Funding success: 'Performative Blackness and Black Histories in Scotland'

We are delighted to share the news that Dr Rochelle Rowe, Lecturer in Black British History in the School of History, Classics & Archaeology, has been awarded an AHRC Catalyst Grant for her project 'Performative Blackness and Black Histories in Scotland, 1839-1939'. Taking a decolonial approach to exploring histories of performance culture in Scotland, Dr Rowe is examining how blackness was performed on stage in both professional and amateur contexts. Her success exemplifies how collaboration during the early stages of development can lead to impactful interdisciplinary projects.   

Records pertaining to historical representations of blackness in performance have not been catalogued to reflect their relevance to Black British and Scottish history. To address this gap in institutionalised knowledge, Dr Rowe will be conducting extensive archival work to identify, analyse, and document these records, which she will then store in a searchable relational database. With research software engineering support from CDCS, the database will be made available online via the project's website and will include textual data, high-resolution images, and maps.  Dr Rowe is also establishing a network for cultural institutions and professionals on the theme of researching Black Histories in Scotland. She has partnered with the National Library of Scotland in addition to special collections and archives at the University of Glasgow and Edinburgh City Library and the University’s own Centre for Research Collections. A series of network events, including a conference, a workshop series, and a public exhibition, will be taking place.  

In 2023, Dr Rowe participated in our Digital Research Sandpit where, in collaboration with CDCS experts and other participants, she refined her research question and explored ideas for her project's digital elements. After the sandpit, Dr Rowe worked with CDCS colleagues to create a prototype data architecture and explore software and methods for cataloguing, analysing, displaying, and mapping archival records. During this prototyping phase, which took place over several meetings with the team, we supported Dr Rowe in identifying suitable software, platforms, and data structures for her project. Time spent prototyping strengthened Dr Rowe's funding application as she was able to specifically describe the digital elements of her project in her application, along with include costings for CDCS support.  We look forward to working with Dr Rowe, when her project begins later this year.