THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH
AUTUMN 2013 bulletinTHE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE
Building on the legacy Nobel Prize delight for Peter Higgs, and a boost for physics at Edinburgh – page 3
One to A vision Labelled Competition watch shared for life? & giveaway We meet the University’s Dr Sue Rigby on how staff Groundbreaking research Your chance to win a new Writer-in-Residence, and students can work from School of Law pampering spa treatment Jenni Fagan – page 8 together – page 12 experts – page 16 or a meal for two – page 27 2
Cover: Callum Bennetts/Maverick Photo Agency editorial... THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE environmental managementsystemISO14001. manufactured atamillthatiscertified to the 100 percentpost-consumer wasteandis on recycled,uncoatedstock,whichcontains possible. Thismagazinehasbeenprinted and seekstominimiseresourceswherever environmental impactofproducingthismagazine The UniversityofEdinburghismindfulthe by usingthecontactdetailsabove. coloured paper, etc)pleasegetintouch alternative format(eglargeprint,on If yourequirethisdocumentinan is 31January2014. published inApril2014.Thedeadline next deadline.Theeditionwillbe email addressaboveinadvanceofthe an article,pleasecontactusatthe If youwouldliketosubmitanideafor DETAISUBMISSION LS T: E: Edinburgh, EH12QL 5 Forrest Hill C Floor, Forrest HillBuilding The UniversityofEdinburgh Communications andMarketing bulletin contact us Marketing, TheUniversityofEdinburgh Published by:Communicationsand publication detai ls bulletin +44 (0)1316509747 [email protected]
twitter.com/UoE_staff. ed.ac.uk/news/staff. visit StaffNewsatwww. For regularupdates, on Twitter at Follow us
John Bellany, Two Girls by Harbour (2006), Oil on canvas © The artist’s estate editorial make “allthedifferenceinworld”. as ever. AsDrRigbystates,it’simportanttorememberthatUniversitystaff can – butthatthequalityofinteractionbetweenstudentandstaffremains asimportant Principal LearningandTeaching, observesthatstudentexpectationsarechanging experience isasgooditpossiblycanbe.Onpages12–13,DrSueRigby, Vice- In 2013thereisarenewedconcentrationatEdinburghonensuring thatthestudent with footballclubsinlocalcommunitiestoimproveoutcomesforteenageboys. Widening we profileaunique Participation programmethatseesstaffworking Edinburgh’s remitreachesbeyondtheacademicsphere–onpages10–11 around thecampus. , andherhopesfornurturingcreativetalent critically laudeddebutThePanopticon as theUniversity’sWriter-in-Residence. MsFagan describestheresponsetoher we hearfromnovelistandpoetJenniFagan, whohastakenoverfromAlanWarner The Universitysupportsnewvoicesaswellestablishedtalent.Onpages8–9 achievements inthesubject.Readmoreabouthissuccessoppositeandoverleaf. in scienceandhelpedfocusglobalattentiononphysicstheUniversity’s joint winneroftheNobelPrizeinPhysicshasbroughthimhighest accolade than Peter Higgs,EmeritusProfessorofTheoretical Physics.Beingnamedthe University staffcontinuetomaketheirmark–andperhapsnonemore sorecently This editionofbulletinisanotherreminderthediversefieldsworkinwhich on aroundthecampus. exhibitions andevents and foraround-upof details onthisarchive, pages 14–15formore Collection. Turn to Collection’s Images Centre forResearch viewed onlineatthe images cannowbe Nearly 12,000digital AUTUMN 2013 news... bulletin Graham Clark
I hope this recognition of fundamental science will help raise awareness of the value of blue-sky research. – Peter Higgs, Emeritus Professor of Theoretical Physics
Nobel Prize for Peter Higgs brings boost for physics
As Emeritus Professor Peter Higgs shares his delight at receiving science’s top accolade, plans are unveiled to build a dedicated new home for the research centre bearing his name.
ollowing the award of a Nobel Prize to develop and apply new mathematical that contributes to our understanding of in Physics to Professor Peter Higgs, and computational approaches to solving the origin of mass of subatomic particles, Fthe University is to further enhance the complex challenges we face,” the and which recently was confirmed its expertise in theoretical physics. Principal said. through the discovery of the predicted fundamental particle, by the Atlas and At a press conference that was webcast The Principal confirmed the Scottish CMS experiments at CERN’s Large live shortly after the announcement, the Government had committed to back the Hadron Collider.” Principal, Professor Sir Timothy O’Shea, project, “which will allow us to support a launched a fundraising campaign for a new generation of Higgses to do The prize is shared with François Englert, second phase of development of the world-quality research.” Private support a retired professor at the Free University Higgs Centre for Theoretical Physics, has also been offered, including a of Brussels, who separately produced a including a dedicated new home for the £100,000 pledge from Edinburgh theory about how fundamental particles centre at King’s Buildings. alumnus Professor Walter Nimmo. achieve their mass, at around the same time as Professor Higgs. “Our plans centre on a new building that Professor Higgs, Emeritus Professor of creates a unique environment to bring the Theoretical Physics, was awarded the Professor Higgs said: “I’m obviously brightest students from around the world Nobel Prize on 8 October. The Royal delighted … I’m overwhelmed to receive together with academics, international Swedish Academy made the award for researchers and innovators from industry “the theoretical discovery of a mechanism >>page 4
AUTUMN 2013 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE 3 news... Austin Smith Lord Callum Bennetts/Maverick Photo Agency An artist’s impression of the new centre.
< this award and thank the Royal Swedish Academy. I would also like to congratulate all those who have contributed to the discovery of this new particle and to thank my family, friends and colleagues for their support.” Author JK Rowling talks to the University’s Chancellor, HRH The Princess Royal, at the official opening of the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic at Little France. He added: “I hope this recognition of fundamental science will help raise awareness of the value of blue-sky research.” Chancellor opens Professor Higgs’s links with Edinburgh date back 60 years. In 1954 he moved to the University for his second year as a Royal Commission for the Anne Rowling Clinic Exhibition of 1851 Senior Student. He took up a lectureship at the Tait A multiple sclerosis (MS) research clinic Ms Rowling, whose mother, Anne, died of Institute of Mathematical Physics in founded by author JK Rowling has been MS aged 45 as the author was beginning 1960. Four years later, his paper opened at the University. work on the Harry Potter novels, thanked “Broken Symmetries and the Masses those who were involved in the creation of of Gauge Bosons” demonstrated how The Anne Rowling Regenerative the clinic. elemental particles achieved mass by Neurology Clinic was officially opened by identifying a new particle, which went the Chancellor, HRH The Princess Royal. An estimated 10,500 people living in on to acquire his name. Scotland have MS. The disease causes The clinic will research new The announcement in 2012 that a treatments to slow the progression of myelin, a protective layer surrounding particle consistent with the boson had neurodegenerative conditions including nerve cells in the brain, to break down, been found ended the decades-long MS, motor neurone disease, Parkinson’s leading to symptoms that can include hunt for a ‘missing piece’ of the disease and Huntington’s disease. It fatigue and numbness. Standard Model of particle physics will also study autism and early-onset Professor Charles ffrench-Constant, and sealed Professor Higgs’s Alzheimer’s disease. Clinic Co-Director and Director of the worldwide reputation. The facility is located in the Chancellor’s University’s Medical Research Council The Nobel Prize in Physics will be Building at the University’s Little France Centre for Regenerative Medicine, said officially awarded in Stockholm at a medical campus, alongside the Royal the clinic’s location at the Little France ceremony on 10 December. Infirmary of Edinburgh. campus would allow it to draw on the University’s world-class strength in Watch a video of the recent “I am moved and elated to see the Anne neuroscience, stem cell research and press conference: www.ed.ac.uk/ Rowling Clinic formally opened,” said regeneration. news/2013/higgs-091013. Ms Rowling, who donated £10 million towards establishing the facility. “Because of the Anne Rowling Clinic’s A seven-week Massive Open Online unique capacity for bench-to-bedside Course (MOOC) about the discovery “Having observed the plans for the clinic research, in time we expect to be able to of the Higgs boson has been develop and expand to fulfil the needs translate laboratory discoveries into real developed by the University and will of patients, clinicians and researchers, benefits for patients,” he said. become available to subscribers I am now very proud to see the building around the world in February 2014. finished and operating as the beating 8 For more information, visit heart of this centre for excellence.” www.annerowlingclinic.com. 4 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2013 bulletin Edinburgh rises Douglas Robertson to 17th on global rankings table The QS World Rankings has placed the University 17th in the world, the highest position Edinburgh has ever reached in the table. The 2013–14 rankings, announced in September, mark a rise of four places from the previous year and further confirm From left: Olympic rower Sir Steve Redgrave, Formula 1 driver Susie Wolff, tennis coach the University as a world-leading Judy Murray and film director Lynne Ramsay celebrate the conferment of their awards. institution. Judges singled out the University’s research for particular praise, and described its graduates as “some Honorary degrees of the most employable in Europe”. Edinburgh was the highest rated Scottish university, joining six British for inspiring leaders institutions in the QS top 20, with four among the best ten. The news coincided with the The University has awarded honorary announcement of record levels degrees to high-profile figures including of investment to help fund the education campaigner Malala Yousafzai, Colin Hattersley University’s pioneering research work. former US President Bill Clinton and sporting and cultural leaders. According to figures published in September, the University was Ms Yousafzai, the 16-year-old Pakistani awarded £300 million in competitive girl who was shot last year by the Taliban research grants in 2012–13, 20 per and has since campaigned for universal cent more than the £250 million it access to education, was guest of honour secured in the preceding year. at the inaugural meeting of the Global The Principal, Professor Sir Timothy Citizen Commission in October. The Principal presents former US President Bill Clinton with his honorary degree. O’Shea, said he felt the ranking The Commission was led by former underlined Edinburgh’s growing Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who is reputation and its ability to attract UN Special Envoy for Global Education. investment in research. It was hosted by the University’s Global Justice Academy, a new interdisciplinary “The news about our research funding network supporting research and Douglas Robertson figures, and our continued rise in the teaching in global justice. various world league tables, is very welcome and reflects the quality, hard Awarded an honorary Master of Arts for work and dedication of our staff and her efforts to improve global educational students as well as the highly strategic opportunities, Ms Yousafzai said: “We support we receive from the Scottish will continue our struggle. We will work Government,” he said. hard for it, and we will work with unity and togetherness.” With such support, the University vGordon Brown with Malala Yousafzai. could go on producing world-leading Earlier this year Bill Clinton received an research with the potential to change honorary doctorate in recognition of his Murray and film director Lynne Ramsay, lives for the better, he added. The charitable work. while Formula 1 driver Susie Wolff investment supports work across received an honorary fellowship. Honorary doctorates were also presented medicine, science, engineering, to five-time Olympic rowing gold medallist See Ms Yousafzai speak at www. humanities and social sciences. Sir Steve Redgrave, tennis coach Judy ed.ac.uk/news/2013/malala-211013. AUTUMN 2013 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE 5 research in focus... research Rafael Barbizan Sühs in focus From literary voyages to computers that crack jokes, the latest academic studies by staff are helping advance our understanding of science and the arts. A Twitter feed, Facebook page and Twitter website have helped recreate the 1618 recreates London to Edinburgh Jonson ‘foot voyage’ of famous poet and trek Pollen ‘key’ to global climate dramatist Ben Jonson. The project, change prediction, study finds run by the University’s Ancient pollen preserved in lake sediment in Brazil’s School of Literatures, Atlantic Forest could enable scientists to better predict the Languages and effects of global climate change. Studies of more than 140 Cultures, followed the 2009 discovery of a 7,500-word types of the pollen are helping scientists understand how manuscript detailing Jonson’s journey by James Loxley, past changes in climate have affected the environment. Professor of Early Modern Literature. Using extracts from the The findings, from researchers at the Universities of account, and linking them to houses, towns and villages he Edinburgh and São Paulo, could help predict how plants visited and the people he encountered on the way, Professor and animals will react to future climatic shifts. Antonio Loxley traced Jonson’s journey in real time, with at least one Alvaro Buso Junior, a visiting research student at the tweet for each day recorded between July and October. A fully School of GeoSciences and one of the study researchers, annotated modern-spelling edition of Jonson’s account of the said: “Our study shows how plants responded to shifts journey will be published by Cambridge University Press. in conditions and I hope we can now make the case for @BenJonsonsWalk www.facebook.com/ these precious ecosystems to receive greater protection.” BenJonsonsWalk Robotics research boost Grant bolsters fight prize will help promote impact against heart disease Edinburgh computing scientists are partnering Edinburgh Research and Innovation (ERI) has Heriot-Watt University colleagues in a £6 million Scientists at Edinburgh have been awarded won the £50,000 top prize at the inaugural research centre. The Edinburgh Robotics and £3 million funding from the British Heart Activating Impact Competition, run by the Autonomous Systems Interaction Research Foundation. The grant, made to the University’s Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Facility has been made possible as part of an BHF Centre of Research Excellence, aims to Research Council (BBSRC). The Edinburgh £85 million investment by the UK Government. boost research into the causes of heart disease team saw off competition from 41 of the UK’s Scientists and engineers will seek to apply and help uncover new ways to monitor heart leading universities. The award supports efforts robotics research to problems in industry and conditions using imaging techniques. The to turn research into real-life applications. society, with experts at the University focusing on funding will result in more investigations into A recent example has seen ERI and the Roslin robot-robot interaction. “This new centre builds how to repair damaged hearts using stem cell Institute work with Landcatch Natural Selection, upon Edinburgh’s reputation as an international treatments. Professor John Mullins, Director of a salmon breeding company, to improve the hub for robotics research and prepares us for new the Centre, said: “The award will support the next disease resistance of farmed salmon. Dr Wendy challenges where humans and robotic systems generation of young researchers and enable them Nicholson, ERI’s Head of Business Development, must work together,” said Professor Dave to make key discoveries in the fight against heart said: “Winning against some tough competition Robertson of the School of Informatics. and cardiovascular disease.” is fantastic.” ...awards news...awards news...awards news...awards news...awards news 6 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2013 bulletin Andres Gonzalez In the spotlight bulletin highlights some of the University’s research milestones that have been hitting the headlines recently. FACEBOOK ‘riskS friendships’ Dr Ben Marder of the Business School received international attention after research he co-authored found that frequent posting of photos on Facebook can damage real-life relationships. The study, conducted by the Business School, Heriot-Watt University, the University of Birmingham and the University of the West of England, was reported in media including the Times of India, the New York Observer and Silicon Valley Business Journal. In light of the findings, Dr Marder advised: “Think twice and post once. Be cautious when sharing and think how it will be perceived by What I’m discovering… all the others who may see it.” cold sore gene discovery Discovery of the genetic key to why only The School of GeoSciences’ Dr John Stevenson is studying the a quarter of those carrying a herpes virus effects on the UK of Icelandic volcanic eruptions. His latest project develop cold sores attracted wide press asked members of the public to collect ash samples. coverage. Jürgen Haas, Professor of Viral “The 2011 Grímsvötn eruption was the biggest explosive Icelandic Genomics, found that people affected by cold sores have a mutation in a gene that means eruption since 1918, producing twice as much material as their immune system is not able to prevent Eyjafjallajökull in 2010, in around one 10th of the time. the sores from developing. The discovery was “After Eyjafjallajökull, we found that it was hard to say exactly where ash had fallen reported in outlets ranging from The Times in the UK, or when, because we only had data from a few samples. This time we to Australia’s Herald Sun. decided to get the public involved and organised a citizen tape-sampling exercise with the British Geological Survey. We put a video online showing people how to GREEDY BEETLES BEWARE collect samples by using sticky tape and plain paper to make ‘slides’. We used Twitter Burying beetles have been found to eat and Facebook to spread the word and got 130 samples from across the UK, from larvae that try to outdo their siblings when individuals and whole school classes. demanding food from the parent. Research at the School of Biological Sciences suggested “We checked the samples under the microscope and found that the northern UK that the cannibalism encourages offspring to (mainly Scotland) received a light dusting of ash in the 48 to 72 hours following plead more honestly and leads to more equal the beginning of the eruption. The amount of ash in each location was very small sharing of food among the young. The BBC (Grímsvötn is more than 900 kilometres from north-west Scotland), but in Thurso, and Daily Mail were among the many news Shetland and Orkney, it was thick enough to make cars look dirty. The ash grains organisations that reported the findings. themselves were tiny, just 25 millionths of a metre. computers raise a laugh “Our sticky tape results agreed with data from rainwater samples, which also Computer scientists at the School of contained volcanic ash grains, and from the UK’s network of air pollution sensors. Informatics have programmed computers to “Overall, the Grímsvötn eruption caused minimal disruption or damage to the UK: generate jokes that people found genuinely there were little or no health or environmental problems and the greatest impact was funny. The work was widely reported in the the disruption to aviation. By improving our ash monitoring ability during eruptions with international technology press, as well as small effects, we increase our ability to cope when a larger eruption comes along.” mainstream media. The jokes, which fitted a strict template, included: “I like my men like The results of this project were published in the Journal of Applied Volcanology. I like my monoxide – odourless.” To find out more, email [email protected]. AUTUMN 2013 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE 7 feature... One to watch In the wake of a widely praised debut novel, rising literary star Jenni Fagan is looking forward to her new role as the University’s Writer-in-Residence. She talks to Cate MacKenzie. enni Fagan can’t remember a time Fagan will run fortnightly open workshops working hard to develop their style and when writing wasn’t part of her for any students or staff interested in skills. There are so many resources to tap Jroutine. From a very young age she writing fiction or poetry outside a formal into through the [Edinburgh International] has sat down every day with a notepad or academic environment. She will also Book Festival and all the great writers laptop to “see what happens”. coordinate the Visiting Writers Series, who live or read here.” which brings distinguished authors to “It’s always for the same reason – I love Emerging talent campus to give public readings. Fagan’s words,” explains the 35-year-old Fife- Fagan has already proved herself as versatility as a writer makes her the perfect based novelist and poet. “I can’t imagine one of the UK’s most versatile emerging fit for such a key ambassadorial role, says what life is like without that process. writers. She has twice been nominated for Edinburgh Lecturer in English Literature Writing is a way of being – and I like the the US Pushcart Prize for her poetry and and Creative Writing Dr Allyson Stack. fact that it’s something that I can do any has won Scottish Screen, Scottish Arts time, any age, any place.” “Jenni is not only an extremely talented and Dewar Arts awards, among others. Earlier this year, literary magazine Granta For the next two years, that “place” will be and successful writer, but she’s also an identified her as one to watch, including the University of Edinburgh, where Fagan, inspiring speaker with a tremendous her in its decennial pick of Best of Young author of 2012’s critically acclaimed The amount to offer,” she says. “Some of the British Novelists. Among those previously Panopticon, has just begun her tenure as people who come to her workshops will singled out by Granta as rising stars are Writer-in-Residence. be trying their hand at writing fiction or poetry for the first time, while others will the likes of Julian Barnes, Iain Banks, Ian “It’s an amazing opportunity,” she says have been in workshop situations before McEwan and Zadie Smith. of the two-year appointment. “I enjoy – she’ll have something to offer all of And the accolades for The Panopticon just writing on location and getting access to them.” keep coming. Recently featured on the places that may not normally be open to front page of the New York Times literary the public. And Edinburgh is a city rich Rich resources section, the novel has been shortlisted in inspiration, so I’m sure I’ll find ways to Fagan’s experience is wide ranging: she for the Dundee International Book Prize, keep things interesting.” has written for the stage, screen and media, worked as Lewisham Hospital’s Desmond Elliott Prize and James Tait The Writer-in-Residence post sits within Writer-in-Residence and led writing Black Prize, and in 2012 it claimed a the School of Literatures, Languages workshops for young offenders, women spot on the Waterstones Eleven, the and Cultures’ English Literature in prisons, the homeless and the visually bookseller’s annual selection of most department but serves the entire impaired. A graduate of the University promising worldwide fiction debuts. University community by seeking to of Greenwich (Creative Writing BA) and The gritty, gripping tale is told from the forge links with the city of Edinburgh Royal Holloway (Fiction MA), she is viewpoint of teenager Anais Hendricks and beyond. Established in 1975, the looking forward to engaging with aspiring who, brought up in the Scottish care position has been held by a roll call of storytellers at Edinburgh. system, is transferred to the remote and celebrated writers and poets including imposing Panopticon, a young offenders’ Sorley MacLean, Norman MacCaig, Anne “Every time I work with any group of rehabilitation facility designed so that its Stevenson and Liz Lochhead. Fagan writers I come across people who have residents can be observed at all times. takes over the mantle from Alan Warner, amazing, interesting stories. I love that,” who this summer was awarded the 2013 she says. “I’ve always been drawn to Anais’ struggle to outsmart the system James Tait Black Prize (Fiction) for The anyone who can tell a great story and I and preserve her sense of self has Deadman’s Pedal. know I’ll find some great writers who’re captured the imaginations of readers Urszula Soltys 8 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2013 bulletin around the world, and it’s Fagan’s ability to take risks while telling an emotionally rich story that makes her an exciting author, says the University’s Dr Stack. “Fiction that experiments with genre or form all too often leaves its readers feeling unmoved,” Dr Stack says. “But Jenni’s work is bursting with emotional complexity, compelling characters, and a passionate, original narrative voice. The Panopticon is a novel with a head and a heart.” Edinburgh is a city rich in inspiration so I’m sure I’ll find ways to keep things interesting. The Panopticon is a fictional tale, but having grown up in foster and residential care homes herself, Fagan says she was determined to give her narrator an authoritative and authentic voice. She explains: “I think this kind of story can only work if it comes from a true place. I really cared about the subject matter and the characters. I thought the most interesting thing about Anais Hendricks was that I hadn’t seen her voice, in literature, or anywhere else really, so it was vital that this came from her viewpoint, not from the social worker’s or policy-maker’s.” The Panopticon has already been published in eight languages, with further translations lined up, and after a steady stream of offers, Fagan is finalising negotiations for a film adaptation (she’ll write the script). But she admits the international buzz surrounding her story “hasn’t sunk in much”. “In a few years’ time I might sit down and think about it but right now it seems a little surreal,” she says. “I’m really grateful for the response from readers and booksellers through to reviewers, across the world. They seem to take the book to heart and that’s a great compliment.” [email protected] AUTUMN 2013 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE 9 feature... Staff are working with clubs in local communities to tap a passion for football – and boost prospects for teenage boys. Chris Small reports. Going for goals n estimated 3.5 billion people in college, putting together a package One hundred and fifty boys now take part the world play or watch football – that was about more than just athletic annually and recent tracking of the first A and a tiny but vibrant proportion development.” cohort shows that 51 per cent went on to of them are Scottish teenage boys. For higher education compared to the Dr Speirs, himself a keen football fan and the past seven years, University staff have national average of 36 per cent. former player, arranged for the boys to been using an inspirational project to work with University sports scientists and Positive message work with some of these local players, PE staff. The experience dovetailed with With funding from the Sutton Trust, the tapping into passion for the “beautiful his thinking about the educational project has worked with local youth teams game” to boost confidence, hone skills prospects of male youths. including Seton Boys, Edinburgh City and and expand horizons. “In terms of widening participation, the Musselburgh Windsor. The essence of Educated Pass, run by the University’s key variable is socio-economic status,” the project lies in collaboration with young Widening Participation team, works with he says. “If you add gender on top of that people, football coaches and parents at youth football clubs in Edinburgh and in the particular communities we work the heart of local communities. “We might Lothians to nurture the education and with, then it really has an effect. I was be working in a local community club football potential of boys aged 13 to 16. thinking about what we could to do help playing field in the snow in February,” says Kathleen Hood, Head of Widening The initiative grew out of a 2004 request those communities.” Participation at Edinburgh. “It was very from Ayr United Football Club, as project Dr Speirs was convinced a more formal important to choose the clubs that were leader Dr Neil Speirs explains: “They version of the project might make an in low participation neighbourhoods.” wanted to create sessions outside of impact and after collaboration with the training that would address boys’ nutrition National Youth Football Association, plans Working with the boys and their parents is and their engagement with the local accelerated. an opportunity to articulate a positive Shawn Coulman 10 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2013 bulletin A brighter future for young people The key is the connection between the The University’s Widening Participation (WP) staff try to reduce commitment the boys give to football and discrepancies in the take-up of higher education opportunities between the fact that they can widen that out to different social groups. WP takes many forms, from residential visits commit to their education. to overseas trips. The key projects – Kathleen Hood, include: Head, Widening Participation • LEAPS (Lothian Equal Access Programme for Schools) aims message about taking part in education, tournament celebrating the boys’ to boost progression to higher says Dr Speirs. “The University is there participation. education in south-east Scotland. alongside our local college partners, West In 2012, 361 students entered the Since it launched, the scheme has gained Lothian College and Edinburgh College, University through the scheme – the further credibility through the backing of and I think the parents sense that we’re largest number of LEAPS students pivotal figures in Scottish football, genuinely interested in the outcomes of of any university in the country. including former national team manager what their sons are doing.” • Pathways to the Professions Craig Brown and ex-Scotland international encourages progression by But Educated Pass (the name refers to Pat Nevin, while Hibernian FC have under-represented school the opportunity open to a midfielder with contributed what Dr Speirs describes as students into programmes in law, a wide view of the pitch) is not just a “fantastic support”. medicine, veterinary medicine and chance for staff to demonstrate Endorsements from the professional architecture. Students from all 46 commitment to these communities. The secondary schools in Edinburgh project ensures that current students can world are important, but staff and and the Lothians are eligible to take contribute too, with undergraduates students involved are careful to be part. Currently more than 500 pupils helping youngsters develop a broader realistic with the boys about their chances from S4 to S6 are registered. view of sport and study, and showing of breaking into the country’s top how life changing it can be. footballing tier. Instead of hyping • The Edinburgh Sutton Trust expectations, the emphasis is on giving Summer School is led by the “The role models for the boys we youngsters positive attitudes and parallel College of Humanities & Social work with are in the main the football dreams of success. Science. Following a 2013 pilot team here at the University,” says where students attended two Ms Hood explains: “All the evidence we Dr Speirs. “Sometimes the boys will academic classes every morning in have is that the boys can keep going at a expect that all the undergrads involved a range of subjects, an expanded level of football but that a tiny percentage are doing sports courses and ask summer school is planned for 2014. them about it – and they’ll then say, ever make it to the professional level. The • Part-time Access courses are ‘No actually I’m doing philosophy key for us though is the connection designed for applicants living locally or law or medicine.’ between the commitment the boys give to football and the fact that they can widen who want to go back to education “The boys look at the undergrads and that out to commit to their education.” part time. They include the joint say, ‘that could be me’, and the University/Edinburgh College part- footballers say, ‘I recognise myself in Nineteen-year-old Andrew Munro may be time Access course. proof that the approach is working. An some of the guys in the team.’ That’s • The primary and early secondary enthusiastic participant in Educated Pass very powerful.” initiative sees WP staff working with while a pupil at Musselburgh Grammar, S1 and S2 groups in Wester Hailes Combining education with sport playing for Seton Boys, in September Despite its attention on local Education Centre (WHEC), and he began at Edinburgh as a physics neighbourhoods, Educated Pass with P6 and P7 in primary feeder undergraduate. He describes the gives the young participants a sense schools for Liberton High School experience of Educated Pass as being of the game’s international texture. and WHEC. More than 400 pupils about “helping kids focus on combining Activities include De Toekomst visit the University as part of the education with sport instead of homing in (Dutch for ‘the future’, and the name programme. on one of them.” of AFC Ajax’s Amsterdam training 8 Find out more at www.ed.ac.uk/ ground), which challenges the cultural Although studying now takes priority, student-recruitment/widening- perception that football and education Mr Munro says that sport will remain a participation. can’t mix, and Le Tournoi – a one-day “constant part” of his life. AUTUMN 2013 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE 11 feature... A vision shared Dr Sue Rigby, Vice-Principal Learning & Teaching, shares her vision of what makes a satisfied student community and outlines the collective effort to enhance the student experience. She talks to Claire Simpson. Chris Close 12 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2013 bulletin In this year’s National Student Survey (NSS), Edinburgh achieved an overall satisfaction rate of 83 per cent. What do these results tell us? Results across the University are very The student experience is composed of variable. Overall they’re lower than we kind interactions – a smile, a chat ... wish, and we have detailed plans for improvement. It’s easy to forget just how vulnerable and needy students are, and that’s when staff How have students’ expectations of the university experience changed in can make all the difference in the world. recent years? There’s an awful lot in the media about whether students think of a degree What has the Student Experience expect them to believe you. Research as a commodity, but we see no sign Project achieved since it was set up we’ve done looking at other universities’ of that. I don’t think students have a in 2012? improvements in NSS scores suggests changed expectation; they simply have a Concrete achievements are Student that if students correct their own learning, reasonable expectation that by coming to Information Points, a much stronger web they don’t criticise it in the NSS. If a university with such a good reputation presence, research into the selection of students feel part of a community, they’re they’ll learn and feel like they belong. students in subjects of very high demand, kind about that community in their But our student demographic does and a much more joined-up process of analysis – kind but appropriate; they don’t change. English, Welsh and Northern induction than we’ve ever had before. The gloss over errors. Students are likely to Irish students are now paying fees, so other major achievement is setting up have a better experience if they’re deeply maybe as a consequence of that we the Internal Student Survey. For the first involved in that experience – if they’re not have a set of students who are more time we can start to see how our impact passive. self aware about what their experiences is being felt by first, second, third and Teaching contributes significantly to might be. We also have increasing fourth years. [NSS results only gather the the student experience. What’s being numbers of international students who views of graduating students.] But I think done to celebrate and nurture great add immeasurably to the richness of the Project’s biggest achievement so far teaching at Edinburgh? our university community but who also is in genuinely helping us to see from the I think there’s a general perception arrive with different expectations. So what students’ perspective. among staff that teaching is less valued the University has to do is make sure The Project will run until 2015. What than research or knowledge exchange. we’re very clear about what our learning ultimately would you like to see But that’s changing. I’m working with environment is like. achieved by then? HR to make sure teaching is much What can the University do to help A whole raft of new initiatives that more visible in processes like personal meet some of those expectations? support students and help them feel development reviews and promotions. There’s a whole set of work going part of the academic community and The Institute for Academic Development on around the Student Experience all the other communities that go on is also building a whole set of courses for Project [SEP] to clarify the offering of within the rest of the University. I want teaching and support staff to improve our the University. This complements the students to be involved in every aspect interactions with students, which will be excellent work already being delivered of service design, and that goes from accredited through the Higher Education by the well established support services. the design of degrees to the design of Academy. sports services to the design of catering The SEP is also carrying out work that In addition to academic staff, who else services. Ubiquitously we need to be will help us select students from a wide has a role to play in enhancing the having students involved – not as one range of different socio-economic groups student experience? representative on a committee but as or cultures who will do well with us. It’s Every member of staff. The student co-creators of the experience. not about selecting one type of person, experience is composed of kind it’s about selecting the people who And if implemented, how would this interactions – a smile, a chat. I think will enjoy Edinburgh. We also need to affect our NSS standing? most people interact very positively with support them with a whole load of online The aim is that the student experience students but sometimes, particularly in pre-arrival support and a huge amount of is excellent, and the follow-on will be Freshers’ Week, just with the volume of work around induction – not just during changes in NSS results. There are students who might be knocking around, Freshers’ Week, but all year round. So the proximal, quicker things we can do to it’s easy to forget just how vulnerable and SEP is delivering what we’ve dreamed of help national survey results get better needy they are, and that’s when staff can doing for a long time. A lot of good work but student satisfaction is a long game. make all the difference in the world. was done in the past but the Project gives Students are sophisticated. You can’t us the professional platform and support just snap your fingers and say, “Hey, For further information, contact to do it better. everything is going to be fine” and Dr Rigby at [email protected]. AUTUMN 2013 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE 13 campus connections... Out & CERN about There’s a great mix Rediscover the Higgs boson of exhibitions, events From Maxwell to Higgs, a collaboration between the School of Physics and Astronomy and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, celebrates the Higgs boson and new venues to and the historic discoveries and theories that have influenced modern physics. The exhibition is on permanent display in the James Clerk Maxwell Building. experience around the 8 www.ph.ed.ac.uk University over the next few months – so take some time to explore and be inspired. Whitedog Photography C Humphreys Get to grips with Gaelic Experiment with teaching To mark the Gaelic Language Plan 2013–18 Innovative Learning Week 2014 will be launch, a Gaelic Fair will be held on 13 staged 17–21 February. Staff from all November (2pm–5pm, Informatics Forum). disciplines can experiment with alternative Features language/culture taster sessions. teaching methods instead of running 8 www.ed.ac.uk/about/gaelic- regular labs, tutorials and lectures. language-plan/events 8 www.ed.ac.uk/innovative-learning Elizabete Rancane Courtesy National Museums Scotland Observe a community’s impact See High School Yards transformed Edinburgh Jews offers an introductory overview of the contribution Jewish Student Elizabete Rancane’s photography Contemplate in a spiritual place people have made to the development exhibition, The Transformation of High of the city. The exhibition includes While not owned by the University, the School Yards, is on show in the new personal stories, photographs recently opened and award-winning Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation and migration maps. Weekdays, St Albert’s Catholic Chaplaincy (George (ECCI). Also on display are works by ECCI 9am–5pm, at New College, until Square) plays an active and welcome Artist-in-Residence, Jennie Speirs Grant. 6 December. part in the staff and student community. 8 www.edinburghcentre.org/ 8 http://jewishstudies.div.ed.ac.uk 8 http://scotland.op.org/edinburgh/ Photography-project.html 14 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2013 John Bellany, Two Girls by Harbour (2006), Oil on canvas © The artist’s estate Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps Archives AUTUMN 2013 8 including venueandopeningtimes,TBC. outstanding women.Further details, exhibition willcelebratetheUniversity’s (8 March2014),auniquephotographic To markInternationalWomen’s Day Celebrate outstandingwomen departments/equality-diversity 8 Images Collection(requiresEASE login). digital imagescanbeviewedonline atthe collections. For avirtualvisit,nearly12,000 of accesstotheUniversity’svaried forms theprincipalphysicalpoint based intheMainLibrary(sixth floor), The CentreforResearchCollections, View itallvirtually www.ed.ac.uk/schools- http://images.is.ed.ac.uk Chris Scott Chris Park/Talbot Rice Gallery 8 of ModernConflict.Until1December. from theUniversity’sCentreforStudy military surgeryandfeaturesresearch role ofwomeninwartime.Runsthrough Warfare andCaregivinghighlightsthe Museums, A collaborationwithSurgeon’sHall history Re-examine 8 Barclay: AnotherKindofBalance. Dion: 200Years, 200Objects,andClaire on showuntil15February, includingMark Rice Galleryhasseveralnewexhibitions within EdinburghCollegeofArt),Talbot Based inOldCollege(butnowoperating flair Appreciate artistic exhibitions-collections.aspx 8 performed byECAstudentsand emergingandestablishedinternationalartists. 10th DialoguesMusicFestival, aseriesofexperimentalandelectronic concerts since itopenedinCrichtonStreet fouryearsago.Untiltheendof2013 ithoststhe Dedicated digitalartvenueInspace hashostedmorethanhalfamillionvisitors Be inspiredbytheexperimental www.museum.rcsed.ac.uk/ www.ed.ac.uk/talbot-rice Tickets: Words and Deeds: Women, Words andDeeds:Women, www.mediascot.eventbrite.com THEUNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE School of Biomedical Sciences 8 the campusincomingmonths. hologram willtourvarioussitesacross anatomy teachingtoolofitskind,the month, 10am–4pm).Theworld’sfirst Anatomical Museum(lastSaturdayof body isondisplayattheUniversity’s An animated3Dhologramofthehuman Add anextradimension museum/findus.php www.anatomy.mvm.ed.ac.uk/ bulletin 15 opinion... Labelled for life? In recognition of their n the autumn of 1998, we began a hearings and the police, and we went longitudinal research project to survey on to track the criminal convictions of groundbreaking research Iall new secondary schoolchildren the children up to age 25. By exploring across Edinburgh, about their the relationship between young people’s project, which tracked involvement in offending. The Edinburgh offending behaviour and a range Study of Youth Transitions and Crime of other developmental processes, schoolchildren’s and (ESYTC) tracked the lives of more than environmental influences and interactions 4,000 young people, with the purpose of with agencies of law enforcement, we young adults’ behaviour examining a phenomenon known as the built up a complex picture of their lives. ‘age crime curve’. The curve sees This has gone on to shape the Scottish over 15 years, Edinburgh offending behaviour rise during the early Government’s approach to youth justice Professors Lesley McAra teenage years and then decline as young in Scotland. people reach late adolescence. Key Among the many findings arising from the questions for us were why some young and Susan McVie were study are four key ‘facts’ that we argue people engage in offending and others apply to any youth justice system. awarded the 2013 don’t, and why, for some, offending is a transitional phase while for others it The first fact is that those young people Howard League for Penal becomes a sustained and chronic pattern who engage in persistent serious of behaviour. offending, particularly violence, are also Reform Research Medal. the most disadvantaged youngsters in Both the scale and design of the society, who experience a far higher than ESYTC have made it one of the most They explain the project average range of social, environmental influential criminological studies in and emotional adversities, including early and its impact on penal the UK, and the wider world. Along experience of violent victimisation. with the repeated testimonies of more policy and practice. than 4,000 young people themselves, The second fact is that strategies that aim we also collected data from parents, to identify at-risk children at an early stage carers, teachers, official records from in their lives, and intervene to prevent later schools, social workers, children’s offending, are often misguided and run 16 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2013 bulletin the risk of labelling and stigmatising excluded from school by the age of After years of interviewing this special young people, resulting in greater risk of 12 were at four times greater risk cohort of young people about their criminalisation in later life. of being imprisoned by the time they experiences and views, we are delighted were age 24, compared with non- that the study has had such an impact on The third is that there are critical points in excluded children. both policy and practice in Scotland. the early teenage years which mark the divergence between those who go on to When presented to the Scottish And, while it remains to be seen what the have criminal careers and those who Parliament Justice Committee in outcome of this new approach will be on desist from offending. Chronic pathways December 2012, these figures caused school exclusions and the longer term of conviction are more closely connected such concern that the Committee outcomes for young people, any activities with the way troublesome young people requested they be taken into account that retain young people in school as are dealt with, such as by excluding them in the drafting of the new Children and far as possible and find new ways of from school, than they are to their actual Young People Bill, which is due later inspiring them away from a life of crime behaviour. this year. are to be welcomed. The final fact is that certain groups of The study findings have also now youths become the principal focus of been used to underpin the Scottish agency attention, which results in Government’s new ‘Whole System repeated recycling and labelling of young Approach’ to young people who people. This places serious limitations on offend, which was rolled out nationally the capacity of the youth justice system to in September 2011. This multiagency reduce crime because it damages young partnership approach to youth justice people in the longer term. In fact, aims to achieve positive outcomes, Professor Lesley McAra (left) is Head of diversionary strategies are better placed including educational outcomes, for the University’s School of Law. Susan to facilitate the natural process of young people, through early and effective McVie (right) is Professor of Quantitative desistance that occurs for most young intervention, increased diversionary Criminology in the School. people during adolescence. activities, and keeping 16 and 17 year Illustration by Ailsa Johnson, a third-year One of the most shocking study findings olds out of the adult criminal justice Edinburgh College of Art Illustration student was that those young people who were system. (ailsajohnson.tumblr.com). AUTUMN 2013 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE 17 people news... people news Aiming to embed Medals acknowledge sustainable practices Dave Gorman has been appointed ‘exceptional’ efforts the University’s first Director of Social Responsibility and Sustainability. The University has awarded two staff The Principal’s Medal for Service to the He started work in July as the Head members with a 2013 Principal’s Medal, Community was awarded to Rebecca of the new department, which looks in recognition of their “exceptional MacKenzie, Pro Bono Coordinator and to actively promote and embed achievements” in their respective fields. Senior Teaching Fellow in the School sustainable practices, such as energy of Law’s Centre for Professional Legal Professor Scott Murray, St Columba’s efficiency, recycling and ethical Studies. procurement, around the University Hospice Chair of Primary Palliative Care and in the community. Mr Gorman was in the Centre for Population Health Staff or students who make an formerly Head of Environmental Science, was awarded the Principal’s impactful contribution to the wider Strategy at the Scottish Environment Medal for Outstanding Service. community outside the University are considered for the Service to the Protection Agency. The Outstanding Service medal honours Community award. 8 www.ed.ac.uk/about/ staff members who have made a major sustainability/about/overview contribution to the University community. Mrs MacKenzie leads the School’s It reflects Professor Murray’s commitment evolving portfolio of pro bono services, to palliative care research, and including the Free Legal Advice Centre Neuroscience honour recognises the work of members of his and the Child Advocacy Centre. Primary Palliative Research Group Dr Jane Haley, the University’s She was honoured for her outstanding Dr Elizabeth Grant, Dr Kirsty Boyd and Neuroscience Scientific Coordinator, contribution to the School of Law and Dr Marilyn Kendall. has been awarded the 2013 British the wider University’s civic mission Neuroscience Association (BNA) Professor Murray and his team have relating to sustainability and social award for the Public Understanding of been at the forefront of efforts to extend responsibility. Neuroscience. Since 2007, Edinburgh palliative care so that it no longer focuses Neuroscience has created a broad on terminal care of cancer patients in 8 www.ed.ac.uk/schools- programme of activities which have economically developed countries. departments/principals-office directly reached more than 4,600 school pupils and 3,600 adults. Edinburgh Neuroscience members also regularly contribute to science Heads of School and Service welcomed festivals, reaching an estimated The University has appointed 35,000 people. a number of new Heads of School and Service. Taking up their new roles in 2013 Awards haul for CSE or early 2014 are, clockwise The Schools of Informatics, from top left: Professor Ian Engineering, GeoSciences and Ralston, Head of History, Mathematics in the College of Classics and Archaeology; Science and Engineering have Tracey Slaven, Deputy Secretary, Strategic received Athena Swan awards, which Planning; Dr Rowena Arshad, Head of Moray recognise commitment to advancing House School of Education; Dr Paul Foster, the careers of women in science, Head of the School of Divinity; and Professor technology, engineering, mathematics Fiona Mackay, Head of Social and Political and medicine (STEMM) academia. Science. All new Heads will attend, or have already attended, an induction course aimed www.athenaswan.org.uk 8 at helping to introduce them to their new roles. 18 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2013 bulletin Three honoured for excellence, innovation Douglas Robertson Three staff members have been named has led non-commutative algebra, not 2013 winners of the Chancellor’s Awards, only in opening up new areas of research, which reward excellence and innovation but also by resolving some of the 20th in teaching and research. century’s most stubborn and difficult problems in the field.” Professor Agata Smoktunowicz, Dr Helen Cameron and Dr Catherine Heymans Teaching Award winner Dr Cameron, were congratulated by the Chancellor, Director of the Centre for Medical The Chancellor, HRH The Princess Royal, HRH The Princess Royal, at a gala dinner Education in the College of Medicine & congratulates Professor Agata Smoktunowicz. held at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Veterinary Medicine, was honoured for her contribution to transforming the Dr Catherine Heymans, left, The awards are presented in three education of medical students in and Dr Helen Cameron. categories: Research, Teaching and Edinburgh, Europe and Africa. The Centre Rising Star, an honour given to an early- develops the Bachelor of Medicine career academic who has demonstrated degree and has built an academic profile great potential in their field of work. supervising higher degrees for clinical The Research Award was made to educators. Professor Smoktunowicz of the School Dr Heymans, Rising Star Award recipient, of Mathematics, in recognition of her has been a lecturer in the School of groundbreaking work in resolving Physics and Astronomy since 2010, and outstanding problems in non- is internationally renowned for her work in commutative algebra. the area of cosmological gravitational “Agata’s talent is huge and her success is lensing. She has become a major dazzling,” said Iain Gordon, Professor of presence in leading cosmological survey Mathematics. “For the last decade she projects worldwide. Long-serving staff members to gather Graduate Fashion Week triumph catwalking.com The contributions of nearly 100 long- serving Edinburgh staff members will be acknowledged at a reception in December. Seventy-eight staff who hold a minimum of 25 years service, along with 14 who hold 40 years, will be honoured. Among those in attendance will be Brian Cameron, who this year celebrates 50 years with the University. Mr Cameron, a Senior Technical Officer in the School of GeoSciences, started in 1963 as an electronics technician. His primary focus is now on outreach work, and in 2012 he received an MBE for services to science Edinburgh College of Art students walked away from this year’s Graduate Fashion engagement in Scotland. Week in London with a swathe of awards. Lauren Smith (Fashion), pictured Mr Cameron started at Edinburgh on the centre, won the prestigious £20,000 George Gold Award for Best Collection. same day as Gordon Turnbull, a former Shauni Douglas (Fashion) and Olivia Creber (Jewellery) won the Best Menswear technician in the School of Physics & Collection prize for their collaboration, while Morwenna Darwell was awarded Astronomy, who retired this summer after second place in the David Band Textile Award. 49 years of service. AUTUMN 2013 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE 19 people news... In brief bulletin highlights a selection of new faces, appointments and individual and group achievements from around the University. Court member elected Angi Lamb, Senior Computing Officer, has been elected to the position of the University’s Non-Teaching Staff Assessor. Every four years a non-teaching member of staff is elected to join the University Court, the governing body and legal persona of the University. Ms Lamb, who has been employed at the University since 1990, took up the position on 1 August after winning the most votes in July’s online election. She will serve for four years. forging new relationships Procurement in spotlight The internationally recognised conductor and violinist Peter Manning has been made The University’s Procurement team has been awarded the Times Higher Education Professor of New Work, a joint appointment Leadership and Management Award for Outstanding Procurement Team. The award between the University and the Royal specifically recognised the achievement of delivering savings to the University of Conservatoire of Scotland. Professor Manning approximately £12 million over 12 months to March 2013. The team (some of whom curated Oxygen, a programme of dance are pictured with awards hosts, above) has also consistently been given the highest shows performed at Paterson’s Land as part rating in the Scottish Government’s Procurement Capability Assessment, and its of the 2013 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The sustainable approach to procurement strategies has been made into a case study, role represents the newly formed relationship which has been shared on the Universities UK efficiency exchange. between two of the country’s leading arts establishments. Royal Society honour OBE for ‘remarkable’ cancer surgeon Three distinguished Edinburgh academics have been made Fellows of the Royal Society. They Professor of Surgery In collaboration with his research team are Bill Earnshaw, Professor of Chromosome Mike Dixon has at the Western General, Professor Dixon Dynamics in the University’s Institute of received an OBE is currently working to understand how Cell Biology; Sir John Savill, Professor of Experimental Medicine, Vice-Principal and for services to the the most common form of breast cancer Head of the College of Medicine & Veterinary treatment of breast becomes resistant to drugs. cancer and for Medicine; and Paul M Sharp, Professor of He is a Fellow of the Royal Colleges of Genetics and Alan Robertson Chair of Genetics charitable services. He Surgeons of both Edinburgh and England in the Institute of Evolutionary Biology. The was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Royal Society is a fellowship of many of the Honours, announced in summer. world’s most eminent experts drawn from College of Physicians of Edinburgh. science, engineering and medicine. Professor Dixon (above), Consultant Surgeon at the Western General’s STUDENT EXPERIENCE BOOST Breast Unit, and an Edinburgh alumnus, stop press... is widely regarded as one of the UK’s The University has appointed a new Deputy leading breast surgeons. Nursery taking enrolments Secretary – Student Experience. Grant Douglas, formerly Head of Student Recruitment, James Jopling, Director for Scotland at A new nursery, which is to open at Admissions & International Relations at the Breakthrough Breast Cancer, the UK’s King’s Buildings in summer 2014, University of Sheffield, joined the University key charity dedicated to stopping women is taking enrolments. Designed by in September. In his new role Mr Douglas dying from breast cancer, said: “Mike Malcolm Fraser Architects, Arcadia will will concentrate the efforts of staff throughout has made a remarkable contribution accommodate children aged six weeks the University to enhance the student to the treatment of women with breast to five years and will be open to both experience. He will be working closely University staff and the public. with Dr Sue Rigby, Vice-Principal Learning cancer and he has also furthered our and Teaching. understanding of the disease not just in 8 www.arcadianursery.co.uk Scotland but across the UK.” 20 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2013 tribute... bulletin Professor Sir Kenneth Murray FRS, FRSE, BSc, PhD (1930–2013) Professor Mary Bownes, Senior Vice-Principal External Engagement, pays tribute to one of the UK’s most distinguished scientists. en Murray was one of the most His scientific interests lay in methods for eminent scientists in the UK and sequencing, or deciphering, strands of K an international leader of scientific DNA code. He developed methods based innovation. He developed the first vaccine He was an inspirational on new ideas, to isolate specific genes, against viral hepatitis B, which has saved teacher and collaborator and so began genetic engineering. Along countless lives worldwide. who was always very with Noreen and others, he developed recombinant DNA technology, or gene Ken was one of the earliest workers in supportive of colleagues cloning. This represented a revolution genetic engineering, which has opened a for scientists in terms of understanding new avenue of scientific research and has and friends. how cells work, how genetics work and led to new treatments for diseases and leader in the molecular biology revolution. how the development of organisms is genetic disorders. He was co-founder of He went on to become Head of Molecular controlled and how it can go wrong. the first European-based biotechnology Biology from 1976 to 1984. Following company, Biogen. Most of his commercial Ken immediately put these ideas to a his retirement in 1988 he continued to income was used to found the Darwin practical task – how to create a vaccine come to the laboratory every day, leading Trust in 1983. The trust has supported for hepatitis B. This condition lacked further scientific endeavours. Increasingly, the education of many young scientists, reliable treatment and led to deaths he spent more time on his philanthropic and helped to fund cutting-edge research among the 300 million people around the support of others through the Darwin and improved facilities at the University. world infected with the virus. Ken found Trust. His generosity also supported activities a way to identify the hepatitis B virus and to inspire the next generation of potential Ken received much recognition for his then produced a man-made vaccine. This scientists. outstanding work. He was elected to the was done under very difficult conditions, Royal Society in 1979, received the Willem as people were scared of new genetic Ken was born in Yorkshire and brought up Meindart de Hoop Prize in 1983, and in engineering technology, and so he had to in the Midlands. He left school at the age 1992 was given a Saltire Society Scientific work in secure facilities. of 16 to become a laboratory technician at Award. He was awarded a knighthood Boots in Nottingham. After part-time study By 1978, Ken and colleagues had in 1993 and a Royal Medal by the Royal he obtained a first-class honours degree created the vaccine and later proved Society of Edinburgh in 2000. In 2010, in chemistry and a PhD in microbiology that it was effective in treating hepatitis. Ken and Noreen jointly received a lifetime from the University of Birmingham. It He was involved in the establishment of achievement award from Nexus Life was in Birmingham that he met his wife, Biogen, which commercially developed Sciences. Noreen, who was to become a close the vaccine for use. The vaccine is used scientific collaborator. They were married Recently the Noreen and Kenneth Murray around the world. in 1958. Library was built at King’s Buildings, Ken had suffered from ill health for a recognising the couple’s distinguished Ken continued his research at Stanford number of years, yet remained very active careers and their commitment to the University and returned to the UK in 1964 intellectually. He survived Noreen in 2011. advancement of science and engineering. to work in the Medical Research Council Although they had no children, Ken and Laboratory of Molecular Biology. He Despite the wealth from his vaccine Noreen leave behind a large community joined the University of Edinburgh in 1967 and various successes, Ken remained of colleagues, students and friends in what was then the only department a very modest and approachable whose lives they have touched. This of molecular biology in the country. He person. He was an inspirational teacher includes the many people who did not went on to become Biogen Professor of and collaborator who was always very know Ken but whose lives were improved Molecular Biology in 1984 and together supportive of colleagues and friends and because of his work. He will be sadly with colleagues made the University a quick to praise success. missed. AUTUMN 2013 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE 21 welcome...obituaries... Professor Susan Manning (1953–2013) The death of Susan was one of the world’s leading Susan had a capacious intellect; a rare Professor Susan exponents of English literature in the agility and empathy in engaging the Manning on widest sense, and an international figure ideas of others; a critical acumen that 15 January 2013 in the area of transatlantic studies, with enabled so many people to find new elicited tributes to her focus on transactions between meanings in the words on the page. She her scholarship, Scottish and American literature. was not just a brilliant conversationalist her teaching, her Generations of postgraduate students, in the usual sense; she opened your administrative skills and her singular first at the University of Cambridge and mind and led it down new paths. capacity for friendship from colleagues then at Edinburgh, have found their Susan’s forthcoming book explores the around the globe, many of them scholarship inspired and transformed meanings of character in trans-Atlantic former students. As a scholar at the by working with her, and she was pivotal literature. Her friends and colleagues forefront of the fields of Scottish and to the research culture of Edinburgh’s know what she was too modest (and American literature and trans-Atlantic department of English Literature. too busy) to realise: that she herself literary history she was and will remain Under her leadership, IASH has epitomised the woman of character in renowned. become a vibrant workshop for the best senses, for all occasions and Well beyond her community of interdisciplinary research, and she all seasons. expertise, she will be remembered widened the Institute’s reach to make it Professor Anthony La Vopa for her extraordinary range of a global research centre. At the same IASH Fellow 2006–07 and 2013 achievements as Grierson Professor time she greatly strengthened IASH’s of English Literature from 1999 and engagement with the various units 8 The Susan Manning Postdoctoral the Director of the University’s Institute and departments of the University, and Fellowship has been established in for Advanced Study in the Humanities increased considerably the number of Susan’s memory. For more details, visit (IASH) for eight years. post-doctoral fellowships offered. www.iash.ed.ac.uk/smfellowship.html. John Gifford (1946–2013) One of the greatest criteria for listing. In 1980, he returned to His dedication to the BoS meant that we contributions to lead the BoS Research Unit housed in have unfortunately little else of his writing Scottish architectural ECA’s new Hunter Building, where he apart from his masterly study, William history is that of our began teaching on the Conservation Adam 1689–1748. respected friend programme. Colin died in 1989, and Away from scholarship, John had a deep and colleague, succeeding him as guiding force and Christian faith, sitting on synods and John Gifford. principal author of BoS, John came committees of the Scottish Episcopal close to completing the series. John came to Edinburgh in 1972 as Church, and reformulating its regulations researcher on The Buildings of Scotland He departed from the research criteria of for interventions on church buildings. series (BoS), under the editorship of the parent Buildings of England in two His contributions were recognised with Colin McWilliam, who taught ways: extending the consultation of an MBE in 2005, and an Honorary architectural history at Edinburgh primary sources; and the inclusion of Fellowship of the Royal Incorporation of College of Art, and directed its every church and school, irrespective of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) in 2012. pioneering postgraduate Architectural perceived aesthetic merit. Conservation programme. John died on 13 June 2013. He is The result is an unparalleled resource for survived by his partner, David Bassett, During a brief interlude from 1976, as a information on Scottish architecture and and four siblings. Senior Historic Buildings Investigator at has ensured the volumes’ contents the Scottish Development Department, against premature obsolescence. It is a Ian Campbell, Professor of John established the principle that the mark of John’s achievement that BoS’s Architectural History & Theory, List of Buildings of Architectural and younger siblings, the Buildings of Ireland Miles Glendinning, Professor of Historical Interest should be based on and Buildings of Wales, and the second Architectural Conservation, and meticulous documentary scholarship, generation of English volumes, have all Margaret Stewart, Lecturer in and helped formulate more systematic followed his lead. Architectural History, ECA 22 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2013 bulletin Stewart Adams (1946–2013) David Hugo Stewart Adams was everybody the confidence that they (1958–2013) a servitor from 2001 were in good hands. until he retired in Friends and Stewart also played a major role at June 2013 after the colleagues ceremonial events such as graduation summer graduation have been services, royal visits and open days. He services. Prior to saddened always conducted himself professionally joining the University by the death he had been with the Civil Service for and his friendly and welcoming nature of David Hugo, more than 34 years and saw working at at graduations in particular added to the Model-making Edinburgh as the start of his second enjoyment and sense of occasion for Assistant in Architecture at ECA, career. students and their families. on 30 January 2013. He was primarily based at Old College, Stewart’s funeral was held at Mortonhall I met David in 1989 when we both and also at Charles Stewart House, Crematorium and the very large number had studios with the Delfina Trust in which has probably the biggest and of current and former staff in attendance Stratford, East London. Around this heaviest mail load of any University showed how popular he had been at period he had also become a studio building. the University. He is survived by his wife assistant for Eduardo Paolozzi. Betty and sons David and Chris. Stewart was a great character with a David was producing a dazzling zest and enthusiasm for life, and he David Brook, Support Services collection of sculpture, with twisted became an integral part of the Operations Manager, and metal and diodes and lacquer. Uniformed Staff. He was a great support Peter Thomson, Assistant Support His studio became a hub for other at Charles Stewart House over the Services Operations Manager (Cleaning resident artists. His confidence and years. Nothing was too much trouble & Portering – Central Area), energy were infectious and generous, and his calm, reassuring presence gave Estates & Buildings and he was always available. It was this spirit that made David such a welcome presence at ECA. His brisk imagination was an asset Mike Porter (1946–2013) to us all. Most recently he helped me with a quite complex motorised tripod head for a camcorder. The final object Mike Porter joined gave first-year students the opportunity became for me a rather beautiful and the Community to demonstrate the application of poetic thing. A visit to his workshop at Medical Care knowledge about the determinants of college reveals many such wonderful Research Unit as a health and illness behaviour, and objects. David’s loss will be felt deeply researcher in 1970 develop interviewing and amongst the many staff and students, and became a communication skills. The Priorities peers and friends that had the Lecturer in the Exercise provided students with a pleasure of knowing and working with Department of Medical Practice in 1971, realistic and entertaining simulation him in London and here at ECA. and a Senior Lecturer in 1991. exercise through which they could learn In the 1980s he began a collaboration about the principles and processes for Michael Windle, Lecturer, ECA with John Howie, then Professor of evaluating, prioritising and rationing health services in a local setting. General Practice, on the effect of stress David’s arrival in 2004 saw an explosion on quality of care, including general Mike was co-author of Psychology and in creativity. The quality and diversity of practitioner behaviour during the Sociology Applied to Medicine, a widely models and all manner of art objects consultation process. used and critically acclaimed textbook. produced by students increased Mike was determined to provide He was an inspiration to a generation enormously as David did his utmost students with a rounded, of students, who recognised and to help them realise their conceptions. multidisciplinary perspective on health, appreciated his availability, support, Both staff and students were filled with illness and healthcare, incorporating compassion and commitment to admiration for and gratitude to David social science (especially sociological) inculcating a more holistic appreciation and were shocked by his untimely concepts and understanding. of the patient’s world. death. We all miss him. May he rest in peace. He redesigned the curriculum and Stephen Platt, Professor of Health introduced highly innovative Policy Research, School of Molecular, Ian Campbell, Professor of assignments. Community practicals Genetic & Population Health Sciences Architectural History & Theory, ECA AUTUMN 2013 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE 23 health & wellbeing... health & wellbeing A round-up of the tips, policies and activities designed to keep you fit, healthy and well at work. Visit www.ed.ac.uk/staff/health-wellbeing for more advice and information. Edinburgh earns Green League 2:1 The University has achieved an upper-second-class award in the People & Planet Green League 2013. The League assesses all 143 UK universities annually, and placed Edinburgh 46th in the rankings – third among Scottish Spotlight universities and fifth among Russell Group institutions. The University was awarded full marks for its work on ethical on sustainability investment, reflecting January’s signing of the United Nations’ Staff can learn more about the University’s efforts to Principles for Responsible Investment. Edinburgh was the create a more socially responsible community and first university in Europe, and second worldwide, to become a sustainable campus at a November workshop. Hosted signatory of the international agreement. by the newly created Department for Social Responsibility “We’re committed to improving our position in the Green and Sustainability, the free workshop will explain how the League by continuing to drive change in policy and practice,” University encourages the use of sustainable transport. says Professor Mary Bownes, Senior Vice-Principal External Also open to students, the workshop is part of a Sustainability Engagement. “I’m delighted by our success in many areas and in Practice series, which has already touched on subjects especially pleased that we have led the way in the UK by signing including encouraging biodiversity, promoting fair trade and the United Nations’ Principles for Responsible Investment.” waste and recycling. Top marks were also awarded for fair trade and ethical 8 To find out more and book a place, visit http://sip1-eorg. procurement, environmental policy and environmental eventbrite.co.uk/. management staff. Gold award for healthy working Edinburgh has successfully renewed its says Deputy Director, Health and Safety, Healthy Working Lives gold-level award. Karen Darling. The award programme supports “Renewing this gold-level award is employers and employees to develop acknowledgment of the wide range of Switch & Save reminder health promotion and safety themes in health and wellbeing initiatives available the workplace. It is part of a national to staff, many of whom continue to As the Energy Office relaunches its initiative run by the Scottish Centre for organise, promote and actively participate Switch & Save campaign, staff are Healthy Working Lives. in the varied activities and events which reminded that they can take a number of simple daily steps to help the The University initially obtained the take place throughout the year,” she says. University save energy. gold-level award, valid for three years, “This award recognises their effort and in 2010, and the renewal highlights hard work.” 8 To find out how you can help, visit Edinburgh’s continued commitment to www.ed.ac.uk/saving-energy. promoting a safer, healthier workforce, 8 www.healthyworkinglives.com 24 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2013 bulletin Adverse weather advice available In the event of heavy snowfalls over winter, staff should consult the University’s Adverse Weather Policy and guidelines. The guidelines cover common issues raised when bad Staff put through their paces weather hits and should form the basis of advice offered to staff who are experiencing problems brought Staff from across the University were All proceeds from the challenge, on by extreme weather. The policy put through their paces over summer organised by Janet Philp from the School and guidelines can be found on as they undertook an innovative fitness of Biomedical Sciences (pictured, second the Human Resources Leave and programme. from right), went to the Patrick Wild Absence web pages. Centre. The Centre was established at The Six-Pack Challenge saw staff take the University in 2010 and focuses on 8 www.ed.ac.uk/schools- on six different fitness classes over a six- research into autism, Fragile X Syndrome departments/human-resources/ week period – disciplines of yoga, Pilates, and intellectual disabilities. policies-guidance/leave-absence/ Zumba, circuit training, kickboxing and absence t’ai chi were covered. 8 www.patrickwildcentre.com AUTUMN 2013 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE 25 my nine to five... My nine to five:Liz Cooper Fair Trade Coordinator Liz Cooper facilitates fair trade activities across the University. She encourages staff and student engagement through research, policy development, events, workshops, volunteer projects and web and social media. She shares some of her working day with bulletin. The fair trade movement grew in the second half of the 20th century as a response to perceived inequalities and injustices in global trade. It’s about improving working conditions and income levels for those currently disadvantaged by trade corporate buyers directly systems, notably small-scale farmers and manufacturers in affect people’s lives motivates me to continue to developing countries. explore the relationship between trade and poverty. In 2004 we became the first Fairtrade University in I enjoy being able to explore potential solutions to the real- Scotland, and February 2014 marks our 10 years as a Fairtrade world problems of poverty through my day job. I’m happy if University (note Fairtrade as one word in this case as this is we can incite interest and debate across the University, to find a Fairtrade Foundation initiative), following a student vote in potential answers together. favour of the accreditation. We’ll be holding a formal event to 8 Find out more at www.ed.ac.uk/fairtrade. highlight fair trade in the University and are encouraging staff and students to organise their own events too. At Edinburgh, we’re interested in exploring different approaches to the concept of fair trade through procurement initiatives and developing student and academic research on Get organised … related questions. As well as continuing to stock products labelled Fairtrade Desk: neat and tidy or beautiful chaos? It’s pretty well by the Fairtrade Foundation/Fairtrade International, we’re also organised. I don’t like paper, and keep everything neatly in exploring other initiatives that support fair trade in general. We electronic folders. don’t want to claim that buying fair trade products is the solution Schedule: routine or go with the flow? A mix. to global poverty, but we believe there are numerous ways in which fair trade initiatives can play a part. List person? Oh, yes! My task list in Outlook is always full. This year we established our Fair Trade Academic Network Daily staples? Decaf coffee or Ovaltine, and periodic fresh air. and a national Fair Trade Community of Practice through the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC) – staff can sign up to the email discussion list at www.ed.ac.uk/ … and now relax about/sustainability/fairtrade/news-events/2013/fair-trade-cop. Favourite pastimes? Socialising, My job is quite unusual and varied and my days involve hiking, having a dance at a ceilidh. going to meetings, carrying out research, writing blog pieces, managing websites and social media, liaising with student Perfect Sunday afternoon? volunteers, giving talks/holding workshops, planning student A hike and a picnic with friends. projects, organising events, producing communications Favourite time of year? Any time materials, working on strategy and policy documents, attending if it’s a sunny day – whether beach external events and conferences… weather or crisp and cold. I work with a very large number of people from all over the Ideal holiday destination? University – staff in Procurement, Social Responsibility and Places I’ve never been to and know Sustainability, and the School of Social and Political Science, as little about, such as the Caucasus well as EUSA staff and students, and external collaborators. or any of the ‘stans’ (Uzbekistan or I spent four years working on fair trade projects in Senegal Kazakhstan perhaps). and India, and witnessing how our actions as consumers and 26 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2013 competition... bulletin Spot the difference Paul Dodds Paul wo prizes are on offer this edition: a Castle TThai Spa massage (either 2x 60min or 1x 120min) for the winner, and a meal for two (plus complimentary small glass of wine or beer) at the Fountain bar for the runner- up. To enter, compare the image on the right to the one on the left. You are looking for five differences. Circle each one and send us your entry by Monday 25 November 2013 to the address on page 2. Correct entries will be entered in a draw and the winner will be selected at random. Newly-refurbished and just a stone’s throw from Fountainpark — The Fountain exudes laid-back style. Bright and airywith a brasserie-style interior, The Fountain offers home-cooked seasonal food, craft beers, wines and proper coffee. With a toy box that children could only dream of, our doors are open to little people as well as big ones… four-legged friends are welcome too! food served daily until 9.30pm No 131 Dundee Street, Edinburgh EH11 1AX Phone 0131 229 1899 www.thefountainbar.co.uk facebook.com/fountainedinburgh AUTUMN 2013 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE 27 EUL Special Collections: Or.MS.374 The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336. The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, Showcase In every issue of bulletin we highlight a piece of history from the University’s Collections. Persian-style painting Late 18th or early 19th century. This work comes from a collection of 29 paintings (Tasawir) by Indian artists working in the Persian style. It was donated to the University in the 19th century by Robert Blair Munro Binning (1814–1891) and is among the collection of more than 700 Oriental manuscripts, which includes finely decorated Korans and a magnificent scroll of the Mahabharata epic. 8 • www.ed.ac.uk/is/crc • http://images.is.ed.ac.uk 28 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2013