Research groups
The Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation delivers innovative solutions to industry and community embedded problems which impact the sustainability of cultural material. Our research delivers local solutions of global significance.
The Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation is built on the conviction that culture matters to individuals and societies, and on the understanding that the University of Melbourne has a critical role to play in the articulation and preservation of culture through teaching, research and knowledge transfer.
By bringing together scientific, cultural and historical domains of practice, the Grimwade Centre seeks to advance innovation in cultural materials conservation practice to ultimately ensure our shared cultural record is sustained for future generations.
Our research groups are outlined below.
Cross-cultural conservation practices
Cultural materials are intrinsic to the identity of communities. Our research focusses on the interconnections between cultural policy, conservation and social capital and community identity, particularly in Indigenous and remote communities.
Technical studies
The Grimwade Centre’s research advances conservation methods and materials, their ageing and application properties as well the novel use of analytical instrumentation to develop new knowledge in cultural materials conservation.
Collections and sites
Exploring the relationship between objects, knowledge, place, identity and significance through conservation inquiry.
Climate, environment and sustainability
Focused on sustainable practice, the Grimwade Centre brings together cross-sectoral teams to progress solutions for environmental and climate change threats to cultural heritage.
Issues in contemporary conservation
Contemporary art reflects multiple knowledge domains. Our experience and research in performance, installation and new media art utilises this multiplicity to better understand the challenges of working in contemporary art conservation.
The National Conservation Program
Policy, pedagogy and program research link conservation with government and industry to build new ways of thinking about how conservation can be a national contributor to social, economic and emotional health.