Gaynor Kavanagh

Who is Gaynor Kavanagh?

Professor Kavanagh was educated at Abersychan Grammar-Technical School and studied history and then museum studies at the University of Leicester. She holds both a DPhil and an MPhil. A qualified and experienced curator, she was part of the world-renowned Department of Museum Studies at the University of Leicester between 1980 and 1999. She left to set up the Graduate School at Bath Spa University. Between 2000 and 2004 she was Dean of Media and Culture at Falmouth College of Art. Professor Kavanagh then took a year out because of her father’s failing health, during which time she taught museum studies on a fractional basis at Winchester School of Art and chaired their Research Committee. She became head of Cardiff School of Art & Design at Cardiff Metropolitan University (UWIC) in October 2005 and was made Dean in August 2006. She has been an advisor to the National Railway Museum, York, the National Museum of Wales and the National Audit Office. She is the author of three books, including Dream Spaces (2000) and has edited a further seven books. She continues to write on museums and museum practice. She is a Fellow of the Museums Association. Originally from Pontypool, she now lives in Cardiff and Camerton. Professor Kavanagh is a member of WIRAD.