Dr Katie Murray

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Project Officer

Specialisms and interests

Katie has a background in historical interpretation and museum curatorship and specialises in projects that use cultural heritage as a means of building a sustainable local tourism offering. At the centre she has worked on applied research projects in the fields of heritage tourism, marine tourism and scientific tourism (facilitating leisure time learning experiences in the outdoors) and is particularly focused on developing tourism products based on local knowledge and expertise. She is an experienced history lecturer and guide on expedition cruise ships, including in Scotland and the polar regions, and is interested in using this background to examine how we can work with destinations and cruise companies to create a viable and regenerative cruise industry in Scotland.

Academic background

2017 PhD Museum and Gallery Studies, University of St Andrews with a thesis titled ‘Memorials of Endurance and Adventure: Exhibiting British polar exploration c.1819-1930.’
2011 MLitt (with Distinction) Museum and Gallery Studies, University of St Andrews
2009 MA (First Class) Scottish Studies, University of Aberdeen

Professional background

Katie trained as a museum curator and held the post of curator on the Subantarctic Island of South Georgia. Since 2012 she has worked as a freelance history lecturer and guide for various expedition cruise companies on trips to the Antarctic, Arctic, and in Scotland. She also held the role of Education and Partnerships Coordinator at an international cruise company where she was responsible for managing projects aimed at enhancing education and science programs offered to guests on board. She has carried out consultancy work focused on polar heritage for various companies and organisations including the Polar Tourism Guides Association and the South Georgia Heritage Trust, and itinerary building for expedition cruise companies.

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