Email digest for the Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList) egroup. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. RE: Cultural Heritage Destruction in Iran 2. Call for Applications: Professorship in Memory Cultures (W2, Full-time, fixed-term until 31 Dec 2030) – Application Deadline: 3 May 2026 3. Alliance for Response NYC--upcoming meeting 4. Position at Yale University Library: Head, Book Conservation 5. Course: Photoreproductions: Identification and Conservation 6. RE: Registration open! The Role of the Conservator and Resilience Symposium 15-16 april 2026 Gothenburg Sweden ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.From: Louise O'Connor Posted: Thursday March 26, 2026 9:18 AM Subject: RE: Cultural Heritage Destruction in Iran Message: in response to this statement - 'We do NOT target civilians. We do NOT target cultural heritage sites. This does not mean that neither civilians are harmed nor cultural heritage is damaged, but we do everything in our power to prevent that. The weapons dropped by our aircraft are precision guided munitions, utilizing GPS, to make sure that the intended target is hit. Everything I am seeing, including footage from inside Iran, indicates very precise targeting aimed at military targets and leadership'. I am sharing this article to pointing users of this forum to this article 'US responsible for deadly missile strike on Iran school, preliminary inquiry says | US-Israel war on Iran | The Guardian' <https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/11/iran-war-missile-strike-elementary-school> 'the inquiry – which has yet to be completed – has found that officers at US Central Command created the target coordinates for the strike using obsolete data provided by the Defense Intelligence Agency.' ------------------------------ Louise O'Connor Conservator University College, Boole Library Cork Ireland ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 03-25-2026 09:47 From: Alan Hawk Subject: Cultural Heritage Destruction in Iran As someone who has served in the Armed Forces of the United States (including to one deployment to Afghanistan), we are extremely sensitive to preventing damage to cultural heritage. Even junior enlisted service members are sensitized to this issue in their law of war training. We do NOT target civilians. We do NOT target cultural heritage sites. This does not mean that neither civilians are harmed nor cultural heritage is damaged, but we do everything in our power to prevent that. The weapons dropped by our aircraft are precision guided munitions, utilizing GPS, to make sure that the intended target is hit. Everything I am seeing, including footage from inside Iran, indicates very precise targeting aimed at military targets and leadership. The IRGC (unlike Hamas, Al Qaeda, ISIS and the Taliban), to their credit, doesn't appear to be using museums, mosques and schools for munition storage or command posts, which would turn them into legitimate military targets. Extremist Shia (Iran) don't appear to be as antithetical to artwork as the Sunni extremists, such as ISIS and the Taliban. ------------------------------ Alan Hawk Museum Specialist National Museum of Health and Medicine Silver Spring MD [email protected] <[email protected]> ------------------------------ Original Message: Sent: 03-12-2026 23:40 From: Aisha Wahab Subject: Cultural Heritage Destruction in Iran For anyone that has missed the latest calls and warnings from our cultural heritage sector about the deliberate destruction of cultural heritage in Iran by the United States and Israel, UNESCO <https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-expresses-concern-over-protection-cultural-heritage-sites-amidst-escalating-violence-middle>, ICOM <https://icom.museum/en/news/icom-calls-for-protection-of-museums-and-cultural-heritage-amid-conflict-in-iran-the-gulf-region-and-the-eastern-mediterranean/>, Museum Associations <https://www.museumsassociation.org/museums-journal/news/2026/03/blue-shield-warns-of-potential-war-crimes-against-irans-cultural-sites/>, ICOMOS <https://www.icomos.org/actualite/icomos-statement-middle-east/>, and USCBS <https://uscbs.org/statement-iran-conflict-cultural-heritage-march-2026/> have all posted about the concern for Iranian cultural heritage, the warning of potential war crimes against Iran's cultural sites, and the call for protection of cultural heritage in Iran. We are currently witnessing the deliberate destruction of cultural heritage, the loss of civilian life, and harm to our planet with this current war on Iran. The deliberate destruction of cultural heritage is against our code of ethics, against what we stand for as cultural heritage protectors, it violates the Geneva Conventions' Additional Protocols, the 1954 Hague Convention, and it violates international law. In less than 2 weeks of war, thousands of civilians have been killed or injured, toxic rain from bombed oil depots threatens the planet and people's health, and it has been reported that several UNESCO World Heritage sites have been damaged in Iran including the Golestan Palace, the Chehel Sotoon, the Masjed e-Jameh of Isfahan, Ali Qapu palace, several mosques around Nash e-Jahan Square, and prehistoric sites of the Khorrambad Valley. I fell in love with Iranian art and architecture prior to my career in conservation, when I was interning at the LA County Museum of Art under the Art of the Middle East Curator, Linda Komaroff, who showed me a world of magnificent beauty, craftsmanship and culture. A year and a half ago I fell in love all over again when I finally got the opportunity to visit Iran and witness in-person it's beauty, the kindness and hospitality of its people, and it's rich culture and history. I visited most of these World Heritage sites that have been damaged. It is heart breaking to witness such historical, cultural, and human loss and to know that my government is responsible, and my taxes are contributing to it. Please continue to stay informed, call your representatives, and use your voice to speak out against unethical wars, the deaths of civilians, and the destruction of cultural heritage.For further articles on the issue:https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/03/10/unesco-sites-in-iranian-city-of-isfahan-and-others-across-countrydamaged-by-us-israel-strikes <https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/03/10/unesco-sites-in-iranian-city-of-isfahan-and-others-across-countrydamaged-by-us-israel-strikes>https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/12/dismay-as-ancient-heritage-sites-across-iran-damaged-in-us-israel-bombing <https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/12/dismay-as-ancient-heritage-sites-across-iran-damaged-in-us-israel-bombing>https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/11/world/middleeast/iran-heritage-sites-damaged.html <https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/11/world/middleeast/iran-heritage-sites-damaged.html> ------------------------------ Aisha Wahab (she/her) Paper Conservator Stanford Libraries ------------------------------ 2.From: Tilly Laaser Posted: Thursday March 26, 2026 12:04 PM Subject: Call for Applications: Professorship in Memory Cultures (W2, Full-time, fixed-term until 31 Dec 2030) – Application Deadline: 3 May 2026 Message: Societal developments shape our collective engagement with the past. Crises, in particular, change how we live and shape memory culture. The TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences Cologne focuses on this topic in its new Research Impulse "Cultural Memory in Crisis," funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG): https://www.th-koeln.de/kulturwissenschaften/forschungsschwerpunkt-erinnerungskultur-in-der-krise_129106.php. Over the next five years, a transdisciplinary team will investigate the complex interactions between cultural memory and crisis phenomena. As part of this research focus, the TH Köln invites applications for a fixed-term professorship in "Memory Cultures" (W2, full-time). Application deadline: 3 May 2026. Your area of work Societal developments fundamentally shape how we collectively engage with the past. Crises have a lasting impact on the ways in which cultural memory is shaped. You will analyse these dynamics within the DFG-funded research focus "Cultural Memory in Crisis" at the TH Köln. Your contribution will advance research on cultural memory with particular attention to the diverse influences of crises. Key areas of focus include, for example, the impact of the climate crisis on cultural memory (with special emphasis on the preservation of cultural assets and heritage), the shaping of urban memory in a post-migrant society amid crisis-ridden structures, and the effects of digital transformation of cultural memory, particularly through artificial intelligence. In pursuing this research, you will combine methods from the humanities and cultural studies/sciences with participatory and design-based practices. Doing so, you comprehensively examine the societal contexts of cultural memory in times of crisis, and look closely at strategies for coping and resilience mechanisms. Through your research, you will strengthen the profiles of the DFG Research Impulse and the participating faculties of Cultural Sciences, Architecture, and Applied Social Sciences, while actively acquiring third-party funding. In teaching, you will represent the field of "Memory Cultures" in the faculties' master's programmes with a teaching load of nine semester hours per week. You will offer courses in both German and English. In addition, you will actively participate in academic self-governance and be willing to assume responsibility in this area. Your profile You hold a university degree in the humanities or cultural studies/sciences and/or in the disciplines of architecture and design, as well as a doctorate completed with distinction in cultural studies/sciences or a comparable field-ideally with a focus on memory studies or the thematic areas mentioned above. In addition, substantial research and teaching experience at a university, university of applied sciences, or another research or cultural institution is desirable. You have at least five years of professional experience, three of which were gained outside the higher education sector, or you have a German Habilitation title. Alternatively, this requirement may be fulfilled by means of an expert report certifying achievements equivalent to a Habilitation. Such a report may be issued by a university professor or a habilitated professor at a university of applied sciences. Otherwise, you may demonstrate your certifying achievements with a positively evaluated interim review of a junior professorship. The position requires the ability to teach in German and English. Therefore, very good proficiency in German and English is expected, or a willingness to acquire these language skills during the initial period. The basic monthly salary is made up of the W 2 base salary (valid from February 2025): € 7,051.97 with possible supplements. Please follow the link for specifics and salary information: https://www.th-koeln.de/en/information-on-the-w-remuneration_17701.php <https://www.th-koeln.de/en/information-on-the-w-remuneration_17701.php> The appointment is made within a fixed-term private-law employment relationship. If the candidate meets the requirements, appointment to a temporary civil servant status may be also possible. The TH Köln will determine eligibility for such status on a case-by-case basis. We foster a culture of empowerment and cooperation. International science standards, gender equality and inclusion are the guiding principles of our human resources development. We are committed to providing equal opportunities and seek to increase the proportion of women in research and teaching. Thus, applications from women are given priority in case of equal suitability, qualification and professional expertise in accordance with the Equal Opportunities Act of North Rhine-Westphalia (Landesgleichstellungsgesetz). Disabled persons and persons with comparable status are also given preference in case of equal suitability. Further information regarding the job profile, appointment process and application is available here: https://karriere.th-koeln.de/job/view/1575/professorship-memory-cultures?page_lang=en. Your contact person for questions regarding your subject: Prof. Dr. Carolin Höfler E: [email protected] <[email protected]> Your contact person for questions about the procedure: Jonas Tarlowski T: + 49 221 8275 5114 ------------------------------ Tilly Laaser Professor of Paintings Conservation Technische Hochschule Köln, Cologne Institute of Conservation Sciences Köln Germany ------------------------------ 3.From: Jennifer Sainato Posted: Thursday March 26, 2026 12:05 PM Subject: Alliance for Response NYC--upcoming meeting Message: AFR-NYC is planning a meeting for all interested to discuss future programming and organization. We've been busy responding to local disasters and want to make our efforts more impactful and ensure that our local AFR chapter is robust and resilient. Please contact me at [email protected] to add your name to our distribution list. A scheduling email will go out in early April; our goal is to meet virtually later April/early May. Please join us as we plan for our future! ------------------------------ Jennifer Sainato New York United States ------------------------------ 4.From: Brenna Campbell Posted: Thursday March 26, 2026 12:06 PM Subject: Position at Yale University Library: Head, Book Conservation Message: Head, Book Conservation Yale University Library seeks a collaborative and innovative Head to lead its Book Conservation Unit and support stewardship of the Library's extraordinary collections. Yale University Library is made up of 500 staff, more than a dozen libraries and locations, vast physical collections, and extensive electronic resources. All these elements are animated and connected by technology and expertise in the service of teaching, learning, research, and practice. Yale Library's unique collections, amassed over three centuries and widely used in teaching, are a distinctive feature of a Yale education, together with the collections of Yale's museums. Overview The Head of Book Conservation contributes to the library's mission by developing and overseeing the conservation of books for the Yale Library's special collections. Working as a member of Conservation and Exhibition Strategies management team, he/she/they will act as an advocate for the care of collections in a large, dynamic, complex environment, working with a diverse group of stakeholders. Major Responsibilities Directs a variety of workflows generated through conservation review, reading room and classroom use, exhibitions/loans, and/or via cataloging and archival processing. Applies highly specialized knowledge to the treatment of a wide range of books and bound documents including, but not limited to incunabula, manuscripts, printed books, papyri, and parchment. Surveys materials, develops time and cost estimates, and contributes to project proposals. Recommends best practices for housing, storage, handling, exhibition, and loan of collections. Recruits, motivates, and retains a high-performing team of conservators, technicians, student assistants, and interns. Carries out treatment work independently and designs solutions to complex conservation problems for individual objects and collections of materials. Consults on treatments carried out by outside vendors, selects and reviews vendor work. Carries out scientific research and technical examinations to facilitate treatments and/or support curator, faculty, and researcher needs. Contributes to management of laboratory spaces, supplies, and equipment. Upholds best practices for hazardous materials handling, lab safety and collection security. Ensures that all work is documented in accordance with conservation ethics and professional standards, as well as departmental and University requirements. Maintains professional affiliations in appropriate organizations and keeps abreast of the latest developments in conservation principles, techniques, and procedures. Assists with collections emergency response efforts as needed. Performs other duties as required. Required Skills and Abilities Master's degree in Art/Museum Conservation or MLS with Advanced Certification in Conservation Five years professional post-graduate experience Excellent conservation treatment skills and decision-making ability for a wide variety of historical bound materials as demonstrated by a portfolio of treatments and documentation Strong conservation documentation skills, including computing and digital photography. Ability to work in a full range of applications including word processing, collection management systems, spreadsheets, and databases Demonstrated knowledge of chemistry and material science research related to conservation Proven ability to plan, organize and prioritize projects to meet deadlines and clear objectives. Good time management skills. Strong research and documentation skills Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; demonstrated effectiveness in influencing and crafting recommendations and training for audiences with a wide range of conservation knowledge Strong management skills to motivate staff and create a positive and productive work environment Preferred Skills and Abilities Experience in library and archives settings Experience training and supervising conservators, technicians, students and/or volunteers This position will be assigned a rank of Librarian 3 to Librarian 5 based on a combination of professional experience and accomplishments. Librarian ranking information can be found at: http://bit.ly/YULRanksPromotions <http://bit.ly/YULRanksPromotions>. The budgeted salary for this position is $90,000-$130,000. To apply, please visit: https://careers.yale.edu/us/en/job/132965WD/Head-Book-Conservation <https://careers.yale.edu/us/en/job/132965WD/Head-Book-Conservation> Applications submitted by Sunday, May 3 will receive first consideration. We will hold two virtual information sessions in advance of the first consideration date. Interested applicants are encouraged to attend. Link to the sessions: http://bit.ly/4cB5ZYd <http://bit.ly/4cB5ZYd> ------------------------------ Brenna Campbell, Fellow Associate Director for Conservation & Exhibition Strategies Yale University Library New Haven, CT ------------------------------ 5.From: Hildegard Homburger Posted: Thursday March 26, 2026 12:07 PM Subject: Course: Photoreproductions: Identification and Conservation Message: Course: Photoreproductions: Identification and Conservation Berlin, 15.-16. October 2026, for the last time Hosted by Hildegard Homburger, Berlin, Germany, in cooperation with IADA (International Association of Book and Paper Conservators) https://iada-home.org/events <https://iada-home.org/events> Open to conservators, art historians, archivists, registrars and others Content: In the seminar the major photoreproduction processes will be explained historically and technically. The two days provide an opportunity to look at a great number and variety of original copies under magnification and to exercise the identification of their techniques. A separate part will focus on the conservation (storage, exhibition and treatment) of these different photoreproductions. The language of the courses will be English. Maximum participants: 8 Fee: 390 Euro ( 350 Euro for IADA-members) Registration requests should be sent to: homburger(at)posteo.de www.hildegard-homburger.de <http://www.hildegard-homburger.de> ------------------------------ Hildegard Homburger Private Paper Conservator Berlin Germany ------------------------------ 6.From: Elin Lundmark Posted: Thursday March 26, 2026 2:53 PM Subject: RE: Registration open! The Role of the Conservator and Resilience Symposium 15-16 april 2026 Gothenburg Sweden Message: Dear Saira, The event will be recorded and will be available online for a time afterwards for those registered for the event (in person or for online participation). Best regards, Elin Lundmark / NKF-S ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 3/25/2026 10:10:00 AM From: Saira Haqqi Subject: RE: Registration open! The Role of the Conservator and Resilience Symposium 15-16 april 2026 Gothenburg Sweden Will this be recorded and posted online? It sounds like an amazing discussion! Thanks!Saira -- Saira Haqqi ConservatorNational Archives and Records Administration Archives II - Room 16008601 Adelphi RdCollege Park, MD 20740301-837-3725 (office)202-317-2251 (NARA cell) If we are setting up a meeting, please let me know if you need any accommodations! ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 3/24/2026 3:57:00 PM From: Elin Lundmark Subject: Registration open! The Role of the Conservator and Resilience Symposium 15-16 april 2026 Gothenburg Sweden NKF-S/IIC Nordic Group Sweden have invited Professor Jane Hendersson and Professor Salvador Muñoz-Viñas for a symposium and conversation on the future role of the conservator and the conservation profession. The symposium aims to continue the conversation based on the publication The End of Conservation <https://smunozvinas.blogs.upv.es/files/2024/04/SMunozVinas-2024-The-End-of-Conservation-Authors-version.pdf> (Muñoz Viñas 2024), Jane Hendersons #WhyDoIDoConservation, the conversation on What is it that we conserve ( <https://mediaspace.bfh.ch/media/Donnerstags-Vortrag+72+-+Jane+Henderson%2C%C2%A0Salvador+Mu%C3%B1oz+Vi%C3%B1as+-+What+is+it+that+we+conserve+++Was+genau+bewahren+wir/0_qxh7q9x9>2025), the interview between Professor Salvador Muñoz-Viñas and Nina Olivier in Konserveringspodden <https://podcasts.apple.com/se/podcast/the-end-of-conservation-in-english/id1439416472?i=1000672190336>, and the E.C.C.O. and ENCoRE Symposium in Prague 2025 on Trends and Challenges in Conservation-Restoration Education <https://www.iiconservation.org/news/trends-and-challenges-conservation-restoration-education-symposium>. Registration is open, for more information and registration, please visit http://www.nkf-s.se/conservator-resilience.html <http://www.nkf-s.se/conservator-resilience.html> Best regards, NKF-S/IIC Nordic Group Sweden 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.
