Susana França de Sá is an Assistant Professor at NOVA School of Science and Technology (2023), specializing in the conservation of plastics in museum collections. Her research is centered on foams, rubbers, films, and solid plastics, significantly influencing museum practices. Dr. França de Sá has established an independent research profile in synthetic polymers and is well-versed in advanced analytical techniques such as infrared and Raman spectroscopies. Her work aims to bridge the gap between conservation practice and conservation science, combining scientific expertise with practical conservation experience. Her PhD in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage from NOVA (2017) was pioneering in examining how storage conditions and enclosures affect the lifespan of polyurethane foams, leading to the first preventive conservation guidelines for these materials. She has participated in eight funded R&D projects focused on plastics heritage preservation and the history of plastics in Portugal, collaborating with experts in anthropology, conservation, history of technology, and museology, thereby providing her with a unique and comprehensive perspective on cultural objects.
Joana Lia Ferreira graduated in Conservation and Restoration in 2001 and holds a Ph.D. in Conservation Science (2011). She is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Conservation and Restoration from NOVA School of Science and Technology and has dedicated herself to the study and conservation of plastics and other historic synthetic polymers. In this context, has coordinated several research projects, namely "Plastic Paints in Art: the impact of manufacturing processes on their long-term stability, PlasCO2 – Green CO2 technologies for the cleaning of plastics in Museums and Heritage Collections", and "HERIT-AGES. Plastic and Glass ‘Ages’ for whom? Exploring new avenues for valuing and preserving heritage for the future". Working essentially with contemporary art, the study of technology and its impact on preservation and the assessment of cultural significance as a basis for Heritage conservation management are her main research interests.
