Katy Jackson

Consultant and PhD Researcher

Hello, I am Katy Jackson and I have worked in the UK museum and library sector since 2007 creating stimulating, enriching and playful participatory experiences that connect people with collections, ideas and the world around them.

I consult with cultural organisations on a wide range of projects, from designing staff training programmes, advising on trauma-informed practices, writing participation strategies, to working with individual practitioners to reflect on and innovate their practices.

I am based in London but work all over the UK and remotely.

Please get in touch to discuss your project, I look forward to meeting you!

Contact Katy

Past Projects

Applying your strategy: mission, values, purpose

A participatory workshop for senior leaders using a reflective exercise and a gap analysis to identify key issues preventing growth and exploring solutions for implementing institutional change.

Workshop design and facilitation

July 2025, repeated July 2026

Trauma-informed practice

A set of creative and interactive training workshops co-developed for a museum and gallery, delivered in-person (in gallery) and online exploring the foundations of trauma-informed practices and how to apply them to individual and institutional practices.

Training programme design and delivery

July 2026 - January 2027

Facilitating uncomfortable conversations in participatory practice

Using art-based methods for self reflection, including collage, mark-making and journaling, this CPD programme was developed bespoke to an individual who wanted to reflect on a challenging professional experience and develop new ways of thinking and working when facilitating participatory programmes on difficult or contentious subjects.

1:1 CPD/ reflective practice

September 2025

I am an intersectional feminist practitioner, grounding my work in care, equity, and justice.

I believe that institutions must address structural inequalities and power imbalances to better serve their communities. I support staff to create meaningful and inclusive opportunities for widening cultural participation.

The safety and wellbeing of both staff and audiences are central to my approach.

I recognise that people learn in different ways and I use a range of creative, participatory, and arts-based methods that encourage reflection, critical engagement, alongside playfulness and enjoyment.

My approach and methods

I am a 5th year part-time PhD student of Museum Practice at the University of Manchester. I am researching how museum practitioners emotionally experience working with narratives of conflict-related sexual violence.

I use a conceptual framing of ‘care’ to examine how practitioners make sense of their emotions in the context of their professional practice, alongside the broader challenges of the museum and cultural sector.

I am on a ‘professional practice’ programme and will be developing a resource for practitioners informed by the findings of my research. Watch this space!

PhD Research

Research profile

Image shows Katy presenting her poster titled ‘Working with Narratives of Sexual Violence in Museums’ at the conference ‘Supporting Survivors of Sexual Violence’, Northumbria University, June 2026

Enjoyed the family art club @exchangeerith this morning, thanks to those who made it happen!
Enjoyed the family art club @exchangeerith this morning, thanks to those who made it happen!
The Rose chafers had us mesmerised in our local park today 😍
The Rose chafers had us mesmerised in our local park today 😍
I was in the Algarve last month and stumbled across these beautiful illustrations lining the steps of a bay whilst out on an early morning run. I couldn’t pick a fave, they were all so gorgeous. I thought it was a beautiful and captivating way
I was in the Algarve last month and stumbled across these beautiful illustrations lining the steps of a bay whilst out on an early morning run. I couldn’t pick a fave, they were all so gorgeous. I thought it was a beautiful and captivating way to share information about the local flora and fauna 🐠🍃 They’re by local artist Luisa Alexio.
A total pleasure to spend my day yesterday working with @mallikabasu_ at her course ‘Food Matters for Food Lovers’ @britishlibrary. With special guest @historyeats, we dived into a history of food, identity and culture, and discussed the
A total pleasure to spend my day yesterday working with @mallikabasu_ at her course ‘Food Matters for Food Lovers’ @britishlibrary. With special guest @historyeats, we dived into a history of food, identity and culture, and discussed the challenges facing our global food system. They group are back today to learn the nuts and bolts of food writing, and meet special guests who are writing and cooking in the industry. It’s wonderful to see how Mallika has evolved this course over the 6 years we’ve been working together, bringing in her expertise and passion for making the food industry are more equitable, sustainable and just place.
It’s @refugeeweekuk every week for me as this is one of my fave tops, but pleased to support actual #RefugeeWeek this week!
It’s @refugeeweekuk every week for me as this is one of my fave tops, but pleased to support actual #RefugeeWeek this week!
Obligatory ‘awkward pic with the research poster’ pic, huge thanks to the amazing team @northumbriauni for a stimulating day examining support for survivors of sexual violence. As the only museologist in the room it was fascinating to c
Obligatory ‘awkward pic with the research poster’ pic, huge thanks to the amazing team @northumbriauni for a stimulating day examining support for survivors of sexual violence. As the only museologist in the room it was fascinating to consider the possibilities for applying health and care approaches to museum practices. I hope to have more to share on this, and create some kind of space for more dialogue between us (let me know if you want to join!). It was a real privilege to attend, I learned so much and met interesting people across disciplines. And thanks to the person who asked me ‘what have museums got to do with sexual violence?’, I think that’ll be the title of a future paper! 📝
Creative storytelling with the wonderful @rousseau_hr, inspired by @britishlibrary Fairytales exhibition. Making whimsy and meaning with words, maps and images, a delightful way to spend a couple of ours with a group of local adult learners. The tex
Creative storytelling with the wonderful @rousseau_hr, inspired by @britishlibrary Fairytales exhibition. Making whimsy and meaning with words, maps and images, a delightful way to spend a couple of ours with a group of local adult learners. The text on the table says: Whereunto you make strangers into joy How purposefully your confined sight is making dead our earth Believe the old whale, swim within ourselves and think of now: alive Convening the monster bred in men, dwelling a long time. Certainly we beseech nature, and mute fortunes, but spirits are born. What remained? The garden, and ourselves. The story I wrote (slide 3) is called ‘The Unwise Princess’ who steals a feather from an owl and her body turns into one. She has to find the owl to return the feather, meeting three creatures on the way, who describe all the colours of their feathers and whiskers.
Reflecting on a marvellous residential in Manchester with my PhD cohort. A revitalising few days of sharing, listening, encouraging and laughing. We focused on peer review, abstract writing, and ethics as process and method. I’m already looking
Reflecting on a marvellous residential in Manchester with my PhD cohort. A revitalising few days of sharing, listening, encouraging and laughing. We focused on peer review, abstract writing, and ethics as process and method. I’m already looking forward to the next one.
Hopped on the @eurostar for a solo midweek 24 hrs in Paris last month, forgot to share some pics. Didn’t step foot in a museum. Just walked, ate and soaked up the sun. 10/10. Highly recommend! ☀️🥐
Hopped on the @eurostar for a solo midweek 24 hrs in Paris last month, forgot to share some pics. Didn’t step foot in a museum. Just walked, ate and soaked up the sun. 10/10. Highly recommend! ☀️🥐
Happy book launch day to @mallikabasu_! I wanted to take a pic outside @britishlibrary but it’s pouring with rain, so she’s got the beautiful King’s Library as a backdrop instead. Mallika has been a dream to work with at the BL th
Happy book launch day to @mallikabasu_! I wanted to take a pic outside @britishlibrary but it’s pouring with rain, so she’s got the beautiful King’s Library as a backdrop instead. Mallika has been a dream to work with at the BL the past six years and I’m consistently inspired by her passion, tenacity and energy. Not only is she a great writer, she’s using her skills to drive change in her industry. I’m thrilled that her words are reaching new audiences. As for us, we’ve got another food writer’s weekend in the pipeline for June inspired by some of the themes in her book, so watch this space. For now, a big congrats to Mallika, enjoy this moment 🫶🙌
Enjoyed the family art club @exchangeerith this morning, thanks to those who made it happen! The Rose chafers had us mesmerised in our local park today 😍 I was in the Algarve last month and stumbled across these beautiful illustrations lining the steps of a bay whilst out on an early morning run. I couldn’t pick a fave, they were all so gorgeous. I thought it was a beautiful and captivating way A total pleasure to spend my day yesterday working with @mallikabasu_ at her course ‘Food Matters for Food Lovers’ @britishlibrary. With special guest @historyeats, we dived into a history of food, identity and culture, and discussed the It’s @refugeeweekuk every week for me as this is one of my fave tops, but pleased to support actual #RefugeeWeek this week! Obligatory ‘awkward pic with the research poster’ pic, huge thanks to the amazing team @northumbriauni for a stimulating day examining support for survivors of sexual violence. As the only museologist in the room it was fascinating to c Creative storytelling with the wonderful @rousseau_hr, inspired by @britishlibrary Fairytales exhibition. Making whimsy and meaning with words, maps and images, a delightful way to spend a couple of ours with a group of local adult learners. The tex Reflecting on a marvellous residential in Manchester with my PhD cohort. A revitalising few days of sharing, listening, encouraging and laughing. We focused on peer review, abstract writing, and ethics as process and method. I’m already looking Hopped on the @eurostar for a solo midweek 24 hrs in Paris last month, forgot to share some pics. Didn’t step foot in a museum. Just walked, ate and soaked up the sun. 10/10. Highly recommend! ☀️🥐 Happy book launch day to @mallikabasu_! I wanted to take a pic outside @britishlibrary but it’s pouring with rain, so she’s got the beautiful King’s Library as a backdrop instead. Mallika has been a dream to work with at the BL th

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