Effective documentation underpins ethical conservation, supports decision-making, and preserves the long-term value of cultural heritage. Yet, the diversity of contexts and tools can make defining 'best practice' challenging.
This two-part workshop offers participants a shared set of adaptable principles for conservation documentation. Through interactive sessions and real-world examples, we’ll explore ethical frameworks, practical strategies, and ways to embed documentation into daily practice across various conservation settings.
By the end of the workshop, participants will:
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Understand core ethical and professional standards for conservation documentation.
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Recognise the value and impact of structured, purpose-driven documentation.
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Identify common documentation challenges and propose practical solutions.
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Begin to develop strategies for sustainable, integrated documentation workflows.
This programme is suitable for conservators of all specialisms and experience levels working in museums, archives, heritage sites, or private practice.
Programme
Day 1: Foundations & Value of Documentation
13 November 2025, 9:30 to 12:30
1. Ethics and Standards in Conservation Documentation
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Aligning with Icon Professional Standards & Ethical Guidance
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What and why we record: actions, decisions, and rationale
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Shared documentation principles across different conservation contexts
2. The Strategic Value of Documentation
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Purpose-driven documentation: moving beyond 'right vs. wrong'
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Enhancing understanding, decision-making, and stakeholder communication
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Case Study Discussion: Documentation challenges from different contexts
(Facilitated group discussion using pre-circulated or provided case studies)
Day 2: Practical Approaches & Workflow Integration
14 November 2025, 9:30 to 12:30
3. Practical Documentation Strategies
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Preventing backlogs: integrating documentation into everyday workflows
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Allocating time and resources effectively
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Achieving consistency: templates, vocabularies, and internal guides
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Balancing depth and usability: how much detail is 'enough'?
4. Workshop: Reviewing & Improving Real-World Documentation
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Hands-on review of sample reports (anonymised examples or participant-provided)
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Group feedback and suggestions to improve clarity, structure, and impact
5. Embedding Good Practice
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Creating sustainable documentation habits
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Advocating for documentation: articulating its value to teams and funders
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Future-proofing: access, longevity, and institutional memory
Speaker biography
