The Front List: Val McDermid and Jo Sharp

Event date: 
Monday 17 August 2026
Time: 
15:00-16:00
Location: 
McEwan Hall, Bristo Square

Did you know that in the 17th century, Scotland tried to establish a colonial project in Panama? Hear acclaimed crime novelist Val McDermid and Geographer Royal for Scotland Jo Sharp chat with Allan Little about their fictional retelling of this surprising story from our country’s history. This Door of the Seas, framed through letters home, reveals Scotland’s colonial ambitions and how they ultimately failed, bankrupting the nation and setting Scotland on a path towards union with England.

Prof. Geoffrey Gorham: "Cadwallader Colden: A Neglected Scottish-American Nation-Maker"

Event date: 
Wednesday 15 July 2026
Time: 
13:00-14:00
Location: 
Seminar room, 2 Hope Park Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9NW

An IASH Work-in-Progress seminar, delivered by Professor Geoffrey Gorham (American Philosophical Association Fellow, 2026)

Cadwallader Colden: A Neglected Scottish-American Nation-Maker

The Scottish-American Cadwallader Colden (1688-1776) is a neglected constitutor of the nation of America, in a least three significant ways:

Introducing our summer intern: Jayni Makwana

June 9, 2026

Hello! My name is Jayni and I am very excited to be joining IASH and GENDER.ED as the Communications and Events Intern this summer. Since starting university, I have been particularly interested in intersectional and decolonial feminist theory, and more recently, I have also developed a keen interest in applying these theoretical frameworks to discussions around global health and medicine.