Eli Dawson AMA

Curator, Royal Army Physical Training Corps Museum 

I completed my AMA between 2018-20 with the aim of reinforcing my understanding of the museum sector and enhancing my CV. 

As the only museum professional at a military museum, I am often operating in a very specialised environment with its own particular aims. Completing the AMA brought me into contact with issues in the wider sector such as the Museums Change Lives campaign. This has been useful in widening my focus with an eye towards future career development. 

Coming from a collections background, the AMA also provided the opportunity to focus on new areas such as museum learning. This proved me with tools which I used to develop a new education programme at my museum. 

The whole AMA process was enjoyable, fit easily around my working day and after a decade in the sector, encouraged me to step back and think again about how I operate and the purpose of museums.