From the cottage to the high street: pottery in The MERL collection
Read about the modern history of English pottery, and the many different kinds of pottery and ceramics within The MERL collection.
Changing Perspectives in the Countryside: Jasmine Isa Qureshi
As part of Changing Perspectives in the Countryside, we spoke with Dawood Qureshi about their conservation work and filmmaking.
Changing Perspectives in the Countryside: Mya-Rose Craig
As part of Changing Perspectives in the Countryside, we spoke with Dr Mya-Rose Craig about how she champions rural conservation and equality.
Widening Participation: exploring farming past and future
Read about our learning team’s recent work with Reading Girls’ School as part of our Widening Participation programme.
The history of British Christmas food
It’s beginning to taste a lot like Christmas! Discover the history of two Christmas staples: punch and Christmas dinner.
51 Voices: Discovering Treasures
Explore the many collaborative creative projects and partnerships that have formed part of 51 Voices, our 70th anniversary celebrations.
Have Yourself a MERLy Little Christmas: a Christmas special
Make yourself a cuppa and put on your Christmas jumper. We’re setting rural history to the music of your favourite Christmas songs.
The history of the servants’ ball
The servants’ ball has had a long tradition in the country house estates of Britain and only really died out after the Second World War.
The lives of sheep and cows
How do we tell new stories about cows, sheep, farmers and their lives led together? Read about a project that has been doing just that.
Confessions of an award-nominated Museum Studies teacher
Meet Dr Rhi Smith, whose work in bringing the University of Reading’s museum collections to students and staff alike has been nominated for a Times Higher Education award!