Ulster-Scots in the Americas

The Institute of Ulster- Scots Studies includes among its aims:

To explore the experience of the Ulster- Scots diaspora and its significant influence on the history of the modern world with particular reference to North America.

To this end, the Institute established an International Research Network in Washington DC on April 5, 2001, (see press releases in About Us) with several American Univerities and is now currently working with -
 
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
New Zealand - University of Wellington, Canterbury University, Christchurch, University of Waikato, University of Victoria, Massey University, Palmerston North Auckland

As part of this network, the Annual Ulster- Scots Lecture Series was established. The following lectures were presented last year as part of the series:

• Professor David Wilson, Department of Celtic Studies, St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto: Ulster- Scots and the United Irishmen
  
  
• Professor Kevin James, Department of History, University of Guelph: Ulster- Scots Entrepreneurs: The Shirt Industry in Londonderry.
  
  
• Professor Anita Puckett, Virginia Tech/ Visiting Professor at the Institute of Ulster-Scots Studies: Institute of Ulster- Scots Studies in the USA, A Research Agenda

This series prompted reciprocal activity in Toronto and a seminar series has now been established in St Michael’s College.

Additionally Professor David Wilson of St Michael’s College is embarking on a joint project with the  Institute of Ulster-Scots Studies to transcribe and publish the Caldwell papers relating to Ulster- Scots political and intellectual history in eighteenth- century Ireland. Professor Betty Fine of Virginia Tech has begun to explore comparatively the folklore of Ulster and Virginia and has invited collaboration with the Verbal Arts Centre in Derry and Institute of Ulster-Scots Studies.