Dr Charis Theodorakopoulos

Associate Professor

School: Design Arts and Creative Industries

Charis Theodorakopoulos (1) Prior to joining Northumbria in 2013, Charis taught conservation of works of art and conservation science as Associate Scientist, at the Technological Educational Institute of Athens, Greece (2007-2013). Prior to that he was a Research Assistant and Research Fellow at the University of London, Birkbeck College, Department of Biochemical Sciences (2004-2008) where he contributed to several EU projects (4^th, 5^th and 6^th FPs). During his doctoral research (Hellenic State Fund 2001-2004) he contributed to the optimisation and the evaluation of laser cleaning of paintings using UV pulsed (excimer) lasers at the Royal College of Art, in collaboration with IESL-FoRTH in Greece (EU TMR DGXII and TMR 5^th CSF funds 2002-2003) and FOM-Institute for Atomic and Molecular Physics (AMOLF) in Amsterdam (funded by FOM program 49 and NWO). He has employed laser-induced analysis, mass spectrometry, optical spectroscopy as well as thermal analysis to study a wide range of artist’s and heritage materials, including the study of paintings and the characterisation of dyes, binding media, paints and coatings. At TEI-A he developed novel cleaning materials for varnished and unvarnished tempera paints, murals and gilded panels with advanced gel formulations. He is collaborating with practicing conservators, conservation scientists, preventive conservation experts as well as scientists at diverse disciplines and sectors. He has contributed to a number of international research projects and he is member of national and international professional conservation bodies.

Campus Address

City Campus
001 Burt Hall, Northumberland Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 8ST

Email Charis

Key Publications

Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
Eco-Friendly Materials in the Conservation of Cultural Heritage: Assessment of Green Gels and Fluids for Cleaning Surfaces of Cultural Heritage Objects, Alexopoulou, A., Kaminari, A., Choulis , K., Theochari, S., Kiskira, E., Panou, E., Mastrotheodoros, G., Theodorakopoulos, C., Dimaki, M., Karabotsos, A., Banou, P. 1 Jan 2026, Advances in Nondestrutive Evaluation Technologies for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage, Cham, Switzerland, Springer
Microclimate Indoor Monitoring for the Preservation of Organic-Based Cultural Heritage, Odlyha, M., Theodorakopoulos, C. 6 Feb 2026, In: Heritage
A Multi-Analytical Study of Nanolignin/Methylcellulose-Coated Groundwood and Cotton Linter Model Papers, Bloss, M., Odlyha, M., Theodorakopoulos, C. 31 Oct 2025, In: Polymers
Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) for collagen-containing cultural heritage objects, Odlyha, M., Theodorakopoulos, C., Foster, G., Duncan, J., Bartoletti, A., Thickett, D., Pearce, C., Burca, G., Badea, E., Bozec, L. 12 Feb 2025, Science and Engineering Research for Cultural Heritage Conference 2025
Infrared Spectral Database: An Essential Guide to Damage Assessment of Parchment, Theodorakopoulos, C., Odlyha, M. 1 May 2025, Written Heritage: New Challenges and Perspectives, Horn, Austria, Verlag Berger Horn
Open-Access Infrared Spectra Depository for the Damage Assessment of Parchment, Theodorakopoulos, C., Odlyha, M. 19 Mar 2025, In: Heritage
A study on the laser-induced phenomena of commercial dammar, ketone-based and poly(isobutyl methacrylate) resin artists’ varnishes upon Er:YAG laser irradiation, Chillè, C., Theodorakopoulos, C., Odlyha, M. Jul 2024, In: Journal of Cultural Heritage
Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) and its role in assessment of state of preservation of collagen -containing cultural heritage objects, Odlyha, M., Theodorakopoulos, C., Foster, G., Duncan, J., Bartoletti, A., Bozec, L. 12 Nov 2024, Mechanical Insights Symposium - Book of abstracts, Los Angeles, US, Getty Research Institute
Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) and its role in paint tempera dosimetry, Foster, G., Theodorakopoulos, C., Odlyha, M. 12 Nov 2024, Mechanical Insights Symposium - Book of abstracts, Los Angeles, US, Getty Research Institute
Oil media on paper: investigating the morphological and chemical changes of linseed oil-impregnated paper mock-ups upon ageing, Banou, P., Boyatzis, S., Choulis , K., Karabotsos, A., Alexopoulou, A., Theodorakopoulos, C. 4 Jun 2024, Book of Abstracts: 6th International Conference on Innovation in Art Research and Technology, Oslo, Norway, University of Oslo

Current and Recent Projects

Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
Analysis of Painted Roof Scheme, Theodorakopoulos, C. (Principal Investigator), Francis W Downing, 28/11/22 - 02/12/22, £1,046.00
Material Characterisation of the Oliver Goldsmith Statue Plaster Cast, Theodorakopoulos, C. (Principal Investigator), RL Conservation, 17/01/22 - 31/03/22, £5,420.00
Removal of synthetic varnishes from sensitive modern paints with innovative surface-attached gels, Theodorakopoulos, C. (Principal Investigator), Arts & Humanities Research Council, 01/01/21 - 30/09/25, £89,356.00
The Er:YAG Laser Cleaning of Five 19th Cent. British and European Paintings: with a Critical Physicochemical Efficacy Evaluation, Theodorakopoulos, C. (Principal Investigator), INDIVIDUAL DELEGATES, 01/01/20 - 30/04/20, £10,229.00
The surface coatings of 19th century plaster casts and their conservation, Theodorakopoulos, C. (Principal Investigator), Arts & Humanities Research Council, 01/10/17 - 30/09/21, £69,969.00
Advanced technologies and materials in the conservation and protection of cultural heritage, Theodorakopoulos, C. (Principal Investigator), Technological Educational Institute of Athens, 28/05/14 - 30/11/14, £687.00

Professional Activity

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Consultancy: £37,200 - XpeCAM X02 Evaluation 2020
Other: £20,000 - Sponsorship / Woon Brothers Foundation 2017
Other: £68,467.77 - TE17-0059 PerkinElmer Sponsorship 2017
Consultancy: £44,640 - Partnership with XpectralTEK LDA, Portugal 2017
Consultancy: £649,250 Sponsorship Ed Teppo 2016
Other: £10,000.00 - Sponsorship / Woon Brothers Foundation 2015
Other: Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) 2015
Other: £88,249 - 15-16 CAPEX ADSS priority 1- 24 Imaging FT-IR Microscope 2015

PGR Supervision

Grace Hanrahan Surface Attached Gels for the Removal of Synthetic Coatings from Sensitive Acrylic Dispersion Paints Start Date: 01/10/2021 End Date: 17/10/2025
Grace Hanrahan Surface Attached Gels for the Removal of Synthetic Coatings from Sensitive Acrylic Dispersion Paints Start Date: 01/10/2021 End Date: 08/05/2025
Sofia Pascual Start Date: 01/10/2025 End Date: 17/10/2025
Sofia Pascual Start Date: 01/10/2025
Grace Hanrahan Surface Attached Gels for the Removal of Synthetic Coatings from Sensitive Acrylic Dispersion Paints Start Date: 01/10/2021