Helen Charman

Dr Helen Charman was appointed Director of Learning and National Programmes in March 2018. The division offers a variety of ways to engage with V&A collections and expertise across the V&A in South Kensington, at the Museum or Childhood in Bethnal Green and through our National Programme. A responsive and inspiring Learning Portfolio creates unique learning experiences for primary, secondary, college students and teachers that are rooted in creative pedagogy, harnessing the power of the V&A collection, displays and exhibitions for now and for the future. The V&A Learning Academy offers adult courses as well as training for professionals in the culture and heritage sector, both nationally and internationally.

Prior to joining the V&A, Dr Charman worked at the Design Museum as Director of Learning and Research since 2007, most recently on the directorate team that successfully mobilised the museum in its new home in Kensington. A cultural learning professional and a passionate advocate for the critical role of art and design in education, Helen has 25 years’ experience in museum and gallery education, including previous positions as Head of Learning and Access at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney and Senior Curator: Education at Tate Modern. She is a member of the Steering Group for the Cultural Learning Alliance, the Advisory Board for Chelsea Physic Garden, a Governor at Forest Hill School in South East London, and a former trustee of Engage, the National Association for Gallery Education.

Dr Charman holds degrees from Oxford University (BA Hons English Literature), and the University of London (MA History of Art and Doctorate in Education). She currently teaches on the University of London’s MA Museum and Gallery Education, the Southbank Centre/Kings College MA Education in Arts and Cultural Settings and the Design Museum/Kingston University’s MA Curating Contemporary Design.