The Second World War Network (Scotland) formally launched in April 2021. Dr Wendy Ugolini, School of History, Classics and Archaeology and Professor Tobias Kelly, School of Social & Political Science, were awarded a Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) Arts & Humanities Research Network Award to run a Second World War Network in Scotland. Previously, in 2019 they hosted the ‘New Directions in Second World War Studies’ interdisciplinary workshop which brought together researchers in the field to discuss their work and to flag up themes which would be of importance during the 80th anniversary commemorations of the conflict (2019-2025).

Following a suspension of activities due to Covid-19, the Network moved online and curated a series of events, including Expert Round Tables on ‘New Texts/New Themes‘ and the British Empire and the Second World War; and a series of Second World War Conversations panels covering East Asia, the Mediterranean Theatre and North America. In addition, the Network presented Puir Bliddy Swaddies, an evening celebrating Scottish poets of the Second World War and an public lecture by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission addressing Second World War commemoration. The Network also launched an online coffee morning for postgraduate researchers and a PGR showcase event. Our most recent event was the 2023 conference, From the Personal to the Global, hosted in conjunction with the Second World War Research Group.

Dr Ugolini and Professor Kelly work in partnership with Dr Calum Robertson, National Museums Scotland as well as other key partners including the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.