Meet our graduates: Hector Shaw (Scottish Ethnology and English Literature)

Scottish Ethnology and English Literature is a joint honours undergraduate programme that combines two approaches to the study of human cultural expression, past and present. 

Having originally started on a single honours degree in literature, Hector moved on to the joint honours after taking oral culture as an option in his second year, and enjoying it so much he wanted to pursue ethnology further.

In his songwriting, he prioritises intimate, candid storytelling, while his job in the City of Edinburgh Council sees him working closely with cultural venues such as the Usher Hall, Assembly Rooms, Churchill Theatre and Ross Bandstand.

Reflecting on the skills he developed at university, he says “My studies helped me become a confident writer and communicator, which is crucial for working in marketing. We’re always thinking about tone of voice, drafting briefs, repurposing copy to fit different comms channels (social media, website, press release, invites). Language and its delivery to our audience is always on the team’s mind."

Hector came to Edinburgh from Glasgow and still lives here, drawn by the city’s “gothic romance, drag scene and proximity to gorgeous nature spots.”

When we spoke to him as a student, he said a joint honours programme was “helpful if you have multiple interests and want to pursue them. I can choose between two subjects to write a dissertation on, and I've been able to meet a greater variety of people which is always a good thing at university.”

Looking back as a graduate, he says “I felt the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC) had brilliant professors and a thorough study programme.”

As for advice for new students, he says “you make of your degree what you put into it, but it also really doesn’t define you; it’s one chapter of your life among so many others. While you’re there, though, be open to your own curiosity and cultivate it. It will make the whole experience so much more enjoyable and worthwhile.”

Hector will be playing at Celtic Connections on Friday 23 January 2026 in a special collaborative show with singer-songwriters Kirsteen Harvey and Grace Morton that blends rich folk traditions with contemporary indie sensibilities.

Based in the first UNESCO World City of Literature, ours is the only full undergraduate programme of its kind in the UK.

A highlight of the programme is the chance to work with the rich range of materials in the School of Scottish Studies Archives. These include thousands of recordings in Scots, Gaelic, English, and dialects now extinct.

As well as our fantastic teaching staff, you will benefit from the expertise of our Traditional Artist in Residence and two Writers in Residence - one in Gaelic, and one in English Literature. You will also gain the practical and intellectual skills to handle and interpret traditional resources, modern media and digital data.

Combining literature with ethnology shows an openness to ideas and perspectives other than your own, an essential attribute in many careers and a global marketplace.

Hector Shaw music [external website]