The Bridge Effect features bridged islands-both physical and metaphorical-from around the globe. Bridging an island is often a polarizing subject. A permanent link allows for the transport of people and goods on-and off-island and can even allow an island to remain a viable place to live. At the same time, it changes the character of an island as bounded and set apart from the mainland. Not all bridges are physical. In recent years, access to broadband is allowing islanders to be part of the global world but still make a living on their islands. From the economic effects resulting from these links to how islanders feel about themselves once they've been joined to a mainland or another island, the book explores if and how "islandness"--and, ultimately, island identiy has changed on these small islands. 

Laurie Brinklow is a writor, editor, Assistant Professor, and the Coordinator of the Master of Arts in Island Studies (MAIS) program at the University of Prince Edward Island. Her research focus on islandness and island identity, including the power of place and story. She is the author of My island's the house I sleep in at night and Here for the Music. 

Anderw Jennings lives in Shetland, Scotland's most northernly islands, famous for their Nordic cultural inheritance that inspires his research and teaching. He is an Associate Professor of Island Studies based at UHI Shetland, where he works with the Institute for Nothern Studies.