When I got my master’s degree with a research project on biology exhibition design in a museum in 2002, I decided to pursue a career in informal science education. It was my goal to become a good science educator, using the tools available at the informal learning organizations where I worked; tools such as interactive workshops, guided tours, or educational exhibits. But I became frustrated with the lack of theoretically funded, empirically validated findings on how to design such educational situations. My professional experience was the same everywhere I worked: the design of educational experiences for visitors was very much up to the educator in question and their tacit know-how and instincts. Although I sought to remedy this situation by carrying out several smaller-scale research and development projects, it became clear to me that a full-time approach was needed.

Accordingly, my dissatisfaction the state of affairs and my resolve to address it was my motivation to return to academics. Throughout my PhD work, I attempted to produce research findings which were not only of publication quality, but which actually addressed what I saw as the problem in informal science education. I believe my work so far has begun to tackle the issue in the case of exhibit design, and I aim to continue this process!