On 24 September the School of History of the University of St Andrews will host Scotland’s first ever Researchers’ Night (3pm-11pm). A Researchers’ Night is a European Commission-funded event held simultaneously in different academic institutions throughout the EU. It aims to celebrate research activities, stimulate interest in research among a wide non-academic audience and encourage the consideration of research as a profession. In St Andrews Researchers’ Night 2010 will showcase the numerous and diverse research topics examined by historians. There will be a wide range of exciting and informative events from 3pm onwards which will include public lectures by leading scholars, children’s activities and guided tours at the Museum of the University of St. Andrews (MUSA), dramatised readings, exhibitions, a wine reception and live music in the historic Parliament Hall of St. Andrews. A special emphasis will be placed on Professor Steve Murdoch’s research project ‘Scotland and the Wider World’ who, with his project team, will offer demonstrations and trial sessions of the ‘Scotland, Scandinavia and Northern Europe, 1580-1707’ – Database, a compendium of biographical information of more than 7000 Scottish men and women which can also be used as a genealogical tool.

All activities and events are free of charge, but some require booking. For those who cannot make it to St Andrews on the day there will be podcasts and live-streamed lectures available online.