“For me, this made it especially challenging to piece together some of the details of Arne’s earlier career, as well as track down and contact his colleagues and friends from before his time at Edinburgh.”
“But it was brilliant to see that everyone I reached out to was delighted to be a part of the volume, whether as an author, peer-reviewer, or even just to add their name to the list of well-wishers. All in all, the amiable nature of the editorial process made it a very fulfilling experience, which was strengthened by the support of SSNS as publisher.”
Working together to manage a big project
Aside from their time at LLC, Ian and Chris know each other from their work with SSNS. They both started out by helping at events and conferences and are now on the Society’s committee together.
As Ian is a full-time translator and Chris an experienced editor, the pair were confident taking on the festschrift project.
It took two years from idea to publication, and they reveal that the process was made easier due to their years at Edinburgh. Ian says: “The ability to work with large volumes of text and manage a long-term project are things that I find easier in working life thanks to my PhD."
Chris echoes this: “There was a lot more work involved than we originally anticipated. My PhD at Edinburgh and subsequent work as an academic have been more than useful, as it allows me to productively manage lengthier projects like this without losing track of any one individual element.”
They both agree that it’s important to work with the right person: “Ian has been a brilliant co-conspirator throughout the entire process to coordinate and compare notes with.”
Similarly, Ian is full of praise for Chris: “He has been a superb partner and cheerleader in this project, adding more energy and insight whenever it was needed.”
“Scandinavian Studies brought us together”
After finishing an undergraduate degree in Scandinavian Studies in 2011, Ian considered it to be a “no brainer” to stick around for the MSc in Translation Studies: “Swedish was only available at two universities in the UK, and similarly, Edinburgh was the only place I applied to do a PhD. By then, Scandinavian Studies felt like home thanks to the supportive staff.”
Chris, originally from the Netherlands, came to Scotland in 2012 to do an MSc in Medieval History at the School of History, Classics and Archaeology. He took a number of courses in Scandinavian Studies before embarking on his PhD journey in 2014 to investigate viking activity in continental Europe, underlining the interdisciplinary nature of study at LLC.
He’s currently a British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Liverpool and has continued his work as a researcher of the viking world.
“My choice to stay for my PhD had a lot to do with the University’s broad range of expertise and its interdisciplinary approach to research. My own work often straddled the line between History and Scandinavian Studies, and I was always made to feel especially welcome and supported by the latter.”
Like Chris, Ian highlights the interdisciplinary approach at LLC: “In which other fields would I have ever met Chris as a colleague? Scandinavian Studies brought us together.”
Chris recalls “countless fond memories from my time spent at LLC,” and just like anyone who has had the chance to work in 50 George Square, he confesses: “I certainly haven’t had an office with a more spectacular view since!”
