Scottish Graduate School for Arts & Humanities

What does it mean to be a citizen? Is it as simple as legal rights, or does the idea of being a ‘good citizen’ imply that it’s also a way of living and working ethically? What problems has rhetoric of national belonging and exclusion raised in Scotland and the wider world over time? What ethical questions does citizenship raise, and how do cultural organisations, policy developers and the voluntary sector rise to these challenges?

The Citizenship KE Network explores these questions. We encourage doctoral researchers to reflect on how their work can speak to some of the most pressing ethical questions of the day. Belonging and exclusion, nationalism and regionalism, identities and the power structures that challenge and legitimate them – researchers at Scottish universities contribute so much to understanding these questions, and in turn can learn a lot from our colleagues in the cultural, policy and voluntary sectors.

Along with the other KE Networks, we put on training sessions, workshops and other opportunities to help researchers reflect on their own positions in these debate and develop skills for engaging in work within and beyond the academy.

Citizenship Network Members

• Dr Catherine Spencer, Senior Lecturer in Art History, University of St Andrews (Network Lead)
• Dr Nevena Jevremovic, Lecturer in Law, University of Aberdeen (Deputy Lead)
• Dr Jacob Danson Faraday, Lecturer in Music, Edinburgh Napier University
• Harish Lokhun, Head of Education, British Council Scotland (Industry Partner)
• Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (Industry Partner)
• Ailsa Burn-Murdoch, Senior Researcher, Scottish Parliament (Industry Partner)
• Karen Moncrieff, Director of HR, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (Industry Partner)
• Dr. Marianne McAra, Creative Engagement Research Fellow, Glasgow School of Art (Advisory group Member)
• Doctoral Researcher Rep: Alison Scott | Robert Gordon University 

SGSAH’s Creative Economies Knowledge Exchange Network supports partnership-based research across Scotland’s creative economies—characterised by vibrant SMEs, Artist-Run Initiatives, and major cultural institutions. We foster entrepreneurial thinking and innovation across disciplines including the Plastic and Expressive Arts, Architecture, Design, Comics, Gaming, Film, Transmedia, Digital Arts, and Publishing.

We collaborate with BBC Scotland to offer doctoral researchers hands-on skills development and insights into applying research in broadcast production and the wider creative sector.

Our partnership with the Victoria & Albert Museum—the world’s leading museum of art, design and performance—supports the next generation of collections-based researchers, with further links to the V&A Dundee through founding partners the Universities of Dundee and Abertay.

The Network brings together research strengths from the University of Dundee, Abertay University, Glasgow School of Art, and the University of Edinburgh, and supports AHRC-funded PhD students and Engagement Fellows.

Doctoral internships with organisations such as BBC Scotland and Creative Scotland help build transferable skills and deliver real impact, preparing researchers for dynamic, creative careers.

Creative Economies Network Members

• Dr Jacqueline Donachie, Fellow in Creative Economies in Art and Design at University of Dundee; (Network Lead)
• Dr Paul Smith, Research Fellow, GSA (Deputy Lead)
• Alastair Evans, Director of Creative Industries, Creative Scotland; (Industry Partner)
• Oliver Cox, Head of Academic Partnerships, V&A London; (Industry Partner)
• Luke McCullough (acting member) Head of Corporate Affairs and Public Policy, BBC Scotland; (Industry Partner)
• Aqsa Ashraf, University of St Andrews (Doctoral Researcher Committee Rep)
• Judith Fieldhouse, Napier University (Doctoral Researcher Committee Rep) 

The SGSAH Heritage Network focuses on the relationship between heritage, society and economy and the diverse ways that Arts and Humanities research can inform this through research impact and knowledge exchange. The SGSAH Heritage Network aims to generate connections between doctoral researchers in Arts and Humanities, the heritage sector, and wider communities/publics who produce, negotiate and engage with heritage. The Network delivers industry-focused events, KE training, networking and career development. It also supports SGSAH’s Collaborative Doctoral Awards and work-based learning opportunities within a UK and international context. 

The Network defines heritage in its broadest sense as all the ways in which past legacies inform present and future societies, including tangible traces and intangible traditions, as well as accompanying records, visualisations and data informatics. This means we address everything from historic landscapes and built environments through to museum collections, archives and other memory institutions. The Network also encompasses intangible heritage practices, stories and traditions and their complex relationships with tangible forms of heritage. Above all, it engages with unofficial and vernacular forms of heritage alongside authorised, institutionalised heritage.   

The Heritage Network is jointly led by the Universities of Glasgow and Stirling. Our Advisory Board plays a key role in the development of our programme of activities. View our members below.

Heritage Network Members

• Professor Siân Jones, Professor of Heritage, University of Stirling (Hub Co-Lead)
• Dr Nicole Smith; Lecturer in Museum Education, University of Glasgow (Deputy/Co-Lead)
• Michael Terwey, Head of Collections and Exhibitions, National Trust for Scotland; (Industry Partner)
• Hazel Johnson, Director, Built Environment Forum Scotland; (Industry Partner)
• Dr Adam Jackson, Head of Strategy and Policy, Historic Environment Scotland (Industry Partner)
• Gillian Findlay, President, Museums Association; (Industry Partner)
• Andrea Cop, Research & Academic Liaison Manager, National Museums of Scotland; (Industry Partner)
• Sarah Taylor, Senior Research Fellow, Edinburgh Napier (Advisory group Member)
• Dr Aude Le Guennec, Research and teaching Fellow, Glasgow School of Art (Advisory group Member)
• Dr Chiara Bonacchi, Senior Lecturer in Heritage, University of Edinburgh (Advisory group Member)
• Anand Ranjan, University of Edinburgh (Doctoral Researcher Committee Rep)