25/11/2025
“Meal do naidheachd!” to our very own Rob Dunbar who has won this year's Royal Society of Edinburgh Sir Walter Scott Medal for his work on language policy and Gaelic literature and culture.
Since he joined us in 2013, countless students have been inspired and mentored by Rob, including Chris Oates (who has just graduated with a PhD on Gaelic language policy) and MSc alum Elizabeth Campbell (whose current PhD thesis is on the life and work of her ancestor John Morison - Iain Gobha na Hearadh).
Chris told us: "Rob Dunbar’s academic work introduced me to Scottish Gaelic, and so he is quite directly responsible for the eventual course of my studies. As my doctoral supervisor, Rob was unerringly patient, supportive and kind, and the depth of insight displayed in his research is reflected in the wisdom which he is able to share with those fortunate to be his students."
Elizabeth says "Working with Rob has been an absolute honour and a real pleasure. From assisting in my initial [MSc] application to becoming my primary doctoral supervisor, Rob’s guidance has been invaluable. Over the years he assisted me in applying for various grants, prepared me for an intensive Gaelic-immersion course, encouraged my expansion of my research to include fieldwork, and was incredibly supportive through the very difficult years of Covid and lockdown. His approach to teaching reflects his genuine care for his students, and I count myself fortunate indeed to be among them. I am grateful to Rob for his insight, mentorship, and kindness, all of which I have benefited from both personally and academically."
A very big "Sin thu fhèin!" Rob from all of us in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures. Read the full story:
We speak to the medallist and his students about his work promoting and protecting minority languages.