History

Atlantic Archipelagos Research Consortium

The Atlantic Archipelagos Consortium (AARC) originated from the Atlantic Archipelagos Research Project, formed in October 2010 as part of ECLIPSE and in partnership with the Moore Institute for Research in the Humanities and Social Studies (National University of Ireland, Galway). It has now grown into a larger consortium of international partners. Our members come from various universities around the world, including University of Oxford, University of York, University of Nottingham, University of Georgia, University of Liverpool, University of Limerick, Emory University, University of Glasgow, Clemson University, University of Exeter, Arizona State University, University of Edinburgh, Cardiff University, University of Dundee, Fairfield University, University of Aberdeen, University of Notre Dame, Stanford University, Queen’s University Belfast, Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, and University College Cork.

Our aim is to imagine, map, and develop the identities, cartographies and cultural ecologies of the Atlantic Archipelago.

In order to do this, we will:

• Take an interdisciplinary view on how Britain’s post-devolution state inflects the formation of post-split Welsh, Scottish and English identities in the context of Ireland’s own experience of partition and self-rule.
• Consider the significance of this island grouping to the understanding of a Europe that exists in a range of configurations; from large scale political union, to provinces, dependencies, and micro-nationalist regions (such as Cornwall), each with their contribution and presence.
• Reconsider relations across our island grouping in light of issues regarding the management and use of the environment.

Questions AARC will ask include:

• How do old ideas of the British Isles relate to identities emerging from a range of more complex configurations?
• Can new (and old) relations across traditional borders and boundaries tell us different stories about the cultural economies of a place that an over-arching nationalism does not do justice?
• By focusing attention on the periphery and its network of connections across the archipelago, can we see a different picture emerging? One of a rich and diverse heritage that may not yet have the right framework for representation?

The Atlantic Archipelagos Research Consortium has been formed to build and develop such a framework through the organisation of conferences, lectures and summer schools for early stage researchers, and through the publication of articles and books. An initial priority is to develop research interests in and around the work of cartographer and author Tim Robinson. AARC funding will be sought from UKRCs, the EU, and charitable bodies.