The National Science and Media Museum, part of the Science Museum Group, has appointed digital entrepreneur, Lopa Patel MBE as Chair of the museum’s Advisory Board. She becomes the first Asian woman to Chair the Advisory Board, with the museum entering an exciting period of change as plans coalesce for Sound and Vision, the museum’s major re-development project, and Bradford City of Culture 2025.
Lopa has been a Trustee of the Science Museum Group since 2016 and was re-appointed by the Prime Minister for a second term of four years in 2020. She has been involved with helping the Group deliver the strategy to digitise its extensive collection of seven million objects and execute its long-term ‘Inspiring Futures’ strategy to grow science capital in young people and adults across the UK and around the world.
Speaking of her appointment Lopa said, “I am delighted to be taking up the reins as Chair at this exciting time for the National Science and Media Museum. We have ambitious plans for new Sound and Vision galleries at the museum which will deliver a breath-taking space to showcase one of the greatest collections and world-changing sound and vision technologies, as well as an activity programme to inspire one of the most diverse and fastest-growing cities in Britain. I have been enthusiastically welcomed by many of Bradford’s leading influencers and look forward to working with the museum’s Executive Team and many more people in the city”.
Jo Quinton-Tulloch, Director of the National Science and Media Museum added, “I am delighted to welcome Lopa as Chair of the National Science and Media Museum’s Advisory Board. Her technology, media and digital perspective will add to our ambition for the Sound and Vision galleries to tell stories of human ingenuity, connecting historic technologies to people’s lives now and in the future. Bradford is a cornerstone of West Yorkshire’s creative hub and having a media entrepreneur on our board will help ensure the museum is a centre of media and digital heritage for Britain”.
The appointment comes as the National Science and Media Museum begins to develop two new permanent galleries as part of its ambitious Sound and Vision project. Currently in the development phase thanks to support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Sound and Vision will inspire future generations, by providing wider access to world class collections of photography, radio, film, TV, sound and digital technologies. Created in close consultation with local communities, the galleries will make the museum a cultural cornerstone as Bradford becomes UK City of Culture in 2025. Sound and Vision also complements the city’s ambitious ten-year culture strategy Culture is our Plan and supports the wider region’s commitment to building a digital economy.
The National Science and Media Museum explores the science and culture of image and sound technologies and their impact on our lives. The museum is also home to Pictureville, Yorkshire’s biggest independent cinema.
Switched On, the museum’s current exhibition celebrates the last 100 years of broadcasting innovations as a part of the Broadcast 100 programme. Broadcast 100 is a bumper year of exhibitions, special displays, events and digital content across the Science Museum Group to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the BBC and the 40th anniversary of Channel 4. The Science Museum Group has also digitised 1,000 new objects from the BBC Heritage Collection to continue to tell engaging stories about the broadcaster.
