Doctor of Philosophy Matthew L. McDowell (BA, PhD, FRHistS) from the University of Edinburgh visited the Provincial Archives of Åland on February, 20th to 21st, 2025. He is conducting archival research into the history of the International Island Games (currently known as the NatWest International Island Games). During his visit to Åland, he also had the opportunity to interview Jörgen Pettersson and Torsten Wikstrand who played a crucial role in Åland joining the Island games family in 1985, when the first games were held in the Island of Man. McDowell has conducted research into the history of sports, and his research has often touched on the International Island Games as well as sport and tourism in the Island Games family, which also includes Åland. The ongoing research will result in a book about the history of the Island Games.