Dear Future Chief Curiosity Correspondents of the World:
Yesterday I gave a short presentation in front of the presidents and leaders of 12 of the top natural history museums in the world, including such reputable institutions as the Smithsonian NMNH, the NHM in London, Museum fur Naturkunde in Berlin, the Royal Ontario Museum. Et cetera. The Field is hosting these leaders in an effort to strengthen our global partnerships, to facilitate dialogue around the problems we face, and to help us create a shared vision for the future.
It was my wholehearted suggestion that one of the most effective ways to share the stories of such institutions and their collections is through the role of a Chief Curiosity Correspondent, of which there is, so far, only one. (Me.) This is not just someone in marketing or public relations, not exclusively a person who is a social media strategist, nor solely a science writer. These are people who are Professionally Curious and Enthusiastic, they are storytellers, teachers and learners with a passion for questioning everything and pursuing answers relentlessly. Give them a camera, an editor, access to your scientists and specimens and let them go.
It’s also come to my attention that one of the biggest roadblocks to employing a Chief Curiosity Correspondent is simply a lack of where to begin looking, so I’ve come up with a very preliminary list of who I think would be great for a museum in which they’re already familiar. Full disclosure: I haven’t told these people I am electing them to be future Chief Curiosity Correspondents of the World, nor am I sure they’d accept the position, but if I had my way these are the sorts of folks I’d sure want to spend time with at an annual CCC of the World conference. This list is also very North America-centric, I know.
Kiron Mukherjee for the Royal Ontario Museum
Russell Dornan for the Wellcome Collection, or the Horniman Museum
Alie Ward and the Lady Naturalist for the Los Angeles Natural History Museum and the La Brea Tar Pits
Adam Cole for the Smithsonian NMNH
Coma Niddy for the American Museum of Natural History
Claire of Brilliant Botany for the New York Botanical Garden
Nick Wiersum for Any Museum Anywhere
Alli Rico for the Harvard Museum of Natural History
I want your suggestions! Who would you like to see join the ranks of future Chief Curiosity Correspondents? You?