Scotland’s social history to receive a comic book reboot

Researchers from Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) will work with Magic Torch Comics to create two comic collections that will be shared in schools, online, and at national events.

The Common Good Comics Project will record and share the oral histories of organisations across Scotland and showcase material in community archives.

Work on the project is already underway but the team is looking for more groups from across Scotland to get involved.

Dr Gillian Murray, of the Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health at GCU, said: “The opportunity to collaborate with social enterprises and community groups to tell their stories in a way that supports them to take ownership of their history and heritage is really exciting.

“The current crisis means this is a particularly challenging time for the social enterprise and community sector, we hope that sharing stories of how people came together in the past will be uplifting and empowering for groups and organisations today.”

Caroline Clark, Director of Scotland for The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “The appeal of comics spans the generations so what better way of telling the stories of one generation to another.”

The project builds on the work already undertaken by Glasgow Caledonian University’s Archive Centre to create a national Social Enterprise Collection, funded by the Scottish Government.

GCU Archivist Carole McCallum said: “Giving voice and vision to these stories opens up our heritage to new audiences and allows people to better understand and take pride in their own story.

“As well as a hands-on connection with the material we will be sharing our skills, offering basic training in caring for and digitising records to the communities involved.”

Community groups interested in taking part should make contact with the Common Good Comics Project team via [email protected].