Ioepress Research Project

Heritage, Identity and Digital Memory: A Comprehensive Study of the Burns Monument Centre as a Model for Ancestral Tourism and Community Heritage in Scotland

1. Overview and Objectives

The research group at IOE Press University Research Centre (ioepress.co.uk) has launched a multi-disciplinary project to explore how the Burns Monument Centre (BMC) in Kilmarnock functions as a hub of heritage preservation, digital genealogy, and community engagement.

The project aims to:

• Examine the role of the Burns Monument Centre in connecting Scottish diaspora communities with their ancestral roots.
• Assess how digital archives and genealogy databases influence modern family history research.
• Explore the economic, cultural, and emotional impacts of ancestral tourism on East Ayrshire.
• Develop a replicable model for other heritage centres across Scotland and the UK.

2. Background Context

The Burns Monument Centre was established as a pioneering collaboration between East Ayrshire Council, the National Archives of Scotland, and heritage professionals. It merges:

• A state-of-the-art archive and registration facility
• A visitor and family history research centre
• A venue for cultural events and weddings

Its integration of traditional archives with digital genealogy technology has made it a model for 21st-century heritage engagement. The new research project seeks to understand how this model can evolve further in an era dominated by digital ancestry tools like Ancestry.com and MyHeritage.

3. Research Themes and Methodology

A. Digital Genealogy and Technological Integration

• The research team will conduct ethnographic fieldwork and user experience studies at the BMC to explore how visitors engage with genealogical databases.
• Collaborations with IT and heritage departments will analyze how BMC’s systems can be expanded with AI-driven family tree reconstruction, facial recognition for old photographs, and interactive digital storytelling.

B. Cultural Identity and Diaspora Studies

• Interviews will be conducted with Scottish expatriates and tourists visiting from Canada, Australia, and the U.S. to trace emotional and identity-based motivations behind ancestral tourism.
• A comparative study will be carried out with other Scottish heritage sites, such as the Mitchell Library in Glasgowand the Scottish Genealogy Centre in Edinburgh.

C. Economic and Tourism Impact Analysis

• Collaboration with the university’s Business and Tourism faculty will measure visitor spending, employment creation, and local economic benefits.
• Surveys will track how heritage-driven tourism contributes to the revitalisation of East Ayrshire and its cultural brand.

D. Community Engagement and Education

• A participatory component will involve local schools and community groups in preserving oral histories, photographs, and documents.
• Workshops will train young researchers in archival handling, digital storytelling, and genealogy research.

4. Expected Outcomes

By the end of the 3-year study, the research group aims to produce:

1. A comprehensive academic report on the socio-cultural and digital significance of the BMC.
2. A digital platform prototype that allows users worldwide to explore East Ayrshire’s genealogical records in immersive formats.
3. Policy recommendations for Scottish local authorities on leveraging heritage sites for tourism and education.
4. An exhibition and documentary film showcasing the personal stories uncovered through the research.

5. Collaborations and Funding

The project will be conducted in partnership with:

• East Ayrshire Council and the National Records of Scotland
• Scottish Tourism Alliance
• University departments of Digital Humanities, History, and Cultural Studies

Funding applications are being submitted to:

• The UK Research and Innovation Council (UKRI)
• The Heritage Lottery Fund
• Creative Scotland

6. Long Term Vision

The long-term goal is to establish the Burns Monument Centre as a “Living Heritage Laboratory” — a model that integrates archival research, community storytelling, and digital innovation. This model can then be replicated in other regions of Scotland, ensuring that local identity and history continue to thrive in the digital age.