The ICCROM Forum on Conservation Science, hosted at the National Institute for Graphic Arts (in the Palazzo Poli at the Foutain of Trevi) is a three day event from October 16 to the 18. 80 participants from more than 25 different countries “will convene to reflect on the current role and impacts of science within cultural heritage conservation worldwide, and to provide future orientations for the field.”
To give you an idea of the diversity of the participants, the five attendants from the United States include:
- Giacomo Chiari, Chief Scientist at the Getty Conservation Institute
- John Fidler, Private Consultant with the John Fidler Preservation Technology Inc.
- Leslie Johnston, Chief of Repository Development at the Library of Congress
- Marco Leona, Head of the Scientific Research Department at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Lynn Meskell, Professor of Anthropology and Director of the Stanford Archaeology Center at Stanford University
So what IS Conservation Science?
Conservation science is a small cross disciplinary field which uses scientific methods and equipment to examine and analyze the materials and systems used to construct our cultural heritage assets. Chemistry, physics, biology and engineering all play an important role in identifying causes of deterioration and determining appropriate mitigation.
This Forum recognizes that while the field of Conservation Science has grown in the last two decades, the funding required for conservation research creates great inequities between different region’s ability to conserve their heritage. By coming together to help direct the future of this field, ICCROM and their partner organizations hope to find a solution for sharing information and resources internationally to support conservation on a global scale.
How do I get connected to the Forum?
The Forum has identified three key themes that will be lead the group discussions. You can read through the key note speakers’ abstracts, watch live broadcasts of each sessions’ key note speaker as well as the group reports at the end of each day. Also keep an eye on the Emerging Conservation Professionals blog for thoughtful discussion of the forum. You just might find your favorite Building Hugger throwing in her two cents!
Globe Trotting Building Hugger 