Richard MacKinnon is Editor-in-Chief of Material Culture Review, the author of numerous articles in respected journals and of Vernacular Architecture in the Codroy Valley (Canadian Museum of Civilization, 2002). In his role as Canada Research Chair. Richard oversees many research initiatives collecting and disseminating various aspects of Cape Breton culture. Under his direction, the Centre of Cape Breton Studies operates a state-of-the-art recording and digitization studio.