XClose

Museums and Collections

Home
Menu

Collections and research

The collection is a vital resource supporting pioneering research and scientific advancement transforming how knowledge is created and shared.

Insects on display in the Grant Museum
 

The Grant Museum has around 100,000 zoological specimens in its collection from every continent, every ocean and every animal group. It was founded in 1828 by Robert E Grant as a teaching collection and is one of the oldest natural history collections in the UK and the last university zoological museum in London. The Museum holds globally important and unique specimens in its collections such as extinct and rare species including one of only seven skeletons of the extinct quagga in the world, one of only four fluid preserved extinct adult thylacine specimens in the world, and the largest collection of (critically endangered) gharial material in the UK.

The Grant Museum is an invaluable resource that actively contributes to research excellence and impact. It is mostly used in zoological peer reviewed research for taxonomic studies, which are critical to the understanding of global biodiversity trends. Additional areas of growth in demand for use of the collection include genetic sequencing; as a testbed for new technology and museological pedagogy; critical histories including decolonisation; and health and well-being research.

Information for researchers

We are open for research visits Monday – Friday 10am-1pm, when advanced booking is required. Please contact museums@ucl.ac.uk to arrange an appointment.

Before arrival

To be as helpful as possible we require as much specific information about the specimens you require access to during your visit. We have a searchable online catalogue of the specimens held by the museum. Please note the online catalogue is not 100% comprehensive and not all specimens are listed.

Use of equipment

The museum can provide space, nitrile gloves and access to a mains power supply, however, we may not be able to provide extra equipment required (e.g. AV leads for laptops, lighting, plug convertors for international visitors or measuring equipment). Please ensure you bring with you all the equipment you may need to undertake research.

Please note the UCL guidelines for all electrical equipment being brought on site:

  • Any electrical equipment brought to UCL’s Premises must first be approved in writing by UCL.
  • Such equipment must also comply with UCL’s standard equipment supply which runs at 230/240 volts and 50hz and the equipment must also have a maximum load not exceeding 13 amps.
  • Any electrical equipment brought in to the Premises must also have a valid PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) certificate dated within one year of the date of the booking. Any equipment without a valid certificate may not be used.

Equipment not matching the above specification may not be used in the museum space.

During your visit

Please note that a member of staff will go over the general object handling guidelines. You may not use any material that may mark specimens (ink, paint or putty for holding specimens in place). Food and drink are not permitted in the Museum.

Specimen photography

Photography is permitted but its intended use must be discussed with museum staff beforehand. There is a separate form, available from staff, for filming and photography which outlines the use of images and the appropriate credit line. There is usually a charge for commercial photography. We ask that only LED lighting is used to light specimens to prevent damage from UV light sources.

Sampling and analysis

We consider both non-invasive and invasive analysis requests for research purposes. Please contact the Museum first to discuss any proposed destructive analysis. Please note the application process for sampling requests will take some time to process (we suggest submission of applications at least six months before project start).

Artwork

The Museum is also an excellent place to find inspiration for artwork for people of any age. We are happy to take bookings from art groups and, depending on staff availability, make the collection more available to them by removing objects from their cases so that they can be drawn. Please note that we do not allow paint, pastels or charcoal in the museum.