Patricia Engel

Dr. Patricia Engel is a Researcher at the University for Continuing Education Krems, affiliated with the Research Lab Sustainable Cultural Heritage. Her work focuses on manuscript conservation, biomolecular analysis of parchment, and digital transformation of cultural heritage. She leads multiple EU and national projects, including 'Beasts to Craft: BioCodicology' (2019–2023) and 'Textiles in Armenian Manuscripts' (2024–2027). Engel has authored influential publications on conservation ethics, historical paper studies, and codicological methodologies. Her projects bridge traditional conservation practices with cutting-edge scientific approaches, addressing global challenges in heritage preservation.

Education & Projects
Engel holds a habilitation in conservation science. She directs the European Research Centre for Book and Paper Conservation-Restoration. Notable projects include:

• 'Digital Transformation of the Austrian Humanities' (2020–2024)
• 'Risk Assessment in Cultural Heritage' (2017–2020)

Research Interests
Her interdisciplinary research spans:

• BioCodicology: Using genetics to trace parchment origins
• Material degradation mechanisms in manuscripts
• Policy frameworks for sustainable heritage preservation

Labs & Teams
Engel’s team collaborates internationally on projects like Armenian manuscript textiles and Glagolitic codices. The Research Lab emphasizes preventive conservation and digital documentation.