Jean M Franczyk is new MOSI director

JEAN  M Franczyk has been announced as the new Museum director at MOSI (Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester) following the merger between MOSI and National Museum of Science & Industry (NMSI). She will take up her post from in February 2012. The merger will create one of the world’s most important museum groups, with over five million visitors annually.  

There’s no better place to tell the story of how science and industry created the first truly modern city 

Jean is currently the Director of Learning at NMSI. She leads a team of over 120 who reach more than 1.25 million participants a year across the Science Museum, National Railway Museum and National Media Museum through a variety of learning programmes. These include live shows, workshops and events for Museum visitors of all ages, as well as programmes for schools and communities across the country, and the new Science Museum Live! theatre show which has just embarked on its second national tour. Jean also leads NMSI’s Audience Research and Advocacy team, which is core to the development of all major galleries and exhibitions.  

Ian Blatchford, Director of NMSI said: “Jean is a highly respected colleague, both within NMSI and the wider museum community, and I am confident that she will bring her huge energy, insight and skill to this new role. Jean has a wealth of experience and I am sure the Museum will flourish under her leadership.” 

Prior to joining NMSI and moving to the UK, Jean was Vice President of Education and Guest Services at Chicago’s well loved Museum of Science and Industry and has held a number of other significant posts in Chicago including education policy advisor to Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and Chief-of-staff to the Chicago Board of Education. 

Jean said “MOSI is a great museum in a great city. The stories we can share are powerful and internationally significant. There’s no better place to tell the story of how science and industry created the first truly modern city or how the science and industry of Manchester continues to influence the world today. I relish the opportunity of working with the team at MOSI and together ensuring that the Museum evolves as creatively and with as much innovation as Manchester itself.”