Presented by the Institute of Island Studies at UPEI, the Lecture Series on February 27 will celebrate the launch of The Bridge Effect: Critical Reflections in the Age of Technological Solutionism co-edited by Laurie Brinklow and Andrew Jennings. This event will feature a discussion of the effect of bridges—be they physical or digital—on island life and culture. The lecture and launch will be held from 7-8:30 pm in the Faculty Lounge, Main Building, UPEI campus.

Brinklow will present a humorous look at ferry crossings and how the various stages of the journey from the race to the dock to chatting with neighbours in the lineup can define island life. Jennings, beaming in from Shetland, Scotland, via a technological bridge will discuss the long-lasting impacts of two small bridges on island populations in the Scottish archipelago. While PEI contributor, Janice Pettit will share her interviews with island residents on how the Confederation bridge has affected “the island way of life” twenty years later. The event is free, all are welcome to attend. Books will be available for purchase.

Laurie Brinklow is a writer, editor, Assistant Professor, and the Coordinator of the Master of Arts in Island Studies (MAIS) program at the University of Prince Edward Island. She is the author of My island’s the house I sleep in at night and Here for the Music. Andrew Jennings lives in Shetland, Scotland’s most northerly islands. He is an Associate Professor of Island Studies based at UHI Shetland, where he works with the Institute for Northern Studies. Janice Pettit was an adjunct professor at University of Prince Edward Island where she taught the Introduction to Island Studies course for seven semesters. She now works for the PEI Public Service Commission.

The Bridge Effect was published by Island Studies Press with the support of a SSHRC Exchange Publication Award from the Office of the Vice-President, Academic and Research at UPEI.

Meet the Speakers

Laurie Brinklow is a writer, editor, Assistant Professor, and the Coordinator of the Master of Arts in Island Studies (MAIS) program at the University of Prince Edward Island. Her research focuses on islandness and island identity, including the power of place and story. She is the author of My island’s the house I sleep in at night and Here for the Music.

Andrew Jennings lives in Shetland, Scotland’s most northerly islands, famous for their Nordic cultural inheritance that inspires his research and teaching. He is an Associate Professor of Island Studies based at UHI Shetland, where he works with the Institute for Northern Studies.

Janice Pettit holds a Diploma in Public Administration, a Bachelor of Business Administration, and a Master of Arts in Island Studies (MAIS). She was an adjunct professor at the University of Prince Edward Island where she taught the Introduction to Island Studies course for seven semesters. She is currently a Staffing and Classification Consultant with the PEI Public Service Commission. Her research interests continue to focus on bridge impacts on islands and islanders.