Education
Master of Science in Conservation for Archaeology and Museums
Institute of Archaeology, University College London, conferred November 2014
Dissertation: Plastic and Metal: Establishing a Practical Treatment Methodology for a Mixed-Material Object
Master of Arts in Principles of Conservation with Distinction
Institute of Archaeology, University College London, conferred November 2012
Dissertation: Conservation Documentation and Digital Photography: Methodology in Theory and in Practice
Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Chemistry
Columbia University in the City of New York, conferred May 2011
GPA: 3.34
Institute of Archaeology, University College London, conferred November 2014
Dissertation: Plastic and Metal: Establishing a Practical Treatment Methodology for a Mixed-Material Object
Master of Arts in Principles of Conservation with Distinction
Institute of Archaeology, University College London, conferred November 2012
Dissertation: Conservation Documentation and Digital Photography: Methodology in Theory and in Practice
Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Chemistry
Columbia University in the City of New York, conferred May 2011
GPA: 3.34
Conservation Experience
Science Museum, London
July 2014 - July 2015
Conservation Intern: World War I Medical Collections
Involved with preparing objects for display in a new temporary exhibit showcasing medicine during World War I.
Science Museum, London
September 2013 - July 2014
Full-time Conservation Intern
Involved with conservation and installation of objects for major exhibits, including a new permanent gallery.
Completed an individual research project into plastics degradation and preventive conservation, centered on a specific object in the collection.
Natural History Museum, London - Paleontology Conservation Unit
January 2012 - August 2012
Part-time Volunteer
Repackaged the Gault Ammonite collection in oxygen-free environments.
Repackaged and cleaned the Poundbury Cemetery excavation collection.
The Morgan Library and Museum – Thaw Conservation Center
September 2010 - December 2010
Part-time Conservation Intern
Repackaged Julia P. Wightman miniature book collection.
Performed leather consolidation on damaged books from the Wightman collection.
Columbia University Library Book and Manuscript Conservation Lab
June 2010 - August 2010
Full-time Intern
Repaired and encapsulated Lehman Library maps.
Learned aspects of basic bookbinding and box making.
July 2014 - July 2015
Conservation Intern: World War I Medical Collections
Involved with preparing objects for display in a new temporary exhibit showcasing medicine during World War I.
Science Museum, London
September 2013 - July 2014
Full-time Conservation Intern
Involved with conservation and installation of objects for major exhibits, including a new permanent gallery.
Completed an individual research project into plastics degradation and preventive conservation, centered on a specific object in the collection.
Natural History Museum, London - Paleontology Conservation Unit
January 2012 - August 2012
Part-time Volunteer
Repackaged the Gault Ammonite collection in oxygen-free environments.
Repackaged and cleaned the Poundbury Cemetery excavation collection.
The Morgan Library and Museum – Thaw Conservation Center
September 2010 - December 2010
Part-time Conservation Intern
Repackaged Julia P. Wightman miniature book collection.
Performed leather consolidation on damaged books from the Wightman collection.
Columbia University Library Book and Manuscript Conservation Lab
June 2010 - August 2010
Full-time Intern
Repaired and encapsulated Lehman Library maps.
Learned aspects of basic bookbinding and box making.
Research Experience
Victoria & Albert Museum, London – Textiles Conservation
December 2012 - June 2013
Completed an individual research project regarding cleaning of metal threads.
Brunel Museum and Tunnel, London – Conservation Management
November 2012 - June 2013
Participated in research regarding the preparation of condition surveys using various technologies.
Research was completed with the aim of completing a successful Heritage Lottery Funding bid.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
April 2011 - June 2011
Assisted in a research project relating to consolidation of deteriorated marble on historic building exteriors.
December 2012 - June 2013
Completed an individual research project regarding cleaning of metal threads.
Brunel Museum and Tunnel, London – Conservation Management
November 2012 - June 2013
Participated in research regarding the preparation of condition surveys using various technologies.
Research was completed with the aim of completing a successful Heritage Lottery Funding bid.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
April 2011 - June 2011
Assisted in a research project relating to consolidation of deteriorated marble on historic building exteriors.
Publications
Beck, L.S., 2013. Digital Documentation in the Conservation of Cultural Heritage: Finding the Practical in Best Practice. International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XL-5/W2, 85-90.
Conference Presentations
Beck, L.S., Becker, K.L.M., Orsini, M., Stephens, L., 2014. The Key to Sustaining Conservation: Student Leadership and Community Outreach. American Institute for Conservation 42nd Annual Meeting, San Francisco, 28-31 May 2014. [Poster]
Beck, L.S., 2013. Digital Documentation in Heritage Conservation: Finding the Practical in Best Practice. Public History in the Digital Age: Society for the History of Federal Government - Oral History in the Mid-Atlantic Region Annual Conference, College Park, MD, 4-5 April 2013. [Presentation]
Beck, L.S., 2013. Digital Documentation in Heritage Conservation: Finding the Practical in Best Practice. Public History in the Digital Age: Society for the History of Federal Government - Oral History in the Mid-Atlantic Region Annual Conference, College Park, MD, 4-5 April 2013. [Presentation]
Blog Posts
On The Ministry of Curiosity - An insider's guide to London's museum-centric social life: #miniobjects and the First World War
On Conservators Converse, blog of the American Institute for Conservation:
- 42nd Annual Meeting – Opening Session, May 29, “Social Participation as a Way for Sustainable Projects in Conservation of Worshiping Objects: The Case of Current Mayan Communities in Yucatán, Mexico” by Giovana Jaspersen
- 42nd Annual Meeting – Opening Session, 29 May, “Being a Gallery in a Park – balancing Sustainability, Access and Collection Care” by Nicola Walker and Ann French
- 42nd Annual Meeting – Opening Session, 29 May, “Quantifying cost effectiveness of risk treatment options (aka preventive conservation)” by Stefan Michalski and Irene F. Karsten
- 42nd Annual Meeting – Research & Technical Studies Session, 29 May, “A Closer Look at Early Italian Panel Paintings Session: Imaging Cross-sectional Paint Samples from the Walters Art Museum” by Zachary Voras, Kristin de Ghetaldi, Tom Beebe Jr., Eric Gordon, Karen French, Pamela Betts, Glenn Gates
- 42nd Annual Meeting – Architecture Session, 31 May, “Lime-Metakaolin Grouts for Conservation” by Norman Weiss
On Conservators Converse, blog of the American Institute for Conservation:
- 42nd Annual Meeting – Opening Session, May 29, “Social Participation as a Way for Sustainable Projects in Conservation of Worshiping Objects: The Case of Current Mayan Communities in Yucatán, Mexico” by Giovana Jaspersen
- 42nd Annual Meeting – Opening Session, 29 May, “Being a Gallery in a Park – balancing Sustainability, Access and Collection Care” by Nicola Walker and Ann French
- 42nd Annual Meeting – Opening Session, 29 May, “Quantifying cost effectiveness of risk treatment options (aka preventive conservation)” by Stefan Michalski and Irene F. Karsten
- 42nd Annual Meeting – Research & Technical Studies Session, 29 May, “A Closer Look at Early Italian Panel Paintings Session: Imaging Cross-sectional Paint Samples from the Walters Art Museum” by Zachary Voras, Kristin de Ghetaldi, Tom Beebe Jr., Eric Gordon, Karen French, Pamela Betts, Glenn Gates
- 42nd Annual Meeting – Architecture Session, 31 May, “Lime-Metakaolin Grouts for Conservation” by Norman Weiss