Email digest for the Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList) egroup. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. 38th Biennial IPH Congress August 24 to 29. Attention: Participants in other time zones! 2. TIME SENSITIVE: Senior Lecturer in Conservation, University of Gothenburg, Permanent, Full-time 3. RE: Paintings research query response summary 4. JAIC: Call for Associate Editors 5. JAIC: Call for papers - special issue on Conservation Outreach & Community 6. MRCG-CACG joint meeting - final day for early bird registration and abstracts 7. JAIC: Call for papers - special issue on Fire-Retardants and Art 8. Comparison of Heavy Metal Contamination in Zoological Collections? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.From: Margaret Holben Ellis Posted: Thursday August 13, 2026 6:46 AM Subject: 38th Biennial IPH Congress August 24 to 29. Attention: Participants in other time zones! Message: Attention - participants in other time zones! Paper Trade The 38th Biennial Congress of the International Association of Paper Historians (IPH) will be held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, from 24 to 29 August 2026. The organizers have noted that very few online participants from across the Atlantic have registered. If this is because you thought you would have to watch most of the talks in the very early hours of the morning or during the night, please be assured that most talks will be available to watch online for up to two months after the event! You will find further information on the registration page, which is open for online participants until August 19. (IPH Congress 2026 - Home <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.aanmelder.nl_iphcongress2026_home&d=DwMFaQ&c=slrrB7dE8n7gBJbeO0g-IQ&r=pXpcAlgtokKTaRVVP7GW2g&m=BU3dfllH855QKCcvU-DjaXHJeS9DY8TilnQ4s9nm5fFnvdSO8Z-dwtehYz_HjR9Z&s=AcrzalnXC0ye-yxvnsnEUPHn7nzoA3xl-6NEfBlWYhg&e=>). ------------------------------ Margaret Holben Ellis ------------------------------ 2.From: Chiara Pasian Posted: Thursday August 13, 2026 6:47 AM Subject: TIME SENSITIVE: Senior Lecturer in Conservation, University of Gothenburg, Permanent, Full-time Message: Senior Lecturer in Conservation, specialising in the conservation of Organic Materials and/or Preventive Conservation Deadline: 18 August 2026 Full time, Permanent position web103.reachmee.com/ext/I005/1035/... <https://web103.reachmee.com/ext/I005/1035/job?site=7&lang=UK&validator=9b89bead79bb7258ad55c8d75228e5b7&job_id=40815> Reference number PAR 2026/160 The University of Gothenburg tackles societys challenges with diverse knowledge. 58 000 students and 6800 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future. At the Department of Conservation, professionally oriented education and research are conducted with a focus on cultural heritage, landscapes and cultural environments, buildings, gardens, and objects. The Department has operations in two locations: Gothenburg and Mariestad. Object conservators and building antiquarians are educated in Gothenburg. In Mariestad, programmes are offered with a focus on building crafts, garden crafts, and landscape management. Collaboration between the Departments different knowledge areas, as well as with the wider national and international community, is an important part of its activities. Conservation is a subject area that brings together expertise from a broad field of knowledge spanning the natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences. Research in conservation has developed across a range of areas and themes. For more information, please visit www.conservation.gu.se <https://www.conservation.gu.se/> DutiesTeaching duties include planning, developing and delivering teaching at first- and second-cycle levels within objects conservation, with a particular focus on organic materials and/or preventive conservation in the bachelors and masters programmes in Conservation. Teaching at doctoral level and within commissioned education may also be included, as may teaching in other programmes and courses at the Department. Teaching takes place in both Swedish and English. As a researcher, you are expected to participate actively in the Departments research environments and seminar activities and, both independently and in collaboration with others, initiate and conduct research projects. As external research funding is an important prerequisite for the research activities of both the Department and individual staff members, the duties include actively contributing to the Departments work to secure external funding. You are also expected to contribute to collaboration with the wider national and international community and to the development of the Departments environment. The position also includes carrying out the administrative duties associated with a teaching post and, in the longer term, taking part in and performing various leadership assignments. You are also expected to participate in work relating to university-wide assignments. QualificationsEligibility for appointment as Senior Lecturer is laid down in Chapter 4, Section 4 of the Higher Education Ordinance and in the Appointments Procedure for Teachers at the University of Gothenburg. To be eligible for appointment, the applicant must hold a doctoral degree in Conservation, or another PhD considered relevant in relation to the subject content of the position and the duties included in the appointment and must have demonstrated teaching expertise. Experience of practical conservation work involving objects in several different organic material categories and/or preventive conservation is considered a merit. Applicants must also have completed higher education teaching training corresponding to 15 credits or have acquired equivalent knowledge by other means. If the applicant has not completed such training at the time of appointment, it is expected to be completed within onw year from the start of employment. The official language at the University of Gothenburg is Swedish, and teaching is normally conducted in Swedish at first-cycle level and in English at second-cycle level. Good language skills and the ability to teach in English are required. Applicants who do not speak Swedish at the time of appointment will be offered the opportunity, within the framework of their employment, to study Swedish to be able to teach in Swedish within two years. If the successful applicant is recruited internationally and does not possess Swedish language proficiency at a minimum of level B2 according to the CEFR, Swedish language courses will be mandatory. The University of Gothenburg offers Swedish language courses within the framework of employment. Assessment criteriaIn the assessment of applicants, equal weight will be given to scientific and pedagogical expertise. Weight will also be given to experience of professional conservation practice and experience of collaboration with the wider community, nationally and internationally. In the assessment of scientific expertise, publications of high scientific quality will be considered in the first instance. In addition, documented ability to initiate, plan and conduct research, experience of international work, and the ability to obtain research funding in competition will be taken into account. Pedagogical expertise must be well documented so that both scope and quality can be assessed. Particular weight will be given to experience of planning and delivering teaching. Supervision at first-, second- and third-cycle levels is considered a merit. Professional practice and experience of collaboration must be well documented. In this recruitment, we will primarily consider the applicant who, following an overall assessment of scientific and pedagogical expertise, administrative experience, conservation practice and collaboration, is judged to have the best qualifications to carry out the duties of the position and to contribute to the positive development of the Departments activities. Employment Type of employment: Permanent position Extent: 100% Location: Department of Conservation, Gothenburg First day of employment: As agreed For questions about the positionIf you have any questions regarding the position, you are welcome to contact: Administrative Manager Lars Runnquist, telephone 031-786 93 60, email [email protected] <[email protected]> Union representativesInformation about union representatives at the University of Gothenburg is available here: www.gu.se/om <https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande>- <https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande>universitetet/jobba <https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande>- <https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande>hos <https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande>- <https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande>oss/hjalp <https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande>for <https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande>- <https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande>sokande <https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande> Application To apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you must register an account in our recruitment system. You apply for the position via the University of Gothenburg recruitment portal by clicking the Apply button. It is your responsibility to ensure that your application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and that it is submitted no later than the application deadline. The following documents must be attached to your application: A personal letter explaining why you are interested in the position and describing your plans and intentions in research and other activities relevant to the appointment (maximum of two pages).CV, including a complete publication list.Copies of relevant degree certificates and other documents you wish to refer to.An account of your scientific merits and the reasons for the selection of the scientific publications (maximum 5) referred to in the application. Please state your role and contribution to the selected publications.Documentation of pedagogical merits, including information on the scope and type of teaching and an account of its quality. The report must also include pedagogical reflection and a teaching philosophy (maximum of two pages).Documentation (maximum 5 items) of professional practice.Documentation (maximum 5 items) of merits in leadership, administration and collaboration.Complete electronic copies of your most important publications (maximum 10).Two references, whom we may contact.Documents that are not available in electronic format must be submitted in two copies. The application must be received no later than: 18 August 2026 The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations. The University of Gothenburg operates an individual pay system, which means that salaries vary depending on skills, duties, and responsibilities. Salaries for senior lecturers at the Department of Conservation at the University of Gothenburg start at 50,000 SEK.In accordance with the National Archives of Swedens regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed. In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies. 3.From: Bart Devolder Posted: Thursday August 13, 2026 9:15 AM Subject: RE: Paintings research query response summary Message: Hi all, Maybe Mark is thinking of Rogier van der Weyden's Seven Sacrament painting in KMSKA, Belgium. There are several portraits on tin added. Restauration of Van der Weyden's Triptych of the Seven Sacraments <https://vlaamsekunstcollectie.be/en/news/restauration-vanderweyden-seven-sacraments> and also https://aata.getty.edu/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=GETTY_AATA9934098138701551&context=L&vid=AATA&lang=en_US ------------------------------ Bart Devolder Chief Conservator Princeton University Art Museum ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 08-12-2026 16:48 From: Mark Aronson Subject: Paintings research query response summary Hi Elizabeth, Not sure if you received my added remarks by direct email, but here they were: In things British also look at John Martin. The YCBA Deluge has a huge cut out at the bottom left, sort of the shape of a winged sofa-ish. Scroll though the images until you get to the x-radiograph.https://collections.britishart.yale.edu/catalog/tms:5017 <https://collections.britishart.yale.edu/catalog/tms:5017>A prints person whose name was ??? mentioned that Martin experimented with mezzotint by cutting out prints of different values of dark or black and collaging them together as studies in value, but I don't know these studies, but I see there is a lot about Martin and mezzotint on-line. So he wasn't afraid of cutting up canvas either - it seems.Also in earlier practice on the continent - Jan van Scorel's Jerusalem Pilgrims in the Franshalsmuseum in the Netherlands, has a portrait on tin that was glued on - presumably because the sitter was not local to the creation of the panel? I can't find the picture on the museum's website but here is a link:https://art-in-space.blogspot.com/2015/04/jan-van-scorel-12-members-of-haarlem.html <https://art-in-space.blogspot.com/2015/04/jan-van-scorel-12-members-of-haarlem.html>The portrait sixth from the RIGHT with a slightly yellow/pasty complexion was painted on tin and then glued on. (I worked on this painting as a fellow, now a hundred years ago.) There is another such painting in some Dutch collection, but I'm not jogging it out of my memory just now. Mark ------------------------------ Mark Aronson Senior Conservator Yale Center for British Art New Haven United States ------------------------------ 4.From: Carmina Lamare-Bertrand Posted: Thursday August 13, 2026 1:18 PM Subject: JAIC: Call for Associate Editors Message: Call for Associate Editors The Journal of the American Institute for Conservation <https://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=yjac20> (JAIC) is seeking to expand its Editorial Board and invites AIC members to apply for our volunteer Associate Editor positions. We would like to add expertise in these specialties to the board: Architectural conservation (built heritage, monuments conservation, historic preservation) Contemporary art conservation (including modern materials, neon, kinetic sculpture, electronic and time-based art, performance art, etc.) Electronic Media Objects Preventive Care Wooden Artifacts Serving as an Associate Editor takes dedication, a drive to enhance our common knowledge, and a willingness to dive into research and push for excellence. The time commitment is typically a few hours per month unless a special issue requires more intensive attention. About the journal JAIC is the primary vehicle of the American Institute for the Conservation (AIC) for the publication of peer-reviewed technical studies, research papers, treatment case studies, and ethics and standards discussions relating to the broad field of conservation and preservation of historic and cultural works. Your contribution/role An Associate Editor is responsible for: Reviewing papers, offering feedback, and monitoring the progress of reviewers. Managing a specialized peer-reviewing team and finding new reviewers as needed. Helping encourage high-quality submissions, at times through special issues. Improve our editorial guidelines as needed. Participating in two annual online editorial meetings, an in-person business luncheon at AIC's annual meeting, and considering how to share expertise at our annual meeting publication pre-session or other educational offering. JAIC Board members should meet the following criteria: Be (or become) a member of AIC, with preference for members with peer-reviewed designation. Have research interests in common with the Aims and Scope <https://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=yjac20> of JAIC. Desire to be involved with journal activities and drive the publication forward, including willingness to mentor writers. Have published in peer-reviewed publications. Excellent command of the English language and familiarity with scholarly article structure and style. If you are interested in volunteering and joining our Board, please send us your statement of interest, CV, areas of interest and expertise, and your contact information to [email protected] <[email protected]>. We are also available to answer any questions you may have. ------------------------------ Carmina Lamare-Bertrand Communications Manager, JAIC Managing Editor American Institute for Conservation and Foundation for Advancement in Conservation ------------------------------ 5.From: Carmina Lamare-Bertrand Posted: Thursday August 13, 2026 1:19 PM Subject: JAIC: Call for papers - special issue on Conservation Outreach & Community Message: CALL FOR JOURNAL SUBMISSIONS JAIC special issue on "Conservation Outreach and Community Engagement" Abstracts due September 15, 2026 The Journal of American Institute for Conservation (JAIC <https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/yjac20/about-this-journal#editorial-board>) and the organizers of the special issue seek submission on the topic of "Conservation Outreach and Community Engagement." Due to the enthusiasm for the 2025 AIC Annual Meeting Concurrent Session "We're All in This Together: Conservation Outreach and Community Engagement," the Outreach and K-12 subcommittees are putting together a special issue of the JAIC on the topic. The aim of the special issue is to expand upon the presentations from the annual meeting and highlight successful case studies as well as moments of reflection on challenges. Conservation outreach and engagement are inherently collaborative and encompass a wide range of activities, from writing a blog post to developing a K-12 curriculum. They can involve building relationships with anyone from fellow museum professionals to the general public. Outreach and storytelling are essential to the future of the field, but it can seem daunting to begin engaging in this work. We invite papers from anyone involved in outreach and community engagement work, including from people in private practice, emerging professionals, museum educators and other allied professionals. Article types sought include research articles, short case studies, literature reviews, and ethical considerations. AREAS OF INTEREST Areas of interest include but are not limited to: Building diverse audiences and community engagement Creating understanding with museum colleagues and allied professionals Gaining buy-in and/or funding for cultural heritage preservation; political advocacy K-12 or family programs and intergenerational learning Outreach to artists Experiences speaking with the media SUBMISSION DETAILS Authors are invited to submit an abstract in Word format (500 words max), including title of the proposed paper, and an article outline to the organizers by September 15, 2026, at [email protected] <[email protected]> or [email protected] <[email protected]>. The organizers will notify authors by October 31, 2026, of their decision, and selected articles must be submitted in their entirety through JAIC <https://rp.tandfonline.com/submission/create?journalCode=YJAC>'s <https://rp.tandfonline.com/submission/create?journalCode=YJAC>online portal <https://rp.tandfonline.com/submission/create?journalCode=YJAC> by April 30, 2027. Guidelines and style guide are at www.culturalheritage.org/journal <http://www.culturalheritage.org/journal>. You may send inquiries about the special issue to Ellen Chase and Rebecca Rushfield at the above email addresses. ------------------------------ Carmina Lamare-Bertrand Communications Manager, JAIC Managing Editor American Institute for Conservation and Foundation for Advancement in Conservation ------------------------------ 6.From: Melina Avery Posted: Thursday August 13, 2026 1:19 PM Subject: MRCG-CACG joint meeting - final day for early bird registration and abstracts Message: Please join us for the Midwest Regional Conservation Guild - Chicago Area Conservation Group Joint Symposium <https://www.midwestconservation.org/2026-annual-meeting>, October 16-17, 2026. REGISTRATION <https://www.midwestconservation.org/membership-and-events/p/2026-mrcg-cacg> Early Bird Registration closes on August 14th! Please also note that if you are hoping to add a discounted ticket to the sold-out Obama Presidential Center Museum to your symposium registration, they will be available as add-ons starting on Saturday August 15th at noon ET. We were able to secure a limited number of tickets, for symposium registrants only, as part of our conservator-led tour of the OPC campus. ABSTRACTS <https://www.midwestconservation.org/submitabstracts-2026> The deadline for submitting abstracts has been extended to August 14th! Your proposal should include: • Presenter(s) name(s), title(s), and affiliation(s) • Presentation Title • Abstract (250 words or less) • Preferred Presentation Format (20 min presentation or 5 min tip) Please email your proposal to [email protected] <[email protected]> McCRONE WORKSHOP We are still accepting applications for the McCrone Research Institute <https://mccroneinstitute.org/> Workshop on Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) for fibers. It is a 2-day workshop on October 14th – 15th. The workshop is capped at 15 participants, so you may be placed on a standby list. Please use this Google Form <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdtd20QFFMUFeU-RegLx6VaMiY7izlxxRgF8kJ9LEXA0IC3Eg/viewform?usp=header> to apply. MRCG or CACG Membership is required to attend the 2026 Annual Symposium. MRCG members can renew their membership with their registration or separately here <https://www.midwestconservation.org/membership-and-events/p/annual-membership>. For information about CACG Membership please see CACG Membership <https://www.chicagoareaconservation.org/membership> MRCG & CACG have been unable to secure hotel blocks nearby. We strongly encourage attendees to book accommodation early as there are several simultaneous events occurring in Chicago during the Symposium. A recommended hotel near the symposium is the Hyatt Place Chicago South <https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-place/en-US/chizu-hyatt-place-chicago-south-university-medical-center>. Other local hotels are listed on our interactive map <https://maps.app.goo.gl/9RpWUxD8qd3cb3NT7>. Please keep checking the MRCG & CACG Joint Symposium Website <https://www.midwestconservation.org/2026-annual-meeting> for regular updates and we look forward to seeing all of you in Chicago! ------------------------------ Melina Avery Interim Head of Conservation and Senior Conservator University of Chicago Library Chicago United States ------------------------------ 7.From: Carmina Lamare-Bertrand Posted: Thursday August 13, 2026 3:39 PM Subject: JAIC: Call for papers - special issue on Fire-Retardants and Art Message: CALL FOR JOURNAL SUBMISSIONS JAIC special issue on "Fire-Retardants and Art" Abstracts due September 30, 2026 The Journal of American Institute for Conservation (JAIC <https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/yjac20>) and the organizers of the special issue on the topic of “FIRE-RETARDANTS AND ART” seeks submissions. The aim of the special issue is to explore the use and impact of fire-retardants on art, whether they were incorporated during the original fabrication or as a later treatment. Drawing on perspectives from science and industry as well as conservation, this special issue of JAIC will consider the material effects of fire-retardants and their long-term implications for the preservation, analysis, and treatment of a wide range of art forms. We also welcome papers addressing the impact of fire-retardants on the health and safety of conservators. Conservators working in all fields - including, but not limited to, built heritage, textiles, sculpture, and film - are encouraged to submit. The goal of this issue is to share strategies for identification, assessment, documentation, and treatment, and to foster collaboration across disciplines in addressing this surprisingly prevalent yet under-discussed issue within the conservation field. We are open to all types of articles, including full-length articles, short experimental “technical” notes or rapid communications describing anecdotes with fire-retardants. We would also welcome literature reviews, or a discussion of ethical considerations. AREAS OF INTEREST Areas of interest include but are not limited to: The rationale for applying fire-retardant coatings (e.g., compliance with building codes, exhibition requirements, or artist intent) Whether these coatings require different preventive conservation strategies Methods for identifying and analyzing fire-retardant materials in artworks Case studies involving testing, deterioration, conservation challenges, or unexpected material interactions Practical and ethical decision-making in applying or treating works with fire-retardants SUBMISSION DETAILS – DEADLINE EXTENTION Authors are invited to submit an abstract in Word format (500 words max), including title of the proposed paper, and an article outline to the organizers by September 30, 2026, to [email protected] <[email protected]> and [email protected] <[email protected]>. The organizers will notify authors by October 10, 2026, of their decision. Selected articles must be submitted by April 1, 2027, in their entirety through JAIC <https://rp.tandfonline.com/submission/create?journalCode=YJAC>’s <https://rp.tandfonline.com/submission/create?journalCode=YJAC>online portal <https://rp.tandfonline.com/submission/create?journalCode=YJAC>. Guidelines and styleguide are at www.culturalheritage.org/journal. ------------------------------ Carmina Lamare-Bertrand Communications Manager, JAIC Managing Editor American Institute for Conservation and Foundation for Advancement in Conservation ------------------------------ 8.From: William Shepherd Posted: Thursday August 13, 2026 3:40 PM Subject: Comparison of Heavy Metal Contamination in Zoological Collections? Message: Hello All, I'm finishing up an XRF project where I tested a huge part of our zoological/taxidermy collection. I've been volun-told that I'm presenting on the project to our City Council. Within conservation and collections circles we know that dangers exist within our holdings, but once words like arsenic show up in the presentation I'm anticipating some surprise from Council and a question if that's normal. I can say that X, Y Z are expected in our taxidermy as our specimens cover 100-ish year period, but I'd like to support that with some examples from other institutions. I've done some searching, but most resources focus on carrying out projects or specific examples versus whole collection results. If I've missed something, please let me know. I don't need tons of details, I'm thinking percentages of tested collections that showed positive for arsenic, barium, cadium, lead, and/or mercury. If anyone is willing to share I'd appreciate it. I'm certainly happy to share any data I recorded from our project to anyone who is interested. Thank you in advance! ------------------------------ William Shepherd (He/Him/His) Collections Officer - Swift Current Museum Swift Current, SK, Canada ------------------------------ 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.
