Cultural Material Conservation

The masters degree is aimed at students who wish to develop advanced skills in carrying out independent and sustained research in cultural material conservation. The course will culminate in the production of a research thesis of 30,000 words.

Students who complete the Master of Arts (Thesis only) in this area of specialisation should:

• demonstrate a thorough knowledge of cultural material conservation principles, methodologies and best practice standards;
• demonstrate a capacity for articulating conservation research questions and the appropriate methodologies for investigating them;
• have an understanding of the role of cultural material in the economic, social and cultural wellbeing of individuals, communities and nations;
• can access, appreciate and contribute to national and international debates, protocols and conventions relevant to cultural material conservation;
• can act as informed advocates for cultural material conservation and play a leadership role within the sector, actively engaging in critical policy issues;
• bring an appreciation of cultural diversity, community sensitivities and a changing social context to the scientific and historical paradigms that exist within the cultural heritage and conservation sectors;
• can apply critical and analytical skills and methods, and a cross disciplinary understanding and approach, to the identification and resolution of conservation issues;
• can express research findings in lucid, well constructed arguments which use appropriate scientific and social conventions of documentation;
• a respect for intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship;
• the capacity for independent critical thought and self directed learning;
• an openness to new ideas.

Duration: 1.5 years full-time / 3 years part-time

The Master of Arts (Thesis only) in this area of specialisation requires:

• thesis 30,000 words