UHI hosts world’s first academic conference on community landownership
The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) hosted the world's first academic conference dedicated to community landownership on 16 and 17 June 2026.
Organised by the Community Landownership Academic Network (CLAN) and hosted by the Centre for Mountain Studies at UHI Perth, the conference marked a significant milestone for a growing field of research helping to shape policy and practice in Scotland and internationally.
The inaugural CLAN Gathering welcomed over 80 researchers, policymakers and practitioners from across Scotland and around the world for two days of presentations, panel discussions and workshops centred on the theme: 'What we know, and what we need to learn: History, policy and practice of community land.'
The programme examined the history, policy and practice of community landownership, covering topics including land, housing, community energy, sustainability and governance, as well as the role of research in informing public policy.
Delegates from South Africa and Tanzania shared perspectives on land reform, demonstrating both the common challenges and unique contexts facing communities across different countries.
The conference also featured a keynote conversation between Professor Emeritus Jim Hunter and land reform campaigner and former MSP Andy Wightman, two of Scotland's most influential voices on land reform. Together, they reflected on the history of community landownership, the progress made through land reform and the opportunities that lie ahead.
Professor Emeritus Jim Hunter of the UHI Centre for History said:
"It was wonderful to be among so many people engaging so productively with community landownership – something I've been involved with for a very long time. It was really good to see so many folk, especially so many young folk, really getting to grips with the topic.”
Denis Mpagaze of St Augustine University of Tanzania said:
"This is a kind of network which links the researchers and the community, something we don’t have in Tanzania. We have a lot of research findings; they are nowhere to be seen in the community. So, I’m going to establish this.”
Julia Rolim of Development Trusts Association Scotland said:
"My favourite thing about attending the CLAN network conference has been the opportunity to compare the Scottish land reform movement to other international movements, specifically from a post-colonial lens, and that’s given me a lot to reflect on.”
Bobby Macaulay, CLAN Coordinator and Research Fellow at the UHI Perth Centre for Mountain Studies, said:
"This was an incredible event, outlining the vast breadth of research activity in the area of community land. CLAN seeks to facilitate and coordinate mutually beneficial engagement between researchers, communities and other stakeholders in order to address gaps in our knowledge and state confidently when those gaps have been filled. It is greatly heartening to see so many people present their work, engage with others and help to build this area of research.”
The conference was supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, UHI Land and Communities, the Scottish Historical Review Trust and UHI Perth.
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