Conservation

As conservators we: 

• Use our professional knowledge and expertise to help the Museum deliver:
  • A full public programme including exhibitions, gallery developments and international touring shows
  • Object loans
  • The Portable Antiquities Scheme
• Preserve the collection for the future through preventive conservation measures.
• Develop conservation treatments and increase knowledge of the collection through an active conservation research programme.
• Contribute to the development of the profession through participation in national and international working groups and organisations and by setting conservation standards for others to follow.
• Contribute to the training and development of present and future conservators through work placements, masterclasses and exchanges.
• Work with many regional, national and international partners to provide consultancy, advice and skills sharing. 
• Collaborate with indigenous and local communities, artists and makers – this informs conservation treatments and leads to a valuable exchange of knowledge about the collections.

Conservation at the Museum is made up of many specialisms, which are outlined below. 

Research at the Museum drives the care, display and understanding of the collection. Our research creates new knowledge, often through collaboration and by using cutting edge technology. Research projects, studentships and other activities cover a wide variety of academic disciplines and can involve archaeological excavation, studies of museum collections, working with craftspeople, understanding our visitors, conservation and scientific investigations.

The Conservation team within the Department of Collection Care has a unique and significant contribution to make to the Museum's research programme through its practice-based research projects. Our conservators combine knowledge and skills in art, craft, science, engineering, computer-based technologies and imaging techniques to take care of the Museum's diverse collection.

Our research focuses on: 

• Conserving and preserving the collection by finding new materials and developing new techniques, systems and methodologies – these are used to reduce or mitigate risk to items on display, on loan or in storage. 
• Understanding how objects deteriorate by examining the materials they're made from and the techniques used to make them. 
• Applying our research to business-as-usual museum practice such as improving packing cases to protect objects during transportation for loans and touring exhibitions.  

Research outcomes are disseminated through presentations at conferences, by publishing in peer-reviewed journals and in blogs and videos. We regularly highlight our work through lectures and behind-the-scenes visits to the Conservation studios for Museum Members – view current Members events.

The Conservation team offer a limited number of unpaid placements to students enrolled on recognised conservation training courses. These placements provide an excellent opportunity for students to gain real-world experience in object treatment and Museum process, guided by the Museum's expert staff. Placement duration is usually between eight weeks and six months.

Placement work generally focuses on developing practical skills and experience, with tasks drawn from the team's day-to-day work schedule. This can include both preventive and interventive work for exhibitions, loans, and display. It can also involve work on objects in storage and assistance with research projects. Mandatory health and safety training, induction training and some administrative tasks will form part of the placement. Placements focused on specific research aims or object types are sometimes possible by special arrangement.

The Museum is unable to provide financial or administrative support of any kind for these student placements.