The UKRI Infrastructure fund is investing £80 million to provide a UK-wide network of facilities and expertise in conservation and heritage science research.
In advance of further details of this initiative being announced, this Icon Heritage Science Group event will highlight conservation projects which have used heritage science facilities and expertise to inform and enhance their work. The aim is to make people aware of the types of facilities which will be available to them, and see some examples of how conservation projects can benefit from access to heritage science.
The event is aimed at heritage professionals such as conservators, collections managers, curators, archivists, exhibition and engagement teams, who may be able to benefit from the new infrastructure but who may not have engaged with UKRI-funded Heritage Science infrastructure before. We are particularly encouraging those currently working outside of academia or for non-IROs (Independent Research Organisations) to attend. The event will also provide academics and organisations with their own facilities an opportunity to showcase their work and network with prospective future research collaborators.
The format will be a panel, with each speaker giving an overview of a conservation project which has benefitted from access to UKRI-funded facilities. A short talk about each project will be followed by Q&A panel discussion and networking. Icon2024 Conference delegates can attend for free!
Speakers
- Marc Vermeulen will highlight the role of The National Archives in supporting UK institutions with mobile scientific equipment and expertise
- Annette King will showcase examples of the benefits of close collaborations between conservators and heritage scientists to successfully deliver international research projects at Tate
- Anna Fenlon and Fabiana Portoni will discuss their project at the Natural History Museum (UK) on the effects of low temperature treatments and the analyses carried out to detect potential physical change
- Victoria Kemp will focus on compositional analysis and imaging techniques for a variety of artwork, including preparing the fresco from Nero's palace at the Ashmolean Museum