DIGEST OF ACTIVITIES 2009

VIP VISITS

First Minister, Council of Economic Advisors and Minister for Education

Digest of Activities 200Queen Margaret University - QMU

Minister for Transport

The Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change, Stewart Stevenson MSP, visited QMU in July. Mr Stevenson was joined on the tour by Alan Blackie and David Berry of East Lothian Council.

Ministry of Health in Malawi

In November, QMU hosted a visit from Sylvester Katumba of the Ministry of Health in Malawi who spoke at a special briefing event on Community Therapeutic Care organised by Concern Worldwide (UK) with the Institute for International Health and Development at QMU. The event was attended by students of the Institute, healthcare professionals, volunteers and those with an interest in strengthening a social approach to emergency nutrition and sustainability.

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Education

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Education met with senior management in November .

American National Football League events’ organiser

In October, Dr Frank Supovitz, Senior Vice President for Events for the National Football League (NFL), gave his only talk in the UK at QMU, following the NFL annual game at Wembley Stadium. The event gave industry professionals and events management students the opportunity to learn from one of the most honoured professionals in the events’ industry.

Walt Disney Cruise Line leader

Nick Rago, the former Director of Walt Disney Company Cruise Lines and Vice President of one of the world’s largest companies gave a public lecture at QMU in March. Nick, who has also held sever senior management positions including Director of Marketing at the Campbell Soup Company, shared his business ideas on how companies can create new opportunities during a global recession.

Dr Arun Gandhi

The grandson of Mahatma Gandhi addressed an audience of staff and students in October when he discussed his famous grandfather's philosophy of non-violence during a talk titled ‘Be the change’.

EVENTS

INTERNAL

Principal’s Showcase

In order to mark the retirement of Professor Anthony Cohen, QMU held a Showcase event

which allowed staff to showcase their work and share information with colleagues across the institution. The event also attracted a wide selection of public and private sector representatives all keen to learn more about QMU’s work and its impact on society.

Research Conference

2009 saw QMU hold its very first research conference. The event allowed staff to raise awareness of their research work across the university. The event was extremely well attended and the enthusiasm shown by staff has ensured that the research conference is now an annual event.

Inauguration of new principal

Following the retirement of Professor Anthony Cohen, Dr Petra Wend took up her position as Principal and Vice Chancellor of QMU in September. In November Dr Wend delivered her inaugural speech at a special ceremony to mark her installation as Principal of QMU. In her address she set out her vision for the future sustainability and direction of QMU under her ‘Four I’s’ strategy which focuses activity around key themes – inter-professional, inter-disciplinary, industry relevant and international. The graduation and reception event provided the opportunity for QMU to strengthen relations with existing and potential partners.

Re-Organisation for Sustainability

Following the arrival of the new Principal, the university launched the Re-Organisation for Sustainability project to make the University’s new vision a reality - over 100 staff signed up to participate in the seven project groups.

 Launch of Pulse international communications group

The Pulse internal communications group was launched in November to enhance informal internal communication within QMU.

 QMU Learning and Teaching Conference

QMU’s first Learning and Teaching Conference was held in November.

Launch of the ‘Inside Track on …

This series of internal communications events was launched to order to encourage mutual understanding across the university.

EVENTS TO ATTRACT EXTERNAL AUDIENCES

Homecoming Events:

QMU embraced Homecoming by first hosting a photography exhibition which focussed on architecture in East Lothian. The exhibition ran for three months during the summer and attracting people from all over Scotland as well as visitors from Italy and the USA. Staff and students also volunteered to assist at The Gathering 2009 and the following day, QMU hosted the Leadership Conference which attracted a wide variety of American business leaders as well as MSPs and other Scottish business people.

The conclusion to Homecoming was a spectacular Homecoming dinner and ceilidh on the 28th November which was a sell out. Just before the dinner, guests, local residents, children and staff also took part in an impressive range of free workshops including whisky tasting, cookery demonstrations and drama performances.

Open Days – Doors Open Day, Undergraduate and Postgraduate Open Days. For the first time the undergraduate open days ran on two separate days in September and October with one taking place on a Saturday. The event attracted approximately 1200 visitors from all over the UK. Postgraduate Open Evenings were also held and, for the first time, QMU took part in Edinburgh Doors’ Open Day which attracted people from the local area as well as people from further afield with an interest in architecture and design.

Professorial Lectures

Several professorial lectures attracted a public audience as well as peer groups. These included Eddie Frizzell, the former Head of the Scottish Executive’s Enterprise Transport and Lifelong Learning Department, who have a lecture on Scottish public services. Eddie Frizzell is a Visiting Professor in Public Service Management at QMU. Jim Scobbie, the QMU academic behind the research into the changing Scottish accent, also gave a professorial lecture at the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

QM Conversations with Joyce McMillan

In order to boost the profile of the School of Drama, the distinguished theatre critic, Joyce McMillan, held a series open public interviews with prominent figures from the world of theatre and screen. Joyce, who is a visiting professor at QMU, interviewed the producer, David MacLennan; actor and director, David Hayman; actor Bill Paterson, Artistic Director of the National Theatre of Scotland, Vicky Featherstone; and Holywood actor, Brian Cox. The series attracted substantial audiences from the creative industries, general public, local community, students and staff.

In relation to the School of Drama and Creative Industries, much work has been done jointly with Edinburgh Napier on the development of a joint BA/BA (Hons) Acting for Stage and Screen programme to be delivered through the SFC-funded Scottish Drama Training Network.

SUSTAINABILITY

Awards:

Over the year QMU has been recognised by several environmental organisations for its contribution to sustainability. QMU picked up a Green Gown Award for ICT which recognises the growing environmental importance of computer technology within FE and HE, and also came highly commended in a second award category for sustainable construction. The Green Gown Awards recognise the exceptional initiatives being undertaken by universities and colleges across the UK to become more sustainable.

QMU gained international recognition of its environmentally sustainable new campus when it was presented with a silver award in the International Green Apple Award 2009 for the built environment.

The University’s Re:Use Project, which enables new students coming into halls of residence to reuse household items collected from previous student residents, thus diverting nearly 18 tonnes of serviceable household items from landfill, was recognised by the Scottish Waste and Resources Consortium. The Re:use Project won industry recognition for the best initiative by an organisation outside the waste management industry.

QMU’s thin-client project was also shortlisted for the e-Government National Awards 2009, under the category of Green ICT.

Climate change commitment

QMU signed up the Universities and Colleges Climate Change Commitment (UCOC) which ties the University to a five year measurable environmental action plan.

First green fashion show

QMU’s first ever green fashion show was organised by event management students and supported by a wide variety of staff. The event highlighted QMU’s commitment to sustainability and went on to win the Best Small Event in the Scottish Event Awards.

Honorary graduates

In a unique graduate ceremony held in June, the American couple, Diane and Bruce Halle, received honorary degrees in recognition of their philanthropic deeds. QMU paid tribute to the entrepreneurial couple who made their fortune in the wheel and tyre businesses. In recognition of a generous donation to QMU, the university officially named the 250 seat lecture theatre after Mr and Mrs Halle.

In July, QMU also honoured the international renowned painter, John Bellany; Director of the Edinburgh International Festival, Jonathan Mills; campaigner for victims of the Bhopal industrial disaster, Satinath Sarangi; education and education research expert, Professor Sally Brown OBE; and the CEO of the world's oldest international network of serviced office facilities, Alan Bain.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COURSES

First Festivals Study Tour

A unique partnership between QMU and St Edward’s University, in Austin, Texas created the first festivals’ study tour for undergraduate students. QMU event specialists joined forces with theatre professionals form the American university to develop the International Festivals’ Experience Study Tour. The new venture brought American business and theatre students to Edinburgh in the summer to experience the city’s rich theatre culture.

Professional practice course launches in Singapore

QMU extended its profile and influence within the Singapore healthcare profession through the development of the first face-to-face nursing top-up degree. QMU nursing specialists have been working alongside the university’s partner institution in Singapore, East Asia Institute of Management, to assist qualified nurses in Singapore to top up their diploma to a degree.

Developing programmes in Egypt

With our partners, Ain Shams University in Cairo, QMU has been in discussion with the Ministry of Higher Education in Egypt about developing MSc and PhD programmes in Nursing in Egypt.

INVOLVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

East Lothian Anthem competition

QMU added its backing to an initiative led by Haddington Pipe Band to find a new East Lothian anthem. The University part sponsored the event, with its musician in residence, Rob MacKillop, joining the judging panel. The panel selected the winner at a public event heralded as East Lothian’s own Pipe Idol, in Haddington in March. .

Opportunities to visit and take part in QMU events

In 2009, QMU presented more opportunities that ever before for the local community to take part in QMU events and find out more about the institution. Many attended events including Doors’ Open Day; the undergraduate Open Days; Postgraduate Open Evenings; The Professorial Lectures; Homecoming photography exhibition, workshops and Finale; primary school visits, drama performances, The Halle’s graduation ceremony, QMU’s sponsored Edinburgh Lecture on the Giant Panda (part of the Edinburgh Lecture Series); QMU Conversations series and other VIP talks.

World’s first meeting and events lab

In December, a major donation from MeetingMatrix International, the most advanced technology solutions company in the global events industry, provided the opportunity to create a PhD studentship to develop the world’s first meeting and event technology lab.

Chief Scientist Office Funding for Research on Obesity and Intellectual Disabilities

Professor Marie Reid has been awarded £50,000 from the Chief Scientist Office to carry out research on obesity and intellectual disabilities. The project investigates the perspectives of people with intellectual disabilities and their carers and will explore understandings of (un)healthy eating and activity and experiences of choosing and preparing food and activity. Recommendations for successful nutritional and activity strategies will be made based on the results of the research.

Researcher Visit to Downing Street

Dr Robin Lickley, Reader in Speech and Hearing Sciences was invited to a charity reception hosted by Sarah Brown in honour of the British Stammering Association (BSA). Dr Lickley has a long association with the BSA through his research on stammering and this invite is recognition of his work and contribution to the condition.

Success with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

Audiology researchers, Pauline Campbell and Chris de Placido, were awarded £56,000 of research funding from the EPSRC  for the project ‘MultiMemoHome: multi-modal reminders within the home’. This collaborative project with the University of Glasgow and the University of Edinburgh aims for results that can be applied to a wide range of uni-and multi-modal systems and that can be translated into a wider range of products and services.

Play@Home Scheme

Researchers in Physiotherapy and CIHR were awarded £150,000 by NHS Health Scotland to conduct a research evaluation of the impact of an Early Years intervention project which encourages parents to play and interact more with their pre-school aged children. This impact assessment is designed to assess the effectiveness of the scheme in promoting physical activity, motor fitness development and school readiness among pre-school aged children. It will also monitor the effect of the scheme on parent-child interaction.

Bhopal Survivors Speak

Research led by Dr Eurig Scandrett, Media, Communication and Sociology resulted in the publication of Bhopal Survivors Speak (published by Word Power Books) in which survivors, many of whom are not literate, are given the opportunity to tell their stories in print through the translation of interviews. In addition to interviews with over 20 survivors and children of survivors, Bhopal Survivors Speak includes essays from supporters who have lived and worked with the Bhopalis since 1984.

FitVoice

Researchers in Speech and Hearing Sciences have developed a new technique to monitor vocal chords and detect when voices are under strain. This development has implications for a third of the workforce who rely on their voices for their jobs such as teachers and call centre workers. Dr Felix Schaeffler, Dr Janet Beck and Professor Bill Hardcastle have devised new software that can be used on the Apple iPhone  and iPod Touch allowing workers to record their voices and submit them for analysis by experts. The experts can then provide feedback and advice on what can be done to limit future damage. A trial service of the new technology will be offered to teachers next year.

Innovative Aphasia Research Project

Dr Helen Kelly, Speech and Hearing Sciences and Professor James Law, in collaboration with Edinburgh Speakability, secured funding from The Long Term Conditions Alliance Scotland to carry out the project ‘Using Computers to Enhance the Lives of those with Aphasia’ which aims to develop a programme to support people living with aphasia to learn how to use computers and technology to increase their social networks.

DNBS receive external funding for two PhD Studentships

Dr Jane McKenzie and Dr Elaine Bannerman have both been successful in securing charitable funding for PhD Studentships. One will support research into nutrition and childhood leukemia while the other supports research on e-reporting of coeliac disease and patient follow-up in Scotland. Both projects will be carried out in collaboration with consultants from the Royal Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Edinburgh.

Alcohol Evidence and Research Group Theatre Production ‘Acceptance’

The Alcohol Evidence and Research Group at QMU hosted a very successful theatre production exploring the impact and consequences of alcohol abuse. The play was followed by a lively and challenging panel debate with participation from Kenny MacAskill, MSP. The event attracted a broad audience that included health professionals, school teachers, community groups, students, academics and the wider public. 

 Acclaimed international research scholar Professor Jonathan Chick,  Consultant Psychiatrist, Royal Edinburgh Hospital has accepted an honorary post at QMU and will join Dr Jan Gill, Lead of the QMU Alcohol Research Project in driving forward our research in this area.  The Alcohol Evidence and Research Group have been funded to undertake research into the impact of the Scottish Government's minimum pricing legislation .

Homeless World Cup

Earlier this year QMU was awarded funding  to develop a monitoring and evaluation framework for the Homeless World Cup Foundation and one of its partner projects, an innovative social enterprise "Street Soccer Scotland".  The funding was used to develop a framework to evaluate the success of social enterprises in tackling social exclusion through sport and exercise.

Dialogue Project

Oliver Escobar, researcher in Media, Communication and Sociology, was awarded an Edinburgh Beltane Fellowship earlier this year to develop training in collaborative communication for practitioners from diverse disciplines and was recently selected to represent the Beltane Partnership in the EU Research and Development Seminar in Brussels.

Funding from the Breast Cancer Institute

Physiotherapy and Radiography researchers, Dr Chee Wee Tan, Dr Fiona Coutts, Christine Blyth and Dr Cathy Bulley have secured £30,000 of research funding from the Breast Cancer Institute to explore the validation of a multi-faceted screening tool for identifying perceived changes in pain, fatigue arm swelling and function after breast cancer treatment.

Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Collaborative Studentship Awards

The AHRC have awarded two collaborative PhD studentships to a research partnership linking the University of Edinburgh, QMU and the National Library of Scotland (NLS). The studentships will utilise the NLS archive of cartographic publishers, John Bartholomew and Son Ltd. The students will be co-supervised by Professor David Finkelstein, Media, Communication and Sociology.

4 th International Consumer Sciences Research Conference held at QMU.

The 4 th International Consumer Sciences Research Conference, Consumer Voice and Representation, was organised by the Consumer Insight Group and held at QMU earlier in 2009. The conference brought together international experts in relevant aspects of consumer and business research and raised the profile of both the group and the institution at an international level.

Successful Tender from NHS Education for Scotland

Martina Balaam and colleagues from Nursing were successful in a £35,000 NHS Education for Scotland tender to undertake an evaluation study of the planning and delivery of education for senior healthcare support workers and assistant practitioners for children and young people’s health.

PhD Studentship Funding from MeetingMatrix International

Professor Joe Goldblatt, International Centre for the Study of Planned Events was successful in securing funds from MeetingMatrix International, the largest provider of software in the meetings and events field for a 3 year PhD studentship. As part of the studentship the International Centre for the Study of Planned Events will create the world’s first Meeting and Event Technology Laboratory to test new software and will contribute to its further development.

ACHIEVE (Active in Children’s Health: Integrating Evidence , Valuing Experience)

NHS Quality Improvement Scotland appointed QMU and the University of Stirling to evaluate current service delivery for children with ADHD and DCD and to facilitate the implementation of a preferred service pathway using an action research approach. Professor Kirsty Forsyth and Dr Donald McIver make up the QMU supervising team.

Professor Appointed to the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Prioritisation Panel

Professor David Finkelstein, Media Communication and Sociology has been appointed to the AHRC Prioritisation Panel, the overarching body  responsible for final assessment and recommendations of grant awards distribution. He has also been reappointed as a member of the AHRC Peer Review College from 2009-2014.

MS Society Funding for Physiotherapy

Dr Marietta van der Linden, Professor Tom Mercer and Dr Cathy Bulley were awarded £38,000 of funding by the MS Society to assess the impacts of core stability exercise on posture, pain, function and quality of life in wheelchair users with multiple sclerosis.

QMU awarded Scottish Government Funding to lead the sector in Social Enterprise

The Scottish Government has appointed  and funded QMU as the lead in a sector wide initiative to promote social enterprise.  Social Enterprise is a key driver in the Government's Economic Recovery Strategy and QMU is leading the sector in its research into  good practice and the promotion of a mixed economy in the delivery of public services in Scotland.  Our work draws on our work with community theatre groups, food co-operatives, breakfast clubs in schools , tourism and innovative business models for tackling social exclusion.

Research into functional food attracts Olympic interest

Researchers in Dietetics, Nutrition and Biological Sciences have had continued success in attracting industry funding for their research into functional and rehabilitation foods.  Attracting a range of industry funding from POMM Wonderful Pomegranate Juice to look at antioxidants ; Wiseman Diaries for the development of a milk-based sports drink;  and Wicken foods for the development of a health product using cauliflower leaves. The profile of this research group and its interface with industry continues to develop.  Researchers have been invited by the  Olympics 2012 Organising Committee to discuss UK innovations in functional and health food.

January 2010