VOLUME 04 ISSUE 01 :: WINTER 2004 INCLUDING :: BILLET + GENERAL COUNCIL PAPERS Enlightenment in the digital age FT Magazine editor John Lloyd looks to the future Precious Time Jennifer Trueland meets Professor Alexander McCall Smith Lessons from the American intelligence community Professor Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones investigates GENERAL COUNCIL VOTING PAPER INCLUDED WITH THIS ISSUE THE UNIVERSI TY of EDINBURGH MAGAZINE 02 news 08 features 08 Precious time Jennifer Trueland meets Professor Alexander McCall Smith, creator of the bestselling No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency 12 Enlightenment in the digital age FT Magazine editor John Lloyd looks to the future 18 Lessons from the American elcome to the new issue of Edit. My thanks to all of you who returned intelligence community W Professor Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones the questionnaire enclosed with the Summer 2003 issue. As you’ll see, we’ve already implemented a number of changes, giving the magazine a fresh new look investigates while, at the same time, keeping the features that have made Edit such a success over the last decade. 16 gallery I hope you continue to enjoy the magazine, but please do let us know what you 22 letters think of it. You can send your comments to: Edit Editor, Communications & Public Affairs, The University of Edinburgh, 7-11 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh EH8 9BE, 24 informed or email [email protected] 24 Clubs and Reunions 26 Calling former members 27 Forthcoming events 28 Scholarship profile 29 Looking back to the future Clare Shaw 30 World Service Editor, Edit 35 billet 36 Postal Election Nominations The Billet contains the General Council’s business papers, and news about its activities Publisher Communications & Public Affairs, 12 The University of Edinburgh Centre, 7-11 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh EH8 9BE Editor Clare Shaw [email protected] Assistant Editor Charlie Allen Design Freight Design 0141 552 5303 16 Photography Chris Close and Ian McNicol Printing and Mailing Services John Blackburn Limited Advertising enquiries Landmark Publishing Services 0207 692 9292 18 No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of the publishers. Edit is printed on environment-friendly low chlorine content paper. Edit, The University of Edinburgh Magazine, is published twice a year. The views expressed in its columns are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent those of the University. THE UNIVERSI TY of EDINBURGH MAGAZINE 02 Alumnus of the Year The University of Edinburgh/ The Royal Bank of Scotland Group Alumnus of the Year 2003 is Duncan MacLaren, Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis – one of the Chancellor presentation for largest international aid and development agencies in award winners the world. The inaugural Chancellor’s Awards Genetics and Biomedicine and Duncan MacLaren was were presented by HRH Prince Director of the Scottish Centre presented with the award, Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh for Genomic Technology and at a ceremony on 3 December at a dinner held in the Palace of Informatics. in McEwan Hall, by Sir George Holyroodhouse in August. Mathewson, Chairman of The Professor Deary’s principal The awards recognise excellence research interest is human Royal Bank of Scotland Group. in vital academic areas such as cognitive abilities, especially the Mr MacLaren studied for teaching and research and are origins of individual differences the MTh in Theology and awarded to members of staff on and the effects of ageing and Development at the University the basis of innovation, relevance, medical conditions. His best- creativity and personal dedication. of Edinburgh in 1992, whilst known research programme Nominations were sought from serving as Executive Director studies several hundred Scottish across the disciplines covered of the Scottish Catholic octogenarians known as the by the University, and the awards Lothian Birth Cohort 1921. International Aid Fund. made on the recommendation of He was chosen as Alumnus the Principal and Heads of Colleges. In the wake of the completion of the Year in recognition The winners were Professor Ian of the Human Genome Project of his contribution to the Deary, Professor of Differential in 2003, Professor Ghazal’s global community through Psychology in the School of research explores the phenomenal exceptional service to Philosophy, Psychology and opportunities for the medical and international aid agencies. Language Sciences, and Professor scientific communities to reduce Peter Ghazal (pictured recieving human suffering by revolutionising his award), Professor of Molecular the diagnosis of disease. Our times are changing will allow courses to be offered The University of Edinburgh: The authors of the book are: An Illustrated History, written by From September 2004 the University on either a full-year or a half-year Robert D. Anderson, Professor three of the University’s eminent of Edinburgh’s academic year will be basis, creating uniformity across of Modern History; Michael Lynch; the University. historians, is now available for divided across two semesters rather Sir William Fraser, Professor of purchase through the University than the current structure, which is Scottish History and Paleolography, news This structure is becoming the of Edinburgh Centre (for details based on three terms. norm in Scotland’s universities. see page 15). and Nicholas Philipson, Reader Stirling, Strathclyde and St Andrews Modern History, University of The new structure will relieve a have long been on similar systems, The book covers the history of the Edinburgh. current problem of examinations while Dundee and Glasgow are University since its origins in the late clashing with teaching periods and also in the process of changing. sixteenth century. 03 Gordon Brown’s hat trick Smart show from Edinburgh spin-outs University spin-out companies won 40% of the awards made to science-based start-up companies at the 2003 Smart:Scotland Awards. The nine companies were presented with their awards by Deputy First Minister and Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, Jim Wallace. The awards recognise ideas that have high potential for commercial success, and During the summer graduation Anderson said. “He is a historian provide additional funding ceremonies, the Right Honourable who himself has made history, and to help them on their way. Gordon Brown returned to his alma has sought not only to interpret the The awards were made to: mater to receive his third degree world but also to change it.” from the University – an Honorary Axiope Ltd, CriticalBlue The Chancellor of the Exchequer Doctorate. VP Professor Michael Ltd, DEM Solutions Ltd, was one of 2003’s 18 honorary Anderson paid tribute to Gordon Ingenza Ltd, LinearB Ltd, graduates. Also included in the Brown’s academic history, his LUX Biotechnology Ltd, list were Susan Rice, who was the political career, and his days as a Renewable Devices Ltd, first woman to head a UK clearing Simulistics Ltd and Stem student. “In conferring an honorary bank; Dr Lindiwe Mabuza, the High Cell Sciences (UK) Ltd. degree upon Gordon Brown, Commissioner of the Republic of In advance of the award the University acknowledges his South Africa to the UK; and one ceremony, presentations intellectual stature, and celebrates of the most acclaimed artists of were given by previous award the achievements of a remarkable the 20th century, musician and winners, including Wolfson man who is one of the leading poet, Alan Davie. Micro-electronics Ltd and politicians of today,” Professor Rhetorical Systems Ltd, from the University of Edinburgh. Commenting on the Bursary Awards support wider access successes, Nigel Paul, Director of Corporate Services at the Recipients of this academic year’s awarded 15 new Access Bursaries University and Chairman of Royal Bank of Scotland Access each year as part of the University’s Edinburgh Research and Bursaries and their families met widening participation programme, Innovation, said: “These with representatives of the bank and also supports the LEAPS awards are a great recognition and the Principal at a reception Summer School, in which the of the quality of our research in Old College, as they received University is a partner. The at the University, and the effort their awards. and commitment of many students, from families with no people to look for and develop Since the Royal Bank of Scotland's history of higher education, will commercialisation ideas.” University Access Programme was receive £1,000 a year for the launched in 1999, the Bank has duration of their course. THE UNIVERSI TY of EDINBURGH MAGAZINE 04 Books for Baghdad Last year the University launched its Baghdad and distribute them Books for Baghdad appeal to collect to the Iraqi universities. books for the Iraqi universities whose The campaign team hope that holdings were subjected to looting some Edinburgh alumni may be and vandalism following the collapse able to contribute to this campaign of the Saddam regime. in the following areas: medical and The aim of the appeal, launched veterinary science; engineering; in partnership with the Sunday computer science; physical Herald, is to collect between 50,000 sciences; biological sciences; to 100,000 items in English to mathematics; management and restock Iraqi universities’ libraries. business studies; social sciences; Major donations have been received linguistics; English language and from Edinburgh University Press, literature; Islamic and Middle Taylor and Francis, Routledge Eastern Studies. Non-humanities Publishers, Elsevier Science Books and non-social science books International, St Jerome Press and should be recent (post 1990) Cannongate Press in Edinburgh. because of the rapid advances Sizable individual donations of in these areas. books have also been made to the Individuals wishing to contribute appeal. The British Council has can contact Dr Ian Revie at undertaken to receive the books in [email protected] New phase for University activities in America The development of Edinburgh’s A busy schedule included reorganised to function solely as network in America entered a new meetings with influential alumni, an alumni group.