I am a freelance consultant with a focus on community-based research, heritage practice and community engagement. 

My academic background is in contemporary Scottish social and cultural history. An early focus on themes of "community" and "heritage" has persisted even as my career has since evolved in more present-centred and socially-engaged directions. These themes were central to my PhD research, which used participatory visual methodologies to explore local residents’ experiences of mass tourism around the North Coast 500 touring route. "Community" and "heritage" were also important elements of my earlier work, including an oral history of the fishing industry in the East Neuk of Fife and a study of community action in a working-class area of Glasgow during the 1970’s. Each of these projects involved close partnership with communities, archival and oral sources and participatory research methods to understand the past and make it accessible. 

I have continued to focus on similar themes in freelance work across the heritage, community and rural development sectors. I am passionate about using my skills as a communicator, thinker and researcher to help generate constructive dialogue and practical solutions around critical issues facing local communities.

After five years living in Caithness and Sutherland while I worked on my PhD, I now live in Leith. In my free time I follow the ups and downs of Hibernian Football Club and can often be found out walking Scotland’s hills, glens and coastlines. I also serve as a volunteer trustee for the Scottish Community Heritage Alliance, a registered charity that seeks to provide support, advocacy and networking for Scotland’s grassroots heritage organisations.