The C Word (MP3 Feed)
by The C Word
We talk about all sorts of things from the perspective of conservation professionals, from museum trends and new technology to the big issues like pay and staying safe at work. In some museums conservation can be a bit of a naughty word but we think it ought to be celebrated!
Episodes
-
S17E08: A Christmas Chat
C is for: Christmas!
-
S17E07: IIC S&ECC in Brazil!
C is for Conference!
-
S17E06: Road trip Special - Cyprus!
C is for Cyprus
-
S17E05: Natural History Museum Denmark Takeover Special!
C is for Conserving the Natural World
-
S17E04: Halloween Special
C is for Contagious
-
S17E03 Conserving the Sacred
C is for Custodial Participation
-
S17E02: Being Sustainable with The Green Tea Podcast
C is for Collaboration
-
S17E01: Furniture Conservation
C is for Chair
-
S16E08: Objects for Use
Jenny, Solange and Liz get philosophical at the end of the season and talk about object use, facsimiles, and the human connection. 00:33 Straight into philosophy 06:21 What do we value? 10:14 But use is damage, right? 14:20 What about future use? 15:55 Renaissance Disneyland 20:38 Interacting…
more -
S16E07: Finding Clients
Jenny, Solange and Liz share their thoughts on finding clients, while some of our listeners in private practice reveal what really works for them. Also tune in for a book review from Phedra! 00:53 Let’s get into it! 05:05 Bragging about yourself can be hard 06:28 Listener contributions 08:07...
-
S16E06: Early Career Freelancing
Liz is joined by Isabella Rossi and Sophie McAloone for another emerging professional special – this time about being in private practice! Or freelance. Or whatever you’d like to call it! (We talk that one out too.) Can you go at it alone as an ECP? Spoilers: yes! 00:36 BevArt chat with Jenny and...
-
S16E05: Bioplastics
Jenny and Solange are joined by conservation scientist Panagiotis Morfis as we talk bioplastics: what are they, where do they crop up, and how can we look after them? Also tune in for a review of ‘Experimental Design and Scientific Data Analysis’ from Jenny. 01:03 Feeling out of our depth is okay...
-
S16E04: Heritage Trust Network Youth Forum Takeover
In this takeover special folks from the Heritage Trust Network Youth Forum get real about being emerging and early career professionals in heritage: sharing thoughts on resilience, broad skill sets, and whether or not we’re over the whole ‘digital’ thing. Are we maybe done with instant...
-
S16E03: Local Little Museums
Join us as we all share the love for the smaller museums out there by visiting somewhere local (to each of us) or ditty (if we were on holiday). Come along to five wonderful little museums! 01:03 Solange visits Derwent Pencil Museum 09:52 Phedra goes to the Museum of Greek Refugees 24:33 Liz…
more -
S16E02: Choosing a Specialism
Jenny, Liz and Solange tackle the age old question: how do you choose a conservation specialism? How did we find ours and what should you consider? Also tune in for a review of the new edition of ‘Culture is Bad for You’ from Jenny! 00:31 Kloe and Phedra are on maternity leave 01:24 How Solange...
-
S16E01: Heritage Skills
Liz and Solange are joined by Mary Lewis, head of craft sustainability at Heritage Crafts. Where does conservation and craft overlap? Let’s talk it out! Also tune in for a book review from Jenny. 00:24 Sponsorship news, hooray! 01:57 Meet Mary 05:53 Kindling crafts and their benefits 07:44...
-
S15E08: Christmas Special
Ho ho ho! In this festive special the team assembles to play a game of ‘Would you rather?’ and make some predictions for the year ahead – plus an exciting announcement from Phedra and Kloe! 00:05:13 A game of ‘Would you rather?’ 00:31:07 Predictions for 2025 00:38:04 The announcement! 00:41:01...
-
S15E07: Apprenticeships
We consider a few different takes on apprenticeships: Liz has been an apprentice, Jenny has hosted one, and Kloe is keen. Kloe also talks to Jane Henderson about the potential pitfalls, and Solange interviews stone carvers Nina Bilbey and Charlotte Howarth about how apprenticeships work in their...
-
S15E06: National Trust Takeover
In this takeover special the conservators at the National Trust take us behind the scenes: telling us their stories, sharing their hopes for the future, and smashing myths about NT properties! 00:00:12 Have you heard of BevArt? 00:02:12 Sarah and Siobhan introduce the National Trust 00:08:18…
more -
S15E05: Accreditation (Part 2: The International Take)
Kloe and Solange give an update on their respective journeys while Liz and Phaedra talk to Bethany Jo Mikelait and Mariana Onofri about how the profession (and accreditation) works in Canada and Brazil. Also tune in for a Dear Jane about gently refusing to work on an object. 00:00:23 Solange and...
-
S15E04: Halloween Special
Echoes of the past, dead objects, and creepy stores – Solange, Kloe and Jenny have a lot on their minds in this year’s spooky special! Jenny also visits a newly opened paranormal museum, Liz reviews an enchanting chapter from a sumptuous tome, and Jenny reads a book of ghost stories set in…
more -
S15E03: Glass Conservation
What’s it like to work on glass? Jenny and Phedra are joined by emerging conservator Terri Costello as they explore this fragile but ancient material. Also tune in for Solange’s interview with artist Freya Laughton about preserving memories in glass. 01:40 Phedra’s adventures with Roman glass…
more -
S15E02: Condition: Lost
Fess up: when did you last lose something? Liz, Phedra, Kloe and Jenny explore what ‘loss’ can mean in collections, in heritage generally, and in conservation. 00:01:10 What do we mean by lost? 00:02:13 Misplaced, disassociated, data loss 00:05:59 Kloe is a fan of the hard copy 00:11:53 Theft in...
-
S15E01: Icon24 Special + Summer Updates
We recap our experiences at Icon24: Conservation for Change as we reflect on the conference and our first nearly-full-team meet-up! Phedra also interviews Patrick Whife from Icon about organising the event. Finally we all share our various summer adventures and plans for the autumn! 00:02:07 We...
-
S14E08: Deconstructed Road Trip Special
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...
-
S14E07: New Museums
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...
-
S14E06: Musical Instruments
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....
-
S14E05: Using AI
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...
-
S14E04: Working with Heritage Scientists
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...
-
S14E03: Historic Houses
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....
-
S14E02: Getting a Foot in the Door
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...
-
S14E01: Meet the Team (or A Few of Our Favourite Things)
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...
-
Bonus Episode: The Announcement
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...
-
S13E08: Paintings Conservation
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....
-
S13E07: Time-Based Media Conservation
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...
-
S13E06: Conference Takeover Special
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...
-
S13E05: Being in Business
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…
more -
S13E04: Working with Adult Learning
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...
-
S13E03: Conflict and Collections
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…
more -
S13E02: Accreditation (Part 1: The Longest Journey)
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...
-
S13E01: Building Communities
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...
-
S12E08: Christmas Special
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...
-
S12E07: Redevelopments
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...
-
S12E06: Time Management
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?...
-
S12E05: Disability in Conservation
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…
more -
S12E04: Halloween Special
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…
more -
S12E03: Gemstones and Minerals
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…
more -
S12E02: Cost of Living Special
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...
-
S12E01: Job Interviews
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...
-
S11E08: Manx Road Trip Special
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...
About this show
We talk about all sorts of things from the perspective of conservation professionals, from museum trends and new technology to the big issues like pay and staying safe at work. In some museums conservation can be a bit of a naughty word but we think it ought to be celebrated!
Hosted by
The C Word