Mrs Lu Allington-Jones

Mrs Lu Allington-Jones

Principal Conservator

Department: Science Innovation Platforms
Division: Conservation Centre
Specialisms: Conservation of Earth Science Collections
Email: l.allington-jones@nhm.ac.uk

Summary

I began my professional career as an archaeological illustrator and finds processor in Cambridgeshire and then worked on various projects at Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery.

I started work in the Department of Palaeontology at the Natural History Museum as a conservator in 2004.

I have also undertaken freelance work at the Horniman Museum and volunteered in the Bristol University preparation laboratory, in the NHM Department of Zoology and with 5 Archaeological Teams.

In 2014 I became a Senior Conservator within the Conservation Centre, and in 2024 a Principle Conservator and Head of Conservation Science and Documentation.

My current role includes remedial and preventive conservation of a range of natural history specimens but I specialise in Earth Science materials. I am also a member of the Geological Curators' Group Committee and an Associate Editor for the journal Geological Curator.

Qualifications

Degrees

  • BSc (hons) Geology, Durham, United Kingdom, 1996 - 1999
  • MSc Palaeobiology, University of Bristol, United Kingdom, 2000 - 2001
  • MSc Museum Studies, University of Leicester, United Kingdom, 2003 - 2006
  • MA Principles of Conservation, University College London, United Kingdom, 2009 - 2011

Certifications

  • Practical Insect Pest Management, International Academic Projects
  • Chemistry for Conservators, International Academic Projects
  • Historic Paper - degradation and non-destructive testing, UCL Centre for Sustainable Heritage
  • Forklift truck operator training (electric counterbalance 2500kg), John F. Nichols
  • Operator training - Mobile vertical (3a), IPAF
  • First Aid at Work, Fire Skill
  • Lifting Course, Total Training
  • Hydrofluoric acid Treatment, Kays Medical
  • COSHH Awareness, S.A. Associates
  • Abrasive wheels - safe use and selection, UK Construction Training
  • Conservation of Glass, International Academic Projects/ The Corning Museum of Glass
  • An Introduction to Laser Cleaning in Conservation, Martin Cooper - Liverpool Museums
  • Qualitative Fit Test Equipment Training Course, Arco
  • Fluid Preservation Technology for Biological Specimens, Simon Moore
  • Feather Conservation, Allyson Rae
  • Practical Leather Conservation Course, Sturge Conservation Studio
  • New Methods of Cleaning Books and Paper, International Academic Projects, London, UK
  • Presentation Skills, McCrudden Training, London
  • Mental Health Awareness for Line Managers, Mind, London
  • Change Management for Leaders, McCrudden Training, London
  • Conservation of Botanical Collections, Pure Conservation
  • Online Modular Cleaning Program Workshop, MCP
  • Online Solvents and Solvent Gels Workshop, MCP

Highlighted publications

  • Allington-Jones L, Bailey R (2021) Treatments for Lipid Oxidation in Taxidermy and Impact on DNA Recovery. Studies in Conservation, (8) Informa UK Limited : 463 - 476. doi: 10.1080/00393630.2020.1855858
  • Allington-Jones L (2020) Weep no more: conservation of an iron-nickel meteorite from Canyon Diablo, Arizona. Journal of Natural Science Collections, NatSCA : 83 - 91.
  • Allington-Jones L, Clark B, Fernandez V (2020) Fool's gold, fool's paradise? Utilising X-ray micro-Computed Tomography to evaluate the effect of environmental conditions on the deterioration of pyritic fossils. Journal of the Institute of Conservation, (3) Taylor & Francis (Routledge) : 213 - 224. doi: 10.1080/19455224.2020.1810091
  • Allington-Jones L, Bernucci A (2015) Scanning electron microscope hypsometry as a tool for evaluating the impact of surface treatments: A case study on sub-fossil bone. Studies in Conservation, (1) Informa UK Limited : 55 - 64. doi: 10.1179/2047058413y.0000000123
  • Allington-Jones L (2015) The Clacton Spear: The Last One Hundred Years. Archaeological Journal, (2) Informa UK Limited : 273 - 296. doi: 10.1080/00665983.2015.1008839
  • Bernucci A, Allington-Jones L (2015) Conservation of James Sowerby’s Fungi Models. Journal of Natural Science Collections, : 35 - 40.
  • Allington-Jones L, Sherlock E (2014) Snagged setae: Evaluating alternatives to cotton wool bungs for liquid-stored specimens. Collection Forum, (1-2) Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC) : 1 - 7. doi: 10.14351/0831-0005-28.1.1
  • Allington-Jones L (2013) Applying glass conservation techniques to a mineral vase. Geological Curator, (10) Geological Curators Group : 497 - 500. doi: 10.55468/gc48
  • Allington L (2006) Investigation into the Deterioration of Palaeontological Specimens Stored in Glycerol. Studies in Conservation, (3) Informa UK Limited : 199 - 204. doi: 10.1179/sic.2006.51.3.199

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