Contact details
About me
Constance is an American citizen residing in the USA. She received Master and Bachelor degrees from prominent U.S. universities. She is now realizing her dream of completing a Doctoral degree in History with plans to undertake an academic career as an independent research scholar, historian, writer, and teacher, and is currently undertaking dissertation research pertaining to the American Revolution Era.
Constance has made rapid progress during her initial year at the University of Stirling. Through a competitive process she was awarded a 2023 Research Fellowship at the American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati Special Collections Library in Washington D.C., where she will be conducting research in 2023, along with on site research in North Carolina and Pennsylvania. She secured two teaching posts (see recent teaching photograph above), and was appointed an Editor to the SPARK Postgraduate Journal.
Constance is a Fellow at the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. For nearly twelve years, Constance has chaired the Scottish American History Forum, where she has been successful in attracting support from world-renowned universities, institutions, and scholars; hosting monthly lectures via webcam. She also serves as a Governor, Illinois Saint Andrew Society/Chicago Scots Board of Governors. In 2022, Constance was appointed to an advisory team for the St. Giles Cathedral Edinburgh Scotland Genealogy Diaspora Project, led by the Reverend Calum MacLeod. She was elected the "2022 Kinswoman of the Year" by the Illinois Saint Andrew Society/Chicago Scots, receiving a public award on December 2, 2022. She was appointed Ambassador at Scottish Heritage USA in 2023. She is a serious scholar and is widely traveled. For additional information or a list of Constance's publications, public speaking engagements, and awards, please contact her at constance.nestor@stir.ac.uk.
Award
Visiting Research Fellowship: American Revolution Institute, Washington, DC
As a result of a competitive process, Constance Nestor was awarded a Visiting Research Fellowship within the Special Collections Library of the American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati, located in Washington, DC, USA, along with a stipend. Constance is scheduled to conduct on-site primary research in Washington DC during 2023.
Fellow, Society of Antiquarians of Scotland
Constance Nestor was nominated by two Society Fellows, elected by the Society membership, and was inducted into the Society as a Fellow in 2023.
2022 Kinswoman of the Year, Illinois Saint Andrew Society, Chicago, IL, USA
For her community and philanthropic service and outstanding commitment as a Governor of the Board of Governors, and for leadership of the Scottish American History Forum for more than ten years, Constance Nestor was selected as the 2022 Kinswoman of the Year, awarded by Illinois Saint Andrew Society and Chicago Scots, December 2, 2022.
Community Contribution
Chair, Scottish American History Forum
For over ten years, Constance Nestor has chaired the Scottish American History Forum, where she has been successful in attracting support from world-renowned universities, institutions, and scholars to her monthly webcam lectures and presentations. The Scottish American History Forum is sponsored by the Arts and Cultural Division of Chicago Scots.
https://chicagoscots.org/events/
Governor, Board of Governors, Illinois Saint Andrew Society and Chicago Scots
Constance Nestor serves as a Governor on the Illinois Saint Andrew Society Board of Governors, in support of its rich Scottish cultural program and the operation of the Caledonia Senior Services and Memory Care campus located in North Riverside, Illinois. Founded in 1845 as the Scottish Old Peoples Home, Caledonia is the oldest 501(c)3 charity in the State of Illinois, operating memory care, assisted living, shelter care, and independent living facilities for people of all races.
"A Toast to the Laddies" - Robert Burns Supper, Lake Forest, Illinois
Constance Nestor was asked, by the Chicago Scottish Community, to deliver the Toast To The Laddies during the February 4, 2023 Robert Burns Supper in Lake Forest, Illinois. The focus of Constance's (serious)
address was the great contributions to society by male Scots over the ages.
Project Reviewer, Saint Giles Cathedral Diaspora History (1500-1900) Interactive Venue Project
Constance Nestor was asked and accepted the accountability of serving as a Project Reviewer for the Saint Giles Cathedral Diaspora History (1500-1900) Interactive Venue Project in Edinburgh led by the Reverend Calum MacLeod; currently underway.
Divisional / Faculty Contribution
Editor: SPARK Postgraduate Journal, University of Stirling
Constance Nestor serves as an Editor for SPARK, the University of Stirling's postgraduate journal, As a SPARK Editor, she has played a key role in the derivation and posting of the 2023 Call For Papers, themed around "Contributions To Society", open to PhD candidates at all institutions; and is currently a co-chair for the Peer Review Quality Assurance process.
Event / Presentation
Speaker: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Annual North America Meeting and Dinner
October 21, 2023 (Confirmed): Constance Nestor selected as speaker for Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Annual North America Meeting and Dinner.
Topic: "Colonial Scots in Georgia and the Southern American Colonies During the American Revolution Era, and Perspectives on the Scottish Diaspora", Hilton Atlanta Northeast Conference Center, Atlanta, Georgia
Professional membership
Ambassador, Scottish Heritage USA
Constance Nestor was named an Ambassador by Scottish Heritage USA in 2023.
Member, American Historical Association
Constance is an active member in the American History Association, the American Philosophical Society, and the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.
Research
Constance Nestor's research interests include American History, History of Scotland, UK History and others. During 2023 she is confirmed with reservations to conduct primary source research at the following institutions:
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American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati Library and Collections, Washington, D.C.
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American Philosophical Society David Center for the American Revolution Library and Collections, Philadelphia, PA
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University of North Carolina Wilson Special Collections Library, Chapel Hill, IL
Teaching
An expectation of the University of Stirling of its PhD candidates is teaching while earning the Doctoral degree. Constance secured a two semester position History teaching post for 2023, in addition to a two semester 2023-2024 teaching post at colleges located in Illinois. She successfully completed the Spring 2023 term, receiving excellent references for her teaching skills, and has been invited to teach again next year.
Teaching
Teaching Post: Scotland and Ireland - History and Culture
Constance Nestor applied for and has been awarded a teaching position during the 2023 Fall Term and 2024 Spring Term at Elgin Community College, Elgin, Illinois, USA. This activity is in support of the University of Stirling's plan for PhD students who wish to pursue academic careers in teaching after degree completion. She hopes to secure ongoing teaching roles during her doctoral candidacy period at Stirling.
Teaching Position: Scotland and Ireland - History and Culture
Constance Nestor has successfully completed her teaching role during the 2023 Spring Quarter at the Renaissance Academy, Moraine Valley College, Tinley Park, Illinois, USA; and has been invited back to teach during the 2023 Fall Quarter. This activity is in support of the University of Stirling's requirement of PhD students to teach during the enrollment period. Constance hopes to secure ongoing teaching roles during her doctoral candidacy period at Stirling.