Exploring the benefits and challenges of AHRC investment in Heritage Science Infrastructure - The Capability for Collections awards

28th January 2022, 14.00-15.45 (followed by NHSF’s 9th AGM)

The National Heritage Science Forum (NHSF) Research Working Group is pleased to announce this event to celebrate the enhancement of capability in research infrastructures across the Heritage Science sector.

Museums, galleries, libraries, archives, heritage organisations and universities will present their new equipment and facilities and discuss the benefits to their organisations and beyond, as well as the challenges. The event will kick-off with six lightning talks followed by a panel discussion including Q&A from participants. You are invited to register for this event which is open to NHSF members and non-members.

Among the questions to be addressed are the impact this infrastructure is having on the organisation and beyond and the challenges of installing, managing and resourcing the new equipment and facilities.

Programme

Welcome – Professor May Cassar, Research Working Group co-convenor

Presentations – Chaired by Lucia Pereira Pardo

• Science in the Stacks: Developing HSCR at The National Archives – Dr Lora Angelova

• Historic Royal Palaces Heritage Science Laboratory Upgrade – Dr Constantina Vlachou-Mogire

• The CapCo Experience, Oxford – Daniel Bone

• Collections-focussed optical and x-ray spectroscopic imaging and analysis – Prof Adam Gibson

• Investment in mass spectrometry infrastructure at the British Museum – Dr Rebecca Stacey

• Research upgrades at Historic Environment Scotland - Dr Lisa Brown & Dr Aurélie Turmel

Panel discussion including Q&A from participants

Close

At 15.45 participants are welcome to remain online and join NHSF’s 9th AGM as observers.

Speaker biographies

Lora Angelova is Head of Conservation Research and Audience Development at The National Archives, UK, where she previously worked as a Conservation Scientist. Lora’s background is in chemistry and surface cleaning of cultural and heritage materials, and current focus lies in the intersection of heritage science, conservation research, and archival practice.

Dr Constantina Vlachou-Mogire, Heritage Science Manager, Historic Royal Palaces (HRP), is responsible for the planning and execution of research projects informing the preservation of the diverse objects and interiors of the Palaces, leading internal and external research partnerships and was the PI for the HRP Heritage Science Laboratory Upgrade AHRC Capability for Collections award. Since 2012 Constantina coordinates the Historic Royal Palaces Heritage Science Scholarship scheme supporting BAME graduates to study at Masters level at UCL Institute for Sustainable Heritage. Constantina has been a Trustee of the National Heritage Science Forum (2014-2019) and currently is Co Convenor of the Excellent Research Working Group (2018 – present). Constantina is an accredited member of the Institute of Conservation (Icon), a member of the International Institute for Conservation (IIC) and represents HRP at the BSI Committee B/560 Conservation of Tangible Cultural Heritage.

Daniel Bone is Head of Conservation at the Ashmolean Museum and Principle Investigator for the Oxford CapCo bid, GLAMTech: Technologies for Gardens, Libraries and Museums, collections research.

Adam Gibson is Deputy Director of UCL’s Institute for Sustainable Heritage. He led a successful AHRC Capability for Collections call which funded replacement hyperspectral imaging cameras and portable x-ray fluorescence analysers. His research interests are in heritage and medical imaging.

Dr Rebecca Stacey is a scientist and head of the mass spectrometry facilities in the Department of Scientific Research at the British Museum. Her research focuses on amorphous organic materials such as varnishes, adhesives and organic residues and specifically the use of molecular analysis to address questions concerning their source, production and use in the past, as well as understanding subsequent alteration. From March to July 2021 she was seconded to the AHRC as an Infrastructure Policy and Engagement Fellow.

Lisa Brown is the Archaeological Science Manager at Historic Environment Scotland. Her role is to help coordinate, promote and celebrate archaeological science across the sector. She provides advice and guidance, manages the nationwide radiocarbon dating contract and is the HES lead in the delivery of innovation in science at HES, as part of Scotland's Archaeology Strategy. Aurélie Turmel is the Conservation Science Manager at Historic Environment Scotland. She manages a team of conservation scientists and a climate scientist. The conservation science team focuses on the characterisation and identification of decay, and understanding future behaviour of materials employed at HES sites. The team also gives advice to external stakeholders and supports applied research development.

Read more about AHRC’s recent investment in Heritage Science and Conservation Research infrastructure in this blog by Tao Chang, Head of Infrastructure: Arts and humanities infrastructure enabling knowledge with impact

Header image (C) National Galleries of Scotland

Benefits and challenges of investment in Heritage Science infrastructure