Ken MacKinnon

First degree in Economics and Sociology, B. Sc (Econ) at London School of Economics. Higher degrees in Sociology and Sociolinguistics of Education: MA (Educ), Ph.D. at London University Institute of Education.

Teacher / lecturer in Geography, English and Social Sciences (Essex secondary and further education), head of department of General and Social Studies, Barking College of Technology.

Reader in Sociology of Language ‘ Head of Lesser-Used Languages Research Unit at Hatfield Polytechnic. Research included four projects on Gaelic communities funded by SSRC / ESRC, and the organization of numerous studies of indigenous and ethnic minority language communities. Taught social research, community studies, sociolinguistics, and developed research-based sociology courses taught by computer.

Invirted as visting lecturer to universities in Canada, Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden, Italy, etc. Has given numerous papers to international conferences and has written many articles, monographs and research reports on social aspects of Gaelic.

Author of books on social history and present-day social conditions of Gaelic, including:-

‘The Lion’s Tongue’, Inverness: Club Leabhar 1974;

‘ Language, Education and Social Processes in a Gaelic Community’, London: Routledge 1977;

Gaelic – a Past and Future Prospect’, Edinbugh: Saltire 1991;

‘An Aghaidh nan Creag’, report to CNAG, Inverness 1992;

‘Gaelic in 1994’, report to Euromosaic, Barcelona 1994;

‘An Independent Academic Study on Cornish’, report to Government Office for South West, 2000.

Has been a contributor and programme consultant for television features, including:-

‘About Gaelic’, ‘The Blood is Strong’, ‘Is A-Màireach?’, ‘Mind Your Language’, ‘Nuair Thig an Ola’, ‘Speaking Our Language’, etc.

Provided specialist evidence to Macpherson, and McGugan reports, member: Ministerial Advisory Group on Gaelic (MAGOG 2000 – 2202 and contributor to Meek Report), and on Russell Bill and EU Charter on Regional or Minority Languages.

Visiting Professor and Emeritus Reader in the Sociology of language at the University of Hertfordshire;

Honorary Fellow in Celtic at the University of Edinburgh;

Associate Lecturer Open University for social sciences, education and language studies;

Supervisor and examiner for higher degree students at these and other universities;

Higher eduction quality assessor: :HEFC, HEFCW, QAA.

Organises weekend residential courses for Gaelic learners. Conference organizer: FASGNAG I (1991) and II (1993) on Gaelic research at Sabhal Mòr Ostaif ( HIE / ESRC funded), and COMPASS (1993) on European lesser-used languages (EU funded).

Ken MacKinnon is interested in environmental issues, has been a speaker for the Highland Green Party on Gaelic media, and was a Green list candidate in 1999. He enjoys the countryside, traditional music, dance and song, and caravanning.