Professor John Wilson

Senior academics from the University of Ulster have taken part in  the foundation of the Atlantic Arc, a new collaborative research network studying the migration of Ulster-Scots, Scots and Irish to Canada and the US. 

The UU team were in Canada as part of a a 17-strong cross-border delegation to the province of New Brunswick, aimed at developing academic, cultural and economic co-operation across the Atlantic.

While in Canada, the UU delegation met North American academics to hold the inaugural meeting of the Atlantic ARC. The aim of the partnership is to facilitate research co-operation and the use of archives among institutes in Canada, USA and Europe.

UU’s Institute of Ulster-Scots Studies also wants to expand its research base to encompass not only Irish and Ulster-Scots emigrants but also Scots and Acadian diasporas and also to develop student and faculty exchanges.

During the week-long mission,  the delegates, including the Irish Ambassador to Canada, Declan Kelly, met  a wide range of public representatives to explore what linkages can be established.

In addition, former SDLP leader and Nobel Laureate, John Hume, holder of the Tip O’Neill Chair at UU’s Magee campus, and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin, received honorary degrees from St Thomas University.

As well as the UU academics, there were representaatives delegates from Derry City Council, Inishowen Rural Development Ltd, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (Irish Fisheries Board)/National Maritime College of Ireland and the National Museums of Northern Ireland.

Among other issues to be explored by the delegation are:

• Historical and cultural links between eastern Canada and Derry which could lead to genealogical and heritage tourism between the two regions.
• Sustainable energy education projects, eco-tourism, fisheries and aquaculture initiatives.
• Exchange of students in fisheries and aquaculture studies.
• Cultural tourism and migration studies.

For further information, please contact:

Trina Porter
Telephone: 028 71675511
Email: Trina Porter