Research
I am a creative practitioner and practice-based researcher. A recent project is ‘Capturing the Cosmos,’ funded by Kielder Observatory’s UKRI-funded Mindsets + Missions project, the North East Astro-Imaging Academy (2023-2024), seeking to inspire diverse communities to foster knowledge creation through night-sky imagery. I supported participants to create their own images, while articulating narratives through creative practice, combining outputs into a permanent photographic display in the Observatory’s Gillian Dickinson Astro-Imaging Academy. Alongside developing knowledge through practice, I disseminate outputs through exhibitions, conferences and publications.
Exhibitions
McGhie, H., 2025. Work Unity: Open Networks, 5533 Art Space, Istanbul, 17/5/2025 - 17/5/2025.
McGhie, H., 2024. Capturing the Cosmos, Kielder Observatory (Gillian Dickinson Astro-Imaging Academy), 1/5/2024.
Fox, S., Woolridge, D., Preston, Y., Macfarlane, S., Lee, S., McGhie, H., Higginbottom, R., Leeming, C., Jones, A., Dewhurst, J., Poyser, T., Bridge, T., 2024. Thinking Outloud, Vertical Gallery, Manchester School of Art, Benzie Building, 14/3/2024 - 30/4/2024.
McGhie, H., 2022. Another Dimension, Kielder Forest, 1/6/2022 - 1/10/2022.
McGhie, H., 2021. Another Dimension virtual observatory tour/exhibition, Kielder Observatory, 1/12/2021.
McGhie, H., Dracup, L., Adams, M., Sperryn-Jones, J., Kolaiti, C., Young, P., 2021. SelfScapes, Dalby Forest, 1/4/2021 - 2/7/2021.
McGhie, H., 2019. Writing Skyscapes, UK touring exhibition at Backlit Gallery; Mayo Dark Sky park; National Astronomy Meeting 2021; Nottingham Contemporary, 8/3/2019 - 21/7/2021.
Books
Emirdag, E., McGhie, H., 2025. 'Belly Button', Self published.
Book Chapters
McGhie, H., Marr, N., 2024. 'Creative approaches to dark skies research: a dialogue between two artist-researchers'. In Dunn, N., Edensor, T. (eds.) Dark Skies: places, practices, communities, pp. 35-52, Routledge, London.
Conference Papers
McGhie, H., Snee, H., 2025. 'Through the Lens of Tish: Gen Z's Reflections on Class and Creativity', 'Social Transformations,' British Sociological Association Annual Conference 2025, University of Manchester, 23/4/2025 - 25/4/2025.
McGhie, H., 2024. 'De-masculinising Astrophotography', MOMus - Thessaloniki Museum of Photography., 17/5/2024 - 19/5/2024, in Fast Forward Conference 5 in Thessaloniki, Greece, May 2024 (with videos).
McGhie, H., McKay, C., Ritson, A., O'Hara, S., 2023. 'Knowledge Exchange and Cultural Brokering in the Curriculum: Examples from Stage Two Modules at the University of Sunderland.', 'Gathering Ourselves' symposium, Group for Learning in Art and Design in Higher Education (GLAD), Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, 8/9/2023.
McGhie, H., 2022. 'Film screening of 'Observatory'', Dark Skies and Society, Exeter College, University of Oxford, 21/3/2022 - 24/3/2022, in https://darkskytourism.wordpress.com/meeting/.
McGhie, H., 2021. 'Stargazing at the 'Invisible': Photography and the Power of Obscured Light - A Research Partnership with Kielder Observatory.', EGU General Assembly 2021: #vEGU21: Engage o Discover o Inspire, Online, 19/4/2021 - 30/4/2021.
McGhie, H., 2019. 'Stargazing at the 'Invisible': Photography and the Power of Obscured Light - A Research Partnership with Kielder Observatory', Living Research: The Urgency of the Arts, National Association for Fine Art Education, Royal College of Art, 15/3/2019 - 15/3/2019.
Presentations
McGhie, H., 2025. 'The Relational Contract of Photography: A Model of Mutual Benefit for Creative Practitioners and Non-Arts Partners', SAHA Association, Istanbul.
McGhie, H., 2020. 'Speaker at Outsider Collective presents: Open Dome - Exploring Skyscapes', Nottingham Contemporary.
McGhie, H., 2019. 'Writing Skyscapes talk and workshop', Backlit Gallery.
Theses and Dissertations
McGhie, H., 2024. 'Close Encounters: A Practice-based Photography Exploration in Collaboration with a Science Communication Organisation in Northumberland International Dark Sky Park'.