I have 20 years of experience working in the world of culture as a development professional, performer, and fieldworker/researcher. I have worked in senior roles in academic and third sector organisations, playing a key role in developing organisational and fundraising strategies, as well as delivering important projects. I have also worked as a funding assessor and panellist for national and local cultural funders such as Creative Scotland, Aberdeen City Council, and Dundee City Council.​

 

As an ethnologist, I document, research, and write about culture in everyday life, publishing in academic journals and presenting papers at major conferences. I am passionate about celebrating and, where desired, supporting informal cultural expression. I hold a MLitt with Distinction in Ethnology and Folklore from the Elphinstone Institute, University of Aberdeen.

 

As a musician I perform, tour, and record with the award-winning band Salsa Celtica, and Edinburgh-based salsa dura band Orquesta Boreal. The work I did with Clype from 2015–2018 saw us nominated for Album of the Year at the BBC Alba Trad Awards in 2016 and, in 2017, I was nominated for Scots Singer of the Year at the same awards. With these bands I have toured widely across the world and performed at prestigious festivals, venues, and events such as Glastonbury Festival, Celtic Connections, The Hay Festival in Cartagena, and more.