Email digest for the Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList) egroup. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Materials Science Pioneers in Art and Archaeology Webinar Series 2. Looking at changes to the Richard III's Book of Hours with the Hidden in Plain Sight team - 10 July 14.00-15.00 BST 3. The Museum Environment: 40 Years in the Making - 3 July 10.00-13.00 BST online 4. Workshop announcement “Archaeological Iron. Context, Corrosion, Conservation” 5. Western Association for Art Conservation (WAAC) Call for Presentations 2026 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.From: Celia Chari Posted: Wednesday June 10, 2026 6:01 AM Subject: Materials Science Pioneers in Art and Archaeology Webinar Series Message: I am happy to announce the sixth speaker of the Materials Science Pioneers in Art and Archaeology Webinar Series - hosted by the Art, Archaeology and Conservation Science Division of the American Ceramic Society. Please join us on June 19th at 12 pm ET (5 pm BST / 6 pm CEST) as we welcome Sophia Vogelsang, who is a PhD student and National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Sophia's talk is titled: Multi-analytical Characterization of Indigenous Australian Plant Exudates and Cultural Heritage Materials Registration is required to attend, but free of charge for all participants. We hope to see you there! Please register for this event: Art, Archaeology & Conservation Science Division - Materials Science Pioneers in Art and Archaeology Webinar Series <https://ceramics.org/course/art-archaeology-conservation-science-division-materials-science-pioneers-in-art-and-archaeology-webinar-series-multi-analytical-characterization-of-indigenous-australian-plant-exudates-and-cultura/> Missed any previous webinars from the series? Find them on the American Ceramic Society's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@ceramicsociety/videos <https://www.youtube.com/@ceramicsociety/videos> Abstract: Plant exudates have been used by societies across the globe and throughout time for varied cultural and practical purposes. Indigenous Australian peoples have used plant exudates, such as spinifex (Triodia), for millennia in continuing practices, including hafting adhesives, varnishes, and paint binders. However, the diverse array of Australian exudate species and cultural heritage materials remain far understudied compared to counterparts in Western European, Asian, and North African traditions, such as Gum Arabic (Senegalia senegal). The development of analytical methods and reference data is essential for identification of exudate species in Indigenous Australian cultural objects which will contribute to provenancing and understanding of the usage of natural binders across time. In her presentation, Sophia will introduce the combined use of X-ray Raman scattering (XRS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and pyrolysis-gas chromatography mass spectrometry (py-GCMS) to characterize and distinguish exudate species. She will discuss recent research on a diverse collection of century-old Australian exudates alongside modern samples from research partners that have provided a unique window into variations across plant species and aging-related chemical changes. Through international collaboration between scientists and Traditional Owners, this work aims to unravel the complex chemistry of Australian plant exudates towards the characterization of cultural heritage materials. This research contributes to the ARC Linkage Project 'From the Desert to the Sea: Managing Rock Art, Country and Culture' with university, Indigenous, and industry partners. Speaker Biography: Sophia Vogelsang is a fourth-year PhD student and National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow at the University of Wisconsin-Madison under the advisement of Prof. Uwe Bergmann (UW-Madison) and Prof. Rachel Popelka-Filcoff (University of Melbourne). Sophia earned her bachelor's degree with honors in chemistry and art history at Vanderbilt University and worked as a Junior Fellows Intern with the Preservation Research and Testing Division at the Library of Congress examining the light-fading of materials with microfade-testing spectroscopy. She completed her Master of Science in chemistry at UW-Madison in 2024. Her research is focused on the use of synchrotron-based X-ray methods alongside lab-based spectroscopic techniques for chemical analysis of cultural heritage materials. Sophie's PhD research develops novel approaches for characterizing plant exudates used by Aboriginal Australians as binders in continuous traditions stretching from the archaeological past to present. ------------------------------ Celia S. Chari Conservation Scientist Mapping Color in History, Harvard University Based in Washington D.C. United States ------------------------------ 2.From: Meagen Smith Posted: Wednesday June 10, 2026 6:02 AM Subject: Looking at changes to the Richard III's Book of Hours with the Hidden in Plain Sight team - 10 July 14.00-15.00 BST Message: Looking at changes to the Richard III's Book of Hours with the Hidden in Plain Sight team Friday, 10 July 14.00-15.00 BST Lambeth Palace Library London, UK In person: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hidden-in-plain-sight-looking-at-changes-to-the-richard-iiis-book-of-hours-tickets-1990490644099?aff=erellivmlt Online: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/9a34b905-5457-4898-9f91-6172e76543c2@95e2463b-3ab0-47b4-9ac1-587c77ee84f0 An afternoon talk exploring Richard III's Book of Hours, using scientific analysis to uncover hidden changes and historical debate. On 22 August 1485, King Richard III was defeated at the Battle of Bosworth by Henry Tudor, who ascended the throne as Henry VII. Among the spoils seized by Tudor forces was Richard's personal Book of Hours, Lambeth Palace Library MS 474, which likely came into the possession of Lady Margaret Beaufort, the new King's mother. In the following decades, the manuscript underwent a series of modifications attesting to its continued devotional use. Notably, Richard III's name was erased from a prayer in which he had originally been identified twice as Ricardum regem ('King Richard'). This erasure has prompted a historiographical debate. Some scholars attribute it to Lady Beaufort, interpreting it as an early Tudor attempt to reframe Richard's reputation. Others, however, suggest that it may have been carried out by a later owner who adapted the prayer book to new devotional needs. To date, the question has remained unresolved, largely because it depends on establishing the relative chronology of the erased text – an issue that has proven difficult to resolve using traditional methods of manuscript study. To address this limitation, advanced scientific analyses were conducted as part of the AHRC-funded Hidden in Plain Sight project. This has distinguished between different campaigns of erasure within the manuscript. It thus becomes possible to establish their relative chronology, possibly resolving the long-standing debate. The lecture will explore both the history of the manuscript and the technology employed in its analysis, while highlighting the broader methodological implications of this approach for the study of erasure in late medieval manuscripts. About the speakers: Orly Amit recently submitted her PhD at Tel Aviv University, focusing on personal prayer books owned by laypeople in late medieval and early modern England. See event overview for further info. Maciej Pawlikowski is the Head of Cultural Heritage Imaging Laboratory at Cambridge University Library. Responsible for providing visual data content to the library readers, digitisation and research projects requiring specialist imaging. See event overview for further info. Eyal Poleg is a historian of objects and faith. He is Professor of Material History at Queen Mary University of London and the Principal Investigator of the major AHRC research project, Hidden in Plain Sight. See event overview for further info. ------------------------------ Meagen Smith Library and archive conservator Lambeth Palace Library ------------------------------ 3.From: Meagen Smith Posted: Wednesday June 10, 2026 6:03 AM Subject: The Museum Environment: 40 Years in the Making - 3 July 10.00-13.00 BST online Message: Developments in thinking and practice since the publication of Thomson's 'The Museum Environment' 10am – 1pm BST 3 July 2026 Online using Zoom Icon Member - £5 Non-Member - £10 Join the Icon Care of Collections Group for their annual AGM event (online ). Have your say at the AGM, consider joining the committee, make your voice heard and join us for the accompanying event. https://www.icon.org.uk/events/the-museum-environment-40-years-in-the-making.html This year marks 40 years since the publication of Garry Thomson's seminal work The Museum Environment (2nd ed.) as well as the publication of The Museum Environment Revisited. Join us in celebrating this milestone with presentations delivered by a range of experts working in heritage fields on the theme of developments in theory and practice in managing heritage environments. Current confirmed speakers and topics include: -Sarah Staniforth - Garry Thomson and the original Museum Environment -Meagen Smith and Jane Thompson-Webb - The Museum Environment Revisited -Mark Barry and Nick Grant - Passive Preservation -Imperial War Museum - Duxford Store -University College London – Using damage functions to support decision making ------------------------------ Meagen Smith Library and archive conservator Lambeth Palace Library ------------------------------ 4.From: Ingrid Stelzner Posted: Wednesday June 10, 2026 2:45 PM Subject: Workshop announcement “Archaeological Iron. Context, Corrosion, Conservation” Message: Dear colleagues, we are pleased to announce the workshop "Archaeological Iron. Context, Corrosion, Conservation" which will take place on 13th-14th August at Leibniz-Zentrum fr Archologie (LEIZA) in Mainz, Germany and online. The workshop will bring together scholars working on iron in the contexts of archaeology, the natural sciences and conservation. The programme and registration details are now available on the workshop website: https://go.leiza.de/archaeological-iron <https://go.leiza.de/archaeological-iron> Please feel free to share this announcement. We would be delighted to welcome interested colleagues to the workshop. With best wishes Ingrid Stelzner, Roland Schwab und Francisco Rodriguez LEIBNIZ-ZENTRUM FR ARCHOLOGIE Dr. Ingrid Stelzner Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin Kompetenzbereich Konservierung, Restaurierung, Materialanalytik Ludwig-Lindenschmit-Forum 1 55116 Mainz T: 49 6131 8885 146 [email protected] <[email protected]> leiza.de <http://www.leiza.de/> ORCID: 0000-0001-7988-2162 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ingrid-Stelzner <https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ingrid-Stelzner> Das LEIZA ist eine Stiftung des ffentlichen Rechts des Landes Rheinland-Pfalz und der Stadt Mainz. Hauptsitz ist Mainz. Die Aufsicht wird durch das Ministerium fr Wissenschaft und Gesundheit des Landes Rheinland-Pfalz wahrgenommen. Das LEIZA ist ein Forschungsmuseum der Leibniz-Gemeinschaft. 5.From: Rachel Mochon Posted: Wednesday June 10, 2026 4:48 PM Subject: Western Association for Art Conservation (WAAC) Call for Presentations 2026 Message: The Clock is Ticking: Submit Your Proposal for Denver 2026! The June 29th deadline is fast approaching, and we want to ensure your voice and expertise are part of the conversation! We are actively inviting conservators, scientists, students, and allied professionals to share their work at the 2026 WAAC Annual Meeting, taking place at the stunning Denver Art Museum from August 29 to September 1, 2026. Whether you are embedded in a major institution, running a private practice, or safeguarding a historic site, your unique, real-world insights shape our collective knowledge. Don't let your groundbreaking projects or hard-earned lessons stay confined to the lab or studio-bring them to Denver and inspire the community! Proposals for presentations will be accepted through the website to June 15th. Proposal maximum 300 words. Please include speakers bios with your proposal. Presentations will be 25 minutes including 5 minutes for questions although proposals for shorter or longer presentations are welcome. If you have any questions please reach out to [email protected] <[email protected]>. And registration is open for the conference! <https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwaac.wildapricot.org%2FMeetings&data=05%7C02%7C%7Ceb179f3deea340835f6108dec6915d61%7C31d7e2a5bdd8414e9e97bea998ebdfe1%7C0%7C0%7C639166524823302764%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=psfx4jVlBmgfPODlI8mDCP%2FQYoJxqNIHHxlF5uRncc4%3D&reserved=0> Tours and workshops are filling up fast so book today to secure your spot! We can't wait to see what you've been working on, Casey Mallinckrodt WAAC President ------------------------------ Rachel Mochon Paper Conservator Harry Ransom Center University of Texas at Austin [email protected] ------------------------------ 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.
