School of History, Classics & Archaeology

Global migrations of Scots since 1600

Former Prime Minister and History alumnus The Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP will speak at our public conference, exploring the influence of Scottish people across the world, in Edinburgh, July 2014.

Gordon Brown at the University in 2011

‘Global Migrations of the Scottish People’ is being organised by the Scottish Centre for Diaspora Studies, School of History, Classics, and Archaeology, University of Edinburgh, in partnership with the Scottish Government and National Museums Scotland.

Academic excellence, open to all

The event will take place in the National Museum of Scotland, 4-6 July 2014, as part of next year’s Homecoming Celebrations.

As well as Mr Brown, who received his First Class Honours degree and PhD in History at the University, a number of leading Scottish and international scholars will take part.

The conference is open to all and free to attend.

Scots shaping history across the world

Topics under discussion will include whether Scotland’s migrations have been a profit or loss to the homeland, Scotland’s links to slavery and modern migrations, from the Second World War to the present day.

Professor Tom Devine, Director of the Scottish Centre for Diaspora Studies, said: “Emigration from Scotland not only shaped the history of this country but left its stamp on many countries across the world where the Scots settled over the centuries.

“This exciting conference with a galaxy of academic stars will be the most significant ever held to discuss the nature, origins and impact of this truly global phenomenon.”

Exhibition

Alongside the conference will be an exhibition of the work of the Centre’s Artist in Residence, Catriona Taylor, on Polish immigration to Scotland.

“The assortment of topics is sure to provide the audience with a fascinating insight into Scotland's contribution to the modern world. 2014 is a year when Scotland takes global centre stage for a number of reasons. I look forward to the conference during this exciting year and hearing the captivating discussions that will be generated from the speakers and audiences alike”.

Fiona HyslopMSP, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs

Book now

Tickets are available to book online via the link below. All lectures are free and open to the public.