Jan Dariusz Cutajar has completed a MA in Principles of Conservation at the Institute of Archaeology, University College London, having been awarded an overall distinction.

The course focused on the ethics and theory of contemporary conservation practice, with emphasis on understanding cultural objects in a practical conservation context.

In part fulfilment of the MA’s requirements, Mr Cutajar has published a dissertation on integrating sustainable practices within conservation laboratory practice. This focused on adapting the principles of green chemistry into the conservation lab.

The attitude of conservators to adapting sustainable practices was also investigated. In general, results indicated that, despite several obstacles, conservators possess an overall marked awareness of the consequences of chemical use on environmental sustainability. Ultimately, further improvements will require stronger communication of sustainability principles and a cohesive change in attitude and habits.

This dissertation was awarded the UCL Institute of Archaeology Ione Gedye Award for best conservation-based dissertation of the academic year. The results of this research have also been recently presented at the American Institute for Conservation (AIC)’s 43rd Annual Meeting in Miami, Florida and shall soon be published in the conservation literature.

Mr Cutajar is now continuing his studies in heritage conservation by reading for the complementary MSc in Conservation for Museums and Archaeology at the same institution and shall complete his training as an objects conservator in 2016.

The degree was carried out following the award of a Master it! Scholarship, which was part-financed by the European Union – European Social Fund.