For using his personal research to facilitate the research of others from PGRs to senior colleagues across the University.
John is a model for what a long-term Research-only member of staff in Arts can contribute to the research culture of the University. This is in the context of the versatility of his own research rather than his AHRC-funded project-work on medieval Scottish Latin sources—in particular his work on Bengali charters (published 2019) and on heritage-minority communities in Kolkata and Bangladesh (published 2019), as well as in Church history and theology.
John was nominated by colleagues from all four Colleges, with an extremely impressive list of examples of where he has shared his expertise and networks, promoted inclusion and supported international activity and cross disciplinary working. Examples include:
Contribution to career development opportunities for ECRs and supporting others to succeed:
John provided a wealth of advice, tips, contacts, and introductions for a researcher undertaking fieldwork; supported ECRs with their first major publications or grants and contributed to ArtsLab ECDP workshops on building networks in India.
John has supported innovations beyond his immediate subject, e.g. as the only Arts participant in lightning talks organised by Centre for Sustainable, Healthy and Learning Cities; and in 2020 as Arts lead for College of Social Sciences Interdisciplinary Research Theme ‘Challenges in Changing Cities’ and contributing to COVID-19 related research proposals.
Promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:
John pioneered an approach to medieval global history where, instead of western-based academics writing about non-western history, they work with non-western academics as equals so that their scholarly interests and culture shapes the project. And, instead of writing about heritage minorities, the research is designed with the communities and reflects their needs. His Scottish-Bengali work will allow the teaching of medieval Scottish history to become more diverse and he has also overseen a proposed major revision of the 1982 Scottish Liturgy using inclusive language.