Conference call for papers: The impact of cross-disciplinary conservation on social development

16^th-17^th May 2014UCL Institute of Archaeology

A two-day conference organized by the Conservation and Development Network (University College London), in collaboration with the Heritage Conservation and Human Rights Network (University of Nairobi) and the Iraqi Institute for the Conservation of Antiquities and Heritage (University of Delaware).

Conservation decision-making processes are influenced by local, national and international socio-economic factors and their associated contexts. Conversely, conservation can also significantly affect socio-economic development and lead to improvements in people’s lives. Understanding layers of history, values, how they are shaped, their contexts, motivations, and their impact form the fundamental basis for effective decision-making processes in conservation today. The conference will explore the impact of conservation ethics and practices on socio-cultural, economic and ecological contexts in need of development, areas of post-conflict recovery and reconstruction due to natural disasters. The main purpose is to stimulate lasting discussion (within heritage conservation, the broader field of heritage, and nature conservation) on how the practice of conservation can promote human wellbeing and economic prosperity, support conflict or disaster recovery, and foster social cohesion.

Submissions will be invited in the following areas:

• The impact of the practice of conservation on people’s wellbeing and quality of life.
• Engagement of local groups in re-construction and/or development through the practice of conservation.
• Cross-disciplinary collaborations between professionals involved in heritage and nature conservation (in both practical and theoretical levels).
• Research on and use of locally produced resources to replace expensive imported treatment materials. 
• Practical issues of conservation in the field, focusing on involvement/training of local people.
• Theoretical and practical approaches that make the practice of conservation sustainable.

Dissemination: Presenters will be invited to submit their papers to a special issue of the Journal of Conservation and Museum Studies http://jcms-journal.com/  (an open access and peer-reviewed journal).

For more information contact conservationucl@gmail.com