Bulletin Spring 2014
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THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH SPRING 2014 bulletinTHE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE Ahead of the game Jim Aitken on how higher education helps our athletes to excel – page 12 Inspiring A unique Help or Competition change perspective hindrance? & giveaway We celebrate the diversity International students Lydia Plowman looks at Your chance to win tasty and influence of our female share their insights into children’s learning in the treats from two fantastic colleagues – page 8 Edinburgh life – page 16 digital age – page 18 local cafes – page 27 editorial... bulletin editorial PUBLICATION DETAILS As another academic year comes to a close, colleagues across the colleges and Published by: Communications and support groups can reflect on a great number of accolades and achievements. Marketing, The University of Edinburgh In this edition of bulletin we share just some of your recent success stories. CONTACT US From dinosaur discoveries and living organ regeneration (pages 6–7) to winners bulletin of the EUSA Teaching Awards (page 4), we highlight our research and teaching Communications and Marketing The University of Edinburgh excellence and innovation. We also reflect on the University’s progress with C Floor, Forrest Hill Building enhancements to the student experience (page 26). 5 Forrest Hill Edinburgh EH1 2QL, UK We celebrate the commitment of our long-serving staff members (pages 14–15) and also introduce a few new faces (pages 20–22, 25). E: [email protected] T: +44 (0)131 650 9747 Looking ahead, we preview Edinburgh’s chances at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games (opposite), and Jim Aitken, Director of Sport, outlines SUBMISSION DETAILS how higher education is helping our sporting stars to excel on the world stage If you would like to submit an idea for (pages 12–13). an article, please contact us at the email address above in advance of Keep up with staff news at www.ed.ac.uk/news/staff, where you can sign up to the next deadline. The next edition get the latest headlines delivered straight to your inbox. And you can follow us on will be published in the autumn. The Twitter at twitter.com/UoE_staff. deadline is 31 July 2014. For regular updates, visit Staff News at www.ed.ac.uk/news/staff. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/UoE_staff. If you require this document in an alternative format (eg large print, on coloured paper, etc) please get in touch by using the contact details above. The University of Edinburgh is mindful of the environmental impact of producing this magazine and seeks to minimise resources wherever Architects Artist’s impression: Malcolm Fraser possible. This magazine has been printed on recycled, uncoated stock that contains 100 per cent post-consumer waste and is manufactured at a mill that is certified to the environmental management system ISO14001. Little people’s paradise: the University’s new purpose-built nursery, Arcadia, will open at King’s Buildings on 4 August. Designed around the concept of ‘free play’ by the award-winning Malcolm Fraser Architects, Arcadia brings together the long- established teams at Uni-Tots Nursery on George Square and the Day Nursery on Dalkeith Road. It caters for children aged six weeks to five years. Cover photo: Chris Park 8 For more information and enrolments, visit www.arcadianursery.co.uk. 2 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE SPRING 2014 news... bulletin Stunning spectacle: nearly 31,000 visitors flocked to the Old College Quad over a 10-day period earlier this year to see the ‘Lanterns of Terracotta Warriors’ exhibition. Inspired by the ‘terracotta army’ discovered when archaeologists unearthed a third-century BC Chinese emperor’s tomb, the larger-than-life lanterns were created by artist Xia Nan. edin.ac/1kmPMFo Laurence Winram University explores Glasgow Games’ closer ties with SRUC The University and the Board of countdown begins Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) are exploring a closer degree of collaboration. The University’s Commonwealth Games’ Other Edinburgh hopefuls include: Dr hopefuls have begun their countdown to Ross Houston, Scientific Fellow at the Enhanced strategic alignment is seen Glasgow 2014. Roslin Institute (athletics); performance as an opportunity to further develop psychology student Caitlin McClatchey research education and consultancy The XX Commonwealth Games will (swimming); chemical physics student that is “vital to Scotland’s rural commence on 23 July, and Edinburgh Richard Schafers (swimming); medical economy”, according to the Principal, students, staff and alumni hope to student Calum Tait (swimming); law Professor Sir Timothy O’Shea. Closer represent Team Scotland in a host of student Sarah Robertson (hockey); sport alignment would also “contribute to events, with staff also set to play a science student Sean Doherty (table the global challenges of health, number of support roles. tennis); physical education graduate environmental and food security”, Potentially 50 students, alumni and Alan Clyne (squash); physical education the Principal said. staff will be involved – nearly double graduate Claire Brownie (netball); and SRUC and its predecessors have the number associated with the Delhi medicine graduate Anne Ewing (cycling). worked closely with the University 2010 Commonwealth Games – and the Staff from Edinburgh’s Fitness Assessment for more than 100 years. Some of its University hopes to be represented in 11 and Sports Injuries Centre will support degree programmes are validated of the 17 featured disciplines, including Team Scotland: Lindsay Thomson has through Edinburgh and it is an swimming, squash, athletics and hockey. been appointed Head Physiotherapist Accredited Institution of the University. Hurdler Eilidh Child, a physical education and Deputy Head of Medical Services, It is envisaged that SRUC will retain graduate and recent inductee into the alongside physiotherapist Sandi Lyall its identity and mission. University’s Sports Hall of Fame, will and Dr Alastair Nicol. 8 www.sruc.ac.uk captain Team Scotland at the Games. >> page 12 SPRING 2014 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE 3 news... Laurence Winram Awards acknowledge teaching excellence he School of History, Classics & Archaeology was the standout performer in the 2014 EUSA T Mihaela Bodlovic Teaching Awards, receiving five accolades. The School scooped awards in four out of 13 categories in the student-led awards, which recognise the teachers, support staff and students who have made a positive impact on students’ learning The 2014 EUSA Teaching Awards Dancers and musicians enjoy St Cecilia’s were presented in 13 categories. experiences. Hall ahead of its closure for redevelopment. History, Classics & Archaeology was tribute to his colleagues: “It’s a great Best School or Subject Area runner-up, honour to receive this award from the One last dance and its staff received: Best Personal one group who really matter, and it’s Tutor (Dr Ulf-Dietrich Schoop, Lecturer testimony to the great work done by all for St Cecilia’s Hall in Eastern Mediterranean Archaeology); those on the online MSc team.” Best Personal Tutor runner-up (Dr David Swing dancers and jazz musicians Kaufman, Lecturer in History – Online The Best School or Subject Area award transformed St Cecilia’s Hall into Distance Learning); the Ian Campbell went to the School of Chemistry. a 1940s ballroom recently as part Award for Teaching in the Humanities of ‘One Last Dance’, an evening More than 2,500 nominations were and Social Sciences (Dr Rob Dinnis, of dancing and live music from the received from students for this year’s Early Career Fellow in Archaeology); University’s Jazz Orchestra. awards, and a student judging panel and the Teaching with Technology determined the shortlist and winners. Award (Dr David Kaufman). The event was part of the Scotland- Close to 100 staff members and students wide Festival of Museums, and Dr Kaufman, who was the only staff gathered for the awards ceremony at celebrated one of the venue’s previous member to receive two awards, paid Teviot Row House. forms, when it was the famous Excelsior Ballroom. St Cecilia’s, Scotland’s oldest At a glance: the 2014 EUSA Teaching Awards purpose-built concert hall, is to close temporarily in summer, for restoration. Best Feedback: Dr Daniel Swanton (School of Teaching in Veterinary Sciences Award: GeoSciences) Dr Susan Kempson (Royal [Dick] School of A £6.5 million redevelopment project Best Personal Tutor: Dr Ulf-Dietrich Schoop Veterinary Sciences) will see the iconic building transformed (School of History, Classics & Archaeology) Van Heyningen Award for Teaching in into a centre of excellence. The Best Postgraduate Tutor: Eliana Lambrou Science & Engineering: Professor Iain Gordon refurbished and extended hall will (School of Physics & Astronomy) (School of Mathematics) house more than 1,000 world-class Best Research or Dissertation Supervisor: Ian Campbell Award for Teaching in objects, including historical musical Dr Samantha Griffiths (Division of Pathway the Humanities and Social Sciences: instruments, and be a hub for research Medicine) Dr Rob Dinnis (School of History, Classics and teaching. The redevelopment is & Archaeology) Teaching with Technology Award: due to be completed in August 2016. Dr David Kaufman (School of History, Best Course: Classics & Archaeology) Stem Cells, Neurodegenerative Diseases Restoration of the McEwan Hall is & Models also ongoing, with the second phase Peer Support Award: Alice Cezanne Best School or Subject Area: of repair works on stonework areas & Emma Butcher (Biomedical