Conservators: “Your work sits at the centre of the conference theme—your insight is not peripheral but foundational.”
Our conservation programmer – Katie Proctor – shared some thoughts on topics that might be of interest to explore – she says of conservators: “Your work sits at the centre of the conference theme—your insight is not peripheral but foundational.”
Some ideas from Katie:
Addressing Authenticity through the lens of conservation decision making
What are the implications of the treatments we undertake and the materials we use? Are we compromising authenticity, or broadening the narrative of what can be perceived as authentic?
Conservators could explore:
Decisions around stabilisation and alteration
The ethics of interventive versus minimal treatment approaches
Whether conservation choices shape interpretive authenticity and/ or physical authenticity, and how
Case Studies where treatment decisions may have changed user perception or archival value.
Highlight not only the what, but the why behind your decisions, grounding them in professional ethics and reflective practice.
Engage with materiality and long-term viability.
Many traditional formats are at risk due to inherent instability or technological obsolescence, how can we provide users with an authentic experience when accessing fragile or born‑digital materials?
Proposals might consider:
How material degradation forces compromise in what can be preserved.
Strategies for balancing preservation needs with user expectations of authenticity.
How surrogates—whether digital or physical—support or threaten perceptions of the “real” object.
These questions sit at the heart of conservation practice and are especially relevant as collection ageing accelerates and digital surrogacy becomes widespread.
Contribute to the Conference’s Conversations on Digitisation and Legal Authenticity
The call for papers specifically raises concerns about the legality of digitised records superseding originals as the ‘legal copy’ in records management.
Conservators are uniquely placed to discuss:
How digitisation workflows can respect, represent, or inadvertently distort original materiality.
Whether digitisation should aim for “authenticity,” “accuracy,” or “interpretive access”—and how these differ.
What information is lost or gained when the physical item is no longer the authoritative version.
We invite you to draw on your practical experiences to illuminate these debates.
Reflect on Ethics in a Time of AI and Automation
Concerns around AI and machine learning can be discussed, including whether such technologies might simplify tasks like metadata capture or transcription or instead de-skill professionals and dilute understanding.
As conservators, relevant angles might include:
The ethics of AI‑driven image enhancement in digitisation.
Automated damage assessment tools and their risks or benefits.
How machine processing intersects with authenticity—can an AI‑modified image still be regarded as a faithful surrogate?
This is an emerging area where conservation voices are especially needed.
Bring Conservation’s Essential Perspective to the Fore
The call for papers underscores that, in an era shaped by disinformation, contested histories, and rapid technological change, the question of authenticity has never been more complex—or more critical.
Conservators are uniquely placed to speak to:
How authenticity is physically embodied.
How it evolves through intervention.
How material evidence shapes historical truth.
How ethics guide the hands that stabilise the record.
You can find the full Call for Papers and the submission portal here: https://openingdoors-ara2026.eventsair.site/call-for-papers
Three formats are available:
20 minute individual presentations (which will be put together with others to form a full session)
60-90 minute panels (with 3-5 presenters)
60 minute workshops – which have some practical or participatory element
Full information on these is available via the same link as above.
Presenters are expected to attend in person in Glasgow where the conference takes place from 5-7th August. If selected you get a delegate pass for the day you are presenting on and up to £100 in travel expenses.