The National Archives Centre for Heritage Science and Conservation Research
Lead Research Organisation:
National Archives
Department Name: Collection Care
Abstract
The National Archives (TNA) is the official archive and publisher for the UK Government, and for England and Wales. Our mission is to collect and preserve the record, to use our expertise and knowledge to connect people with their history, and to lead, partner and support archives at home and worldwide in developing a sustainable and innovative practice. Ensuring archival collections are available for access is TNA's foundational mandate and our growing programme is a key component of this mission.
TNA is unique in the UK GLAM sector as an archive with a recognised HSCR team and an established laboratory. We are driven by developing the vast potential of heritage science and conservation research within and of the archive, and of serving our community through collaboration and knowledge advancement. As the archives sector leadership body for England and Wales, we have deep insight into the research trends and needs of our community and can provide advice and guidance, access to technical expertise and analytical services, and develop a rich and diverse ecosystem of knowledge-exchange and partnerships.
Over the past five years, we have created and implemented workflows that enable rapid, efficient, and generous access to our expertise and equipment. These include (1) travelling with our equipment off-site to support research in organisations that lack capacity and capability, (2) hosting researchers and their equipment at TNA to analyse our records, (3) travelling with our collection items off-site for analyses elsewhere, and (4) hosting collections from other institutions at TNA for on-site analysis. Through a flexible assessment structure for Sampling Requests and a tiered fee structure for access to our equipment and expertise, we have been able to meet and expand demand for collaborative HSCR.
These developments have demonstrated the need and growing demand for innovative research in archives and libraries. Our laboratory was not purpose-built to accommodate analytical and imaging equipment, nor for teaching and engagement activities. Our staff capacity is also insufficient to meet the demand from the sector for individual analyses and short-term collaborative research projects.
With this proposal to RICHeS, we are requesting funds to
Upgrade our HSCR facilities: extend the analytical laboratory to accommodate existing and newly acquired equipment; modernise the dry/teaching laboratory; enlarge our strong-room facilities to accommodate incoming collection materials for analysis
Acquire analytical and imaging equipment to complete and complement our existing research capability: Hyperspectral Imaging System, Scanning X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer
Create one heritage scientist post to coordinate and grow archives and libraries sector engagement with RICHeS through training and knowledge exchange, deliver access to our services, and monitor the impact of our activities
Our ambition is to serve the broader HSCR community and to become an integral partner within a cohesive and coherent national infrastructure for our sector. As archives sector lead, we plan to expand access across the archive and library landscape in the UK and abroad by capitalising on our extensive network of partnerships. Our laboratory will promote challenge-led research to address topics relevant to book, paper, parchment, photograph, and textile conservation, and that are transferrable to collections well beyond our own. In tandem with our Project Partners, we will provide complementary access and training and support smaller organisations as we move towards sustainable, impactful, and ethical care for our national holdings.
TNA is unique in the UK GLAM sector as an archive with a recognised HSCR team and an established laboratory. We are driven by developing the vast potential of heritage science and conservation research within and of the archive, and of serving our community through collaboration and knowledge advancement. As the archives sector leadership body for England and Wales, we have deep insight into the research trends and needs of our community and can provide advice and guidance, access to technical expertise and analytical services, and develop a rich and diverse ecosystem of knowledge-exchange and partnerships.
Over the past five years, we have created and implemented workflows that enable rapid, efficient, and generous access to our expertise and equipment. These include (1) travelling with our equipment off-site to support research in organisations that lack capacity and capability, (2) hosting researchers and their equipment at TNA to analyse our records, (3) travelling with our collection items off-site for analyses elsewhere, and (4) hosting collections from other institutions at TNA for on-site analysis. Through a flexible assessment structure for Sampling Requests and a tiered fee structure for access to our equipment and expertise, we have been able to meet and expand demand for collaborative HSCR.
These developments have demonstrated the need and growing demand for innovative research in archives and libraries. Our laboratory was not purpose-built to accommodate analytical and imaging equipment, nor for teaching and engagement activities. Our staff capacity is also insufficient to meet the demand from the sector for individual analyses and short-term collaborative research projects.
With this proposal to RICHeS, we are requesting funds to
Upgrade our HSCR facilities: extend the analytical laboratory to accommodate existing and newly acquired equipment; modernise the dry/teaching laboratory; enlarge our strong-room facilities to accommodate incoming collection materials for analysis
Acquire analytical and imaging equipment to complete and complement our existing research capability: Hyperspectral Imaging System, Scanning X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer
Create one heritage scientist post to coordinate and grow archives and libraries sector engagement with RICHeS through training and knowledge exchange, deliver access to our services, and monitor the impact of our activities
Our ambition is to serve the broader HSCR community and to become an integral partner within a cohesive and coherent national infrastructure for our sector. As archives sector lead, we plan to expand access across the archive and library landscape in the UK and abroad by capitalising on our extensive network of partnerships. Our laboratory will promote challenge-led research to address topics relevant to book, paper, parchment, photograph, and textile conservation, and that are transferrable to collections well beyond our own. In tandem with our Project Partners, we will provide complementary access and training and support smaller organisations as we move towards sustainable, impactful, and ethical care for our national holdings.
| Description | ICON Heritage Science showcase |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | In advance of further details of this initiative being announced, this Icon Heritage Science Group event will highlight conservation projects which have used heritage science facilities and expertise to inform and enhance their work. The aim is to make people aware of the types of facilities which will be available to them, and see some examples of how conservation projects can benefit from access to heritage science. The event is aimed at heritage professionals such as conservators, collections managers, curators, archivists, exhibition and engagement teams, who may be able to benefit from the new infrastructure but who may not have engaged with UKRI-funded Heritage Science infrastructure before. We are particularly encouraging those currently working outside of academia or for non-IROs (Independent Research Organisations) to attend. The event will also provide academics and organisations with their own facilities an opportunity to showcase their work and network with prospective future research collaborators. The format will be a panel, with each speaker giving an overview of a conservation project which has benefitted from access to UKRI-funded facilities. A short talk about each project will be followed by Q&A panel discussion and networking. Icon2024 Conference delegates can attend for free! Speakers - Marc Vermeulen will highlight the role of The National Archives in supporting UK institutions with mobile scientific equipment and expertise - Annette King will showcase examples of the benefits of close collaborations between conservators and heritage scientists to successfully deliver international research projects at Tate - Anna Fenlon and Fabiana Portoni will discuss their project at the Natural History Museum (UK) on the effects of low temperature treatments and the analyses carried out to detect potential physical change - Victoria Kemp will focus on compositional analysis and imaging techniques for a variety of artwork, including preparing the fresco from Nero's palace at the Ashmolean Museum |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.icon.org.uk/events/icon24-heritage-science-group-how-conservation-can-benefit-from-herit... |