Earlier this summer Dr Kathryn A Burnett presented two papers at the Island Studies conference on the small island of Gabriola, British Columbia. This conference offered a wide range of academic papers – history, sociology, policy, archaeology, for example but provided a particular focus emerging on artistic and creative practice research contexts. You can read more about the conference here but its main themes are noted here:
“We welcome participation from scholars, intellectuals, activists, leaders, and other individuals in private enterprise, government, and community organizations who:
- Have a passion for island communities and sustainability or the study of islands and islanders
- Want to learn from other island experiences and overcome the challenges associated with islands
- Wish to network with like-minded and island-focused individuals.”
On behalf of Scottish Centre for Island Studies at UWS, Kathryn delivered two papers. One was on the work with Ray Burnett on Tristan da Cunha and media discourse and representation of small island identity, culture and sustainability. The second paper was a co-authored paper with SCIS research associate Dr Linda Harling Stalker of St Francis Xavier University, Nova Scotia, Canada. Kathryn and Lynda are already working on a series of research activities and outputs relating to the creative worker in island settings with a special focus on the North Atlantic context of both Scotland’s Hebrides and Canada’s Atlantic island provinces and this paper reflected the emerging themes of this work.
The conference was a relaxed and friendly affair, well organised and a great opportunity to meet up with established island studies scholars as well as make new links with some new island researchers, artists and creatives.
Thanks to all the organising team, and to Gloria Filax especially, for a great event.
Scottish Centre for Island Studies 