Staff

MA Electronic Communication & Publishing, University College London

Polly studied languages as an undergraduate and completed her Masters at the School of Library, Archive & Information Science, UCL in 2000. Since then Polly has worked in the arts sector, promoting the access and use of art and archive collections for teaching, learning and research, both to academic and general audiences.

She was a founder member of the Visual Arts Data Service, becoming Director in 2007; she established an Image Bank and then the Digitisation Unit for the University for the Creative Arts in 2009 and 2011 respectively, and then moved to Tate in 2012 to manage the Transforming Tate Britain: Archives & Access project until February 2015.

Polly led the Archives & Collections Recovery Project from 2015-2021, overseeing a programme of conservation, digitisation, collection management and collection development work, as well as leading on the Mac(k)cessibility Project. After the Recovery Project, Polly focussed on A&C’s engagement activity, through managing user services, loans, exhibitions and display activities. In June 2022 she was appointed Manager. Please contact Polly if you have any questions relating to her work.

MA (Hons) History of Art and Slavonic Studies, The University of Glasgow

Michelle graduated with a first class honours degree in History of Art and Slavonic Studies from The University of Glasgow in 2006. With a personal interest in Art Nouveau and Glasgow Style architecture, furniture and interiors, she joined The Glasgow School of Art as Archives and Collections Assistant in 2012, having previously worked in various museum and archive roles at The National Trust for Scotland and The University of Glasgow, one of which was as Project Assistant for the Stoddard-Templeton Corporate and Design Archive, the archive of one of the world’s most successful carpet manufacturers. In 2014, as Archives and Collections Project Officer, she developed and managed a project to create an online catalogue for GSA’s archives and collections.

A major fire in the School’s Mackintosh Building in May 2014 resulted in the loss of parts of the School’s built heritage, art and furniture holdings and damage to some of its paper based archives and textile collections. During the last 6 years a programme of collections management and collection development work took place to stabilise and rebuild GSA’s Archives and Collections. Michelle’s role was to oversee the cataloguing, documentation, digitisation, conservation and repackaging of GSA’s holdings, implementing new procedures where necessary.

Michelle continues to oversee these activities, and also manages adding new material to our holdings. Please contact her if you would like to donate something to us. She is also currently co-supervising a SGSAH-funded Collaborative Doctoral Award PhD project researching Women, Gender and Political Engagement at The Glasgow School of Art.

Michelle also manages a team of volunteers who support associated activities and supervises the A&C’s student work placements and internships. Please get in touch with her if you are interested in volunteering or undertaking a work placement at The Glasgow School of Art’s Archives and Collections.

MLitt Archives and Records Management, University of Dundee

Katie first joined GSA as a student, graduating with a degree in Communication Design in 2016. After graduating, Katie pursued a career in information management, gaining experience in records management, library services and archives within higher education. As an Archive Assistant at Glasgow Caledonian University, she facilitated access to the university’s archival collections and delivered teaching and public engagement activities.

Katie earned a Master’s degree in Archives and Records Management from the University of Dundee in 2024, completing a dissertation focused on advocacy and outreach strategy in Scottish higher education archives. Katie is particularly interested in exploring the possibilities for archival material to be used in teaching and creative practice. In her role as a Spotlight Officer for Explore Your Archives, Katie assists archives across the UK to publish digital exhibitions about their holdings and highlight the work of their services.

As Archives and Collections Assistant at GSA, Katie oversees the Reading Room, facilitates research queries, hosts visitors and tour groups, and processes image requests. She also supports the team’s curatorial and promotional activities.

Please get in touch with Katie if you have questions, requests or research enquiries.

MLitt, Museum and Gallery Studies, University of St Andrews

Stella studied history and politics as an undergraduate and completed her Masters at the University of St Andrews in Museum and Gallery Studies in 2013. Since 2010, she has worked in the museum sector, in a wide range of roles, focused particularly around curatorial and collection-based activities.

Stella started her career working in collections management roles for organisations such as National Museums Scotland and National Trust for Scotland. More recently she has worked in curatorial positions for Glasgow Life, Renfrewshire Leisure and Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life.

Initially starting with The Glasgow School of Art in December 2020, Stella worked as Collections Development Officer, overseeing new acquisitions, documentation, digitisation and conservation of GSA’s holdings, and managing the relocation of a substantial part of the collection to a new open store. In July 2022, she was appointed Archives & Collections Engagement Lead, managing the use and promotion of the School’s heritage collections both within and beyond GSA.

Stella manages the visitor and enquiry services team, oversees object loans, and curates a programme of exhibitions to increase the reach and enjoyment of the School’s collections.

Please contact Stella if you have any questions relating to her work.

MSc Information Management and Preservation, University of Glasgow;
MSci (Hons) Mathematics and Physics, University of Glasgow;
RMARA, Archives and Records Association

Jennifer graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1998. She spent nearly 18 years working as an engineer in the defence industry, carrying out both technical and project management work in the design of quiet ships, before making a career change into archiving.

She undertook a year’s Skills for the Future traineeship in 2016/17, spending six months at each of Glasgow City Archives and GSA Archives, focussing on outreach and engagement. She then returned to study for an MSc at University of Glasgow in 2017/18, where her dissertation addressed how to promote shipbuilding collections in Scotland, and became a Registered Member of the Archives and Records Association in 2021.

As Archives and Collections Assistant (part-time) Jennifer is based in the reading room hosting visitors and groups. She also processes image requests, answers historical enquiries and promotes the collections via social media (Instagram and Twitter).

Jennifer’s normal working days are alternate Wednesdays, and every Thursday and Friday.

MSc Museum Studies, University of Glasgow; MA Archaeology, University of Pisa

Silvia began her journey in Archaeology at the University of Pisa (Italy) and the University of Valencia (Spain) before making Glasgow her home in 2012 to earn her Master’s in Museum Studies at the University of Glasgow in 2014.

Since then, she has dived into various roles in the museums and heritage sectors, from visitor services to collection management and cataloguing. Notably, she worked on Project Reveal for the National Trust for Scotland. Before joining GSA Archives and Collections, Silvia spent five years at Glasgow City Heritage Trust, where she coordinated the Ghost Signs of Glasgow project and started the successful podcast “If Glasgow’s Walls Could Talk”.

Silvia is passionate about social history and community engagement, both in-person and through digital platforms like social media. Throughout her career, she’s focused on connecting diverse communities with intangible heritage and museum collections, making sure everyone can enjoy and learn about Glasgow’s rich history.

As the Engagement Assistant at GSA Archives & Collections, you’ll find Silvia in the Reading Room, where she contributes to a vibrant programme of exhibitions, supports curatorial activities, promotes GSA Archives & Collections on the website and on Instagram, and assists with tours and visitor engagement.

Staff

Polly Christie

Michelle Kaye

Katie malone

Stella Hook

Jennifer Lightbody

Silvia Scopa

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