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Image credits: Dr Jenner's House, Museum and Garden
A school programme developed in partnership with the Pandemic Sciences Institute has been recognised for its innovative approach to learning and outreach.
The Frances Garnham Award for Education is conferred by Historic Houses, an association representing over a thousand heritage sites across the United Kingdom.
The prizewinning institution, Dr Jenner’s House, Museum and Garden, is the Gloucestershire home of vaccine pioneer Edward Jenner. On its grounds, the world’s first-ever vaccination was administered in 1796.
The link between the University of Oxford and Dr Jenner’s house was first established through The Jenner Institute, with group visits in 2009 and 2013 as part of team building activities and celebrations. However, it wasn’t until the Covid-19 pandemic that this became a working relationship, when public interest in vaccines was at an all-time high.
Former Jenner Institute researcher, and now PSI Public Engagement with Research Lead, Dr Sean Elias has been working with staff at Dr Jenner’s House since then on adapting workshops, traditionally delivered in schools, to the museum setting.
These activities focus on modern-day scientific approaches to vaccinology, whilst highlighting how historic events and advancements led to current vaccination practices. The historical sources and artefacts in Dr Jenner’s House add an extra layer of context to workshops also focusing on vaccine confidence and vaccine development.
“The same activity in a different setting becomes very novel”, said Dr Elias. “It’s that combination of what you’re teaching and where you’re teaching it that helps make it memorable.”
In supporting Dr Elias’s work, Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert, Saïd Professor of Vaccinology, commented: “Exploring novel partnerships outside of academia to achieve impact is a core part of PSI’s mission and future vision. Sean has shown that this approach can successfully be applied to outreach and engagement in a way that complements ongoing research.”
Between past and future
This programme is just the first step in an ambitious plan to modernise the museum. The National Lottery Heritage Fund has supported the museum with an initial grant to restore the Temple of Vaccinia and plan a larger restoration project.
The intention is to modernise and expand Dr Jenner’s House’s exhibition spaces, restore the historic fabric, and deliver an audience-led approach to telling one of the most compelling stories in medical history.
James Rodliff, Director at Dr Jenner’s House, said: “Again, by making connections to modern research the hope is that the importance of the history can be better conveyed to visitors.
"It is hoped that researchers in Oxford can help with this through future collaborations on the redesign, other education programmes, and the development of contemporary temporary exhibitions.”
In the next few months, Dr Elias aims to support Dr Jenner’s House staff in delivering workshops focusing on pandemic preparedness. Preserving historical memory will however remain central.
“Many of the challenges we face today in terms of vaccine confidence and outbreak responses are similar to those faced at the time of Jenner himself”, he said.
“While advancements in technology have undoubtedly made it easier and quicker to develop new and better vaccines and respond to pandemics, it will always stand that if people don’t buy into preventative measures, they will never be impactful. Education is key to overcoming this and history has a lot to teach us.”