An investigation into the ownership and future of Scotland’s most famous river

Who Owns the Clyde? A Citizen Investigation is an ongoing collaborative project initiated in 2023 through the Empire Café Collective. The project explores the history, cultural significance, ecology, ownership, stewardship and possible futures of the River Clyde through creative research.

As part of their talk, architect Jude Barber and writer Louise Welsh will share insights and takeaways from their investigation, sharing images, short film clips, poems and art-based approaches that formed part of their research.

Their work brings together the viewpoints of citizens, architects, planners, educators, Colombian River Guardians, poets, nature-rights lawyers, ecologists, activists and others who have contributed to the research.

This Curious talk considers who shapes the Clyde's past, present and future, and how communities can engage with questions of ownership, care and responsibility for the river.

Can't attend in-person? Watch online!

This is a hybrid event. This event page is for the in-person tickets only. If you would like to attend online, please book your tickets through the online (livestreamed) event page.

Important points to note

This event is suitable for age 16+

Event format: This event is a talk and will involve some speakers sharing talking followed by a Q&A. There may be some interactive parts of the event but you can just sit back and enjoy listening.

Filming: Livestreaming and photography may take place at this event. Please let a member of the RSE Public Engagement team know if you do not want to be photographed. Recorded events will be made available on the RSE YouTube channel.

SPEAKER

Louise Welsh

Writer & Professor of Creative Writing, University of Glasgow

Louise Welsh is the author of eleven novels including The Cutting Room Trilogy and To the Dogs. Louise has received several awards and international fellowships, including the Saltire of Saltires and honorary doctorates from the Open University and Edinburgh Napier University. Louise is Professor of Creative Writing at University of Glasgow, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Royal Society of Literature.

SPEAKER

Jude Barber

Director Collective Architecture

Jude Barber is an architecture and director at Collective Architecture. With colleagues, she has delivered projects that include Glasgow Women’s Library and the City Observatory Calton Hill, Edinburgh. Jude also has expertise in strategic planning having co-developed proposals for Granton Waterfront in Edinburgh and Water Row in Govan, Glasgow.

Jude is visiting tutor at the University of Sheffield, and a fellow of The Royal Society of Edinburgh.

About the Curious festival

The RSE’s free Curious festival of knowledge is back, from Saturday 5 − Sunday 13 September 2026!

Curious is Scotland’s annual festival of knowledge. Across its seven-year history, Curious has welcomed over 10,000 attendees into its yearly programme of talks, workshops, discussions and exhibitions – all covering different topics and subject areas. There’s no need for you to have any prior specialist knowledge before coming along, just bring your curious self! With plenty of events both in person and online, you can take part from anywhere.

You can check out the full programme of events here.

Accessibility

We aim to make events as accessible as possible. If you have any accessibility requirements or have any questions related to how we can support this event, please contact curious@theRSE.org.uk. Accessibility information for the RSE building can be found on our website.

Step-free access: Ramped access for visitors is available via 26 George Street through Lakeland. Upon arrival, please call 0131 240 5000 and a member of staff will meet you and guide you to the event. Please note that the entrance ramp has a steep gradient (1:12).

Wheelchair spaces: If you would like to book a space as a wheelchair user, please select the ticket type 'wheelchair space ticket' during the booking process. If this is sold out, please contact the Curious team on curious@therse.org.uk.

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Description supplied by the event organiser.