ICCROM is pleased to announce that the18th International Course on Wood Conservation Technology – ICWCT 2018 will be held on-line from 9 April to 11 May and in Oslo, Norway from 4 to 29 June 2018. The deadline for applications is 30 September 2017.

The Wood course aims is to promote cultural understanding and research in the field of wood conservation, and to be a valuable resource for the work of the individual participants in their respective countries. We are interested in inviting applications from mid-career professionals with a minimum of three years work experience in wood conservation. Applications should reach ICCROM by the 30 September 2017 to ensure inclusion in our selection process.

The course is divided in two main parts
1. On-line distance learning: 9 April – 11 May 2018
2. Workshop in Oslo: 4 – 29 June 2018

Workshop location
Oslo, Norway (premises of Riksantikvaren – The Directorate for Cultural Heritage)

Partners
ICCROM (International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property)
Riksantikvaren – The Directorate for Cultural Heritage, Norway
NTNU – Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway

Background and Content
The ICWCT was initiated as a response to a recommendation at UNESCO’s General Conference in 1980, and has been organized in Norway every second year since 1984. It is directed towards professionals who have been working for some years within the field of wood conservation. The ICWCT covers a wide range of interdisciplinary topics relating to both buildings and objects made of wood. Theoretical and practical aspects of wood conservation are given equal consideration. Interesting cultural heritage sites constructed in wood will be visited during the course.

Aim and objectives
The aim of the course is to promote cultural understanding and research in the field of wood conservation, and to be a valuable resource for the work of the individual participants in their respective countries. The main objectives of the course are:
• to establish a basic knowledge of wood, and the processing and use of wood, both structurally and decoratively;
• to give participants the theoretical and practical knowledge essential for diagnosing the causes of deterioration, and for selecting the most appropriate methods of conservation and restoration of wood;
• to extend the knowledge of participants beyond their own professions for a broader understanding of different aspects and approaches to wood conservation;
• to bring people with various professions from different countries and cultures together for a mutual learning experience, drawing on different experiences, practices and approaches to wood conservation and use of wooden materials.

The course programme
For the first time, the ICWCT 2018 course programme will be divided into two main components:
1. A 5-week compulsory on-line introductory section where participants will have access to a digital platform from their respective home countries. Allow for at least 5 hours per week of interactive preparatory study with various exercises and papers to be submitted.
2. A 4-week full-time workshop in Oslo. The workshop includes lectures, practical conservation exercises, field studies, museum visits and excursions.

The curriculum includes distinct but interconnected units covering aspects of: properties of wood; factors affecting the decay of wood; principles of conservation, preventive conservation; conservation of objects and painted surfaces, archaeological wood and furniture; conservation of wooden buildings and structures., including wood working tools and machinery. The course will include an onsite practical workshop and a study tour to selected wooden heritage sites in Norway. As a part of the programme, each participant is expected to give a 20-minute presentation from his or her work experience in their own country.

Lecturers
Lecturers from Norway and other countries will be contributing to the course. All are recognized experts within the field of conservation and with various backgrounds and professional experience.

Exam
The course concludes with an exam, giving 15 university credits if passed. A full-time presence and active participation during both the on-line component and the course period in Oslo is required to be allowed to submit the exam and to obtain the course certificate.

Fees
Course participation is free of charge for the selected participants.

Travel, Accommodation and Living Expenses
Participants will be responsible for their round-trip travel costs to Oslo, Norway. Accommodation for the period of the course in Oslo will be provided free of charge by the course organizers. To cover living expenses and transport within Oslo during the course, participants should plan for a minimum allowance of approx. NOK5000 (about 600 USD) for the 4 weeks.

Depending on availability of funding, and a stringent application process proving financial need, a limited number of partial scholarships may be available in special circumstances.

Participants
Applicants should be mid-career professionals with a minimum of three years‘ work experience in wood conservation. It is of great importance for the success of the course that the participants have relevant experience to contribute with, and benefit from, the mutual exchange of ideas.
The number of participants is limited to 20.

Language
The working language of the course is English. A good knowledge of English is essential for the benefit of the individual participant and for the course as a whole, and must therefore be documented in the application. A certificate of language is required for non-native speakers.

Applications
Please fill the ICCROM application form (obtainable from ICCROM web site ) and send it together with the documents listed below to the following e-mail: wood2018@iccrom.org.

i. A full professional curriculum vitae (in English)
ii. One page report describing a conservation project related to wood for which you are or have been actively involved and can be shared with the other participants.

For further information regarding the course, please contact:
Ms. Anne Nyhamar (The Directorate for Cultural Heritage), e-mail: anne.nyhamar@ra.no

Application deadline
Applications should reach ICCROM by 30 September 2017 to ensure inclusion in our selection process.

Please note that the implementation of the course is subject to the approval of the ICCROM Programme and Budget 2017-2018 by the General Assembly of ICCROM to be held in November 2017.