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Jerrod Seifert   BA MSc PhD

Dr Jerrod Seifert

(he/him)

BA MSc PhD

Lecturer in Conservation

School of History, Archaeology and Religion

Email
SeifertJH@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 29208 76597
Campuses
John Percival Building, Room 4.08, Colum Drive, Cardiff, CF10 3EU

Overview

I am a heritage materials scientist, archaeological conservator, and former field archaeologist. I specialise in degradation and corrosion analyses of cultural artefacts and sites, determining the impact of climate on heritage materials, and mitigating deterioration pathways. I work with local communities surrounding archaeological sites to help them care for their heritage and monitor any intervention's impact on them. I have worked as an archaeologist and archaeological conservator in several countries, including Wales, the US, Greece, Israel, Hungary, and Turkey, where I served as a senior conservator at the 9000-year-old protocity of Çatalhöyük, a UNESCO World Heritage site. I am also involved in several outreach initiatives within the school, including Guerrilla Archaeology, a festival-oriented outreach program aimed at disseminating archaeological theories and thought.

Publication

2022

2021

2020

2018

2017

2016

2014

Articles

Book sections

Conferences

Monographs

Thesis

Research

My research in heritage materials science is focused on understanding the impact of climate on archaeological materials and the efficacy of treatments applied to them. I specialise in the use of oxygen consumption monitoring to inform upon material degradation and corrosion, with an emphasis on archaeological cast iron from marine contexts. The impact of such research provides for a greater understanding of the objects and materials under study and allows heritage professionals to make evidence--based, quantified decisions for the artefacts in their care. As an archaeological conservator, my research includes monitoring archaeological site statics and stability, and the incorporation of conservation into interdisciplinary archaeological methodologies. 

Teaching

Current Modules - As Lead: 

HS2004: Chemistry of Conservation Materials

HS2339: Essentials of Conservation

HS2440: Managing Metallic and Inorganic Cultural Heritage

Past Modules - As Lead or Contributing

HS2441: Museums' Collections Management

HST330: Assessment and Design for Collections Care

HST343: Collection Care in the Museum Environment

HS2000: Introduction to Conservation Skills

HST060: The Archaeology of Death and Commemoration

Other Relevant Experience:

As the former Analytical Laboratories Teaching Associate for SHARE, I provided hands-on training of all analytical equipment and analysis of output data to students across the School (UG, PGT, PGR), including X-radiography, X-ray Fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, climate manipulation, oxygen consumption monitoring, chloride and conductivity analyses, and X-ray diffraction. I also instructed on the use of the mechanical equipment (freeze dryer, microtome, etc.) and oversaw laboratory health and safety training and management to ensure safe working practices and protocol for all SHARE students and staff.

Administrative Responsibilities

2023 - Present: Conservation Placements Lead

2022 - Present: Archaeology and Conservation Induction and Enrolment Lead

2020 - Present: Heath & Safety Committee

2020 - 23: SHARE Environmental Compliance Officer

2020 - 23: SHARE Green Impact Lead

2020 - 23: SHARE Covid Compliance Officer

 

Biography

2021: PhD in Conservation Science, Cardiff University  - 'Cast iron cannonballs of the Mary Rose: quantifying corrosion rates to inform management of the collection'

2015: MSc in Conservation Practice, Cardiff University

2006: BA in Classical & Near Eastern Archaeology; BA in Art History, University of Minnesota

Honours and awards

Internal Grants Received:

2022: Research Infrastructure Fund, Keyence VHX-970F digital microscope. £85,984.98 (Jerrod Seifert, Ashley Lingle, Jacqui Mulville, Richard Madgwick, Eric Nordgren)

External Grants Received: 

2022: Foundation for the Study and Preservation of Tells in the Prehistoric Old World, Time Will Tell: The Vésztő-Mágor Conservation and Exhibition Program. £15,000 (Attila Gyucha, William A. Parkinson, Paul R. Duffy, Ashley Lingle, Jerrod Seifert)

Professional memberships

Member of the International Council of Museums

Member of the International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works

Member of the Institute of Conservation (UK)

Member of the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)

Member of the European Association of Archaeologists

Academic positions

2022 - Present: Lecturer in Conservation, Cardiff University

2020 - 2022: Analytical Laboratory Teaching Associate, Cardiff University

2018 - 2020: Seminar Tutor, Cardiff University

2016 - 2020: Laboratory Demonstrator, Cardiff University

2016 - 2019: Senior Conservator, Çatalhöyük Research Project

2015 - 2016: Conservator, Science Museum Group (UK)

2003 - 2006: Research Assistant, University of Minnesota

Committees and reviewing

  • 2022 - Present: Reviewer, South, West and Wales Doctoral Training Partnership
  • 2017 - Present: Treasurer, Metals Group, Institute of Conservation (UK)

Specialisms

  • Sustainability
  • Cultural heritage management
  • Materials conservation
  • Heritage and cultural conservation
  • Visualisation