Dr. Michael Newton earned a Ph.D. in Celtic Studies from the University of Edinburgh, with a focus on Scottish Gaelic Studies. He is a fluent Scottish Gaelic speaker who has pioneered the study of materials from the margins of the Gaelic world, especially the North American diaspora, and has published a multitude of books and articles on a variety of topics. He was recognized with the inaugural Saltire Award from the Scottish Heritage Center of St. Andrews University, Laurinburg, North Carolina, in 2014 for outstanding contributions to the preservation and interpretation of Scottish history and culture. In 2018 he received the International Award at the annual Gaelic Awards ceremony in Glasgow, Scotland, for contributions to the wider Gaelic community.
