The effectiveness of conservation methods for monuments – from theory to practice

The editorial board of "Ochrona Zabytków" invites you to submit articles for issue 1/2027, which will focus on the effectiveness of methods used in the conservation of monuments. The aim is to gather the most up-to-date scientific knowledge and professional experience regarding effectiveness, material integrity, compatibility of techniques, and the practical consequences of conservation procedures used.

In view of the dynamic development of conservation tools, changing academic standards, and the growing expectations of the community, this issue is intended to be a platform for interdisciplinary reflection on what works and what needs to be revised, improved, or rejected in professional practice.

Topics

You are invited to submit articles addressing topics such as:

- evaluation of the effectiveness of conservation and restoration methods (traditional and new techniques), including an assessment of their effectiveness in the light of the latest scientific research and practical examples;
- the compatibility of conservation materials with original materials (research on material interactions, their durability, integrity, and impact on the original over time);
- integrity of conservation techniques (analysis of the compliance of methods with ethical principles and scientific standards, cases of discrepancies between theory and practice);
- assessment of the impact of conservation methods on the environment and on the health of conservators (research on safe and sustainable methods of conservation – analyses of techniques that limit exposure to toxic substances will be of particular interest);
- the impact of legal and technical regulations on conservation practices, including those related to limiting the use of toxic gases in the disinfection and disinfestation of objects. The EU’s regulatory framework concerning substances that may have significant environmental and health implications is creating new challenges in the selection of alternative, safe methods.

We are particularly interested in research based on case studies using empirical analyses, laboratory tests of conservation materials, and comparisons of methods in terms of their compatibility with historical techniques. We also welcome proposals and tests of alternative solutions that limit negative environmental impact. We also invite critical analyses of scientific literature that evaluate current achievements and identify research gaps.

Addressees

Submissions are invited primarily from conservators of monuments and works of art, scientists and researchers involved in conservation, conservation chemistry and materials science, representatives of research institutes and conservation laboratories, as well as specialists in environmental protection and occupational safety in the field of conservation.

Submission and practical information

The languages accepted for submission and publication are Polish and English.
The expected length of articles is between 20,000 and 40,000 characters with spaces (approximately 11–22 standard pages).
Deadline for submission of articles: 30 December 2026.
The publication of issue 1/2027 is planned for June 2027.

Editorial requirements and guidelines for authors are available at: ochronazabytkow.nid.pl/panele/for-authors.

Submissions should be sent to the editorial office at: redakcjaoznid.pl.