Projects per year
Personal profile
Research Statement
I work on the connections between colonialism, imperialism, and social (in)justice and (in)equality. My research themes include equality, diversity and inclusion policies and practice in cultural institutions on the island of Ireland; decolonisation; the representation of diverse groups; and partnerships between communities and cultural heritage organisations in divided societies.
Research Focus
I use anthropology and social history to explore the legacies of empire and colonialism on the island of Ireland; and the public accountability roles of cultural institutions in these research areas. My interdisciplinary approach includes both academic and public policy research and seeks to build partnerships with communities to enable inclusive access to, and understand the contemporary relevance of, collections and archives.
Teaching
I lecture and tutor in Anthropology, Public History and museums at the School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics, Queen's University Belfast. I have also lectured and convened modules on Museum and Heritage Studies MA programmes.
Achievements
Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Research Focus
PhD at Ulster University, 'Colonial Objects in Northern Ireland' (2020, passed without corrections). Colonial Objects in Northern Ireland — Ulster University
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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Projects
- 2 Finished
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R1123HAP: ESRC IAA - MENII Memories, MENII Voices - Phase 2
Reisz, E. (PI) & Widdis, B. (CoI)
21/06/2023 → 30/09/2024
Project: Research
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R1805HAP: MENII Memories, MENII Voices
Reisz, E. (PI) & Widdis, B. (CoI)
06/01/2023 → 30/06/2024
Project: Research
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Museums, empire, colonialism: identities, memory, and legacies in Ireland
Widdis, B. (Editor), Reisz, E. (Editor) & Bryan, D. (Editor), 2023, (In preparation) Abingdon: Routledge.Research output: Book/Report › Edited book › peer-review
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Collecting ambiguity: Objects and the afterlives of empire on the island of Ireland
Widdis, B. & Reisz, E., 26 Mar 2025, (Accepted) In: ICOFOM Study Series: Oceanic Legacies: Museology of Island Traditions. 53Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Collecting ambiguity: material objects and the afterlives of empire on the island of Ireland
Widdis, B. & Reisz, E., 06 Jun 2024.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
Open AccessFile27 Downloads (Pure) -
'Colonial objects'? Museum decolonisation, binaries and autoethnography in Northern Ireland
Widdis, B., 28 Jun 2024, Public history in Ireland: difficult histories. Hannan, L. & Purdue, O. (eds.). Routledge, p. 122-152 31 p. (Global Perspectives on Public History).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review
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Decolonising Northern Irish museums
Widdis, B., 02 Apr 2024, History Workshop Online.Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Featured article
Open Access
Prizes
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Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy
Widdis, B. (Recipient), 23 Jun 2021
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Associateship of the Museums Association (AMA)
Widdis, B. (Recipient), 2000
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Citizenship and Outreach Award, Queen's University Belfast PDC Postdoc Awards (nomination)
Widdis, B. (Recipient), 2022
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Historic Houses, Global Crossroads
Widdis, B. (Recipient), Purdue, O. (Recipient) & Reisz, E. (Recipient), Jun 2024
Prize: Appointment
Activities
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Experienced Historical Researcher & Cataloguer, Detached Papers of the Royal African Company
Widdis, B. (Consultant)
01 Jan 2023 → 31 Mar 2023Activity: Consultancy types › KTP & Consultancy in kind
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Ireland, Museums, Empire, Colonialism Conerence 2022
Widdis, B. (Organiser), Reisz, E. (Member of the organising committee) & Bryan, D. (Member of the organising committee)
08 Apr 2022 → 09 Apr 2022Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference
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Museum Ireland (Journal)
Widdis, B. (Editor)
2022Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Editorial activity
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AHRC Connected Curriculum Network
Widdis, B. (Contributor), Elias, H. (Chair), Todd, J. (Chair), Lidher, S. (Chair), Kapoor, A. (Contributor), Williams, C. (Contributor), Saha, J. (Contributor), Riding, T. (Contributor) & Bond, E. (Contributor)
21 Jul 2022Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference
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Northern Ireland and empire in the twentieth century: artefacts and interpretations
Widdis, B. (Invited speaker)
21 Mar 2021Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited or keynote talk at national or international conference
Impacts
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Ireland, Museums, Empire, Colonialism conference
Widdis, B. (Participant)
Impact: Public Policy Impact, Cultural Impact, Public Policy Impact
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EASA Lab 02: Inclusive Global Histories: Performing Collections at the Ulster Museum
Widdis, B. (Participant)
Impact: Cultural Impact, Public Policy Impact
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