Dr Laura Ferguson

Research Assistant content

Research Assistant

Dr Laura Ferguson

Roles

  • Laura joined the Centre for Mountain Studies in May 2017 as a research assistant for the project SHAPE – Sustainable Heritage Areas: Partnerships for Ecotourism

Qualifications

Degrees:

  • PhD Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Glasgow
  • MSc Water Resources, Heriot-Watt University
  • BSc (Hons) Natural Sciences, Open University
  • BA (Hons) Humanities with Philosophy and Literature, Open University
  • BA (Hons) Media, University of Paisley

Additional Courses

  • Sustainable Arctic Energy Exploration and Development (5 ECTS.  UNIS, Svalbard.  2017)
  • Arctic Environmental Engineering (5 ECTS.  ARTEK - DTU, Greenland.  2016)
  • Marine Renewable Energy (4 ECTS.  University Centre of the Westfjords, Iceland.  2015)
  • The Stormy Sun and the Northern Lights (5 ECTS.  UNIS, Svalbard.  2015)
  • Arctic Winter Limnology (10 ECTS.  UNIS, Svalbard.  2015)
  • Cold Regions Field Investigations (10 ECTS.  UNIS, Svalbard.  2014)
  • Arctic Technology Field Course (5 ECTS.  ARTEK – DTU, Greenland.  2013)
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Film Journalism (University of Glasgow, 2010)

Contact

Research Interests

Social Science:

Laura’s PhD research explored collective memory and perceptions of war and conflict in the media.  She then obtained a science degree and moved into the field of science communication and public involvement with science.  Much of her latter work has been focused on stakeholder engagement in development projects.  She is currently reviewing literature on participatory mapping of natural and cultural assets for the SHAPE project.

Environmental Engineering and GIS:

Laura’s main field in environmental engineering is water resources engineering, in particular in extreme cold climates.  Areas include drinking water treatment, wastewater treatment, tidal and hydropower, sustainability in civil engineering, GIS for hydrology, urban drainage, and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM).  She is currently further developing her Geographic Information Systems skills with a part-time MSc in GIS, in which she is focusing on planning, environmental and remote sensing techniques.

Predominantly experienced in interdisciplinary research, Laura is keen to work further in public participation in science and science communication, and also in communications for development, particularly for sustainable development projects.

Publications

Journal Articles

Bach, L., Ferguson, L., Feltelius, V. and Sondergaard.  2014.  Orchomenella pinguis (amphipoda) – a possible species for heavy metal biomonitoring of marine sediments.  Journal of Coastal Life Medicine, 2 (2), pp.116-123.

Ferguson, L.  2010.  Hong Kong: Communicating 1997 and beyond through film.  eSharp, Special Issue: Communicating Change: Representing Self and Community in a Technological World, pp.30-49.

Ferguson, L.  2010.  Book Review: ‘Writing History and Film’ and ‘The Hollywood Historical Film.’  Scope, 16.

Conference Presentations

Ferguson, L. and Lorch, C.  2017.  A Community Survey Analysis of Public Attitudes Regarding Renewable Energy Development in Longyearbyen, Svalbard.  Rovaniemi Arctic Spirit Conference, 14-16 November 2017, Rovaniemi, Finland.

Ferguson, L.  2017.  Public Participatory GIS for Sustainable Tourism in Snæfellsnes Regional Park, Iceland.  UK Arctic Science Conference, 19 -21 September 2017, Oban, United Kingdom.

Ferguson, L.  2016.  Communities as Stakeholders in Arctic Water Resources Development.  International Conference: Sanitation in Cold Climate Regions, 12-14 April 2016, Sisimiut, Greenland.

Ferguson, L.  2015.  A Holistic Approach to Small-scale Hydropower and Marine Energy Development in the Arctic Zone and the Process of Stakeholder Engagement.  In the Spirit of the Rovaniemi Process 2nd International Conference: Local and Global Arctic.  24-26 November 2015, Rovaniemi, Finland.

Ferguson, L.  2013.  Artistic Licence in Communicating Science.  Fifth International Conference on Science in Society, 22-23 November 2013, Warsaw, Poland.

Ferguson, L.  2011.  The Projectionist: The Ultimate Source of Hollywood Film’s Revision of Public Memory of Conflict.  Scottish Consortium for Film and Visual Studies Conference, 9 June 2011, Stirling, United Kingdom.

Ferguson, L.  2009.  Hong Kong: Communicating 1997 and Beyond Through Film.  Communicating Change: Weaving the Web into the Future – The Annual Arts and Humanities Graduate School Conference at University of Glasgow, 8-10 June 2009, Glasgow, United Kingdom.

Ferguson, L.  2008.  The American Vision of War: Cinema’s Continuing Reference to Vietnam.  Reconsidering Conflict: Terror and Resolution Conference – Strathclyde Conflict and Resolution Group, 11-12 September 2008, Glasgow, United Kingdom.

Ferguson, L.  2007.  Sympathy for the Devil: The Revolutionary Depiction of the Vietnamese in ‘Heaven and Earth.’ R/Evolutions: The Sixth Annual Arts and Humanities Graduate School Conference at University of Glasgow, 19-21 October 2007, Glasgow, United Kingdom.

Ferguson, L.  2007.  “Every War is Different, Every War is the Same:” Screening the Gulf in the Shadow of Vietnam in ‘Jarhead.’ Visions Conference, 31 May-1 June 2007, Dumfries, United Kingdom.

Other Activities

  • Teaching
    Laura has graduate teaching experience in the subjects of philosophy in film and representation of war and conflict in the media (University of Glasgow, 2008-2010).
  • Council Member
    Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS), February 2014-September 2015.
  • Current Study
    Laura is currently studying part-time for an MSc Geographical Information Systems by online distance learning with the University of Leeds.
  • Mountain Leader
    Laura is also working towards achieving the Mountain Training Association’s Mountain Leader award.