Research Symposium 2023
Powerhouse generates knowledge through the fusion of the applied arts and sciences. Join our embedded researchers as they present a full day of talks about everything from vintage board games, climate change fashion, the indie music scene of the ’90s, the musicality of lace and the transnational relationships of food and furniture.
Our embedded research fellows delve into the Powerhouse Collection, one of the richest and most diverse museum collections in the world, to discover new ways for us to know the world and ourselves. Come and hear their stories.
Program
Registration 9am
Welcome and Opening 9.15am
by Dr Deborah Lawler-Dormer
Science and Arts 9.30am
The Parramatta River – refraction/reflection, with Dr Nigel Helyer
Revealing a hidden ecology defined by darkness and light beneath the reflective surface of the river.
Infrared Spectroscopy of Heritage Polymers: a Handbook for Museum Practitioners, with Dr Barbara Stuart
Using infrared spectroscopy to develop a permanent reference guide to minimise the risk of misidentification and mishandling of polymer-based collection items.
Changing Perceptions of Minerals, with Dr Jason Reynolds
Using the science of repair and landscape regeneration as a toolkit to address the most challenging environmental problems.
Design 11am
Swedish and Australian Design Relations in the 1950s and 1960s, with Dr Mark Ian Jones
Investigating the evolution of the Swedish-Australian transnational relationship since the mid 1900s and its impact on Australian design.
Games of Empire: Visualising Pre-computational Algorithmic Information Systems in 19th Century Colonial Board Games in the Powerhouse Collection, with Dr Andrew YipAnalysing and subverting British board games, a global cultural phenomenon used to gamify education and British Imperial values, providing a critical lens on colonial discourse and pre-computational algorithmic systems, and digitally reconstructing vintage games for modern players.
