Eric Hagan

Senior Conservation Scientist, Preventive Conservation Division

Main areas of work and/or specializations

• museum environment
• lighting
• anoxic display
• mechanics of artists' materials

Biography

Eric Hagan holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College London, which was funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council and a Tate doctoral fellowship to study the mechanical properties of artists’ acrylic paints. Prior to his doctorate, he completed a Master of Art Conservation at Queen’s University in the science program.

His research interests at the Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) relate to the effects of environmental factors on museum objects and optimal methods for preserving collections. His current projects focus on the mechanics of artists' materials, as well as light-emitting diode (LED) lighting and low-oxygen display. He applies an engineering approach to conservation issues, often designing and constructing custom equipment necessary for experimental work. Eric frequently offers lectures on museum lighting through CCI workshops, with a focus on issues related to LED retrofitting.