Conservation research

The conservation research section is an innovator. In collaboration with academic partners we address research questions of critical importance to The National Archives, the results of which also go on to serve a wider professional community; for example in areas such as digitisation, conservation treatment and preventitive conservation practice. Our research agenda is informed by a national conservation research strategy for libraries and archives.

Conservation research programme

The conservation research programme supports The National Archives' vision of guaranteeing the survival of today´s information for tomorrow. As custodian of the national memory, The National Archives have a responsibility for the selection and permanent retention of analogue and digital records of enduring value. We need to ensure our preservation programme will be effective in the coming years in response to the challenges of climate instability in the UK. This requires better understanding of the kinetics of decay and the steps necessary to mitigate and manage them. To respond to these challenges the conservation research programme addresses a range of interrelated issues that impact on the long-term stewardship of the collection.

Conservation research will, over the next five years, investigate the character and ageing behaviours of materials. We will:

Investigate the impact of climate change on indoor environmental conditions and microclimates in order to calibrate preservation policies and practices.
Undertake technical analysis to explore the synergies between documentary evidence, records themselves and the potential of scientific analysis for a better understanding of how and when the objects were made and used.

Conservation research projects

Research activities are guided by the aims and objectives of The National Archives Research Strategy 2007-10. Conservation research projects currently centre around four major themes:

Materials testing

The National Archives, with support from The British Library, have initiated a testing programme of materials commonly used in preservation and conservation of library and archive collections. Tests have been carried out in accordance with agreed international testing standards by independent laboratories. To date tests have been undertaken on archival boxboard and adhesives with further testing of other materials planned.

Materials testing results

2005 - Evaluating archival box board
2006 - Adhesives

Collaboration and partnership

The exchange of ideas and fulfilment of research objectives often come from the added expertise and access to analytical research facilities made available by collaboration with a wide range of academic institutions, both nationally and internationally. If you are interested in collaborating with The National Archives or are interested in learning more about how to collaborate with us, see our guidelines.

Further information

Head of Research

nancy.bell@nationalarchives.gov.uk

+44 (0) 20 8392 5330 extension 2506

Conservation Science Manager

kostas.ntanos@nationalarchives.gov.uk

+44 (0) 20 8392 5330 extension 2019