BBC seeks expert advice from Scottish historians

Published On Fri 31 Jan 2014 by Grant Hill

History researchers at the University of Dundee and Edinburgh Napier University have been selected as national academic experts for the BBC as part of the broadcaster's World War One at Home project.

Dr Derek Patrick and Dr Billy Kenefick, who were instrumental in setting up the Great War Dundee Commemorative Project 2014-2019, and Professor Alistair McCleery, from Edinburgh Napier University, will make up a three-strong team of academic advisers in Scotland.

Similar appointments, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), have been made in Wales, Northern Ireland and England.

The World War One at Home Project will tell the story of the First World War through the people whose lives were transformed - in their homes, schools, churches, theatres, streets and factories. More than 1400 stories, all linked to specific places, will be broadcast regionally and nationally throughout 2014. Between 100 and 150 of these stories will be based in Scotland.

Dr Patrick, Dr Kenefick and Professor McCleery will be working with editors, journalists and broadcasters to help source stories, advise on the war's impact on communities and highlight links with broader national and international events and themes.

Dr Patrick said, 'This is a fantastic opportunity to be involved with the BBC's national commemoration of the Great War. The War has huge significance for Scotland, and the World War One at Home Project is a chance to tell some of the stories that reflect the individuals' experience of the conflict, whether at home or in the trenches.'

Professor McCleery said, 'It is a privilege to be involved in such a wonderful initiative to ensure that the BBC's output on WWI reflects the significant cultural and social changes that took place in Scotland during and after WWI.

'The War was a watershed in the arts and in social attitudes, acting as a catalyst for some changes, accelerating others already underway.

'Both the BBC and the AHRC are to be congratulated for facilitating this tremendous opportunity for public engagement.'

World War One At Home is an ambitious, large-scale project that will bring powerful stories to life in a way never told before. It will uncover surprising stories about familiar neighbourhoods where the wounded were treated, major scientific developments happened, prisoners of war were held and where heroes are buried.

In what will be a unique broadcasting event, the stories discovered by the national researchers will feature on BBC regional TV and Local Radio in England, as well as on national programmes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, starting in early 2014.

Following a successful pilot held in the BBC West region, the project was rolled out in England in collaboration with the Imperial War Museum at the end of last year and is now ready to expand into Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Dr Kenefick added, 'Scotland's contribution to the British and colonial war effort was significant. So too was the involvement of Scots engaged with the war fought on the home front. To be given the opportunity to work on a project fully supported by the AHRC and BBC Scotland, and which specifically focuses on a wide variety of home front activities during the Great War, is an honour and a privilege.'

AHRC involvement in the initiative is being undertaken through its Care for the Future theme which explores how 'the relationship between the past, present and future shapes our understanding of the world around us.'

Notes to editors:

Edinburgh Napier University's Craiglockhart Campus is home to the War Poets Collection.

Craiglockhart originally opened as a Hydropathic in 1880 but was requisitioned by the military during the First World War for use as a hospital for the treatment of shell-shocked officers.

It was there, in 1917, that the poets Wilfred Owen (1893-1918) and Siegfried Sassoon (1886-1967) first met and produced some of the greatest war poetry.

The University of Dundee offers a diverse programme of post-medieval History, with special coverage of social, economic, cultural, religious, political and urban history. Specialists in Scottish, British, European and American history teach and research a number of topics, including the Great War. Extensive research materials relating to World War I are held in the University's archives.

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