By Steve Scarpa, Associate Director of Marketing and Communications
The Peabody Museum has been an important part of botanist Erika Edwards’ life dating to her days as a Yale graduate student. It’s one of her favorite places on campus. Part of the reason she returned to Yale in 2017 was because she wanted to be a Peabody curator. Now, she’s able to serve the institution she loves by spending a year in the museum’s top job.
Edwards will be the Peabody's interim museum director stating July 1. Current director David Skelly is taking a yearlong sabbatical to research evolutionary responses to human caused environmental changes. Skelly will return to the role after his sabbatical.
“I am happy to be able to step up and do this for Dave. I think it is a huge privilege, opportunity, and responsibility,” said Edwards, who is a Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, the Curator of Botany at the Peabody, and the Director of Marsh Botanical Gardens.
Skelly is delighted by her appointment and has been working closely with her to ease the transition. “Erika is an outstanding choice for the Peabody’s interim director. She is an excellent scientist who knows so much about activating collections for research and teaching. Her experience running Yale’s botanical garden has prepared her well for this role,” Skelly said.
Edwards has already started immersing herself in the museum's culture. She has participated in the museum's strategic planning process. She’ll start meeting with staff members in the Spring to get a sense of what daily operations are like. And if something comes up Skelly promised he’d only be a phone call away. “The more I know about the Peabody, the more I love it,” she said.
The museum is at an important crossroads. Attendance has tripled since it reopened. Surveys indicate that patrons are enjoying their time at the Peabody – they find it welcoming and informative. With that comes new opportunities.
“Our main job on the public side is making sure our programming reaches a wide audience. We want everyone who participates to walk away feeling they have had a great experience,” Skelly said. “For Yale students and faculty, we are always trying to increase the number of courses and departments with whom we engage.”
Edwards hopes to put her own stamp on the role. She is interested in highlighting the ongoing faculty research done at the Peabody. She also sees a natural synergy between the Marsh Botanical Garden and the museum. Her tenure could be a great opportunity to explore that. “I’ve always wanted Marsh to be more integrated with the Peabody,” Edwards said.
At a recent staff meeting, Edwards spoke of her passion for the Peabody – her curatorial work can be found in the live plant display in Central Gallery. She pledged to work hard on behalf of the staff and the museum.
“It’s been a beautiful home for me as a faculty member and as a curator. It’s got the kind of energy I most love on campus. At some point, you want to start investing yourself in places you love,” she said. “It is inspiring, and I am proud to be a part of it.”