EPISODE · Mar 25, 2026 · 33 MIN
What happens when museums stop giving answers and start asking questions instead - Donna Speed
from Skip the Queue · host Andy Povey, Donna Speed
In this episode of Skip the Queue, Andy Povey is joined by Donna Speed, CEO of We The Curious, to explore how curiosity can transform visitor experiences. Following major challenges, including COVID-19 and a devastating fire in 2022, the organisation rebuilt with a strong community-first approach, taking science directly to people through outreach while the venue was closed. The conversation focuses on a shift from traditional, answer-led exhibitions to question-led experiences, highlighted by the “Project What If” exhibition built from over 20,000 public questions. Donna shares how co-creation, inclusivity, and audience-led design are reshaping engagement, and how attractions can balance education and entertainment, remain relevant, and inspire curiosity in new ways. Key Topics Discussed Designing visitor experiences around curiosity rather than content The transformation and rebrand of We The Curious Community-led decision making and co-creation Recovery and resilience after the 2022 fire Outreach strategies during closure and post-pandemic recovery Project What If and question-led exhibition design Differences between interactive science centres and traditional museums Inclusion and representation in science and learning spaces The role of curiosity in lifelong learning Balancing entertainment and education in attractions Building trust and relevance with audiences Collaboration across the attractions and museum sector The evolving role of museums in society Leadership through crisis and change Inspiring future generations through engagement and accessibility Show references: Donna Speed - CEO of We The Curious https://wethecurious.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-speed-15252916/ https://www.wethecurious.org/news-blog/we-curious-reopening-project-what-if Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your host is Andy Povey. If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching Skip the Queue or visit our website SkiptheQueue.fm. If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review, it really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on LinkedIn. Credits: Written by Emily Burrows (Plaster) Edited by Steve Folland Produced by Emily Burrows and Sami Entwistle (Plaster) Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth. Download your FREE copy here
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What this episode covers
Today’s episode starts with a simple but powerful question: What if curiosity were the starting point for every visitor experience? Andy Povey is joined by Donna Speed, CEO of We The Curious, the Bristol science centre that’s rethinking how museums engage visitors. Since reopening its doors after a two year closure following a tragic fire, the centre is flipping the traditional museum experience on its head. Instead of presenting finished stories, We The Curious has built experiences around the questions people are asking, from science and technology to society and the future. They talk about designing experiences around curiosity, the difference between interactive and traditional museums, and how attractions can inspire people to explore the world in new ways.
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What happens when museums stop giving answers and start asking questions instead - Donna Speed
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