A new podcast series has been launched to showcase the links between Scotland and Europe, from the medieval period to the present day. The podcast, called Scotland and Europe: Cultural Encounters, is produced by the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies (CMRS) and features interviews with experts from various disciplines and institutions.
The aim of the podcast
The podcast aims to highlight the rich and diverse connections that Scotland has had with Europe over the centuries, and how they have shaped its culture, identity, and politics. The podcast also hopes to foster a dialogue between academics and the wider public, and to encourage curiosity and engagement with Scotland’s European heritage.
The podcast is hosted by Dr. Anouk Busset, a lecturer in Celtic and Scottish Studies at the University of Edinburgh, and Dr. Anna Groundwater, a senior lecturer in History at the same university. They are both members of the CMRS and have a keen interest in Scotland’s European relations.
The episodes of the podcast
The podcast consists of six episodes, each focusing on a different theme or aspect of Scotland’s interactions with Europe. The episodes are:
- Episode 1: Scotland and Europe in the Middle Ages. This episode explores the political, religious, and cultural ties that Scotland had with Europe in the medieval period, from the Viking invasions to the Wars of Independence.
- Episode 2: Scotland and Europe in the Renaissance. This episode examines the artistic, intellectual, and diplomatic exchanges that Scotland had with Europe in the Renaissance, from the court of James IV to the Reformation.
- Episode 3: Scotland and Europe in the Enlightenment. This episode investigates the scientific, philosophical, and literary contributions that Scotland made to Europe in the Enlightenment, from the Scottish universities to the French salons.
- Episode 4: Scotland and Europe in the Romantic Era. This episode looks at the emotional, imaginative, and nationalistic connections that Scotland had with Europe in the Romantic era, from the Ossian poems to the Napoleonic wars.
- Episode 5: Scotland and Europe in the Modern Age. This episode discusses the social, economic, and political links that Scotland has had with Europe in the modern age, from the Industrial Revolution to the European Union.
- Episode 6: Scotland and Europe in the Future. This episode reflects on the current and future challenges and opportunities that Scotland faces in relation to Europe, from the Brexit referendum to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The guests of the podcast
The podcast features a range of guests who are experts in their fields and have a passion for Scotland and Europe. Some of the guests include:
- Professor Roger Mason, a historian and former director of the CMRS, who talks about Scotland and Europe in the Middle Ages.
- Dr. Nicola Royan, a lecturer in English Literature and a co-editor of the Journal of the Northern Renaissance, who talks about Scotland and Europe in the Renaissance.
- Professor Murray Pittock, a professor of Literature and a leading authority on the Scottish Enlightenment, who talks about Scotland and Europe in the Enlightenment.
- Dr. Valentina Bold, a lecturer in Scottish Ethnology and a specialist in Scottish song and folklore, who talks about Scotland and Europe in the Romantic Era.
- Dr. Juliette Pattinson, a lecturer in History and a researcher on the Second World War and the Cold War, who talks about Scotland and Europe in the Modern Age.
- Dr. Eve Hepburn, a senior lecturer in Politics and International Relations and a co-founder of the European Futures blog, who talks about Scotland and Europe in the Future.
How to listen to the podcast
The podcast is available to listen to on various platforms, such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and SoundCloud. The podcast also has a website, where listeners can find more information about the episodes, the guests, and the CMRS. The website is here
The podcast is supported by the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the University of Edinburgh’s College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. The podcast is part of the CMRS’s wider programme of activities, which include seminars, workshops, conferences, publications, and public outreach events.
The podcast is a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in learning more about the history and culture of Scotland and Europe, and the complex and dynamic relationship between them.
