Digitising the Cambridge University Herbarium

Meet the Cambridge University Herbarium Team

Professor Samuel Brockington - Academic Lead

In addition to providing Academic Leadership to the University Herbarium, Sam is Head of the Evolution and Diversity Group in the Department of Plant Sciences and Curator of the Cambridge University Botanic Garden. His research is both comparative and integrative, combining systematics, morphology, development, molecular genetics, and physiology. Sam regularly gives public lectures on the history of botanic gardens, the global network of botanic gardens, and the current and ongoing activities in the Cambridge University Botanic Garden.

Dr Lauren Gardiner – Curator

Lauren is responsible for curating and managing the Herbarium and hosting a range of volunteers, students, and visitors from all over the world, working across a range of curation, research and digitisation projects. In recent years she has been focusing on raising awareness of the collection, improving access, establishing operational policies and procedures, and developing long-term strategies for the herbarium. Lauren also delivers lectures, practical classes and herbarium tours to undergraduate and postgraduate students studying Plant Sciences and related subjects, and a wide range of external visitors.

Sally Loesch - Digital Engagement Coordinator

Sally is responsible for specimen imaging, managing transcription projects, and generating database records in order to make University Herbarium collections more accessible to researchers. With a background in archives and records management, Sally has an interest in using emerging technologies to improve access to research data and generate public interest in heritage collections.