Calling Flow Country Artists To ERI Conference

28th January 2014

Scientists from Thurso’s Environmental Research Institute are reaching out to the art community in Caithness. Artists and designers of all disciplines are being given the opportunity to display their work and interact with the scientific community at a forthcoming conference in Thurso dedicated to research in the Flow Country.

The conference will examine progress in peatland research in the Flow Country and will build on the success of a similar event held in 2012. This year the organisers felt there was an interesting opportunity to connect local and visiting environmental scientists to the local art community who work in and around the Flow Country of Caithness and Sutherland.

Covering about 4,000 km2, the Flow Country of Caithness and Sutherland is believed to be the largest area of blanket bog in the world. Its diverse habitats support a wide range of globally significant wetland and moorland species. But these unique and wild lands have also long provided inspiration for artists.

Professor Stuart Gibb, Director of the Environmental Research Institute said: ‘The Flow Country is an inspirational setting for many environmental scientists. Our last conference dedicated to research in the Flow Country was a most successful event and drew scientists from across the UK to Caithness. This time we would also like to connect with artists who take their creative inspiration from these internationally important peatlands’.

‘Research in the Flow Country: Looking Forward’ will take place between the 4th and 7th of March at the Thurso Cinema and at Centre for Energy and Environment on the main campus of the UHI-North Highland College. It is supported by Scottish Natural Heritage , the University of Stirling, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the International Peat society and the RSPB. Anyone interested in displaying their work or seeking further information can contact Stuart, or Dr Roxane Andersen at the Environmental Research Institute.

The Environmental Research Institute is part of the North Highland College, one of the academic partners in the University of the Highlands and Islands

For full details go to Research in the Flow Country Looking Forward 4-7 March
Roxane.andersen[AT]uhi.ac.uk