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 professional work with the Macquarie University Art Gallery.
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 2025
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 2025
Strategic Evaluation Review Committee, International Council of Museums
18 Sept 2020 → 30 Jun 2025
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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- 1 Similar Profiles
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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ART-Ethnography Research Lab
Hermkens, A.-K. (Coordinating Investigator), Davis, R. (Partner Investigator), Yalcinkaya, C. (Partner Investigator), McLauchlan, L. (Partner Investigator), Simpson, A. (Partner Investigator), Lloyd, J. (Partner Investigator) & McLean, J. (Partner Investigator)
7/09/22 → …
Project: Research
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#OBLCoP: Curriculum mapping of collections and source-based learning pilot
Thogersen, J. (Primary Chief Investigator), Simpson, A. (Chief Investigator), Hammond, G. (Chief Investigator), Janiszewski, L. (Chief Investigator) & Guerry, E. (Chief Investigator)
8/01/18 → 30/06/19
Project: Teaching
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Australian University Collections: towards a third sector-wide review
Simpson, A. (Primary Chief Investigator)
1/08/09 → 31/07/11
Project: Research
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Engendered boundaries
Simpson, A., Apr 2024, Femme-Maison: imagined boundaries: women artists from the collection and beyond. Sydney, NSW: Macquarie University Art Gallery, p. 2-3 2 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Other chapter contribution › peer-review
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Meet the Macquaries
Simpson, A., Apr 2024, Femme-Maison: imagined boundaries: women artists from the collection and beyond. Sydney, NSW: Macquarie University Art Gallery, p. 58-61 4 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Other chapter contribution › peer-review
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Visibility and resilience Kathrin Longhurst
Simpson, A., Apr 2024, Femme-Maison: imagined boundaries: women artists from the collection and beyond. Sydney, NSW: Macquarie University Art Gallery, p. 44-45 2 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Other chapter contribution › peer-review
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Women at Macquarie
Daley, A. (Curator) & Simpson, A. (Curator), Aug 2024Research output: Non-traditional research output › Curatorship
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Alexander McKenzie
Simpson, A., 2023, The Art of Giving: The Macquarie University Art Collection. Davis, R. & Stone, J. (eds.). Sydney, NSW: Macquarie University, p. 46-47 2 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Other chapter contribution › peer-review
Prizes
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Macquarie University Innovation Award
Simpson, A. (Recipient), Mawson, R. (Recipient), Talent, J. (Recipient) & Winchester-Seeto, T. (Recipient), 1 Dec 2004
Prize
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Museums and Galleries National Award
Davis, R. (Recipient), Simpson, A. (Recipient), Menadier, B. (Recipient), Sheedy, K. (Recipient), Eyre, E. (Recipient), Hammond, R. (Recipient), Jones, J. (Recipient), Oldfield, R. (Recipient), Van Dyke, K. (Recipient), Hargraves, K. (Recipient), Janiszewski, L. (Recipient), Thogersen, J. (Recipient) & Downing, A. (Recipient), 17 May 2014
Prize
Activities
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Contemporary global challenges and opportunities for university museums
Simpson, A. (Speaker)
11 Dec 2024Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
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Museums for Education and Research
Simpson, A. (Speaker)
18 May 2024Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
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The Unique Potential of the University Museum in the Anthropocene
Simpson, A. (Speaker)
6 Dec 2024Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
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ICOM Dubai 2024
Simpson, A. (Participant)
12 Nov 2024 → 13 Nov 2024Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participating in a conference, workshop or event series
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Museums for Education and Research
Simpson, A. (Speaker)
17 May 2024Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
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
Simpson, A. (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
Simpson, A. (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
Scholten, S. (Participant), Yerkovich, S. (Participant), Trinca, M. (Participant) & Simpson, A. (Participant)
Impact: Organisation impacts, Policy impacts