Dr Linnea Wallen is a Lecturer in Sociology in the Psychology, Sociology and Education Division.
- Overview
- Research Interests
- Research Publications
- Other Publications
- Teaching & Learning
- Activities & Awards
I was appointed as a Lecturer in Sociology at Queen Margaret University in early 2022. Prior to that – since 2020 – I’ve held Visiting Lecturer and Graduate Teaching Assistant roles in the Division. Between the end of 2023 and mid-2024, I was the (Interim) Programme Leader for BSc (Hons) Psychology and Sociology. I currently also sit on the ASSaM School Academic Board as a PSE representative.
I completed my PhD in Sociology at 17½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï, following the completion of my undergraduate degree in Public Sociology. My thesis specifically explored how memory is used, understood and conceptualised in museum community engagement activities in Scotland. Recently, I have also worked with John Docherty-Hughes in exploring the notion of ‘care’ in museum settings, as well as the practice and pedagogy of ‘uncertainty’ at heritage sites.
Between 2020-2022 I was the Peer Assisted Learning Scheme (PALS) Coordinator for the Division. In this role, I supervised and managed the design, facilitation and evaluation of supplementary academic support sessions organised by trained student leaders to support their peers in years below them. Through PALS, I have been part of new student induction activities, with a particular focus on students from WP backgrounds and I have been part of peer-assisted learning community networks across the United Kingdom and Europe.
My interest in the student experience also extends into my role as the Student Lead and Research Assistant for the 2020-2023 QAA Enhancement Theme on ‘Resilient Learning Communities’, in which we conducted a study focusing on students’ experiences of loneliness and social isolation during COVID-19
Affiliations (including memberships) to other organisations:
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
- Member of the British Sociological Association
- Member of the Museums Association
- Member of the Memory Studies Association
My research is interdisciplinary in nature and predominately sits in the intersection of Sociology and the multidisciplinary areas of Museum Studies and Memory Studies. In my PhD research, I considered individualistic, social and cultural theories of memory to understand the different forms that memory work can take in museum community engagement activities, as well as asked what memory ‘is’ in museum contexts. That focus overlaps with my interest in the relationship between memory, identity, narrative and storytelling, as well as how museum art and artefacts can be used as vehicles for self-reflection.
I also have an interest in museological debates regarding the sustainability of community engagement practice, how such work is shaped by museum institutions and the museum sector and the implications interactions with museums can have on individual, community and societal health and wellbeing.
Recently, I have also been involved in work that focuses on the practice and pedagogy of uncertainty at heritage sites, most specifically at the Scottish Crannog Centre.
Active research interests:
- Museums
- Community Engagement Work
- Social and Cultural Perspectives on Memory
- Uncertainty in Heritage Contexts
- Student Experience
- Peer-Assisted Learning / Supplementary Instruction
Research Methodologies and Methods:
- Bricolage
- Ethnography
- Creative Interview Methods
- Focus Groups
- Participatory and Collaborative Methods
- Case Studies
I am also an Associate Member of the Centre for Culture in Society, and my PhD research was based at the Centre for Applied Social Sciences.
Other publications:
Sagan, O., Scally-Robertson, M. and Wallen, L. (2023). Lonely learning & learning to be lonely, phase 2: Student resilience. Report for QAA Enhancement Themes.
Sagan, O., Scally-Robertson, M. and Wallen, L. (2022). Lonely learning & learning to be lonely: A study of student resilience and challenge during the COVID-19 lockdown. Report for QAA Enhancement Themes.
Wallen, L. (2021). What do we talk about when we talk about memory? POEM Research Network Newsletter. December.
Wallen, L. (2021). What makes the Scottish Crannog Centre special?. Report for the Scottish Crannog Centre.
Wallen, L. (2021). Representation, knowledge and museum community engagement. The Sociological Review Magazine. March. doi:
Wallen, L., (2020). Academia and charities sharing resources and knowledge. People Know How. July. Available from:
Keynote presentations:
Wallen, L. (2023). Peer Assisted Learning: The Learner Experience. Keynote speech. Queen Margaret University. June
Conference presentations:
Wallen, L. (2023). Making archival work ‘public’: Wikipedia as a global memory place. Paper presentation. Shaking the archive - Reconsidering the role of archives in contemporary society. Queen Margaret University. June.
Wallen, L., Milne, R., Johnson, K. and Vettese Cruden, L. (2023). Demystifying Higher Education through dialogue: The use of Peer Assisted Learning. Paper presentation. Abertay University: EFYE Conference.
Wallen, L., Scally-Robertson, M. and Sagan, O. (2023). Student loneliness & social isolation: Research-informed projects. Paper presentation. Glasgow: QAA Scotland’s 5th International Enhancement Conference. July.
Wallen, L. and Docherty-Hughes, J.R. (2023). ‘Uncertainty’ as a critical engagement strategy in museums. Paper Presentation. Scottish Museum Federation Conference. May.
Wallen, L. (2023). What do we talk about when we talk about memory?. Paper presentation. Queen Margaret University: Doctoral Candidate Association Conference. May.
Wallen, L. and Vettese Cruden, L. (2023). A Students-as-Partners approach to training and developing peer facilitators. Paper presentation. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki: EARLI Conference. May. (Abstract accepted)
Wallen, L. (2023). Lived experiences of memory: Museums as facilitators. Paper presentation. January. University of Lancaster: Greater Yorkshire Memory Meeting, January.
Wallen, L. and Hiden, R. (2022). Revolutions through uncertainty: Social activism at the Scottish Crannog Centre. Paper presentation. University of Edinburgh: Theoretical Archaeology Conference 43. December.
Wallen, L. Trowell, M. and Vettese Cruden, L. (2022). Using podcasts as a medium for Peer Assisted Learning in two university contexts. Paper presentation. Lund University: International Forum for Peer Learning. June.
Wallen, L and Scally-Robertson, M. (2022). Student experiences of loneliness and social isolation during COVID-19. Paper presentation. Glasgow: QAA Scotland’s 4th International Enhancement Conference. June.
Wallen, L. (2022). Memory work and sustainable interactions in museum community engagement activities. Paper presentation. Queen Margaret University: ASSAM Interdisciplinary Conference, May.
Wallen, L., Scally-Robertson, M. and Sagan, O. (2022). Loneliness and social isolation during COVID-19: Queen Margaret University student experiences. Poster presentation. Queen Margaret University: ASSAM Interdisciplinary Conference, May.
Wallen, L. (2022). Using uncertainty to encourage critical reflection at the Scottish Crannog Centre. University of Cambridge: Cambridge University Heritage Symposium. May.
Wallen, L. (2022). Using Peer Assisted Learning through transitional stages in HE. Paper presentation. Graz University of Technology, Austria: EFYE Conference. April.
Wallen, L. and Johnson, K. (2021). Building an inclusive student experience through the implementation of Peer Assisted Learning sessions. Paper presentation. University of St Andrews: Higher Education Institutional Research Conference. September.
Wallen, L. and Scally-Robertson, M. (2021). International students: Lonely learning and learning to be lonely. Paper presentation. London: TRIUMPH Early Career Research Forum. September.
Wallen, L. (2021). Walking interviews in museums: The role of art & artefacts as memory prompts. Paper presentation. Queen Margaret University: Doctoral Candidate Association Conference. April.
Wallen, L. (2021). Memory and Museum Community Engagement. Poster presentation. University of Stirling: Interdisciplinary Research Network Symposium. April. (Runner-up).
Wallen, L., Vettese Cruden, L., Kearney, R. and Ohl, M. (2020). Transitioning into, through and out of Higher Education: The Role(s) of PALS at Queen Margaret University. Paper presentation. Lund University: International Forum for Peer Learning. February.
Wallen, L., Syme, B. and Fraser, S. (2019). PALS at Queen Margaret University. Poster presentation. Loughborough University: SI/PAL/PASS Leaders Conference. November.
Wallen, L. (2019). A Sociological Analysis of Museum Community Engagement Programmes. Poster presentation. University of Strathclyde: Carnegie Trust Poster Competition. August.
Vettese Cruden, L. and Wallen, L. (2019). Evaluating the Impact of PALS at Queen Margaret University. Poster presentation. University of Brighton: International Forum for Peer Learning. June.
I teach on a range of modules across BS (Hons) Public Sociology, BS (Hons) Psychology and Sociology and BA (Hons) Education Studies with a particular focus on research skills, material culture, community education and current debates in sociology.
I have supervised/am supervising student research at both Undergraduate and Postgraduate level.
Fellowship in the Higher Education Academy – Advance HE (2024)
Researcher Enhancement and Development – Queen Margaret University (2023)
Aurora Leadership Programme – Advance HE (2022)
SI-PASS Supervisory Training – European Centre for SI-PASS (2020)
