Liz and Phedra are joined by Jonathan Santa Maria Bouquet as they talk about the conservation of musical instruments: from tuning and treatment considerations to ethics and philosophy. Also tune in (pun somewhat intended) for an interview from Solange with Emma Hardy, violin maker and repairer. There’s even some lovely music at the end! 00:22 More …

Jenny, Solange and Phedra are joined by Luisa Casella as we talk about AI: how can conservators use these tools and what are their pros and cons? Luisa tells us about CRAIG, a large language model for conservators, while Jenny frets about the climate impact. Also tune in for a review of a recent lecture on AI usage from Solange and Phedra! 01:35 Wh…

Jenny and Liz talk to Dr Marysia Tarnowska about their journey into heritage science from a background in chemistry: from molecular bonds to leather deterioration! Jenny also talks to Dr Josep Grau-Bove from the Icon Heritage Science Group about how we can communicate better as both conservators and scientists. Finally, tune in for a review of ‘Sof…

Join Jenny, Kloe and Liz as they explore historic houses across the world, their unique charms, and quirky challenges. Phedra whisks us away to a sun-soaked historic house museum in Cyprus, while Liz delves into the meticulous conservation efforts at Sir John Soane’s Museum with Jane Wilkinson. Finally, Kloe has a chat with Helen Antrobus about wha…

Liz and Phedra join forces with freelance paintings conservator Alexis Drapanas as they tackle an ECP special! Phedra also interviews conservator Kerith Koss Schrager and intern Adrienne Gendron about health and safety for emerging professionals. And don’t forget to tune in for a Dear Jane about getting into some more unusual specialisms! 00:00:45 …

Meet the dream team! It’s a crowded recording session today: Jenny and Kloe ask their new colleagues Liz, Phedra, and Solange about their new roles and their favourite objects, tools, and adhesives. What ARE a few of our favourite things? Also tune in for a review of ‘Conservation of Books’ from Solange! 00:02:16 Who’s Liz? 00:04:22 And who’s Phedr…

In this special bonus episode we make a couple of overdue announcements, take you with us to an award ceremony in Cardiff, and profess our undying love for our listeners. Would you like to join us on The C Word team? Get in touch! 00:57 We’re having a break – and we’re recruiting! 07:31 We’ve got an award 09:21 Recording from The 30(ish) Awards 17:…

In this one we talk to Professor Aviva Burnstock about what paintings can be and we chat with Polly Saltmarsh about communicating conservation and the joys of sticky toffee pudding sauce. Also tune in for a review of ‘On Canvas: Preserving the Structure of Paintings’ by Stephen Hackney from Kloe. 03:48 When is a painting a painting? 10:05 On the na…

We’re joined by special guest host Cass Fino-Radin as we talk about time-based media: what it can be, what the challenges are, and what we can do to preserve it. From mechanical components to maintaining software, we geek out about everything that’s wonderful about this type of conservation. Also tune in for a review of poetry pamphlet ‘Accessionin…

In this episode Jenny and Kloe address a correction before launching into a takeover special: join Kloe, Nerys Rudder and Jane Henderson as they go to the ‘Changing the World: Approach, Strategy and the Future of University Museums’ UMG conference and run around the newly refurbished Manchester Museum. 03:55 A correction from Jane 07:13 Other comme…

Together with special co-host Alison Lister we explore the private sector: from our workspaces to how we learn on the job. Join us for a catch-up on Jenny’s adventures in business, along with Kloe’s commercial experience and Alison’s passionate call for us all to share more. Bridget Mitchell tells us about finding joy in your business and the power…

We’re joined by special guest host Stella Toonen as we explore a topic with many synonyms: public programming, outreach, adult learning, and so many more! We get enthused about ideas for events that conservation can get in on, and talk about the many pitfalls – and benefits – of co-creation in museums. 01:06 What’s this episode about? 03:52 Stella’…

We’re joined by curator Karen Logan as we talk about working with collections that stir up emotions and recent memories: from The Troubles in Northern Ireland to Brexit and activism. Also tune in for Kloe’s thoughts and feelings on human remains and other displays as she visited Egypt in February. 04:00 How did this episode come about? 08:26 What a…

We have a chat amongst ourselves about the process of becoming an accredited conservator, as seen by two mid-career people staring at the application form in fear and distress. This episode contains snippets of both Jenny’s and Kloe’s thoughts on the very early stages of getting ready to even apply, being on the Pathway (PACR), and some of the nota…

We talk to community-building conservator Melissa King about nurturing communication between collections care professionals and the growing preservation community at Conserv. Jenny also talks to heritage consultant Sarah Marsom about being a moderator online, and to chief exec Sara Crofts about Icon’s use of Discord and Basecamp. Don’t forget to tu…

As we huddle up in a pew with Dr Sarah Turner we talk about Christmas in cathedrals, play a parlour game of Five Things, and make some predictions for the year ahead. Kloe talks to Beth Gillions about her time as a caretaker at Westminster Chapel in winter, and Todd Wright sings our rendition of ‘Silent Night’ for some extra feels. Also tune in for…

Together with special co-host Sean Kelly we talk about all things redevelopment: from the strange sensation of taking things off display, to the joy of opening the doors, and why museum work never stops. Also tune in for interviews with Georgina Young from Manchester Museum, Alex Cropper from Manchester Jewish Museum, and Chris Weeks from Manx Nati…

Join us for another tranquil boat episode with conservator Pierrette Squires as we talk about time management. How do you estimate how long a treatment will take? How do you handle project slip, unexpected overtime, and an overflowing inbox? How do you structure the day when you’re self-employed? Also tune in for a Dear Jane about stakeholders and …

Join us on a tranquil houseboat as we talk about being conservators with disabilities with special guest host Pierrette Squires. We share our various experiences and set the world to rights (with ducks in the background). Also tune in for a Dear Jane about accreditation, a tour of the new ‘Nothing About Us Without Us’ exhibition with Kloe, and a re…

Jenny and Kloe share some conservation horror stories, including mysterious tales of possessed equipment and phantasmal fans. Break it down to our Halloween song ‘The Monstrous Crash’ and then wind down with a review of ‘Ghost Stories of the British Museum Audio Guide’ by Noah Angell. Finally Jenny shares some pumpkin preservation tips for everyone…

We’re joined by the brilliant jewellery conservator Bill Hawkes for a dazzling episode about the history of gems, the usefulness of pretty stones, and the intriguing secrets of the jewellery industry. Also tune in for an interview with geological conservator Kate Andrew about the hidden dangers of rock samples and why you should never bin an old la…

We have a gentle (but also angry) chat about the cost of living crisis, the impact on society, and how it affects us as conservators: both as self-employed people and as museum workers. Jenny also talks to Sharon Heal from the Museums Association, and Kloe reviews ‘Low Cost/No Cost Tips for Sustainability in Cultural Heritage’ by Lorraine Finch. 01…

Together with Beth Gillions we put on our best confidence clothes and talk about job interviews: what it’s like asking the questions, what do you do when you forget everything about yourself, and what are the practical assessments like for job seeking conservators? We share our top tips and some great advice from our followers on Twitter too! 00:02…

Come along on a roadtrip to the Isle of Man with Jenny and Kloe! We take the ferry across the water, stay in an eco-friendly yurt village, and tour the island’s heritage sites: we go behind the scenes with the Manx National Heritage conservators and enjoy the local sites. Special thanks to Chris Weeks and Emma Le Cornu for inviting us over! (Varied…

We’re joined by Tom Hopkins and Louise McAward-White from Fair Museum Jobs as we grab the imaginary tin opener and get into one of our favourite cans of worms: zero hour contracts! We unpick what they are, how they’re used in the heritage sector, why they’re problematic, and how we can do better. 00:01:33 What is exactly is a zero hours contract? 0…

Join us for our triennial Icon conference special: an all online experience this time! Jenny tries to get into the spirit with croissants and rubbish coffee while Kloe is enjoying being able to multitask and dyeing fabrics while listening in. Also tune in for some impressions from the recent AIC conference. 04:32 Reaching out for recognition as a t…

Together with special guest host Bill Hawkes we continue the topic of shiny things: metals! This time dealing with small objects and shiny trinkets. Kloe talks to Dr Eric Nordgren about archaeological metals, and Jenny reviews ‘Histories of Conservation and Art History in Modern Europe’ as well. 00:01:27 From jewellery shops to the conservation wor…

Together with special guest hosts Claire Fry and Lorraine Finch we take a walk on the private practice side of conservation: what’s it like starting and running a business? Kloe has a zillion questions as Jenny airs her insecurities as a new business owner, while Claire and Lorraine share their entrepreneurial insights with us all. From networking …

We’re joined by special guest host and public engagement champion Clare Lawlor as we talk about learning in museums and at heritage sites. How do we talk to kids about difficult topics? What kind of learning spaces do we have access to? And what kind of magic happens when conservators and learning colleagues work together? Also tune in for a review…

Together with special guest hosts Dr David Leigh and Dr Isobel Griffin we delve into the world of conservation standards: what are they, how do they come into being, and how are we using them? Kloe also talks to Jane Henderson about the importance of having many voices in the room and when people might start waving pitchforks around, and Jenny revi…

With the help of special guest host Lisa Mol we talk about the impact of war and conflict on heritage: from stone research and training initiatives and all the way to saving Ukrainian digital heritage en-masse. We’re also joined by Emma Cunliffe from Blue Shield, Sarah Stannage from IIC, and Richard Mulholland from Northumbria University as we disc…

Let’s get into the festive spirit with our special co-host Anna Ploszajski as we explore festive facts, Christmas chemistry, and merry materials! We make some predictions for the year ahead, and of course there’s a collections themed holiday song to bob along to. Happy holidays! 00:02:43 Hideous treasures all around us 00:11:13 Christmas tree decor…

Sometimes museums just can’t keep everything – so what happens then? Together with guest host Emma Duggan we explore both the practicalities and our feelings around objects leaving collections. Also tune in for an interview with Ian Channell and Abigail Johnson from Epping Forest District Museum about their museum’s rationalisation journey. 00:01:5…

Together with conservator Lucy Branch we iron out some of the issues around big chunks of metal: from bronze trying to injure people to the trouble with coatings! Also tune in for a Dear Jane about being your authentic self, and a review of ‘Modern Metals in Cultural Heritage’ from Jenny. 01:38 Wait, is bronze a possessed metal? 05:53 Health and sa…

We talk about our creaking joints and aching muscles with special guest host Emma Le Cornu, who is both a conservator and a yoga instructor. Kloe talks about carpal tunnel woes, Jenny shares her pain management journey, and Emma gives us all some exercises to try out at work. Also tune in for a Dear Jane about careers derailed by the pandemic. Look…

Join us as we take a seat by an imaginary fireplace in a creepy old house and trade stories of hauntings, hazards, and house ghosts with special guest Aly Singh. We get interrupted by trick-or-treaters and feel unsettled by sudden changes in RH! Jenny also talks to historian Sheldon K. Goodman about Cemetery Club and to conservator Kathrine Graf ab…

Together with special guest host Erin Foster we discuss the careers people have had before finding conservation, why they might have switched, and why so many of us find out about conservation a little later in life. Also tune in for an apprenticeship update from Icon and a review of ‘Managing Change in Museums and Galleries’ from Jenny. 01:16 Why …

We’re joined by special guest host Helen Antrobus as we unpack what it means to be a collections curator and how we can (and do) work together to deliver some amazing things. Tune in for discussions around job titles, working with community curators, and why we should pay for expertise. 01:39 What even is a curator? 14:34 Our experiences of working…

We kick off season ten with a Zoom get-together! Jenny and Kloe bring some drinks and invite people along to think about how the last 12-18 months have been. We talk about what we’ve been up to, how our workplaces have changed, the absolute state of the job market, supply issues, the ‘planning ballet,’ and what we’re proud of. Many thanks to Mandy …

Together with special guest host Alison Lister we explore the process of dyeing fabrics for textile conservation: from why we do it to the secret of a good colour match. Also tune in for an interview with Laura Peters about her dye research, and a review of ’The Diversity of Dyes in History and Archaeology’ from Kloe. 00:39 Our experiences with dye…

We look up from our workbenches for a moment and think about how to make some savvy business decisions: what can conservators do beyond classic benchwork? Guest host Lucy Branch shares her experiences of creating alternative income streams, while Jenny thinks about tactics employed outside of conservation. Also tune in for a business pep talk with …

Together with special gust host Talitha Wachtelborn we explore the world of leather conservation: from book bindings to suitcases! Also tune in for an interview with Mike Redwood about the history of tanning and the sustainability of leather, and a chat with Rosie Bolton and Arianne Panton from the Leather Conservation Centre. 00:01:37 Our experien…

We’re getting into the groove about things that move with special guest host Matthew Read. What exactly is a dynamic object and how do you go about preserving one? Kloe talks to Ken Cobb about conserving electrical objects and Jenny speaks to Chris Weeks about motorcycles that still need to vroom. Also tune in for a book review of ’Handmade: A Scie…

Together with special guest host Jane Henderson we peer at our loggers, spot check our homes, and crunch our data in an attempt to demystify environmental monitoring! Also tune in for an interview with Michael Hall from Meaco and Austin Senseman from Conserv. 03:38 Freaking out vs chasing the flat line 07:36 From ye olde thermohygrograph to wireles…

We think about communicating in different ways with fellow podcaster and conservator Lucy Branch. We discuss podcasting, video platforms, and good old-fashioned radio and TV. Kloe tries out TikTok, and Jenny interviews YouTubing conservator Lucilla Ronai and Lucia Scalisi from The Repair Shop! 01:42 On the benefits of podcasting 14:07 Interview wit…

Together with special guest host Emma Duggan we go behind the scenes, under ground, even into the freezer! In short we explore the world of extreme or unusual store methods in museums and heritage, ranging from cold and dry to super soggy. Tune in for interviews with Toby Jones from the Newport ship project, Angela Middleton from Historic England, …

We’re joined by Front of House champions Will Tregaskes and Abi Godfrey as we talk about how conservators and visitor services can join forces, smash silos, and all enjoy our jobs more. What’s it like being the face of the museum? What does good teamwork look like? And what’s the best bit about working as FoH? 03:24 What do we mean by Front of Hous…

We get a little extra jolly with our festive co-host Emily O’Reilly as we open Christmas crackers with terrible jokes and rustly hats, attempt some predictions for the year ahead, do a conservation quiz, and play a game of deception. Tune in for a seasonal Dear Jane, a holiday tipple at the Benchwork Bar, and of course: a new conservation Christmas…

Together with guest host Jane Henderson we explore how university teaching has changed this year and what conservation training looks like in a pandemic. Kloe and Jenny take turns to talk to people from different teaching institutions about this year’s challenges and victories. Also tune in for a Dear Jane about what makes a good dissertation! 00:0…

Together with special guest host Libby Finney we chat about professional development and training in the time of Covid-19: what counts as CPD, how do we access training opportunities, and what is it like delivering training remotely? Also tune in for an interview with Abigail Bainbridge, chair of Icon Book & Paper Group, about the webinar series ’C…