Dr Laura Major developed and co-curated a small community-facing exhibit on the Isle of Lismore in collaboration with the Lismore Gaelic Heritage Centre, drawing on research into historical and contemporary water practices and infrastructures. The exhibit brings together archival materials, and ethnographic research to explore how water has shaped everyday life on the island across generations. It was designed to make academic research themes accessible to the local community and to the many national and international visitors who pass through the Centre each year.

The exhibit is part of a longer-term knowledge exchange collaboration. It was created in response to community interest in better understanding the island’s changing water systems and cultural histories and will remain on display throughout the summer season 2025. The activity forms a foundational output that will inform the design of related activities for late 2025/2026. These later activities will expand the themes to include a reflection on water futures, technologies, and climate resilience.

Initial outcomes include positive feedback from island residents and visitors and strengthened community-research relationships. This work contributes to EPSRC’s goals around responsible innovation, community engagement, and addressing climate-related infrastructure challenges through interdisciplinary methods.