Dr Grace Ann Varkey, (Charles Wallace India Trust), Superintending Archaeologist,
Directorate of Archaeology and Museums Gujarat, Gandhinagar, for a study of
interactive and experiential museums and exploration of new dimensions of museums’
public engagement in the UK.
Grace Ann Varkey is a Superintending Archaeologist with the Directorate of
Archaeology and Museums, Government of Gujarat, India, with professional expertise in
archaeological heritage management, museum development, and public engagement.
She holds a Doctorate in Archaeology, with her research titled A Study of Ceramic
Traditions of North Gujarat with Special Reference to Vadnagar Excavations (Early
Historic to Medieval).
She is responsible for the conservation and management of state-protected
monuments, archaeological surveys and excavations, and the regulation of heritage-
related statutory processes. She has worked with the Archaeological Survey of India for
three years at the Vadnagar excavation site, contributing directly to field research and
interpretation. She has served as Curator-in-Charge of the Vadnagar Archaeological
Experiential Museum, India’s largest archaeological museum integrated with an open air
excavation site and immersive exhibitions that combine archaeological research with
contemporary storytelling.
Her UK fellowship project, “Interactive and Experiential Museums: Exploring New
Dimensions of Public Engagement,” examined interactive displays, digital storytelling,
immersive content, and strategic digital marketing to expand museum audiences. Her
work aims to align India’s state museums with international best practices in curatorial
innovation, sustainability, and inclusive public engagement.