impacts, Organisation impacts
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NSW Government's management of the Powerhouse Museum and other museums and cultural projects in New South Wales
Andrew Simpson (Participant)
Impact: Culture impacts, Organisation impacts, Policy impacts
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UMAC Guidance for Restitution and Return of Items from University Museums and Collections
Steph Scholten (Participant), Sally Yerkovich (Participant), Mathew Trinca (Participant) & Andrew Simpson (Participant)
Impact: Organisation impacts, Policy impacts