Dr. Ugur Genc – Senior Conservator & Founder of Forensic Conservation
Dr. Ugur Genc is a Senior Conservator with over two decades of experience, dedicated to redefining conservation not just as a technical craft, but as a discipline of intellectual and scientific leadership. Challenging the traditional “workshop” mindset, Dr. Genc advocates that conservation laboratories must be treated as scientific research hubs, a stance he has maintained despite the static approaches often found in the field.
Methodological Leadership and Authenticity Design
A pivotal moment in his career, the “Golden Horn Chain” project, was far more than a study; it was a complex verification study and a pioneer example of contextual restoration, where he integrated fragments from four different museums into a holistic display. As early as 2012, he designed “three versions of authenticity” for a ship’s anchor and utilized 3D-printed replicas to showcase the transformation of a bronze artifact, establishing his leadership in managing authenticity through advanced methodologies.
A pivotal moment in his career, the “Golden Horn Chain” project, was far more than a study; it was a complex verification study and a pioneer example of contextual restoration, where he integrated fragments from four different museums into a holistic display. As early as 2012, he designed “three versions of authenticity” for a ship’s anchor and utilized 3D-printed replicas to showcase the transformation of a bronze artifact, establishing his leadership in managing authenticity through advanced methodologies.
From Forensic Inquiry to Policy Making
In 2011, Dr. Genc pioneered Forensic Conservation in the region by utilizing CT-scanning technology on a historical glove to extract anthropological data, effectively treating the object as a “witness” rather than a mere relic. This journey—from forensic detective to strategic visionary—reached its peak with his PhD research on Authenticity Methodologies. This scientific foundation now informs his current role as a Policy Maker at Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.
In 2011, Dr. Genc pioneered Forensic Conservation in the region by utilizing CT-scanning technology on a historical glove to extract anthropological data, effectively treating the object as a “witness” rather than a mere relic. This journey—from forensic detective to strategic visionary—reached its peak with his PhD research on Authenticity Methodologies. This scientific foundation now informs his current role as a Policy Maker at Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.
Extended Authority and Global Vision
Defining the conservator as a “Preventive Physician” of heritage, Dr. Genc argues that this role must extend from the “micro” of material analysis to the “macro” of strategic boardroom decisions. With experience ranging from consultancy for TRT Documentaries to coordinating international EU projects, he demands a seat at the design table, ensuring that the conservator’s voice is the final authority in exhibition policies. Based in Dubai since 2024, he continues to shape the future of global heritage through science, ethics, and a demand for institutional authority.
Defining the conservator as a “Preventive Physician” of heritage, Dr. Genc argues that this role must extend from the “micro” of material analysis to the “macro” of strategic boardroom decisions. With experience ranging from consultancy for TRT Documentaries to coordinating international EU projects, he demands a seat at the design table, ensuring that the conservator’s voice is the final authority in exhibition policies. Based in Dubai since 2024, he continues to shape the future of global heritage through science, ethics, and a demand for institutional authority.