Dr Bronwyn Ormsby FIIC: 2024 Plowden Medal for Conservation

Conservation Scientist Dr. Bronwyn Ormsby has been awarded the 2024 Plowden Medal for Conservation in its 25th anniversary year, recognised internationally for her work on the scientific characterisation of modern paints and her dedication to the development of novel cleaning methods for the treatment of modern materials. 

Dr Ormsby is a Principal Conservation Scientist at Tate Britain; and said she was “equally humbled and excited” when she found out she'd been awarded the prestigious Medal, which honours the life and achievements of the late Hon. Anna Plowden CBE - a leading conservator. 

“Being the 2024 and 25th anniversary year recipient of the Plowden Medal is an absolute pleasure and indeed a rare honour to be recognised as having made a useful contribution to the conservation profession in the United Kingdom by the Medal committee and wider field.” 

Bronwyn began her conservation career in 1990 at Canberra University where she read for a BSc: Applied Science in the Conservation of Cultural Materials-specialising in Paintings Conservation. In 1995-7 she undertook a postgraduate internship in conservation science at the Hamilton Kerr Institute-Cambridge University, after which she returned to Australia as Acting Head of Painting Conservation at the National Gallery of Australia. In 1998 Bronwyn returned to her studies, undertaking her PhD at the University of Northumbria, Newcastle, graduating in 2002.