Our research
We are a community of internationally recognised historians who believe passionately in discussing our research with non-academic audiences to share our love of the past, forge new research questions, and contribute to public debates. As a Research Centre we have supported successful funding bids and postgraduate studentships which has given rise to a dynamic community of MLitt and PhD students and research assistants.
We believe that to convincingly understand our region's history requires perspectives that are also national and global, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinarity and mixed methodologies. This is the basic philosophy that has always underpinned our research, - which extends across all time periods and spaces. We work collaboratively across the University, regionally, and nationally, with strong international links and networks, within Europe, Scandinavia, Canada and Australia. Key to these successes has been the Centre's leading role in the cross-University medieval, early-modern and heritage studies research groups, with our work having an impact on society and government policy. We aim is to provide a common space for all scholars interested in understanding the past, and in developing together with external partners its cultural, social and economic importance for the present.
People and Power in the Medieval and Early Modern North Sea and European World
Research and Public Engagement Projects
Research and Public Engagement Projects
The UHI Centre for History is committed to research that impacts civil society, cultural life, public discourse and public policy in the Highlands and Islands region and Scotland more broadly. Through close collaboration with cultural heritage bodies, policy makers, schools and local communities, the Centre for History disseminates its research to a wide range of audiences.
Research Resources
Research Resources
Napier Commission
We host the online version of the Napier Commission, one of the best sources for Highland history around the time of the Clearances and especially useful for family historians searching for Highland relatives.
The Pennie Collection
The Pennie Collection of rare books is a great resource for the history, archaeology and natural history of Sutherland and is available to view in our Dornoch campus. If you would like to learn more about the collection, please contact us on history@uhi.ac.uk.
Additional Resources
Our staff edit and contribute to peer-reviewed academic journals and informal blogs on different aspects of history. Here are some of the projects they are or have been involved in:
- Northern Scotland is a cross disciplinary journal examining historical, cultural, economic and political aspects of the Highlands and Islands and north east Scotland. Published by Edinburgh University Press.
- Northern Studies is the journal of the Scottish Society for Northern Studies. You can download papers from this peer-reviewed journal free of charge.
- The Journal of British Identities is a peer-reviewed, open access journal which aims to encourage public conversations about Britishness. You can read the journal and associated blog on the Hub for the Study of British Identities.
- The Coastal History Network was created during the pandemic of 2020 and grew out of the Firths and Fjords blog.
You can also browse through our current and completed research projects and follow the Centre for History on Facebook or LinkedIn to find out about our latest activities.