Hello! My name is Katie Loughrey, and I am a new
volunteer with CCT! I’m here this summer on an internship placement from the
United States, and am excited to be working with the CCT.
I’m in the middle of working on my master’s degree in
museum studies at the University of Florida, in Gainesville, Florida. Our
mascots are Albert & Alberta Gator, and yes, real alligators are
everywhere. Specifically with my degree, I’m focusing on museum education, and
am interested in informal learning and extending the visitor experience. I’m
also getting started in the digital humanities, an exciting new field which
uses technology in innovative ways to enlarge and enhance the impact of the
humanities. In my case this means doing some interesting work with 3D scanning
and printing. Some of my hobbies include reading (especially Harry Potter),
traveling (especially where there is Latin food), and playing with my fluffy
90lb Alaskan malamute, Snow Patrol (no relation to the boy band).
In the past, I’ve worked in an art museum, a natural
history museum, a science museum, and Disney World (which I argue is a museum,
of sorts.) Working with the CCT this summer is an excellent opportunity for me
to enlarge my experience to include working with heritage sites, especially historic
churches. I love historic churches, and visiting old, freezing cold churches in
England are among my fondest memories of visiting family here.
Though I live in the United States, I have dual
citizenship here with the United Kingdom. My mum is British and her side of the
family all still live here, mostly in beautiful Hertfordshire. I discovered I
am a dual citizen in the customs office last month after a lengthy disagreement
about a visa, and am happy to share my story of almost being deported with
anyone who is curious!
This summer I will be working with Ed McGregor on
projects related specifically to volunteer support at St. Johns. I’m starting
with updating and expanding the information binders located in the church, and
trying a more helpful rota system. Additionally, I am assisting Charlotte Pain
with organizing an exhibition of drawings from the weekly drawing meeting in
St. Johns.
I’m looking forward to meeting all the other
volunteers, and have thoroughly enjoyed speaking with all of you I have met
already. Please feel free to reach out with any suggestions on the rota or
information binders, or just to say hello!
Katie Loughrey
Photo: Katie visiting the Victoria & Albert museum, posing
in front of some fabulous casts
