Amandine Colson
"Building bridges between research and praxis is fundamental to guarantee that new methods are helpful and relevant in the “real world”. Museums play a central role in a globalised context, and offer a platform of dialogue with society. It is a privilege to be part of an interdisciplinary team dedicated to through different lights on a rich maritime collection."
Dr. Amandine Colson, Research Associate (Postdoc) “Digital Maritime Cultures”
About the person
Dr Amandine Colson is a heritage science professional and expert in the field of digital technologies, she has been working at the German Maritime Museum (DSM), Leibniz Institute of Maritime History in Bremerhaven since 2025. As a trained conservator, she has gained practical experience in conservation of archaeological objects and underwater archaeology, as well as in museums in Germany and internationally. Her doctoral thesis focussed on the application of 3D technologies to conservation issues, in particular to the monitoring of the Bremen cog. Her interdisciplinary professional profile between sciences and humanities enables her to bring a new perspective on museum objects in order to promote innovation for cultural heritage. Thanks to her collaboration with European museums and international institutes, she has a broad network at her disposal, which is the key to potential collaborations.
Current research projects
Historical Maritime Soundscapes – Historische Maritime Klangsphäre
Curriculum Vitae
| since 03/2025 | Research associate (PostDoc) - German Maritime Museum, Leibniz Research Institute for Maritime History, Bremerhaven, Germany |
| 10/2019-02/2025 | Head of Conservation, Research and Development- Expert bureau Denkmal3D GmbH & co KG, Vechta, Germany |
| 09/2019-05/2020 | Research assistant – Centre for Heritage Conservation Studies and Technologies (KDWT), Otto-Friedrich-University Bamberg – Coordination EU-Application for Professor. Mona Hess |
| 05/2019 | Guest expert at the American History Museum, Smithsonian Institute, Washington D.C, USA – Project Gunboat Philadelphia |
| 09/2017-11/2017 | Guest researcher at the Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo, Norway – DAAD Scholarship |
| 03/2016-06/2019 | Research associate (PhD Fellow) - German Maritime Museum, Leibniz Research Institute for Maritime History, Bremerhaven, Germany |
| 11/2013-10/2015 | Conservator and coordinator working group „Preservation“ - German Maritime Museum, Leibniz Research Institute for Maritime History, Bremerhaven, Germany |
| 06/2012-10/2013 | Conservator of archaeological objects and project coordinator - Foundation Schleswig-Holsteinische State Museums Gottorf Castle – Archäologische Zentralwerkstatt, Schleswig, Germany– Project Fehmarn Belt |
| 02/2010-12/2011 | Conservator of archaeological objects and deputy head – Archaeology Department Douai Region, France |
| 12/2009-01/2010 | Conservator of archaeological objects - Yale University, Timbuktu, Mali - Project Timbouze |
Study
| 2018/2021 | Doctoral degree in Digital Technologies in Heritage Conservation Otto-Friedrich-University Bamberg, Germany. Professor Mona Hess (Bamberg) and Professor Thomas Luhmann, IAPG, Jade Hochschule, Oldenburg. Title: „Spatial monitoring of the Bremen Cog – Long-term preservation of archaeological wooden ships in museums” |
| 2004/2009 | M.A., Conservation and Restoration of cultural heritage objects, École de Condé, Paris, France. |
| 2001/2003 | École du Louvre, Paris,France, Major: History of Western Architecture |
Memberships
- Since 2017 Initiator und Co-Coordinator of the European working group „Monitoring of preserved ships“ (MoPS).
- Member of ICOM Germany, ICOM-CC Working Groups „Wet Organic Archaeological Materials“ (WOAM) and „Archaeological Materials and Sites“.
- Member IIC - International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works.
- Since 2020 Member of the scientific advisory board of the Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo, Norway
Publications
2024 Rofallski, R., Colson, A., Luhmann, T. „Multimedia Photogrammetry for Automated 3D Monitoring in Archaeological Waterlogged Wood Conservation” – in Proceedings of the International Societry for Photogrammetry and Remore Sensing (ISPRS) – Technical Commission II “Photogrammetry”, Las Vegas, June 2024. doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLVIII-2-2024-355-2024
2023 Colson, A. “Spatial monioring of the Bremen Cog – Long-term preservation of archaeological wooden ships in museums” Schriften aus der Fakultät Geistes- und Kulturwissenschaften der Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg – Band 46, University of Bambeg Press, Bamberg (PhD Thesis). doi.org/10.20378/irb-90600
2023 Colson, A., Heumüller, M., Abbentheren, E. „The wooden trackway Pr6, Aschener Bog, Lower-Saxony, Germany” – in Proceedings of the Comité International de la Photogrammetrie Architecturale (CIPA), Florence, June 2023 – ISPRS Annals, X-M-1-2023, 41-46.
doi.org/10.5194/isprs-annals-X-M-1-2023-41-2023
2022 Colson, A., Hastedt, H., Luhmann, T., Hess, M. “The role of conservators in the implementation of surveying techniques – reflections on the Bremen Cog monitoring project.” in Proceedings of the 14th Meeting of the ICOM-CC - Wet Organic and Archaeological Material Group, Portsmouth, May 2019. www.icom-cc-publications-online.org/4653/The-Role-of-Conservators-in-the-Implementation-of-Surveying-Techniques---Reflections-on-the-Bremen-Cog-Monitoring-Project
2022 Colson, A., Hauer, D., Gamstedt, K., Schofield, E. “Keeping an eye on conserved ships, long-term monitoring: why and how?”in Proceedings of the 14th Meeting of the ICOM-CC - Wet Organic and Archaeological Material Group, Portsmouth, May 2019. www.icom-cc-publications-online.org/4652/Keeping-an-Eye-on-Conserved-Ships-Why-Implement-Long-Term-Monitoring-
2022 Hauer, D., Colson, A., Hastedt, H., Gamstedt, K. “Monitoring structural changes of large, complex archaeological wooden objects – Application of fixed target photogrammetry.” in Proceedings of the 14th Meeting of the ICOM-CC - Wet Organic and Archaeological Material Group, Portsmouth, May 2019. www.icom-cc-publications-online.org/4654/Monitoring-Structural-Change-of-Large-Complex-Archaeological-Wooden-Objects---Application-of-Fixed-Target-Photogrammetry
2019 Kuh Jacobi, D., Colson, A., Schilling, R. “Communicating conservation challenges in the exhibitions at the German Maritime Museum.” in Proceedings of the 8th International Conservation Conference, Szreniawa, October 2018.
2019 Hastedt, H., Luhmann, T., Colson, A. “Large volume photogrammetric deformation monitoring of the Bremen Cog.” in Proceedings of the 4th Joint International Symposium on Deformation Monitoring (JISDM), Athens, May 2019. www.fig.net/resources/proceedings/2019/04_JISDM2019/89.pdf
2018 Hess, M., Colson, A., Hindmarch, J. “Capacity building and knowledge exchange of digital technologies in Cultural Heritage Institutions.” in 70, ICOM Museum International. doi.org/10.1111/muse.12192
2017 Colson, A. “Digital Documentation of ships in Cultural Heritage: a European Review” in Proceedings of the 26th International Committee for Documentation of Cultural Heritage (CIPA), Ottawa, Canada. doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLII-2-W5-129-2017
2016 Colson, A. „Fehmarn Belt Project - From Excavation to Museum: The Danish Ship Lindormen.“ in Proceedings of the 12thMeeting of the ICOM-CC - Wet Organic and Archaeological Material Group Istanbul, May 2013. www.icom-cc-publications-online.org/4743/Fehmarn-Belt-Project---from-excavation-to-museum--The-Danish-ship-Lindormen-
2014 Colson, A. and Muskala, W. “Neues von Lastkahn Karl und seiner Reise nach Mainz.” in Deutsche Schiffahrt, 02.2014, Bremerhaven