Élia Roldão is a photography conservator-restorer and assistant professor in the Department of Conservation and Restoration at NOVA FCT. Her research focuses on the development of multi-analytical approaches for the characterization of photographic materials that support the definition of conservation strategies for photographic species and the preservation of photographic collections.

She holds a PhD in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage – Conservation Sciences, specializing in photographic conservation. Élia has a degree in Conservation and Restoration from the Polytechnic Institute of Tomar and received a Post-Doc research grant from the Deutsches Museum to study Carl August von Steinheil’s daguerreotype collection, recognized to be the oldest in Germany.

With over 20 years of experience, Élia has led consultancy, conservation and restoration projects, as well as team coordination, for various public and private institutions. These includes the Luis Pavão Lda company, the Serralves Foundation, the Berardo Collection Museum, Caixa Geral de Depósitos, the National Museum of Contemporary Art – Chiado Museum, Parques de Sintra – Montes da Lua, the Portuguese Olympic Committee and Sport Lisboa e Benfica, in Portugal.

She is a founding partner of the company NEON Art Conservation. In addition to her professional practice, Élia has extensive teaching experience. She has delivered short courses at Luis Pavão Lda and together with Luisa Casella, and was a guest lecturer at the Portuguese Catholic University (Porto), Lusófona University and NOVA University Lisbon.

Her professional mission is to disseminate, promote, and preserve photography collections in their multiple dimensions and significance. Élia is committed to producing and sharing knowledge to valorize photographic heritage and support decision-making in conservation processes.