Interview with Sir Neil Cossons by Tilly Blyth

Cossons, Neil; Blyth, Tilly

doi:10.60875/adnq-0436

Interview with Sir Neil Cossons by Tilly Blyth

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2025-05-05_InterviewNeilCossons_Transcript_FINAL.pdf

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Cossons, Neil

Blyth, Tilly

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May 5, 2025

Abstract

This discussion with Sir Neil Cossons took place as part of an event hosted by the Museums and Industry: Long Histories of Collaboration (MaILHoC) research project in conjunction with the University of Leicester School of Museum Studies. The event was offered as part of a training module for the MA in Museum Studies on ‘Developing Professional Practice’. The event began with a short lecture from Dr Harry Parker, a Postdoctoral Fellow on MaILHoC, which was followed by a conversation (from which this edited transcript is drawn) between Sir Neil and Tilly Blyth, then Professor of Museum Studies at the University of Leicester. Professor Blyth had previously held the role of Head of Collections and Principal Curator at the Science Museum, where she oversaw the creation of the Information Age gallery mentioned later in their discussion. Also participating in the discussion is Heather Mayfield, former Deputy Director of the Science Museum, and Andrew Nahum, formerly the Principal Curator of Technology and Engineering at the Science Museum. An audience Q&A followed the main interview. The interview covered Sir Neil’s extensive career in museums, starting from his student assistant role at Leicester Museum. He highlighted the evolution of museum roles, emphasising the importance of practical experience. Cossons also discussed his tenure as Director of both the National Maritime Museum (1983-86) and the Science Museum (1986-2000). He detailed some of the changes he instituted while leading these institutions, from managerial restructuring to charging admission, then a topic of wide concern. He then went on to discuss his relationships with the Board of Trustees, his view of the role of a curator, the need for collections-driven display, and the challenges of obtaining sponsorship while retaining editorial independence. The discussion concluded with some reflections on society’s changing relationship with its industrial heritage.