Alison Murray

Alison Murray is an Associate Professor in the Department of Art History and Art Conservation at Queen's University at Kingston, Faculty of Arts and Science. She specializes in materials science applied to cultural heritage, focusing on modern materials (e.g., acrylic paints), paintings, and archaeological objects. Her work integrates mechanical testing, chemical analysis, and surface analysis to understand degradation mechanisms.

Education: B.Sc. (Honours Chemistry, McGill University), M.Sc. and Ph.D. (Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, with a joint program with the Smithsonian Institution).

Research Interests include:

• Metal ion migration in oil paints
• Environmental impacts on materials
• Teaching science to art conservation students

Her articles highlight interdisciplinary approaches to conservation science, with recent work on teaching strategies and material degradation mechanisms. Notable collaborations include an international study on oil paint surface mechanisms.

Awards: Fellow of the International Institute for Conservation.

Advising and Grants: Collaborates with students across conservation science, art history, and engineering disciplines. Active in co-editing volumes like Failure Mechanisms in Picasso's Paintings.