VOLUME 04 ISSUE 02 :: SUMMER 2004 INCLUDING :: BILLET + GENERAL COUNCIL PAPERS Can Hans Blix save the planet? Iain Macwhirter investigates An equal chance Putting widening participation into practice An Indian Chemist in Victorian Edinburgh The life of Prafulla Chandra Ray THE UNIVERSI TY of EDINBURGH MAGAZINE 02 news 10 features 09 Andrew scoops poetry prize Alumnus and poet A.B. Jackson’s recent win 10 Can Hans Blix save the planet? by Iain Macwhirter elcome to the summer 2004 edition of Edit. Thanks to all of you 14 An Indian chemist in Victorian who commented so positively on our new look. W Edinburgh In this issue, Iain Macwhirter gives his view on Dr Hans Blix’s lecture at the Ian Wotherspoon on the life University in February and the conflict in Iraq. McEwan Hall was filled to capacity of Prafulla Chandra Ray with students, members of staff and the public. 18 Raising aspirations by Dr Neil Speirs Raising aspirations (page 18), by Dr Neil Speirs, looks at the first stage of a Widening Participation project which is changing attitudes to Higher Education in traditionally low-participation areas. The project was made possible through 17 letters a Development Trust grant, which is funded by your donations to the University. 20 gallery Also included are all of our regular features about alumni and development, letters and the Billet section from the General Council. 22 tried & tested For the first time, Edit is available as a text-only version. You can download the file from www.cpa.ed.ac.uk/edit/, or contact us at: Edit, Communications & Public Affairs, The University of Edinburgh Centre, 7-11 Nicolson Street, 24 informed Edinburgh EH8 9BE, or email [email protected] 24 The Kresge Challenge 26 Reunions 28 Alumnus of the Year Award 29 World Service Sharon Pringle 35 billet Editor The General Council's business papers, and news about its activities Publisher 10 22 Communications & Public Affairs, The University of Edinburgh Centre, 7-11 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh EH8 9BE Editor Sharon Pringle [email protected] Assistant Editor Jennifer Baird Design Freight Design 0141 552 5303 14 Photography Chris Close & Douglas Robertson Printing and Mailing Services John Blackburn Limited Advertising enquiries Landmark Publishing Services 18 0207 692 9292 No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of the publishers. Edit is printed on environment-friendly low-chlorine content paper. Edit, The University of Edinburgh Magazine, is published twice a year. The views expressed in its columns are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent those of the University. THE UNIVERSI TY of EDINBURGH MAGAZINMAGAZINEE 02 Scottish scientists target selected ovarian cancers Targeting and inactivating a key gene could be a subtle and effective treatment for certain types of ovarian cancer, University researchers Will Garton (President of EUSA) & Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Timothy O’Shea suggest in a study published in Clinical Cancer Research. Cancer Research UK Fairtrade comes first scientists at the University found that blocking a gene at Edinburgh called Raf-1 can halt the Edinburgh was the first university in their bid to extend the range of growth of some ovarian in Scotland to be formally Fairtrade products that we offer on cancer cells while leaving awarded Fairtrade accreditation campus. The move to gain official others largely unaffected. at a reception at the University Fairtrade status recognises the Their findings could lead to in March. The award was made University’s long-term commitment selective cancer therapies on the same day that Edinburgh to the use of Fairtrade products and tailored to individual patients. became a Fairtrade city. contributing to better conditions for many farmers and communities in The reception was held at Teviot Researchers also gained developing countries.” Row House, and was attended by important clues about why the Principal and Vice-Chancellor Will Garton said: “The University targeting the gene was Professor Timothy O'Shea; the is a major consumer of food and effective in some types of President of Edinburgh University drinks. Last year EUSA purchased cancer but not in others, Students’ Association (EUSA), Will over 1,700kg of coffee and the paving the way for a test to Garton; the Managing Director of the University's accommodation services predict which patients would Fairtrade Foundation, Harriet Lamb served around 300,000 cups of and the Chairman of the Toledo coffee a year to staff, students and benefit from the treatment. Cacao Growers’ Association in commercial clients. A wide range of Belize, Justino Peck. Fairtrade products is available and prominently displayed throughout The commitment to the Fairtrade the University and even Fairtrade initiative is supported by staff and wine is on the way to becoming the students alike. Professor Geoffrey default option across the board.” Boulton, Vice-Principal of the University said: “We are delighted Some 6,000 events took place with the recent moves to make around the UK during Fairtrade Edinburgh Scotland’s first Fairtrade Fortnight (1-14 March), which University. The University already commemorated the tenth year uses Fairtrade tea and coffee as of the Fairtrade Mark. their default choice and we fully support the Students’ Association news 03 Prestigious SHEFC funding awards for The University has been Professor Timothy O'Shea, University awarded an increase of Principal and Vice-Chancellor £7.3 million in SHEFC’s said: “We are very encouraged academics by the Chief Executive of SHEFC, funding round for the Roger McClure's announcement The Norwegian Academy academic year 2004/05, and the commitment that the of Science and Letters has raising total funding to Executive and the Deputy First awarded the Abel Prize for 2004 jointly to Sir Michael £121.8 million. Minister, Jim Wallace has shown Francis Atiyah, University to the sector. This university's 6.4% The 6.4% rise is well above the of Edinburgh and Isadore overall increase and the 12.1% M. Singer, MIT. Scottish average of 5.3%, with increase in research funding in research funding particularly particular are positive signs for a They will receive the prize benefiting with an increase of smart, successful Scottish strategy. “for their discovery and 12.1%. This is a modest increase proof of the index theorem, This welcome increase in funding in real terms, after a number of bringing together topology, will go some way towards ensuring geometry and analysis, and years in which the University has the University of Edinburgh keeps their outstanding role in received real terms cuts. its research at an building new bridges internationally between mathematics “ This welcome increase in funding competitive level.” and theoretical physics.” will go some way towards ensuring The University's Main The Abel Prize was the University of Edinburgh keeps Teaching Grant will established in 2002 as its research at an internationally an international prize for be £71.5 million outstanding scientific work competitive level.” compared to in the field of mathematics. £69.5 million in This award fills the gap 2003/04, an where there is no Nobel Scottish higher education increase of 2.8%. Units of resource Prize for Mathematics. institutions will receive more than for teaching are being increased by £800 million – an overall sector Jane Hillston, a Reader 2.7%, compared to HEFCE's 2.8% increase in funding of 5.5% on in Computer Science from increase. the University’s School last year. of Informatics, is the first Main Quality Research Grant Edinburgh, along with St Andrews, winner of the newly-created (R-grant) rises by 11.9% to has the largest percentage Roger Needham Award £44.1 million. The one-off grant for for outstanding British increase of any of the Scottish 5* units of assessment in 2003/04 computer research. She universities. The total 6.4% rise has been consolidated into has received the award for disguises significantly larger baselines, and the weighting her work on Performance increases in Main Quality Research for 5/5*-rated units has been Evaluation Process Algebra. Grant (11.9%) and Knowledge significantly increased compared Hillston created a Transfer Grant (50.3%), which to units rated rising 3a and 4. revolutionary new software recognise the University's excellent modelling language that track record in these activities, predicts performance-related and which are a very welcome problems at software indication of Scottish Executive design stage. and SHEFC support. THE UNIVERSI TY of EDINBURGH MAGAZINE 04 JK Rowling and Cannabis can lead to former Principal cigarette among honorary smoking graduates Best-selling children’s author JK Rowling is among a number of prominent public figures who will receive honorary degrees at the University's graduation ceremonies this summer. Ms Rowling, who completed the PGCE at Moray House – now the Moray House School of Education at the University – in 1996, will will receive the degree of Doctor A University study has found receive the degree of Doctor honoris causa. Cardinal Keith that the use of cannabis by honoris causa in July. She said, Patrick O'Brien, Roman Catholic teenagers can act as a “I am delighted and honoured to Archbishop and Metropolitan of trigger to smoking cigarettes, be receiving an honorary degree the Archdiocese of St Andrews or can reinforce the habit in from the University of Edinburgh, and Edinburgh and Primate of those who already smoke. in my adopted home city.” the Roman Catholic Church in The study was undertaken Scotland will receive the honorary Former Principal and Vice- degree of Doctor of Divinity. The by Research Fellow Dr Gill Chancellor of the University, Cardinal graduated with a BSc Highet of the University’s Rt Hon Lord Sutherland of from the University in 1959.