Specific responsibility: Preparation of birds and mammal specimens as required for the museum's research collections.

Research interests/expertise: Bird and small mammal taxidermy as well as the preparation of skeletal material.

Stephen volunteered for a time at the World of Wings Bird of Prey Centre in Cumbernauld where he had the opportunity to appreciate the live versions of many of the animals he would later work on. He started with National Museums Scotland as a volunteer in the summer of 2015 and was appointed to his current role as Curatorial Preparator in August 2016. 

The condition of each animal, as well as any specific research project requirements, will determine what sort of measurements and samples are taken, and Stephen enjoys the challenges and peculiarities of preparing skins and skeletons of all kind of specimens.