Haidy Elmesiry
Museum, Galleries and Heritage Postgraduate Researcher
Project Title: Museum Exhibitions ‘in Flight’: Displaying & Conserving Aircraft as Suspended Objects
Supervisors: Prof. Andrew Newman, Dr. Bruce Davenport, Prof. Gui Yun Tian, Dr. Harry Raffal (Advisor from the RAF Museum)
My specialisation is in Museum and Exhibition Design, with a particular focus on collections’ display. I have professional experience across the full project lifecycle, from concept development to installation. Combining an architectural background with museum studies gives me a holistic perspective, allowing me to approach exhibition projects with sensitivity to both spatial design and the practical requirements of collections and interpretation.
Project Description
My research examines the exhibition of suspended aircraft and large objects in museums, considering both their impact on the visitor experience and the conservation challenges they present. It explores the development of suspended displays while applying sensor-based monitoring, supported by 3D scanning, to study how objects behave under long-term suspension. These methods provide new insights into structural behaviour and environmental influences on suspended displays. By integrating technical analysis with curatorial perspectives, the project aims to offer museums practical approaches for managing risks and supporting sustainable display, while contributing to broader debates on the care and interpretation of large and complex heritage collections.
Research Interests:
My research interests include museography, collections display, and conservation of cultural heritage, with a particular focus on technical and practical strategies that support effective displays. I am also interested in visitor experience design and how exhibition approaches shape interpretation and engagement. An emerging area of interest for me is heritage engineering, which connects structural and technical perspectives with museum and heritage practices. In addition, I am keen to explore how new technologies – particularly AI- might open opportunities for innovative solutions in the collection care and management, as well as more adaptive and creative approaches to exhibition design.
Outside of work, I enjoy photography and graphic design, which allow me to explore creativity through visual expression. I am enthusiastic about DIY and crafts, finding satisfaction in making and problem-solving. I also enjoy travelling, experiencing new cultures, and learning languages as ways of broadening my perspective and connection with others.
Presentations:
“Practices in the RAF Museum”, Network for Aviation Museums CIMUSET Special Interest Group, 2024, Vienna
“Perpetuating Legacies: Challenges in the Display and Conservation of Aircraft in Museums”, Poster Presentation, ACHS Conference Galway 2024
“Preserving aircraft collections at the risk of losing their value”, ‘(Re) Imagining Value’: An Interdisciplinary Symposium 2023, Newcastle University
