Harriet is a graduate of the University of Leicester where she completed a B.A. (Hons) in Economics and Economic History, and an M.A. in Museum Studies. She holds an M.A. in Tourism Management, a Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Development for Researchers and an MEd in Higher Education Practice from Ulster University. In 2013, she received her PhD from Ulster University with a Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarship, entitled, Real Life Stories in Everyday Objects: Approaches and Methodologies in the documentation of everyday life through material culture. This research demonstrated how museums can develop their role in collecting and displaying present day everyday life. Harriet is an Associate of the Museums Association and the Higher Education Academy.

She is a former Chair of the Social History Curators Group. Her main interests are in curating exhibitions, with a focus on socially engaged practice with a participatory methodology. She has published in books and journals. Harriet has worked extensively as a manager in museums, art centres and on festivals and events, in both local authorities and the private sector. She continues her practice as an exhibition curator, making exhibitions about people’s everyday lives and interpreting visual art through hands-on exhibits. Previous work has included the textile gallery, Fibres, Fabrics and Fashion at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester; Local People, Contemporary Art for Children and Destination Donegal at The Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny, and Portrait of a City’ community exhibitions and events for Derry/ Londonderry UK City of Culture. Recent projects include the virtual exhibition and book, Living in Donegal, about lived experiences of migrants living in Donegal.