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Pitt Rivers Museum

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The Museum displays archaeological and ethnographic objects from all parts of the world. It was founded in 1884 when General Pitt Rivers, an influential figure in the development of archaeology and evolutionary anthropology, gave his collection to the University. The General's founding gift contained more than 18,000 objects but there are now over half a million. Many were donated by early anthropologists and explorers. The collection includes extensive photographic and sound archives which contain early records of great importance. The Museum continues to collect through donations, bequests, special purchases and through its staff and students, in the course of their fieldwork.

Series associated with Pitt Rivers Museum

Behind the Scenes at the Oxford University Museums
Beyond the Binary: Queering and Questioning Collections and Displays at the Pitt Rivers Museum
Matters of Policy Podcast
Messy Realities - the Secret Life of Technology
Pitt Rivers Museum
# Episode Title Description People Date
1 Reflections: How do we move forward with the Collections Development Policy? Bessie, Megan, and Jip conclude this series by reflecting on the process of examining the Collections Development Policy. What can we take forward? Are changes too idealistic? Is there any hope for the future of museum policy? Bessie Woodhouse, Jip Borm, Megan Mahon 06 Jan 2022
2 Pathways Forward with Dr. Laura van Broekhoven Jip and Bessie are joined again by the Director of the Pitt Rivers Museum, Dr. Laura van Broekhoven. This time we discuss looking forward to the future of the museum and its collections policy. Jip Borm, Bessie Woodhouse, Laura van Broekhoven 06 Jan 2022
3 Museums and Living Objects with Carey Newman Megan and Alexis are joined by master carver Carey Newman to discuss the social and cultural lives of museum objects, and the ways museums can better engage with them. Carey Newman, Megan Mahon, Alexis Forer 06 Jan 2022
4 Funding, Possibilities and The Arts Council with Liam Wiseman Megan and Bessie are joined by Liam Wiseman, then Museums Relationship Manager for the South East, to discuss funding and the possibilities of de-colonial practice. Megan Mahon, Bessie Woodhouse, Liam Wiseman 06 Jan 2022
5 Accessibility and The Public with Beth McDougall Jip is joined by Beth McDougall, Families and Communities Officer for the Pitt Rivers Museum, to discuss the idea of the public and the museum's Access Policy. Jip Borm, Beth McDougall 06 Jan 2022
6 Comparing Decolonial Practices with Dr. Gina Borromeo and Jan Howard Jip and Megan are joined by Dr. Gina Borromeo and Jan Howard, curators at the Rhode Island School of Design, to discuss comparisons between how institutions approach decolonial practice, the barriers they face and how policy can reflect practice. Gina Borromeo, Jip Borm, Megan Mahon 06 Jan 2022
7 Art and Indigenous Voices with Eiko Soga Alexis and Jip are joined by Eiko Soga, a Japanese artist and researcher, to learn how art can play a role in making collections accessible and how it can help museums connect with the voices of peoples behind museum collections. Eiko Soga, Jip Borm, Alexis Forer 06 Jan 2022
8 Indigenous Futures and Museums with Solomon Enos Alexis and Megan are joined by Solomon Enos, an Indigenous artist from Hawai’i, to discuss the ways that museum policies can better engage with contemporary Indigenous artists and depict Indigenous futures. Solomon Enos, Megan Mahon, Alexis Forer 06 Jan 2022
9 The Museum and Communities with Jaalen Edenshaw Alexis and Bessie are joined by Jaalen Edenshaw, a Haida artist, to discuss the relationship between the museum, the origins of its collections and communities today. Bessie Woodhouse, Jaalen Edenshaw, Alexis Forer 06 Jan 2022
10 Dr. Laura van Broekhoven on Accreditation and the Impacts of Policy Jip and Bessie are joined by the Director of the Pitt Rivers Museum, Dr. Laura van Broekhoven. In this episode, we discuss the impacts of the policy, museum accreditation, and Laura's work at the museum and beyond. Laura van Broekhoven 04 Jan 2022
11 Mission Statements and Decolonial Practice with Dr. Cara Krmpotich Bessie and Megan are joined by Dr. Cara Krmpotich, museum anthropologist and Associate Professor of Museum Studies at the University of Toronto to delve into the role of mission statements and how to approach applying decolonial practice in museums. Bessie Woodhouse, Megan Mahon 04 Jan 2022
12 Policy and Practice with Faye Belsey ‘The future of collection doesn’t have to be the past.’ Jip and Alexis are joined by Faye Belsey, Deputy Head of Object Collections at the Pitt Rivers Museum, to discuss the relationship between collections policy and everyday practice in the museum. Jip Borm, Faye Belsey, Alexis Forer 04 Jan 2022
13 Introduction: What is this Policy anyway? Bessie, Alexis, Jip and Megan explore the themes presented in the museum’s Collections Development Policy. Why does it say so little about repatriation? Who is the widest possible public? And what even is preservation? Bessie Woodhouse, Jip Borm, Megan Mahon, Alexis Forer 04 Jan 2022
14 Beyond the Binary: Gender, Sexuality, Power - Introduction Introduction to Beyond the Binary: Gender, Sexuality, Power podcast series. Jozie Kettle 06 Jan 2020
15 Beyond the Binary: Gender, Sexuality, Power Episode 4: Queering Christianity and gender transition. Olivia Sharrard (PRM) talks to Lance about changing representation in the Pitt Rivers museum, navigating life in Oxford and how they’ve ‘queered’ objects within the collections related to Christianity. Lance Millar, Olivia Sharrard 06 Jan 2020
16 Beyond the Binary: Gender, Sexuality, Power Episode 3: Bacchus – queer party god of contradictions? Jozie Kettle (Pitt Rivers Museum), talks to Harriet Haugvik and Cameron Wallis about their involvement in the 2020 exhibition Beyond the Binary: Gender, Sexuality, Power. Harriet and Cam explore Bacchus’ complex and intriguing connections to queerness. Harriet Haugvik, Cameron Wallis, Jozie Kettle 06 Jan 2020
17 Beyond the Binary: Gender, Sexuality, Power Episode 2: Uncovering queerness within the collections Jozie Kettle (Pitt Rivers Museum), talks to Mara Gold about her involvement in the 2020 exhibition Beyond the Binary: Gender, Sexuality, Power. Mara Gold, Jozie Kettle 06 Jan 2020
18 Beyond the Binary: Gender, Sexuality, Power Episode 1: Museums, beadwork and Indigenous agency Jozie Kettle (Pitt Rivers Museum), talks to Dan Laurin about his involvement in the 2020 exhibition Beyond the Binary: Gender, Sexuality, Power. Dan Laurin, Jozie Kettle 06 Jan 2020
19 See-touch-think-wonder Stories, objects and pictures as methods of engagement in research in assistive living technologies. Gemma Hughes, Joe Wherton, Beth McDougall 12 Nov 2019
20 Technology, aging and progression: from amulets to robots Discussions about the protective powers of amulets, alarms and jewellery are interrupted by the arrival of a cuddly robot. Gemma Hughes, Caitlin Pilbeam, Jozie Kettle, George Leeson 12 Nov 2019
21 Living objects - ageing bodies Researchers and community members go behind the scenes at the Pitt Rivers Museum to learn more about the care and ethics involved in conservation. Caitlin Pilbeam, Jozie Kettle, Jem Uden, Andrew Hughes 12 Nov 2019
22 Technologies: love or hate them? The context of the Pitt Rivers Museum stimulates discussion about human-technology relations. Gemma Hughes, Joe Wherton, Laura van Broekhoven, Sara Shaw 12 Nov 2019
23 The magic of everyday technologies Exploring how everyday objects support health and wellbeing: medicines containers and mobility aids. Gemma Hughes, Caitlin Pilbeam, Beth McDougall, Jozie Kettle 12 Nov 2019
24 Introducing Messy Realities: the Secret Life of Technology Professor Trisha Greenhalgh and colleagues discuss what assistive living technologies are and how they engaged the public in exploring assistive living technologies at the Pitt Rivers Museum. Gemma Hughes, Trisha Greenhalgh, Jozie Kettle, Beth McDougall 12 Nov 2019
25 Mobile in Museums Theodore Koterwas, Mobile Development Team Lead, IT Services, gives a short talk for Oxford University Museums Staff Conference Theodore Koterwas 31 Oct 2016
26 Celebrating Diversity: An LGBTQ+ Tour of Oxford University’s Museums and Collections Beth Asbury, Assistant to the Director and Administration Team, Pitt Rivers Museum, gives a short talk for Oxford University Museums Staff Conference. Beth Asbury 31 Oct 2016
27 Quantifying and Mitigating Human Generated Vibration in Museum Exhibits Daniel Bone, Deputy Head of Conservation, Ashmolean Museum, gives a short talk for Oxford University Museums Staff Conference. Daniel Bone 31 Oct 2016
28 Interacting with Artefacts, Oxfordshire Collections Project Stephen Barker, Oxfordshire County Council Museums Service, gives a short talk for Oxford University Museums Staff Conference. Stephen Barker 31 Oct 2016
29 A year in the Zoology Collection Mark Carnall, Collections Manager (Life Collections), Museum of Natural History gives a short talk for the Oxford University Museums Staff Conference. Mark Carnall 21 Oct 2016
30 Memories under the microscope: collaborations between Oxford University Partnership Museums and University of Oxford research departments Helen Fountain, Reminiscence Officer, Oxford University Museums and Kate Hamblin, Senior Research Fellow, University of Oxford Institute for Population Ageing give a short talk for the Oxford University Museums Staff Conference. Kate Hamblin, Helen Fountain 21 Oct 2016
31 VERVE: Connecting the public with displays at the Pitt Rivers Museum Beth McDougall and Madeleine Ding, VERVE Team, Pitt Rivers Museum give a short talk for the Oxford University Museums Staff Conference. Beth McDougall, Madeleine Ding 21 Oct 2016
32 Joint Museums Youth Forum Project Sarah Lloyd and Carly Smith-Huggins, Education Officers, Museum of Natural History give a short talk for the Oxford University Museums Staff Conference. Sarah Lloyd, Carly Smith-Huggins 21 Oct 2016
33 Cabinet: Integrating Text and Object in Oxford Teaching Giovanna Vitelli, Director, University Engagement Programme, Ashmolean Museum gives a short talk for Oxford University Museums Staff Conference. Giovanna Vitelli 21 Oct 2016
34 Why community groups work with museums Nicola Bird, Community Engagement Officer, Oxford University Museums gives a short talk for the Oxford University Museums Staff Conference. Nicola Bird 21 Oct 2016
35 Discussing Penicillin Marie-Louise Kerr, Penicillin Exhibition Curator, Museum of the History of Science gives a short talk for the Oxford University Museums Staff Conference. Marie-Louise Kerr 21 Oct 2016
36 Transportation Transformation Andrew Hughes, Move Project Team Leader, Pitt Rivers Museum, gives a short talk for the Oxford University Museums Staff Conference. Andrew Hughes 21 Oct 2016
37 Dodo Roadshow Scott Billings, Digital Engagement Officer, Museum of Natural History gives a short talk for Oxford University Museums Staff Conference. Scott Billings 21 Oct 2016
38 Body Arts: The Panará People Dr Elizabeth Ewart of the University's Institute of Anthropology and Jaanika Vider, a former student, discuss body adornment and identity in Amazonia,. Elizabeth Ewart, Jaanika Vider 22 Aug 2011
39 Body Arts: Feathers, Beads and Paint Professor Peter Rivière and Director of the Pitt Rivers Museum, Dr Mike O'Hanlon, discuss decorative applications of feathers, beads and paint to the body,. Peter Rivière, Mike O'Hanlon 22 Aug 2011
40 Body Arts: Scent, Pain and Exchange Professor Jeremy MacClancy of Oxford Brookes University talks to Helen Hales of the Pitt Rivers Museum about themes including scent and perfume,. Jeremy MacClancy, Helen Hales 22 Aug 2011
41 Body Arts: The Naga People Dr Vibha Joshi, a specialist in the Naga culture of northeast India, and Julia Nicholson from the Pitt Rivers Museum look at the unique traditions of hair and body ornaments,. Vibha Joshi, Julia Nicholson 22 Aug 2011
42 Body Arts: The Experience of Decoration Professor Howard Morphy of the Australian National University talks to Helen Hales of the Pitt Rivers Museum about the body as a canvas and the internal experience of external decoration, notably in the context of Aboriginal Australia. Howard Morphy 22 Aug 2011
43 Body Arts: The Flexible Body The Museum's Director, Dr Mike O'Hanlon, and Professor Stanley Ulijaszek from the University's Institute of Anthropology discuss how the body can be shaped both physically and metaphorically and the idea of bodily norms. Mike O'Hanlon, Stanley Ulijaszek 22 Aug 2011
44 Body Arts: Henna - The Plant that Binds Anthropologist and filmmaker Udi Mandel Butler and Alan Mandel explore the art of Henna in Birmingham. Udi Mandel Butler, Alan Mandel 15 Aug 2011
45 Body Arts: Travelling Ink Through conversations with leading tattooists from around the world, this film explores the artistry, philosophy, meaning and history of tattooing at the site of the 2010 London Tattoo Convention. Udi Mandel Butler, Alan Mandel 15 Aug 2011
46 Body Arts: Kakau and Batok Talk: Tattoos from Hawaii and the Philippines At the conclusion of her fieldwork in the mountains of northern Luzon in the Philippines, anthropologist Analyn Salvador-Amore filmed an encounter with Hawaiian tattoo practitioner Keone Nunes and a Butbut tattoo practitioner Whang-ud. Analyn Salvador-Amore 15 Aug 2011
47 Body Arts: Bodies Beautiful Four women from Oxford take a course in film-making with local film-maker Sharon Woodward from Oxford Film and Video Makers. They explore the changing cultural meaning of body decoration in British society. Rosalind Miles, Sara Parsons, Cait Sweeney, Louise Webster 15 Aug 2011
48 Body Arts: What is Body Art? Sixth-form artists from Cheney School search out the decorated and opinionated residents of Oxford to get their views on Body Art. Pitt Rivers Museum 15 Aug 2011
49 Body Arts: Tatau and Ta Moko Maori artist George Nuku and Samoan artist Rosanna Raymond talk about the significance of traditional Polynesian tattoo designs and some of the stories behind them. George Nuku, Rosanna Raymond 15 Aug 2011
50 Shrunken Heads at the Pitt Rivers Museum The display of shrunken heads at the Pitt Rivers Museum fascinates many visitors. In this podcast, Dr Laura Peers, curator, explains where they come from, why they were made, and the curatorial issues involved in displaying them. Laura Peers 24 Jun 2011
51 Introduction (4) to the Pitt Rivers Museum Writing cabinet and boats. Andrew McLellan, Kate White 21 Jun 2011
52 Introduction (3) to the Pitt Rivers Museum Lights and folk. Andrew McLellan, Kate White 21 Jun 2011
53 Introduction (2) to the Pitt Rivers Museum A sense of discovery. Andrew McLellan, Kate White 21 Jun 2011
54 Introduction (1) to the Pitt Rivers Museum A guide to the unique displays of this intimate museum. Andrew McLellan, Kate White 21 Jun 2011