Joanna Rodgers
‘One Island’s Harvest: Heritage, Diaspora & Ancestral Tourism to Tiree’
Supervised by Dr Iain Robertson and Professor Peter Varley (Western Norway University of Applied Sciences)
Joanna joined the UHI Centre for History in October 2016. Her PhD research explores the interplay between heritage and diaspora/ancestral tourism in Scotland, through a multi-sited ethnographic study focused upon Tiree. The inner Hebridean island is claimed as a homeland by a self-described “Tiree diaspora” living around the world and residents have twice organised a community “Homecoming” for such visitors. Using the Homecoming events as a starting point, Joanna seeks to understand both residents’ and diaspora tourists’ perceptions of and engagements with personal, local and national heritages.
Joanna joined the Centre for History from the Museum of the University of St Andrews, a 5-star heritage attraction where she spent three years in the Operations & Public Engagement team. Prior to this she was awarded an MA (Hons.) in International Relations and Modern History, and an M.Litt in Modern History, both at the University of St Andrews.
Joanna is delighted to return to the Highlands & Islands, having left Lochaber after school. Outwith her studies she makes the most of everything the area offers – wild camping, island-hopping, hill-running and the vibrant traditional music scene.
This project is funded by the European Social Fund and Scottish Funding Council as part of Developing Scotland’s Workforce in the Scotland 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Fund Programme.