About Us
Janet Owen
Janet Owen is the founder and executive director of The Earth Museum, a project inspired by her 30 years working in the museum and cultural heritage environment; and through research into the collecting journeys of Alfred Russel Wallace and Charles Darwin, among others. The artefacts they collected are now scattered in museums across the world, far from their original places of belonging. Through the sharing of human stories, she is interested in re-connecting people and places with objects, giving meaning in the present. Janet lives on the Isle of Wight and enjoys boating on the Solent with her husband.
Etske Bijl
Etske Bijl is a director of The Earth Museum. She is an Assistant Professor at Wageningen University in the Netherlands, which is considered one of the best universities in the world in the area of healthy food and the living environment. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring the world on her bike, and loves learning more about the unique stories connected to the places that she visits. Etske supports the development and strategic decision-making of The Earth Museum in her director role.
Che Bishop
Che Bishop is a director of The Earth Museum. She lives in Melbourne, Australia, on the lands of the Wurundjeri people. She has led not-for-profit teams and delivered programmes in the community sector for 14 years, in both the UK and Australia. Che’s commitment to social justice, the arts and equity have led to roles with No To Violence, the Asylum Seekers Centre, Stop Hate UK, Medecins Sans Frontieres Australia, and Australia Red Cross. Her volunteering includes work for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, the Gender Centre, the Biennale of Sydney, Sydney Fringe Festival and Sculpture by the Sea.
Sue Kelly
Sue Kelly is a director of The Earth Museum. She has a degree in Archaeology and Anthropology from Newnham College, Cambridge. After graduating, she worked in the public sector, for nearly 30 years, in the areas of employee health, safety and wellbeing. She has been a Gibbs Travelling Fellow, jointly awarded with Dr Janet Owen, and travelled to Patagonia to research Charles Darwin’s collecting journey. Sue now has a dog walking business that combines her passion for dogs, nature and photography. She lives in Nottingham, UK, with her family and two dogs.