Mairéad Nic Craith, Professor of Folklore at the University of the Highlands and Islands Institute for Northern Studies, is presenting at the Royal Irish Academy’s one-day conference titled ‘Borders and Boundaries: An Interdisciplinary Exploration’ on the 9th June 2026. Mairéad’s presentation is entitled ‘Cultural Identity and the ‘Flat World’ Fallacy.”
The conference comprises four panels structured around the following topics:
- Disciplinary border
- Socio-political borders
- Planetary borders
- Borders and identity
The conference focuses on critically examining how “borders and boundaries” influence human experiences, shape knowledge systems, and frame socio-political discussions. It will include presentations from scholars and practitioners in the Sciences, Humanities, and Social Sciences, each providing a unique disciplinary perspective. Participants will engage in panel discussions exploring borders and boundaries as both key research topics and lenses for understanding interdisciplinary societal challenges.
The conference will explore the theme from an interdisciplinary perspective, addressing concepts related to research disciplines, both real and imagined frontiers, sovereignty, social constructs, thresholds, and geographical and environmental territories.
This event is intended for anyone interested in culture, identity, research, and society.
Mairéad’s presentation is part of a panel discussing Border and Identity, chaired by Dr. Sorcha de Brún, Associate Professor in the School of English, Irish & Communication at the University of Limerick (Member of RIA Coiste Léann na Gaeilge agus an Léinn Cheiltigh). In her presentation, Mairéad will explore how cultural traditions survive and adapt in a globalised world. Other speakers will also be involved in the panel discussion.
The Royal Irish Academy (RIA), established in 1785, is an all-island, independent learned society and academic body that champions research by supporting and promoting scholarship in the sciences, humanities and social sciences. Its elected membership of approximately 680 individuals and 80 staff represent Ireland internationally, provide expert advice to government, carry out research, administer research grants, organise conferences and public lectures, publish academic books and journals, and maintain a research library.
Professor Mairéad Nic Craith and Professor of Creative Ethnology at UHI Institute for Northern Studies, Ullrich Kockel, are elected members of the Royal Irish Academy
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