Ruadhan Scrivener-Anderson

I began my PhD in 2022 under the supervision of Dr Derek Patrick (School of History) and Professor Sir Hew Strachan (School of International Relations). My research focuses on the officers of The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders), 1902-1918, examining their selection, socialisation and professional relationships, and development of group identity in the Edwardian era and the First World War.

My research seeks to understand how and why certain people were chosen to lead Scotland’s soldiers in peace and war, considering the role of the two defining features of the group, Scottish national identity and elevated social status, in the selection process. Further to this, it examines how these officers lived and worked together, analysing how the national and social demographic of the officer corps impacted professionalism, socialisation and esprit de corps. 

Previously, I studied history at the University of Dundee, graduating with first-class honours, before undertaking a Master of Research degree on the Officers of The Black Watch, 1902-1914, under the supervision of Professor Graeme Morton, graduating with distinction.

In addition to my PhD project, I currently tutor on the module MO2008, 'Scotland, Britain and Empire (c. 1500-2000)', and am a member of staff in the University Collections department (archival collections).

I am also a Postgraduate Member of the Royal Historical Society, a member of The Society for Army Historical Research and The Western Front Association, and am a researcher for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.