Skip to main content

University of Reading Cookie Policy

We use cookies on reading.ac.uk to improve your experience. Find out more about our cookie policy. By continuing to use our site you accept these terms, and are happy for us to use cookies to improve your browsing experience.

Continue using the University of Reading website

  • Schools and departments
  • Henley Business School
  • University of Reading Malaysia
  • Applicants
  • Student
  • Staff
  • Alumni
  • Local Community
Show/Hide navigation
University of Reading University of Reading
Mobile search categories
  • Clearing
  • Study and life
  • Research
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • View courses
  • Home
  • Clearing
    • How to apply
    • International applicants
    • Accommodation
    • Register your interest
  • Study and life
    • Study
    • Student life
    • Accommodation
    • Open Days and visiting
    • International students
  • Research
    • Themes
    • Impact
    • Innovation and partnerships
    • Research environment
    • Get involved
  • About us
    • Our global community
    • Business
    • Local community
    • Visit us
    • Strategy
    • Governance
  • Contact us
  • Applicants
  • Student
  • Staff
  • Alumni
  • Local Community
  • Schools and departments
  • Henley Business School
  • University of Reading Malaysia
  • View courses

Natural History Museum invites residents to public event

12 September 2023

A digital render of what the new Natural History Museum research centre will look like

The Natural History Museum (NHM) is set to host its first public event for the planned collections, science and digitisation centre at the University of Reading-owned Thames Valley Science Park (TVSP) in Shinfield.

The informal event to update on the Museum’s plans will take place on Thursday 14 September at TVSP’s Gateway Building (RG2 9LH), with two drop-in sessions for local residents: 3:30pm – 4:45pm and 6:15pm – 8pm.

Attendees will be able to view the plans for the centre and ask Museum staff questions. There will also be the opportunity to see and handle specimens representative of those moving to the centre, including a mammoth tooth, a seal skull and a starfish.

Subject to planning permission, the Museum will build a sustainable new centre at Thames Valley Science Park. By 2031, the centre will be operational, equipped with cutting edge laboratories, space for Museum scientists and purpose-built storage for 28 million specimens – from anteaters to zebras, corals to ancient fossils. Transporting these specimens to Shinfield will be the largest ever move of natural history specimens globally.

This new facility will further open up the collections to researchers for scientific innovation, strengthening the UK’s position in finding solutions to the planetary emergency.

Kathryn Packer, NHM Unlocked Programme Director, said: “The Natural History Museum is thrilled to be engaging with the local community in Shinfield ahead of our full planning application. This is a special opportunity for local people to find out more about the planned collections, science and digitisation centre directly from Museum staff. As a bonus, residents can also get up close to examples of the types of specimens we’ll be moving – from an elephant tooth to a fossilised whale ear bone – demonstrating the magnificent breadth of our collection and research.”

Molli Cleaver, Community Engagement Manager at the University of Reading, said: “We look forward to welcoming the Natural History Museum to the Thames Valley Science Park for this exhibition, especially the opportunity to chat to Museum staff and our neighbours. I am sure many people will enjoy being able to see the plans and some of the items from the Museum’s world-famous collections.”

A full planning application to develop the site will be submitted to Wokingham Borough Council in November 2023. Discussions with the Council are underway on all aspects of the planning application, including where the Museum can add value to the local community for employment and engagement.

Whilst the building and its collections will not be open access to the public, to help protect the collection, the Museum is keen to share the wonder of nature with the local community in and around Shinfield. Ideas for this range from possible link ups with local schools, to activities engaging the community with biodiversity and volunteering opportunities.

For local residents who can’t make the event, the plans will be made available online afterwards at: nhm.ac.uk/about-us/science-centre.

 

Image credit: Natural History Museum

Loading additional items please wait....

Main Menu


News from 2025

Contact the press team

Expert spokespeople

Media, demonstrations, and petitions on campus

Connecting Research Blog

Events

Media Enquiries


Journalists can contact the press office at any time.

+44 (0)118 378 5757 (24 hours)

pressoffice@reading.ac.uk

News Archives


News from 2025

News from 2024

News from 2023

News from 2022

News from 2021

News archive 1998-2020

mask
CHOOSE A SUBJECT
2025/26
2026/27
Undergraduates
Postgraduates
Undergraduates
Postgraduates

Subjects A-B

  • Accounting
  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biochemistry
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Bioveterinary Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Criminology
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

Subjects F-G

  • Film & Television
  • Finance
  • Food
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Sociology
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre & Performance

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Accounting
  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Classics
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
  • Dietetics
  • Digital Business
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teacher training
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

Subjects A-B

  • Accounting
  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biochemistry
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Bioveterinary Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Criminology
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

Subjects F-G

  • Film & Television
  • Finance
  • Food
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Sociology
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre & Performance

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

We are in the process of finalising our postgraduate taught courses for 2026/27 entry. In the meantime, you can view our 2025/26 courses.

  • Charitable Status
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies
  • Terms of use
  • Sitemap

© University of Reading