Cultural Materials Conservation

The Cultural Materials Conservation program is the only one of its kind in Australia combining both the theory and practice of cultural material conservation.

Students at the Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation
Students at the Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation.

We offer teaching and research out of the Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation, Victoria’s leading art conservation and restoration centre.

Students gain access to our state-of-the-art laboratory; unique interdisciplinary expertise across the Faculties of Arts and Science; our Grimwade Conservation Services; and The University of Melbourne’s 30 cultural collections.

We have a strong research track record and ongoing collaborative research programs with partners in Australia, China, East Timor, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

View our staff

Explore more of our research

The student team for RE-ORG Bathurst
The student team for RE-ORG Bathurst (L to R): Elizabeth Gralton (Grimwade Centre), Lisa Jacomos (Master of Curatorial Studies), Dan Schwartz, and Kate Ritchie (Grimwade Centre), 2018. Photographer: David Roma.

Study with us

Explore cultural materials conservation from philosophical, intellectual and scientific domains of practice with senior heritage professionals and conservators. Find out more about studying:

Learn more about applying for Graduate research, as well as our non-award, one-week Chemistry bridging course for students without a chemistry background.

Read our stories

Learn more about our people, work and research through our news and articles.

Meet our Cultural Materials Conservation staff

Our academics are leading teachers, researchers and industry practitioners, who are highly regarded for their significant contribution to the field. Professor Robyn Sloggett has been awarded The Order of Australia, and Dr Nicole Tse has been awarded Conservator of the Year by the Australian Institute for Conservation of Cultural Materials.

Cultural Materials Conservation honorary staff