Research and Training

Since its inception over half a century ago, the York Glaziers Trust remains committed to excellence in training and education. The Trust's first apprentice, Keith Barley MBE, is now the head of his own internationally acclaimed stained glass studio. Many other of the Trust's former employees have also subsequently gone on to forge outstanding careers in the industry. We continue to offer students, and those early in their careers, unparalleled opportunities to gain practical experience and intellectual understanding of the craft.

The York Glaziers Trust enjoys close links with respected academics, conservators, scientists and artists from around the world. These collaborations continue to ensure that the Trust maintains its position as one of the world's leading stained glass studios. In addition to participating in regular training sessions, the team at the York Glaziers Trust also frequently welcomes the opportunity to teach the next generation of stained glass practitioners. 

Research Projects

The York Glaziers Trust has also been involved in several major Leverhulme funded research projects. This includes 'Composition, Corrosion and Origins of Medieval Stained Glass: The Great East Window of York Minster', in conjunction with scholars from the universities of both York and Cardiff, including eminent materials scientist Prof. Ian Freestone and art historian Prof. Tim Ayers. This decade-long research sought to analyse samples of glass taken from the Great East Window, providing greater knowledge on the origins and processes of medieval glass production. Comparisons with glass from elsewhere in Britain and Europe have also been made possible, providing new evidence of the quality, selection and supply chains available to medieval craftsmen and their patrons. The research project and its conclusions have so far been published in two major articles, in 2010 and 2014, with further publications still in development. 

Advisory Committees 

For all work associated with the conservation of York Minster's stained glass, the Trust enjoys the benefit of the expertise of a Standing Advisory Group on Glass, composed of eminent practitioners in the field. The group is currently chaired by Professor Richard Marks, a vastly experienced scholar of medieval art and emeritus professor in the history of art at the universities of York and Cambridge. Other members of the group include Professors Tim Ayers and E. Christopher Norton of the University of York. Dr Ivo Rauch provides an international perspective, and brings a vast range of technical expertise to the group. This collaborative, authoritative, and pioneering approach, initiated at the YGT, has been a model replicated elsewhere (both within the United Kingdom and beyond), and is now regarded as best practice within the conservation industry.