The Adam Smith Global Foundation
Published: 28 September 2026
Women of the Scottish Enlightenment
Host organisation: The Adam Smith Global Foundation
Project title: Women of the Scottish Enlightenment
Project description
The history of the Scottish Enlightenment appears to be well documented although perhaps not as well celebrated as it might be given its world significance. However, there is one major area that has seemingly been neglected in what has been documented, and that is the role of women. Evidently, they played a significant role, but as was customary in the 18th century, they were largely in the background and not given the credit due to them for the part they played. This project will uncover the women and the stories of their contributions to this period of Scottish history.
Outputs
We know of a few prominent names like Mary Somerville, but there are so many other women, alongside and behind the men, of the enlightenment that are poorly documented in current literature. We would like the researcher to engage with primary sources to uncover the names, discover their contributions and their stories and to document these in a report which is accessible and engaging in its format. Our goal is to better understand contemporary attitudes to Enlightenment women and identify why they were not given due prominence in literature. In respect of public engagement, we will use the report to produce an on-site exhibition about the Women of the Scottish Enlightenment and their untold stories, including resources aimed at School age audiences which can be recycled for future engagement opportunities. In respect of knowledge exchange, the intern will be encouraged to write a journal paper on research they produced for dissemination in journals and conferences.
In person/remote/hybrid
In-person or hybrid.
The research intern would benefit from time at the Adam Smith Global Foundation and in the Heritage Centre in Kirkcaldy, but equally the work would naturally take them to places like Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh so hybrid working would be welcomed.
Benefits to the researcher
'Women of the Scottish Enlightenment' is new research into the roles of women in 18th century Scotland and in particular their contribution the Scottish Enlightenment. The researcher will benefit from uncovering new material via looking at the enlightenment from a new perspective and further hone their research skills in the process. They will have the opportunity to publish new contributions to knowledge and further their profile as a researcher. The researcher will also gain skills in exhibition development as they consider how their research can translate into public engagement opportunities and exhibition themes.
Key relationships
The researcher will work closely with the staff at the Adam Smith Global Foundation who will share their organisational priorities and outputs to support a successful internship. The work will involve literature searches and visits to many archives held mainly in Scotland including the National Records of Scotland and National Library of Scotland. The researcher will also engage with the public, particularly those who are local to Kirkaldy, including School Children, as they develop materials for an exhibition that tells the stories of these women in an accessible, engaging and memorable way.
Subject areas
This opportunity would be relevant to the following subject areas:
Philosophy, Thought and Religion; Gender and Sexuality; Information and Knowledge Management; Cultural History; Economic and Social History; Scottish Studies; Human Rights; Political Philosophy; History of Philosophy.
Person specification
A1. Knowledge Base
- Essential: Research methods – Practical application; Research methods – theoretical knowledge; Information Seeking.
- Desirable: Subject Knowledge; Information literacy and management; Academic literacy and numeracy.
A2. Cognitive Abilities
- Essential: Analysing; Critical thinking; Evaluating.
- Desirable: Synthesising; Problem Solving.
A3. Creativity
- Essential: Inquiring minds; Intellectual insight.
B1. Personal qualities
- Essential: Enthusiasm; Perseverance.
- Desirable: Integrity; Self-confidence; Self-reflection; Responsibility.
B2. Self management
- Essential: Commitment to research.
- Desirable: Preparation and prioritisation; Time management; Responsiveness to change; Work-life balance.
C1. Professional conduct
- Desirable: Health and Safety; Respect and confidentiality; Attribution and co-authorship; Appropriate practice.
C2. Research management
- Essential: Research Strategy.
- Desirable: Project planning and delivery.
D1. Working with others
- Essential: Collegiality; Team working.
- Desirable: Collaboration; Equality and diversity.
D2. Communication & dissemination
- Essential: Communication methods; Publication.
- Desirable: Communication media.
D3. Engagement & impact
- Desirable: Public Engagement.
First published: 28 September 2026