Welcome to

Heritage Science
Laboratory Ljubljana

Welcome to

Heritage Science
Laboratory Ljubljana

We are based at the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology of the University of Ljubjana and are a diverse group of researchers addressing interdisciplinary heritage science research questions. These often require cutting edge scientific skills and facilities, but also a highly collaborative approach to research. To read more about what shapes our research philosophy, consider this editorial by the Lab Lead, professor Matija Strlič.

Featured news

and events

  • How to choose the optimal archival box for historic objects

    August 8th, 2025IPublicationI

    This is the overarching question that HSLL researchers Jernej Markelj, Ida Kraševec and Matija Strlič, together with Josep Grau-Bove (Institute for Sustainable Heritage, University College London) and Evy Vereecken (KU Leuven and Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage), have investigated in [...]

  • What Acidic Compounds are Really Emitted by Historic PVC?

    July 31st, 2025IPublication, ResearchI

    A new study by HSLL researchers, published in npj Heritage Science, sheds new light on the acidic emissions produced during the degradation of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), a material widely found in heritage collections. In the paper titled “Poly(vinyl chloride) degradation: [...]

  • International ARCHE Workshop on Cultural Heritage Policy and Management

    July 25th, 2025IImpactI

    On 3–4 June 2025, the University of Ljubljana hosted the international workshop “Connecting Southeast Europe and the Mediterranean: ARCHE in Collaboration with the SMACH Forum”, bringing together over 70 experts, policymakers, and professionals in cultural heritage. Co-organised by the EU-funded [...]

  • Emma Paolin Wins Best Oral Presentation Award at YISAC 2025

    July 25th, 2025IImpactI

    From June 30 to July 3, 2025, the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology at the University of Ljubljana (UL FKKT) hosted the 30th edition of the international conference YISAC 2025 (Young Investigators' Seminar on Analytical Chemistry). The event was [...]

  • The Department of Archaeology and Heritage at the University of Primorska Faculty of Humanities launches a pioneering course in Heritage Science.

    July 25th, 2025IImpactI

    The Department of Archaeology and Heritage at the Faculty of Humanities, University of Primorska (UP FHŠ), has recently introduced a new academic course titled "Heritage Science," reinforcing its commitment to interdisciplinary education in the study, documentation, conservation, and sustainable management [...]

  • An important step towards the protection of sensory and olfactory cultural heritage in Slovenia

    January 31st, 2025IImpact, ResearchI

    During the public discussion on the draft Protection of Cultural Heritage Act (ZVKD-2), Professor Dr Mojca Ramšak, who heads the project "Smell and Intangible Cultural Heritage", submitted amendments to the Act on 28 January 2025 to expand the definition of [...]

Featured news

and events

  • How to choose the optimal archival box for historic objects

    August 8th, 2025IPublicationI

    This is the overarching question that HSLL researchers Jernej Markelj, Ida Kraševec and Matija Strlič, together with Josep Grau-Bove (Institute for Sustainable Heritage, University College London) and Evy Vereecken (KU Leuven and Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage), have investigated in [...]

  • What Acidic Compounds are Really Emitted by Historic PVC?

    July 31st, 2025IPublication, ResearchI

    A new study by HSLL researchers, published in npj Heritage Science, sheds new light on the acidic emissions produced during the degradation of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), a material widely found in heritage collections. In the paper titled “Poly(vinyl chloride) degradation: [...]

  • International ARCHE Workshop on Cultural Heritage Policy and Management

    July 25th, 2025IImpactI

    On 3–4 June 2025, the University of Ljubljana hosted the international workshop “Connecting Southeast Europe and the Mediterranean: ARCHE in Collaboration with the SMACH Forum”, bringing together over 70 experts, policymakers, and professionals in cultural heritage. Co-organised by the EU-funded [...]

  • Emma Paolin Wins Best Oral Presentation Award at YISAC 2025

    July 25th, 2025IImpactI

    From June 30 to July 3, 2025, the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology at the University of Ljubljana (UL FKKT) hosted the 30th edition of the international conference YISAC 2025 (Young Investigators' Seminar on Analytical Chemistry). The event was [...]

  • The Department of Archaeology and Heritage at the University of Primorska Faculty of Humanities launches a pioneering course in Heritage Science.

    July 25th, 2025IImpactI

    The Department of Archaeology and Heritage at the Faculty of Humanities, University of Primorska (UP FHŠ), has recently introduced a new academic course titled "Heritage Science," reinforcing its commitment to interdisciplinary education in the study, documentation, conservation, and sustainable management [...]

  • An important step towards the protection of sensory and olfactory cultural heritage in Slovenia

    January 31st, 2025IImpact, ResearchI

    During the public discussion on the draft Protection of Cultural Heritage Act (ZVKD-2), Professor Dr Mojca Ramšak, who heads the project "Smell and Intangible Cultural Heritage", submitted amendments to the Act on 28 January 2025 to expand the definition of [...]

Active projects

We have led EU collaborative projects focussed on the development of non-destructive characterisation of cultural heritage (SurveNIR, PAPYLUM), and collaborated in projects on the development and evaluation of new conservation interventions (InkCor, Laclepa) and preventive conservation strategies (GreenArt, APACHE, PaperVOC). Recently, our work has focused on the development of heritage science infrastructure (E-RIHS IP, E-RIHS PP, Iperion HS) and new methods offered to users through the European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science, including its Slovenian node.

The research projects are underpinned by two block funding grants of the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency: Research Programme N-DAD and Infrastructure Programme E-RIHS.SI.

Active projects

We have led EU collaborative projects focussed on the development of non-destructive characterisation of cultural heritage (SurveNIR, PAPYLUM), and collaborated in projects on the development and evaluation of new conservation interventions (InkCor, Laclepa) and preventive conservation strategies (GreenArt, APACHE, PaperVOC). Recently, our work has focused on the development of heritage science infrastructure (E-RIHS IP, E-RIHS PP, Iperion HS) and new methods to be be offered to users in the future European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science, including its Slovenian node.

The research projects are underpinned by two stable funding grants: Research Programme N-DAD and Infrastructure Programme E-RIHS.SI.