THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH AUTUMN 2009 bulletinTHE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE Access to aspiration Opening up opportunities to under- represented young people. – page 6 Broadening Bookmarking Sailing into a Competitions horizons the future moral storm? and noticeboard Our Careers Service Exploring the University’s The pros and cons of Win a meal for two at Hotel expands hopes for Main Library, past to carbon emissions trading du Vin or find a new place to graduate recruitment – p10 present – p12 are thrashed out – p14 live – page 22/23 welcome... bulletin editorial PUBLICATION DETAILS he role of supporting students is embedded into many of Published by: Communications and our jobs here at the University, and this edition of bulletin Marketing, the University of Edinburgh Thighlights two key services that do that to excellent standards. CONTACT US bulletin The valuable work of our award-winning careers service is Communications and Marketing highlighted on pages 10–11. Newly appointed Director Shelagh The University of Edinburgh C Floor, Forrest Hill Building Green talks about the challenges in helping students prepare for Forrest Hill graduate careers during a recession. Edinburgh, EH1 2QL E: [email protected] At the other end of the student journey, we profile a widening T: +44 (0)131 651 4325 participation project on pages 6–8. The University’s innovative Pathways to the Professions scheme helps support local The University of Edinburgh is mindful of the environmental impact of producing this secondary school pupils develop and build on aspirations to magazine and seeks to minimise resources follow professional careers. wherever possible. This magazine has been printed on Revive Uncoated stock, Take some time out to enter our competition on page 22. You which contains 80 per cent post-consumer waste and 20 per cent mill broke and has could win a meal for two at new Edinburgh bistro, Hotel du Vin been sourced from a mill that is certified to by trying our Spot the Difference or Word Search puzzles. the environmental management system ISO14001. SUBMISSION DETAILS If you would like to submit an idea for an article, or tell us about some news or an event you wish to promote, please contact us at the email address above in advance of the next deadline. The spring edition of bulletin will be published in April, and the deadline for submissions is 15 January. I think. Therefore I du Vin. To keep up to date with news online, visit our new Staff Bulletin service at www.ed.ac.uk/news/staff-bulletin. Autumn TWO COURSES, A BOTTLE OF HOUSE 2000 & wine. WINE & COFFEE FOR TWO. 11 Bristo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 1EZ NOW To book telephone 0131 247 4900 [email protected] £ * Please see website for full terms and conditions. 39 2. THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2009 news... bulletin Research breaks revenue records he University has this year earned record levels of investment in its pioneering Twork. New figures show that the University was 1,064 awarded £249 million to fund its research in 2008/09, 17 per cent more than the awards invested in the £212 million received in 2007/08. University’s research in The investment – won in competition with other universities and research centres – 2008/09 supports work across a range of disciplines, including medicine, veterinary medicine, science, engineering and the humanities. 89 The awards are made from a variety of sources, including government, industry, patents granted to protect commerce and charities. Of the 1,064 awards, new inventions by 41 were for more than £1 million. Sponsors from Scotland awarded 172 contracts, totalling University research staff £24.2 million. from £3.6 million in 2007/08. Of that figure, Among the most significant research awards £1.7 million came from 143 contracts with made are £4 million from the Engineering and Scottish organisations. Physical Sciences Research Council for 26 research into high-performance computing, Derek Waddell, CEO of the University’s new companies formed by and £3 million from the Medical Research research and commercialisation office, ERI, Council to establish a gene sequencing facility. said: “These record figures are testament to the University’s staff and the strength and depth of the University’s The University also filed a record 89 patents to students research excellence. We are clearly protect new inventions by research staff, and maintaining our position as one of the leading 38 licence agreements to allow commercial research universities in the United Kingdom. use of technologies developed on campus. “Our excellent commercialisation figures, Staff and students created a total of 26 new 41 especially those for new company formations, companies, the highest number formed in one are particularly pleasing. They demonstrate the research awards granted year by a Scottish university. vital role we are playing in fostering growth in to the University for more And despite the difficult economic climate, the the nation’s economy as we transfer academic University also increased its income from knowledge, skills, expertise and intellectual than £1 million consultancy work to a record £4.5 million, up property into the wider community.” University ranked in global top 20 he University has been listed as one of player in the new global knowledge economy.” the top 20 universities in the world by American universities dominate the top 20, Tthe Times Higher Eduation – QS World with Harvard University retaining the top spot. Rankings 2009. Four other UK universities made the top 20. The global league, now in its sixth year, placed Edinburgh 20th, three places higher than last The University of Cambridge, University year’s position. College London, Imperial College London and the University of Oxford were ranked second, The University’s Principal, Professor Sir fourth, and joint fifth respectively. Timothy O’Shea, said: “This is recognition not only of the University’s performance, but also Scotland’s three other ancient universities, the of the high standard of teaching and research Universities of St Andrews, Glasgow and that characterises Scottish higher education, Aberdeen, were also included in the and helps position Scotland as a leading 200-strong league. AUTUMN 2009 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH STAFF MAGAZINE 3. news... Pandemic flu update Awards for academic innovators ollowing summer outbreaks of the our staff members were named as Pandemic Flu strain H1N1, also Chancellor’s Award winners at this Fknown as swine flu, the University Fyear’s Chancellor’s Dinner. has prepared a series of contingency The Chancellor, HRH Prince Philip, Duke of plans, policies and procedures should a Douglas Robertson Edinburgh, presented Professors Harry second wave of the illness occur. Campbell and Malcolm Dunlop with the These preparations have been developed Research Award and Dr John Lee with the by the University’s Pandemic Flu Executive Teaching Award at the event. Dr Giles Group, which has been monitoring and Hardingham was the recipient of the Rising responding to swine flu developments Star Award. throughout the summer. The Awards, now in their fifth year, are Staff are advised to follow general advice presented in recognition of innovation, provided by the Scottish Government, the relevance, creativity and personal dedication. Dr John Lee receives his Health Protection Agency, the World award from the Chancellor Professors Campbell and Dunlop of the Health Organisation and the Foreign School of Molecular & Clinical Medicine were Commonwealth Office. jointly awarded for their research into genetic to teaching. Dr Lee has led the development For more information on the background susceptibility to colorectal cancer. The impact of a system known as ‘YouTute’, a new to the pandemic, guidance on avoiding of their research will be reflected in screening, learning resource that makes video recordings colds and flu, and related health and disease prevention, disease stratification and of tutorial discussions available to students. safety or human resources issues visit: personalised treatment. Dr Giles Hardingham of the School of www.ed.ac.uk/staff-students/staff/ Dr John Lee, who works within the Schools of Biomedical Sciences was honoured for his pandemic-flu. Informatics and Arts, Culture and Environment, research achievements and potential. For a was recognised for his innovative contribution profile of Dr Hardingham, turn to p20. University joins national carbon cutting initiative Women’s Day lecture he University has signed up to a nationwide drive to cut carbon emissions series launches Tby 10 per cent by 2010. Tuffy Peter he University is launching a new Joining a wide range of organisations from lecture series to commemorate around the UK, the University has committed TInternational Women’s Day. to the 10:10 initiative launched in September. The lecture will take place annually on Signing up to 10:10 is just one element of the 8 March. Well-known women who lead in University’s efforts to advance social their field will be invited to deliver a talk on responsibility and sustainability. an issue related to gender equality. The University’s Sustainability and Harriet Lamb CBE, Executive Director of the Environmental Advisory Group has embarked Fairtrade Foundation, has been announced on drafting a Social Responsibility and as the speaker for the first lecture for 2010. Sustainability Strategy outlining plans in this The event will be chaired by journalist and area up until 2020. University alumna Sheena MacDonald. The Group is convened by Vice-Principal for Lamb, the published author of Fighting the Research Training and Community Relations, Banana Wars and Other Fairtrade Battles Professor Mary Bownes who will also be (Rider 2008), has been at the head of the taking a lead in the University’s role in 10:10. Fairtrade Foundation since 2001. She says: “We have invested heavily in energy Prior to that she led the campaigning work efficiency projects, and will continue to do so; of the World Development Movement and but our most valuable resource – our staff campaigned for a minimum wage in Britain.