I currently advise museums, heritage organisations and tourist attractions in New Zealand on a variety of issues ranging from strategic planning and capital development projects to operational sustainability. As well as being passionate about museums and the impact they have on our community wellbeing, I am equally passionate about costume and textiles. Having worked with textile machinery and textile collections in museums in the UK and New Zealand, I am specifically interested in textile technology and the cultural identity displayed in what we wear.

The exploration of the traditional textile technology of the Maya in both Guatemala and Mexico was the key theme of my Fellowship. Both countries are renowned for their colourful textiles, mostly woven on a back-strap loom with traditional colours and motifs that identify the wearer's village. As a weaver myself, this was a tremendous opportunity to explore new techniques, colour combinations and share experiences of weaving with those I met and on my return.

I have since staged three exhibitions featuring traditional Maya costume and textiles in museums in the UK and New Zealand, and continued to give talks and presentations on this topic.