Elliot Simmonds to present at Collections Inside & Out Symposium
We’re pleased to share that our Commercial Director, Elliot Simmonds, will be speaking at the Collections Inside & Out symposium at National Trust Chirk Castle & Garden on 24 September 2026. Bringing together professionals working across heritage collections, gardens and landscapes, the symposium will explore the relationship between indoor and outdoor heritage and the opportunities created by thinking about them as part of a connected visitor experience.
Elliot’s session, “Integrating Indoor and Outdoor Heritage: Insights from Sector-Wide Research”, will draw on M·E·L Research’s studyLand management in the museum and heritage sector which was conducted on behalf of AIM, along with Welsh Government, Arts Council England and NMDC. The research was designed to address a gap in sector-wide evidence about the opportunities and challenges associated with land and outdoor spaces, looking at their role in organisational business models, audience and community engagement, and climate resilience and adaptation.
The study combined a literature and policy review with 17 in-depth interviews, a survey of 52 museums and heritage organisations, an online sector community and six site visits across the UK. This enabled the research team to explore not only what organisations are doing with their outdoor spaces, but also how approaches are developed in practice and what helps or prevents organisations from making the most of their land.
One of the clearest themes from the research was the importance of thinking about indoor and outdoor spaces together. Organisations developing more strategic approaches described wanting to create a natural flow between buildings, collections and landscapes, rather than being simply “a museum with a garden”. The research also highlights the potential for outdoor spaces to support biodiversity, wellbeing, learning, community engagement and new forms of interpretation.
Elliot said:
“Our research showed that there is huge potential in thinking about heritage sites as complete places rather than separating what happens inside from what happens outside. Gardens, landscapes and outdoor spaces can contribute to interpretation, visitor experience, environmental sustainability and community engagement, but making that happen requires long-term thinking, collaboration and a willingness to experiment. I’m really looking forward to sharing some of those findings at Chirk and discussing what they mean for the sector.”
The research also identified some important challenges. Fewer than half of survey respondents were incorporating outdoor space into wider strategic planning, while organisations frequently reported barriers around resources, specialist knowledge and opportunities to learn from others. At the same time, the study found that organisations making progress tended to share three characteristics: long-term leadership and vision, collaboration beyond their own organisation, and a willingness to test and adapt new approaches.
For M·E·L Research, the symposium is an opportunity to contribute evidence from our wider work across museums, heritage, visitor experience and environmental organisations. Our research helps organisations understand how people engage with collections, places and landscapes, and how evidence can support stronger strategy, interpretation, audience development and more inclusive visitor experiences.
Elliot’s presentation takes place at 2.45pm on 24 September at Chirk Castle, as part of a programme featuring speakers from the National Trust, Plant Heritage, Harris Bugg Studio and Chelsea Physic Garden.
Last week, I had the opportunity to speak at Collections Inside & Out, a symposium hosted at National Trust Chirk Castle & Garden, bringing together people working across gardens, horticulture, heritage, collections and interpretation.
I was, perhaps, a slight interloper among so many people with deep horticultural expertise but every presentation was incredibly interesting and I learned a lot – and broadly managed to follow the general flow of what was being said (still not 100% au fait with taxa…
M·E·L Research has been named the winner of the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Social Value & Ethical Research 2026 at the UK Enterprise Awards.
The award recognises the values that shape both the work we choose to undertake and the way we deliver it. From building trauma-informed practices into our research to improving inclusion and reinvesting in the communities around us, social responsibility is part of how we operate every day.
M·E·L Research joined the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) at the House of Lords this week for the launch of a new report exploring the experiences of dyslexic young people who are not in employment, education or training (NEET).
Tamsin Maries, Senior Research Manager, and Elliot Simmonds, Commercial Manager, represented M·E·L Research at the event…
New UK-wide research from M·E·L Research’s SPARK report shows improving mental health indicators alongside continuing exposure to suicide, widespread lifetime suicidal thoughts and significant gaps in practical knowledge.
Suicide prevention depends on understanding not only how many people are affected, but also how confident the public feel about recognising risk, starting difficult conversations and finding appropriate support. The Spring 2026 SPARK report from M·E·L Research brings these issues together, providing a detailed picture of attitudes…
M·E·L Research is pleased to be supporting the Diocese of Manchester with an independent consultation to help inform its future leadership. The research will provide opportunities for people connected with diocesan life, as well as members of the wider community, to share their perspectives on the local context, priorities for the years ahead and the qualities that will be important in future leadership.
Across Europe, we have seen devastating wildfires destroy homes, habitats and communities. They offer us a powerful analogy for how we think about suicide prevention.
When a fire is raging, everything must be done to put it out. Firefighters, emergency services and communities mobilise to save lives. But even when the fire is eventually extinguished, enormous damage may already have been done, and recovery can take years. That is why fire services don’t only fight fires. They also invest in prevention: identifying risks, educating people, installing smoke alarms, creating fire breaks and trying to stop…
My son Jools was 14 years old when he died suddenly in April 2022. There was no note. There was no offline evidence that explained why he died. No one had seen or been aware of any adverse mental health issues, and at his original inquest the coroner could not be sure that Jools was in a suicidal mood. More than four years later, I am still trying to understand what happened to my son. Yet one enormous part of Jools’ life was not properly explored following his death: his digital world. Like almost every teenager, Jools had a life on his phone. Social…
Women’s sport is entering an important new phase, and we have been privileged to work with clients such as Kick It Out, WSL Football, Sport Wales and the Commonwealth Games, and witness and the experiences, impacts and drivers of this growth. Audiences are growing, competitions are evolving and sports organisations are exploring new ways to improve the matchday experience, deepen fan relationships and develop more sustainable commercial models. With that momentum comes significant opportunity, but it also raises important questions. As…
