Bulletin Spring 2010
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THE UNIVE RSIT Y of EDINBU RGH SPRING 2010 bTHE UNIVuERSITY OlF ElDINeBURGH StTAFFiMAn GAZINE Life through a lens Our Vet School is captured on camera – page 8 One world, Cultivating the Hard to Mapping the one vision revolution swallow universe A new health academy The collective campus Can a government policy Physicist Dr Phil Clark on the aims to make the world effort to reduce our carbon improve the treatment of University’s role in the ATLAS a better place – page 7 footprint – page 10 depression? – page14 experiment – page 17 advertisement... “I want to help future generations of researchers continue our work.” THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH CAMPAIGN Kath Melia is Professor of Nursing Studies role in developing nursing at Edinburgh, at the University of Edinburgh. This year, had remembered the University in her will, she took the significant step of making a gift a gesture which is helping the important in her will to help continue the work and work we are doing today. This has inspired research of the University. me to do the same.” Kath explains, “I was touched to find that a By making a gift in your will, you, too, former colleague, who had played a pivotal can help shape the future of Edinburgh. Legacies from former members of staff at the University of If you would like more information on leaving a legacy to the Edinburgh support teaching, facilities and research across the University of Edinburgh or if you have already done so, Schools and Colleges. We are very grateful for this commitment. please contact our Legacy team in confidence: This support is vital to help this work continue and legacies, big email: [email protected] and small, can make a difference to a research project or help [email protected] support a junior researcher present their work for the first time. telephone: 0131 650 2240 A legacy to the University can be named in your honour or If you have already made a gift in your will, we would like to after a loved one or be made anonymously, and can also thank you and acknowledge your generosity. Your intentions reduce the inheritance tax on your estate. can also remain anonymous if you prefer. 2. THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE SPRING 2010 welcome... bulletin bulletin editorial PUBLICATION DETAILS This month our vets from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Medicine will Published by: Communications and be appearing in an STV documentary about clinical life at Easter Bush. In the Marketing, the University of Edinburgh film, and indeed in reality, our veterinary workers play a crucial role in supporting the vast array of animals whose stories are told with humanity and CONTACT US compassion. On pages 8 –9, bulletin takes a behind-the-scenes look at the bulletin making of the series. Communications and Marketing The University of Edinburgh On pages 6 –7, we profile two University research initiatives that in different C Floor, Forrest Hill Building ways seek to care for our planet on a global scale by harnessing expertise in Forrest Hill both climate change and international health. Continuing the caring theme on Edinburgh, EH1 2QL pages 10 –11, we look at the gathering momentum in the staff effort to reduce E: [email protected] T: +44 (0)131 651 4325 the University’s carbon footprint in a bid to preserve our planet. Focusing on mental wellbeing, coinciding with this month’s Mental Health Action Week, our The University of Edinburgh is mindful opinion section on pages 14 –16 offers academic insight into the benefits and of the environmental impact of pitfalls of a Scottish Government policy to lower targets for antidepressant producing this magazine and seeks to prescriptions. minimise resources wherever possible. This magazine has been printed on To be informed regularly of University news, you can now sign up to our online Revive 100 Uncoated stock, which Staff Bulletin email service, which delivers the headlines direct to your inbox. contains 100 per cent post-consumer waste and is manufactured at a mill Visit Staff Bulletin at: www.ed.ac.uk/news/staff-bulletin . that is certified to the environmental management system ISO14001. SUBMISSION DETAILS If you would like to submit an idea for an article, or tell us about some news, please contact us at the email address above in advance of the next deadline. The summer edition of bulletin will be published in July, and the deadline for submissions is 30 April. To keep up to date with news online, visit our regularly updated Staff Bulletin service at: www.ed.ac.uk/news/staff- International student bulletin. Cameron Jeffrey Boult’s image for the inaugural Global Horizons photography competition on the theme of ‘Edinburgh as home’. View other entries and the winners on pages 12 –13. SPRING 2010 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE 3. news... Old College quad set for revamp project to redevelop the Old College quadrangle is to go Old College: a history A ahead this year following a 10-year campaign to improve the area. 1789 Foundation stone for today’s building Funding has been secured to resurface is laid, and Robert Adam presents the quadrangle, replace the gravel and initial designs. finally complete the vision of the 1792 Robert Adam dies, and his brothers building’s original architects, Robert continue as supervising architects until Adam and William Playfair. financial issues halt the project. University academic Dr Lyndhurst Collins, 1816 William Playfair takes over as lead who has been at the University since architect. 1970, has been a strong advocate for the 1887 The Golden Boy statue is placed on project . He says: “Old College, and its top of the Old College dome as a result quadrangle, is one of Scotland’s of a philanthropic donation from local foremost architectural masterpieces. The lawyer Robert Cox. University has a duty to undertake an 2001 Dr Lyndhurst Collins begins actively interpretation of what Playfair may have campaigning for the completion of the envisioned for one of the most important Old College quadrangle in line with elements of Edinburgh’s heritage.” what may have been envisioned by the original architects. Robert Adam first presented his plans for Old College in 1789, but died before the 2006 Simpson & Brown is one of four work was completed. William Playfair was architecture firms invited to submit Geoff Turnbull, Assistant Director of later appointed to manage the project in plans for a redevelopment of the Old Estates and Buildings, says that the College quadrangle and is selected by 1816. However, the project ran into benefits reaped by the project are former Depute Director of Estates and financial difficulty so the quadrangle was numerous, enhancing both the Buildings John Leishman and Dr never fully completed. accessibility and aesthetic qualities of the Lyndhurst Collins because the firm’s A tendering process for the project will building for staff, students and visitors. proposal is “most in sympathy with the take place this spring and Edinburgh He states: “Old College is the flagship design of Old College itself.” architects Simpson & Brown are working building for the University. The 2010 The tendering process for the work is on a design. Construction work is quadrangle’s redevelopment will reinforce scheduled for spring. scheduled to begin in the summer. its position and its permanence”. Business School prepares for new home he University of Edinburgh’s Structural modification has been carried Business School is preparing for out with a complete internal refit. The Ta major relocation as part of its addition of a new top floor and a new strategy to become an international pavilion has been created. An entrance centre for business education. foyer facing onto Buccleuch Place is well The former Adam F erguson Building at under way. 40 George Square, is to be the School’s The new School will also have an new home. impressive range of eight lecture theatres, The £17 million investment into developing student facilities, a resource centre, cafe a new bespoke building at this central- and trading room. It has been designed campus site will play an important role in to function as a venue and meeting place The new building is set to open in late the School’s ambition to become a where academics, students and 2010. More information can be found at prestige business school, providing high- corporate partners can come together. the Business School’s development blog quality undergraduate, postgraduate and For the first time the School will have http://blogs.business- executive education. dedicated executive education facilities. school.ed.ac.uk/afb-development . 4. THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE SPRING 2010 bulletin news in brief… DONATION BOOST TO MEDICINE Medical research at the University has received a major boost from a record financial donation worth £1.26 million, donated by Ronald Storey in honour of a pledge he made to lifelong friend and Edinburgh graduate the late Dr George Birtwisle. The funds will play a major part in the creation of a new imaging centre at the University. FULBRIGHT SCHOLARS FOR HSS The University’s College of Humanities & Social Science has been selected by the Fulbright Commission to host the Fulbright- Scotland Visiting Professorship. Under the scheme the College will host three eminent US professors for six months each, throughout a three-year period. These guest academics will be chosen by the Fulbright Bringing science to the public Commission with input from the University. NEW UNESCO CHAIR niversity staff and students are These events take place at the National gearing up for Discover Science, Museum of Scotland and the University’s UNESCO has provided backing for a new Uthe University’s largest annual Adam House, both on Chambers Street, University research post in international development.