History is global, multifaceted and ever evolving. It is the transference of ideas, your grannie’s old china, the formation of the earth itself and the tiniest fragment of an arrowhead. The role of the conservator is to preserve these remains of the past, a job of immeasurable variability.
However, as a profession, conservation is noticeably un-varied. Predominantly white, middle-class and University educated, the field is dichotomous in its select scope of gatekeepers chosen to preserve this amorphous past. If our profession is so homogenous, how can we accurately understand or treat such a huge entity as the entirety of human history?
Therefore, we are excited to announce the 2021 West Dean student conference, Inclusion, Access, Diversity: Changing the Face of Heritage Conservation. This conference offers an opportunity to exchange ideas about the need to focus on inclusion, by supporting access into the profession and diversifying approaches within the profession.
Aims: The central focus of the conference is two-fold, reflected in a split approach to sessions.
30th June - Day 1 will be aimed towards schools, Colleges and Universities:
- To introduce the field of conservation to younger communities.
- To discuss tangible examples of what conservation is and its importance in the cultural heritage sector.
- To present conservation as a career option.
1st July - Day 2 will be focused within the profession:
- To discuss how conservation and its application can be adapted to be more diverse and inclusive.
- To present conservation approaches from across the global conservation community.
Speakers and Schedule (BST):
30th June
10.00 – 10.10 - Opening Address
10.10 – 10.50 - Ashleigh Brown - '#AskUsAnything: A Review of Social Media for Conservators' (30 min presentation, 10 min Q&A)
10.50 – 11.20 - Break
11.20 – 12.00 - Helena Bosnić - 'Art Copy: an educational tool in fine art conservation' (30 min presentation, 10 min Q&A)
12.00 – 12.10 - Break
12.10 – 12.50 - Caitlin Southwick - 'Sustainability in Conservation: Accessibility and Inclusion in Practice' (30 min presentation, 10 min Q&A)
12.50 – 13.50 - Lunch Break
13.50 – 14.50 - Panel - 'West Dean Student Panel: accessing conservation' (40 min discuss, 20 min Q&A)
14:50 – 15:00 - Closing Address
1st July
10.00 – 10.10 - Opening Address
10.10 – 10.50 - Raj Pal - 'Inclusivity and creation of culture and identity' (30 min presentation, 10 min Q&A)
10.50 – 11.20 - Break
11.20 – 12.00 - Scott Ratima Nolan - 'Kaitiakitanga: Utilising Māori Holistic Conservation in Heritage Institutions' (30 min presentation, 10 min Q&A)
12.00 – 12.10 - Break
12.10 – 12.50 - Ian Watson - 'Positive Impact: Setting up a CIC to improve diversity and access to the conservation profession' (30 min presentation, 10 min Q&A)
12.50 – 13.50 - Lunch Break
13.50 – 14.50 - Presentation and Discussion - 'Icon Diversity and Inclusion Task and Finish Group: aims, objectives and reflections' (40 min presentation, 20min Q&A)
14.50 – 15.00 - Closing Address
If you would like to attend any of these talks, please register through this eventbrite page and West Dean will be in touch with the links to each talk. The conference will be held via Microsoft Teams.
