Overview
Profile summary
Associate Professor in Photography
Leads the Land Water Research Group, and the International Environmental Arts Research Network.
Heidi Morstang’s research and art practice encompasses moving image, photography and experimental documentary; she is interested in developing visual methods when working on interdisciplinary projects that concern environmental change. Heidi uses images to explore and offer insight into complex and often subtle tensions and conflicts that characterise places, however beautiful our environment might appear.
She has exhibited her photographic work and screened her films internationally since 1995. Her work is represented in several private and public collections.
PhD Director of Studies and Supervisor
PhD Examiner
2nd Year co-ordinator BA (Hons) Photography
Dissertation supervisor
Personal tutor
Module leader: PHO 501 Mediations, PHO 518 Common Challenge: Collaborative Practice
Professional memberships
Roles on external bodies
Supervised research degrees
2024: Dr Christopher Cook (PhD) Title of Thesis: 'Life Still: A Sequence of Paintings Reimagining Dutch Golden Age Still Life'. Supervisory team: Prof. Anthony Caleshu (Director of Studies), Dr Heidi Morstang (2nd Supervisor)
2023: Dr Mary Pearson (PhD) Title of Thesis: 'Echoes of Time: an exploration of photography, land and memories' Supervisory team: Heidi Morstang (Director of Studies), Liz Wells (2nd Supervisor)
2020: Dr Laura Hopes (PhD) Title of Thesis: 'Being Vulnerable - Distances of the Sublime Anthropocene' Supervisory team: Geoff Cox (Director of Studies), Thomas Baugh (2nd Supervisor), Heidi Morstang (3rd Supervisor)
Teaching interests
Pedagogic grants
2015-16
PedRio funded grant for developing collaborative / interdisciplinary teaching and learning model for arts / science students (‘The Sea and Me’ – collaboration between BA (Hons) Photography students and BA (Hons) Marine Conservation students)
Erasmus+ Mobility Grant
2019 Teaching / research at HDK/Valand, Gothenburg University, Sweden
2016 Teaching / research at HDK/Valand, Gothenburg University, Sweden
2015 Teaching / research at Sorbonne University, Paris, France
Additional information
Selected works shown at The Royal Norwegian Embassy, London.
Founder of Plymouth University Beekeeping Association.
Academic qualifications
Design, and creative and performing arts, Doctorate, Intuitive Interventions: Constructing Documentary Cinematic Narratives, University of Plymouth
15 Jul 2018 → 15 Jul 2021
Award Date: 15 Jul 2021
Education and teaching, Other postgraduate qualification (e.g. PGCE, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma), Postgraduate Certificate: Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, University of Plymouth
15 Sept 2008 → 15 Sept 2009
Award Date: 15 Sept 2009
Design, and creative and performing arts, Other higher degree (e.g. Masters degree), MA Documentary Photography with Distinction, University of Wales College Newport
15 Sept 1999 → 10 Sept 2001
Award Date: 10 Sept 2001
Design, and creative and performing arts, First Degree, BA (hons) Documentary Photography, First Class Degree, University of Wales College Newport
15 Sept 1996 → 15 Sept 1999
Award Date: 15 Sept 1999
Historical, philosophical and religious studies, First Degree, Art History (Foundation), University of Oslo
15 Aug 1994 → 20 Jun 1995
Award Date: 20 Jun 1995
Historical, philosophical and religious studies, Other undergraduate qualification (e.g. Foundation Degree, Diploma of Higher Education, Level 4/5 NVQ), Examen Philosophicum, University of Oslo
20 Aug 1991 → 20 Dec 1991
Award Date: 20 Dec 1991
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
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SDG 4 Quality Education
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SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
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SDG 14 Life Below Water
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SDG 15 Life on Land
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SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Lost Landscapes of Plymouth: Historical Land Reclamation and Coastal Urbanisation Continue to Shape Britain's Ocean City
Lemasson, A. L., Firth, L., Jones, E. L., Chai, T., Kamaruzzaman, H., Panes, J., Maudlin, D., Bauer, F., Hu, Y., Read, M., Stephen, N., Knights, A., Allen, J., Cawkwell, F., Fenberg, P., Firth, A., Foggo, A., Griffin, J., Hanley, M. & Hawkins, S. & 8 others, , 22 Jul 2025, Oceanography and Marine Biology: an annual review. CRC Press, Vol. 63. p. 194-228 35 p. (Oceanography and Marine Biology: an annual review).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
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Work-in-Progress Exhibition: Landscapes of Deep Time - New Work
Morstang, H. & Sullivan, T., 23 May 2025Research output: Practice research and digital outputs › Exhibition
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Activities
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Nocturnal Symposium
Morstang, H. (Organiser)
19 Jun 2014 → 20 Jun 2014Activity: Event organisation or participation › Organising, hosting and/or delivering a workshop, seminar, course
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Pascale Weber
Morstang, H. (Host)
1 Jun 2012 → 31 Jul 2014Activity: Hosting a visitor › Hosting an academic visitor
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Bergen International Film Festival
Morstang, H. (Participant)
25 Sept 2019 → 3 Oct 2019Activity: Event organisation or participation › Screening
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Seedscapes - Future-Proofing Nature
Morstang, H. (Participant)
21 Sept 2021 → 11 Dec 2021Activity: Event organisation or participation › Screening
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Filmprogramme Bomuldsfabrikken Kunsthall
Morstang, H. (Participant)
14 Jun 2014 → 20 Aug 2014Activity: Event organisation or participation › Screening
Prizes
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1 Premio de VideoArte, El Almacen de las Artes Foconorte / El Ayuntamiento de Astillero, Spain
Morstang, H. (Recipient), 15 Feb 2008
Prize: Prize / award
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2nd Prize. Festival international du Documentaire Eau et Climat
Morstang, H. (Recipient), 15 Apr 2014
Prize: Prize / award
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European Healthcare Design Awards - Interior Design and Arts
Morstang, H. (Recipient), 11 Jun 2025
Prize: Prize / award
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Jury Prize for Best Short Documentary Film in the Moving Creatures Award
Morstang, H. (Recipient), 17 Aug 2024
Prize: Prize / award
Theses
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Intuitive Interventions: Constructing Documentary Cinematic Narratives
Morstang, H. (Author), Punt, M. (Other Supervisor), 2021Student thesis: PhD
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