The AIC Ethics Core Documents (ECDs) Review Task Force is seeking members to serve on one of six subgroups, each of which will suggest potential revisions to the AIC Code of Ethics, Guidelines for Practice, and the Commentaries to the Guidelines for Practice. Each subgroup will have four to nine members. The subgroups will focus on one topic, as outlined below in alphabetical order. Subgroup members ideally represent a variety of specialties, diverse populations, and originate from different geographic regions, with a balance between private practitioners and institutional employees. We expect each group will also rely on communications with, and feedback from, a broader representation of AIC members throughout their work. Emerging conservation professionals as well as long-standing professionals, especially those familiar with the creation of past versions of the core documents, are encouraged to apply. Groups underrepresented in the field are encouraged to apply as well. A member of the ECD Review Task Force core group will also serve on each subgroup; we will monitor progress, ensure information and updates are shared among the subgroups, and integrate suggested changes to the ECDs brought forward by the subgroups. The core group will then draft revised ECDs for review and editing by the subgroups.
While subgroups will be encouraged to focus on their specific areas, all groups should feel free to suggest additional ECD revisions, particularly as they relate to equity, inclusion, diversity, access, and sustainability.
Cultural Heritage Terminology
This subgroup will focus on addressing necessary revisions in language used throughout the ECDs, especially in terms of establishing definitions of key terms, in order to ensure terminology in the ECDs is as unbiased as possible, culturally sensitive, inclusive, clear, and specific. Terms to be considered include, but are not limited to: cultural heritage, intangible culture, built heritage, archaeological heritage, conservation professionals, collections stewards, stakeholders, professionalism, participatory and post-custodial collecting practices, and time-based media.
Environmental Sustainability
This subgroup will address the climate crisis and its impact on cultural heritage by incorporating environmental, social, economic sustainability issues into all sections of the ECDs. This includes but is not limited to integrating sustainable materials and strategies into interventive and preventive conservation practice, as well as fostering sustainability education and sustainable practice for emerging and established professionals.
Inclusive Collaboration
This subgroup will address standards for collaborative practice. Examples include but are not limited to: having inclusive communication with allied professionals, consulting with artists, cooperating with descendant communities, handling unethically acquired collections, and ensuring equitable acknowledgement of all participants.
Investigation and Intervention
This subgroup will address the concepts and practices commonly associated with "benchwork," including: documentation, treatment, sampling, analysis, model studies, the concept of reversibility, and historical context research. This "benchwork" is inclusive of conservators, heritage scientists, and other cultural heritage professionals.
Preventive Conservation
This subgroup will address the inclusion and expansion of preventive conservation topics in the ECDs. This includes but is not limited to emergency preparedness, risk evaluation, environmental monitoring and set points, collections housing, collections storage, and collections transport.
Professional Sustainability and Practice
This subgroup will address necessary revisions related to the professional lifecycle of cultural heritage professionals and their wellbeing in the workplace (private practices, museums, libraries, historical societies, etc.). This includes: training at all professional levels; mental and physical health and safety; the economic sustainability of the profession; private practice and contract workers; authorship, acknowledgements, and dissemination; and equitable compensation and opportunities.
Subgroup members will serve for one year, with the option to continue through project completion in the second year. Time commitment is expected to be 2-4 hours per month and most work will occur in late 2022/early 2023. The following is a draft timeline:
- Subgroups review ECDs and explore needed changes in relation to the group's focus area (November 2022 - April 2023)
- Subgroups draft suggested changes and submit to the core group (April 30th, 2023)
- Core group integrates changes from subgroups to produce 1st draft revision of ECDs (May - July 2023)
- Task Force shares draft with sub-groups and solicits feedback (July- August 2023)
- Task Force submits draft to AIC Board for review and approval (August 2023)
- Core group shares proposed changes with AIC membership, allied professionals, and consultants (as appropriate), and solicits feedback (September 2023 - October 2023)
- Core group integrates feedback and generates 2nd revision of ECDs (October- December 2023), then submits revision to AIC Board
Apply to serve on a subgroup at https://culturalheritage.secure-platform.com:443/a/solicitations/1160/home.
Applications will be reviewed beginning November 18, 2022, but will remain open until positions are filled.
------------------------------
Tiffani Emig
Programs & Operations Director
American Institute for Conservation/Foundation for Advancement in Conservation
Washington DC
temig@culturalheritage.org------------------------------