Helen Rees Leahy

Helen is Professor of Museology at the University of Manchester.

Prior to coming to Manchester, Helen worked as a curator and museum director for over 12 years, and has organised numerous exhibitions of fine art and design.

She has held a variety of senior posts in UK museums, including Director of the Design Museum (1989-92), Communications Director, Eureka! The Museum for Children (1992-93) and Deputy Director, The National Art Collections Fund (1993-95).

Helen has published on topics relating to national identity, art collecting, the art market and art criticism. Her own work has addressed practices of individual and institutional collecting, in both historical and contemporary contexts, including issues of patronage, display and interpretation. Helen's most recent book "Museum Bodies" was published by Ashgate, 2012.