The ‘Queen of Plastics’ has been knighted. Thea van Oosten, conservation scientist at the Cultural Heritage Agency of The Netherlands, has been recognized for her outstanding contribution to the field and received a knighthood from the Dutch Queen on the 27th of April.
Thea anticipated problems around the conservation of plastics many years ago and has throughout her carrier has been involved in numerous international projects including the recently completed POPART project. Her thorough knowledge of the chemical properties of plastics and her ability to communicate this knowledge to non-scientists as well as her infectious energy make her an example for the next generation of researchers. In June 2011 during a symposium to mark her retirement, her magnum opus PUR Facts was presented.