A unique insight into the Museum of the History of Science, offered by the Director's choice of favourite items The stunning seventeenth-century 'Old Ashmolean Building' on Broad Street in Oxford houses one of the finest collections of early instruments from Europe and the Islamic world. Together with a fascinating range of material from the eighteenth century to the present day, these artefacts offer an intriguing insight into ingenuity and creativity, and tell amazing stories of human scientific endeavour in a wider cultural and social context. The Director, Silke Ackermann, hand-picks her favourite items and provides an intimate, idiosyncratic guide to a remarkable collection. AUTHOR: Dr Silke Ackermann has been Director of the Museum of the History of Science since early 2014, making her the first ever female museum director at the University of Oxford. Prior to that she studied History, Oriental Languages & Cultures and History of Science at Frankfurt/Main (Germany) before joining the British Museum in 1995, where she served in a wide range of curatorial and management roles. 31 colour

Author Biography

Dr Silke Ackermann has been Director of the Museum of the History of Science since early 2014, making her the first ever female museum director at the University of Oxford. Prior to that she studied History, Oriental Languages & Cultures and History of Science at Frankfurt/Main (Germany) before joining the British Museum in 1995, where she served in a wide range of curatorial and management roles.