The glass community world wide embraces many diverse strands of glass expertise. This conference in September 2014 is designed
to weave together those diverse strands to create a web of knowledge and experience which transcends barriers and divisions.
We are so different. Scientists and Art Historians, creative Artists and inspired Designers, Archaeologists and gritty Industrialists,
Engineers and Conservators of historic glass artefacts - the list is seemingly endless. But we are united by our obsessive fascination with glass.
Sadly our community is blighted by the legendary Curse of Babel. Each strand of glass expertise develops its own jargon, method of speaking,
circle of knowledge. Unconsciously we form inward-facing groups. It’s hard to cross over these artificial barriers and share our enthusiasms
and perplexities with colleagues from other strands. All too often, we don’t understand one another. Our creativity and our achievements are thereby diminished.
This conference, like previous conferences in the GLASSAC series, is dedicated to breaking down barriers, building bridges, and allowing us
to share our glassy passions with experts from other strands. For once, let’s meet one another in mutual respect and talk to one another
in plain language, so that together we may learn.
So the scope of GLASSAC14 embraces all strands of glass knowledge, celebrating those occasions when one area of glass expertise
has collaborated with and been of help to another different area. And we invite Authors to contribute posters and exhibitions from the growing points
of their particular strand of glass passion. Don’t wait for your endeavours to become stale and old - bring work-in-progress as well as finished achievements,
experiences which raise questions as well as those which provide answers.
The programme gives each paper or presentation a 20 minute time slot, (40 minutes for Keynote Lectures) and we ask presenters
to allow time for active discussion and debate within the slot. Each paper can be a catalyst, fomenting creative engagement across the diversity of glass interest.
The organisers fervently hope that out of this will come a cascade of new thinking and creative new friendships.