Taigh Trì, Abriachan, Inverness IV3 8LA | [email protected] | www.mairimcfadyen.scot | 07971467739
CV: Mairi McFadyen
EDUCATION
All degrees undertaken at the Department of Celtic & Scottish Studies, School of Literatures Languages & Cultures, University of Edinburgh.
2009 – 2012 2012 Ph.D (Interdisciplinary ethnology / ethnomusicology / cultural anthropology) Title: ‘The Space Between is Where the Maysie Lives: Presence, Imagination and Experience in the Traditional Ballad’ Funded by the Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Awarded the Michaelis-Jena Ratcliff Prize for ethnology and folklore, ‘an important contribution by an individual to the study of folklore and folklife in Great Britain’ (2012)
2007 – 2008 2008 MSc by Research (Distinction) in Scottish Studies 2007 MA Hons (First Class) Scottish Literature & Scottish Ethnology
Awards & Achievements:
2012 The Michaelis-Jena Ratcliff Prize 2007 School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures Scholarship, University of Edinburgh 2006 Angus McKenzie prize for highest attainment in Scottish Studies 2005 Barnson Bequest Award for fieldwork research 2004 Strömbach prize for field-based research report
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Oct 2013 – April 2017 Teaching Research Assistant, Department of Celtic & Scottish Studies, University of Edinburgh
Role to co-ordinate, design and deliver a new online postgraduate programme in Scottish Culture & Heritage / Cultur agus Dualchas na h-Alba, a collaboration between the University of Edinburgh and Sabhal Mòr Ostaig (UHI). A blended learning programme was created and delivered via a virtual learning environment (VLE), including live online webinars, small group tutorials and pre-recorded video and podcast lectures. Students were encouraged to engage creatively with source archive material including developing skills in broadcasting and podcasting. Also responsible for developing effective processes and frameworks, monitoring and evaluation, supervision and student assessments. Nominated for a EUSA Teaching Excellence Award by the students for three years running. Course discontinued in 2017.
Courses (SCQF Level 11) Scottish Culture and Heritage Online: Resources and Research Methods (Online) The Traditional Arts in Scotland: History and Context (Online) Tobar an Dualchais / Kist o Riches: Analytical Case Study (Online) Tradition and Modernity (Online) Understanding Heritage (Online)
Sept 2014 – June 2016 Lecturer in Celtic Studies, Newbattle Abbey College
Part-time role contributing to the development of and delivering courses as part of new National Certificate (NC) in Celtic Studies. Fulfilled role as SVQ Internal Verifier for other courses. Built bespoke digital platform for the students. Organised field trips to national festivals and coordinated guest visits with creative practitioners.
Courses (SCQF Level 6) Heritage Industry in Scotland Storytelling in the Celtic Tradition Contemporary Gaelic Music and Song
Taigh Trì, Abriachan, Inverness IV3 8LA | [email protected] | www.mairimcfadyen.scot | 07971467739
Sept 2009 – 2013 Tutor in Scottish Studies, Department of Celtic & Scottish Studies, University of Edinburgh
Leading tutorials, seminars and delivering lectures for both undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes across interdisciplinary Scottish Studies and Scottish Ethnology. Responsibility for developing tutorial and seminar tasks, writing lectures, marking assessments and contributing to supervision of honours dissertations.
Courses (SCQF Level 08) Scotland and Orality Scottish Studies 1A: Conceptualising Scotland Scottish Studies 1B: Creating Scotland Visualising Scotland Cultural Revivalism Oral Narrative: Theory and Performance Traditional Song – Scots Custom, Belief and Community Material Culture MSc by Research in Scottish Ethnology Dissertation
RESEARCH & FELLOWSHIPS
2016 – present Research Associate, Intercultural Research Centre (IRC), Heriot-Watt University
Developing a creative ethnological practice and engaging with issues in cultural policy, human ecology, intangible cultural heritage (ICH), traditional music and cultural sustainability. This fed into a co-written book chapter as part of the Horizon 2020 CoHERE European Heritages project and an article for a European anthropology journal as well as public talks, conferences and workshops. Events included the Scottish Centre for Geopoetics conference ‘Expressing the Earth’ (2017) in partnership with UHI; ‘Scotland at a Crossroads’ conference (2019), Heriot-Watt University; SHOORMAL ‘Shifting Sands in the Creative Economy’ (2019) at the Centre for Rural Creativity in Shetland and the AHRC’s ‘Being Human’ Festival in Edinburgh (2019).
2012 – 2013 Postdoctoral Fellowship, Institute for Advanced Studies in Humanities (IASH), University of Edinburgh
Project: The Creative Cultural Vision of Patrick Geddes (1854 - 1932) Nine-month fellowship exploring the creative cultural-ecological imagination of ecologist Patrick Geddes (1854 - 1932). Geddes’ concept of ‘civics’ had a double objective: reclaiming human individual creativity and the improvement of the environment through informed action. His understanding of cultural dynamics, often overlooked, was central to his expression of a synthetic, interdisciplinary study and world-vision. This research fed into a series of blogs, articles, talks and workshops at the Scottish Storytelling Centre’s Celtic Summer Schools (2014 - 2016) and the Planning Aid Scotland (PAS) conference ‘Outlook: Exploring Geddes in the 21st Century’ (2016).
PUBLICATIONS
Academic Publications: Kockel, U. & Mairi McFadyen (2019) in ‘On the Carrying Stream into the European Mountain: Roots and Routes of Creative (Scottish) Ethnology’ Anuac - Special Issue on European Anthropology Nic Craith, M. & Mairi McFadyen (2019) ‘Performing Scots-European Heritage For A’ That!’ in Ullrich Kockel, Cristina Clopot, Baiba Tjarve & Máiréad Nic Craith (eds) Heritage and Festivals in Europe: Performing Identities. Routledge McFadyen, M. (2018) ‘Referendum Reflections: Traditional Music and the Performance of Politics in the Campaign for Scottish Independence’ in McKerrell, Simon and Gary West eds. Understanding Scotland Musically. London: Routledge McFadyen, M. (2014) ‘Together in Sang: The Embodied Song Experience as Singularly Plural’ in Russell, Ian & Catherine Ingram (eds.) Taking Part in Music: Case Studies in Ethnomusicology. Aberdeen: Aberdeen University Press
Book contributions: McFadyen, M. (2019) ‘The Carrying Stream: Twenty Years of Traditional Music in Scotland’ in Gerry Hassan & Simon Barrow (eds) Scotland the Brave? Twenty Years of Change and the Future of the Nation. Edinburgh: Luath Press
Taigh Trì, Abriachan, Inverness IV3 8LA | [email protected] | www.mairimcfadyen.scot | 07971467739
Francis, D. & M. McFadyen (2018) ‘The People's Parish - Singing Our Own Song’ in Kevin Murphy, Damien McGlynn, Denis Stewart (eds), Making Common Cause: Exploring the Potential of Cultural Commoning. London, Edinburgh, Cardiff: Voluntary Arts
Other publications, essays & articles: 2018, ‘Expressing the Earth: Towards a Geopoetic Creative Ethnology’, Stravaig 6, Scottish Centre for Geopoetics 2018, ‘The Shieling Project: Culture in a Healthy Landscape’, Reforesting Scotland Journal - By Leaves We Learn 58 2018, ‘Finding a Radical Hope in Geopoetics,’ Bella Caledonia 2018, ‘Bothy Culture and Beyond: Review’ in Reforesting Scotland Journal - A Place To Be 57 2017, ‘Bothy Culture and Beyond: A Live, Lasting Culture,’ Bella Caledonia 2016, ‘The Shieling Project: Leading in Sustainable Heritage Education,’ Bella Caledonia 2014, ‘Think Global, Act Local: a post-national cultural-ecological perspective,’ National Collective 2013, ‘Patrick Geddes: A Philosopher for our Age?’ Postmag
Columns: Published online on Bella Caledonia and printed in the Sunday National Dec, ‘Songs & Singing: A Wellspring for the Future’ Nov, ‘How Do We Sow the Seeds of a Better Food System?’ Oct, ‘The Creative Economy? Towards a Culture of Possibility’ Sept, ‘Woodland, Willow Warblers and Wild Berries: A trip to Isle Martin’ Aug, ‘Hamish Henderson and the Liberated Life’ July, ‘What Does it Really Mean to Face Up to our Climate Reality?’ June, ‘Strì an Fhearainn: Story of the Land’ May, ‘Ceilidh Culture and The Commons’ April, ‘You Can’t Forget What You Don’t Know’ Mar, ‘Scotland at a Crossroads’ Feb, ‘Red John and the Rain Geese’
FREELANCE WORK
Employment: April 2019 - present, Researcher and organiser in environmental and economic justice, Enough! www.enough.scot Feb 2019, Delivering training in ethnological fieldwork, Furan project, Fèisean nan Gàidheal July 2018 - May 2019, Community engagement for SHORE: How We See The Sea project, curated by Invisible Dust June 2018, Workshops & training with Local Voices CIC at the SIEF International Summer School: ‘Giving Voice? Facilitating Social and Community Resilience,’ Elphinstone Institute, University of Aberdeen Sept 2017, Creative workshops & support staff for schools' residential at The Shieling Project, Glen Strathfarrar Sept 2015 - July 2017, National Storytelling Co-ordinator, Traditional Arts & Culture Scotland (TRACS), Scottish Storytelling Centre
Public Talks, Lectures, Panel Contributions & Performances: Nov 2019, Guest speaker: ‘Hamish and the Land’ at the ‘Hamish Matters’ Festival, Blairgowrie Oct 2019, Guest speaker: ‘Lore and Land: Giving Voice to the Voiceless’, Scottish International Storytelling Festival on Tour, Aberfeldy Sept 2019, Guest speaker: ‘Making Common Cause,’ Voluntary Arts Scotland, The Stove Network, Dumfries Aug 2019, Panel Guest: ‘Wildlife, Land Reform and Environment’ conference, Revive: The Coalition for Grouse Moor Reform, Perth Aug 2019, Panel Guest: ‘Why Hamish Matters’, Hamish Henderson Summer School ‘Sustainable Cultures’ day, Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Nov 2018, Public Lecture: Scottish Centre for Geopoetics Annual Tony McManus Lecture, ‘Finding Radical Hope in Geopoetics,’ Leith Parish Church, Edinburgh Apr 2018, Song Performance: ‘Two Truths of Thomas the Rhymer’ at TradFest, Edinburgh Sept 2017, Public Lecture: The Alan Bruford Memorial Lecture, ‘The Space Between is Where The Maysie Lives’, Scottish International Storytelling Festival, Edinburgh Aug 2017, Guest speaker: ‘The Role of Local Cultural Heritage in Learning for Sustainability,’ The Shieling Project Jan 2017, Panel Guest: ‘Enhanced by Diversity, Connected by Humanity', Bemis Scotland at Celtic Connections, Glasgow Aug 2016, Talk: ‘Arts & Crafts - Radical Social Art, Awakening of Mythical heroes & Future Dreams,' Celtic Summer School, Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Aug 2016, Talk: ‘Patrick Geddes' Cultural-ecological imagination.' Celtic Summer School, Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh
Taigh Trì, Abriachan, Inverness IV3 8LA | [email protected] | www.mairimcfadyen.scot | 07971467739
Aug 2015, Talk: ‘Scotland's Visual Culture.' Celtic Summer School, Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Jan 2014, Talk: ‘Think Global, Act Local: a post-national cultural-ecological perspective.’ Cultures of Independence Series, Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow Aug 2013, Talk: ‘How Scotland’s Environment has shaped Scotland’s Culture and Sense of itself.’ Scotland on the Threshold Seminar Series, Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Aug 2013, Talk: ‘Seeing Scotland: Visual Art and Scotland’s Identities.’ Scotland on the Threshold Seminar Series, Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Mar 2013, Lecture: ‘Songs and Sustainability: Exploring a Cultural-Ecological Approach in a Scottish Context,' Traditional Song Forum Spring Meeting, Out of the Blue, Edinburgh Nov 2015, Panel Guest: ‘Social Fabric - Knitting a Nation,’ Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh Sept 2015, Panel Guest: ‘Poetic Politics: Culture and the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum, One Year On’, National Library for Scotland, Edinburgh March 2014, Panel Guest: ‘International Women’s Day,’ University of Edinburgh
Events & Projects Organised: Aug 2018, Wild Food Trail, Enough! Merkinch Nature Reserve July 2019, ‘Bothy Culture ceilidh’, Architecture Fringe, Abriachan July 2019, ‘FEARANN / LAND 2’ event, Abriachan Forest, Architecture Fringe July 2019, ‘Reclaiming the Shieling, Reclaiming the Commons’ day, The Shieling Project, Glenstrathfarrar Dec 2018, ‘Cafe Conversations - Climate & Degrowth,’ Velocity Cafe, Inverness Sept 2018, ‘Traditional Arts, Learning for Sustainability & Outdoor Learning’ Sharing Day, The Shieling Project, June 2018, ‘HighLAND/FEARANN’ event, Architecture Fringe, Abriachan May 2018, ‘Highland Stravaig’ Scottish Centre for Geopoetics, Abriachan July 2017, ‘57 Degrees North' - 3 curated events as part of the Architecture Fringe: ‘The Highland House’, ‘Huts in Place’ & ‘Bothy Culture’, Inverness & Abriachan May 2017, ‘Why The Birds Sing,’ TradFest Edinburgh | Dùn Èideann, Scottish Storytelling Centre Jan 2017, ‘The New Movement in Narrative Documentary’ with Lou McLoughlan & Hugh Cheape, Edinburgh Jan 2017, ‘Stories, Stones and Bones: Making Heritage Live,’ Traditional Arts & Culture Scotland (TRACS), Edinburgh Nov 2016, ‘Enhanced by Diversity, Connected by Humanity' TRACS & BEMIS St Andrew's Day Open Conference Nov 2016, ‘From Heritage to Creativity’ in partnership with Scotland's Urban Past, Inverness Nov 2015, ‘What is Scotland?’, Saltire Society event, University of Edinburgh May 2015, ‘Culture: What Next?’ Festival conference, TradFest Edinburgh | Dùn Èideann March 2015, ‘Changin Scotland,’ 3 day residential conference in Ullapool (collaboration) Aug 2014, ‘National Collective Presents...' 9 day run at Edinburgh Festival Fringe (collaboration) July 2014, ‘Yestival: A Summer of Independence’ 24 dates over 34-day tour across Scotland April 2014, ‘Aa the Airts: Project Wish Tree,' TradFest Edinburgh | Dùn Èideann Feb 2014, ‘New Scotland/New Culture?’, Green Light, Summerhall, Edinburgh Jan 2014, ‘The Archive Project: An Adventure in Traditional Music' Album Launch, Summerhall, Edinburgh May 2013, ‘Open Fields: The Future of Trad' conference, TradFest Edinburgh | Dùn Èideann Aug 2012, Knowledge Seminar Series, Festivals Edinburgh, Creative Scotland & British Council
VOLUNTARY POSITIONS Current: Co-director, Enough! Collective CIC Co-director, The Shieling Project CIC Co-director, Local Voices CIC Assistant Director, Scottish Centre for Geopoetics Panel Judge, TASGADH (Traditional Arts Small Grants), Fèisean nan Gàidheal & Creative Scotland Past: National Advisory Group, Geddes Centre for Teaching & Learning, Riddles Court (2015) National Council Member, The Saltire Society (2014 - 2017) Edinburgh Youth Gaitherin’ (2007 - 2010)
REFEREES:
Hugh Cheape Professor. Gary West Gillian Turner Lecturer Personal Chair in Scottish Ethnology Curriculum Manager Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Celtic & Scottish Studies, Newbattle Abbey College, University of the Highlands & Islands University of Edinburgh Dalkeith [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]