Mapping the North-East
A cross-artform, creative research project, exploring and narrating the words, music, history, languages, and international connections that make up North-East Scotland.
WORD Centre for Creative Writing
At the WORD Centre for Creative Writing we bring together writers, performers, artists, scholars and audiences of North-East Scotland through creative projects, collaborations, events and performances.
From fiction and poetry, to creative non-fiction and collaborative mixed media, the projects of the Centre speak all the languages of North-East Scotland, from Doric and English, to Gaelic and Polish, engaging with its histories and cultural traditions. Reaching out beyond the university community to wider, diverse audiences, the projects of the Centre seek to connect and nurture North-East arts and artists, drawing a creative map of the region.
Two main research strands, Mapping the North-East and Creative Compositions , encompass many of the Centre's activities, which also include the research, public engagement and creative work of its members and directors . We are also actively engaged in building a vibrant and successful community of postgraduate research in Creative Writing, as well as cultivating dynamic collaborations with numerous research centres and Community & Cultural Partners .
WayWORD Festival 1st-5th of October 2025
WayWORD is now a youth-led literary cross-arts festival of performances, workshops, panel discussions, exhibitions, and film screenings, featuring local, national, and international creatives, brought to you by the WORD Centre for Creative Writing. For previous festival line-ups, see live events and festivals. Founded in 2020 by its first Creative Director Dr Helen Lynch (2020-25) and a youth committee of students and young people, the festival works with community and cultural partners to deliver vibrant and impactful activity throughout Aberdeen and the Northeast. Funded by Creative Scotland's Multi-year Funding 2025-28, and the University of Aberdeen, the festival builds on a successful foundation to move forward under the Directorship of Dr Shane Strachan, Development Manager Kirstie Lawie, and Operations Manager Naomi Christie.
The 2025 festival programme will be launched in the summer on WayWORD Festival | Aberdeen's Literary Cross Arts Festival. Meanwhile, there are events throughout the year, such as the current Spring Into Summer programme. For early bird booking and notifications, please sign up to the festival mailing list here.
Nan Shepherd Series and Creative Writing Competition for Young Writers
As part of our work studying and engaging with the legacy of North-East literary legend Nan Shepherd, we asked University of Aberdeen alumni and Centre Fellows to explain what Shepherd means to them in a series of short videos. Here's Darryl's response.
Watch the other episodes of the Nan Shepherd Shorts to learn more about Nan Shepherd and her lasting impact on young writers and students!
Current Research, Projects and Events
Creative Compositions
Working with numerous partners and across several disciplines, this research strand focuses on creative processes in collaborative and multi-media works.
Nan Shepherd Prize
The work and life of North East writer Nan Shepherd is celebrated in a series of activities including a creative writing prize for young writers.
Festival Events
Year-round WayWORD and WORD events at the annual May Festival bring exciting new writers and well-loved, internationally-renowned authors to Aberdeen audiences, as well as showcasing some of the Centre's work.