Jane Henderson

Effective preservation decision strategies

Decisions about preservation issues are made both deliberatively and unconsciously. Heuristics operate as intuitive processes which are rapid and can be reliable and effective. Deliberative decisions require time to complete and can be described by an analytic-deliberative model. The characteristics of these two processes and their relevance to preventive conservation decision-making are discussed. Each of these two processes has its strengths and weaknesses. People naturally make decisions and utilise a range of strategies without necessarily having insights into the process. This paper provides a frame to help examine, describe, and reflect upon our own and others’ decision-making in order to improve both processes and outcomes.

Influence: the impact of language, credibility and gender

Abstract Psychology and communication studies can help conservators to examine the impact of gender, the expectations of others and the components of credibility. A small selection of theories from psychology are used to analyse the way that people expect others to communicate and the impact on situations where expectations are breached. The research suggests that conservators can improve their persuasiveness by increasing their understanding of the views of those that they try to influence. In addition the conservator can critically assess their own behaviour and consider if it is likely to have a positive or negative outcome. Being aware of some of the issues that affect persuasiveness allows the conservator to analyse puzzling responses and gives them the opportunity, if they choose it, to adapt their image or style.

The carbon footprint of museum loans: A pilot study at Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales

Abstract By using carbon footprints, museum staff can manage the impact of their loan programs on climate change. To measure the environmental impact of loan activities, a new carbon footprinting methodology has been developed. The methodology includes an Environmental Impact of Loans performance indicator, encouraging museums to set and achieve efficiency targets for loan activities. The methodology was developed using data from the Art Department of Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales. Based on this experience, evidence-based recommendations have been formulated to help museums reduce their impact on global warming.

Dialogue in conservation decision making

An analysis of the impact of stakeholder consultation during the conservation decision-making processes is presented. Defining and finding opportunities for stakeholder communication within conservation work is an ethical necessity when working with cultural heritage, but the limits and practice of this necessity are less clear. Case studies are used to explore which aspects of the conservation process stakeholders are most likely to be consulted about, and reviews the impact of their views. It asks whether conservators have a preference in which decisions they are prepared to share with stakeholders across three aspects of conservation: the initial appraisal, treatment and the display or storage. Where consultation relates to treatment, conservators are more likely to fall back on their own technical authority except when those consulted are regarded as fellow professionals. Other categories of stakeholder such as artists, originating communities, and religious groups were found to be more constructively consulted on the understanding of the object and on care related to display and storage. Conservators should be offered more explicit guidance on the ethics of consultation, the aspects of consultation that they should engage with and on the ethical ways to deal with conflict arising from consultation.

University teaching in the development of conservation professionals

Abstract The teaching of students entering conservation is a foundation of the development of a profession of people who are sufficiently dedicated, knowledgeable and skilled to take the necessary actions to protect cultural heritage. This paper considers the way that society expresses value of cultural heritage and how that need is expressed and communicated to university students via the profession and their teachers. It will look at some approaches to teaching and assessment within UK universities considering the learning outcomes for students and how educators strive to ensure that their graduates are fit for the profession which they will enter. The paper will consider the need for developing expertise and the connection between professionals at the start of their career with those that have achieved excellence via years of informed practice. The critical and challenging role of identifying and acting on valid feedback to conservation outcomes will be discussed with a view to creating a discipline of reflective practitioners.

Identifying features of effective emergency response plans

Abstract Twelve emergency response planning manuals were reviewed to determine the characteristics of effective emergency response plans. Emergency plans were categorized as threat response plans and management response plans, depending on their content and structure. Primary characteristics of each type are discussed using five case studies. Based on the distinctions, strengths, and weaknesses of each type of plan, recommendations are made to aid institutions in selecting the most appropriate approach.

Disasters without planning: Lessons for museums

Flooding at a museum without any disaster plan necessitated an emergency rescue without any preparation. A diary of the rescue is followed by a description of specific issues raised during the rescue.The need for safe and secure work may contradict conservation needs and an example of this in practice is given. The organisation of the disaster raised questions of delegations of responsibilities and working in smaller groups on categories of materials. Financial considerations greatly affected what work could be carried out and the need to address quickly insurance requirements is stressed.

Managing uncertainty for preventive conservation

ABSTRACT This paper examines how conservators engage with uncertainty when creating preventive conservation strategies. It argues that by recognising contexts in which uncertainty will be encountered conservators can develop effective management strategies. A typology of uncertainty explores a range of categories of uncertainty, their experience in preventive conservation and identifies distinct approaches to manage them. Managing uncertainty may include acts of defining its parameters, exposing and resolving through communication or protecting from with contingency. Whatever approach is adopted it must be accepted that uncertainty cannot be avoided. It is important therefore to aim to live well with uncertainty and the paper advocates for preventive conservation applications of strategies recommended in health care for patients with life-threatening illnesses. These strategies include working on things that can be controlled, goal setting, acceptance and factoring in emotions. The ability to identify contexts in which uncertainty is inbuilt should trigger those concerned with preventive conservation to activate strategies developed for managing and living well with uncertainty.

Reflections on the psychological basis for suboptimal environmental practices in conservation

Jonathan Ashley-Smiths ‘Lets be Honest’ presentation and paper from the 1994 International Institute for Conservation (IIC) conference on preventive conservation is the starting point for this article which considers the evolution of environmental standards to ask whether it is technological or psychological factors that have initiated their greatest change. It examines the implications of categorising types of damage for decision-making and asks whether understanding damage as a process rather than an outcome contributes to a cautionary approach to environmental standards in conservation. The article considers the possible psychological justifications used by those advocating standards for collections and asks whether these may lead to behaviour which is ineffective or ethically compromised. Challenging questions are then asked of the profession about what it cannot do, does not understand, and where it fails. The article concludes that although conservation has made progress in understanding materials and their properties to inform the implementation of environmental standards, it has made significantly less progress in understanding how and why decision-makers introduce and apply standards.

Communicating pesticide contamination messages

Abstract Over the last two decades, an increased understanding of the extent of pesticide contamination of organic collections in museums, particularly natural science and ethnographic collections, has developed. This paper explores the intellectual and emotional responses to messages about pesticide risks in museums and reports on the impact of wording on risk warnings. Six risk phrases using different terminology but intended to represent the same danger of pesticide contamination were evaluated by 103 museum staff. We found that how a message was delivered, the degree of science education of users, and phrases associated with hazards affected how a message was perceived. The delivery of risk warnings and the effective communication of collections-based hazards in museums are essential to responsible collections use, particularly those of scientific (Natural History) and cultural (Ethnographic) importance, where collections are most likely to be contaminated with hazardous substances. The results presen...