What are your memories of your time at school?
I was at the school from nursery all the way through to S6, so I have a lot of fond memories, especially of the friendships I formed. Many of those friendships have stood the test of time. I recently got married in Vancouver, and four of my close friends from school, including one I met in Primary 1, came over for the wedding. That gives you an idea of how strong those bonds still are.
I was always interested in history, and I was fortunate to have some outstanding teachers who really brought the subject to life. They made history engaging by focusing on the stories and people behind the events, rather than just dates and facts. That approach had a real impact on me.
Were you always interested in history, even back then, or did that passion develop later?
I did enjoy history at school, but the real passion for it developed later, particularly at university, when I had the opportunity to dig deeper into research topics. I was always fascinated by the subject, but it was at university that it truly came to life for me.
What led you to choose History at the University of Glasgow?
I studied History all the way through to Advanced Higher at school, and it became clear that it was a subject I both enjoyed and had an aptitude for. When it came to choosing a degree, I felt it was more important to pursue something that genuinely interested me rather than selecting a course based purely on career prospects. I’ve always disagreed with the idea that you need to have your entire career mapped out at that stage. University, to me, should be about intellectual exploration and following your passions. History offered that in abundance.
As for Glasgow, it had always felt like an exciting and vibrant city whenever I visited. I wanted the experience of moving away for university, but not too far from home—and Glasgow was the perfect fit.
Why did you decide to specialise in American Studies for your Master’s degree?
During the final stages of my undergraduate degree, I chose to write my honours dissertation on a topic in American history. Glasgow had an excellent American History department, and through that process, I got to know some of the professors working in the field. I discovered that Glasgow was actually the only university in the UK with a dedicated American Studies Master’s programme, which made it a unique and compelling place to continue my studies.
At that stage, I still wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do next, so pursuing a Master’s allowed me to continue exploring my academic interests at a deeper level. It felt like the right step, following what genuinely intrigued me.
What motivated you to pursue a PhD in the United States, and how did you find the transition to studying at UNC Chapel Hill?
The idea of a PhD emerged during my Master’s, when I came across a really compelling research topic: the history of Black American golf caddies in the southern United States. I ended up writing my thesis on it, using online archives and digital tools from thousands of miles away. The more I delved into it, the more I realised how much untapped material and unexplored narrative remained. One of my advisors at Glasgow encouraged me to pursue the topic further, and after taking a year out post-Master’s, I applied to PhD programmes in the U.S.
I was fortunate to be accepted into the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which is home to one of the leading centres for studying the American South. The transition was intense, much more demanding than what I’d experienced in the UK. The level of commitment required was significant; between research, coursework and teaching classes it felt like more than a full-time job. For example, we were expected to read and deeply engage with a full book each week for our three seminars, while also reading dozens of books for our comprehensive exams, which was a big adjustment at first. A PhD in the U.S. typically takes around five years, so it was a long and challenging journey, but ultimately a rewarding one.
What were some of the key things you learned working as a Research Intern and Graduate Teaching Assistant during your studies?
Through my academic research, including work as a Research Intern, I discovered how much I valued the process of uncovering unanswered questions, especially those that hadn’t been documented before, and translating those findings into something accessible for a broader audience. That experience played a key role in confirming that I wanted to pursue research as a career path.
As a Graduate Teaching Assistant, I developed a wide range of interpersonal and communication skills. Working closely with undergraduate students taught me how to convey complex ideas in ways that made sense to people at different levels of understanding. That ability to adapt my communication style is something I still use in my work today. It was also a valuable opportunity for professional development; although I ultimately decided that an academic teaching career wasn’t for me long term, it helped build skills that I’ve carried into other roles.
As Co-director of the Digital History Lab, what sort of work did you do, and how did it influence your career direction?
As Co-director of the Digital History Lab in the History Department at UNC, I helped organise a range of digital humanities projects. We managed the department’s website, produced our own podcast, and led workshops and tutorials on using digital tools for both academic research and teaching. That role immersed me in a more tech-focused environment, something I hadn’t previously explored in depth. It gave me valuable experience that I’ve since drawn on in my current career. It was my first real exposure to the intersection of history, research, and digital media, and it significantly broadened my skill set.
How did you find the shift from academic research into more applied community work with the Southern Pines Land and Housing Trust?
That was a particularly meaningful experience. I was employed by UNC to work with a community in Southern Pines, about an hour south of Chapel Hill, where I conducted oral history interviews for an archive and future community museum focused on local Black history. It was a powerful example of how research can be applied in a way that has immediate value for a community.
Up to that point, my research had mostly involved studying the past from a distance, often in ways that didn’t feel directly relevant to people’s lives. This project, by contrast, showed me how historical research could contribute to preserving community memory and identity in a very tangible way. It also made me realise that I wanted my work to have measurable outcomes and real-world impact, which influenced the direction I’ve taken since.
Your current role is as a User Experience Researcher in Vancouver. Can you tell us what that involves, and how your background in history contributes to that work?
I currently work for a small consultancy in Vancouver that specialises in user experience and product strategy. Essentially, when a company, public service, or non-profit organisation wants to better understand their users, how people engage with their products or services, what motivates them, or how they discover and navigate offerings, they come to us. We conduct research, usually involving interviews, surveys, or observational studies, to gather insights into user behaviour. These findings then help shape future product development, service design, or recruitment strategies.
My background in historical research has been incredibly useful in this field. In both disciplines, you’re collecting large amounts of qualitative data, whether from interviews or archival sources, and then analysing it to identify patterns, themes, and motivations. In my academic work, I spent a lot of time exploring why people in the past made certain decisions, and now I do something very similar in a modern context: trying to understand what drives people’s behaviour today. The ability to synthesise complex information and communicate insights clearly has transferred really well into the world of user experience research.
What are some of the biggest differences you’ve noticed working in the UK, US, and now Canada?
While I haven’t worked professionally in the UK, most of my career so far has been in the United States and Canada. One of the biggest differences I’ve noticed is how people in North America tend to talk about their work. In both the U.S. and Canada, work often forms a bigger part of people’s personal identity, and there’s generally less separation pf personal and professional life.
Another noticeable difference is the work–life balance. Compared to the UK, North American roles typically come with fewer holidays and more working days. That said, it’s not always a negative. There’s often a strong sense of energy and momentum in the workplace that can be really motivating. Overall, it’s been interesting to experience different cultural attitudes towards work and see how they shape day-to-day professional life.
Your book Caddying on the Color Line is a fascinating look at Black caddies in the Southern US. What sparked your interest in this topic?
I’ve played golf for most of my life, at Stewart’s Melville College, Murrayfield and Elie. For a couple of summers I even caddied at Elie for American tourists, which gave me an early appreciation for the culture surrounding the game.
During my Master’s at the University of Glasgow, I took a class that challenged us to examine a piece of culture produced since 2000 that depicted the interwar period in the United States. I chose The Legend of Bagger Vance, a film that portrays the role of a Black caddie in the South. That depiction really caught my attention. When I began searching for academic work on the history of caddying, particularly the experiences of Black caddies in the South, I found very little had been written. That gap in the scholarship became the starting point for my dissertation, then my Master’s thesis, and eventually the PhD research that formed the basis of the book.
What do you hope readers will take away from the book?
At its core, I hope the book broadens people’s understanding of golf in the American South as a multiracial and socially complex space. Black caddies were essential to the operation and culture of Southern golf for much of the 20th century, and their role has often been overlooked or undervalued.
What’s particularly important is that many of the first Black professional golfers, those who helped integrate the PGA Tour, came from caddying backgrounds. That job provided them with access to courses and opportunities to develop their skills in a way that would otherwise have been impossible. Caddying shouldn’t be dismissed as a minor or menial role; it was a profession that helped break racial barriers and change the course of the sport’s history.
Did anything in your research surprise or challenge your assumptions?
One of the most surprising findings was around the rise of the golf cart. I had always assumed golf carts became popular simply because of demand, from players looking for comfort or convenience, especially as other technologies emerged in the 1950s and 60s. But what I discovered was that the shift was actually driven more by supply-side economics.
Previously, golfers paid caddies directly, and that money stayed with the individual workers. But when clubs invested in golf carts, they could charge players rental fees and generate consistent revenue. It was a business decision, one that maximised profit for the club, rather than a purely technological or player-driven change. That economic shift had a major impact on the livelihood of caddies and the social dynamics of the game. It was a clear example of how broader structural forces can reshape not only a profession but also a culture.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work. Do you play or watch golf, given the subject of your book?
I don’t play golf as often as I used to, mainly because it’s not quite as accessible in Vancouver as it was in Scotland, but I still try to get out on the course when I can. Outside of golf, I really enjoy hiking. Vancouver is surrounded by incredible mountains and exploring them has become one of my favourite ways to spend time outdoors. I also enjoy running and taking advantage of everything this beautiful, diverse, and culturally rich city has to offer.
Are there particular books, films, or hobbies that help you unwind or inspire your research in unexpected ways?
Reading has always been a key source of inspiration for me. During my postgraduate in the U.S., I really came to appreciate how reading, whether fiction, non-fiction, or academic work, can spark new ideas and lead you down completely unexpected paths. Following a curiosity or interest often opens up fresh ways of thinking or researching. Although it’s not always easy to carve out the time, reading remains one of the most important ways I both unwind and stay intellectually engaged.
How do you balance writing and research with everyday life?
One of the interesting things about no longer being in academia full-time is that historical research and writing have become something I do more as a personal pursuit. That means it often has to be fitted around the demands of a full-time job, social life, and everything else. In that sense, it’s not so much about balancing research with everyday life as it is about carving out time for something that’s still important to me, even if it’s no longer my main occupation. I do wish I had more time for historical research, but that also makes the moments I do get to spend on it all the more valuable.
What advice would you give to pupils who might be interested in pursuing a career in research or writing?
If you have the privilege and support system to explore your intellectual curiosities, take full advantage of it. Not everyone feels drawn to that path, and that’s completely fine, but if you do find yourself curious about a particular topic or question, don’t suppress it in favour of something that seems more immediately ‘practical’ or lucrative. You may regret not giving yourself the chance to explore it. You never know where following that curiosity might lead. It could shape your future in ways you hadn’t expected.
Finally, what’s next? Do you have another project or book idea on the horizon?
Right now, I’m focused on continuing to do work that I enjoy, and as long as that allows me to live comfortably, I’m content. Most careers aren’t linear; they evolve and shift in unexpected ways, and I’ve found that embracing that uncertainty can be freeing.
I don’t have a major new project in the works at the moment. My last book took seven years to complete, so I’m giving myself space to reflect and figure out what comes next. I’m open to the possibility of another large project, but I’m also considering smaller, more focused pieces of work. I’m trying not to fall back into the pressure of always needing a big project underway. For now, I’m staying curious and keeping an eye out for the next topic that sparks something.
