Email digest for the Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList) egroup. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Pregunta sobre detailles de un podcast La Brega/Question about further details from a podcast La Brega 2. Call for abstracts to all early carreer (Heritage) Scientists for the Gordon Research Seminar 11-12 July 2026 3. IAP Virtual course: Identification of Insect Pests in Collections 4. Materials Science Pioneers in Art and Archaeology Webinar Series 5. Questions about mobile solvent extraction units ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.From: Sarah Lowengard Posted: Tuesday February 10, 2026 5:08 PM Subject: Pregunta sobre detailles de un podcast La Brega/Question about further details from a podcast La Brega Message: El último podcast de «La Brega» describe el vandalismo sufrido por una estatua de Ponce de León en San Juan, PR, y su posterior reparación. Aunque plantea cuestiones sobre las representaciones de la historia y el colonialismo en el arte público, lo que me interesó fue la necesidad de reparar un monumento centenario en menos de un día. Me gustaría saber más sobre el aspecto conservacionista de esta historia. ¿Alguien sabe algo al respecto? Escúchalo aquí: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/68c885c59445f7a951e9b5c4/e/69275b77064897cd5fe70df7/media.mp3?sc=siteplayer&aw_0_1st.playerid=siteplayer A episode of the podcast "La Brega" featured a story about the vandalism and repair of a statue of Ponce de Leon in San Juan, PR. While the point of the story was the representation of history and of colonialism in public art, apparently the monument was back on display in less than a day. Does anyone have further information? I assume no committees were involved. :^) You can hear the episode here:https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/68c885c59445f7a951e9b5c4/e/69275caacaf6efa703c88254/media.mp3?sc=siteplayer&aw_0_1st.playerid=siteplayer ¡Gracas (y disculpa mis errores)! Thanks! Sarah ------------------------------ Sarah Lowengard Historian of technologies & sciences Art conservator of textiles New York United States ------------------------------ 2.From: Sanne Berbers Posted: Tuesday February 10, 2026 5:09 PM Subject: Call for abstracts to all early carreer (Heritage) Scientists for the Gordon Research Seminar 11-12 July 2026 Message: Applications for this year's Gordon Research Seminar – Scientific Methods in Cultural Heritage Research are open! The seminar takes place on 11 and 12 July 2026 in Les Diablerets (Switzerland). The deadline for abstracts to be considered for an oral presentation is on the 5th of April. This seminar is the perfect platform for young scientist in the beginning of their career (graduate, PhD students, PostDocs or similar) in (cultural) heritage science to present their work, discuss new methods, cutting edge ideas, and pre-published data, as well as to build collaborative relationships with their peers. This year's seminar has the theme '𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲' and we will organize exciting sessions around these and other topics: - Novel ways of using established techniques for object-based research - Reassessing and expanding emerging analytical techniques to aid complex issues in Heritage Science - The use and sharing of samples/materials/mock-ups, data sharing practice and the role of AI - Advances in scientific techniques for material analysis, conservation, technical art history and archaeology - Connecting fundamental research with conservation practices The GRS will also include a Keynote lecture by Aviva Burnstock, Professor of Conservation at The Courtauld Institute of Art with a title: "𝘈𝘥𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘦: 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘦𝘺" On Sunday, we will have a mentorship component " Practical Advice for Early Career Scientists" with Marine Cotte, beamline scientists at ESRF Synchrotron, and Laura Hendriks - SNSF Ambizione Fellow, as panel members. We are sure that their experiences at different career stages will be inspirational for our community to better dive into the challenge of we face : from applying for beamtime to life after a post-doc. We also encourage applicants to apply to the Gordon Research Conference that starts immediately after the seminar (12-17 July), organized by Ilaria Bonaduce and Samuel Webb. Please note that limited funding is available for attending the GRS. Please get in touch if you would like to be considered for this. Further information and application details: GRS: https://www.grc.org/scientific-methods-in-cultural-heritage-research-grs-conference/2026/ <https://www.grc.org/scientific-methods-in-cultural-heritage-research-grs-conference/2026/> On behalf of the Chairs of the GRS: Amelia Suzuki, Nottingham Trent University – ISPC-CNR Sanne Berbers, Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands ------------------------------ Sanne Berbers Heritage Scientist Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed Amsterdam Netherlands ------------------------------ 3.From: James Black Posted: Tuesday February 10, 2026 5:13 PM Subject: IAP Virtual course: Identification of Insect Pests in Collections Message: Date: Tuesday, 17th & Wednesday, 18th March 2026 Time: This course will take place 2pm to 5pm GMT both days Tutors: David Pinniger and Jane Thompson Webb Price: £145.00 Platform: Zoom Registration: Please register through Humanitix <https://events.humanitix.com/identification-of-insect-pests-in-collections/tickets?widget=popup>. For payment by bank transfer please contact us by email. <https://academicprojects.co.uk/courses/identification-of-insect-pests-in-collections-a-two-session-virtual-course-8/[email protected]> For more information please visit our website: https://academicprojects.co.uk/courses/identification-of-insect-pests-in-collections-a-two-session-virtual-course-8/ <https://academicprojects.co.uk/courses/identification-of-insect-pests-in-collections-a-two-session-virtual-course-8/> This two-session virtual course focusses on identifying the insect pests that may be found in collections of objects in museums and galleries, historic houses etc. Such insects may well have been observed and recorded on insect pest traps in the context of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme. In addition to discussions on identifying common insect pests, participants will learn of new pests and possible future problems. There will be ample opportunity to discuss particular issues or problems experienced by participants. The focus will be on European pests but there will also be mention of USA species and termites. Participants who have experience of IPM will benefit most from this course and everyone will be encouraged to send in images of insects which they wish to identify/confirm either before the course or before the second day of the course. David Pinniger is an entomologist and international pest management consultant. He has worked with IAP in offering short courses on IPM and Insect Identification since 1984. Jane Thompson Webb is the Conservation Team Leader at Birmingham Museums Trust, chairs the ICON Care of Collections Group and has taught courses with IAP since 2008. ------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ James Black Co-ordinator International Academic Projects London www.academicprojects.co.uk ------------------------------ 4.From: Celia Chari Posted: Tuesday February 10, 2026 5:14 PM Subject: Materials Science Pioneers in Art and Archaeology Webinar Series Message: I am pleased to announce the second speaker of the Materials Science Pioneers in Art and Archaeology Webinar - a new series hosted by the Art, Archaeology and Conservation Science Division of the American Ceramic Society. Please join us on February 20th at 12 pm ET (5 pm GMT / 6 pm CET), as we welcome: Dr. Madeline Meier, who is currently a postdoctoral scholar at the Northwestern University/Art Institute of Chicago Center for Scientific Studies (NU-ACCESS). Dr. Meier's talk will be on: Examining Featherworks with USAXS Synchrotron Techniques Registration is required to attend, but at no cost to all. Hope to see you there! Please register for this event: Art, Archaeology & Conservation Science Division Materials Science Pioneers in Art and Archaeology Webinar Series: Examining Featherworks with USAXS Synchrotron Techniques <https://ceramics.org/course/art-archaeology-conservation-science-division-materials-science-pioneers-in-art-and-archaeology-webinar-series-examining-featherworks-with-usaxs-synchrotron-techniques/> Abstract: Feathers and featherworks present an interesting material study amongst cultural heritage objects as feather coloring can be produced via colorants that are pigmentary-based, structurally-based or a combination of both. Structural colors, in contrast with dyes and pigments, are generated through light-matter interactions with nanostructured features. Understanding the physical properties of these systems is critical in generating a comprehensive examination of the structural colorants and aids in better understanding of the overall materiality of objects that utilize these unique and fascinating materials. In her presentation, Dr. Madeline Meier will introduce Ultra-/Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (USAXS/SAXS), a synchrotron-based technique, as a promising tool for investigating cultural heritage objects that employ structurally based colorants. She will review recent research on featherworks and present an ongoing project examining tian-tsui featherworks from the Qing Dynasty using a multimodal analytical approach that incorporates synchrotron USAXS methods. Tian-tsui is a craft in which feathers are meticulously adhered to support surfaces to form intricate designs, producing objects that range from jewelry and hair ornaments to elaborate headdresses and screen panels. Their distinctive blue coloration derives from kingfisher feathers and results from nanoscale structural features rather than pigments or dyes. This study aims to deepen understanding of the craft's materiality and, more broadly, to contribute to the development of best practices for analyzing structural color in cultural heritage materials. Speaker Biography: Dr. Madeline Meier is a postdoctoral scholar at the Northwestern University/Art Institute of Chicago Center for Scientific Studies in the Arts. She graduated with a B.S. in chemistry from the University of Arkansas and went on to obtain her PhD in Chemistry at the California Institute of Technology. Her research at Caltech focused on studying the fundamental light-matter interactions of nanostructured, semiconducting materials. At the center her work is focused on the application of scientific techniques, both non-invasive and micro-destructive, to investigate cultural heritage works across a range of material classes. Her recent research has focused on the analysis of paintings, works on paper, textiles, metals, and featherworks using multimodal analytical approaches, including micro-destructive and non-destructive techniques as well as synchrotron-based methods. This work includes the development of new analytical methodologies and best practices for investigating structural colorants and other materials at the micro- and nanoscale. In addition, in collaboration with computer scientists, her research explores the integration of artificial intelligence in cultural heritage science to enhance data processing and enable data fusion for more comprehensive examination of heritage objects. ------------------------------ Celia S. Chari Conservation Scientist Mapping Color in History, Harvard University Based in Washington D.C. United States ------------------------------ 5.From: Rachel Benjamin Posted: Tuesday February 10, 2026 5:20 PM Subject: Questions about mobile solvent extraction units Message: The Centre de conservation du Québec (CCQ) is looking into purchasing one or more portable solvent extraction units: semi-permanent on wheels, for use in-studio, but also lighter-in-weight, suit-case style, to be transported to worksites. We are interested in your opinions about what brand you have purchased; what we should avoid; whether there are units that remove solvent fumes only or solvents and specific types of particles that require several different filters; are there units that signal when a given filter needs to be changed? What else should be considered when deciding what to purchase? Basically, any advice and recommendations concerning this kind of equipment would be of interest. Thank you! Rachel Benjamin Restauratrice de biens culturels et du patrimoine Atelier de peintures Téléphone 418 643-7001, x3268 Courriel : [email protected] <[email protected]> Centre de conservation du Québec Direction des opérations en conservation et restauration Ministère de la Culture et des Communications 1825, rue Semple Québec (Québec) G1N 4B7 Centre de conservation du Québec <https://www.quebec.ca/gouvernement/ministeres-organismes/culture-communications/mission-services/mission-mandats/mission-et-mandats-du-centre-de-conservation-du-quebec> Ministère de la Culture et des Communications <https://www.quebec.ca/gouvernement/ministere/culture-communications> <https://twitter.com/mccquebec> <https://www.facebook.com/mccquebec> <http://www.youtube.com/mccquebec> You are subscribed to "Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList)" as [email protected]. To change your subscriptions, go to http://community.culturalheritage.org/preferences?section=Subscriptions. To unsubscribe from this community discussion, go to https://community.culturalheritage.org/HigherLogic/eGroups/Unsubscribe.aspx?UserKey=d16eaa87-0f69-494b-9f2f-303dbc1222e1&sKey=fab9aa4f27a04c5d876e&GroupKey=757a8f16-505f-4323-8e74-e376757aa9f7.
