Institute of Cornish Studies (Fondyans Studhyansow Kernewek)

Description

The Institute of Cornish Studies (ICS) brings together academic research in and about Cornwall. They want to understand better the histories that make up this place, what Cornwall is like right now, and what kind of futures people can move towards.

The Institute has brought together research into four themes:

• Culture, Heritage and Society;
• Politics and Government;
• Economy and Business;
• Environment and Health.

The ICS was officially launched in 1971 as a unique collaborative venture between the then Cornwall County Council and the University of Exeter. At that time its Director defined its field as:

‘The study of all aspects of man and his handiwork in the regional setting (Cornwall and Scilly), past, present and future. The development of society, industry and the landscape in the fast changing world is as much of concern … as the history of those vast topics in the recent and remote past.’

This led to a series of projects covering such subjects as archaeology, botany, oral history and place names. Its leadership changed again in 1991 with the new director developing an interdisciplinary New Cornish Studies. This included a specific focus on modern Cornwall since the eighteenth century and a consideration of topics like migration, tourism and ethnic identity. The subsequent involvement of new members of staff from 1997 onwards, led to an emphasis on New Celtic Studies, oral history and quantitative research respectively.

The ICS is now returning to the breadth of vision set out by its first director.

In addition to its four research themes, the Institute is also interested in its global connections. Cornish people have taken their skills all over the world, providing with links to places such as the USA, Australia, and New Zealand. Cornwall’s international trade goes back at least as far as the Bronze Age, and its heritage and traditions provide with connections to neighbouring regions, particularly the Celtic cousins in Wales, Brittany, and Ireland. Moreover, the public nature and depth of Cornish identity provides points of resonance with many other parts of Europe in particular, other rural areas, which are also calling for stronger representation in an often metropolitan policy environment.

Offers funding

No, this infrastructure does not provide funding.

Founding year

1971

Contact details

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Categorisation

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University affiliation(s)

University of Exeter
Exeter