Nordic Research News
The latest research news in DELC: Scandinavian Studies
2017 SWEA International Stipend winner announced
Scandinavian Studies congratulates Ian Giles, who has been awarded SWEA’s prestigious International Stipend for Research on Swedish Language, Literature and Society.
One of our 4th year doctoral candidates in Scandinavian Studies, Ian Giles, has been awarded the prestigious International Stipend for Research on Swedish Language, Literature and Society in 2017 by the Swedish Women’s Educational Association International (SWEA). This stipend is awarded annually to just one doctoral researcher working outside of Sweden by SWEA – this year the announcement was made at SWEA’s global AGM in Rome on 1 April.
Ian has spent his entire academic career at the University of Edinburgh, having joined us in 2007 to study on our MA (Hons) programme in Scandinavian Studies. He subsequently undertook an MSc in Translation Studies in which he specialised in Swedish, before starting his PhD in 2013. Alongside his research interests, Ian is also a literary translator and was shortlisted for the Crime Writers’ Association International Dagger in 2015, and he is Treasurer of the Swedish-English Literary Translators’ Association.
Ian’s research focuses on the international transmission and literary reception of Scandinavian books in English translation to the UK over the last 100 years. His research draws on a variety of theoretical approaches, with a particular emphasis on function-oriented descriptive translation studies and polysystem theory. His work is based on a series of case studies examining various Scandinavian authors and works, and their transmission to the UK, and it grapples with the issue of whether there is any particular formula for success when Scandinavia exports its literary products to Britain.
Ian said ‘I’m thrilled to have been selected by SWEA to receive this distinguished stipend. It goes without saying that this funding will be a great help in enabling me to cross the finishing line in the final months of my doctorate, and will provide me with the opportunity to visit colleagues in Sweden for further discussion of my work.’
Dr Bjarne Thomsen, Reader in Danish, said: ‘I’m delighted that Ian has been selected to receive this prominent award. It is a prestigious recognition of the international relevance and innovative force of his research project and a testimony to his qualities as a Scandinavian Studies specialist and ambassador.’
Dr Alan Macniven, Head of Scandinavian Studies, said: ‘Edinburgh has an international reputation for excellence in the field of Nordic research. This is the second time in the past 5 years that SWEA has awarded their prestigious stipend to one our doctoral students. It confirms our venerable heritage of successful funding applications at PhD level, and demonstrates the vibrancy of our research environment for emerging scholars.
Ian will receive his stipend of USD 10,000 at a ceremony on 16 June in Helsingborg City Hall in Sweden.
You can read more about Ian's award on SWEA's website.