Aapravasi Ghat Indentured Workers Arrival Depot – Mauritius – Matt Marsh

My knowledge base spans multiple domains related to information organization, preservation, research, and history. This demonstrates my understanding of both theoretical frameworks and practical applications. From this base I can build my experience and knowledge further through field experience and continuing education. I have a knowledge of cataloguing systems, database management processes, digital asset management systems, and metadata application. This knowledge equips me with the tools to efficiently classify information, search for and retrieve information, and organize information across digital and physical platforms. I am proficient in archiving and preservation techniques and have completed certification in caring for artifacts, heritage sites, historical documents and archival practices. This will help me to obtain my goal of maintaining accessibility to documents while also properly preserving them. I understand the importance of maintaining proper conservation techniques, digitization standards, and documentation procedures.

I have undertaken self-guided online education in both heritage site preservation and proper preservation cleaning techniques offered by the Canadian Government. These are to compliment some of my existing knowledge and ensure I have taken advantage of as much education as I can. 

In research, it is important to be able to bring my knowledge of designing and conducting studies to my field of work. Managing documents and data with ethical considerations is very important in meeting the requirements for the proper preservation of artifacts while also ensuring respect of the original owners. My knowledge and experience analyzing data and information will help me to generate meaningful insights about documents and artifacts. I have gained knowledge on conducting research studies that could aid museums in designing exhibits that will keep people engaged longer. I also have experience designing research to analyze how to keep museum exhibits relevant to modern audiences and inclusive and accessible to all. I have a foundation in historical analysis and archeological research that allows me to critically interpret historical artifacts and sites and uncover their significance and broader cultural implications even in cases where written history is missing or does not exist.

My interdisciplinary knowledge base ensures that I am well prepared to fulfill an archival librarian role in a museum, library, archive or heritage center, where integrating technology, research, and preservation is essential. My knowledge set enables me to bridge the gap between historical scholarship and modern information management, which ensures valuable cultural and historic materials are not only preserved but effectively shared with diverse audiences.

Working through multiple stages of my research project on engagement in modern Canadian museums has helped me to better understand the processes involved in research and the importance of ensuring our museums have a future. I have also learned the importance of preserving documents and artifacts in our archives as they tell the stories of those who came before, and in some cases can give us insight into personal stories of our past. 

Inuit Art – McCord Stewart Museum – Montreal, Quebec – Matt Marsh