A passion for historical objects

Omid Oudbashi has a background in metal and stone conservation of archaeological objects. He arrived in Gothenburg in September this year, just as the department moved to a brand new building on Medicinareberget. As he tours one of the labs in the new building, it is clear that a move has just taken place – much of the equipment has yet to be unpacked. Getting started with his research has therefore not been entirely easy. So far, he has been focusing on trying to establish various research collaborations, both within the university and with other bodies. And on teaching.

How did you first become interested in conservation?

– In Iran you choose which field you want to study, and conservation is part of the artistic field. I enjoyed doing artistic work, and chose to major in the conservation of historical and cultural objects. It was a relatively unknown field and I had no idea what it meant, but I really liked it. After my bachelor’s degree, I worked at two world heritage sites – Chogha Zanbil and Persepolis – for three years before starting my master’s degree. I completed my doctoral degree in 2013 and got a position as an assistant professor at the University of Isfahan, the same university I had studied at before.

Why Sweden?

– It was the job that brought me to Sweden. If this position had been advertised in another country, I would have applied for it anyway. I hadn’t been to Scandinavia be- fore, but I like Sweden. It’s a bit cold, but the weather is okay. The language has been the biggest challenge, learning Swedish. And it’s not made any easier by the fact that everyone speaks English!

The Metropolitan Museum of Art sounds like a fantastic place. How did you end up there?

– The museum has a fellowship programme that sponsors around 50 researchers within various fields to come and do research on materials related to their collections. It was a fantastic opportunity to be there and do so much research. My focus was on copper metallurgy. They have an excellent lab and a great team. I also made lots of new friends. I sometimes miss New York, which is a 24-hour city, but mostly I miss the museum and my friends.

What are you most looking forward to doing here in Gothenburg?

– It’s interesting that the subject of conservation is part of the Faculty of Science. I have a background in both science and conservation, and I look forward to developing collaborations with other
disciplines such as chemistry and geosciences.

What are your thoughts about the future?

– My dream is to start an interdisciplinary research team in heritage science, bringing together researchers within different fields such asarchaeology, conservation and natural sciences. I also want to develop research collaboration with researchers in Iran, Europe and the USA, with whom I have had contact in the past.

My dream is to start an interdisciplinary research team

Text: Camilla Persson
Photo: Dick Gillberg

What drives you, Omid Oudbashi?

WHY DID YOU BECOME A RESEARCHER?

– I worked as a research assistant at two world heritage sites, and I realised that I enjoyed research. Then when I did my master’s degree and started teaching, I realised that I liked that too. So continuing within academia was a natural choice.

WHICH DO YOU PREFER, TEACHING OR RESEARCH?

– I believe that research and teaching are equally important, and that the two are linked. If I don’t do research, I can’t teach either. Being a good academic is a matter of half research and half teaching.

WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT GOTHENBURG SO FAR?

– It’s a green city with a rich history. I like the fact that there’s time to do something other than just working. Everyone says the pizza is delicious, and I’ve tried it once. It was okay, but I don’t understand why you would put pineapple on it?