New board leadership at Science Gallery International

Rose Hiscock (left); Beatrice Pembroke (right)

Science Gallery International (SGI) is delighted to announce the appointment of Rose Hiscock, Director of Museums and Collections at the University of Melbourne as chairperson of its board of directors.

Rose has been a member of the board of SGI since 2020 and she played a fundamental role in the establishment of Science Gallery Melbourne, serving as founding director from 2016 to 2021.

Rose Hiscock said: “I’m honoured to take up the role of Chair SGI and look forward to working with Beatrice Pembroke and the Board. This is an exciting time for our network. With a global reach, strong university relationships and a platform for engagement with young people, Science Gallery International is in a unique position to contribute to the urgent challenges of our time.”

Rose succeeds Patrick Prendergast who has been chair of the board for the past three years. Patrick was Provost of Trinity College Dublin from 2012 to 2021 and a founding member of Science Gallery International. The board extends their deepest thanks for his service as director and chairperson. Patrick will remain an honorary member of the board, a title reserved to former chairpersons.

Patrick Prendergast said “SGI does truly important work in bringing together leading universities to ignite creativity and discovery where science and art collide.

Now with eight Science Galleries worldwide in the network, and more to come, it’s the global leader for public engagement in science and culture. I wish Rose and Beatrice well in leading the Board in its next phase. I value greatly the opportunity to continue to serve the network in any way I can in the future as an Honorary Member of the SGI Board”

The board also appointed Beatrice Pembroke, Executive Director, Culture at King’s College London as Vice Chair. Beatrice leads the university’s Culture directorate, which includes Science Gallery London. Beatrice joined the SGI board in 2021.

Beatrice Pembroke said: “There is huge potential in the collective intelligence of the galleries, their universities and communities of young people, bringing new perspectives to contemporary challenges at a local and international level. I’m looking forward to working with Rose Hiscock, the board and the SG network in this exciting next phase.”

The appointments of Rose and Beatrice exemplify the collaborative leadership model of the network and reflect the international scope of the Science Gallery Network. 

Science Gallery International is also delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Julie Wells, Vice-President (Strategy and Culture) at the University of Melbourne as a member of the company and of the board of directors.