Organisation profile
Organisation profile
The Orkney and Shetland Islands, along with Caithness on the Scottish mainland, are identified primarily in terms of their nordic and northern cultural and linguistic heritage. The work of the Institute for Northern Studies is to rediscover, preserve and interpret local culture for future generations.
This interdisciplinary research centre has bases in both Orkney and Shetland.
The Institute has the following four strategic aims
- To promote and publicise research in Nordic and northern Studies, focusing on Orkney and Shetland studies.
- To promote Orkney and Shetland culture and stimulate debate. The Centre will provide educational opportunities at secondary and tertiary level for both local and external students.
- To provide an overarching focus for locative research in Orkney and Shetland, including their relationship to the North Atlantic Rim.
- To work in partnership with Orkney Islands Council, Shetland Islands Council, the HIE Network, and local bodies such as Shetland Amenity Trust to create a resource which will enhance and benefit local communities.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Our work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
-
SDG 1 No Poverty -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 4 Quality Education -
SDG 5 Gender Equality -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 14 Life Below Water -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions -
SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals
Fingerprint
Collaborations from the last five years
Profiles
-
-
Lynn Campbell
- Institute for Northern Studies - Programme Leader for SCS
Person: Academic - Teaching only
-
Rebecca Ford
- Institute for Northern Studies - Lecturer
Person: Academic - Research and Teaching or Research only
-
HerInDep: Heritage in Depopulated Areas
Lind, A. (PI) & Jennings, A. (PI)
1/05/23 → 1/05/26
Project: Research
-
Excavations at Anundshög, Sweden
Jonsson, K. (CoI), Bäck, M. (CoI), Lindeberg, M. (CoI) & Sanmark, A. (PI)
1/03/17 → …
Project: Research
-
NaS: The Norse and the Sea: The Maritime Cultural Landscape of Scandinavian Scotland (NaS)
Sanmark, A. (PI), McLeod, S. (Researcher), Kalmring, S. (PI), Wilken, D. (Researcher), Lu, E. (Researcher) & Jennings, A. (Researcher)
1/02/22 → 9/05/25
Project: Research
-
Carried through the rushes: FDEMI prospection on the Isle of Eigg, Scotland
Lu, E., Wilken, D., McLeod, S., Sanmark, A., Jennings, A. & Kalmring, S., 2025, In: Journal of Archaeometry. 49, 1, p. 223-226 4 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
From Periphery to Powerhouse: A New Policy Paradigm for Scotland's Islands
Jennings, A., 1 Sept 2025, 14 p..Research output: Policy briefing or response › Policy Briefing
Open AccessFile -
King’s Seat in Context: Early Medieval Landscape and Culture
Strachan, D., Tipping, R., Hall, M. A. & Plumb, O., 1 Jan 2025, King’s Seat, Dunkeld: Excavations of a Royal Centre of the Southern Picts, 2017-21. Archaeopress, p. 134-154 21 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
Activities
-
Outbreak of civil war in England – The importance of Ireland and Scotland
Lind, A. (Speaker)
15 May 2025Activity: Talk / Presentation / Podcast / Webinar › Podcast or webinar
-
Harvard University
Brink, S. (Visiting researcher)
4 Apr 2025Activity: Visiting an external institution › Visiting an external academic institution
-
Who Was the Heros Eponymous for the Svíar in Their Genealogical and Regnal List
Brink, S. (Speaker)
5 Apr 2025Activity: Talk / Presentation / Podcast / Webinar › Invited talk
Impacts
-
Kirkwall Township Heritage Initiative Viking Walk
Ljosland, R. (Participant), Sanmark, A. (Participant), Heddle, D. (Participant), Whitworth, V. (Participant), Barbara, C. (Participant), Owen, O. (Participant), Barrett, J. (Participant) & Gee, C. (Participant)
Impact: Economic or commercial Impacts
-
Student theses
-
Rognvald’s Compass: Navigating Inspiration from Orkneyinga Saga’s Imprint
Geddes, A. (Author), Heddle, D. (Supervisor) & Smith, K. (Supervisor), 23 Jul 2025Student thesis: Master's Thesis › Master of Research (awarded by UHI)
File -
To what extent do the writings of Archbishop Wulfstan of York demonstrate a survival of heathen practices?
Peach, J. M. (Author), Sanmark, A. (Supervisor) & Plumb, O. (Supervisor), 7 May 2024Student thesis: Master's Thesis › Master of Research (awarded by UHI)
File -
Tales of Borders
Wood, H. (Author), Jennings, A. (Supervisor), 19 Nov 2024Student thesis: Master's Thesis › Master of Research (awarded by UHI)
File