Emma Cullen - 2024/2025 Grantee Spotlight Interview

We are delighted to see our funding and resources are helping Emma Cullen to pursue her master degree in Museum and Heritage Studies.

1. Tell us a bit more about yourself?

I am a Library Adviser in the Heritage and Archive collections at Victoria University library, and I am in my final year of study for a Masters in Museum and Heritage Studies. 

2. What are you doing? 

To finish my studies, I am undertaking a community archiving project. The project aims to create a simple, accessible guide and workshops for communities to archive their own histories with minimal resources, whether they choose to hold these archives independently or in partnership with an archival institution. It is designed around the small archive I work in and aspires to help build relationships with some identified groups we would like to work with in the university community.   

3. What inspired you to do what you’re doing?

I enjoy finding hidden histories and bringing them into the light. There are so many diverse and interesting stories yet to be told at the university and beyond. 

4. Why did you choose to focus on this topic?

In the past two years I have completed two small research projects relating to our Māori and Rainbow collections, which highlighted gaps and areas for improvement in our archives. This project builds directly on that work, aiming to address these gaps and develop a sustainable model for working with communities. 

5. What made you decide to apply for an HealthCarePlus Grant for Good? (where did you hear about it)

I am a TEU union member and read about the Grants in the HealthCarePlus newsletter. 

6. How was your experience in Appling for the grant?

Applying for the grant was really easy as it had clear instructions and questions. 

7. How has funding from HealthCarePlus helped?

The funding has helped to pay for my studies this year, taking away some financial stress, and provided some support towards the project materials and workshops. 

8. What does this grant mean to you?

Receiving this grant gave me another layer of confidence that this project was worth investing time and resources into.  

9. What would you say to others considering but hesitant in applying for a grant?

Give it a crack, I found the application process really helped me hone my project idea and refine how to communicate it.  

10. What advice would you give to future Grants for Good applicants?

Try explaining to others what you hope to use the grant for and enlist them to help you. 

11. What are you hoping to achieve?

To empower community groups to manage their own archiving processes and grow connections between these groups and our archive and hopefully increase the representation of diverse communities within our collections. 

12. In what way will your course help make a positive impact on others?

By sharing the project resources and findings, I hope to inspire others to consider similar approaches and contribute to the ongoing development of community archiving practices. 

If you are interested and want to know more this year's Grants for Good and how to apply for one then click below.