Bulletin Summer 2009

68656 Bulletin:Bulletin 7/7/09 19:19 Page 1 THE UNIVERSITYof EDINBURGH SUMMER 2009 bulletinTHE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE Forgotten gems Uncovering the University’s secret treasures – page 6 Freedom Scroll of Dedicated to Competitions or folly? honour the core and noticeboard University academics Pictures of the University’s Professor Martin Siegert on Win Festival Fringe tickets in discuss a decade of graduations, past and Antarctica and climate our competition or find a new devolution – page 12 present – page 16 change – page 20 flat or holiday let – page 22 68656 Bulletin:Bulletin 7/7/09 19:19 Page 2 welcome... bulletin editorial PUBLICATION DETAILS id you know that there are more than 200 buildings in the University Published by: Communications and estate? Our buildings range from the very old to the state of the art, from Marketing, the University of Edinburgh Dthe functional to the grand. We have hospitals, flats, farmland and CONTACT US theatres, as well as acres of teaching and learning space. In the summer edition of bulletin, we highlight some overlooked places in the University’s estate. If you bulletin Communications and Marketing have any additional suggestions, we’d love to hear about them. The University of Edinburgh 48 Pleasance On pages 10–11, we profile the EUSA teaching awards, a student-led initiative Edinburgh EH8 9TJ that puts teaching excellence at Edinburgh under the spotlight. On page 15, tying E: [email protected] in with the Year of Darwin, artist Ilana Halperin talks about her geological lava T: +44 (0)131 651 4325 project for the Talbot Rice Gallery’s forthcoming An Entangled Bank exhibition. To The University of Edinburgh is mindful of mark the 10th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament, University academics the environmental impact of producing this Charlie Jeffery and Navraj Ghaleigh offer their own perspectives on its magazine and seeks to minimise resources achievements and disappointments in our Opinion section, pages 12–14. wherever possible. This magazine has been printed on Revive Uncoated stock, We have also launched Staff Bulletin, an online news service for employees of the which contains 80 per cent post-consumer waste and 20 per cent mill broke and has University. It can be accessed at www.ed.ac.uk/news/staff-bulletin. been sourced from a mill that is certified to If you’d like to respond to our opinion pages or have any feedback about the the environmental management system ISO14001. magazine, we’d love to hear from you. Send an email to [email protected]. SUBMISSION DETAILS If you would like to submit an idea for an article, or tell us about some news or an event you wish to promote, please contact us at the editor’s email address above in advance of the next deadline. The autumn edition of bulletin will be published in October, and the deadline for submissions is 31 August. To keep up to date with news online, visit our new Staff Bulletin service at www.ed.ac.uk/news/staff-bulletin. The Aberdeen Breviary, an ancient prayer book from the University’s Collection. See our Showcase Front cover: Staircase carving, St Leonard’s Hall. segment on the back Photography: Stewart Bremner. page to find out more. 2. THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE SUMMER 2009 68656 Bulletin:Bulletin 7/7/09 19:19 Page 3 news... bulletin Main Library launches new ground floor tudy pods, a contemporary café and an artistic ode to its founder Clement Litill Sare among the many new features that were unveiled at the opening of the Main Library’s new-look ground floor this month. Director of Library Services, Sheila Cannell, said: “We look forward to welcoming staff and students to the newly developed ground floor. It is exciting to see this in place, after several years of planning and hard work, with architects, builders and our own staff. “On this floor, we want to see vibrant interaction among library users to complement the quieter space already completed on the fifth and sixth floors. The ground floor preserves 21st-century study: new pods for group work the best of the original Basil Spence 1960s building, while updating it for today’s users.” Digital projection screens display images from The outside podium area displays artwork by The ground floor’s redesign is part of the the collections and words from catalogue Scottish artist Alec Finlay embedded into the ongoing Main Library redevelopment project searches as they happen. The High-Use Book concrete slabs. It is a poetic representation of that will transform the Library into a modern (HUB) collection is also located on the ground the original inscription on the books owned by study facility, better suited to meet the needs of floor. the Library’s founder, Clement Litill. students and researchers in the 21st century. The new café overlooks George Square and The new ground floor complements the work On the new ground floor students can enjoy offers a healthy range of affordable food and already completed on the fifth and sixth floor group work in study pods that can drink in a modern and comfortable setting, with the Centre for Research Collections and accommodate groups of up to seven students with some fixed PCs available for access to quiet study space. Work on the next phase of in a semi-private spaces that allow quiet internet or email. the redevelopment, the first floor, begins conversation. shortly and will continue into early 2010. Multiple awards for campus masterpiece he University’s Potterrow development has received a slew of awards since it AWARDS FOR POTTERROW opened for business last summer. T RIBA Award 2009 The development has been honoured for both Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland design and sustainability, picking up awards (RIAS) Andy Doolan Prize 2008 for Best from the Royal Institute of British Architects Building in Scotland (RIBA), the Royal Institute of Chartered RICS Scotland Scottish Building Project of the Surveyors (RICS) and the Carbon Trust, Year among others. RICS Scotland Sustainability Award The project, which comprises the Informatics British Council for Offices (BCO) Award for Forum and the neighbouring Dugald Stewart Best Corporate Office Building Scotland 2009 Building, has re-housed staff and students Scottish Design Awards, Sustainable Design from the Schools of Informatics and 2009 Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, and created space for a new Scottish Design Awards, Chairman’s Award Visitor’s Centre. 2009 Scottish Design Awards, Public Building 2009 The University’s Estates and Buildings Director, Angus Currie, said: “The growing list Carbon Trust Sustainability Award 2009, Highly Commended of design and other awards bestowed upon the Potterrow development is independent Potterrow development has been a successful Edinburgh Architectural Association (EAA) testimony to the success of the project from contribution, bringing a coherence to the Award for Building of the Year 2009, which staff in the Schools of Informatics and University’s Central Area, linking Bristo Square Commended PPLS are already reaping major benefits. From and George Square and providing a significant BREEAM Excellent rating a town planning perspective perspective, the improvement to the public realm.” SUMMER 2009 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE 3. 68656 Bulletin:Bulletin 7/7/09 02:26 Page 4 news... University campus takes centre stage at Festival Fringe he University’s central campus will once again play a large role in this year’s TEdinburgh Festival Fringe. The University, in conjunction with the Confucius Institute, will welcome the Bejing Film Academy to the McEwan Hall for its adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The production, created by some of the team behind the Beijing Olympics’ opening ceremony, will mix music, dance and martial arts. The McEwan Hall will also host Silent Disco. Appleton Tower will, this year, provide a new home for the Fringe Performers’ Centre, creating a space for participants to network Bristo Square and meet throughout the event. George Square Gardens will host Hullaballoo, a wooden tent offering a varied programme of events. ADDITIONAL CAMPUS VENUES The University’s Festivals Office has also been working with theatre company Fuel, which will • C Venues at Adam House produce a range of site-specific shows that • Pleasance Theatre at Potterrow and will feature across the campus. Pleasance Venues Concession rates for Festivals Office shows • Gilded Balloon at Teviot Row are available for University staff, by showing a • Assembly Theatre at New College valid staff card, subject to availability. Call the • Underbelly at the Reid Hall and Box Office on 0131 651 1292. Bristo Square Visit www.festivals.ed.ac.uk for more details. University to reform Academic Governance Internationalisation he University is to begin an overhaul of but convenors will also be able to co-opt strategy launches academic governance. Changes will members. Individuals who have significant Tinclude the replacement of existing experience in innovation in the relevant area, he University has officially launched committees such as Academic Policy, Senatus substantial interest in enhancing the student its new internationalisation strategy, Undergraduate, Postgraduate Studies and the experience and competence (or a desire to TEdinburgh Global, at an event at Senatus Quality Assurance and Enhancement build experience) in educational change Pollock Halls. with new, better targeted groups. These new management, would be considered. committees will take over formal responsibility Guests at the launch were welcomed by For the task groups, students who are also from September 2009. the Principal and heard from guest speakers interested in getting involved with the BBC World Affairs correspondent Alan Little The committees will set advanced and planned development of the University would be and Michael Russell MSP, Minister for agendas better targeted to University, College welcome.

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