The C Word (M4A Feed)

In this year’s travel special we go on FOUR individual journeys: a sort of deconstructed road trip. Kloe goes to sunny Spain, Liz takes her bike to the Rijks Museum, Jenny darts between museums in Sweden, and finally Phedra goes on a watery adventure in Cyprus. Don’t miss the return of Cass Fino-Radin at the end of the episode, when they interview emerging conservation professionals at the recent...

Kloe and Phedra are joined by Jill Carruthers in an episode all about newer, fresh-faced museums. What’s it like opening a brand NEW museum? Phedra talks to Matt Turtle from the Museum of Homelessness AND Eleni Loizides from the Cyprus Archaeological Museum, while Solange sits down to chat with James Hogg from the Yorkshire Natural History Museum. Also tune in for a review of ‘Conservation Skills...

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 announcements! 02:26 Origin story 07:01 The perils...

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 What do we mean by AI? 04:11 Building a LLM for cons...

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 ‘Soft Paint and the Care of Paintings’ from Liz! 00:01...

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 what it’s like working in the National Trust. 00:00:2...

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 Introducing our ECP hosts 00:08:02 Straight from u...

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 Phedra? 00:07:00 Aaand who’s Solange? 00:09:38 Experime...

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 17:50 Dear Jane teaser 18:51 Patreon shout out Show N...

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 nature of painted surfaces 13:13 How students might...

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 ‘Accessioning’ by Charlotte Wetton. 00:21 A long-time spreadsh...

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 comments from listeners 12:19 Three conservators go to...

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 of positive thinking. Also tune in for an audio t...

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’s outreach journey 05:50 Kloe’s experiences facili...

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 are The Troubles? 15:40 What to include 18:10 Conte...

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 notable barriers. Kloe also interviews Heather Doyle a...

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 tune in for a Dear Jane about getting some conservat...

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 a review of ‘National Treasures: Saving the Natio...

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 National Heritage. 00:00:51 What’s happening in Paisle...

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 furry friends. 00:02:51 Kloe’s experience and appr...

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 review of ‘The Routledge Companion to Art and Disabi...

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’s Halloween needs! 02:59 Can anyone offer us a ha...

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 label! 01:43 What are minerals? 03:00 Uses of gemsto...

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. 01:57 Why are we NOT talking about this? 04:11 Jenny...

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! 00:02:10 Kloe and Jenny’s experiences of being on inter...