Humanities and Arts
The Humanities and Arts Research Cluster (HARC) brings together researchers from diverse disciplines within the humanities and arts. The cluster is a collaboration of staff engaged with scholarly and creative engagement with the past and present, rooted in an understanding of the regional heritage and context of the Highlands and Islands.
The research, knowledge exchange and research activities of HARC members have a particular emphasis on people and communities, culture and heritage, Gaelic, creativity, migration and memory within a rural context. In conjunction with the localised focus is an awareness of the parallel and interlinked global issues that are faced by rural communities that are informing broader cultural challenges and opportunities.
Our activities can be explored in the other pages in this section but can be broadly said to cover:
- Archaeology
- History
- Gaelic
- Literature
- Creative Industries
- Music
- Visual Art
- Textiles
HARC Research Hubs
Medieval Studies
Leads: Dr Linsey Hunter, Dr Shane McLeod
The Medieval Studies Hub (MeSH) brings together UHI medievalists across multiple disciplines to share research and ideas, and to forge new collaborations. Along with regular meetings to discuss research and opportunities, MeSH will facilitate seminars, study skills sessions and conferences.
Links:
Viking Burials in Scotland | Landscape and burials in the Viking Age
Following the journey of a kilted Viking king by a Scottish loch
Islands
Lead: Dr Andrew Jennings, Associate Professor in Island Studies
UHI with its island-based colleges and researchers, undertakes very important island-centred research. The Island Hub aims to promote and develop this research across the partnership, and beyond to the island communities themselves, both within and outwith Scotland.
Links:
Institute for Northern Studies Public events and seminars
Institute for Northern Studies Islands Matter Webinar Recordings
UArctic | Thematic Network on Northern and Arctic Island Studies Research
Music
Leads: Dr Sean McLaughlin, Gareth Whitehead
The UHI Music Research Hub aspires to establish a pioneering academic centre for innovative music research, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and methodological advancement. This initiative aims to serve as a nexus for scholars and musicians, facilitating the development of novel approaches to music studies and promoting cross-disciplinary knowledge exchange. The hub's comprehensive scope encompasses diverse subdisciplines, including creative practice, audio engineering and acoustics, sonic studies, music industries, and music education.
Links:
REMRA
Lead: Dr Kathrin Zickerman, senior lecturer in History
The Renaissance and Early Modern Research Allliance (REMRA) is a multidisciplinary research hub which comprises around 20 research active staff and PGR students from five different UHI Centres and Institutes. The group meets regularly to further individual and joint research and hosts events like round tables and conferences. It is designed to support research in a meaningful way and to present UHI's research activities to the wider academic world. REMRA is also closely linked to the new PGT programme Early Modern European Studies (EMES) which will launch in 2025/26 and as such will support UHI's strong research and teaching linkages.