SCIS PhD research student Kirsten MacLeod presented at the Knowledge/Culture/Social Change, International conference, hosted by The Centre for Cultural Research, University of Western Sydney, November 2011.  Kirsten’s paper was entitled “I Film therefore I am: Process, Practice & Participation in community based media”  and was delivered as part of the Knowledge and Globalisation stream.  The conference brought together theorists from the social sciences and humanities and the stream included a focus on “the resurgent interest in indigenous and community knowledges; and the competing perspectives of multiple modernities”. It included explorations of the following question: “ How can the relations between these multiple knowledge practices best be engaged with?” This maps directly onto Kirsten’s research, which is engaged with relating participation in the processes of community and indigenous media production in Scotland to the situated-ness of local knowledge and identity. Kirsten’s  presentation offered examples drawn from her creative practice fieldwork in Govan,  her work on The Isle of Bute, and in Gaelic broadcasting working with many island and remote rural communities. Kirsten’s  supervisory team includes Dr Kathryn A Burnett(Director of Studies) and Mr Tony Grace, both of the School of Creative and Cultural Industries, UWS.

Bute Video Project: Screening of Community Media Films

Kirsten MacLeod, PhD Student SCIS

11th December 2011

Four videos produced through the Scottish Centre for Island studies received their premier screening on Sunday 11th December at The Discovery Centre cinema in Rothesay, on the Isle of Bute. The short films were made as part of The Bute Video Project led by doctoral research student and filmmaker Kirsten MacLeod. Kirsten’s practice led research is exploring process, practice and participation in community based media. The project aimed to stimulate local video production on the island, feeding into an emergent local media production scene on Bute. 

The films reflected the filmmakers local interests – Rhubodach Forest by Kathryn Kerr – about Rhubodach forest on Bute which was part of a community land buyout; Rothesay Shops by Ann Russell featuring Rothesay’s eclectic and independent high street shops & their owners; Bute Guitar Festival by Chris Corrin on the importance of music on the island, and festivals such as the recent “Big F” Guitar Festival, and Cathy McLean’s My Rothesay – a very personal reflection on moving to the island. 

The films were part of the Bute Film Society’s Local Filmmaker’s night. Other locally based filmmakers featured included wildlife cameraman Philip Lovell, ex BBC producer Brian Barr, and independent producers Lesley Anne Morrison and Greg McNeill of Big Baby Productions. 

Kirsten’s PhD research, (supervised by Dr Kathryn A Burnett, and Mr Tony Grace, UWS),  has also included practice led fieldwork in Govan, Glasgow and a general survey of community media production in the Outer Hebrides.

The Bute project is ongoing, and developing, and is now being taken forward by some of the filmmakers themselves. There will be further screenings of the films in 2012 and they will be available to view online shortly. For more information please contact kirsten.macleod@uws.ac.uk

The project received the support of the Scottish Centre for Island Studies, The University of the West of Scotland and Bute Connections. 

Many thanks to all who contributed to the films and took part.

Programme and further information  of this exciting conference hosted by New Media Scotland are detailed below.

Register now at: http://iknowwhereimgoing.eventbrite.com/

I Know Where I’m Going
Remote Access to World Heritage Sites from St Kilda to Uluru

Wednesday 23rd & Thursday 24th November 2011
Informatics Forum, 10 Crichton Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9AB

At a time of economic crisis and environmental threat, countries everywhere have to address the dual challenge of protecting and preserving their natural and cultural heritage while maximising their economic value. This two-day international conference will focus on the potential for new technologies to create high-quality, remote-access visitor experiences for World Heritage Sites and other sites of cultural, historical and natural significance where remote access is either desirable or necessary.

Aims 

To showcase some of the new technologies available (3D/4D scanning, mobile technologies, GPS/GIS, satellite technologies, apps and social media) & discuss their applications.

To debate policy issues linked to the benefits and challenges these new technologies present for sites preservation, conservation, and interpretation worldwide; particularly in terms of remote and virtual access to sites which are sensitive, and in terms of economic benefits for tourism.

To encourage site managers worldwide- particularly within the UNESCO World Heritage Sites Network- to consider the benefits & impact the new technologies could have for their own sites and allow them to investigate those further.

Wednesday 23rd November 2011
Remote Access Technologies & Applications

Registration 8.30am

Welcome/Failte 9.30am

Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Culture & External Affairs, Ms Fiona Hyslop MSP.

Introduced by Malcolm Maclean of Pròiseact Nan Ealan (Gaelic Arts Agency) & Conference Chair.

Keynotes 9.45am

-Dr. Mechtild Rössler, Chief of the Policy and Statutory Section, UNESCO World Heritage Centre.

-Mr Robin Turner of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland Remote access to St Kilda through time and space.

-The St Kilda World Heritage Site Remote Access Centre, by the Rt. Hon Brian Wilson.

Q&A chaired by Joanne Orr, Chair of the UK National Commission for UNESCO in Scotland.

Break 11:00am

Presentations 11:20am

-3D Digital Technologies for Remote Access and Sustainability, by Doug Pritchard and Chris McGregor (Digital Design Studio-Glasgow School of Art & Historic Scotland Scottish Ten).

-Visualising our Underwater Heritage,
by Mark Lawrence and Chris Rowland (DJCAD-University of Dundee & ADUS).

-Remote Insights into our Marine Natural Heritage, by Paul Thompson (University of Aberdeen).

Q&A chaired by David Mitchell (Historic Scotland).

Networking Lunch & St. Kilda Exhibition at Inspace 12:35pm

Keynote 2:00pm

-Mr Ben Kacyra, Founder of CyArk,
Introduced by Malcolm Maclean of Pròiseact Nan Ealan (Gaelic Arts Agency) & Conference Chair.

Presentations 2:20pm

-Space & natural & cultural heritage sites, by Mario Hernandez
(European Space Agency & UNESCO Space for Heritage Project).

-Visualizing Heritage: New media technologies and the representation of ancient tombs of Monte Albán,-Mexico, by Prof. Ellen Hoobler (Cornell College, USA).

Q&A Chaired by Doug Pritchard (Digital Design Studio-Glasgow School of Art).

Break 3:15pm

Presentations 3:35pm

-Are we there yet? The future of shared mobile context and its impact on visitor experience
by Ben Mosse (Nokia).

-Mainlimes Mobil – Presenting Archaeology and Museums with the help of smartphones
by Erik Dobat (Boundary Media KG, Germany).

-Jurassic  Tweets: Can micro-blogging and social media be of value to World Heritage Sites?
by Dr Sam Rose (Jurassic Coast WHS, UK) & Louise Matthews (Bournemouth University).

Q&A chaired by Dr Diarmad Campbell (British Geological Survey.

Wrap-up session 4:45pm

-Do we know where we are going? What opportunities? What challenges?
by Sue Davies (UK National Commission for UNESCO & Wessex Archaeology).
Wine Reception & St.Kilda Exhibition at Inspace

Music at the National Galleries Scottish Restaurant 6:30pm

Conference Dinner at the National Galleries Scottish Restaurant 7:30pm

Thursday 24th November 2011
Key Issues for Remote Access

Registration 8:30am

Welcome/Failte 9:00am
-Ruth Parsons (CEO of Historic Scotland) & Kate Mavor (CEO of the National Trust for Scotland).

Presentations 9:15am

-Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park by members of the Board of Management and Parks Australia on remote access technologies in a living cultural landscape: issues of ownership and participation (video conferenced session).

-Remote access technologies and the preservation and promotion of Intangible Cultural Heritage, by Joanne Orr, CEO of Museums Galleries Scotland & Chair of the UK National Commission for UNESCO in Scotland.

Q&A chaired by Jane Jackson (Capita Symonds).

Break 10:30am

Presentations 10:50am

-Remote access technologies and resource poor settings: Does it work? Is it sustainable?
Panel session with Dr Kodzo Gavua (University of Ghana), Mr Ali Ould Sidi (World Heritage Site Manager of Timbuktu WHS, Mali) and Mr Zagba Oyortey (Culture Works Africa).

-Do we know where we have been? Using the Oral tradition & storytelling: as the oldest remote access medium to heritage sites,
by Tom Muir (Storyteller & Folklorist from Heart of Neolithic Orkney WHS).
Networking Lunch & St. Kilda Exhibition 12:30pm

Presentations1:25pm

-Cultural tourism trends and the role of remote access in knowledge-based tourism and World Heritage
by Mr Peter DeBrine (UNESCO Programme Specialist in Sustainable Tourism).

-Shortening the heritage tourism value chain: How can new technologies empower people to create, and seize, the added value of world heritage tourism,
by James Rebanks (Rebanks Consulting Ltd, UK).

Q&A chaired by Benjamin Carey (Dunira Strategy).

Break 2:40pm

Presentations 2:40pm

- Connecting Generations, Exploring Places: Enabling Remote Access to Archives
by George MCKenzie (National Records of Scotland).

-Remote access for learning & sharing: the CyArk Archive and the Digital classroom
by Elizabeth Lee (CyArk).

Q&A chaired by Alexander Bennett (National Trust for Scotland).

Wrap up session 3:35pm

-Concluding remarks & policy directions, by Mr Peter DeBrine
(UNESCO Programme Specialist in Sustainable Tourism, World Heritage Centre).

Ends 4:00pm

Building on the experience gained at World Heritage properties, the conference aims to create a network (both physical and remote) of interpretation specialists, curators, conservators and custodians facing the challenge of creating remote access to sensitive, hard-to-access or other trans-national sites. It will bring together Sites directors and heritage practitioners- both tangible and intangible- in the UK and abroad, but also policy makers and technological innovators, and will seek to break down conventional sectoral divides between heritage practitioners and technological innovators, in order to debate remote access.

For more information visit www.inspace.ed.ac.uk

Thursday 22nd September 2011

CCA, UWS Space, Sauchiehall Street Glasgow

16:00 – 18:00

SCIS welcomes Professor Suzanne Thomas, University of Prince Edward Island. to this creative practice research event for postgraduate students exploring SCIS related research activity on visual media and island studies

http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/thewomenslibrary/whats-on/events/womens-history-network-conference-2011/conference-programme—friday.cfm

Ainmeil Thar Cheudan: A Centenary Celebration of Sorley MacLean.

The Suffolk poetry event includes contributions from Anna McCrae a native Gaidhlig speaker from Barra, a singer and teacher of drama and an active member of the Gaelic Society of London. James Knox Whittet  will also contribute. He was born in Islay, now living in Norfolk and is the author of several books including 100 Island Poems. His version of Hallaig was commended in the Stephen Spender Translation Prize. Cameron Hawke Smith, is a former archaeologist, museum curator and now amateur poet and translator. See his own blog site at  www.demodikos.com
All are members of Suffolk Poetry Society www.suffolkpoetrysociety.org.uk. The website www.poetryaloud.org.ukfrom the Bury St Edmunds Poetry cafe has a constantly updated publication of poems,events, etc.

Timetable for the day below

2.00pm Welcome: Rob Lock from Poetry Aloud

The mild mad dogs of poetry

The Gaelic tradition and the poetry of Sorley MacLean, in the  year of the centenary of his birth. Anna McCrae, James Knox Whittet, Cameron Hawke Smith

Interlude: Ceirwin Tomas Welsh   harpist

2.45pm

The house of many tongues

Some of the ancient and modern languages of the poetry of the British Isles and beyond explored by Ian Griffiths, Cameron Hawke
Smith, Joan Sheridan Smith, Anne Boileau & David Simpson, Helen Bourne

around 3.30 Tea Break, with music from

Ceirwin Tomas and

Colin Whyles

4.00pm

The isle is full of noises, sounds and sweet  airs

Some dialect poetry

Scots – Anna McCrae and Cameron Hawke Smith

Yorkshire – Carol Bleiker

Lincolnshire – Colin Whyles

Wiltshire/Dorset – Michael Stagg

Suffolk – Beryl Dyson

4.30pm Guest poets

J.S.Watts, author of Cats  and Other Myths (Lapwing Publications)

Clare Crossman, author of Going  Back
(Firewater Press) and The Shape of Us (Shoestring Press): My Silences are always enemies, the poetry of Elizabeth Jennings

5.15pm

Clamjamfry

A lighthearted ‘open mic’ opportunity for everyone to entertain  us with a sound poem. Invitations to all to contribute!

5.30 pm close

Oxford, Bern, Berlin, Bruxelles, Frankfurt am Main, New York, Wien, 2009. 310 pp., 5 ill.

ISBN 978-3-03911-374-3 pb.

This volume gets beyond simple descriptions of the values and processes involved in community media and is deliberately seeking argument and structured debate around the issues of this vibrant sector of the media. The contributors examine the dilemmas that have emerged within this sector and provide an incisive overview. The chapters use case studies and data research to illustrate the major debates facing community media, along with a sideways look at the dilemmas that community media practitioners and their audiences must engage with.
This collection provides an international perspective and covers the traditional formats as well as newer media technologies. It also gives some intriguing examples of community media, which get beyond simple good practices.

http://www.peterlang.com/download/datasheet/50337/datasheet_11374.pdf

Contents: Janey Gordon: Introduction – Saba ElGhul-Bebawi: The Relationship between Mainstream and Alternative Media: A Blurring of the Edges? – Lawrie Hallett: The Space Between: Making Room for Community Radio – Janey Gordon: Community Radio, Funding and Ethics: The UK and Australian Models – Kathryn A. Burnett/Tony Grace: Community, Cultural Resource and Media: Reflecting on Research Practice – Katie Moylan: Towards Transnational Radio: Migrant Produced Programming in Dublin – Gavin Stewart: Selling Community: Corporate Media, Marketing and Blogging – Michael Meadows/Susan Forde/Jacqui Ewart/Kerrie Foxwell: A Catalyst for Change? Australian Community Broadcasting Audiences Fight Back – Kitty van Vuuren: The Value and Purpose of Community Broadcasting: The Australian Experience – Pollyanna Ruiz: Manufacturing Dissent: Visual Metaphors in Community Narratives – Janey Gordon: The Mobile Phone and the Public Sphere: Mobile Phone Usage in Three Critical Situations – Jason Wilson/Barry Saunders/Axel Bruns: ‘Preditors’: Making Citizen Journalism Work – Dimitra L. Milioni: Neither ‘Community’ Nor ‘Media’? The Transformation of Community Media on the Internet.

For postgraduate enquires for research degrees please contact either Dr Kathryn A Burnett, School of Creative and Cultural Industries (kathryn.burnett@uws.ac.uk) or Professor Mike Danson, School of Business (michael.danson@uws.ac.uk).