Absolute Units
Rural Britannia (with Ollie Douglas)
Feb 05, 2026
The Museum of English Rural Life
Content warning: This episode contains references to antisemitism and prejudice. Listener discretion is advised.
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Last episode we talked about the founding year of The Museum of English Rural Life. But what was our significance within wider museum practice? How did our founding relate to Britain's waning empire? And what does the future hold for The MERL?
In this second episode marking our 75th anniversary, Joe and Ollie delve deeper into the theory and politics of our making.
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Absolute Units is the official podcast of The Museum of English Rural Life. This series is made possible through the generous support of Arts Council England and Museums Partnership Reading, a partnership of The MERL with Reading Museum. Themetune by Tai Dawson.
Co-hosts: Ollie Douglas and Joe Vaughan
Producer: Joe Vaughan
Rural Britannia (with Ollie Douglas)
51:15
Death, Rebirth, and Scooby Doo (with Mark Norman)
51:47