Equivalent Experience CIC
Photographic Preservation and Care Traineeship 2026
Applications are now closed!
We're delighted to announce that Alice Mercier and Jay Davis have been selected for the 2026 Photographic Care and Preservation Traineeship Programme. Both trainees will begin their nine-month journey with us in January 2026.
Alice brings expertise in photographic history and material identification from her PhD research in visual culture, alongside archival experience at The National Archives and National Theatre Archive. Jay's background in forensic science and hands-on darkroom practice at The Gate community darkroom provides a strong foundation for understanding photographic materials and conservation processes.
Over the next nine months, Alice and Jay will develop practical skills and theoretical knowledge across all aspects of photographic conservation and care, working 2–2.5 days per week at our North London studio and with our partner institutions.
The foundational programme combines intensive studio-based learning with placements at our partner organisations, offering exposure to different collection types, institutional contexts, and conservation philosophies. Through workshops, site visits, and project-based work, Alice and Jay will gain the comprehensive foundation needed for professional practice in photographic conservation and care.
About Equivalent Experience CIC
Equivalent Experience is a non-profit organisation dedicated to creating accessible pathways into photographic conservation. Through our traineeship programme, we address the critical shortage of training opportunities in this specialised field, working in partnership with major cultural institutions to provide exceptional hands-on learning experiences.
The programme is led by Simon Fleury, photographic conservator and researcher, based at our North London studio.