Conservation

As conservators we: 

• Use our professional knowledge and expertise to help the Museum deliver:
  • A full public programme including exhibitions, gallery developments and international touring shows
  • Object loans
  • The Portable Antiquities Scheme
• Preserve the collection for the future through preventive conservation measures.
• Develop conservation treatments and increase knowledge of the Museum's collection through an active conservation research programme.
• Contribute to the development of the profession through participation in national and international working groups and organisations and by setting conservation standards for others to follow.
• Contribute to the training and development of present and future conservators through work placements, masterclasses and exchanges.

Conservation at the Museum is made up of many specialisms, which are outlined below. 

Conservation works with many regional, national and international partners to provide consultancy, advice and skills sharing. Our conservators: 

• Contribute to conservation and collection care training courses such as the Iraq and International training programmes. 
• Play a central role in the Portable Antiquities Scheme, assisting with site excavation and processing potential Treasure.
• Collaborate with artists, makers, and indigenous and local communities – this informs conservation treatments and leads to a valuable exchange of knowledge about the collections. 

We regularly highlight our work through:

• Public gallery talks and lectures
• Blogs
• Special events held during British Science Week
• Behind-the-scenes visits to the Conservation studios for Museum Members.

Combining knowledge and skills in art, craft, science, engineering, computer-based technologies and imaging techniques, Conservation has a unique and significant contribution to make to the Museum's Research Strategy. Conservation and Collection Care research focuses on three main themes: 

To find new materials and develop new techniques to conserve and preserve the collection. This includes investigation into more effective, bespoke, and 'green' conservation materials. 

To develop systems and methodologies that reduce or mitigate risk to collection items when they're on display, on loan or in storage. For example, researching the impact of vibration on collection items during transport to inform the development of improved packing cases to protect them when they're used for loans and touring exhibitions. 

Research into original materials and techniques to study them and learning about how objects deteriorate. For example, this would include investigation of deteriorated surfaces on stone monuments to understand how they were originally decorated in colour.

These three research themes aim to: 

• Expand the understanding and care of the collection
• Contribute to the Museum's overarching aims and objectives 
• Increase public access to the Museum's collection  

Conservators actively disseminate their work through presentations at national and international conferences, and by publishing in peer-reviewed professional journals. 

Find out more about our conservation research projects on our Research projects page.

The Conservation Section at the British Museum can provide unpaid student placements to individuals enrolled on recognised conservation training courses.

These placements offer an excellent opportunity for students to gain real-world experience in object treatment and Museum process under the guidance of the Museum's expert staff. Work carried out will generally be focused on developing practical skills and experience, with tasks most often being drawn from the relevant team's day-to-day work schedule. This can include both preventive and interventive work in service to exhibitions, loans, and display. Work on objects in storage and assistance with research projects may also be required. Mandatory health and safety training, induction training and some administrative tasks will form part of the placement.

Placements focused on specific research aims or object types are possible by special arrangement, but only where the Conservation Section can reasonably accommodate such requests within our broader work schedule.

Prospective student placements should note that the Museum is unable to provide financial or administrative support of any kind, and that placements are taken up by them on an entirely voluntary basis. The British Museum is not able to offer sponsorship for visas, or assistance finding or funding either accommodation or travel. Please download the Conservation placements guide for further details.