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Subject: Development of a Research Strategy for the Heritage
Collections Council
From: Alison Wain <alison@orac.net.au>
Date: Tue, 08 Sep 1998 21:15:23 +1000
It's taken a while (an email went astray on the way) but Margaret
Anderson has sent me this document. This is apparently the latest
version of the paper we discussed at the SCISIG meeting last year. The
recommendations in this document are apparently being implemeted.
Alison
Attachment D
Development of a Research Strategy for the Heritage Collections Council
Introduction
Consultations within the museums sector suggests that basic information
is required on what conservation research is being undertaken in
Australia and elsewhere, and how this work may be linked to the
objectives of the Heritage Collections Council's strategic plan .
2. This paper proposes an approach to the development of a research
strategy for the Heritage Collections Council to address the research
objectives within both the HCC Strategic Action Plan and the National
Conservation and Preservation Policy and Strategy. It proposes an audit
of existing research activity and a needs assessment process, from which
priority areas for research and development activity can be defined and
a framework for an overarching strategy developed.
Background
3. Policy Statement 10 within the National Conservation and
Preservation
Policy, endorsed by the Cultural Ministers Council ,states:
The Commonwealth, State, Territory and Local Governments recognise the
need to carry out research related to Australia's heritage collections
to achieve improved conservation, preservation and access.
The scale and nature of the problems confronting the conservation and
preservation of heritage collections are generally not well understood.
Practical and inexpensive solutions are yet to be developed for many
problems which are, in many cases, unique to Australia. In addition, new
forms of heritage pose new challenges. Research into materials, storage,
display, methods and treatments is vital to developing both better and
new solutions to ensure a future for Australia's heritage collections.
4. In the National Conservation and Preservation Policy and
Strategy
(the National Strategy) this Policy Statement is addressed through the
identification of research as one of the five key program elements
essential for improving conservation and collections management and
hence access to collections. The Objective in the National Strategy
under this element is:
"To develop coordinated national research programs that address critical
conservation and preservation issues."
5. The National Strategy identifies the key strategies to achieve
this
objective as being to:
conduct a research audit and needs assessment;
prioritise research needs for the conservation and preservation
sector; and
implement recommendations from report on research priorities.
6. The HCC's Strategic Action Plan also recognises the importance
of an
effective research support strategy to the development of the heritage
collections sector, and proposes that the HCC collaboratively commission
and fund research projects into key collections issues. At least one
project per year was envisaged, at an estimated cost of $10,000 pa.
Objective and Outcomes by 2001
7. The objective of the research component of the National Strategy
is
to develop coordinated national research programs which address critical
conservation and preservation issues. There are two outcomes sought by
2001:
to achieve agreed responsibilities and mechanisms for the
implementation of national research programs; and
national coordination and funding of conservation and
preservation
research programs.
8. In formulating these outcomes the Collections Management and
Conservation Working Party recognised that while there is a body of
research activity being undertaken in museums and other organisations,
this effort is often poorly coordinated and funded, and there is a
belief within the museums industry that some of this effort is
duplicated, not focussed on key or priority areas or, perhaps in a few
cases, misdirected.
9. Additionally, work in related fields of interest by
universities, and
to a lesser extent in the private sector, is not adequately identified
and the overall level of research activity is small compared with the
enormity of the problems faced in conserving and preserving the nation's
heritage collections.
Structure of the research program
10. There are three key strategies defined within the research
component
of the National Strategy and they cover the need to coordinate research
effort by reviewing existing activity within and without the museum
sector, identifying areas of greatest need, the potential for improved
resourcing (for example through the Australian Research Council), and
developing the supporting mechanisms for a coordinated plan of action.
11. As discussed in the National Strategy document, the audit and
needs
analysis will take into account overseas research. The needs assessment
will contribute to an understanding of how current research is
undertaken and identify where coordination will be useful. The program
will also focus on improving communication and information sharing
between the numerous stakeholders in this area of activity rather than
interfering with existing organisational priorities.
Program costs
12. In the 1997/98 CM&CWP work plan $25,000 was assigned to the
research
audit. The Working Party has since reviewed the budget proposal and
agreed to recommend to Council that a total allocation of $25,000 be
made available to undertake the proposed audit, needs assessment and
priority identification exercise, including publication of results and
presentation of material on AMOL.
13. Proposed costs are as follows:
R1 Conduct a research audit and needs assessment $10,000
R2 Prioritise research needs for the conservation and
preservation
sector (including distribution of information to stakeholders, such as
through AMOL etc) $15,000
14. Following these processes a detailed report would be presented
to
HCC for decision as to implementation of any recommendations.
Recommendation
15. It is recommended that the Heritage Collections Council endorse
the
expenditure of $25,000 to undertake the first two components of the
Research Program of the National Conservation Strategy.
July 1998
Subject: Re: Development of a Research Strategy for the Heritage
Collections Council
From: Richard Gwyn Thomas <rg.thomas@nepean.uws.edu.au>
Date: Wed, 09 Sep 1998 10:21:33 +1000
Alison
Does the audit of research include the unversity sector?
If so, whom should I contact?
Subject: Re: Development of a Research Strategy for the
HeritageCollections Council
From: "Janet Hughes" <j.hughes@nma.gov.au>
Date: Wed, 09 Sep 1998 18:15:12 +1000
Alison
I read the research strategy with interest, but I would be like to know if =
everyone expects we will get much of a response? Last year ICCROM did an =
international survey of Conservation research but there were only three =
replies from institutions in Australia! (one was from me)
The ICCROM report would probably be a good starting point for comparison =
purposes (I have a copy somewhere in my files). Also, how many institution=
s have an approved research policy? We have developed a draft one which =
is ready to go the the Council of the Museum for approval. conservation =
had input into this but it still reads somewhat as though research is done =
by Curators doing field trips rather than conservators solving problems in =
the lab. It is very difficult to influence our colleagues when we are =
relatively few in number and their research seems to be favoured.
Just a few thoughts....
Janet
Janet Hughes
National Museum of Australia
GPO Box 1901
Canberra ACT 2601 AUSTRALIA
Tel +61 2 6208 5253
Fax +61 2 6208 5299
e mail j.hughes@nma.gov.au
>>> Alison Wain <alison@orac.net.au> 8/09/98 9:15:23 pm >>>
It's taken a while (an email went astray on the way) but Margaret
Anderson has sent me this document. This is apparently the latest
version of the paper we discussed at the SCISIG meeting last year. The
recommendations in this document are apparently being implemeted.
Alison
Attachment D
Development of a Research Strategy for the Heritage Collections Council
Introduction
Consultations within the museums sector suggests that basic information
is required on what conservation research is being undertaken in
Australia and elsewhere, and how this work may be linked to the
objectives of the Heritage Collections Council's strategic plan .
2. This paper proposes an approach to the development of a research
strategy for the Heritage Collections Council to address the research
objectives within both the HCC Strategic Action Plan and the National
Conservation and Preservation Policy and Strategy. It proposes an audit
of existing research activity and a needs assessment process, from which
priority areas for research and development activity can be defined and
a framework for an overarching strategy developed.
Background
3. Policy Statement 10 within the National Conservation and
Preservation
Policy, endorsed by the Cultural Ministers Council ,states:
The Commonwealth, State, Territory and Local Governments recognise the
need to carry out research related to Australia's heritage collections
to achieve improved conservation, preservation and access.
The scale and nature of the problems confronting the conservation and
preservation of heritage collections are generally not well understood.
Practical and inexpensive solutions are yet to be developed for many
problems which are, in many cases, unique to Australia. In addition, new
forms of heritage pose new challenges. Research into materials, storage,
display, methods and treatments is vital to developing both better and
new solutions to ensure a future for Australia's heritage collections.
4. In the National Conservation and Preservation Policy and
Strategy
(the National Strategy) this Policy Statement is addressed through the
identification of research as one of the five key program elements
essential for improving conservation and collections management and
hence access to collections. The Objective in the National Strategy
under this element is:
"To develop coordinated national research programs that address critical
conservation and preservation issues."
5. The National Strategy identifies the key strategies to achieve
this
objective as being to:
conduct a research audit and needs assessment;
prioritise research needs for the conservation and preservation
sector; and
implement recommendations from report on research priorities.
6. The HCC's Strategic Action Plan also recognises the importance
of an
effective research support strategy to the development of the heritage
collections sector, and proposes that the HCC collaboratively commission
and fund research projects into key collections issues. At least one
project per year was envisaged, at an estimated cost of $10,000 pa.
Objective and Outcomes by 2001
7. The objective of the research component of the National Strategy
is
to develop coordinated national research programs which address critical
conservation and preservation issues. There are two outcomes sought by
2001:
to achieve agreed responsibilities and mechanisms for the
implementation of national research programs; and
national coordination and funding of conservation and
preservation
research programs.
8. In formulating these outcomes the Collections Management and
Conservation Working Party recognised that while there is a body of
research activity being undertaken in museums and other organisations,
this effort is often poorly coordinated and funded, and there is a
belief within the museums industry that some of this effort is
duplicated, not focussed on key or priority areas or, perhaps in a few
cases, misdirected.
9. Additionally, work in related fields of interest by
universities, and
to a lesser extent in the private sector, is not adequately identified
and the overall level of research activity is small compared with the
enormity of the problems faced in conserving and preserving the nation's
heritage collections.
Structure of the research program
10. There are three key strategies defined within the research
component
of the National Strategy and they cover the need to coordinate research
effort by reviewing existing activity within and without the museum
sector, identifying areas of greatest need, the potential for improved
resourcing (for example through the Australian Research Council), and
developing the supporting mechanisms for a coordinated plan of action.
11. As discussed in the National Strategy document, the audit and
needs
analysis will take into account overseas research. The needs assessment
will contribute to an understanding of how current research is
undertaken and identify where coordination will be useful. The program
will also focus on improving communication and information sharing
between the numerous stakeholders in this area of activity rather than
interfering with existing organisational priorities.
Program costs
12. In the 1997/98 CM&CWP work plan $25,000 was assigned to the
research
audit. The Working Party has since reviewed the budget proposal and
agreed to recommend to Council that a total allocation of $25,000 be
made available to undertake the proposed audit, needs assessment and
priority identification exercise, including publication of results and
presentation of material on AMOL.
13. Proposed costs are as follows:
R1 Conduct a research audit and needs assessment $10,000
R2 Prioritise research needs for the conservation and
preservation
sector (including distribution of information to stakeholders, such as
through AMOL etc) $15,000
14. Following these processes a detailed report would be presented
to
HCC for decision as to implementation of any recommendations.
Recommendation
15. It is recommended that the Heritage Collections Council endorse
the
expenditure of $25,000 to undertake the first two components of the
Research Program of the National Conservation Strategy.
July 1998