The objectives of Scottish Arctic Network are:
Establishment of a formal network of Scotland-based scientists and academics whose expertise and research interests revolve around Arctic matters and Scottish-Arctic collaboration;
Improved inter-institutional collaboration and communication on Arctic research in Scotland, with more agile responses to new opportunities and an increase in collaborative grant applications;
Increased international and domestic awareness of Scotland’s contribution to Arctic research;
Enhanced promotion of Scotland’s Arctic academic expertise both in Scotland and internationally;
Increased engagement with similar academic networks in Arctic countries;
Encourage and support further Scottish higher education institutions to join the University of the Arctic network.
Terms of Reference
In 2023, the ScAN Steering Group adopted the Terms of Reference.
Steering Group
ScAN is run by a Steering Group and an organising committee.
ScAN Steering Group provides strategic planning and oversight of the Network’s activities and comprises a chair, one representative from each of the Scottish Universities which are also UArctic members, an Early Career representative, a representative of the Scottish Alliance for Geoscience and Society, and a representative of the Scottish Government Nordic and Arctic Unit. The ScAN Steering Group for 2025-2026 are:
Samantha Lister
Chair
As Director of the Global Office at the University of St Andrews, Samantha Lister provides leadership and co-ordination for a range of global activities which enhance student experience, academic reputation and research connectivity internationally. Samantha has an MA (Hons) degree in German and International Relations, and an MLitt in Cultural Identity Studies, with a focus on Higher Education and cultural identity.
David G. Anderson
University of Aberdeen
Prof David G. Anderson is the UArctic Chair of the Anthropology of the North based at the University of Aberdeen. He is a field anthropologist who has worked in Northern Canada, Scandinavia, and in several regions of the Russian Arctic. He also publishes in archaeology, environmental history, and the history of anthropology. He is commissioning editor for Routledge’s book series Arctic Worlds and sits on the editorial board of several Arctic journals
Laura Hobbs
Representative of the Scottish Alliance for Geoscience and Society
Dr Laura Hobbs is a marine ecologist using bioacoustics and a life history model to investigate how underwater light drives variability in zooplankton migrations, and the impacts of sea ice loss and artifical light pollution. She works at the Scottish Association for Marine Science, and represents the University of the Highlands and Islands on the ScAN steering group.
Elsa Cox
Robert Gordon University
Elsa Cox joined RGU as Orkney Development Manager in 2018. Focusing on remote, rural and island practice, she works across the University to promote place-based approaches to research, teaching and learning, student activity and skills and entrepreneurship, with a focus on local stakeholder engagement. Elsa leads on the University’s Arctic-related initiatives, building on historic links with Orkney and the North.
Professor David Gray
Robert Gordon University
Charlotte Kedslie
University of Glasgow
Charlotte is the Head of International Relations at the University of Glasgow and supports the delivery of the Global Glasgow International Strategy 2025 and leads the management of key strategic international initiatives, which includes driving meaningful engagement in international networks. As a member of professional services staff, she has experience of facilitating and developing international collaboration at institutional level. Charlotte is the lead contact for UArctic at the University and is happy to be contacted by researchers looking to connect – please get in touch if you want to know more.
Holger Nehring
University of Stirling
Holger Nehring is Professor of Contemporary European History at the University of Stirling. He is interested in the history and heritage of the Cold War in the High North, in particular with regard to infrastructure and the more general question of geopolitics and heritage. Together with Sam Alberti (PI, National Museums Scotland), he led the AHRC-funded project ‘Materialising the Cold War’.
Professor Jacques Hartmann
University of Dundee
Jacques Hartmann is Professor of International Law at the University of Dundee. He is a generalist international lawyer whose research covers the Arctic, the law of the sea, international security and human rights, as well as treaty law and state responsibility. His work on the Arctic has examined questions of shipping, maritime governance and the application of international law in the region.
Tessa Bell
University of Edinburgh
Tessa Bell is a Senior Partnerships Advisor at the University of Edinburgh. Tessa is the lead contact for UArctic at the University and co-ordinates the Edinburgh Arctic Research Network which has representation across a wide range of disciplines. Please get in touch if you want to find out more about Edinburgh/Arctic connections.
Heidi Vironen
University of Strathclyde
Heidi Vironen is a Senior Knowledge Exchange Fellow at the European Policies Research Centre (EPRC) of the University of Strathclyde. She leads EPRC’s work on the Arctic and is the University’s representative for UArctic and ScAN. She has worked on a wide range of research projects focussing on the regional economic development policy issues of the Nordic/Arctic countries, including territorial cooperation policies and programmes, as well as Scottish Arctic links.
Donna Heddle
University of Highlands and Islands
Prof Donna Heddle (MA (Hons) PhD FRSE FHEA FSA Scot FRSA) is Director of the University of the Highlands and Islands Institute for Northern Studies, which is based in Kirkwall, Lerwick, and Perth. She is also Head of Research Environment and Culture at UHI and interim Dean of Research and Innovation. Donna leads on the development of the university’s Arctic strategy which includes the development of an Arctic Gateway Hub. Her research interests include Northern and Arctic language and literature, and cultural tourism.
Beth Langley
Early Career Representative
Beth is an Environmental Science PhD researcher at the University of Glasgow, focusing on carbon dynamics within Arctic marine ecosystems. Her research primarily investigates carbon burial in marine sediments in Greenlandic fjords. Beth also serves on the committee for the UK Polar Network, where she fosters networking opportunities and promotes an inclusive environment for early-career polar researchers.
Lauren McWhinnie
Heriot-Watt University
Dr. Lauren McWhinnie is a marine biologist and geographer. Her research focuses on how we can mitigate and better manage the impacts of human activities on marine environments. This work focuses on developing spatial planning tools and management strategies that reduces the impacts and risks associated with vessel traffic on marine mammals, and more specifically, whales. McWhinnie is an Assistant Professor at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh and an Adjunct Professor and member of the Faculty of Graduate Studies within the Department of Geography, University of Victoria, Canada.
Simon Cook
University of Dundee
Simon Cook is a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Science at the University of Dundee. His research focuses on the response of glacial environments to climate change, incorporating elements of glaciology, geomorphology and natural hazard science. Simon’s fieldwork has taken him to Svalbard, Arctic Sweden, Iceland and Norway, though his work also covers other areas of the Arctic, including Alaska and Greenland.
