Manchester Museum, Science Gallery Bengaluru Sign MoU

Manchester Museum, part of the University of Manchester, and Science Gallery Bengaluru have entered into a partnership to expand opportunities for young people and promote collaboration on biodiversity, nature conservation and public engagement with scientific research.

The two institutions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bring together their expertise in youth development, research and community engagement. The collaboration aims to address shared challenges facing Bengaluru and Manchester while creating new opportunities for learning, mentorship and environmental awareness.

Under the agreement, Manchester Museum plans to draw on Science Gallery Bengaluru's experience of working with students, particularly through its Mentorship Initiative. The collaboration will explore programmes that support young people's learning, encourage creativity and help them discover new educational and professional pathways.

Partnership to Connect Youth Mentorship with Creative Learning

The proposed initiatives will build on Science Gallery Bengaluru's approach to connecting scientific research with public participation. Through its existing programmes, the institution brings together science, technology, the arts and the humanities to encourage people to engage with complex contemporary issues.

Esme Ward, director of Manchester Museum, highlighted the shared commitment of both institutions to creativity, environmental responsibility and opportunities for future generations.

She said that her previous visit to Bengaluru had influenced the museum's work and strengthened the connection between the two organisations. Ward also praised Science Gallery Bengaluru's efforts to inspire young people and expressed enthusiasm for developing programmes that could benefit communities in Manchester and beyond.

The partnership is expected to provide a platform for both institutions to exchange ideas and explore approaches to youth engagement that can be adapted to their respective communities.

Biodiversity and Nature Research at the Centre of Collaboration

Environmental research and public engagement form another major part of the agreement.

Science Gallery Bengaluru's Nature Lab, which operates as part of its Public Lab Complex, will collaborate with Manchester Museum's conservation initiatives. The objective is to establish stronger connections between biodiversity-related research and public understanding of environmental challenges.

The collaboration will draw on Science Gallery Bengaluru's work on the Anthropocene, a term commonly used to describe the significant influence of human activity on Earth's natural systems.

Dr Jahnavi Phalkey, director of Science Gallery Bengaluru, said the institution values research-based engagement and innovative ways of communicating science to the public.

She noted that Manchester Museum's approach to creating community spaces offered a useful point of connection between the institutions. The partnership will allow both organisations to learn from each other's experiences and explore new approaches to research and public engagement.

MoU Signed During Greater Manchester's India Mission

The agreement was signed at an event hosted by Science Gallery Bengaluru as part of the Greater Manchester Mission to India. The event was attended by Professor Duncan Ivison, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Manchester, and Bev Craig OBE, mayor of Greater Manchester.

The partnership forms part of wider efforts to strengthen connections between institutions in the United Kingdom and India through education, research, culture and innovation.

The University of Manchester also announced plans to establish a new centre in Bengaluru focused on education, research and innovation. The proposed centre is intended to deepen the university's engagement with India's academic, technology and innovation ecosystem and create opportunities for students and researchers.

The centre is expected to bring together academic expertise, industry knowledge and entrepreneurial talent to address shared challenges and encourage further collaboration.

Existing Cultural Partnerships Provide a Foundation

The new agreement builds on Manchester Museum's previous engagement with Indian institutions and communities.

One of its prominent initiatives is the South Asia Gallery, developed in partnership with the British Museum. The permanent gallery explores the experiences, histories and contributions of the South Asian diaspora in the United Kingdom.

Manchester Museum has also collaborated with the Indian Music Experience Museum in Bengaluru on the RhythmXChange project. The initiative brought together young musicians from India and the UK to explore rhythm as a shared form of musical expression.

These projects provide a foundation for further cultural exchange and collaborative programming involving young people, researchers and communities.

About Manchester Museum

Manchester Museum is part of the University of Manchester and houses collections spanning natural sciences and human cultures. Following a £15 million redevelopment completed in February 2023, the museum expanded its focus on accessibility, inclusion and community engagement.

It received the European Museum of the Year Award in 2025 in recognition of its approach to museum practice, representation and public engagement.

Its facilities include the South Asia Gallery and a Vivarium housing live amphibians and reptiles.

About Science Gallery Bengaluru

Science Gallery Bengaluru is a public institution that connects research with public engagement across the human, social and natural sciences, engineering, art and design.

Its activities include Living Exhibitions, public engagement programmes, a Mentorship Initiative and the Public Lab Complex.

The institution's founding partner is the Government of Karnataka. Its academic partners include the Indian Institute of Science, the National Centre for Biological Sciences and the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences.

Science Gallery Bengaluru is part of the international Global Science Gallery Network, which connects institutions working at the intersection of science, art and public engagement.

The new partnership with Manchester Museum is expected to create further opportunities for cross-border learning, youth development and collaboration on environmental challenges.