Exploring Collaborative Research and Conservation Efforts at UCLA and Beyond

Universities like UCLA serve as hubs for innovative research and collaborative projects that address critical issues facing our global society. This article explores various research initiatives, conservation efforts, and academic discussions, highlighting the importance of inclusivity, community engagement, and interdisciplinary approaches. From archaeological projects in Madagascar to the conservation of cultural heritage and the study of racial dynamics in education, this article delves into the diverse landscape of research and scholarship connected to UCLA and its broader impact.

Community-Centered Environmental Science in Madagascar

Kristina Douglass, the Sherwin Early Career Professor in the Rock Ethics Institute and Assistant Professor of Anthropology and African Studies at Penn State University, emphasizes the importance of understanding human-environment interactions to address pressing global challenges. Her research focuses on how communities in the past coped with climate change, offering potential insights for addressing the current climate crisis. Drawing on examples from southwest Madagascar, a biodiversity hotspot facing acute environmental changes, Douglass advocates for inclusive environmental science that engages community stakeholders. Community-centered approaches are crucial for ensuring that science has a positive impact on society.

Douglass's work is grounded in collaborations with local, Indigenous, and descendant (LID) communities as equal partners in the co-production of science and the recording, preservation, and dissemination of LID knowledge. Since 2011, she has directed the Morombe Archaeological Project (MAP) in the Velondriake Marine Protected Area, collaborating with Vezo fishers, Mikea foragers, and Masikoro herders. The MAP team comprises Velondriake LID community members, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers, all working together to contribute long-term perspectives on human-environment interactions to inform public debates, planning, and policymaking on climate change, conservation, and sustainability.

The Great Wall of Los Angeles: Recovering Memory Through Art

Dr. Judith F. Baca, a leading visual artist, has dedicated her career to creating public art that reflects the history, struggles, and rights of diverse communities. In 1974, Baca founded the City of Los Angeles’ first mural program, which evolved into the Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC). Her most notable work, "The Great Wall of Los Angeles," is a half-mile-long mural (expanding to a full mile) that depicts the history of Los Angeles through the stories of those who were often marginalized or disappeared.

Baca's inspiration for the Great Wall came from seeing the concreted arroyos as "scars in the land." She envisioned a "tattoo on the scar where the river once ran," an endless narrative that would recover the stories of those who had vanished along with the river. Working with over 400 youth and descendants of the original peoples of the Los Angeles River, Baca and her team co-created visual histories that aimed to heal both the river and its people. The Great Wall is an evolving chronology of memory recorded with hands and paint, flowing along the river where it all began. Baca's work exemplifies how art can serve as a powerful tool for revealing and reconciling diverse peoples’ struggles for their rights and affirming the community’s connections to place. Together with the people who live there, they co-create monumental public art places that become “sites of public memory.”

Read also: Gonzalez Academy's Unique Approach

Ethical Considerations in Museum Acquisitions and Repatriation

Dr. Stephen E. Nash, Director of Anthropology and the Avenir Conservation Center at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, discussed the ethical considerations surrounding the acquisition of archaeological objects and the importance of repatriation. Increasing awareness of the illicit origin of many archaeological items has led to changes in acquisition policies in American museums. Many museums are re-evaluating the ethics of collecting and working with indigenous communities to return or reinterpret sensitive cultural heritage.

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science has taken a leadership role in repatriation and international returns, guided by the principles of justice, dialogue, reciprocity, and respect. The new Avenir Conservation Center focuses on inclusive conservation guided by source communities and may include a formal program to facilitate international returns and repatriations. Nash's work highlights the growing recognition of the need for museums to engage in ethical practices that respect the cultural heritage and rights of indigenous communities.

The Database of Religious History: A Digital Resource for Research

The Database of Religious History (DRH) is an open-access digital repository of information about the global history of religion. The data is gathered through expert-created entries that take the form of structured questionnaires or “polls.” This format ensures that both quantitative and qualitative information is collected, allowing users to browse individual entries and manipulate the data to compare religious beliefs and practices across time and space.

The DRH is a valuable resource for archaeologists and those in the cultural heritage sector. It offers new pedagogy packages and polls that are of particular interest to these fields. Instructors and graduate students from history, archaeology, and anthropology departments are encouraged to contribute to the DRH as experts, adding publications to their resumes and receiving an honorarium for each completed entry. The DRH exemplifies how digital resources can facilitate interdisciplinary research and promote a deeper understanding of human history and culture.

Conservation of Asian Lacquer: Understanding Complex Surfaces

Marianne Webb, an independent conservator and researcher, specializes in the conservation of Asian lacquer. Asian lacquer is a complex material composed of anacard lacquers with additives such as oil, pigments, and resins. Conservation efforts can sometimes damage sensitive lacquer surfaces if not approached with proper knowledge and techniques.

Webb's research, in collaboration with the Getty Conservation Institute, focuses on understanding the complex nature of Asian lacquer surfaces and how the ingredients affect their behavior. This research has led to improved cleaning techniques and a greater understanding of how to preserve these delicate surfaces. Webb's work highlights the importance of specialized knowledge and research in the field of conservation.

Unveiling the Indus Civilization: Archaeological Techniques and Insights

Jonathan Mark Kenoyer, the George F. Dales Jr. and Barbara A. Dales Professor of Anthropology at the Department of Anthropology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, presented a general overview of the Indus Civilization. His presentation covered how archaeologists find sites, excavate them, and study the artifacts discovered. He emphasized the use of traditional and innovative techniques to discover sites and analytical approaches to study different types of artifacts.

Kenoyer's work sheds light on the technologies and social organization of the ancient Indus communities. He has excavated key ancient cities and elucidated contemporary urban patterns in Pakistan and India. His expertise contributes significantly to the understanding of South Asian archaeology, history, and ancient civilizations.

The Conservation of Musical Instruments: A Delicate Balance

Rodrigo Correa-Salas, a conservator with a background in lutherie and instrument conservation, discussed the structure, materials, and acoustic properties of musical instruments. These characteristics determine whether an instrument can be played or displayed. Knowledge of the materials used to build the instruments, how they were made, how they were played, and on what occasions is essential for evaluating each instrument and determining how to maintain, stabilize, adjust, restore, or fix these sound machines.

Correa-Salas's work emphasizes the importance of understanding the cultural and historical context of musical instruments, as well as the technical aspects of their construction and conservation. His expertise contributes to the preservation of these valuable cultural artifacts.

Reframing Cultural Heritage Conservation: Addressing Social Justice and Climate Change

Glenn Wharton, Professor of Art History and Professor of the Conservation of Material Culture, as well as Chair of the UCLA/Getty Interdepartmental Program in the Conservation of Cultural Heritage, presented a lecture on "Why Conserve Cultural Heritage? Reframing a Discipline." Wharton’s lecture addressed social justice, inclusion, and climate change in conservation.

Wharton's research interests include archaeological conservation, illicit trade, cultural heritage management, contemporary art conservation, and addressing social justice, inclusion, and climate change in conservation. His work challenges traditional approaches to conservation and advocates for a more inclusive and socially conscious approach.

Navigating Course Scheduling and Resources at UCLA

UCLA provides a range of resources to support course scheduling and academic planning. The course schedule is a collaborative effort between department SAOs/CAOs, faculty, the Course Scheduler, and the Office of the Registrar. Departments work to compose the teaching plan for a given quarter based on budgets and student needs. The UCLA General Catalog provides information on all UCLA majors, course descriptions, and requisites. The Schedule of Classes Department Proof provides the raw schedule details for any given department. These resources help students and faculty navigate the complexities of course scheduling and academic planning.

Addressing Racial Dynamics and Promoting Equity in Education

Research on racial dynamics in education highlights the challenges faced by students of color in predominantly White institutions. Studies explore the experiences of racial microaggressions, the importance of counterspaces, and the need for institutional transformation. Counterspaces are settings where marginalized individuals can find support, affirmation, and a sense of belonging. These spaces are crucial for coping with racial microaggressions and navigating the challenges of predominantly White environments.

The literature also examines the concept of "White institutional presence," which refers to the impact of Whiteness on campus climate. This concept highlights the ways in which institutional norms and practices can perpetuate racial inequality. Researchers advocate for critical race theory as a framework for understanding and addressing racial dynamics in education. Critical race theory emphasizes the importance of storytelling, counter-storytelling, and challenging dominant narratives.

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