Call for Papers: Engaging Conservation: Collaboration Across Disciplines – Penn Museum Symposium

Call for papers – Deadline: 4 April 2016
ENGAGING CONSERVATION:
COLLABORATION ACROSS DISCIPLINES
Penn Museum Symposium
6-8 October 2016
The Conservation Department of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (Penn Museum) is celebrating its 50th anniversary in the fall of 2016. To commemorate the establishment of the lab, the Penn Museum is hosting a symposium on issues relating to archaeology, anthropology, and conservation. The symposium will explore how conservation of these materials has evolved over the past half century, the ways in which conservators may inform and support the work of archaeologists and anthropologists, and the development of cross-disciplinary engagement.
Professionals in any of the three areas are encouraged to submit abstracts of up to one page to conservation@pennmuseum.org by 4 April 2016 for consideration. Presentations will be 20 minutes. Funds towards travel and lodging are available for speakers. Successful applicants will be required to submit the full text and presentation by 30 September 2016. A resulting publication is planned. Please visit http://penn.museum/loveconservation/ for further guidelines and instructions.
Recommended topics to consider, though others are welcome, include:

  • History of archaeological or anthropological conservation, particularly in university museums
  • Facilitating collaboration between conservators and archaeologists or anthropologists, or other interested parties
  • How conservation supports field projects
  • Advocacy for including conservation in planning and budget development
  • Planning for conservation in the development of an excavation plan, including funding conservation in the field
  • Education and training
  • Treatment techniques
  • Analysis of materials
  • Teaching conservation topics to archaeologists and anthropologists

In addition to full-length papers, we also invite short-format submissions on topics listed above as well as those related to practical tips and techniques, insights, or questions relating to the symposium theme. Please submit abstracts (300 word limit) to conservation@pennmuseum.org by 4 April 2016 for consideration. These submissions are limited to 5 minutes or less, and an informal approach is appropriate. Successful short-format applicants will be required to submit a digital copy by 30 September 2016 and will be included in the publication following the same guidelines as the full-length papers.