About the Centre for Nordic Studies
The Orkney and Shetland Islands, along with Caithness on the Scottish mainland, are identified primarily in terms of their Nordic cultural and linguistic heritage.
The work of the Centre for Nordic Studies will rediscover, preserve and interpret local culture for future generations.
The centre has the following four strategic aims
- To promote and publicise research in Nordic 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.
The project meets a range of strategic aims, both regionally and nationally. These include specified UHI objectives; HIE priorities as identified in its Operational Plan; SHEFC's research funding priorities; Orkney College's objective to establish a research profile in UHI in specified subject areas; the Scottish Executive's Cultural Policy and Tourism Framework for Action; the Nordic Council; and priorities from the Shetland Cultural Strategy.