Pioneering Solway Centre brings environment and cultural studies together

The University of Glasgow is launching a new interdisciplinary research centre that seeks to bring the study of environment and culture together. Based at the University of Glasgow's Dumfries Campus, the Solway Centre for Environment and Culture is the first of its kind in the UK. Natural scientists and cultural specialists work together, creating truly interdisciplinary courses and good collaboration. Initial projects include a project studying the impact of a spate of wildfires across the UK in the spring of 2011 and an archaeology project encouraging the local community to find out more about hidden, local archaeology. The Solway Centre is also keen to establish itself as a national centre for environmental art. Valentina Bold, the Director of the centre said "It seems fitting that the Solway Centre is opened in the part of the world where the word 'Environment' was created by Carlyle in 1826 and which has sustained creativity from the 'ploughman poet' Burns to modern land artists Jencks and Goldsworthy. We are very excited about the opportunities for cross collaboration that the new centre will bring to us all here in Dumfries." Building on the strong partnerships already created in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, the Solway Centre will continue to work closely with local partners and the community.