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Close up photograph of part of the Norman Arch, which was the entrances to the North Hall

Carolyn Waterworth, BA (Ed) Hons, MA 

Collections Assistant,  Oriental Museum 

Tel: +44(0)191 3345884/ +44(0)191 3345692 

Email:  carolyn.s.waterworth@durham.ac.uk 

Overview 

Carolyn is a full time permanent Collection Assistant at the Oriental Museum working with the Museum Curators, the Learning and Engagement Team and the Collections Manager to support research, teaching and management of the collections.  

Biography 

Carolyn studied for her BA (Ed) in Humanities, specialising in Religious Studies at St Luke’s College, Exeter University, 1992-1996. She then taught in various primary schools in Peterlee and Shildon across County Durham until 2014. Carolyn began working in the Durham Light Infantry Museum as a Learning Officer in 2014, working on a major First world war centenary project with schools across County Durham. She continued working with the Durham Light Infantry Collection when the museum closed in 2016, delivering learning and engagement within schools and community groups from Northumberland to Teesside. 

In 2020 Carolyn began studying part-time for an MA in Museum and Artefact Studies at Durham University, she graduated from this in September 2022. The course included curating an exhibition online and in person at the Oriental Museum on Russian Folk Art in June 2022. She completed a work placement at Preston Park Museum and Grounds in the summer of 2021. Carolyn then began working for the Oriental Museum in November 2022 as the Collections Assistant, putting into practice the theory she had learnt on her course. 

Carolyn’s research paper for her MA combined her interests in Museum artefacts and the Durham Light Infantry researching into Sudan 1890-1900, using the Sudan Archive, Durham University, Durham County Records Office and the DLI Collection. 

Carolyn is now developing her skills in Collection management in her current role and supports the extensive teaching in the Oriental Museum. She also supports conservation and museum artefacts students, volunteers and researchers.  

  • Qualified teacher 1996-ongoing 
  • Member of the Museums Association