Early Careers Community
It is with great pleasure that the Museum Ethnographers Group (MEG) announces the re-launch of its Early Careers Community (ECC) in 2026. Our aim is to build a space centred on solidarity, mutual aid and active action, supporting early career talent in the heritage and museum ethnography sector. If you identify as early career talent, please fill out the Conduct Agreement form at the end of this page and join the community. You do not need a MEG membership to take part.
About the Early Career Community
The ECC was restarted in May 2026 and has since grown to 55 members. It is open to non-members and members of MEG with the goal of providing a supportive peer environment for early career professionals from where to uplift each other. The community is based mainly on WhatsApp and is designed to be as flexible as possible. Members can join whichever groups match their interests, including groups for opportunities, events, reading groups and others. To join, fill out the Conduct Agreement form at the end of this page.
Leadership
The ECC operates on a non-hierarchical, collaborative model of governance. Leadership within the community is understood as a commitment to supporting its members, rather than as a position of authority over them.
ECC representatives are elected by the community’s members and serve for a term of six months. Representatives take the lead in supporting and organising ECC events. However, all members are welcome and encouraged to propose and lead their own events and opportunities, and the representatives are available to assist in bringing these initiatives to fruition.
Representatives attend MEG Committee meetings on behalf of the ECC, ensuring that the community is represented within the wider organisation. They also liaise with MEG’s Events Officer to ensure that all major events comply with relevant health and safety requirements and regulations.
Becoming a representative
Members who are interested in becoming a representative are asked to have been part of the community for at least three months beforehand. This allows prospective representatives to understand the time commitment and the rhythm of the work involved. When a call for representatives is opened, it will be published in the Opportunities Section of the website.
Current Representatives
- Dr. Laharee Mitra | Freelance Museum Researcher and Learning Organiser
- Cornelia Thompson | PhD Candidate at UCL
Events
The ECC hosts a programme of events designed to support early career talent in the heritage and museum ethnography sector. These include workshops, skills sessions, discussions and networking opportunities, held online and in person. Events are led by ECC representatives and by members themselves, and all are open to members of the community, whether or not they hold a MEG membership.
If you would like to propose or lead an event, please get in touch at earlycareers@museumethnographersgroup.org.uk. Representatives will be glad to help with planning, promotion and practical arrangements.
