New links have been forged with Scotland.
It follows the visit of Dr Valentina Bold, director of the Solway Centre for Environment & Culture based in Dumfries.
The Solway Centre was set up by the University of Glasgow in 2012 to undertake high quality academic research of relevance to policy makers, particularly in the areas of rural landscape management, sustainable rural tourism and cultural studies, in the Solway Firth region.
Dr Bold was invited by the University of Liverpool’s Centre for Manx Studies in Douglas, with a view to explore possible research collaborations in the areas of tourism, culture, agriculture and fisheries, and the environment.
Dr Bold and Dr Catriona Mackie of the Centre for Manx Studies met Environment Minister Phil Gawne, Laurence Skelly of the Department of Economic Development, and Manx Heritage Foundation staff.
They visited the Marine Nature Reserve in Ramsey, and Cregneash and the Sound, where a meeting was held with Manx National Heritage chairman Tony Pass and director Edmund Southworth.
Dr Bold said it was a ‘great privilege’ to meet ‘the knowledgeable and pleasant staff and see first-hand what an impact the Centre is making, in partnership with MNH, the Manx Heritage Foundation, and within Government.
‘Meeting too, with the powerful advocates of natural heritage in DEFA, and your committed MHKs, has shown me real opportunities for future partnerships around the areas of environment and culture, which is the focus of the Solway Centre.
‘I look forward to further discussions around the new biosphere initiative, as well as exploring new and historical links between Scotland and the Isle of Man.’
The visit coincided with a reception to celebrate the research carried out at the Centre and the success of its students, with four graduating this year.
Professor Harold Mytum said: ‘The event was a great success, both in terms of celebrating our students’ achievements over this past year, and in highlighting the important work and opportunities that the Centre for Manx Studies has contributed to the island over its 21-year history.’