I am a scholar of Scottish and international labour, business and energy history. My background lies in researching deindustrialization in the Scottish coalfields, focusing on the long-term effects of labour market change and workplace closures. Since completing my PhD I have developed further interests in inward investment, industrial relations, subsidiary development and policymaking. I am now beginning a new project which assesses both the development of energy perspectives in arguments for Scottish independence and the UK's long movement out of coal. By analysing the creation of a new more diverse energy infrastructure since the mid twentieth century I will assess how policymaking related to territorial politics and examining the contribution of trade union and environmental activists.