Research

My research explores the relationships between place, story, identity and heritage, with a particular focus on northern and coastal contexts. I am especially interested in how communities understand themselves through landscape, language and memory, and how these narratives are interpreted, shared and preserved.

In January 2026, I began a second Masters degree: an MLitt in Coastal and Maritime Societies and Cultures with the University of the Highlands and Islands. The course is deepening my skills in historical research, archival practice and historiography, while continuing to develop the themes that have shaped my work to date. My current areas of interest include coastal histories; women’s voices and community memory; cultural heritage tourism; Scottish–Nordic connections; and the ways storytelling shapes a sense of place.

Alongside my studies, I work in cultural heritage and tourism, focusing on projects that bring history into public spaces through interpretation, digital storytelling and collaborative community research. I also remain connected to UHI as an Associate Researcher.

Broadly, my research interests include:

  • Northern, coastal and island identities

  • Storytelling, folklore and cultural memory

  • Women’s history and community narratives

  • Place-based heritage and interpretation

  • Cultural heritage tourism

  • Scottish–Nordic cultural connections

My long-term aim is to contribute to public history and scholarly storytelling, bringing together academic research, creative interpretation and community perspectives to illuminate the histories of northern places.

Presentations

  • Morrison, K. (2026) The Sea as Exile and Belonging: Women’s Stories of Scotland’s Coasts. Paper presented at the St Magnus Conference, University of the Highlands and Islands - Institute for Northern Studies, Perth, April 2026.

  • Morrison, K, and Murray, K (Dr) (2026) – Living Maps, Living Communities: Digital Mapping and Evolving Scottish Identities. Paper presented at the Mapping Identities: Visual Depictions of Scotland Conference, University of the Highlands and Islands - Institute for Northern Studies, (presented remotely) February 2026.

  • Morrison, K. (2025) Mapping Coastal Identities: Community Narratives & Digital Cartography. Paper presented at the Mapping Identities: Visual Depictions of Scotland workshop (Identity), University of the Highlands and Islands - Institute for Northern Studies, Edinburgh, April 2025.

  • Morrison, K. (2024) Intangible Knowledge Transmission. Invited speaker at the Transnational Island Museologies Conference, University of St Andrews (presented remotely), June 2024.

  • Morrison, K. (2023) The Power of Stories to Bring Us Together, Even When We Are Apart. Invited speaker on the COAST project at the Association of Heritage Interpretation Conference, Lincoln (presented remotely), October 2023.