Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

University to host Outlander conference on show’s history and culture

Author Diana Gabaldon, who wrote the books, will give a keynote address during the event in Glasgow over the summer.

Lauren Gilmour
Friday 12 May 2023 12:40 BST
A conference exploring the history and culture of the Outlander series will be held at Glasgow University (Sony/PA)
A conference exploring the history and culture of the Outlander series will be held at Glasgow University (Sony/PA) (PA Media)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A university is to stage a conference exploring the history and culture featured on the television programme Outlander.

The show is based on the books by Diana Gabaldon and the conference at the University of Glasgow will look at the history, politics, culture, languages, clothes and music in the series.

Dr Gabaldon will give a keynote speech during the event.

The series of nine novels and six television seasons has put Scotland on the map for a world readership and audience.

Outlander season seven will begin this summer and the conference will take place from July 18 to 22.

Dr Gabaldon said: “I’m honoured (and very excited) that this conference is taking place under the sponsorship of the University of Glasgow.

“A tremendous amount of work and organisation has gone into it, and I’m so looking forward to being a part of it.”

Willy Maley, professor of renaissance studies (English literature), at the university’s School of Critical Studies, said: “Scotland not only has a great tradition of historical writing from Walter Scott to Dorothy Dunnett, but offers the ideal setting for fiction that combines adventure, fantasy and romance.

“Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series was inspired by Scotland and in turn has helped put Scotland on the map, boosting tourism and engagement with the languages of Scotland as well as interest in the country’s complicated past, from Jacobite resistance to diasporic identities and colonial complicity.”

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in