Annual Review 2009/2010 www.ed.ac.uk “ Institutions like ours can make their greatest contribution to the wider world by carrying out research of international standing, the results of which truly have the potential to transform lives...” Professor Sir Timothy O’Shea, Principal and Vice Chancellor, the University of Edinburgh The University is committed to maintaining a sustainable environment, wherever our research takes place across the world. Scotland, particularly suited to carbon storage, has the potential to host a large carbon capture, storage and management industry. The University is leading the way in equipping graduates with the relevant skills and expertise to safeguard this enterprise. Cover courtsey of Bluefinart 2009 Contents 03 Our vision and our mission 05 Principal’s foreword 06 Edinburgh masters carbon: finding solutions to environmental challenges 08 The gene breakthrough: University cancer research has life-saving potential 10 Innovation in challenging times: commercialisation goes from strength to strength 12 Capital culture: the University shares its creative space 14 Perfect vision: new imaging centre transforms patient experience 16 Reawakening Russian relations: the launch of a new language hub 18 Music for all: University researchers strike a chord 20 Explosive evidence: helping better understand natural hazards 22 News in brief 26 Financial review 28 Honorary graduations and other distinctions 30 Awards and achievements 32 Appointments 34 Appendices Appendix 1 Undergraduate applications and acceptances Appendix 2 Student numbers Appendix 3 Benefactions Appendix 4 Research grants and other sources of funding To find out more about some of these exciting projects please visit www.ed.ac.uk/annualreview to watch our companion Annual Review video. Annual Review 2009/2010 The University’s Old College dome, viewed 02/03 from the roof of the National Museum of Scotland. Our vision To shape the future by attracting and developing the world’s most promising students and outstanding staff. Our mission The mission of our University is the creation, dissemination and curation of knowledge. As a world-leading centre of academic excellence we aim to: • enhance our position as one of the world’s leading research and teaching universities and to measure our performance against the highest international standards • provide the highest quality learning and teaching environment for the greater wellbeing of our students and to deliver an outstanding educational portfolio • produce graduates fully equipped to achieve the highest personal and professional standards • make a significant, sustainable and socially responsible contribution to Scotland, the UK and the world, promoting health and economic and cultural wellbeing. Annual Review 2009/2010 “ As a University, we are proud to be Scottish, proud to be British and above all proud to be international... Today we provide a learning environment for students from more than 130 countries and our aspiration is to become a place of first choice in the minds of the world.” 04/05 Principal’s foreword The so-called ‘global village’ in which we live Today we provide a learning environment for is going through challenging times – and students from more than 130 countries and our challenging times make extra demands on us aspiration is to become a place of first choice in all. Perhaps key among these is the demand the minds of the world. We have a strong desire for invention and innovation. to be a force for good internationally and to that end have established two Global Academies – It is in this area where institutions like ours can collaborative networks of academics aimed at make their greatest contribution to the wider world developing innovative solutions to global health – by carrying out research of international standing, and development problems. As part of our the results of which truly have the potential to international activity we continue to forge strong transform people’s lives, and by producing students links with China, the USA, India and other nations with inquiring minds whose ideas and enthusiasm – as demonstrated in the launch of our new centre allow them to go on and help shape the future. dedicated to the promotion and understanding of Russian language and culture, the Princess These are bold ambitions and assertions – but I am Dashkova Centre, which you can read more about proud to say that at the University of Edinburgh in this year’s publication. they do not ring hollow. It is immensely gratifying to look over the articles for this year’s Annual We are a broad church and as such we are Review and see the evidence of what we do and about more than promoting excellence in the contribution we make across all fields. teaching and research. The economic impact that we make is extremely important and I have In this year’s edition you will find just a snapshot been hugely impressed by the success of our of some of the work in which we’re involved – not commercialisation activity. Turning our research only in terms of our core activities of research and innovation into a range of successful business teaching but also in terms of our economic impact ventures is an increasingly important element of and our engagement with the wider communities what we do, particularly in the current economic we serve. climate. Similarly our relationships with the wider community and our contribution to the cultural life One of the great success stories featured in of our city are just as important. That is why in this this year’s publication is our pioneering Carbon latest edition of the Annual Review we focus on the Capture and Storage (CCS) MSc run by the School record number of new companies we have formed of GeoSciences in conjunction with the Business in our 40th year of commercialisation and also take School. This is a case study in understanding the a look at the part we play in making the Scottish Professor Sir Timothy O’Shea BSc, PhD, FRSE requirements of prospective students and helping capital such a vibrant and creative place in which to produce graduates who are in turn equipped to live and work. to make vital contributions to the global efforts to address climate change. Finally, I would like to mention Professor Robert Edwards, Edinburgh graduate, IVF pioneer and the Elsewhere in the this publication, you can read most recent winner of the Nobel Prize in Physiology about the research findings that could lead to the or Medicine. Professor Edwards began research development of new treatments for breast cancer into IVF when he was a student at the University’s and, also in the field of medicine, we feature our Institute of Animal Genetics – now integrated new imaging centre that will deliver improved into the School of Biological Sciences. He became treatment and diagnosis for diseases ranging from fascinated with the reproduction of mice and other heart disease to schizophrenia. animals – laying the foundations for his future work on IVF. He completed his PhD at Edinburgh in 1955. Other colleagues featured as they push back the boundaries are volcanologist Thor Thordarson Of his time here, he is quoted as saying: “Edinburgh – who is helping us to develop a better is where it all started – everything was in my head, understanding of natural hazards like volcanoes but not on paper, by the time I left.” – and the team behind the Skoog, a wonderful creation which is bringing music to children who His comments are testament to the creative are unable to use traditional instruments. crucible that is our university and an inspirational example to today’s staff and students who are As a University, we are proud to be Scottish, making it their goal to change people’s lives for proud to be British and above all proud to be the better. international. Historically we have always been able to attract some of the most gifted students and staff from around the world. Annual Review 2009/2010 Edinburgh masters carbon: finding solutions to environmental challenges developing a track record and here in this Scottish Dr Reay admits that launching a specialised CCS group we’ve deliberately created lots of programme during a global financial crisis did not contacts with industry – the power industry, the come without risk, however any concerns he may engineering industry and the oil industry – which have had about graduate employment have been not only acts as a badge of respectability but also proven unfounded. enables us to offer the degree to a wider range of students through bursaries,” he says. Alumni maintain close links with the University and many have gone on to form their own companies. Access to industry also provides formidable job Hannah Findlay, a graduate of the Carbon opportunities, maintains MSc student Philip Management MSc, now operates her own London- Cherukara, who came to Edinburgh from India to based business, which converts waste into energy undertake the programme. “I want to return to through anaerobic digestion. Of her success, India eventually but I do not envisage employment Dr Reay says: “Hannah regularly returns to being hard to find anywhere,” he says. “Networking Edinburgh to teach and is able to talk to the opportunities abound within this course, with students about the reality of creating a £5 million contacts in Europe, the US, Australia, China and business, how to get investment, the politics Canada.” involved and how to work with the system.” Dr David Reay Fellow student, Ben Robbins, was drawn to the MSc Fellow alumnus Kevin Houston broke from a for other reasons: “I knew that this department was 30-year management career to complete the The first cohort of the University of full of world-renowned researchers, all leaders in Carbon Management MSc. He now runs his own Edinburgh’s groundbreaking Carbon their fields, but more importantly, this is the first consultancy company, advising businesses on Capture and Storage (CCS) MSc celebrated ever masters in CCS, in one of the most prestigious reducing their carbon emissions to meet ongoing its graduation in 2009.