Gordon Research Conference in Cultural Heritage Science

Building on the success of the previous two Gordon Research
Conferences in Cultural Heritage Science, we proudly announce the
2016 Gordon Research Conference in Cultural Heritage Science:

"Probing Hierarchically Complex Historical Materials and Their Modes
    of Characterization and Alteration"
Sunday River Resort
Newry, Maine
July 31 - August 5, 2016

Chairs: Jennifer Mass and Tim Wess

Vice Chairs: C. Richard Johnson and Robert Van Langh

Co-Chairs, Gordon Research Seminar (GRS): Tana Villafana and
Alyssa Hull

Cultural Heritage Science is the intersection of several fundamental
and applied scientific disciplines.  It brings technologies and
expertise from closely allied fields to bear on problems involving
the preservation of global cultural heritage.  By focusing on
hierarchically complex materials, we can engage experts from diverse
fields of data capture and analysis in formation of new
collaborations that address cultural heritage problems and at the
same time reciprocally enrich and challenge each field, stimulating
the development and transfer of technologies between them.

The sampling and access constraints imposed on cultural heritage
objects have meant that one off, standoff and microsampling methods
are paramount.  The imaging, diagnosis, and preservation of cultural
heritage can be optimized through technology transfer and
interdisciplinary collaboration, to expand the "tool kit" whilst
inspiring researchers to explore beyond boundaries where innovation
will occur, for example, the synergy of biofilm research in
biomedicine and in cultural heritage monuments may be mutually
beneficial.  Forensic and environmental science, also afford
important sources for new technologies applicable to the
preservation of cultural heritage.  The 2016 GRC will provide an
opportunity for scientists taking novel approaches to extracting the
maximum data from such samples in each discipline to share new
partnerships.

Finally the Cultural Heritage in Crisis and First Nations Art and
Artists' Materials sessions will explore societal connections with
cultural heritage technologies for saving cultural heritage from war
zones, the education of contemporary artists on preserving their
work and legacy, and the pressing need to preserve material from
endangered cultures who are in the process of losing their
traditions, languages, and identity.  We, the organizers of the
Scientific Methods in Cultural Heritage Research 2016 GRC, eagerly
anticipate your joining with us for what promises to be a week of
productive, stimulating, and forward-looking presentations and
discussion.

Related Meeting:

This GRC will be held in conjunction with the "Scientific Methods in
Cultural Heritage Research" Gordon Research Seminar (GRS).  This
meeting, for emerging cultural heritage scientists, will host a
specialist panel discussion on technical art history curricular
development.  Those interested in attending both meetings must
submit an application for the GRS in addition to an application for
the GRC.  Refer to the associated GRS program page for more
information.

Session Titles The Conference will consist of nine sessions, on the
topics listed below.  The Conference Chair is currently developing
their preliminary program, which will include the names of the
invited speakers and discussion leaders for each of these sessions.
The preliminary program will be available by December 2, 2015.
Please check back for updates.

    Forensic Science and Cultural Heritage Science -
    Cross-Disciplinary Problem Solving

    Biofilms and Biodeteriorated Systems: Characterization
    Challenges Across Disciplines

    The Fossil Record and Finds from Anaerobic and Arid
    Environments: New Preservation Problems and Analytical Tools

    The Preservation Challenges of Protein-Based Materials:
    Characterization and Quantification of Degradation

    Technological Challenges of the Inaccessible: On-Site Cultural
    Heritage Investigations and Buried Stratigraphies

    Failure Mechanisms in Cultural Heritage Objects

    Cultural Heritage in Crisis: Scientific and Conservation
    Interventions to Preserve the Present for the Future

    First Nations' Art and Artists' Materials: Preserving Meaning,
    Appearance, and Function

    Innovative Surface Sensitive Probes and New Sampling Methods in
    Cultural Heritage Research (Including Handheld Device Data
    Acquisition for Monitoring Cultural Heritage)

Applications for this meeting must be submitted by July 3, 2016.

Please apply early, as some meetings become oversubscribed (full)
before this deadline.  If the meeting is oversubscribed, it will be
stated here.  Note: Applications for oversubscribed meetings will
only be considered by the Conference Chair if more seats become
available due to cancellations.

Jennifer L. Mass, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist
Scientific Research and Analysis Laboratory
Conservation Department
Winterthur Museum
Winterthur, DE 19735
302-888-4808
Fax: 302-888-4838


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 29:18
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