Ellie Swinbank
Specific responsibility: Technology Collections.
Research interest/expertise: Social and environmental impact of industry and technology.
Ellie joined National Museums Scotland in November 2018 and is responsible for the wide-ranging technology collections, which include highlights such as the magnificent Boulton and Watt engine on display in the National Museum of Scotland and the flare tip from the recently decommissioned Murchison oil platform, which is housed in the Collections Centre at Granton.
Prior to working here, Ellie was Keeper at National Mining Museum Scotland for almost nine years. During her time there she developed a particular interest in industrial history and how it affects communities and landscapes. Previous roles included working at the National Railway Museum in York, Tyne and Wear Museums and Archives and Lancashire County Museums Service.
Ellie has a degree in History from the University of St Andrews and a postgraduate degree in Museum Studies from Newcastle University. She is an Associate Member of the Museums Association, a member of the STICK (Scottish Transport and Industrial Collections Knowledge Network) committee and a Trustee Director of Live Borders.
Selected publications
Swinbank, E. 2020. Collecting and displaying the decommissioning of North Sea Oil and Gas at National Museums Scotland. Architectus. Volume 24 Number1 (61): 25-30