The LMB recently welcomed Paramjit Sehmi, who has taken up the position of LMB Archivist and Engagement Officer. The LMB Archive was previously managed by Annette Faux from 2001 until she sadly passed away in 2023.
With over 70 years of pioneering research and technological developments in molecular biology, the LMB has a wealth of history and achievements which are charted and preserved in the LMB Archive. The collection is continually developing and expanding, capturing stories from the past and recording the present. The diverse collection includes photographs, manuscripts, scientific models, artefacts, and books relating to LMB. The LMB Archive provides resources and information for a range of users, from museums and book publishers to history of science researchers and the media, aiding science communication and engagement with diverse audiences. In addition, the Archive curates a series of Exhibitions to showcase LMB science stories using archive material and the latest research, housed next to LMB reception for staff, students, visitors, and members of the public to explore.
The LMB Archivist is also the key contact for LMB Alumni, managing Alumni records and helping to deliver Alumni events and communication, such as the annual Alumni Newsletter. Staying connected with and celebrating the achievements of former colleagues and friends is important to LMB. Current staff and students are building upon their invaluable work and through continued relationships further collaboration is fostered.
Paramjit completed a BA and then MA in History of Art at the University of Birmingham. It was during this time that she first became interested in archives when researching the sculptor, Camille Claudel, for her third-year dissertation. “I could not find much information about the artist online or in published books, so visited the archive at the Musée Rodin in Paris to research the physical files. The archive team were so helpful and held so much information, I felt inspired to experience archive work myself”.
Over the next few years, Paramjit volunteered at various archives, completed an Alumni project internship at the Blue Coat School, Birmingham, a collections internship at the Barber Institute of Fine Art, Birmingham, and then built up her experience in archive roles at The British Library, Coventry Archives and The British Motor Museum.
Paramjit commented, “I am excited to explore the LMB collection and discover more about LMB science. This is a new topic area for me, but I enjoy learning and am keen to piece together science stories to share via LMB Exhibitions and online.
I hope to maintain Annette’s legacy – it’s a really organised archive. Building on that, I’d like to use the collection more to engage with different people, make the archive more accessible and develop it further.
The LMB has such a wealth of stories from the past 70-plus years, and the people who have worked here are key to LMB’s success, so I’m really looking forward to connecting with LMB alumni to explore how we can exchange information, embellish the histories and hopefully add to the LMB archive.”