Projects per year
Personal profile
Personal Statement
I'm an anthropologist specialising in the study of material culture, justice, and community. My research investigates how relationships between people and objects, or landscapes, affect their lives and the choices they make. My work helps in the design of better, fairer, practices and systems with the aim of contributing to sustainable and just management of material cultures and natural landscapes.
I'm currently a Research Fellow based in Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Strathclyde and embedded within a multi-institution interdisciplinary programme hosted by the University of Glasgow.
Education/Academic qualification
Doctor of Philosophy, Anthropology, The University of Edinburgh, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Science
Award Date: 28 Nov 2016
Master of Research, The Sociology and Anthropology of Health and Illness, The University of Edinburgh, College of Humanities and Social Science
Award Date: 26 Nov 2009
External positions
Lecturer , Social Anthropology, University of Edinburgh
1 Sept 2016 → 29 Aug 2019
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 1 No Poverty -
SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 14 Life Below Water -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics where Laura Major is active. These topic labels come from the works of this person. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
Projects
- 5 Finished
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Foundation Scotland Community Benefit Fund Review
Hannon, M. (Principal Investigator), Cairns, I. (Co-investigator), Major, L. (Co-investigator) & Roberts, J. (Co-investigator)
2/10/23 → 31/10/24
Project: Knowledge Exchange (Services/Consultancy)
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“Taps Aff!” Voicing experiences of water scarcity in rural Scotland
Major, L. (Principal Investigator)
ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council)
1/09/23 → 30/09/24
Project: Research
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Recognising community-managed water institutions: justice, governance and resilience in rural and island Scotland
Major, L., Lawson, E., Amezaga, J. & Roberts, J. J., 1 Aug 2026, In: Water Security . 28, 9 p., 100208.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Downloads (Pure) -
Seascapes, personhood, and humanity: conceptualising the contribution of international human rights law to sustainable governance of the marine environment
Major, L. & Webster, E., 5 May 2026, In: People and Nature. 8, 5, p. 1128-1140 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile
Datasets
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Dataset of Daily Water Scarcity Level in Scotland (1991 - 2025)
Peters, J. (Creator), Roberts, J. (Owner), McGuire, S. (Contributor), Willmott, E. (Contributor), Tunaley, C. (Creator), White, C. (Contributor), Lau, T. (Contributor), Bertram, D. (Contributor) & Major, L. (Contributor), University of Strathclyde, 28 Oct 2025
DOI: 10.15129/ea4d17fe-6d09-44da-b7d5-d3eae5249313
Dataset
Prizes
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Finalist - The Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards
Major, L. (Recipient) & Febrica, S. (Recipient), 2022
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Activities
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World Water Day at Strathclyde 2026
Major, L. (Speaker)
17 Mar 2026Activity: Talk or Presentation › Oral presentation
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The Water of Lismore: Community Exhibition on Water Histories, Practices and Infrastructures
Major, L. (Curator) & Roberts, J. (Contributor)
20 Apr 2025 → 30 Sept 2025Activity: Public Engagement and Outreach › Co-Production
Impacts
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Work cited in Scottish Government's Carbon Neutral Islands Community Climate Action Plan (Barra & Vatersay)
Roberts, J. (Participant), Major, L. (Participant) & Hunter, K. (Participant)
Impact: Environment and sustainability - natural world and built environment, !!Social impacts