Call for proposals open! - The age of photographs. 50 years of image preservation.

Paris

rom the moment they were introduced, photographs were seen as fragile objects and their instability soon attracted the attention of scientists and photographers. During the industrial revolution, manufacturers took up the challenge of developing sensitive surfaces; and by the end of the 20^th century, conservation institutes were conducting their own research into the conservation of this new heritage object. The use of photography in a wide variety of processes, and its materialization on different media, raises many questions about the characteristics of objects and their preservation, at a time when the need for green transition is forcing us to open up new research paths into the conservation of cultural heritage artefacts. Therefore, photography is now facing technical, scientific, ecological, and societal challenges. This symposium intends to build a narrative of 50 years of research into the preservation of photographic heritage, while taking part in the development of a forward-looking approach to these new conservation challenges.

It is aimed at conservation scientists, curators, collection managers, conservators of photographs and photography historians. It is part of the French Ministry of Culture's bicentennial celebration of photography, which is taking place in 2026-2027. The conference languages are French and English, and simultaneous interpretation will be provided.

The program is structured into three sessions. The first one seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of the evolution of concerns regarding the materiality of photographs. The goal is at the same time to enhance our knowledge of the collections and to understand the objects themselves, with the aim to improve their conservation. The second session will explore the evolution of conservation practices with a focus on the consideration of the objects’ degradation as a component of their historical significance. Preventive and remedial conservation as well as restoration will be studied in terms of methodological differences, particularly at international level. The third prospective session will examine considerations relating to the ways in which photographs are acquired and exhibited. The conservation and exhibition conditions will be discussed from the first official recommendation of the 1980s, till the recent reassessment in the context of ecological transition.

We invite the whole community to submit contributions (*) in French or English before January 15, 2026, either for:

- an oral communication, the content of which should explore the recent history of photograph preservation or its future prospects

- a poster presentation that focuses on a more specific research topic, in line with one of the above-mentioned themes.

We recommend that you register as soon as possible.

Weitere Informationen findet ihr unter folgendem Link:
Le temps des épreuves. 50 ans de préservation des photographies - Sciencesconf.org

Call for Sessions - CHNT31 – Getting Dirty: Back to the Roots of Cultural Heritage Work - Heritage in Action: From the Field to the Future

Wien, Orangerie Schönbrunn

Introduction

Cultural heritage is understood most clearly when encountered in the places where it originates: in the field, within historic structures, and across landscapes shaped by human activity. Archaeological and architectural research form the basis for interpreting these cultural environments, while World Heritage frameworks highlight established principles for long-term protection, management, and communication of both their tangible and intangible values.

Digital technologies—whether applied in surveying, documentation, analysis, or interpretive work—play a decisive role across the heritage field. Yet their true significance emerges not in controlled settings, but in real operational contexts, where dust, weather, material decay, human presence, and logistical constraints influence every choice. It is within this dynamic space—where scientific research, management responsibilities, and communication objectives intersect—that contemporary heritage practice takes shape.

CHNT31 brings these dimensions together by returning to the roots of cultural heritage practice.

We examine how digital methods perform under real-world conditions, how diverse areas of heritage research inform management strategies, expand our understanding of World Heritage, and support the meaningful communication of its values to varied audiences. At the same time, and in line with the broader UNESCO mission, the conference creates a forum to address human experience, participation, and ethical considerations—factors that shape how heritage is perceived, engaged with, and transmitted to future generations.

CHNT31 holistically addresses the diverse actors that shape the heritage field—researchers, digital specialists, practitioners, managers, and those who often combine several of these roles. Preserving the 30-year tradition of CHNT, the conference continues and strengthens a dialogue in which developing, testing, and refining digital methods is inseparable from their use in protecting, interpreting, and sustaining cultural heritage. It builds on an ongoing exchange where research responds to practical demands, and where real-world challenges stimulate new directions for investigation.

The conference invites researchers, practitioners, site managers, policy actors, students, and community representatives to jointly reflect on the shared responsibilities and opportunities that arise when scientific knowledge, digital innovation, and management practice intersect.

Weitere Informationen findet ihr unter folgendem Link:
CHNT – Cultural Heritage – NextGen | Innovative approaches in Documentation, Research, Management and Education