teaching and leadership

Teaching is ​leadership. And rooted in human connection. I believe that to be a good mentor, one must first and foremost be a good listener and embody empathy that goes beyond the classroom or workplace. This mentality is core to the work we do as cultural heritage professionals. When harnessed, we have the ability to use our voices to collaborate, inspire, advocate, and, most importantly, to raise the voices of others. 

Women's Leadership Initiative
Liaison, UD Art Conservation Department, 2023-present

Since 2023, I have been serving as faculty liaison and content expert in conservation to advance the department’s partnership with the Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) at the University of
Delaware. Inspired by my own participation in the Women's Leadership Online Certificate program offered by the WLI and seeing first-hand the value and impact that empowered leadership training can have, I now work directly with the WLI to enhance future programming for art conservation alumni. Inspired leaders in the field of cultural heritage preservation will not only promote advocacy within institutions but will move our field forward and thus preservation efforts globally.

Inorganic Materials Conservation Block
first year, WUDPAC

This course introduces aspects of the technology, manufacture, societal impact, composition, degradation, and conservation of objects made from the following inorganic materials: glass, ceramic, and metal. Theoretical aspects of these topics are shared through various lectures, demonstrations, and field trips. This is reinforced by practical hands-on activities relating to basic conservation techniques of inorganic materials.

Objects Major Curriculum
second year, WUDPAC

The second-year curriculum for objects majors aims to develop conservation treatment skills, scholarship, and research abilities in the specialty area of objects conservation. In addition, the second year strives to hone effective communication, professionalism, good ethical practice, and the ability to efficiently manage multiple consecutive projects with set deadlines. These goals are achieved through the students’ successful completion of object treatment projects, all of which require varying levels of research and documentation, and active attendance and participation in a series of seminars, as well as weekly lab meetings. 

ICOM-CC Glass and Ceramics Working Group
Coordinator 2017-2023

At the ICOM-CC Triennial in Copenhagen in 2017, I was elected Coordinator of this dynamic international group dedicated to advancing research in the field of glass and ceramics conservation. Prior to this, I served as Assistant Coordinator and co-edited the volume of pre-prints for our 2016 Interim Meeting in Wrocław, Poland. In September 2019, we held a joint conference with Icon's Ceramic and Glass Group at the British Museum in London. Our 2022 interim meeting was held in a hybrid format, in Lisbon, Portugal, at FCT NOVA University of Lisbon and online! 

Society of Winterthur Fellows
Board member 2016-2023

I recently concluded six years of board service for the Society of Winterthur Fellows, the alumni association for the two Winterthur graduate programs. Though I currently teach for WUDPAC, I am first and foremost a 2010 alumna, as it was in graduate school when my love for the program began. In 2016, I was honored to join the SOWF board, as it was a chance to give back to the community that helped shape me. As the board's webmaster, I helped oversee the launching of a new website in 2017 that has greatly improved our ability to serve alumni and current fellows. The board continues to facilitate an exciting lineup of events, offer professional development grants for alumni and current fellows, and manage a member directory that connects alumni and increases networking opportunities.