Alumna shortlisted in UK’s coveted ICON Conservation awards

In the Institute of Conservation (ICON) national awards, a Cardiff University student has once again been shortlisted as Student Conservator of the Year.

MSc Conservation Practice alumna Gemma McBader is one of four shortlisted in the category at the prestigious UK awards held every five years.

Cardiff University alumnus Simon Lambert won the award in 2010.

Among the first cohort to graduate with the new MSc Conservation Practice at the University, Gemma is shortlisted for her Masters dissertation on The Investigation and Conservation of a 19th Century Ethiopian Emperor's Shield, awarded a distinction in 2012.

The award recognises the accomplishments of a student conservator in conservation, demonstrated in the completion of their project during training. The award is presented both to the student and their training institution, with a prize fund of £5,000.

Gemma says: "The project was multifaceted, and provided a platform to combine all aspects of the MSc course, from scientific analyses, to risk management and ethical considerations.

"Curatorial research and scientific testing were driven beyond routine, while practical conservation treatment outcomes aimed to achieve a professional standard on the ICON Professional Accreditation of Conservator-Restorers (PACR) scale.

"The most fascinating aspect of the project was the research into the shield's provenance and pin-pointing its exact origin and history, culminating in a significance-led approach to its conservation" she adds.

Cardiff University alumni are also among those shortlisted in the Pilgrim Trust Awards for Community and Conservation respectively.

Winners will be announced at the ICON 2015 awards on 22 October at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Find out more about our MSc Conservation Practice.