Heritage Executive Team

Cultural Partnerships at Newcastle University

I work closely with cultural organisations to develop collaborative programmes and partnerships with the University. I build strategic relationships that promote knowledge exchange and public benefit, working closely with the Dean of Culture and Creative Arts.

With particular expertise and experience within the heritage sector, I lead ambitious partnerships which include Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums and the National Trust.

Curatorial and Cultural Practice

I am a trustee of Beamish Museum and Red Hills Miners' Hall.

I am a co-founder and Chair of the Queer Heritage and Collections Network, a UK-wide network governed through a partnership between Historic Royal Palaces, English Heritage, National Trust, the University of Leicester and Historic England, supporting museums to explore LGBTQ heritage and engagement. I sit on the Collections Management Group for Queer Britain, the UK’s national LGBTQ museum.

Writing and Broadcast

My new book, Wedded Wife: A Feminist History of Marriage, was published by Aurum Press in 2023. I have written for a number of publications including DIVA magazine, Big Issue and the New Humanist and featured in the Guardian and New Statesman. My broadcast experience includes the BBC's Woman's Hour and World Service, as well as a range of international podcasts.

Background

Having graduated from Newcastle University with a MA in Heritage Education and Interpretation in 2011, I worked for a range of regional and national museums and galleries. In 2014, I joined the National Trust, later becoming its first Senior Curator for National Public Programmes and National Specialist for Inclusive Histories. In 2017, I curated Prejudice and Pride, a national programme of exhibitions, publications, events and activities exploring LGBTQ heritage. In 2018, I led the national curation of Women and Power, marking a centenary of women's suffrage. I coordinated partnerships with the University of Leicester and the University of Oxford.

My programmes and partnerships have won a number of awards, including Museums and Heritage Partnership of the Year Award (2021) and Pink News Third Sector Equality Award (2018); and been shortlisted for Museum of the Year (2018).

• Authored Book

  • Duncan S, Lennon R. Women and Power: The Struggle for Suffrage. London: The National Trust, 2018.

• Book Chapters

  • Lennon R. For Ever, For Everyone?. In: Sandell, R; Lennon, R; Smith, M, ed. Prejudice and Pride: LGBTQ Heritage and Contemporary Implications. 2018. In Preparation.
  • Lennon R. Challenging Histories: Exploring gender and sexuality in the National Trust. In: Ashton J, ed. Feminism and Museums: Intervention, Disruption and Change. Edinburgh: MuseumsEtc, 2018.
  • Lennon R. Challenging Prejudice and Celebrating with Pride. In: Hillel R; Houlbrook M; Iglikowski V; Lennon R, ed. Queer City: London Club Culture 1918-1967. London: The National Trust, 2017.

• Edited Book

  • Sandell R, Lennon R, Smith M, ed. Prejudice and Pride: LGBTQ Heritage and it's Contemporary Implications. Leicester: University of Leicester, 2018.