SUMMER 2014

THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE + BILLET & GENERAL COUNCIL PAPERS

SUSTAINABILITY SPECIAL MEET ALUMNI, STAFF AND STUDENTS DEVOTED TO THE SUSTAINABILITY AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CAUSE

ALSO INSIDE MEMORIES OF PLEASANCE | HISTORY MAKERS: SPORT | INSPIRING WOMEN SUMMER 2014 CONTENTS

FOREWORD CONTENTS elcome to the Summer 2014 issue of Edit. As 08 16 W we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Edinburgh becoming Scotland’s first Fairtrade University, this edition of Edit has a sustainability theme. Our news, reviews, Inspiration can be your legacy features and interviews focus on alumni, staff and students involved in all manner of activities related to “A university and a gallery have much in common. sustainability and social responsibility. In our main features we reflect on the student-led Fairtrade campaign a 12 26 Challenging. Beautiful. Visionary. decade ago and meet entrepreneurs, artists and scientists Designed to inspire the hearts and minds looking to the environmental and socio-economic challenges of our future. You can also catch up with many of the leaders and creators of tomorrow.” of your peers who are blazing trails in the sustainability Pat Fisher, Principal Curator, and social responsibility fields, in our update pages and 31 Talbot Rice Gallery www.ed.ac.uk/talbot-rice alumni profiles. Edit itself is always seeking to enrich its offering to our growing readership, while limiting our environmental impact, and this month we launch a digital edition of the magazine at www.edit.ed.ac.uk, which you can enjoy on your laptop, PC, tablet or phone. Wherever and however you read this sustainability special, as always 04 Update 18 What You Did Next we would love to receive your views of the magazine and your own stories to share with Edinburgh alumni 08 Forging the 20 Edinburgh Experience Fairtrade way throughout the world. Looking back and forwards 22 Snapshot Kirsty MacDonald, Executive Director 10 years after Edinburgh became Scotland’s first 24 Arts Review of Development and Alumni Engagement Fairtrade university 25 Science Digest 12  The Interview Stephen Fitzpatrick, 26 The History Makers Published by Communications and Marketing Ovo Energy founder The University of Edinburgh, Floor C, Forrest Hill Building, 5 Forrest Hill, Edinburgh EH1 2QL, UK 14 Pilot study 28 Ideas Exchange Geoscientists’ high-flying Contact: [email protected] approach to studying our Design: www.hookson.com 29 The Two of Us Printing: Sterling changing atmosphere

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior written 16 Hope seated 30 Landmark consent of the University of Edinburgh. The views expressed in Edit are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent those of the University. This magazine is in design printed on environmentally friendly, carbon-balanced paper that has been accredited The student making 31 The Last Word by the Forestry Stewardship Council. furniture from thistles ON THE MOVE? If you have changed address please let us know. Contact 32 Billet Development & Alumni on +44 (0)131 650 2240 or at [email protected] A gift to the University of Edinburgh in your will helps us maintain an outstanding This publication is available in alternative formats on request. public gallery for art and ideas. CONTACT US

To find out more about making a gift to the University of Edinburgh in your will, [email protected] please contact Mairi Rosko on +44 (0)131 651 1411 or [email protected] facebook.com/edalumni We are happy to arrange a chat or simply send you an information pack. twitter.com/edinburghalumni Alternatively, visit www.ed.ac.uk/legacy-giving tinyurl.com/edalumni The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336.

WWW.ED.AC.UK SUSTAINABILITY SPECIAL 3 UPDATE SUMMER 2014 UNIVERSITY NEWS UNIVERSITY UPDATE

FOR ALL THE LATEST UNIVERSITY NEWS, VISIT UPDATE WWW.ED.AC.UK/NEWS Angus Blackburn 01 01 JANE GOODALL 03 04 05 GIVES GROUNDS FOR OPTIMISM

The celebrated conservationist Dame Jane Goodall gave a public lecture entitled “Reasons for Hope” at New College in May. Dame Jane, who is best known for her hands-on research into Gombe chimpanzees, recounted her unique experiences in the field. She discussed the future of chimps in the wild Douglas Robertson and the illegal trade in ivory and 06 rhino horn.

Graham Clark Proceeds from the event went to the 02 Jane Goodall Institute, which aims to continue Dame Jane’s research and conservation projects. The Institute also supports Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots, a programme that helps young people take responsibility for meeting local challenges.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.JANEGOODALL.ORG.UK ROOTSANDSHOOTS.ORG

02 SUSTAINABILITY AND SOCIAL UN CENTRE 03 TALKS FEATURE 04 AMAZON STUDY COULD 05 POWERHOUSE 06 AWARDS FOR RESPONSIBILITY LAUNCH OF EXPERTISE IPCC AUTHOR AID CARBON OFFSETTING WITH GREEN CARBON CENTRE A new centre of expertise The annual Our Changing World CREDENTIALS The home of Edinburgh Centre THE UNIVERSITY HAS OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED ITS DEPARTMENT specialising in sustainable series of public lectures beginning EDINBURGH RESEARCHERS STUDYING THE AMAZON BASIN for Carbon Innovation (ECCI) at The University has switched on a development education is to in September will feature Mark Edinburgh's High School Yards has FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY. HAVE REVEALED UNPRECEDENTED DETAIL OF THE SIZE, AGE new £43 million supercomputer, be opened at the University. Rounsevell, Professor of Rural won the Building Conservation Award Professor Mary Bownes, Senior Vice-Principal External Engagement, opened the AND SPECIES OF TREES ACROSS THE REGION BY COMPARING ARCHER (Academic Research Economy and Environmental at the Royal Institute of Chartered department at the University’s annual Sustainability Awards ceremony at Teviot Learning for Sustainability Scotland SATELLITE MAPS WITH HUNDREDS OF FIELD PLOTS. Computing High End Resource), Sustainability at the School Surveyors Scotland Awards 2014. House, where 35 awards were announced. (LfS Scotland) will be headquartered which, among other applications, of GeoSciences. The findings could help improve carbon-offsetting initiatives, which place a in Edinburgh as Scotland’s only will contribute to global cash value on the preservation of trees according to their carbon content. It was also named Building of the Year The department formalises activities that have been taking place across the United Nations Regional Centre Professor Rounsevell is a lead understanding of climate change. in the Edinburgh Architectural Awards. University for many years. Announcing the launch, Professor Bownes said: of Expertise on Education for author on the Intergovernmental Existing satellite maps of the area have estimated trees’ carbon content based ARCHER is the most powerful The building, formerly Edinburgh’s “While the University can be proud of its achievements, we need structures for Sustainable Development. It will Panel on Climate Change’s Working largely on their height, but have not accounted for large regional variations in computer in the UK, capable of more historic Old High School, was the the management and governance of social responsibility and sustainability.” be opened at a reception on Group on Impacts, Adaptation their shape and density. than a million billion calculations first refurbished building in the UK 19 November in the Playfair Library. and Vulnerability, which in April Edinburgh is the first university in the UK to have a social responsibility and a second. It will enable scientists to achieve the industry sustainability reported that climate change is Researchers from the Universities of Edinburgh and Leeds, who led the sustainability department. It is responsible for promoting and embedding Separately, Edinburgh has joined to tackle a new level of “Big Data” “BREEAM Outstanding” award at the already occurring on all continents, research, say their findings could help quantify the amount of carbon available sustainable practices within the University, including energy efficiency, recycling a global network of leading problems, such as climate modelling. design stage. as part of the IPCC’s Fifth to trade, and improve understanding of how much carbon is stored in the and ethical investment and procurement. It also provides advice and support universities committed to Assessment Report. world’s forests, which informs climate change forecasts. for students and academic and support staff. embedding sustainability in the ARCHER is housed in one of the In April ECCI, a hub of cross-sectoral greenest computer centres in the expertise, launched the first electric curriculum and working practices. He is the University’s Assistant Scientists studied a database of thousands of tree species, taken from more Social responsibility is one of the six strategic themes of the University’s world, with cooling costs of 8p vehicle to join Edinburgh’s Edinburgh is the first Scottish Principal Global Environment than 400 hectare-sized plots across the nine countries of the Amazon Basin – Strategic Plan 2012–16. for every £1 spent on electricity. successful City Car Club. The car university to join the International and Society, and Director of the Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname It is funded and owned by the will be based at the Centre, which Sustainable Campus Network, which University’s Global Environment and Venezuela. In the Sustainability Awards, the Roslin Institute took the Best Energy Saving Engineering & Physical Sciences has installed four electric vehicle Idea Award for its innovation to cut the power used by refrigeration equipment. includes Oxford, Yale, Harvard, & Society Academy. Peking and Melbourne universities. Dr Ed Mitchard of the School of GeoSciences said: “Developing our Research Council, and operated by charge points, and will monitor the A student-run event that attracted 400 people – “ACT! A Festival for Social understanding of this aspect of forests, in the Amazon and elsewhere, the University's Edinburgh Parallel use of electric vehicles and attitudes Change” – won the Innovation Award. could be hugely important for our climate.” Computing Centre. towards them. DETAILS AND BOOKING: FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.ED.AC.UK/EDINBURGH-GLOBAL FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT LEARNINGFORSUSTAINABILITY PAST LECTURES: SEE ALSO ARCHER VIDEO: FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.ED.AC.UK/SUSTAINABILITY SCOTLAND.ORG EDIN.AC/1kx7XGJ ‘PILOT STUDY’ PAGES 14-15 EDIN.AC/1kxe4Ls WWW.CLIMATECHANGECENTRE.ORG.UK

4 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH WWW.ED.AC.UK SUSTAINABILITY SPECIAL 5 UPDATE SUMMER 2014 ALUMNI NEWS ALUMNI UPDATE

FOR ALL THE LATEST ALUMNI NEWS, VISIT UPDATE WWW.ED.AC.UK/ALUMNI

01 03 04 05 MORE ONLINE

Visit the new digital edition of Edit for rich content linked to our main features and interview. You can access the Edit website on your phone, tablet or computer at www.edit.ed.ac.uk

Meanwhile the Alumni Services section of the University’s website has been

Stuart MarchStuart Photography enhanced, making 02 06 it easier to access information of greatest interest to alumni, especially benefits and reunions.

www.ed.ac.uk/ alumni/services

01 CONCRETE RESULTS 02 VET DIRECTOR 03 HONOURS 04 EUAN’S GUIDE 05 PRIZES FOR 06 TEN MARATHON FROM SAND AND UREA JOINS FISH FIRM FOR ALUMNI TO ACCESSIBILITY INNOVATION CHARITY EFFORT Ronnie Soutar (BVMS 1980), former Alumni working in the fields Alumni with innovations that can Ellan Iaquaniello (MA Social PETER TRIMBLE (BA PRODUCT DESIGN 2013) HAS MADE Director of Veterinary Services at of sustainability and social EUAN MACDONALD (LLB 1999) HAS CREATED A benefit the environment and society Science 1993) is undertaking one FURNITURE FROM AN ECOLOGICAL ALTERNATIVE TO the University, has been appointed responsibility are among those WEBSITE OFFERING REVIEWS OF PUBS, RESTAURANTS were triumphant in the Scottish of the world’s toughest endurance CONCRETE THAT USES SAND AND AN INGREDIENT Managing Director of Aqualife, recognised in the 2014 New AND VISITOR ATTRACTIONS FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS Institute of Enterprise’s Fresh Ideas challenges: running 10 marathons FOUND IN URINE. the world’s largest fish vaccine Year Honours. competition in March. in 10 days. delivery company. Euan’s Guide encourages users to post reviews of any venue, Professor Sir Geoff Palmer (PhD 1967), Fern Sinclair (MChem 2013) has come Mrs Iaquaniello has been selected “Dupe” is a microbial manufacturing process that Mr Trimble used in anywhere in the world, and venues are able to promote their own Aqualife, based in Stirling, offers a prominent anti-racism campaigner, up with an ecological way to cut the as one of 15 athletes to take on the his thesis project at Edinburgh College of Art. When sand is mixed accessibility features. vaccination and training services to was knighted for services to human waste destined for landfill after music Brathay 10 in 10 challenge. with urea and the bacterium bacillus pasteurii a chemical reaction the aquaculture industry. On taking rights, science and charity. Mr MacDonald has been using a wheelchair for the past four years, festivals: biodegradable tents. produces calcite, which glues the sand grains together, producing a She is raising funds for the Brathay up his appointment, Mr Soutar having been diagnosed with motor neurone disease 10 years ago. She wishes to create a biodegradable Trust, which supports disadvantaged sandstone-like material. said: “Aqualife is making significant Dr Heather Sylvia McHaffie (MPhil fabric that will keep the weather out young people to help them make practical improvements in fish health 1992, PhD 1998), who is Scottish He says that since using a wheelchair, he has found visiting hotels, social Mr Trimble has made seats using these ingredients in a low-energy but then decompose under the right positive choices in their lives. and welfare, things I truly believe in.” Plants Officer at The Royal Botanic venues and visitor attractions difficult, because it is often impossible to manufacturing process. conditions. She says one in six Garden Edinburgh, was appointed discover what their disabled access is really like ahead of a visit. Due to complete the challenge as festival goers leaves behind a He says conventional production methods involve vast amounts Mr Soutar is President of the British MBE for services to the conservation Edit goes to press, Mrs Iaquaniello The new website is “a great way for people to share practical discarded tent. of energy and waste that could be cut drastically by using low- Veterinary Association’s Scottish of plants in Scotland. first-hand knowledge of venues which is otherwise difficult to find”, was aiming to run the course of the temperature biological processes. Branch and a board member of the Maria Mullane (MA Product Design Brathay Windermere Marathon in Meanwhile, volunteering for the Mr MacDonald says. “Euan’s Guide aims to be a friendly, honest and Scottish Society for the Prevention of 2013) has worked with stroke patients Cumbria every day for 10 days. “It’s not very well known, but the University’s General Council has been empowering alternative to hours of web searching and phone calls, Cruelty to Animals. to design a hand therapy tool to help manufacture of concrete is a major recognised. Margaret Tait (BSc 1965) and most importantly remove the ‘fear of the unknown’ when visiting Mrs Iaquaniello, who took up with everyday tasks as well as build contributor to CO emissions, STAY After his first degree at the Royal is a former Convener of the Business a venue for the first time.” running only four years ago, says 2 up movement and muscles. producing 5 per cent of global CONNECTED (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Committee, and a former member of the challenge is a way to help those The University is home to the Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor emissions,” says Mr Trimble. To share your experiences about and postgraduate study at Stirling the University Court. She was made Ms Sinclair and Ms Mullane won “who perhaps haven't been as fortunate Neurone Disease Research, opened in 2007. where your degree took you, University, he worked as a vet and in MBE for services to education. £500 each to help develop their as I was to pursue my education”. email us at [email protected] management in fish farming. He was ideas into business ventures. www.petertrimble.co.uk or follow us on Twitter at Director of Veterinary Services at Alumni honours: www.euansguide.com Donate: www.justgiving.com/ @edinburghalumni Edinburgh from 2005 to 2013. edin.ac/1kt30ic ellan10in10

6 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH WWW.ED.AC.UK SUSTAINABILITY SPECIAL 7 FORGING THE FAIRTRADE WAY SUMMER 2014 FORGING THE FAIRTRADE WAY FORGING THE FAIRTRADE WAY

Anette Kay

“It was all down to the dedication of producers,” says Mr Cockburn. him. Fairtrade had been on People & Ten years ago the University of Edinburgh became the country’s of a really great bunch of people “It appealed because it gave people It was all Planet’s agenda for years, but once being in the right place at the right some power as a consumer to down to the word reached the society that the first Fairtrade university. To celebrate this anniversary, Edit looks time,” says Eilidh Macpherson (MA reflect their values in their daily life. Fairtrade Foundation was developing back, with some of those behind the original campaign, to how it Social Policy & Law 2006), who sat It wasn’t about charity, but about dedication of an accreditation scheme for nervously in the stalls that night. making sure those who produced universities, things coalesced quickly. all began. By Edd McCracken. your chocolate got paid a fair wage a really great It was the biggest turnout for a EUSA and their kids got to go to school. “It gave us a channel for the AGM in living memory. More than Who wouldn’t want that?” bunch of people activity that was going on,” says Ms 1,000 students were crammed in. The Macpherson, Fairtrade Coordinator ednesday evening. Months of campaigning are University outlets; to serve netball team cancelled its practice It is also worth considering the era. being in the in 2003-4. November 2003. George threatened by forgetfulness. Frantic, Fairtrade products at meetings; to so its members could attend to The doleful 1990s had given way right place at the WSquare, Edinburgh. he borrows a bike and sets out run campaigns on Fairtrade; and vote. Other societies due to meet to a more anxious, activist new To gain the designation People Under a street light Steve Cockburn across the Meadows towards his to set up a staff-student Fairtrade that night changed their venues to millennium. Starting with 1999’s right time. & Planet had to pass a motion rummages through his wallet. It’s Marchmont flat, hoping that the card steering group. George Square Lecture Theatre. anti-globalisation protests in Seattle at EUSA’s AGM calling on the not there. Then through his pockets. is somewhere obvious. It is. “Turns and continuing into the international University to meet the requirements. It’s not there either. His heart sinks. out my card was actually in my All through 2014 the University At 7pm when the meeting was about outcry over the war in Iraq, students This would then have to be agreed EILIDH MACPHERSON Sweat rises. He is on the cusp of pocket the whole time,” he says. celebrates its 10th anniversary as to start, and Steve Cockburn was at Edinburgh at the time of the vote MA SOCIAL POLICY & LAW 2006 and ratified by the University Court. making the biggest mistake of his a Fairtrade institution. The ethos peddling in the Meadows murk, were as likely to have Naomi Klein’s young campaigning career. Mr Cockburn made it back in time. within the University now stretches hundreds were being turned away. No Logo on their bookshelves as the What Mr Cockburn and Ms Just. Finally getting the better of the beyond the initial designation “I think it would have been difficult latest Nicholas Sparks novel. Macpherson proposed, however, In mere minutes Mr Cockburn, stewards, his name was being called from the Fairtrade Foundation. The to be a student at Edinburgh at the went beyond the bare minimum. fourth-year politics student and as he entered the lecture theatre. He principles of fair trade – buying time and not know what was going “It was a time of politicised Rather than insist the University president of the student society had to step over students, sitting on products that ensure the people on,” says Mr Cockburn. teenagers,” says Tim Gee (MA should only offer a Fairtrade option People & Planet, is due inside the the floor and the stairs, to get to the producing them are protected Politics 2008), who came to in chocolate, tea and coffee in its George Square Lecture Theatre to stage. The motion was presented and and paid fairly – are built into our But why? What was it about the Edinburgh in 2003, fresh from outlets, the text of the motion present the motion to the overwhelmingly passed. Strategic Plan 2012–16 and the issue of Fairtrade that animated the organising school walkouts against asked for Fairtrade products to be Edinburgh University Students’ University continues to work with entire campus? the Iraq war in his native Stockport. the default. Association (EUSA) that would set At a ceremony a few months later, in EUSA to wield its purchasing power “There were a lot of us who joined the University of Edinburgh on March 2004, the University received to address global poverty. “Fairtrade was a simple way to make that year.” course to become Scotland’s first its official designation from the people aware of the injustice facing MORE ONLINE Fairtrade university. And he has Fairtrade Foundation. It signed up And it all began on that November farmers across the world, while at People & Planet, one of the www.edit.ed.ac.uk forgotten his student card. The to five goals: to have a Fairtrade evening, among the hubbub of the the same time providing a practical University’s largest societies, became FORGING THE FAIRTRADE WAY stewards will not let him in. policy; to stock Fairtrade products at student body, in that lecture theatre. boost to the livelihoods of millions a hub for Mr Gee and many like CONTINUED

8 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH WWW.ED.AC.UK SUSTAINABILITY SPECIAL 9 FORGING THE FAIRTRADE WAY SUMMER 2014 FORGING THE FAIRTRADE WAY

LOOKING FORWARDS AFTER 2004 Fairtrade University status 2009–10 2012–13 achieved. Edinburgh is the first First Scottish Universities & FIRST FAIRTRADE DECADE 2010–11 UK-wide Fair Trade Community Fairtrade university in Scotland Colleges Fairtrade Conference, The student-run Fair Trade Cafe of Practice launched by Fair and the third in the United co-hosted by the University THE UNIVERSITY’S ANNUAL FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT IN FEBRUARY wins Lord Provost Fairtrade Trade Research and Policy Kingdom and EUSA HELD EXTRA SIGNIFICANCE THIS YEAR. A SERIES OF EVENTS Community Award 2011 Manager Liz Cooper HELPED STUDENTS AND STAFF REFLECT ON ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE AND FUTURE ASPIRATIONS AS A FAIRTRADE INSTITUTION. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED:

01

Harriet Lamb, Executive Director The University increases its The University awarded Fairtrade 2003 2006 of the Fairtrade Foundation, commitment to fair trade with its 2012 Foundation grant for collaboration gives the University’s inaugural revised Fair Trade Policy with Edinburgh College The EUSA AGM attracts First Fairtrade cotton University of Edinburgh International Women’s Day The University’s first Fair Trade 1,200 students to vote clothing stocked in The University presents to the Steering Group wins Best lecture Coordinator appointed through the motion EUSA shops and the Scottish Parliament Steps for Fairtrade Award supporting Fairtrade University shops Ben Miller receives Principal’s Cross-Party Group on fair trade at the National Fairtrade Fair Trade Academic Network Medal for services to Fairtrade and procurement Campaign Awards 2012 established

01 A student-organised bicycle-powered screening of the documentary Black Gold about the global coffee industry. “It was a small step but the complained that Fairtrade wasn’t student campaigners looked to the University in 2005 it was two and the University are constantly Counterpower and Occupy: You Can’t repercussions were huge,” says Ms a sustainable system and everyone other areas where the University years after the initial campaign. Mr looking for new challenges. Evict An Idea. Mr Miller was awarded Macpherson. “It had a significant couldn’t live on People & Planet’s could apply Fairtrade principles. “It Cockburn and Ms Macpherson were the Principal’s Medal for services A wine-tasting event with international producers impact on UK Fairtrade sales overall. “happy fluffy cloud land”. Such was the beginning of us as students coming towards the end of their Last year Ms Macpherson, Mr to Fairtrade in 2010 and currently It meant our motion was really opinions went the way of over- becoming aware of the buying power studies at Edinburgh but the baton Cockburn, Mr Gee and several works at the Scottish Parliament, 02 A student-curated exhibition around the theme ‘what does fair ambitious and it raised the bar for zealous stewards that night. More of the institutions we were involved was seamlessly passed through the others involved in the campaign encouraging ethical buying by trade mean to you?’ the universities that went after us.” than 1,200 voted in favour of the in,” says Ms Macpherson. students. “There was still a lot more 10 years ago gathered together public bodies. motion, with a mere 20 against. work to do,” Mr Miller says. “I saw a for a friend’s wedding. Changing 02 With hegh aspirations, the campaign In 2004 EUSA passed a motion that lot of opportunities to go further.” a major institution’s culture, Ms Macpherson, too, worked at the to win the vote began in the autumn From that moment, things moved all clothes in University shops should coupled with regular sessions in Scottish Parliament on green issues of 2003. Flyers were handed out. fast. The University had been be Fairtrade. They were undeterred Fairtrade activities of all kinds the Doctor’s pub, will weld people before working in China on human Mr Cockburn and others toured preparing itself. David Somervell, that no supplier could meet such were arranged: fashion shows, together. Despite being scattered rights. She is now Campaign Manager hundreds of societies giving talks. current head of Social Responsibility a demand. “The very fact that we fairs, photography exhibitions, across the globe, their trajectories for the Catholic Agency for Overseas Announcements were made at the and Sustainability Futures, had created that demand meant that two wine tasting, and even a football since that vote in the George Development. start of lectures to remind people worked with People & Plant years later, when I was Vice-President tournament, using a Fairtrade Square Lecture Theatre are to attend the AGM. Lecturers wrote previously, notably on making of Services in EUSA, it meant I could football. Public meetings were held. remarkably similar. Like the others, she says she can draw letters of support. “And samples the University one of the first go out, find that supplier and get it The University’s Accommodation a distinct line of cause and effect 03 A public lecture, ‘Does fair trade make a difference?’ With former of Fairtrade chocolate definitely large public bodies to buy green into the shops,” says Mr Gee. Once Services, under the stewardship Mr Cockburn is based in Senegal between that Fairtrade campaign 10 Traidcraft Chief Executive Paul Chandler and Humza Yousaf MSP, helped,” says Mr Cockburn. electricity in 2000. again, the abstract became concrete. of Ian MacAuley, began to use managing Oxfam’s campaigns years ago and where she is now. Minister for External Affairs and International Development Fairtrade products at all three meals across West Africa. He is soon As well as being tasty, Fairtrade was “We had a friendly partnering There was a growing sense that served every day in Pollock Halls to start a new post as Deputy “I still use it as an example of one concrete. “It offered a really tangible relationship with EUSA,” says Mr Edinburgh was pushing the boundaries of Residence. Regional Director for Amnesty of the best, most successful, most A roundtable discussion ‘From conflict minerals to fair phones’ way of expressing solidarity with Somervell. Even before the EUSA of Fairtrade for universities. International in West and Central inspiring campaigns I’ve ever been organised by the Politics and International Relations department people,” says Mr Gee. “At their end AGM, Mr Somervell and Karen Today more than a million cups of Africa. He now always keeps his part of,” she says. “I worked with we knew they were getting better Bowman, the University’s Director of In 2004, after an absence of several Fairtrade coffee and 400,000 cups ID close to hand. Mr Gee is an some really great people, different A Just World Institute Ethics Forum seminar hosted by the University’s wages and conditions. And at our Procurement, had brought the idea years, EUSA rejoined the National of Fairtrade tea are sold each year at educator and author of two books societies, and the University staff. Fair Trade academic network end, we could hold their coffee in of becoming a Fairtrade university to Union of Students (NUS). In 2005 the University. People & Planet, EUSA, about activism and social change, It was a really special time.” our hands. By doing the things we several internal committees. Mr Gee was elected to the board of 04 Suggestions from participants in a range of fairtrade fortnight events love, like drinking tea and coffee and NUSSL, the NUS’s buying consortium were crafted into bunting and are being used to inform the university’s eating chocolate, it actively helps. “As a University we were ready and for its 220 institutions. He passed fair trade strategy That’s a wonderful feeling.” keen,” says Mr Somervell. “But it was a motion to extend Edinburgh’s LINKS first and foremost an initiative from Fairtrade policies to student unions 03 04 Despite this groundswell of the student body. We went hand in across the country. As of 2007, Fair trade at the University today: www.ed.ac.uk/fairtrade support, the campaigners still faced hand with them. They enabled us NUSSL made Fairtrade tea and coffee opposition. “It’s difficult to think this to take that step. If it was just the its default. Fair trade video: www.ed.ac.uk/fair-trade-video now, but at the time some people administration saying we should do thought Fairtrade was new, untested this, it wouldn’t have had the legs “There is no doubt that Edinburgh and risky,” says Ms Macpherson. which it continues to have today.” is the pioneer,” says Ben Miller Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/UniversityOfEdinburghFairTrade (MA Politics 2009). “People look twitter.com/UoEFairTrade During the debate someone After their initial success, the to us.” When Mr Miller joined

10 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH WWW.ED.AC.UK SUSTAINABILITY SPECIAL 11 THE INTERVIEW SUMMER 2014 STEPHEN FITZPATRICK ENERGISED BY EDINBURGH THE INTERVIEW

Stephen Fitzpatrick, founder of Ovo Energy, won widespread ENERGISED BY plaudits when he attacked the pricing systems of the ‘Big EDINBURGH Six’ UK energy suppliers at a recent parliamentary select committee. He talks to Edit about his Edinburgh degree, the people he met during his studies who inspired him, and his firm’s green credentials.

Gareth Iwan Jones

What made you decide year is really important and I had a How do you feel your time the time the money required to set but it has to be done at a pace and a they all look the same, so figure out to study at Edinburgh? routine of doing eight hours in the at Edinburgh shaped you? something up was far out of reach. price that is affordable to the highest a way to stand out and get noticed. The idea I’m originally from Northern library every day and two hours in I got into energy because I needed trading experience to run number of people. There can’t be a Remember that when you get a job, We are Ireland so I could’ve gone to the gym. I really enjoyed that. I also I did a course at university the business successfully, so I carried blank cheque for renewable projects the company or business has been came from Queen’s in Belfast but a few of my enjoyed the breadth of study that in financial services marketing and on planning it while I worked for five – it has to be balanced. successful in the past without you passionate friends were looking at universities was available and the flexibility. I I took a lot from it that could be years as a trader. I always wanted to and that you are not essential. You a discussion in Scotland, so I did a bit of research. studied business, but I was also able applied to the energy sector. Also, be my own boss. What are your ambitions have to prove your value, so do the about affordable Edinburgh had the best reputation to do courses in philosophy, politics I met a lot of people at Edinburgh for the company now? very best that you can and stand with friends in and looked like the most fun. I came and ancient history. You were who had grown up in a very different What do you think has We’ve just passed 1 per cent out. We have people who joined renewable for the open day and it looked great, studying for the love of learning. environment from mine and it made it successful? of market share in the UK, the company at entry level in the Edinburgh over so I chose it. Also a good friend who opened up my eyes to other people’s One thing is the focus on so the next milestone is 2 per cent. call centre who are now working in energy but not lunch, so it’s later became my wife was planning Talk us through the career ambitions. It helped me get a sense keeping costs down. Energy That’s maybe achievable in a couple marketing and HR because they’ve at any price. on studying at Edinburgh although path that you followed of what success looks like and taught is a commodity so cost is important of years’ time. We also want to offer made the best of the opportunity. been a long-held she ended up going to Aberdeen – after leaving university. me to set my sights high. to the consumer. A lot of energy other services as well and expand So, be willing to do more than you’re but she still became my wife! I stayed in Edinburgh after companies offer lower prices to into other countries. supposed to do, always be willing to ambition. graduating and set up my You’re now in charge of begin with and then charge more look for new things to do and every What are your stand-out own business. It was a newspaper a successful company over time. That didn’t feel right. The What advice would time you’re tasked with something memories of your time as advertising properties for rent called in a sector that is notoriously other things are good customer you have for Edinburgh different, treat it as an opportunity a student at Edinburgh? The Rental Guide. We grew into difficult to break into. How service and transparency. There’s graduates looking to get to learn something new. I have hundreds of great Glasgow and Aberdeen but I spent did the idea for Ovo come a lack of trust in the sector so it’s on the first rung of the STEPHEN FITZPATRICK BUSINESS STUDIES memories so it’s difficult to a lot of time delivering newspapers about? important to tell the customer career ladder? 2000 find something that encapsulates and that was not what I had in mind! The idea came from a everything, and be open about how I applied for around 40 jobs the spirit of the time. I associate It wasn’t a flyaway commercial discussion with friends in we arrive at our prices. in banking/finance and as Edinburgh with a feeling of real success. No-one really wanted to Edinburgh over lunch, so it’s been a for the one I ended up getting, I freedom. I have memories of the pay for online advertising back in long-held ambition. I was aware that How important is the made a real effort to stand out. summer terms and studying outside, 2001. It was right after the dotcom the energy market is massive. It’s sustainability agenda to I put together a huge poster and sitting in George Square gardens with bubble burst so I decided to get worth £50-60 billion a year, there is you and to the future of scanned on to it all my achievements a pile of books in front of me over a proper job. I went to London in little competition and there is stable the market? with artwork etc. It was about 6ft a leisurely lunch with friends and 2003 and got a job in the city as a demand, and energy is insulated from It’s very important. We are high and I posted it off. I got the trying to concentrate on doing some trader for JP Morgan, trading credit the economic cycle – people will passionate about affordable interview and then got the job by MORE ONLINE work. But I got into a real routine of derivatives. Five years later I set up always buy it. So the more I thought renewable energy but not at any standing out. Now that I run my own www.edit.ed.ac.uk discipline in the final year. The final Ovo Energy. about it, the more I liked it. But at price. It’s the market of the future business, we get hundreds of CVs and

12 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH WWW.ED.AC.UK SUSTAINABILITY SPECIAL 13 PILOT STUDY SUMMER 2014 PILOT STUDY

01 01 03 MAPPING THE FOREST

BETTER CARBON MEASUREMENT

A University spin-out firm, Carbomap, is using new scanning techniques and software to offer detailed 3D analysis of forests, which can help improve PILOT global understanding of the carbon- storage potential of the world’s trees.

Carbomap, led by Professor Iain Woodhouse of the School of 02 GeoSciences, has recently mapped the height of a forest in French Guiana using, for the first time, STUDY a system that can be carried by an unmanned drone aircraft. The Edinburgh’s geoscientists are at the forefront of efforts low, slow flight combined with Carbomap’s computer techniques to understand the complex processes affecting climate. produced a more detailed 3D map of the forest than would be possible Helen Quinn speaks to one team that has taken a with conventional airborne systems, high-flying approach to studying the atmosphere. and at much lower cost. The Carbomap team has also recently analysed a section of Costa Rican forest using data collected by a NASA 01 Instruments are installed in a wing-mounted pod 02 Over northern Sweden 03 Preparations for flight airborne laser scanning system. The study found that the forest contained 22 per cent more carbon than had been estimated using conventional ow do you study a constantly as Professor Moncrieff calls it: the dioxide, between vegetation at the as well as humidity changes, can be are circulated between the land, the understanding the make-up satellite techniques. moving zone of air above bumpy, often cloudy section of the earth’s surface and the atmosphere. quite challenging for the equipment.” atmosphere and the oceans. of the forest from the ground We can Hthe Earth’s surface? This sky that you usually travel through “The aircraft is like a movable tower. to the canopy, the researchers These improvements in data was the challenge facing a group just after take-off before reaching It’s like having a number of different While Mr Wade concentrates on The flights have filled important believe they will be able to spot collection and analysis are important penetrate the of geoscientists at the University the clearer, smoother skies above. weather stations moving over the flying the plane – sometimes with gaps in scientific knowledge. the early signs of disease, or as countries seek to protect their who were researching the lower landscape,” says Professor Moncrieff. special permission to fly as low as Ground-based surveys have limited invasive species, within a forest. forests through global initiatives such forest canopy – atmosphere of our planet. Professor Moncrieff, who is head 200 feet to study the air just above geographical coverage, while as the UN’s Reducing Emissions from of Airborne GeoSciences, explains: In measuring these gases the team the tree tops – Dr Caroline Nichol, satellites provide good coverage “We can determine the health Deforestation and forest Degredation no-one else To examine this part of the “Up to 20 years ago people thought is able to assess sources and sinks Senior Lecturer in Remote Sensing, but are limited in their resolution. of the forest by the light coming (REDD) framework. can do that. atmosphere you need to get that the ground and the atmosphere that are vital to our understanding is often in the plane’s second seat Dr Nichol explains: “These off the leaves and we can yourself off the ground. were not well coupled. But now we of the effect of human emissions ensuring the right measurements are measurements are an intermediate penetrate the forest canopy – Professor John Moncrieff and Dr know they are, and I am interested on our environment, as well as being taken. between what we get on Earth and no-one else can do that,” says Caroline Nichol of the University’s DR CAROLINE NICHOL Eight years ago, John Moncrieff, in how material is transported how different types of landscapes, what we get in space.” Dr Nichol. Airborne GeoSciences unit (see main SENIOR LECTURER IN Professor of Micrometeorology in vertically in the atmosphere, how such as forest or moorland, affect As well as flying in Scotland and story) are part of the Carbomap team. REMOTE SENSING the School of GeoSciences, was it’s transported from the ground to these emissions. elsewhere in the UK studying Laser scanning has become one of So Professor Moncrieff’s big idea making regular visits to a private the atmosphere. Exploring the first atmospheric gases, Professor the best ways to collect data about has paid dividends. Established www.carbomap.com airfield in Glenrothes, Fife, in order mile of the atmosphere was always To measure the atmospheric gases, Moncrieff’s team has taken the forest coverage and it is a technique in 2007, Airborne GeoSciences to conduct his research. Each time something I wanted to do.” the aircraft carries instrument pods plane as far north as the Arctic Circle that the team plans to take aboard gained “NERC Facility” he would hire a plane and a pilot, but beneath its wings. Tom Wade, a to study the spatial extent of the the plane in the near future. status from the UK’s Natural after a few expensive trips he dared By studying the lower atmosphere, pilot and University researcher, is Scandinavian boreal forest using Environment Research Council Helen Quinn (BSc to think big. “An idea stuck in my or the “planetary boundary layer” as responsible not only for safely flying aerial scanning techniques. Dr Nichol and her colleagues are in 2011. Geology & Physical mind: we could possibly buy our own it is sometimes known, Edinburgh’s the plane but also for ensuring this patenting a new system that uses Geography 2001, PhD aircraft,” he recalls. Airborne GeoSciences researchers equipment is ready for the job. Forests are one of our most multiple wavelength lasers, offering Reflecting on the unique rewards Geography 2006) is are helping us understand the important carbon sinks and unprecedented levels of information of her work, Dr Nichol says: “It a television producer and science Today the University is the proud processes that shape our planet’s “It’s essentially a moving lab,” Mr accurately assessing their size is on vegetation cover. is a privilege to be flying and be writer with a specialist interest in owner of a small plane, a two- blanket of air. Wade says. “Travelling up through an essential part of understanding part of this recognised national geosciences. She has worked on MORE ONLINE seater Dimona motorglider. Its main 10,000 feet in a few minutes, with a the dynamics of the global carbon Known as Multispectral Canopy facility. The plane is my office documentary series for the BBC www.edit.ed.ac.uk function is to explore the lower The plane can directly measure the 25-degree temperature change and cycle – the process through which LiDAR, the system provides a 3D but a very different one, and such as The Rise of the Continents atmosphere or “the murky layer” exchange of gases such as carbon pressure differences of 30 per cent, billions of tonnes of carbon a year picture of the forest below. By there’s nowhere I’d rather be.” and Supersized Earth.

14 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH WWW.ED.AC.UK SUSTAINABILITY SPECIAL 15 HOPE SEATED SUMMER 2014 IN DESIGN HOPE SEATED IN DESIGN HOPE SEATED IN DESIGN

Spyros Kizis was inspired by the natural and economic environments of his native Greece to design new materials and products that can alleviate the pressures on both. He speaks to Adam Ramsay about Artichair.

ALUMNI-FUNDED INNOVATION GRANTS Innovative Initiative Grants (IIGs) are funded directly and solely by t’s not what you might think. Spyros how product design could make use emblem as a wild weed that no-one alumni donations. I think that Kizis has created seats from a of nature, “because that’s all that’s wants?” But he succeeded in gaining Spyros Kizis IIGs have recently supported a number Mediterranean species of thistle, left now”. £3,600 in IIG funding.  things could work I of sustainability-related projects, ranging but there is nothing prickly about from a study of Greenland glacier this furniture. This Greek graduate “I came up with an idea that I could “If I didn’t have the grant, I don’t better by going run-off by Professor Peter Nienow in the of Edinburgh College of Art is using use the Greek artichoke thistles, a know if it would have happened,” School of GeoSciences to the work of local again. the plant in a comfortable, as well as plant which grows massively in the Mr Kizis says. “In order to make the the “Dirty Weekenders”, the University creative, way. Mediterranean, which is really close to furniture, I needed to make moulds, of Edinburgh Conservation Volunteers. the Scottish thistle, but a little bigger. which is a really expensive process.”

SPYROS KIZIS Mr Kizis grew up in Athens before Shrub, a “swap and reuse hub” run by MFA PRODUCT DESIGN 2013 moving to the island of Syros to study “This plant has some really The thistle-and-resin material students, is an example of the way a product design at the University interesting fibres on top of it, full contains no synthetic chemicals and small fund can get a project off to a of the Aegean. He graduated into a of cellulose. I started making paper, is biodegradable. Mr Kizis says that A VOLUNTEER WITH healthy start as it begins the journey to collapsing Greek economy with no then combined the fibres with as crude oil becomes more scarce movements from young people who care about the environment. It comes ITEMS FOR REUSE becoming self-sustaining. jobs and very few prospects. Rather biological resin, having in the back of and expensive, materials such as his want to change things – the makers’ from plants, and if you are ever going than returning home, he decided my mind to make something like a “could replace conventional plastics”. movements, or even Kickstarter (the to throw it away, you aren’t going Shrub is a cooperative aiming to reduce to continue his studies in another sustainable fibre glass.” And he says the thistle fibre has online crowdfunding platform),” he to send it to Africa to pollute the waste and promote a more sustainable famous capital overlooked by seven advantages over other bio-plastics, says. “In my opinion, it’s a revolution environment, you can just chop it up, way of meeting people’s material peaks “a long way away”. Mr Kizis says the fibres combine being based on a material that has no – it’s a thing which questions the way chuck it in your back yard and wait for needs. It has a shop on Guthrie Street, perfectly with his plant-based resin food use, needs very little water and the economy is working. From each another plant to grow, because in the Edinburgh, where the public can swap “I really wanted to leave Greece, on to create a plastic material “from is almost free to produce. bad thing, one good thing happens.” chair are the seeds of another plant.” or buy second-hand items, and attend the one hand because there were not which you can make what you want”, repair workshops, talks and other events. many opportunities,” he says, “but including his two “Artichair” designs. For Mr Kizis, the combination of Mr Kizis himself is determined to It’s a fitting metaphor for his hopes also, on the other hand, because I eco-technology and hands-on craft pursue his own entrepreneurial for the Greek economy. The organisation received an IIG of really wanted to go abroad.” He applied for an Innovative Initiative could be the key to rebuilding his path through the recovery. He is nearly £2,000 to help with its running Grant (IIG), a funding source available native economy. “I think that things currently in negotiations with an Adam Ramsay (MA costs when it was setting up as a Mr Kizis arrived at Edinburgh College to all students and staff at Edinburgh could work better by going local office furniture manufacturer in the Philosophy & Politics cooperative in 2013. It has since built of Art in 2011. “First they asked for a that comes entirely from alumni again,” he says. “Develop the product Netherlands with the hope of 2008) is co-editor of up a regular revenue stream from sales, project proposal,” he recalls. “They donations. in the small scale, until you know mass-producing Artichair. OurKingdom, the UK enabling it to pay its overheads. said, ‘If you want to do a project how to do it, and then grow bigger.” section of openDemocracy.net, and here, you need to convince us that When explaining his plans to the His pitch is compelling: “Each chair co-editor of Bright Green. He worked there is a need.’” IIG assessment panel, he said: “The And Mr Kizis sees the economic crash is unique – you will never get the for the student campaigning network FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT MORE ONLINE thistle’s a wild weed, no-one wants as providing impetus for a new kind same chair a second time – and if People & Planet 2009–13 and was WWW.IIG.ED.AC.UK www.edit.ed.ac.uk He turned his attention to the Greek it, it’s a parasite.” The reply came: of growth. “Now is the time that, all you want anything different, you can Edinburgh University Students’ WWW.SHRUBCOOP.ORG economic crisis and considered “You’re presenting our national over Europe, we’re starting to see have it. This chair is for those who Association President 2008–9.

16 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH WWW.ED.AC.UK SUSTAINABILITY SPECIAL 17 WHAT YOU DID NEXT SUMMER 2014 JOE FRANKEL | MIRIAM TURNER & NICK HILL WHAT YOU DID NEXT

We’d love to hear about your experiences at www.ed.ac.uk/alumni/yournews

from across sectors. There were to A fishing be “about 25 people” there: materials community collects scientists, procurement specialists discarded and an expert from the World Bank nets in the among them. Philippines “But I realised we needed a person WHAT YOU on the ground who knew about nets,” says Ms Turner. “I rang Nick, who was about to do his PhD viva. I said ‘the time has come, it’s the save-the-world project. We need DID NEXT your expertise’.” Dr Hill recalls: “I went to the Edinburgh graduates are prominent among those tackling the Philippines for a year during my PhD. Most of that time I was clambering impacts of commerce and consumerism. Edit speaks to three over waste on the beaches, and most alumni whose innovations benefit the planet and its people. of that was nets. “I happened to have a bit of data about how many nets people have, and how often they discard them. My computer blew up the “I IMMEDIATELY STARTED THINKING, day before Miriam’s workshop, but somehow I managed to get the ‘WOW, WHAT A GREAT THING.’ ” information off it, and we looked at it during the workshop.” JOE FRANKEL, BSC MATHEMATICS AND Net-Works was born. A partnership STATISTICS 1998, PHD AUTOMATIC SPEECH between Interface and ZSL, Net- RECOGNITION 2004 Works recycles discarded fishing nets into new carpet tiles. Fishing project was run by the Zoological communities collect the waste t started with a spoon. Joe Frankel has a haul of international awards, “I WAS CLAMBERING OVER Society of London (ZSL), which Dr nets, which are transported to a Iwas working in San Francisco as a for both its business success and its Hill became involved with as an “depolymerisation” plant in Slovenia speech recognition researcher, when green credentials. WASTE ON THE BEACHES, AND undergraduate through the Edinburgh where the nylon is turned into yarn one day his wife came home from University Expedition Society. for Interface carpets. Harvesting a farmers’ market with a yoghurt Back in 2006, Mr Frankel traced the MOST OF THAT WAS NETS.” discarded nets cuts environmental spoon that was to change their lives. spoon via the yoghurt vendor to its Ms Turner recalls that during one of damage including “ghost fishing”, manufacturer. Very soon Mr Frankel Mr Frankel says his years as an “Edinburgh’s just a fantastic city,” MIRIAM TURNER, BSC BIOLOGICAL their sporadic reunions, their group where old nets trap and kill fish as It was the spoon’s aesthetics that was the owner of several tonnes of Edinburgh PhD student and post- he says. “We’ve had tremendous of Edinburgh ecology graduates joked they drift through the water. first caught his eye. “It was slightly “resin”, small pellets derived from doctoral researcher meant he had success in finding good employees SCIENCES (ECOLOGY) 2002 that “the save-the-world project will tactile, and it reminded me of a corn starch that could be moulded the right skills and attitude to set here, compared with, say, London. have to wait for another lifetime”. Following scoping and trials, bone spoon of my grandmother’s,” into shapes such as cutlery. out into the unknown. Edinburgh has incredibly smart, well NICK HILL, BSC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES Interface and ZSL have recently he recalls. educated and articulate people – But in late 2011, a brief chat between committed to a three-year He sourced a “converter” – someone “In research you don’t know the it’s a tremendous place to be running (ECOLOGY) 2002 Ms Turner and a senior Interface partnership amid plans to expand When his wife told him it was made able to do the injection moulding answer before you start – otherwise a business.” colleague suddenly brought Net-Works – currently operating in from potato and corn starch and – and before long around 300,000 you wouldn’t be doing research,” he t is a familiar conversation among During a masters degree in divergent paths back together. 26 villages in the Philippines – to was entirely compostable, it was a pieces of compostable cutlery had laughs. “Research is the school of And Mr Frankel’s feelings about Iecology students who have become sustainable development, Ms Africa and south-east Asia. light bulb moment. “I thought that been shipped to his sister-in-law’s hard knocks, because on a daily basis his achievements show what this kindred spirits: after graduation Turner was involved in a project for “It was one of those corridor was fantastic. I immediately started flat in Edinburgh, ready for Mr you’re greeted with things you didn’t enterprise is all about: people and we’ll work together on a “save the Interface, the world’s biggest maker conversations,” recalls Ms Turner. Ms Turner says: “There’s no reason thinking, ‘Wow, what a great thing’,” Frankel’s return to the School of expect or wish for.” putting something back. world” project that will really make a of carpet tiles, working directly with “He asked if I knew that our supplier this couldn’t meet the whole of says Mr Frankel. “It all snowballed Informatics at the end of his year in difference. artisan weavers in India. Ms Turner, was using fishing nets in its yarn. He Interface’s needs for nylon.” from there.” California. His first customers were The ultimate goal is to be “the “It might seem a bit weird,” he says, impressed with Interface’s ambitions said, ‘Couldn’t you do some kind of Edinburgh’s Stoats Porridge and the best known brand for eco “but one of the things I am proud of is Like many before and after them, to be a “restorative business”, took fair trade thing like you were doing in The company estimates it could It did indeed snowball. This year London-based food company Rude foodservice packaging globally” our National Insurance contribution.” Miriam Turner, Nick Hill and their a job with the company and began India?’ and he kind of wandered off.” harvest 40 tonnes a year of discarded Mr Frankel’s company, Vegware, will Health, with Mr Frankel shifting his Mr Frankel says. He explains: “Every so often our friends often discussed such rapidly to rise through its ranks. nets from the existing scheme, and produce millions of compostable spoons “a few thousand at a time”. National Insurance contribution turns plans, both during their studies This was Ms Turner’s moment. “I had Interface uses about 6,000 tonnes spoons among a range of 250 Amid rapid growth in the UK and out to be bigger than our entire wage and afterwards as their friendship Meanwhile Dr Hill was studying for his been waiting for the opportunity of nylon a year. “So it will take a compostable food service products “I couldn’t have imagined then what internationally, Mr Frankel sees bill was a few months previously, and continued. But they soon found that PhD, researching fishing communities to pull pro-poor work into our long time,” says Ms Turner, “but our – everything from coffee cups to the company has become today,” he his company’s future firmly based suddenly I see us contributing to UK their burgeoning careers were taking in the Philippines and how they were core business,” she says. She rapidly current 26-village hub is tiny.” salad boxes to fish ’n’ chip wrappers. reflects. “Today Vegware has become in Edinburgh, where Vegware plc. I quite enjoy that.” them in divergent directions. diversifying their livelihoods. The convened a workshop of experts Vegware’s sales are expected to pass an organisation that creates its own recently expanded its premises to £10 million in 2014, and the company momentum, which is very exciting.” accommodate a staff of around 40. www.vegware.com www.interfaceglobal.com/products/networks.aspx www.zsl.org/conservation/regions/asia/net-works

18 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH WWW.ED.AC.UK SUSTAINABILITY SPECIAL 19 EDINBURGH EXPERIENCE SUMMER 2014 SOPHIE GERRARD | JULIET WILSON | DANIEL MITTLER EDINBURGH EXPERIENCE ANDY OLDROYD | LOUISE WILSON

We’d love to hear about your experiences at EDINBURGH EXPERIENCE www.ed.ac.uk/alumni/yournews Many graduates view their time at Edinburgh as the formative years of their ANDY OLDROYD professional lives. In this edition, we hear from alumni whose journeys have taken MSC ENVIRONMENTAL them in a sustainability direction. SUSTAINABILITY 2004

“After completing my MSc I had The team’s highest profile work was on planned to join an instrumentation a major EU project called NORSEWInD SOPHIE GERRARD company in the Highlands. But that – a wind atlas of the North, Irish and changed when my son became Baltic Seas. We have also directly BA PHOTOGRAPHY 2005 suddenly ill. My wife Monica and influenced offshore wind policy in I then decided to start a business India, and have worked in Taiwan, “I always enjoyed art at school of Art. The general first year was – this allowed us to be flexible, to Chile, Brazil and all over Europe. and had planned to go to art amazing, I loved it, and three years manage what was going on in our college, but developed a social at ECA gave me a very good family life and use our skills. We are working on our own conscience at 14 and so decided grounding in all sorts of disciplines, project which will soon see the to study environmental sciences including photography. Oldbaum Services, our wind energy family living in an eco-home. We’ve at university. consultancy, was set up in 2005. bought a parcel of land, and have I used the library a lot. I came The company quickly grew legs the design finished for the house I worked as a graduate scientist for a across the photographs of people and gained recognition. Oldbaum’s using sustainable materials. short time, and I remember standing like Richard Misrach who made expertise lies in wind data and among in the middle of this iron-polluted beautiful photographs of important other things we use instrumentation The house will be off the grid, with river, which was bright orange, environmental issues; like Joel techniques to provide wind data to its own power and water supplies. thinking ‘this is most beautiful thing Sternfeld and Edward Burtynsky who our clients. Accurate data is crucial to After a few years we’ll know what I’ve ever seen but it’s toxic’. were emphasising a strong aesthetic, the success of wind farm projects. our ecological footprint is, and and a beautiful visual style. how much area we really need to I thought, ‘I can really imagine being Leading up to Oldbaum’s formation, produce our energy. We partnered the person who makes images of It came together: wanting to I worked on the introduction with the Woodland Trust to plant this, to communicate to people create something aesthetic of a novel wind energy data 1,200 trees and invited five schools what is happening here, rather than but wanting it to communicate Sophie Gerrard’s work can be seen measurement system for which I to join in with the project.” being the person in the wellies, the something important. at the Beyond the Border exhibition was awarded a Scottish Renewables hard hat and the clipboard’. at the Bradford Impresssions Gallery, Green Energy Award in 2004. www.oldbaumservices.co.uk Today I split my time between opening 3 July, and at the Street I really started doing photography Edinburgh and London. I’ve just Level Photoworks, Glasgow, from the on a gap year aged 21. I then moved finished a piece on Scottishness end of August. back to Edinburgh and after doing for the FT magazine with Matthew some art classes was delighted to Engel, which is a good example of www.sophiegerrard.com DANIEL MITTLER LOUISE WILSON be accepted at Edinburgh College what I do.” www.documentscotland.com MA POLITICS 1996 LLB 1990

“My choice of Edinburgh University “I have very fond memories of was based on false assumptions. Edinburgh – I had a lot of fun, and I knew that Edinburgh was by was a mad clubber. I also learnt JULIET WILSON the sea and assumed it would be to consume large volumes of easy to go sea kayaking, one information, to drill down, and to BSC BOTANY 1989 of my passions. In the end, craft an argument. I never went sea kayaking, it was It’s important to get people out My crafts are all made out of recycled the range of student activities – was too complicated. Eventually I fell into merchant into nature, because if people aren’t materials, and by sharing those on my just brilliant. The people I met were banking, at UBS. Things went well, enjoying nature they have no real blog I can encourage people to think so good for sparking ideas. Climbing Arthur’s Seat became my it was a rewarding role and I rose emotional connections with it, no about their waste and whether they daily outdoor pursuit instead. I still from writing my honours thesis on up through the ranks, covering I had the great fortune to be real impetus to protect it. If you could do something creative with it. I spent two years teaching in Malawi miss those windswept walks with the environmental challenges of emerging markets. But latterly I introduced to my two co-founders, don’t know what’s out there, you For some reason, people just love my after my degree, and then Edinburgh spectacular urban views. South African cities. I volunteered found myself less and less satisfied and we established Abundance. don’t care about it. chop stick bags. seemed the natural place to settle, for Friends of the Earth Scotland. by the work we were doing. with lots of green spaces, and its I have been an environmental It’s about connecting generators My Crafty Green Poet blog is about Studying botany appealed to me rich culture.” activist since my youth and at I am now the Political Director of We live in a world of finite resources of renewable electricity with recycled craft, literature, arts that to me because plants have secrets. Edinburgh joined the Green Society Greenpeace International and live but we don’t seem effective investors. It’s an offering to the “I teach birdwatching and other relate to the environment, and I was drawn to the fact that in a craftygreenpoet.blogspot.co.uk and heard some of the most in Berlin. Doing international work, at adapting ourselves to that widest possible audience – you only nature studies for Edinburgh environmental issues. Scottish university you could do inspiring talks of my life at the ranging from global climate change undeniable fact. I was becoming need £5 to get started. It’s allowing Council, and I have taught the more than focus on just one subject. Centre for Human Ecology. negotiations to pushing for high concerned about the environment, people to invest in renewable Writing Inspired by Nature course Many environmental blogs are issue Although I did a botany degree, I seas protection at the Rio+20 and I wanted do something. energy projects that they choose, for the University’s Office of based and people who aren’t already also did ecology, biochemistry and MORE I took great courses on Summit, I still draw from the and get a return, funded by the Lifelong Learning. This summer I interested in the topics may find this philosophy of science. ONLINE environmental politics and ethics cosmopolitan education I received I left my job in 2008 and went to money that project makes. It’s will again teach an OLL class on the boring. Creative approaches make it For more alumni profiles, visit: and my conviction that poverty and at Edinburgh.” Alaska with a backpack. When I democratic finance.” Water of Leith, sharing the teaching more engaging, and hopefully help The whole experience at the www.ed.ac.uk/alumni/profiles environmental problems are two reappeared, the wheels had come with a historian and a geologist. to show people what they can do. University of Edinburgh – including sides of the same coin partly comes www.greendaniel.blogspot.com off the whole system. www.abundancegeneration.com

20 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH WWW.ED.AC.UK SUSTAINABILITY SPECIAL 21 SNAPSHOT SUMMER 2014 INSPIRING WOMEN INSPIRING WOMEN

Photography by: 01 Jane Barlow, 02 Dominic Ibbotson, 03 John Need, 04 Euan Myles, 05 John Need, 06 Euan Myles, 07 Euan Myles, 08 Susie Lowe, 09 Heshani Sothiraj Eddleston, SNAPSHOT 10 Euan Myles, 11 Maverick Photo Agency, 12 Susie Lowe, 13 Maverick Photo Agency, 14 Dominic Ibbotson, 15 Dominic Ibbotson, 16 Chris Close

07 08

INSPIRING WOMEN International Women’s Day, on 8 March each year, celebrates the economic, political and social achievements of women around the world. The University marked the day this year by showcasing some of its 6,000 female staff, nominated by their peers for their contribution to the University and beyond. We asked leading photographers to help us celebrate the diversity and influence of the roles these women hold in the University, while capturing their individuality and character, which are clearly a great part of their success. These women are not only “inspiring change” – the theme of International Women’s Day 2014 – but are also making real change to people’s lives. Their efforts are helping the University meet the urgent challenges affecting the world and provide an outstanding student experience to 33,000 students, 16,000 lifelong learners and more than 300,000 MOOC learners. The University staged an outdoor exhibition of photographs in Old College Quad 8–31 March, plus a smaller exhibition in the University Visitor Centre. Among other International Women’s Day events held at the University was a lecture at the McEwan Hall on Women in Sport, by Olympic champion Katherine Grainger (LLB 1997). PHOTOGRAPHS HERE ARE A SELECTION FROM THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY EXHIBITION IN OLD COLLEGE QUAD, 8–31 MARCH 2014

09

01 10 11 01 Olympic champion Katherine Grainger at the launch of the exhibition in Old College. Ms Grainger gave this year’s International Women’s Day lecture in McEwan Hall. 02 Cait MacPhee, Professor of Biological Physics. 03 Anne Richards, newly appointed University Court Vice-Convener. 04 Harriet Harris, University Chaplain. 05 Rowena Arshad, Head of Moray House School of Education. 06 Jacky MacBeath, Head of Museums. 07 Fay Homes, Domestic Assistant. 08 Michèle Belot, Professor of Economics. 02 09 Sue Welburn, Assistant Principal 03 13 Global Health. 10 Jane Johnston, Estate Development Manager. WOMEN 11 Lesley Yellowlees, Vice-Principal TO WATCH and Head of the College of Science & Engineering. 12 Janet Carsten, Our International Women’s Day Professor of Social and Cultural lectures have featured five inspiring Anthropology. 13 Mona Siddiqui, speakers of international standing Assistant Principal Religion and since the inaugural lecture in 2010, Society. 14 Rebecca Cheung, given by Harriet Lamb, chief executive Professor of Nanoelectronics. of Fairtrade International. All five 15 Polly Arnold, Crum Brown lectures are available to watch online, Chair of Chemistry. 16 Lorraine including the 2014 lecture “Women Waterhouse, former Vice-Principal in Sport – Going for Gold” by Equality and Diversity. Katherine Grainger. EDIN.AC/1svJ8fT

04 12

05 14 16

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22 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH WWW.ED.AC.UK SUSTAINABILITY SPECIAL 23 ARTS REVIEW SUMMER 2014 SCIENCE DIGEST

If you’d like to contribute to Arts Review, If you’d like to contribute to Science Digest, ARTS REVIEW email your suggestions to [email protected] SCIENCE DIGEST email your suggestions to [email protected]

Alumni, students and staff whose work falls under the broad theme of sustainability Here we showcase a rich and varied selection of science and science writing by are producing some eye-catching work Edinburgh staff, students and alumni

BORN: Glasgow I’m currently engaged to TIDAL POWER SOLAR PANEL AS 60 SECONDS EDUCATION: BA Sculpture 1986 create several large sculptures POTENTIAL LI-FI RECEIVER BOOKSHELF ROB CURRENT HOME: Aberfoyle, Scotland for Cuningar Loop, a new Tidal generators in a stretch of Professor Harald Haas has MULHOLLAND CURRENT ROLES: Artist’s Residency funded by Creative Scotland, woodland park in the east water off the north coast of continued to unveil breakthroughs The Gaia hypothesis, developed journals including Nature Climate to develop art for the new Cuningar Loop park, South Lanarkshire; end of Glasgow. I’ve spent Scotland could meet almost half in “Li-fi” – wireless broadband in the 1960s by James Lovelock, Change and New Scientist, which commissioned by Woodland Trust to create a sculpture trail at the new of the country’s electricity needs, communication that uses says Earth and its organisms published a leader article in Visitors’ Centre in the Trossachs, opening July 2014; and creating art four months working with researchers have found. visible light instead of the radio operate as a single self-regulating response to its conclusions. installations as part of Crane Lab in Avallon, France, opening July 2014. local communities to develop wavelengths of conventional wi-fi. system. A new book by Toby Engineers at the Universities Tyrrell (MSc Informatics 1989, Toby Tyrrell, On Gaia: FAVOURITE READ: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee the ideas. The park will be of Edinburgh and Oxford have PhD 1993), Professor of Earth A Critical Investigation In his Tam Dalyell Prize lecture FAVOURITE LISTENING: Radio Scotland the largest Commonwealth completed the most precise study System Science at the University of the Relationship in April, which formed part of Games Legacy project and yet of the energy potential of the of Southampton, investigates between Life and Earth FAVOURITE VIEWING: Love films, especially historical epics. Edinburgh International Science Pentland Firth, which lies between the hypothesis, testing its claims Princeton University Press I am delighted to be involved Festival, Professor Haas showcased WHAT MOST INSPIRES YOU: Inspiration comes from various sources, the mainland and Orkney. The firth against the latest scientific two-way data transfer that outpaces from observing something in nature to a chance conversation about in such an inspiring vision. is said to have the greatest tidal evidence. Drawing on climate wi-fi, using low-power LEDs to current news and affairs. It has always been my aim is power potential of any single site science, oceanography, geology transmit the information. to share my art with as many in the world. and evolutionary biology, and Rob Mulholland is a sculptor and environmental artist. Among his best- visiting fascinating corners of the known works are those that feature mirrored human forms that blend into people as possible. Researchers say 1.9 gigawatts He also used an off-the-shelf natural world, Professor Tyrrell their surroundings, including Sentinels in Alloa town centre and Vestige of power could be available, solar panel to capture the data concludes that Earth’s feedback in a forest in Stirlingshire. Last year he installed Skytower (photographed) equivalent to 43 per cent of transmitted, a development that systems do not protect against in Airdrie, funded by Forestry Commission Scotland, and he is currently Scotland’s electricity needs, if tidal could greatly enhance the ways his our environment becoming ROB MULHOLLAND working on art interventions for a new 14 hectare park in the east end of BA SCULPTURE 1986 turbines were placed across the invention can be deployed, including uninhabitable. The book has Glasgow as part of the Commonwealth Games Legacy. entire channel. off the electricity grid. received positive reviews in Wynne McLeish BORN: Nyeri, Kenya The Okavango Delta is one of BOOKSHELF 60 SECONDS EDUCATION: BSc Ecology 1977 and PhD Wildlife Ecology 1984 the least spoilt and extensive KAREN ROSS CURRENT HOME: Nairobi, Kenya wetlands left on the planet. The latest book by Leo du Feu In A Political Theology of Climate CURRENT ROLES: Program Design Director, Africa Wildlife Foundation. It is home to indigenous (MA Painting 2006) will appeal Change, Michael S Northcott, Also working with the Botswana Government, the Wilderness Foundation communities, including the and Deutsche Umwelthilfe to have Okavango Delta designated as a World to nature lovers. Landscapes Professor of Ethics in the School threatened San Bushmen, and Birds of Scotland, An Artist’s of Divinity, considers the role of Heritage Site. View contains recent examples nations in the climate dabate. FAVOURITE READ: The Tree Where Man was Born by Peter Matthiessen who not only depend on the of Mr du Feu’s exhibited work. Professor Northcott argues that FAVOURITE LISTENING: I love music of any sort. In the Okavango Delta ecosystem but also are its Mr du Feu volunteers with the nations have legal and moral the BaYei play an amazing instrument called the Bajumbera, like a harp. guardians. It is also home to SKETCHING of Scotland. Esquisse is a French word RSPB and the British Trust for responsibilities to guard the THE FUTURE meaning first sketch or model, and the Ornithology. In 2008 he won the just distribution of the fruits of FAVOURITE VIEWING: I’m not a big fan of TV but I I do love films, great biodiversity: a wild river practice was part of the curriculum at RSW Alexander Graham Munro the Earth within their terrains. inspired by my daughter, Lena Rae Greer, who is an actress. and delta and the world’s A vision of floating homes attached ECA in the 1930s. Travel Award, and in 2010 the The book examines how the WHAT MOST INSPIRES YOU: Nature. I love animals, plants and flowers. largest elephant population. to a submerged Forth Bridge, by ROSL Arts Commonweath nature-culture divide in the west The wonder of life is a daily source of amazement and pleasure. Master of Architecture student The judging panel, which included Travel Scholarship. has contributed to the global Sometimes fate or luck puts Wynne McLeish, has won a climate- the conservation architect Dr James ecological crisis. GREATEST INFLUENCE: The writer Peter Matthiessen was a great you in a unique place, and as influence, as he really sees into nature, and can articulate its wonders so themed fantasy architectural Simpson (a former student and teacher Leo du Feu, you get to know it you realise sketch competition. at ECA), praised the winning entry for Landscapes and Michael S Northcott, clearly and movingly. I was lucky to travel with him in Tanzania some years combining elements of fantasy with Birds of Scotland, A Political Theology of ago. Sadly he died very recently. how precious it is. Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) practical solutions. An Artist’s View Climate Change Dr Karen Ross has spent nearly three decades working on wildlife conservation students were given 48 hours Jeremy Mills Publishing Eerdmans Publishing in the Okavango Delta in Botswana, the world’s largest inland river delta. Her KAREN ROSS to sketch “living spaces for a Ms McLeish said: “Having the liberty to BSC ECOLOGY 1977 AND book Okavango: Jewel of the Kalahari was first published as a companion to PHD WILDLIFE ECOLOGY 1984 climatically challenged Scotland” design without thinking about planning Landscapes and the award-winning 1988 BBC documentary series of the same name, for which Birds of Scotland in an “esquisse” competition run or costings enabled me to have fun an Artist’s View Dr Ross was researcher and writer. Dr Ross founded Conservation International’s by the Royal Commission on the with creating a proposal that was Leo du Feu programme in Botswana in 1992 and directed it for 10 years, and she continues to Ancient and Historical Monuments based on pure design.” work to protect the Okavango Delta.

24 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH WWW.ED.AC.UK SUSTAINABILITY SPECIAL 25 THE HISTORY MAKERS SUMMER 2014 SPORT THE HISTORY MAKERS

The annual THE HISTORY MAKERS alumni sports day took place on 22 Rosemary Chrimes March, hosted by the University of Edinburgh Alumni EDINBURGH Sports Association. UNIVERSITY RUGBY IN FOR THE FOOTBALL CLUB More than 200 REUNION alumni attended,

In February more than 350 competing against EURFC alumni gathered for current students in LONG GAME a weekend of reunion and 13 sports, including sport. The weekend included a reception and dinner, a touch athletics, tennis, Many sporting greats have honed their skills while rugby tournament, an Old volleyball and Boys v EURFC XV match and studying at Edinburgh. In the year that Scotland hosts a trip to Murrayfield to watch curling. the Commonwealth Games, we highlight a selection the Calcutta Cup. Participants www.uoesportsalumni.co.uk donated £6,000 to the new of famous and fascinating names in the University’s Bedell-Sivright Bursary Fund to support rugby players studying sporting history. at Edinburgh.

Alex Rotas

ERIC LIDDELL ROSEMARY CHRIMES CATHY PANTON-LEWIS GEMMA FAY (1902–1945) MA ARTS 1956 MA GEOGRAPHY 1977 BSC APPLIED SPORT SCIENCE 2003 Subject of the Oscar-winning film Rosemary Chrimes (above), who won Cathy Panton-Lewis is one of Chariots of Fire, Eric Liddell is most a Commonwealth Games gold in the UK’s greatest golfers. In 1976, Gemma Fay is Scotland’s most famous for winning gold in the 1970, today continues to set while a student at the University, capped footballer and was first 400m in a world-record time at the age-related world records in track she became the British Amateur selected for her country when she 1924 Paris Olympics – and for not and field at the age of 81. In March Champion, and was named Scottish was just 15. She has now represented competing in his best event, the this year she set world records in the Sportswoman of the Year. In 1979 she Scotland internationally 160 times. 100m, because heats were held on shot put and high jump, and British played in the inaugural Professionals the Sabbath. His gold medal and his records in the 60m and long jump, Ladies European Tour, and over the She is captain of the women’s bronze for the 200m at the same in the W80 category of the Masters next nine years she won 14 European national team and the first-choice games are held by the University, indoor championships in London. Tour championships. goalkeeper. Gemma has been a key EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY where he studied pure science. At his SIR PETER HEATLY GRAEME RANDALL figure in the success of the team, 2012 OLYMPIANS RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB graduation, the University Principal, BSC CIVIL ENGINEERING In 1970, when known as Rosemary Contributing to the development BED PHYSICAL EDUCATION while in her capacity as ambassador (1857–) Sir Alfred Ewing, quipped: “Mr 1945 Payne, she won gold in the discus at of her sport, she was the executive 2001 for her sport, she is a driving force Edinburgh alumni were central to Liddell, you have shown that none the Commonweath Games in front director of the McDonald’s WPGA in helping to make women’s football Team GB’s successes in the London EURFC was founded in 1857 and was can pass you but the examiner.” Sir Peter Heatly is a self-taught diver of a home crowd at Edinburgh’s Championship of Europe from Judoka Graeme Randall has won a one of the fastest growing team Olympics. Sir Chris Hoy, who studied one of the eight founding members who dominated his sport in Scotland Meadowbank stadium. She went on 1996 to 1999, and is an Advanced host of European, Commonwealth sports in the country. Sports Science at Edinburgh, became of the Scottish Rugby Union. On Liddell followed his parents into for more than 20 years, winning five to represent Great Britain in the 1972 Fellow Professional of the PGA. She and World titles and has competed the most successful British Olympian 27 March 1871, club member Angus missionary work, and while travelling Commonwealth Games medals, Olympics in Munich, and in the 1974 continues to play on the seniors tour. in two Olympic Games. She has enjoyed a distinguished in history, and Katherine Grainger, Buchanan scored the first ever try to China in 1943 was captured by the including golds in three consecutive Commonwealth Games she took She won the University’s Eva Bailey club career at Premier League level who started her rowing career while in an international rugby game, in Japanese. He died two years later in games. He also competed in the 1948 silver in the discus. Later she served Cup (best female sports performer) A black belt by the age of 15, he was in Scotland and England, currently studying law at Edinburgh, took gold the Scotland v England match in an internment camp. and 1952 Olympic Games. as British Junior Team Manager, in 1975–76. the European Junior Champion in playing for Celtic. in the double sculls. Edinburgh, which Scotland won. supervising future stars including 1994 and won bronze medal at the EURFC has produced 55 Scottish, 12 A distinguished career in sports Steve Cram, Fatima Whitbread, Colin Junior World Championships in the Irish and five English internationals. management saw him become Jackson and Steve Backley. Since she same year. He represented Scotland 2014 HOPEFULS In 2007 the club replayed its chairman of the Scottish Sports began competing in Masters events in more than 100 times and represented first match against Edinburgh Council (now sportscotland) from the 1980s, she has set world records Great Britain at the 1996 and 2000 Several Edinburgh alumni Academicals of 150 years earlier, 1975 to 1987, and chairman of the at least 25 times in her age groups. Olympics and the 1997, 1999 and have been selected for Team using period kit, ball and rules. A Commonwealth Games Federation 2001 World Championships. Scotland in the Commonwealth reunion in February 2014 was the from 1982 to 1990. He was appointed After her Edinburgh degree and a Games in July, as the selection biggest gathering in the club’s history. Patron of Commonwealth Games PGCE at Moray House, Ms Chrimes In 1999 he became Scotland’s first process continues. Eilidh Child See ‘EURFC reunion’, above. Scotland in 2009. worked as a primrary teacher. She judo world champion, and in 2001 he (BEd 2008) is a medal contender says her athletics career began when won a memorable Commonwealth in the 400m hurdles, as is Alan she was first encouraged to throw gold in Manchester. He is now one of Clyne in squash (also BEd 2008). the discus as a student. the country’s top judo coaches.

26 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH WWW.ED.AC.UK SUSTAINABILITY SPECIAL 27 IDEAS EXCHANGE SUMMER 2014 THE TWO OF US OUTREACH MEMORABLE MOMENTS IDEAS EXCHANGE THE TWO OF US

They say you don’t really know something until you teach it to someone else. So an outreach Many a lasting relationship is forged during university days, and we want to hear how course through which GeoSciences students share their work with the public is enhancing you met your partner or best friend. Here is a range of memorable on-campus moments their learning as well as strengthening the University’s relationship with its host community. that led to lifetimes together.

Eve Smith coordinator of GeoSciences Outreach. potential career paths. The “We mentor each student on the University and its wider project they want to carry out.” community enjoy the mutual benefits of knowledge exchange This year the course has 22 and widening participation. fourth-year students, many of them following Ecology or Ecological Dr Myers-Smith, a Chancellor’s & Environmental Sciences degree Fellow who researches the programmes. Course Organiser effects of climate change on Professor Colin Graham says: “The northern ecosystems, recalls course connects final-year students a recent visit to a student’s orse whispering for engagement tasks that undergraduate with external ‘clients’. Word has school-based project. children with complex students have set themselves as part spread and potential clients now “The classroom teacher was Hemotional and behavioural of a thriving outreach course. often contact the team with super-excited to have our needs? Environmental enquiries and ideas.” students in her school,” she A match made when The beginnings of a Love in a Geoscience for senior citizens? “The idea is that students design says. “By designing and carrying heavens opened MusSoc dynasty cold climate These challenges might test their own project, one that involves Benefits for students can include out easy-to-run activities, the the most experienced teacher, outreach in any way, shape or reinforcing learning, developing students empower teachers as but they are among public form,” says Dr Isla Myers-Smith, a communication skills and exploring well as engage with children.” Bill Ryder So Tina asked him to ask me if I Angela Carmichael Katharine Ellis MBChB 1958 would escort her, and I agreed. (nee Pye) (nee Alston) Tina Ryder The match was played in torrential BMus 1976 Edinburgh College of rain and bitter cold. Tina and I were EMMELINE trotting happily around them and (nee Wileman) soaked and frozen near to death. Robin Carmichael Domestic Science 1950 WHAT THE STUDENTS SAY... HOOGLAND the child says the horse is his new But we had enjoyed the match and MA GEOGRAPHY best friend.” MBChB 1958 BSc Mathematics 1977 Derek ‘Derry’ Ellis each other’s company. I took her WITH back to my digs, where my landlord, BSc Zoology 1952 ENVIRONMENTAL THANKS TO UNCLE BOB ‘Uncle Bob’, made us both strip PERFECT HARMONY STUDIES off and put on dressing gowns while EVE SMITH “Tina and I became medical students “Robin and I met in the spring TO CANADA, WITH LOVE he fed us a hot meal, plied us with Emmeline worked with the Harmeny BSC in 1952. of 1976. We both played in the hot toddies, and hung our wet “The first time I saw Derry was at School for children with complex ENVIRONMENTAL Edinburgh University Musical Society’s a New Scotland Society dance. He Never in the first five years of clothes to dry in front of a roaring emotional and behavioural needs. GEOSCIENCE Philharmonic Orchestra, which was phoned me that weekend to invite our course did Tina and I speak. fire in the massive kitchen range. Eve worked renowned as much for its socialising me to an Art College dance, and However, come our final year, Tina He lent me his car to drive a now She says: “Children often pretend to with the Open in Bobby’s Bar after rehearsals as for we ‘went out’ together from then had asked a mutual friend, Donald warm and dry Tina back to the its performances. Robin played the be animals, and I thought ‘why can’t Door charity on, while I was at Atholl Crescent Scruby, to escort her to the Six Suffolk Hall ladies’ hostel. French horn and I played the violin. we use this in an educational way?’” in Morningside, which helps older (College of Domestic Science). Nations rugby match between people with support needs. She ran England and Scotland. Donald was On leaving her at the door, I Following graduation and a PGCE in She helped children look at the loss a session on environments and the In 1956 I followed Derry to Montreal in love elsewhere and declined. tentatively asked if we could meet Cambridge I taught music mainly in of a forest through the eyes of its weather for a group of people in and worked as a stenographer. That Archie Crofton again. ‘Of course,’ was the typically Yorkshire and Hertfordshire while summer I had a great time working at animal inhabitants. “The children their nineties who were either deaf, brief reply. Robin followed a career in IT, first in Jasper Park Lodge, Alberta, and hiking reflected on how they felt sad, how it registered blind or showing signs of Sheffield and then in London. in the Rockies. wasn’t fair. They said, ‘Humans should dementia. Back at my digs, Uncle Bob asked think of us, we were here first.’” GET IN what my intentions were towards We married in 1979 and continue to We lived for six years at Nanaimo, ARCHIE CROFTON She used cups with tactile items TOUCH Tina. When I hesitated, he said: ‘Bill, share many music-making activities and British Columbia, starting a family BSC ECOLOGY Taking this empathetic approach inside them, such as sand, shells, hang onto that girl; she is pure gold.’ now, as we approach retirement, we of three boys. In 1963 we all (with Archie leapt on the opportunity The skills he has learnt cover further, she enlisted a horse from water, grass and pine needles. If you met your run our local village community choir. dog) drove to Winnipeg, where we to combine his creative skills with the full film-making process a nearby stables, and a teacher of “The idea was to get the group So I did. We were married in experienced the weather extremes partner or best Greyfriars Kirk in 1959, with Donald Our daughter, Victoria, was born in his passion for ecology, and has from scriptwriting to producing natural horsemanship. Emmeline thinking about habitats and friend at Edinburgh of central Canada. You flooded produced a series of YouTube films a soundtrack. explains: “Horses communicate with environments outside of the one as our best man. 1992 and to our delight chose to your backyard and it became about deforestation, called Intreegue. body language, and the children they are exposed to every day,” and would like to read music at Edinburgh. Imagine an ice rink for skating and hockey He says: “It has very much helped were communicating with the horse Eve explains. She also used sounds share your story, Tina died of leukaemia on 9 May our joy when last March she was practice. Inspired by an eye-opening lecture me find the direction I want to go in. by adopting its perspective. representing weather extremes. email us at 2012, three months short of 53 elected President of Edinburgh on deforestation, he says: “I felt this Science communication is something years of blissful marriage and best University Music Society. A true We came to Victoria, BC, in 1964, and is the kind of thing people should I’d love to go into.” “It was such an amazing experience, “It has given me a lead on what I want [email protected] friendship. Pure gold indeed!” MusSoc baby! we are still here.” know about. The better informed the to see the change in these children. to focus on for my career,” Eve says. BILL RYDER ANGELA CARMICHAEL KATHARINE ELLIS public are the better we’re able to Intreegue YouTube channel: A child would start afraid, but 20 “I have now applied for a masters in mitigate the problem.” edin.ac/1i42s1Y minutes later you have a horse outreach and engagement.”

28 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH WWW.ED.AC.UK SUSTAINABILITY SPECIAL 29 LANDMARK SUMMER 2014 THE LAST WORD PLEASANCE OPINION

MORE ONLINE LANDMARK THE LAST WORD www.edit.ed.ac.uk

Studying and living in Edinburgh is an unforgettable experience. In each edition we focus on an iconic campus or city landmark, and share your memories of its role in your student days. PROFESSOR CATHARINE WARD THOMPSON CHAIR OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE AND DIRECTOR OF OPENSPACE RESEARCH CENTRE Lufei Gao Professor Ward Thompson has been working on inclusive access to outdoor environments for more than PLEASANCE 13 years, and says evidence linking The word “Pleasance” evokes a panoply of meanings for those familiar with Edinburgh. street bookies in those days, before the issue to mental and physical For many alumni it is an address that was once home; for others the place of sweat betting shops became legal. Quite health brings it firmly into the global a number of the mothers would be hen we established the innovative approaches to exploring and toil in the gym. If the theatre was your thing, its venues may be the setting of holding pound notes in their hands OPENspace research how green and open space might sustainability debate. Chris Hutty your most vivid memories, but if your social life centred on its bars, then perhaps your which they passed to the rather Wcentre in 2001, we enhance health – why such recollections are less clear, though no less fond. Here we share your stories. shifty looking bookies. I guess they considered the barriers and landscapes might be “salutogenic” were hoping that betting would facilitators to getting outdoors for a – and what kinds of interventions release them and their children range of groups in society: disabled might be used to increase access to I REMEMBER… from their obvious poverty. We people, older people, children such spaces. communities, inner urban ones in walked from Salisbury Green to Kings and teenagers, black and minority many cases, that have least access Alex Robertson Porteous DD [principal of New (no 4, I think) were Peter Granger- Buildings several times a week and ethnic groups and deprived urban By 2010, public documents such to green space. This is true in the For development BSc Biological College]. It was an inspiring start Taylor, who later wrote plays, Peter backwards and forwards to the Royal communities, with a particular as the Marmot review on health UK and in other parts of the world. to be sustainable, Sciences 2010 to 47 years’ service as a Minister of Forbes, who became a professional Dick at Summerhall. I wore a brand emphasis on access to green and inequalities in England were The concept of environmental “Almost every Friday the Church of Scotland, 21 of them actor, and Adrian Johnston, who has new pair of shoes out within six natural environments. promoting improvements to green justice suggests that variations in says the WHO, of my four years at overseas. The Pleasance holds many made a good name for himself as weeks of starting the course. infrastructure as an important environmental quality are unjust if it must benefit Edinburgh we had training at the happy memories for me.” a composer of film and TV music. I Happy memories.” Our research took as its premise the strategy for enhancing health. The they lead to health and wellbeing Centre for Sport & Exercise from don't think you had to be an artistic, idea that recreational landscapes, Scottish Government’s “Good Places, inequities. the health and 8pm to 9:30pm and every week we Rhona Will creative type to live at the Pleasance Iain Meek whether in rural areas or in urban Better Health” strategy recognised wellbeing of would go to the Pleasance bar and MSc Translational but, clearly, the accommodation PG Dip 1982 centres, should be designed to offer that access to parks, green places Some of our most exciting recent present and future have food and drinks afterwards. We Medicine 2013 used to draw such people. I became “I remember a dank “least restrictive access”; in other and open spaces was vital in research suggests that green would play Giant Jenga and take over “I had the pleasure of an English and Drama teacher and cellar filled with keen words, should not exclude certain nurturing good health for children, space offers a particularly good generations. half the bar. While definitely a fairly living at the Pleasance am now Headmaster of an English but bemused archers groups through the way they were and we were pleased to play a part environment for helping people calm night compared to other sports from 1993 to 1996. I remember many medium school in Cyprus.” where I learnt not to take the skin constructed and managed and in evaluating the evidence for this. to recover from stress – it is a club nights, those evenings were nights when I would finish studying off my forearm on releasing the the assumptions made about why restorative environment. This might some of the most fun nights I had late and I could nip down and have Peter Jackson arrow after some practice – but people might visit such spaces, how What has made the difference, and seem common sense to many people at University.” drink before heading back upstairs to BVM&S 1960 periodically forgetting. Occasionally they might get there, and what they why should we still be concerned? A but it is important to develop public spend, this is actually a very sleep. During the Jazz Festival it was DVM&S 1985 I hit the bull – and then we could might do once there. key component has been the World rigorous evidence if it is to influence cost-effective way of enhancing Vernon Stone very noisy and I was glad when they “I came to Edinburgh justifiably celebrate in a local bar.” Health Organisation’s articulation of public policy. public health. BD Divinity 1949 swapped venues with the Comedy in October 1955 We were also interested in more the need to include human health as “I was resident at 48 Festival. Then I could not only grab to begin the five-year course in fundamental questions about the a key pillar of sustainability. So we need to pay attention to We need joined-up policies that Pleasance for the first a quick drink but also watch some Veterinary Medicine at the Royal importance of access to the outdoor provision of good quality green recognise green infrastructure and year of my divinity excellent comedy.” Dick. I was living at one of the male CALTON and natural environment: the links For development to be sustainable, space near to where people live if ecosystem services as providing studies at New College after the war, students' hostels – Salisbury Green HILL between landscape and health. says the WHO, it must benefit the everyone is to have the opportunity vitally important habitats for 1946–47. The Warden was the Rev Graham Gamble – and to get to physics from the health and wellbeing of present to maintain good health, mentally human health, and designs and Bernard Citron, like myself a refugee MA Italian and hostel we walked down through Please send us your In 2001 we found it extremely and future generations. If access to as well as physically. This means redevelopments of our urban from the Nazis. The housekeeper English 1985 the Pleasance. As we were walking memories of Calton difficult to get external support natural spaces such as public parks or not just providing green and natural environments that reflect this. was a remarkable lady, Miss Colvin, “I lived in the down we saw numerous children, Hill, to: for research into this topic, partly woodlands is associated with better environments but also investing in Only then will we be able to develop who made a unique contribution to Pleasance 1982–83. some with their mothers, going to because it was seen as of marginal health, then those communities with them over time – maintaining them truly sustainable places for all the place and its occupants. On 4 My room overlooked the courtyard school. Many were poorly dressed [email protected] interest. Yet within 10 years things poor or no access to good quality and ensuring they remain attractive species, including ourselves. September 1947 I was married in the and you could see Holyrood Park as were their mothers, who often had changed markedly. We were green space will be disadvantaged. for different people’s needs. In an era Pleasance Kirk, by the Rev Citron, beyond the rooftops. I remember had their hair in curlers under their given the opportunity to develop And it is often the most deprived of tightening budgets and reduced www.openspace.eca.ac.uk assisted (!) by the Very Rev Norman previous occupants of the same flat headscarves. There were a number of

30 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH WWW.ED.AC.UK SUSTAINABILITY SPECIAL 31 BILLET SUMMER 2014 THE GENERAL COUNCIL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH BILLET

BILLET CONTINUED BILLET The General Council of the University of Edinburgh BILLET NEWS

The General Council provides graduates with a continuing voice FEBRUARY HALF-YEARLY MEETING 2014 in the management of the University’s affairs, and every graduate ON SATURDAY 15 FEBRUARY THE STATUTORY HALF-YEARLY MEETING WAS ONCE AGAIN HELD IN THE SCHOOL OF LAW, automatically becomes a member. Academic staff and members OLD COLLEGE, WITH LUNCH IN THE PLAYFAIR LIBRARY of the University’s governing body, the University Court, are also The Principal presented a very positive and exciting Annual Review for the members of the General Council. It meets twice a year and has the year 2012–13, as reported below and verbatim in the Annex to the Billet. There were many probing questions from the floor as well as online, which right to comment on matters affecting the University’s prosperity the Principal answered with his usual enthusiasm and humour. A video of the REPORT Meeting can be viewed on the General Council website at and wellbeing. For more information on the work of the General www.general-council.ed.ac.uk/media By Professor Charles Swainson Council, visit www.general-council.ed.ac.uk Convener of the Business After lunch our Chancellor’s Assessor, Sheriff Principal Edward (Ted) Bowen, Committee of the General Council entertained guests with an amusing and informative talk, weaving together tales from his highly varied experiences from a long legal career with studied insights into the workings of the Scottish justice system. on 21 June 2014. I am hoping that research collaborators and alumni. members of the Court, being active many alumni from the Americas will International students also require in Court Committees and bringing a come. The full programme spanning good support and advice facilities range of views from alumni and from 19–21 June and links for booking and your University works closely outside the University. They attend and further information are on page with EUSA to achieve that. Do read Standing Committee meetings, and EVENING 33, opposite, and on the General the Annual Review; it contains at all Business Committee meetings THE GENERAL COUNCIL MEETING AND Reception and Gala Dinner at the Malaparte, within the TIFF Bell Lightbox I am pleased to present a report of Council website at: www.general- wonderful examples of the breadth provide a confidential summary of PROGRAMME OF EVENTS 19 TO 22 JUNE cultural centre, at which Margaret Atwood will receive an honorary degree your Business Committee for the six council.ed.ac.uk/whats-happening. and depth of staff and students’ issues facing the Court. and give the after-dinner talk. months since the last edition of Billet. Hope to meet you there! endeavours and success. 2014 IN TORONTO Your Business Committee elections SATURDAY 21 JUNE - MORNING Your Business Committee agreed Your Constitutional Standing The Edinburgh Development Trust have been held, with eight The next “away” meeting will be held in Toronto following a highly successful General Council Half-Yearly Meeting in the George Ignatieff Theatre, priorities for the 2013-14 session – Committee has held two meetings has published its Annual Accounts candidates for five places and meeting in Berlin in 2012. Toronto has a large number of University alumni University of Toronto. Refreshments will be available from 10am, followed see more on page 34. Your Standing examining the possible impact to 2013. Donations have grown again, with increased online voting. I am who have retained close links with Edinburgh and who will be enthusiastic by the meeting at 10:30am, at which the Principal will speak.. Committees is developing these of independence following and with a wider donor pool, to grateful to all who have registered supporters of our programme of events. There are also many alumni across themes during the year. Your the Referendum in Scotland in more than £14 million; more than to vote and encourage more to do Canada who it is hoped will also come along. LUNCH Committee contributed to a review September. Your Committee is £12 million has been disbursed so. I appreciate that registering on A reception at 12:30pm followed by lunch at 1pm will be held on the 16th of the University’s responsible looking at the opportunities and to schools and services in your MyEd is not simple, but telephone The University has a long history of very close links with the University of floor of the Park Hyatt Toronto Hotel with an after-lunch address from investment policy, a topic raised by risks in a balanced way, but will not University, especially to support the help number on the website or Toronto and it is anticipated that these will be strengthened during these Professor Zulfiqar A Bhutta, Co-Director of Research, Global Child Health at EUSA and our members. be making any public statement. We the Bursary Scheme. Alumni can email the helpline at IS (Information events. As is customary, the University has organised a series of seminars, the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto. may provide a private summary to support the Principal’s Bursary Services) and a staff member honorary graduation ceremonies and social functions to make this a highly Your Academic Standing Committee the University Secretary. Scheme or the General Council will enrol you very quickly. Once attractive programme. This will include the General Council Half Yearly SUNDAY 22 JUNE has met with Vice-Principal Sue Rigby Prince Phillip Fund for bursaries registered it is easy to vote. We had Meeting on the Saturday. Niagara Tour: a trip to Toronto would not be complete without a visit and the Vice-President Academic Your Finance and Services Standing through single or regular donations more younger candidates and this to the breathtaking Niagara Falls and beautiful surrounding region. This Affairs of EUSA. The University has Committee has discussed the and know that their contribution trend is very welcome. The new It is very much hoped that many General Council members, alumni and guided tour includes a trip up close to Niagara Falls on one of the luxury embarked on a major programme Annual Accounts with the Director supports very able and grateful members who take up office in July University Friends will come along to some or all of the events, thus 700-passenger catamaran boats, lunch at the Elements on the Falls to deliver higher quality teaching of Finance, Phil McNaull, and students who would otherwise not 2014 are David Houston, Dorothy reinforcing the already strong and lasting relationships between the University restaurant, and a private tour and tasting at one of Niagara’s 75 wineries. and improve other aspects of the the extensive capital building come to Edinburgh. Once again a MacLeod, Philip Mawer, Sarah and Toronto. The tour lasts approximately eight hours and is organised by JPdL Toronto student experience. Others in the programme, with the Director of substantial donation came from our Morgan and Sam Trett. We look & Niagara on behalf of the University of Edinburgh. Russell Group have moved faster, Estates and Buildings, Angus Currie. alumni in the US. forward to welcoming them. PROGRAMME so the emphasis is on building The University has a healthy balance CLOSING DATE FOR ORDERING TICKETS: teaching quality to be as good sheet and reserves, which are used The Half-Yearly meeting in February THURSDAY 19 JUNE - AFTERNOON 16 June 2014 as your University’s pre-eminent to invest in improved facilities was well attended. At lunch, Lunch followed by a lecture and panel discussion on “The Constitutional ranking in research. This is not a quick for teaching and research, and for Sheriff Principal Edward Bowen, Videos of previous Debate in Scotland and the UK: Lessons for and from Canada”, in the Bram FOR FURTHER PROGRAMME DETAILS AND LINKS TO EVENT BOOKING VISIT: fix, but at least a five-year effort, accommodation. Nearly £1 billion has the Chancellor’s Assessor, gave Principal’s and and Bluma Salon, Toronto Reference Library. www.ed.ac.uk/alumni/toronto-2014 and all members of the University been allocated to capital projects. an amusing account of life as an Convener’s Reports, community can assist. advocate and sheriff. Your Business and a selection of EVENING The international nature of Committee joined the Chaplaincy Evening Reception and conferment of honorary degrees at the Art Gallery Your Public Affairs Committee has your University (40 per cent of and EUSA for a workshop on the after-lunch addresses, of Ontario. welcomed the new website, with its students are international) means topic “Can the University afford to can be viewed at more modern look and feel. Please that investment must be made in have values?” One of the speakers www.general-council. FRIDAY 20 JUNE - MORNING do try it out, and participate in the first-class accommodation and was Professor Anne Smyth, a General ed.ac.uk/media Tour: Discover Toronto City – Learn more about the architecture of the city, blog. Your Committee, together other facilities to attract the best Council Assessor. check out the spectacular harbour and soak up the atmosphere in the vibrant with Development & Alumni, has students, help them make the best Theatre District. The tour lasts approximately three hours and is organised by finalised arrangements for the half- of their time in Edinburgh, and to Your three General Council JPdL Toronto & Niagara on behalf of the University of Edinburgh. yearly meeting in Toronto, Canada, develop long-term relationships as Assessors provide great support as

32 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH WWW.ED.AC.UK BILLET 33 BILLET SUMMER 2014 THE GENERAL COUNCIL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH BILLET

BILLET BILLET NEWS BILLET PROFILES CONTINUED

MEET THE TEAM The General Council Business Committee members bring to their roles an array of talent and expertise, with WHAT’S THE BUSINESS professional backgrounds ranging from medicine to leadership development and human resources. Here, we profile COMMITTEE BEEN three committee members, and they describe the people, places, lessons and events from their time as Edinburgh WORKING ON THIS students that had the biggest impact on their careers. Q SESSION?

The setting of key themes for the Committee to work on each session has proven very worthwhile. It sets out clear priorities, helps align work on the main issues across the various Standing Committees and keeps us A focused. We try to distil the priorities we learn about from our Court Assessors and from the EUSA Officers as well as from the Committee members.

NAME: Morven Brown hemispheres. These were exciting NAME: John Gilmore Clifford potential of the European project NAME: Matthew McPherson MOST VALUABLE LESSON: times for neuropsychology and I and showed me that one did not Motivating students into political THE THREE KEY PRIORITY AREAS FOR THIS EDUCATION: have remained fascinated by the ever EDUCATION: need to bring all one had to say into EDUCATION: action was hard. I realised quickly YEAR WERE: The Mary Erskine School, Edinburgh more detailed discoveries which have Henley-on-Thames Grammar School; one essay. George Watson's College, Edinburgh; that in politics the first battle can University of Edinburgh (MA been made about the brain and how University of Oxford, (MA Modern University of Edinburgh (MA be not with authority, but with the Psychology 1972, DipEd 1973, it impacts on the way we think, learn Languages, Dip Ed); MOST VALUABLE LESSON: Sociology 2011) people you represent – in getting DipEd Psych 1980) and behave. Goethe Institut (German Language); The University brings together ideas, people to believe “we can do better Europa Institute, University of understanding and curiosity to open HOME TOWN: than this”. The student experience including teaching and learning HOME TOWN: MOST VALUABLE LESSON: Edinburgh (MSc European Legal our eyes to other worlds, cultures Edinburgh Edinburgh My years of studying psychology Studies) and ways of seeing, to discover Having served as EUSA President Engaging with communities at Edinburgh awakened in me an similarity in the apparently different, CURRENT HOME: 2011–12, I was elected a member CURRENT HOME: ongoing interest in how people, HOME TOWN: and to engage with humility with Edinburgh of the General Council’s Business Other strategic items Edinburgh and in particular children, interact Henley-on-Thames other points of view. Committee, and I sit on the with their environment at all levels CURRENT JOB: Academic Standing Committee. I CURRENT JOB: – intellectual, social, emotional CURRENT HOME: Having fled the London of the Recently taken a new role with Police have worked in the political and third Enhancing the student experience is a major priority for the Educational Psychologist and physical. There is always an Edinburgh 1980s, my late artist wife and I Scotland. Previously a Caseworker for sectors, with roles in the Scottish University. World-class teaching and learning have to be as underlying reason for people being as emigrated to seek a newer world an Edinburgh MP. Parliament; Church of Scotland; and important as world-class research. We wanted to make sure that FAVOURITE STUDENT MEMORY: they are and behaving as they do. CURRENT JOB: in Scotland for ourselves and our the ‘Obama for America’ re-election the many initiatives and enhancements we had been told about in When the days begin to shorten Honorary Consul of Austria young family. Public affairs, ecology, FAVOURITE STUDENT MEMORY: campaign. My spare time is filled with the previous session were being implemented. The impact of the and that delicious autumnal smell is I have been an educational for Scotland; Director at Focus hill-walking, the arts, laughter My first student election night in meetings and camps as a scout troop changes on both staff and students needed to be investigated. in the air and you get one of those psychologist for four decades and Scotland and Quadro Europa and argument among friends: all Teviot. As results came in one by Group Leader. I do my own travelling, Finally, the introduction of innovative learning methods was very glorious blue and gold days in which have worked in a number of settings. I conspired to confirm our sense of one, the atmosphere was electric. too, and having spent time in the much worth exploring. Edinburgh glows, I still remember the was employed as an LEA psychologist FAVOURITE STUDENT MEMORY: Edinburgh as a part of Europe in I remember my pride at being part US last year, I am in Australia on a sense of anticipation and excitement and then carried out assessments for Oxford then Edinburgh were stepping an otherwise curiously detached of it. month-long trip in May 2014. The development and support of communities has become which always accompanied the start the Scottish Dyslexia Association. I stones to a defining cultural and archipelago. an important issue. This included creating well-functioning of a new academic year in October. was then employed as psychologist intellectual engagement with Austria, FAVOURITE SOCIAL VENUE: A very keen musician (with six communities within the University as well as linking with the wider for Westerlea School and worked Germany, wider Europe and beyond. While valuing my first alma mater of Definitely Teviot – run by students, guitars!), I nurtured my passion for civic community. We have had links with EUSA, the Students’ FAVOURITE SOCIAL VENUE: with children with profound, multiple Oxford, the University of Edinburgh for students. I took guests there to volunteering, politics and music while Association, for a long time. It was felt that we could work more in It has to be the Traverse Theatre, full learning difficulties and their families. FAVOURITE SOCIAL VENUE: gave me another opportunity for a make them jealous, and it always at Edinburgh. practical partnership with students, who are of course the alumni of the strangest and most fascinating In 1991 I joined the staff of a large The former Centre for Human good think, this time at the Europa worked. I only wish I could remember of tomorrow. Finally, we wished to work closely together with people and where you could watch independent school as learning Ecology in Buccleuch Street, where Institute, and onwards from there. every night I had in there! The common thread that bound Development & Alumni as they renew their Alumni Engagement the most daring and innovative resources coordinator where, over the remarkable Dr Ulrich Loening I remain deeply impressed by the together my experiences at the Strategy and aim for stronger relationships with alumni. theatre productions while balancing the years, I established a Support for wove a multidisciplinary cat’s way this university engages with the MOST MEMORABLE STAFF MEMBER: University was people. It is those on a pile of squishy seating modules. Learning Department. cradle of human and ecological rest of our European homeland and All of the student staff who worked same people I am proud to serve The last major theme was looking into wider strategic issues: first, inter-connections across the across the world. Acutely aware of in the Union. I would often take a as a Business Committee member. to find out how the University was progressing with its Strategic MOST MEMORABLE STAFF MEMBER: One of the most rewarding areas in University and inter-naciones, and the not always felicitous historical break in my day just to stand at the Representing graduates isn't about Plan, and second, looking into what the implications might be My undergraduate thesis was my career has been working out how meetings evolved into late night relationship of the UK with the cafe or bar for a friendly chat. They looking back – it's about looking for the University of the possible changes in Scotland’s supervised by Colwyn Trevarthan students think and learn and how to suppers. rest of the world, I would wish to inspired me. Balancing their jobs with forward. The experiences we all had constitutional arrangements. who had recently been involved influence their learning environment make my own contribution to the their studies, they were committed as students are critical in shaping in the split-brain research. His in ways that will enhance their MOST MEMORABLE STAFF MEMBER: University’s international horizons, to all sorts of voluntary societies and the University we want Edinburgh lectures were full of the amazing learning. Professor David Edward, who with his both general and in the specific. clubs. They are a reminder of how the to become. findings about differentiation and celebrated clarity of thought focused University is built on its community localisation of function in the brain my open eyes to the inspirational and its people.

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BILLET BILLET GENERAL COUNCIL PAPERS CONTINUED

PRESENT DR MICHAEL MITCHELL GENERAL COUNCIL HALF-YEARLY MEETING AND LUNCH, SATURDAY 21 JUNE 2014 PAPER A Secretary of the General Council MINUTES OF THE MEETING MR PETER McCOLL UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO PROFESSOR CHARLES SWAINSON Rector, in the Chair OF THE GENERAL COUNCIL Convener of the Business Committee HELD IN EDINBURGH ON 15 MS SARAH SMITH 10am: Refreshments on arrival FEBRUARY 2014 REV DR HARRIET HARRIS University Secretary and Registrar of the General Council Chaplain to the University 10.30am: Meeting in the George Ignatieff Theatre, University of Toronto PROFESSOR SIR TIMOTHY O’SHEA 45P AND 6V = 51 MEMBERS 12.30pm: Wine Reception and Buffet lunch, Park Hyatt Hotel Principal and Vice-Chancellor (P = Physical; V = Virtual)

Please note that the meeting will be webcast. For details please visit: www.general-council.ed.ac.uk/media

1 RESULT OF THE ELECTIONS The previous June’s Half-Yearly committee were also examining Committee members also received FOR FIVE MEMBERS OF THE Meeting had been part of the the implications of constitutional an update on the Estates Strategy, BUSINESS COMMITTEE first Edinburgh alumni weekend change for the University. the recent building programme The after-lunch speaker will be Professor Zulfiqar Bhutta. Professor Bhutta organised by Development & being highly impressive, with a The Chairman announced that the Alumni. The Half-Yearly Meeting The Academic Standing number of current and imminent is the Founding Director of the Center of Excellence in Women and Child five new members of the Business was hosted by Professor David Committee, led by Dr Bruce projects which would benefit both Health at the Aga Khan University in Karachi, Pakistan, and holds the Committee elected to serve for a Argyle at the Royal (Dick) School Ritson, had continued to follow the University and the city. period of four years from 1 August of Veterinary Studies, and was the efforts being made by the Robert Harding Inaugural Chair in Global Child Health at the Hospital for 2014 to 31 July 2018 were: David well attended. Other weekend University to improve the student Members had enjoyed a private Houston, Dorothy Macleod, events included a reception, experience. The University viewing of a particularly good Sick Children, Toronto, as well as professorships at several other leading Philip Mawer, Sarah Morgan and ceilidh and barbeque, all hosted had made very considerable festival exhibition in the Talbot universities. His research interests include newborn and child survival, Samuel Trett. by the University, and much investments but the Business Rice Gallery, by the Korean artist appreciated by local alumni and Committee recognised that Nan June Paik; a cutting-edge maternal and child under-nutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. He leads 2 MINUTES OF THE MEETING visitors alike. improvement would take time. exhibition that contributed to a large research group based in Pakistan with a special interest in research OF THE GENERAL COUNCIL It had also looked at integration the cultural life of the University HELD AT THE ROYAL (DICK) The recently published Annual and support of international and the city. In early October synthesis, scaling up evidence-based interventions in community settings SCHOOL OF VETERINARY Report of the University of students, which was a growing the University had a particularly STUDIES, ON 22 JUNE 2013 Edinburgh Development Trust to and important component of successful week, during which and implementation research in health systems research. In particular, his July 2012 was very encouraging, university life. Both of these the Chancellor visited for three work with community health workers and outreach services has influenced The minutes of the meeting held showing that income was stable themes were of fundamental days opening some magnificent Professor Zulfiqar Bhutta on 22 June 2013 were approved. at around £11m with very good importance to the well-being of new facilities, hosting a dinner at integrated maternal and newborn outreach programmes globally. He has support from legacies, and a the University. the Palace of Holyrood House for 3 MATTERS ARISING particularly generous contribution the Chancellor’s Award winners, won many awards for his work in the arena of world child health. from fellow alumni in the United Simon Fairclough and his and presiding at a celebration of The Chairman reported that there States of £750,000. Highlights also colleagues on the Public Affairs excellence. were no matters arising from the included major gifts supporting Standing Committee, had worked minutes. research into autism, and fragile with Development & Alumni and To cap off an outstanding year AGENDA FOR THE GENERAL COUNCIL MEETING X syndrome and intellectual the Secretary to develop the new for the University the Convener 4 REPORT OF THE BUSINESS disabilities, and major support for General Council website, which mentioned the Nobel Prize for 1 Minutes of the Meeting of the General Council held in Old College, Edinburgh, on 15 February 2014 (PAPER A) COMMITTEE the Centres of the Study of Islam was now up and running and the Physics awarded to Professor Peter and of Sino-Japanese Relations. Convener encouraged members Higgs, the third Nobel Prize in Professor Charles Swainson Corporate donations had fallen to log on and use the blogging Physics that had been awarded to 2  Matters arising welcomed the new General slightly, but were outweighed facility. Plans for the subsequent the University, which was a rare Council Assessor, Doreen Davidson, by substantial private donations, Half-Yearly Meeting in Toronto achievement. 3 Report of the Business Committee who had previously served with and the Convener encouraged in June 2014 were making good distinction on the Business Members to assist fundraising progress, and the committee The report of the Business 4 Dates of future meetings of the General Council Committee for four years from by providing introductions to was looking forward to working Committee was approved. 2008 and had been the Convener potential donors through their with colleagues in Development of the Finance & Services Standing personal networks, as well as The full text of the Convener’s Notice of forthcoming elections & Alumni on the new Alumni 5 Committee. He also welcomed donating personally. Engagement Strategy. remarks is contained in the Annex the five new Business Committee to the Billet. 6 Presentation by Professor Sir Timothy O’Shea, Principal and Vice-Chancellor Members, elected to serve until New information and induction The Finance & Services July 2017; John Clifford, Matt packs for Business Committee Standing Committee, under the 5 DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS 7 Any other competent business McPherson, Anne Paterson, who Members and General Council Convenership of Kirsty MacGregor, OF THE GENERAL COUNCIL had previously been a member of Assessors had been assembled and had met recently with the Director Adjournment the committee, Scott Peter and published by the Constitutional of Finance, to look at the Annual The next Half-Yearly Meeting 8 Ian Stevens. Standing Committee, led by Mr Report and Accounts for 2012-13. would take place on Saturday 21 Gordon Cairns. Gordon and his These were favourable, as usual. June 2014 in the University of

36 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH WWW.ED.AC.UK BILLET 37 BILLET SUMMER 2014 THE GENERAL COUNCIL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH BILLET BILLET GENERAL COUNCIL PAPERS

Toronto. Any Motions for Benefactions and legacies had also received awards for research, showed the beneficial influence on discussion at this meeting should increased which the University was teaching and community reputation, access to masters and be received in the General very grateful for. Student numbers initiatives. Many outstanding reach. A wide diversity of students OFFICERS: The Annex to the Billet contains Council Office by 31 March 2014. had increased to a very healthy honorary degrees were awarded. had taken these courses. A second Chairman: HRH The Princess Royal supporting papers for the Agenda, including The following Statutory Half- 33,000 with around two thirds The award to President Clinton series was being run including one Secretary: Michael J Mitchell, BSc, PhD 2015 Yearly Meeting would be held undergraduate. The proportion was mentioned in light of the links on particle physics. More than Registrar: Sarah Smith, University Secretary ex-officio communications from the University Court, full on Saturday 14 February 2015 in of international students was into the Clinton Global Initiative, 700,000 learners had taken part in Standing Committee reports, a transcript of Old College and any Motions for now about 40% and had been especially in Africa, which tied more than 200 countries with the GENERAL COUNCIL ASSESSORS ON THE UNIVERSITY COURT: discussion at this meeting should increasing progressively. It was in very well with the University’s millionth learner in sight. the Principal’s presentation, and the Business be received in the General Council considered desirable to increase Global Academies. Alan M Johnston, MBA, CSci, CChem, FRSC, CBiol, FIBiol 2015 Office by the 26 November 2014. the proportion of postgraduate The Principal concluded by Ann M Smyth, BSc, PhD, MPhil 2015 Committee’s report to the meeting on 15 students, especially research There were three Athena Swann pointing out that this had been Doreen Davidson, BA, AIPD 2017 February 2014 is available on the website at: 6 NOTICE OF FORTHCOMING postgraduates. awards which emphasised the work a truly wonderful year for the ELECTIONS on increasing female participation University. This had been based BUSINESS COMMITTEE: www.general-council.ed.ac.uk/media. The University had done well rates. Launch.ed supported on the truly outstanding quality Convener: Charles Swainson, MBChB, FRCPE, FRCSE, FFPHM 2016 General Council members may also request it There would be elections for in many international league student entrepreneurs with 35-40 of the staff and students. He Vice-Convener: Frances D Dow, MA, DPhil, CBE 2016 two General Council Assessors to tables, being 17th in the world new companies a year set up, an also graciously acknowledged his by post from: Mrs Mary Scott, General Council Court and five Members of the in the QS World University internationally competitive rate. appreciation for the work and P Convener of Public Affairs Standing Committee: Office, Charles Stewart House, 9-16 Chambers Business Committee in February Rankings. This was an outstanding Efforts on community orientation support of the General Council, Simon Fairclough, MBA 2014 2015. Nominations on forms performance given that there were reflected the historical and manifest in many different ways. A Convener of Academic Standing Committee: Street, Edinburgh EH1 1HT. Tel. 0131 650 2152; available from the General Council more than 20,000 universities ongoing deep engagement with Bruce Ritson, MD, FRCPE, FRCPsych 2014 Email: [email protected]; or pick a copy Office and on the website should in the world. A turnover of the community. The full text of the Principal’s F Convener of Finance and Services Standing Committee: be received in the General Council £750 million was not at all large remarks, as well as the record Kirsty MacGregor, MA, MBA DipEd 2015 up at the location of the Council Meeting from Office by 26 November 2014. compared with other universities Innovative Learning Week had of the discussion that followed C Convener of Constitutional Standing Committee: half-an-hour beforehand. with similar rankings but the been highly successful with an the presentation, are contained Gordon D Cairns, LLB 2016 7 PRESENTATION BY THE unusually high international unusual and productive range in the Annex to the Billet. The PRINCIPAL OF THE ANNUAL component at Edinburgh of different ways to approach presentation can also be viewed MEMBERS: Previous copies of Billet can be found REPORT OF THE UNIVERSITY almost certainly contributed learning. Another slightly on the website at www.general- significantly to its success. The unusual project was the one council.ed.ac.uk/media. ‘A’ denotes a member of the Academic Standing Committee, under the Publications tab at The Principal began by praising proportions of Scottish, rest of to develop new approaches to ‘C’ a member of the Constitutional Standing Committee, www.general-council.ed.ac.uk/media the enormous contribution by UK and international students had delivering broadband to remote 8 ANY OTHER COMPETENT ‘F’ a member of the Finance and Services Standing Committee, and the Chancellor to the work of remained fairly stable, which was communities, in this case the BUSINESS ‘P’ a member of the Public Affairs Standing Committee: the University this past year. He an important achievement given Highlands & Islands, led by also pointed out the significant the changes in fee structures. It Professor Peter Buneman of the There was no other competent CHANCELLOR’S ASSESOR: contributions from the University was felt that the four-year degree School of Informatics. This had business. Sheriff Principal Edward F Bowen, CBE, TD, QC ex-officio to the various Edinburgh festivals: structure contributed significantly become a template for such 9 International, Fringe and Book. to the success and attractiveness developments. The immensely ADJOURNMENT P Luise Locke, BA, MA 2014 of the University. This was practical benefits of research were P Elizabeth Morris, MBChB MRCGP 2014 The Principal presented his Annual illustrated by having more than illustrated by a major international The Motion by the Convener of C Ann M Sutherland, MA, FBCartS 2014 Report based on the University's 50,000 undergraduate applications project on stroke treatment, led the Business Committee that, for P Morven Brown, M.A, DipEd, DipEd Psych, AFBPsS 2015 Annual Review 2012/13 (www. for the first time. by Professor Peter Sandercock. the purpose of considering matters F Waverley Cameron, BSc, SM 2015 ed.ac.uk/about/annual-review/ The introduction of the Global which may be transmitted to the C Michael Lugton, MA 2015 publication). The financial There were many outstanding Justice Academy was enhanced General Council by the University A Ritchie Walker, MA, BSc, DipEd 2015 position of the University was appointments at professorial when the Global Citizenship Court or any other business of a F Robert (Bobby) Burt, MD, FRCA, FRCPE, FACP 2016 very favourable again this year: in level, including for student Commission held a major event at competent nature, the Business A Stuart Macpherson 2016 particular, the record income from teaching which was an important the University. A cancer treatment Committee be empowered to act F Hamish McKenzie, MA 2016 competitive research grants of step. Attracting 250 Early Career project, IMPACT, demonstrated the on behalf of the Council, and that C David M Munro, MBE, BSc, PhD 2016 £300 million. Just over half came Fellows of great promise had also bringing together of two University this meeting be adjourned to a P John Clifford, MSc 2017 from the UK research councils strengthened the staffing. This had strengths, in micro-computing date to be fixed by the Business A Matthew McPherson, MA 2017 with about £30 million coming been made possible by a Global and oncology, to create a novel Committee, was approved. A Anne W Paterson, BSc, Dip. Social Study, AIMSW, CCE 2017 from EU sources, which will Excellence initiative, partly funded treatment approach. Edinburgh C Scott Peter, MA, PGDE 2017 become increasingly important by additional funding from the College of Art had enjoyed many Rev Dr Harriet Harris closed the F Ian Stevens, MA, ACA 2017 in the future with the Horizon Scottish government. There had international successes with film, meeting with a benediction. 2020 programme. UK charities been a wide range of honours fashion and art. ASSISTANT TO THE SECRETARY: Mary T Scott, BA awarded £35 million and the and achievements though special remainder came from a very broad mention had to be made of the Massive Open Online Courses international base. The success Nobel Prize for Professor Peter (MOOCS) had been an outstanding rate for applications was unusually Higgs, which was particularly success at Edinburgh. For example, high in this University and large exciting. There were, in addition, a course in Equine Nutrition grants had become more common. numerous other individuals who which links with a masters course

38 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH WWW.ED.AC.UK BILLET 39

PRIVATE GIVING,

PUBLIC GOOD The Impact of Philanthropy at the University of Edinburgh

and Mary Bownes Jean Grier

A great university develops over time and is dependent on Private Giving, Public Good: many factors for its success. This lavishly illustrated book The Impact of Philanthropy at the – the first major publication on the University of Edinburgh in more than a decade – looks at how philanthropic giving University of Edinburgh over the years has shaped the University as a community within the city and has enabled the University, its staff, By Jean Grier and Mary Bownes students and alumni to contribute to global development.

Covering the historical background to the establishment of the University, the book charts the impact of philanthropy on the University’s buildings, student life, sporting successes, museums and collections, bursaries and other awards, and Before 31 August 2014, your copy is available at a special examines how research and scholarship – past and present alumni discount. Please visit: www.giftshop.ed.ac.uk – continue to influence the world.