The Waddesdon Manor × Buckingham Files is an exciting five-year collaboration between the University of Buckingham and Waddesdon Manor (The Rothschild Collection), generously supported by the Rothschild Foundation. Designed specifically for postgraduate students, the project offers a rare opportunity to work closely with one of the UK’s most important historic collections while developing practical skills for careers in the arts and heritage sectors.

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Students on the MA programmes in Decorative Arts and Historic Interiors and Art Market, Provenance and History of Collecting contribute original research to this dedicated digital platform. Working with academic tutors and Waddesdon’s collections staff, students produce object studies, focussed provenance research, thematic essays, blogs, and podcasts that explore both well-known and overlooked areas of the collection, presenting fresh perspectives to a wide public audience.

 

Running from 2025 to 2030, TThe Waddesdon Manor × Buckingham Files is closely integrated with teaching and assessment through a shared module focused on object interpretation and professional practice. The project combines academic research with hands-on experience, offering direct contact with museum collections, collaborative working, and opportunities to build networks within the sector – key preparation for future careers in museums, galleries, auction houses, and cultural institutions.