Description
When a participant in an academic event describes having had an “amazing time” and it having been “one of the most interesting days in my life”, it highlights the potential of our universities to have a positive influence on the world beyond the walls of the offices or lecture rooms where we spend much of our working lives.The ‘Unheard Voices, Unseen Communities: Perspectives on Polish Ethnicity in Scotland’ workshop took place one year to the day after the UK referendum on Brexit. It aimed to encourage frank, critical, open discussion about the impact of that vote on Poles and other EU citizens here, as well as broader reflection on the past, present and future of ‘Polishness’ across Scotland. It sought to position these debates, for the first time, within the Highlands and Islands.
Researchers, community activists and politicians (including two MSPs and the Polish Consul-General to Scotland, Dariusz Adler) presented on the already-visible effects of the 2016 referendum, on historical convergences and divergences between Scotland and Poland, and on other pertinent, pressing themes and issues such as language and mental health.
Several of the thirty-three speakers and non-speaking attendees provided insightful critical evaluations of the event. Maree Todd MSP, co-convenor of the Cross Party Group on Poland at the Scottish Parliament, who presented in Panel One, wrote:
“It was quite an emotional day – particularly when we were hearing from people whose families had fought with the UK in the second world war and stayed here afterwards. They have faced many challenges over the decades – not least being separated from family by the iron curtain – and now face uncertain times again because of Brexit. There was plenty for me to empathise with… …As a typical Highlander, my family has plenty of stories of migration and feeling worried about using Gaelic outside the home! It was particularly lovely to be able to go along to an event like this at a University in the Highlands – a University which might never have come into existence without EU membership.”
Krystyna Szumelukowa, a former town planner with considerable experience of working on projects related to the UK’s links with Poland, “took great encouragement from the positive actions being taken to confront the challenges facing the Polish community in Scotland.” Jenny Robertson, author and poet, considered that “at this time of huge indecision” the workshop “brought both realism and encouragement.” For Antony Kozłowski, a leading figure in the Polish community in Scotland, it was “an uplifting and inspiring event.”
Other topics discussed at the one-day conference included the portrayal of Poles in TV dramas, suicide and use of English among Poles in Scotland, while one panel focused on current research and potential heritage possibilities relating to Scots who migrated to Poland in earlier centuries.
On balance, most agreed that there is scope to build on this foundation, to bring the same group together again, to seek to do something much larger, and/or to look at other cases in addition to the Polish one with the aim of influencing public and curatorial policy. One speaker considered it a “credit to the University of the Highlands and Islands to be at the forefront of debate and research” on the themes in question. With Brexit already having a psychological impact on Scotland’s EU migrant communities, the macro-political situation looks likely to frame and influence this future activity.
Period | 23 Jun 2017 |
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Event type | Workshop |
Location | Inverness, United KingdomShow on map |
Documents & Links
Related content
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Research output
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British and Irish experiences and impressions of central Europe, c.1560-1688
Research output: Book/Report › Book
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‘Unfinished work and damaged materials’: historians and the Scots in the Commonwealth of Poland–Lithuania (1569–1795)
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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The Scots in Poland in Memory and History
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review
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'All our dear countrymen'? British and Irish expatriates east of the Rhine as recorded in the 'Triennial Travels' of James Fraser of Kirkhill (1634-1709)
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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'Men of noe credit'? Scottish Highlanders in Poland-Lithuania, c.1500-1800
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed)
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Activities
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BBC News (Feature) - 'Event to Examine Issues Affecting Poles'
Activity: KE and Outreach activities › Types of Public engagement and outreach - Media article or participation
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The Press and Journal (Feature) - 'Inverness to Host Novel Polish Event'
Activity: KE and Outreach activities › Types of Public engagement and outreach - Media article or participation
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Polish Heritage Day (Inverness) - day of events (eg. Polish and Scottish food, performances, bouncy castle and facepainting) celebrating part of Polish community in British public life
Activity: KE and Outreach activities › Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition
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Press and Journal (Article) - 'Brexit concern for Polish people in Scotland discussed at city event'
Activity: KE and Outreach activities › Types of Public engagement and outreach - Media article or participation
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Emito.net (Feature) - '„Niesłyszane głosy, niewidziane społeczności”: o polskości w Szkocji'
Activity: KE and Outreach activities › Types of Public engagement and outreach - Media article or participation
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Trading Places: Comparing and Collecting the Scottish Commercial Diaspora
Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in workshop, seminar, course