Cardiff University -Research visit to a world-leading institution working on cultural heritage conservation
Dr Cristina De Nardi is a Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellow within the RESCOM (Resilient Structures and Construction Materials), based in the School of Civil Engineering, Cardiff University.
Her research activity is dedicated to studying innovative materials for structural restoration of historical buildings as well as sustainable materials, to minimise the need for repair and maintenance of civil engineering infrastructure.
In June 2024, Cristina visited the Getty Conservation Institute in Los Angeles, USA, which is a world-leading institution working on cultural heritage conservation.
Visiting the Getty Conservation Institute has been a pivotal experience in my professional career. The institution’s prestige and the expertise I encountered there are unmatched. This visit has significantly contributed to my professional development.
The Taith funding facilitated invaluable interactions with leading experts, exposure to advanced techniques and equipment, and participation in cutting-edge research projects. It enriched my skills, expanded my professional network, and opened new avenues for collaboration. I would say that, for academics, publishing is very important, but networking and collaborating with international colleagues working in the same field is vital. This Taith-funded mobility gave the opportunity to know people and be part of an international team.
The best part of my Taith-funded experience was the comprehensive engagement with the Getty Conservation Institute. Being invited to present a seminar allowed me to share my research with leading experts, fostering valuable feedback and discussions. Participating in site trials provided hands-on experience with advanced conservation techniques, while working in their state-of-the-art laboratories expanded my technical expertise.
Furthermore, the Taith funding enabled me to extend my stay beyond the seminar. Generally, academics get funding to go to conferences, where you present a paper and listen to other researchers for a day or two. The kind of longer term opportunities offered by Taith allowed me to meet more experts, follow them in their lab activities, and gain deeper insights into their methodologies and ongoing projects. This additional time was invaluable for building professional relationships and learning from the day-to-day work at the institute. In this sense, Taith provides something unique to the Research sector in Wales.
Additionally, this visit offered me the opportunity to represent Cardiff University, paving the way for future collaborations between our institutions. Some of the researchers I met there are thinking of coming to the UK, so it would be great if we could organise a roundtable or meeting in Wales. Actually, they were interested in the work with do around conservation with castles, which is something they obviously don’t have in Los Angeles.
It was one of the most important research visits in my professional life. Aside from the prestige of the institution and the opportunity to present my seminar, the extended visit allowed me to participate in both indoor and outdoor lab activities, including site trials. I had the chance to meet experts in various conservation topics on multiple occasions, which is crucial for future collaborations. It was so inspiring that I cannot even put it into words. I hope to reflect this inspiration in my research activities moving forward! Overall, I returned with a refreshed and energised mindset and an expanded network.
Taith funding not only facilitates valuable research opportunities but also helps promote and elevate the visibility of Welsh academic and research institutions on an international stage. The opportunities for networking and collaborating for an extended period of time is particularly beneficial for early career researchers.
