DAVID MCCRONE is Professor of Sociology, Institute of Governance, University of Edinburgh, UK. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and a Fellow of the British Academy. He coordinated the research programme on Constitutional Change and National Identity funded by the Leverhulme Trust (1999-2005), and its follow-up programme on National Identity, Citizenship and Social Inclusion (2005-11).
GAYLE MCPHERSON is Senior Lecturer in Cultural Policy, Glasgow Caledonian University, UK. She leads a team with interests in the consumption and production of festivals and events, both on a global scale and in enhancing community interests. Her research also examines the use of culture in developing social cohesion and social economy skills. She has a particular interest in the social and cultural impacts and benefits of large scale events on local communities.