Lisa Mitchell is Head of Public Engagement and Programmes at the History of Science Museum (HSM) in Oxford. One of her current projects is project managing a series of Covid-19 related exhibitions – dealing with themes such as public perceptions of science, what its like to be a scientist thrust into the limelight, clinically vulnerable communities and shared feelings of isolation and long term effects of those worst hit by the pandemic.
HSM are very interested in the role of community in the pandemic, a theme explored in our current exhibition at the museum. New communities formed, and existing communities
were strengthened as we supported our neighbours more. Volunteering and feeling part of communities gave us strength and improved wellbeing. We explore how different communities, particularly the vulnerable or disadvantaged, had very different pandemic experiences. Indeed, we show that for
vulnerable people such as those with weakened immune-systems, the pandemic is not over. Through objects, videos, oral history, artworks and interactive elements we explore the experiences both of Oxford scientists working to improve lives and local people discussing what gave them hope during the
pandemic.
This work has also raised pertinent questions about what themes should be covered in a History of Science Museum and question when is the right time to look at the pandemic, and
contemporary issues, through the lens of history.