A RESEARCHER is gathering memories of 2014 to document the “missing” voices of the independence referendum.
Maike Dinger wants ordinary people from both sides of the debate to contribute their accounts of the time, as part of a PhD project at the Universities of Stirling and Strathclyde.
While some elements of the referendum such as political speeches and campaign materials have been well documented, she is aiming to collect different voices.
She said: “I welcome views from everyone – the project does focus on culture, and the Yes side was more prominently involved in the cultural grassroots movement.
“But I am absolutely looking for opinions, memories from anyone who was in Scotland at the time.
“Obviously we see parts of the debate are very well documented – you have your campaigning material that is to some extent archived, you have websites, you have political speeches that are documented.
“On the other hand you had this huge creative engagement on the streets – people meeting and discussing it, with family or friends.
“Obviously these memories or stories are less likely to be documented.
“I want to collect the different voices and not just more official records which will be documented and archived.”
Anyone who wants to participate can log on to the website campuspress.stir.ac.uk/indyrefproject to contribute a written account of their memories, with a question sheet available to use as a prompt if wanted.
It suggests thinking about experiences such as whether there was a moment during the referendum when people realised they wanted to get involved with the Yes or No campaign. Other questions ask about memories of rallies and political activities, the debates which took place and referendum day itself.
The project will also offer the opportunity to take part in online workshops to discuss these issues in groups, for those who want to participate in this way.
Dinger said the material gathered would be used in her PhD project, which is examining the role of culture and media in the 2014 referendum and will also be stored with the Scottish Political Archive if participants consent.
“For many people this is ongoing history – the polls show a lot of people are interested in indyref,” she said. “You might be for it or against it, but it is hard to hide from it.
“In 2014 you had the impression of every vote, every voice would make a difference as it was so close, but it was also about what you wanted Scotland to be.
“That’s why for so many people it has been so important.”
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