Weather, climate, human impacts and human responses in early modern Scotland (c.1600-c.1700)

This project is relevant to the interdisciplinary research theme of climate action and net zero.

Due to its geographical position at the North East corner of the Atlantic Ocean, Scotland was particularly affected by climate change in the early modern period, most notoriously during the 'Seven Ill Years' of the 1690s Maunder Minimum period. The goal of this research project is to place that crisis in a longer-term perspective and provide insights into how people understand and respond to climate change. The aims of the project are to achieve an enhanced understanding of:

• the impact of the Little Ice Age on weather patterns across the seventeenth century
• the impact of those changes on human society
• human responses to those impacts
• the evolution of human attitudes to shifting patterns of weather

It will apply a proven methodology combining quantitative and qualitative analysis of surviving written records. At its core are the records of the courts of the Church of Scotland, a research resource unique in early modern Europe in geographical coverage, susceptibility to weather impacts, and tendency to record those impacts. Alongside those, other administrative sources and personal writings (diaries and correspondence) will enhance the qualitative analysis of the weather patterns recorded in those ecclesiastical records by providing complementary evidence for social responses and human attitudes to weather and climate.

Diversity statement

Our research community thrives on the diversity of students and staff which helps to make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for postgraduate research.  We welcome applications from all talented individuals and are committed to widening access to those who have the ability and potential to benefit from higher education.