Bringing Humpback Whale Song Science to Remote Scottish Communities
Dr Natalie Sinclair
University of St Andrews
In June 2024, I embarked on a public engagement initiative supported by the Challenger Society for Marine Science's Stepping Stones Bursary. The project aimed to bring a free marine science workshop to remote communities in Scotland, specifically focusing on the Outer Hebrides, including Harris and North Uist.
Image 1: The stunning blue waters of Harris serve as a reminder of the incredible marine life that calls these waters home, including the humpback whales whose songs I've been studying. Protecting these precious ecosystems is at the heart of my research and outreach efforts.
The core of the project was a presentation on the cutting-edge research on humpback whale song evolution in the North Atlantic Ocean. This research, which I conducted in collaboration with Marine Scotland and SAMS, analysed humpback whale vocalisations for the first time off the west coast of Scotland. My presentation dived into the complex world of whale songs, emphasising the significance of these songs for conservation efforts.
Image 2: After my presentation at Talla na Mara, Harris: I was thrilled to collaborate with artist Samantha Gare and musician/researcher Alex South at the Outer Hebrides Wildlife Festival in Harris. Samantha's insights on art and storytelling, combined with Alex's unique 'multispecies musicking,' added depth to our exploration of whale song and marine conservation.
As part of the project, I had the opportunity to speak at the Outer Hebrides Wildlife Festival, presenting "Songs of the Scottish Humpbacks: Unlocking the Secrets of Whale Communication in the Outer Hebrides" at Talla na Mara arts centre in Harris on 24 June and at Taigh Chearsabhagh in Lochmaddy, North Uist on 26 June. The presentation focused on research conducted in collaboration with Marine Scotland, SAMS, and the University of St Andrews. The first talk, held at Talla na Mara arts centre in Harris, attracted a full event space of 30 people, including both community members and a group on an exchange from Barbados. The audience ranged in age from teenagers to over 70s, demonstrating the wide appeal of the topic. The second event, held at Taigh Chearsabhagh in North Uist, also drew a full house of 30 community members, further highlighting the interest in marine science in these remote communities. The audience members were full of questions at the end (and during!) and we were able to allow another 30 minutes of questions on top of our 60-minute event. Lastly, while on the islands I was invited to host a hybrid 'Natter for Nature' in South Uist. I compered a discussion with the CEO of Bumblebee Conservation Trust, a nature writer and the Community Engagement lead for the RSPB.
Image 3: A serendipitous encounter with university students from the Caribbean exchange program in Scotland! My research has revealed connections between humpback whale songs in Scotland and the Caribbean, making this meeting particularly meaningful and highlighting the importance of international collaboration in marine conservation.
My collaborative research has revealed connections between Scotland and the Caribbean through humpback whale songs. This project not only educated but also celebrated the interconnectedness of our oceans, which was particularly relevant given the presence of the Barbadian exchange group at the Harris event. The presentation also featured an exciting collaboration with artist Samantha Gare and musician/researcher Alex South. Samantha discussed how art can be a powerful tool to share stories of our natural world and help process complex emotions, whilst Alex talked about his 'multispecies musicking' shaped by the sounds and structures of animal vocalisations. This interdisciplinary approach enriched the project and highlighted the importance of diverse perspectives in marine science communication. Following the festival, Samantha, Alex, and I are now in discussions to create innovative marine science community participation creations, further extending the impact of our collaboration.
Throughout the project, I made strong connections with the Festival organisers based in the Outer Hebrides, which may lead to more collaboration opportunities in the future. These connections will be invaluable for fostering ongoing engagement with remote communities and promoting marine science education and conservation efforts.
Image 4: Overcoming the challenges of remote locations! Alex South joined us virtually at Taigh Chearsabhagh in North Uist, while Samantha Gare and I continued our fascinating discussion on the intersection of science, art, and music in marine conservation.
The Stepping Stones Bursary provided me with an incredible opportunity to share my knowledge and passion for marine science with remote communities in Scotland. Engaging with diverse audiences, including teenagers, adults, and even a group from Barbados, allowed me to inspire a wide range of individuals and foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for the marine environment. I'm really happy that I could bring this, soon to be published, research to the communities that are closest to the whales in Scotland! I wanted the community to know that these coastal communities’ matter when research is being conducted around their shores, and so I emphasised that the research findings were coming to them first. Finally, the interdisciplinary collaboration with artists and musicians during the Outer Hebrides Wildlife Festival showcased the power of combining science, art, and music to create a more holistic and engaging approach to marine science education. This experience has broadened my perspective on the potential for innovative collaborations in science communication.
Image 5: Post-presentation smiles with the talented Samantha Gare and my trusty sidekick, Bonnie, outside the beautiful Taigh Chearsabhagh in North Uist!
Profile of Award Holder:
Dr Natalie Sinclair is a Scottish marine biologist and conservationist who recently obtained her PhD from the University of St Andrews. Sinclair received her Master of Science degree from the University of Glasgow, for which she was awarded the Graham Kerr Memorial Prize for Excellence in Marine Science. She has worked with a diverse range of fauna, utilising non-invasive technologies for animal behaviour research and conservation monitoring. This process included the use of bioacoustics to aid conservation of threatened water bird and seal species in Scotland. Her work in conservation policy, alongside Scottish Natural Heritage, led to the implementation of remote time-lapse photography to monitor seabirds at a colony in the Northern Isles of Scotland, which unearthed unknown behaviour patterns. Sinclair's passion for public engagement and diversity in science is evident in her extensive voluntary work across Scotland and abroad. With the Dundee Science Centre, she co-organised the 2018 International Women and Girls in Science Lecture at the University of St Andrews and established Wild Bannockburn, a grassroots community action group focused on protecting nature. Her PhD research focused on the fine-scale cultural evolution of humpback whale song in the North Atlantic and South Pacific oceans. Sinclair is a National Geographic Explorer with a 2019-2020 National Geographic Early Career Grant and currently works as a National Geographic Expert for National Geographic Expeditions in Scotland, Iceland, and New Zealand.
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