About

My name is Ed Rodley. I am an exhibit developer with over twenty years experience in all aspects of exhibition development. In that time, I’ve managed to accumulate a unique set of qualifications, broad expertise and deep experience in museum practice. I love the creative tension of the development process. My work is deeply influenced by constructivist learning theory, but I’m no zealot.

I am a passionate believer in the informal learning that is at the heart of the museum experience. During my career, I have developed major exhibitions on the Soviet space program, Leonardo da Vinci, Egyptian archaeology and Star Wars as a way to look at new technologies. I’ve done audio tours, multimedia tours, websites, contributed to books like Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination and Mobile Apps for Museums: The AAM Guide to Planning and Strategy.  I consult on interesting projects large and small. Also, I cook.

Me, circa 1981. Already a huge museum dork.

While many of my colleagues can say they’ve grown professionally in museums, I have literally grown up in museums, from my first volunteer position at age 11, through summer jobs and internships, and entry-level, front-of-house positions. I’ve been the new kid in the department, and one of the guys who’ll have to die before any body moves up the seniority ladder. I’ve worked with directors, trustees, Academy Award winners and multi-million dollar donors. I have also taken tickets, asked visitors to please stop touching that, and led gaggles of six year-olds on tours. My experience is deep and deeply rooted in practice.