Why does the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (MAA) needs this role?

We would like to know who visits the Museum and what they do when they are here. What do visitors get out of their visit? What do they particularly enjoy? What areas do they find difficult? 

The Gallery Evaluation project seeks to answer some of these questions, by observing and interviewing our visitors.


Volunteer tasks

  • Following appropriate training, volunteers use a variety of evaluation methods to understand our visitors
  • Volunteers will be expected to time and track visitors, to conduct exit interviews, questionnaires and meaning maps with members of the public. This will include engaging and proactively approaching visitors 
  • Information and feedback from visitors will be recorded by the volunteer on paper forms tailored for each venue, following a consistent and structured method
  • Volunteers to remain professional and positive in their approach to evaluation and understand that they may be seen by the public as representing the museums
  • Volunteers will be expected to conduct the evaluation activity alongside the Front-of-House teams.



What you will gain from this role

  • Training in a variety of museum evaluation methods 
  • Develop your skills and experience within a University museum setting
  • Join a motivated, fun and enthusiastic team
  • Gain valuable experience that will enhance your CV and set you apart in the job market
  • Meet new people within your local community
  • Satisfaction of giving back
  • Gain cultural sector contacts within a supportive environment



Skills required

Volunteers from all backgrounds and experience are welcome, especially those who have an interest in working in the Museum and Heritage Sector or market research. We are looking for confident, reliable, punctual and self-motivated people who are able to put visitors at their ease. Volunteers must be approachable, able to communicate with a variety of audiences and a good listener.  Much of the time you will be working unsupervised, while also representing the museum to members of the public. This role requires volunteers to be on their feet in the museums for much of the time.


Potential time involvement:  Evaluation takes place during the normal opening hours of the museum. A session is usually two hours.


Location: predominantly the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, but other University of Cambridge Museums if required. 


Responsible to: Sarah-Jane Harknett, Outreach Organiser at MAA. Direct work with museum Front-of-house staff


Training and Support: We will provide you with training in the particular museum evaluation techniques used by the project.


Health and safety responsibilities

You will be responsible for your own health and safety and that of others with whom you volunteer, by reporting all potential and actual health and safety matters including accidents using the correct procedures.


To Apply

Please return a completed Expression of Interest form to: sjh201@cam.ac.uk or Sarah-Jane Harknett, Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3DZ.


Closing Date: Open


About the University of Cambridge Museums

University of Cambridge Museums is a consortium of the eight University Museums, which works in partnership with the Cambridge University Botanic Garden and other Cambridge University collections.  They include: Fitzwilliam Museum, Kettle's Yard, Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Museum of Zoology, Museum of Classical Archaeology, Whipple Museum of the History of Science, The Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences and The Polar Museum.

The University's collections are a world-class resource for researchers, students and members of the public representing the country’s highest concentration of internationally important collections, all within walking distance of the City Centre.