Kristin Josvoll

Learn more about Kristin Josvoll

Get To Know Kristin Josvoll

What in your life drew you to your current field of study?

My passion for museum work ironically started from watching pop culture treasure hunting heroes such as Indiana Jones, Tomb Raider, Relic Hunter, The Librarian, and the like, where each would seek out and “save” lost significant artifacts. While I did not agree with their acquisition methods, it demonstrated to me at a young age that material culture was important from a historical and cultural stand point, and it needed to be preserved for future generations.

Museums have always interested me with their ability to educate and present information to the public through the exhibition of artifacts and other objects of importance. When you walk into a museum, you’re exposed to tangible links to our pasts, our cultures, our histories, and our truths. This material culture provides the connections we seek that influence and potentially create our own identities – from who we are uniquely to who we are as a whole. Being able to bring international culture, science, and history to the world is a passion of mine, and I believe that working in the museum field is the most effective way to achieve this.

What do you hope your students gain from studying or working with you?

To gain a greater appreciation of who they are and understand why their stories are important. Museum professionals’ main job is telling stories – creating the narrative for the objects and content that are on display. You can have a room full of fascinating objects that witnessed significant moments in history, but without someone to convey those stories, the objects lose their voice – and subsequently, are lost to history. Understanding the importance of oneself, will enhance the understanding of others and how they relate to others, this is vital in the museum field. As a museum professional, you are the care taker of everyone’s past, and you need to be able to connect with and understand their significance in order to ensure that you’re telling their stories appropriately and adequately. In my classes, we cover why material culture is important, proper collections care and management, exhibition design, and the legal and ethical components surrounding world heritage.

What are you passionate about in your personal life?

I am a proud museum person that is intrigued by the unknown. I collect places travelled (cities, states, countries, continents), and thoroughly enjoy experiencing other cultures and appreciating world heritage.

Education

M.A. Museum Studies, Johns Hopkins University, 2015
B.A. Maritime Studies, Texas A&M University at Galveston, 2012
B.S. Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, 2010

Courses Taught

MAST 220: Introduction to Museums and Conservation
MAST 226: Museums, Law, and Ethics
MAST 240: Introduction to Maritime Studies
MAST 265: ELISSA Sail Training
MAST 345: Texas Maritime Culture and History
MAST 365: Material Culture
MAST 369: Collections Care and Management 
MAST 470: Advanced Museum Studies
MAST 489: Maritime Folklore

Presentations

April 2017: "The Evolution of Museum Audiences: From Elite to Complete," Texas A&M University at Galveston Conference on Inclusion and Diversity for Higher Education

Professional Appointments

August 2017: Instructional Assistant Professor, Department of Liberal Studies, Texas A&M University at Galveston

January 2016: Lecturer of Museum Studies, Department of Liberal Studies, Texas A&M University at Galveston