Welcome to Round the Studios: Scottish history from a new perspective with Dr Karen Mailley. The weekly podcast will explore Scotland's history through a variety of individuals, historical events and artworks but more importantly, it will also act as a living archive capturing the voices and stories of today. But be warned, this is an intersectional podcast where we explore a variety of themes!
Dr Karen Mailley's main research focus is related to gender and the built environment in Scotland since 1880. She has been published in The Scottish Society for Art History, The Decorative Arts Society Journal, Decorating Dissidence (https://decoratingdissidence.com/2021/02/08/jessie-m-king-batik/), EPOCH Magazine (https://www.epoch-magazine.com/post/memory-encapsulated-in-a-building-lansdowne-church-alf-webster-and-memorialisation), The Bottle Imp (https://www.thebottleimp.org.uk/authors/karen-mailley-watt/) and Historic Environment Scotland (https://blog.historicenvironment.scot/2022/03/the-marvellous-mary-burton/). Along with her fellow History Girl, Dr Rachael Purse, she has been featured on STV's The People's History Show and Stephen Jardine's Moring Radio Show. She has just been elected by the Glasgow Society of Women Artists to become their Archivist.
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Nurture & Care: Exploring Scotland's migration stories through art
On this episode, Karen talks to Dr Cat Dunn. Cat is an amazing curator who has put on several shows which use contemporary artists to explore the themes of migration, identity, memory and Blackness in relation to the landscape and built environment. She has worked in collaboration with Historic Environment Scotland, The University of Edinburgh and Glasgow Sculpture Studios.
Dr. Dunn's curatorial practice is grounded in research on re-indigenisation as a critical methodology for rethinking curatorial practice. Through this approach, she investigates the intersections of migration, memory, and identity, examining how processes of cultural reclamation, belonging, and ancestral knowledge shape contemporary Black diasporic experiences. Her work interrogates how Blackness is perceived, performed, and preserved across diasporic landscapes, paying close attention to the ways personal and collective histories are carried on bodies, embedded in objects, and inscribed into spaces. Grounded in Caribbean thought and attuned to the tensions of displacement, she curates exhibitions that challenge fixed notions of identity while creating spaces for re-indigenisation, cultural continuity, and decolonial futures.
Cat's current group exhibition is on at Timespan in Helmsdale until the 1st March 2027.
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5 Oct 2026
Return to Oz: Wrestling, identity and capturing women's stories
Karen talks to the wonderful Nicola Glencross. Glencross, also known as Nikki Storm, is a professional wrestler and historian working on capturing women wrestler's stories. The project explores American women’s sports history and popular culture, and utilises oral history testimony.
Currently pursuing her PhD at the University of Edinburgh, Nicola Glencross is a former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) women and tag team champion.
Alongside her academic career, Nicola travels and works around the world as her professional wrestling alter ego Nikki Storm.
Beginning her journey in hometown of Glasgow, Scotland, Nikki spent eight years honing her craft, wrestling across the UK, Ireland, Europe, Japan and North America. In 2016, she moved to America after being signed to the WWE where she competed for 10 years on television, playing various characters such as Nikki Cross, Abby the Witch and Nikki ASH.
Throughout her WWE career, she continued with her academic journey, graduating with an MSc in History at the University of Edinburgh in 2023. She also completed courses in American, Art and Women’s history from Seminole State college in Florida (2017-2019). Shortly following her exit from WWE, the world stood up and took notice as Nikki and her husband Big Damo (formerly Killian Dain in WWE) took over the reigns at PROGRESS Wrestling in May 2026.Founded in 2012, and as one of the premier companies in Europe, PROGRESS is now in the hands of active wrestlers for the first time ever.
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23 Sept 2026
Radical Glasgow, Charity Shops & Lion Taming
In this episode, Karen explores radical Glasgow with Historian and Tour Guide Katherine MacKinnon. Bonding over their love of the Vicky Road Oxfam Book shop, they talk about some of the key figures in the city's radical history including Agnes and Patrick Dollan, John S. Clarke and John McLean. We also chat about the changing skyline of the city, lion taming, the mural trail and how there are actually more notable Glaswegians than just Billy Connelly!
MacKinnon is a public historian, arts worker, writer and researcher based in Glasgow. She works with groups of people to explore and document experiences of everyday life, past and present.
Check out Radical Glasgow Tours, who have a fantastic selection of walking and audio tours and sticker/merch collection available!
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14 Sept 2026
For the love of 'Stanny': Glasgow Girls and the Art Market
Want to find out who 'Stanny' is? If so, listen to Karen talk to independent art advisor James McNaught talk about the Glasgow Girls, exhibitions and the art market. They talk about their favourite 'Glasgow Girl', a term which was bestowed on a group of artists and designers who were working and producing in Glasgow from around 1880.Jessie M.King, Norah Neilson Gray and De Courcy Lewthwaite Dewar all get a mention.
James is an independent art advisor specialising in the acquisition, valuation and management of art and private collections. James works closely with private clients to identify exceptional works, make informed acquisitions and develop collections that are both personally meaningful and considered in the context of the wider home. His approach is independent, discreet and high tailored, drawing on an extensive network across the art market and relative professional discipline. He has a particular expertise in the Scottish Art market, with an in-depth knowledge of its artists, collections and institutions. He advises clients on opportunities within Scotland and beyond, helping them navigate the market with confidence, curiosity and a genuine appreciation of Art.
*He also explains who 'Stanny' is!
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8 Sept 2026
Pots, Politics, Protests and Pals
Welcome back to Season 2 of 'Round the Studios: Scottish History from a different perspective'. In episode 1, Karen talks to her lifelong friend (they have known each other since they were 4 years old) the ceramicist and all round legend, Dr Maria Di Mario.*
Maria is a Barcelona-based ceramicist who ingrains her feminist politics into her work and life. As a mother of three young children, her work reflects her lived experience of being an artist, working mother, partner and friend. Throughout this episode she provides the listener with a fabulous reading list which have helped her during times of change and at the various stages of womanhood. She has been a stable and supporting, and stable figure throughout Karen's life and if anything, this episode in just a glimpse into the friendship and shared history between the two.
Maria holds a PhD in Creative Writing, but I knew that she wouldn't use her 'Dr' title. See, told you she was an all round badass?!
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25 Aug 2026
Scarves, Alasdair Gray, Hogback Stones and Dirty Books
Join Karen as she talks to Irish artist and researcher Aoife Cawley at her Edinburgh based studio. We talk about Aoife's influences, use of colour, archives and dirty books! This is part one of a two part episode because we had so much fun chatting. This is part 2 of the interview. If you have not listened to part 1, I'd suggest going back and listening to it so you know what we are going on about!
Aoife Cawley is a printmaker and textiles artist from county Kildare, now working between Ireland and Scotland. Graduating in 2024 with First Class Honours in Contemporary Art Practice from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, her work explores folklore, mythology, history, and early Christian saints, blending traditional medieval art forms with contemporary techniques.
Her vibrant, multi-layered screen prints and embroidered textiles have been exhibited widely in Ireland and the UK, and she has been featured in media outlets such as The Irish Times, RTÉ, and Tourism Ireland. In 2024, she was artist in residence at Creative Spark, Dundalk, and the Hugo Burge Foundation, in the Scottish Borders.
Aoife was awarded the RSA John Kinross Scholarship in 2024, and her work is held in collections such as the University of Dundee Museum.
Round the Studios will be taking a short break (I am knackered) but come back in two weeks time for the new season of Round the Studios!
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18 Aug 2026
Irish saints, Pamela Colman Smith and Terry Wogan
Join Karen as she talks to Irish artist and researcher Aoife Cawley at her Edinburgh based studio. We talk about Aoife's influences, research into Irish identity, being resilient in the face of rejection and Terry Wogan even gets a mention. This is part one of a two part episode because we had so much fun chatting. The second part will be out later this week.
Aoife Cawley is a printmaker and textiles artist from county Kildare, now working between Ireland and Scotland. Graduating in 2024 with First Class Honours in Contemporary Art Practice from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, her work explores folklore, mythology, history, and early Christian saints, blending traditional medieval art forms with contemporary techniques.
Her vibrant, multi-layered screen prints and embroidered textiles have been exhibited widely in Ireland and the UK, and she has been featured in media outlets such as The Irish Times, RTÉ, and Tourism Ireland. In 2024, she was artist in residence at Creative Spark, Dundalk, and the Hugo Burge Foundation, in the Scottish Borders.
Aoife was awarded the RSA John Kinross Scholarship in 2024, and her work is held in collections such as the University of Dundee Museum.
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10 Aug 2026
Introduction to The Glasgow Society of Lady Artists
Karen has been gallivanting up in Skye with her two dogs for the last week, so sadly there's no guest on this week's episode! But don't be dismayed as she has recorded a pilot episode base don some of her research on the Glasgow Society of Lady Artists. This is a tester to see if it is something you would like to hear more of. If you do, please let her know via her instagram @scottishwomenhistory.
The Glasgow Society of Lady Artists (GSLA) was established by eight students of The Glasgow School of Art in 1882. The club, with its pro-woman ethos, attempted to combat sexism and misogyny in the Scottish art world. However, it quickly developed into a club for forward-thinking women of Glasgow, and further afield, with a list of women from an array of professions and backgrounds including doctors and nurses, teachers, political activists and socialites.
Dr Karen Mailley is an academic and heritage professional who has worked in the museum and heritage sector(s) for over a decade. She specialises in heritage outreach and engagement with a community focus using archives, material culture and feminist and intersectional methodologies as the core foundation of her work. She is a Scottish Representative for GEM (https://gem.org.uk/about-gem/who-runs-gem/area-reps/gem-scotland-area-reps/) and an Associate Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (https://royalhistsoc.org/?s=Karen+Mailley+). She has just been elected by the Glasgow Society of Women Artists to become their Archivist.
Karen’s main research focus is related to gender and the built environment in Scotland since 1880. She has been published in The Scottish Society for Art History, The Decorative Arts Society Journal, Decorating Dissidence (https://decoratingdissidence.com/2021/02/08/jessie-m-king-batik/), EPOCH Magazine (https://www.epoch-magazine.com/post/memory-encapsulated-in-a-building-lansdowne-church-alf-webster-and-memorialisation), The Bottle Imp (https://www.thebottleimp.org.uk/authors/karen-mailley-watt/) and Historic Environment Scotland (https://blog.historicenvironment.scot/2022/03/the-marvellous-mary-burton/). Along with her fellow History Girl, Dr Rachael Purse, she has featured on STV's The People's History Show and Stephen Jardine's Moring Radio Show.
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5 Aug 2026
At Home with Prince & Dr Casci Ritchie
Come on a wild ride with Dr Karen Mailley as she talks to fashion historian Dr Casci Ritchie about all things Prince and fandom. This extra long podcast covers Casci's PhD journey from starting at Galashiels, to working shifts at Lush to help support her academic career writing and researching Prince's fashion, music, legacy and the difficulties of studying a complex individual.
It was wonderful talking to Casci, and this episode is a vastly edited version from the 3 hours we recorded! We both like to chat.
Dr Casci Ritchie is a fashion and cultural historian, writer, and educator. She was recently awarded her doctorate for her thesis titled “(Un)dressing the Love Symbol: The Life, Death, and Legacy of Prince’s Wardrobe,” which explores the cultural influences, materiality, labor processes, afterlives, and affective legacies of the musician. She has published her research widely in journals including Critical Studies in Men’s Fashion and Queer Studies in Popular Culture. Her book, On His Royal Badness: The Life and Legacy of Prince’s Fashion, was published in 2021. The book will be reprinted in the UK on the 3rd of September and you can get 10% off by pre-ordering now!
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21 Jul 2026
Modern Scottish Women
Karen talks to art historian and curator, Alice Strang. Alice was the curator behind the Modern Scottish Women: Painters & Sculptors 185-1965 exhibition which was held at the National Galleries of Scotland (National Galleries of Scotland) from the 7th of November 2015 to the 26 Jun 2016.
In 1885 Sir William Fettes Douglas, President of the Royal Scottish Academy, declared that the work of a woman artist was ‘like a man’s only weaker and poorer.’ In the same year, Fra Newbery was appointed Director of the Glasgow School of Art and did much in terms of gender equality amongst his staff and pupils. Between then and the death in 1965 of Anne Redpath, the doyenne of post-World War Two Scottish painting, an unprecedented number of Scottish women trained and practised as artists; the exhibition focused on paintings and sculptures made by forty-five of them.
In this episode, Karen and Alice talk about a range of topics associated with women featured in the exhibition including the impact of the Marriage Bar, Jessie M. King and Greengate Close and how the curatorial team selected the artists and works for the exhibition. Modern Scottish Women was accompanied by a lavishly-illustrated book based on new research which has recently been reprinted and is the National Galleries of Scotland book of the month for July 2026. To purchase a copy please click here (https://shop.nationalgalleries.org/books/book-of-the-month/).
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14 Jul 2026
Edith Burnet Hughes, Women Can't Climb Ladders
Join Dr Karen Mailley and Dr Rachael Purse as they discuss Edith Burnet Hughes (1888-1971) - Scotland's first practicing female architect.
Dr Rachael Purse is a heritage professional, independent researcher, and historian. Rachael has an MSc in Museum Studies: Dress & Textile Histories from the University of Glasgow and was the recipient of the ‘Bringing Back the Mack’ Historic Environment Scotland and Glasgow School of Art funded PhD Scholarship 2016-2020. Her thesis research is featured in The Mack: Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the Glasgow School of Art by Dr Robyne Calvert, published by Yale University Press in 2024. Her varied research interests include women’s history and the historic built environment, and as one half of History Girls Scotland, Rachael has been a presenter on STV’s The People’s History Show and on BBC Radio Scotland. You can find out more about her work here: www.rachaelpurse.com (http://www.rachaelpurse.com/)
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6 Jul 2026
All The Single Ladies
Join Karen as she talks to historian and local Edinburgh tour guide, Ruth Boreham about the independent women of Edinburgh.
We explore the Stevenson sisters, Jane, Flora, Louisa and Eliza, who played a role in shaping Edinburgh's education for girls. The 1872 Education (Scotland) Act made it possible for women to serve on School Boards and Flora, the baby sister, was one of the first two women to be elected, and continued in this role for her whole life, eventually becoming Chairman of the Board in 1899.
We also talk about the Burton family by focusing on three women who made a great impact and held space for women at the time including Mary Elizabeth Burton, who became the head gardener of Mavisbank House.
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24 Jun 2026
Elaine Woo MacGregor
Join historian Dr Karen Mailley as she chats to artist Elaine Woo MacGregor. We talk about Elaine's art training and career and and her colourful and powerful work which often represents strong women in the public eye. Weirdly, we also talk about arsenic, green ladies and ghosties all which are relevant, I assure you!
Elaine Woo MacGregor is a Scottish-born Chinese artist trained in the Glasgow School
of Art. She graduated with a Bachelors Degree with honours, acquired a studio and began working as a full-time artist. She has exhibited in galleries in Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Cambridge and abroad.
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17 Jun 2026
Scotland's Architects
In this episode Karen and Niall Murphy discuss Scotland's architects and architecture focusing on Kathryn Findlay and Zara Hadid. They talk about the blue plaque scheme, how architects should be commemorated, and smashing the patriarchy. Also, there is mention of a 'soft and hairy' house. Intrigued?
Niall is an architect with 25 years of experience, specialising in heritage, conservation, and community issues in Glasgow. He is currently the Co-Chair of the Glasgow Built Heritage Commission, is a Trustee of the Built Environment Forum Scotland, has been the Chair of the Govanhill Baths Building Preservation Trust and served on the Glasgow Urban Design Panel for a decade. He has received several awards, including the Glasgow Doors Open Day Outstanding Talk Award (2025), and frequently lectures on architecture and urban design.
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10 Jun 2026
Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh
Want to discover the real Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh? Let us delve further into the woman who not only married Charles Rennie Mackintosh but who was an artist and designer in her own right. Listen to Dr Karen Mailley chat to Mackintosh expert, and all round excellent human being, Dr Robyne Calvert talk about all things Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh related, from the occult to complicated relationships and friendships to working collaboratively with her husband. Karen and Robyne chat about it all!
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