Stories From Glasgow

Discover the Edinburgh poet who inspired Robert Burns, and whose impact extends well beyond the pages of his works to the city’s landscape, and even the treatment of brain injuries. ‘The Collected Works of Robert Fergusson: Reconstructing Textual and Cultural Legacies’ is a two-year research project, funded by the Leverhulme Trust, and led by Professor Rhona Brown. As the 250th anniversary of Fergusson’s death approaches, Prof. Brown and Dr Amy Wilcockson join the podcast to share their research, as well as insights into Fergusson’s life, works and legacy. Listen to learn more about Fergusson, and hear extracts of his work read by Billy Kay and James Robertson.  Find out more about The Collected Works of Robert Fergusson: Reconstructing Textual and Cultural Legacies: https://robert-fergusson.glasgow.ac.uk/  Learn about upcoming events: https://robert-fergusson.glasgow.ac.uk/events/  Follow on X: https://x.com/RFergussonPoet  Follow on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rfergussonpoet.bsky.social  

Join us as we go on a deep dive into Gaelic periodicals, publishing, and language with Dr Petra Johana Poncarová.  Dr Poncarová introduces two figures who have played key roles in Gaelic publishing: Ruaraidh Erskine of Mar and Derick Thomson. From poetry and periodicals that spanned decades, to detective fiction, drama, and even a biology text book, listen now to find out more…   

Make sure your seat belt is fastened and your chair is in the upright position for take-off; we’re heading to Mallorca with Dr Guillem Colom-Montero.  Mallorca has long been a popular holiday destination, but what are the consequences of that popularity? From representation in art and culture, to conversations with local communities and changes in vocabulary, Dr Colom-Montero joins Cia to reflect on the impact decades of tourism has had on the island – and some similar effects seen closer to home, here in Scotland.  

Where can a PhD in History take you?   Dr Matthew Leeper, Managing Director and Founder of Education Evolved, and Student Enterprise Advisor at University of Glasgow, talks to Cia about his journey from student to entrepreneur.  Dr Leeper shares the pivotal moments, decisions, and passion for history that brought him to his current roles. Listen and trace Dr Leeper's steps from a street in Rome to academia, Education Evolved, and now helping UofG students to start their own entrepreneurial journeys. 

What does it mean to live autonomously? And how can that autonomous life be supported when we reach the end of life?  Professor Ben Colburn is a political philosopher at the University of Glasgow and patron of the charity, and he joins Cia for a thought-provoking conversation about autonomy and end of life care.  Prof. Colburn talks Cia through the different factors which can threaten autonomy at end of life, as well as the ways autonomy can be supported. From educating and collaborating with carers, to working with legislators and supporting the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill; Prof Colburn shares the work he and colleagues are doing to help ensure those nearing end of life can continue to make choices that uphold their values. 

Join us as we journey around Scotland with Professor Nigel Leask and Professor Mary-Ann Constantine (University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies). They tell the story of naturalist and antiquarian Thomas Pennant.  From negotiating language barriers and travelling with illustrators, to creating a network of correspondence to sate his curiosity. Pennant explored Scotland long before his contemporary, Samuel Johnson made his tour of the western isles.   Professors Leask and Constantine share some of Pennant’s travel writing and thoughts from his tours of Scotland and Wales. They reflect on how curious traveller, Pennant, inspired and influenced travel writing and tourism. 

Roll a perception check – you may have found the latest episode of Stories From Glasgow...  Emma French is a PhD candidate in University of Glasgow’s Centre for Fantasy & the Fantastic. Emma joins Cia for a conversation about transformative storytelling and Dungeons & Dragons. This popular roleplaying game is more than dice rolling and rulebooks; it's a powerful way to tell stories and explore the fantasy genre.  You don’t need to be half-elf edge-lord rogue, or a gnome cleric with a strong moral compass to enjoy this episode. But you may start to rethink your relationship with your favourite fantasy texts, or even pick up some dice... Follow Emma on X @ohlookdragons and find out more about Emma’s researchFollow @UofGFantasy on X and Instagram for news and updates from the Centre for Fantasy and the Fantastic.  Learn more about the Centre for Fantasy and the Fantastic, their research and their upcoming events. Find out more about the Fantasy MLitt and apply at https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/fantasy/  

How can walking help us to understand Glasgow’s hidden histories of empire? Dr Rosie Spooner has been leading critical heritage walking tours of Glasgow since 2017. Centring on Kelvingrove Park and Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, the walks explore how Glasgow’s built environment and museum collections have been shaped by its involvement in chattel slavery, colonization and imperialism Dr Spooner joins Cia to share how these tours use walking as a decolonial heritage practice. The walks examine the ‘hidden’ histories of empire in these popular locations, and how this past has shaped Glasgow’s built environment and museum collections.  Find out more about Dr Rosie Spooner and her research. Register free for Rosie’s walks as part of Black History Month in Scotland Saturday 7 October 2023, 14:30 – 16:30: Museums, Empire & Difficult Heritage at Kelvingrove Art Gallery & MuseumPlease note that the walk of the park on Saturday 7 October 2023 has been rescheduled to Saturday 21 October. Book: Tracing Glasgow’s Imperial Past in Kelvingrove Park  Rosie will also be running the walks on Saturday 12 November as part of a programme of events being organised to coincide with the opening of a new exhibition at Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum called Glasgow: City of Empire. Booking links will be shared via @UofGArtsHums social channels when they are available.   To find out more about the Museum Studies MSc and apply, visit https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/museumstudies/  Follow @UofGInfoStudies on X to keep up to date with the latest news and updates from Information Studies, including Rosie’s work and next walks.