Marjory Harper

Professor Marjory Harper is a leading historian specializing in Scottish emigration since 1800, particularly focusing on migration to Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. She holds the Chair in History at the University of Aberdeen and is a Visiting Professor at the University of the Highlands and Islands. Her research integrates oral history with archival analysis, emphasizing personal testimonies' role in understanding diasporic experiences. She has authored numerous award-winning monographs and over 100 articles, including Testimonies of Transition (2018), which was adapted into an audio book in 2020.

Professor Harper teaches in the postgraduate sector, directing the award-winning online Master’s Programme in Scottish Heritage. Her public engagement includes lectures, media contributions (e.g., BBC TV's Who Do You Think You Are?), and collaborations with museums and heritage organizations. She has received prestigious awards for teaching, research, and public engagement, including the Royal Historical Society's Jinty Nelson Award (2020) and the Saltire Society History Prize (2004, 2013).

Her research collaborations include projects on Celtic migrations, mental health in migration contexts, and the Iolaire disaster. She actively participates in interdisciplinary networks, such as the Scottish American History Forum and the Centre for Global Security and Governance.