Dialogue Project

QMU’s dialogue project is run by Emma Wood and Magda Pieczka as a series of dialogue forums for senior professional practitioners and focus groups to share insights into the use of dialogue in communications practice. They are also running dialogue groups with teenagers to identify peer learning strategies to help young people learn about appropriate ways in which to navigate alcohol.

Emma has also run training courses for a wide variety of organisations including the NHS and the Scottish Government. Topics range from corporate identity management to raising awareness of strengths and weaknesses of internal communication and communication culture. Most recently she has designed and run a bespoke course on PR Strategy for the Scottish Government’s communications team with colleague Ann Turner.

To find out more, click here.

"Where Do You Come From?"

A National Museums, Scotland film and exhibition project this was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund Young Roots programme in 2004-2005. The QMU team supported training, production and post-production of short films and exhibitions by 12 young people from different backgrounds, who created documentary film and exhibition material exploring questions of identity, family roots and Scottish heritage. The material was subsequently put on public display in the Royal Museum of Scotland and also featured on their website. Click here to see the result.

"Secret Life of The Museum"

Another National Museums, Scotland film project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund Young Roots programme, 2005-2006; working with young people, the QMU team supported training, production and post-production of a short, imaginative film exploring the artefacts of the Royal Museum of Scotland, and subsequently given a public screening at the Museum as well as being placed on their website. Click here to see the result

Alcohol Interactive

This project has emerged from an approach by QMU staff associated with the Alcohol Research Evidence Group based at the University. Aims of this group include to gain knowledge around current drinking levels within Scotland, UK health guidelines and, in particular, factors impacting on a young person’s drinking .

From these discussions the Alcohol Interactive Workshop has been developed leading to a pilot work and a research proposal. QMU staff members are supporting revision and delivery of the workshop (Irvine Allan), development of the evaluation tools (Fiona O’May, Karen Goodall), and data analysis (Fiona O’May, Jan Gill).

Alcohol Interactive explores the impact of drama as a medium in delivering responsible attitudes to alcohol consumption by gathering feedback from Primary 7 pupils from six schools (around 250 individuals) via self-completed short questionnaires administered immediately following the workshops. Additionally, class teachers have been invited to attend a focus group.

The project was originally established by two Drama and Theatre Arts graduates, Kimberley Bale and Kirsty Hunt, during the 2009/2010 academic year with the purpose of providing Primary Seven pupils in East Lothian with an opportunity to explore issues of peer pressure and underage drinking. This has been achieved through drama workshops, which made use of role play and discussion, in conjunction with factual information, to allow pupils to explore their understanding and options.

Scottish Arts Council Media Access Project

Working in conjunction with the Edinburgh community based Pilton Video, Graham Drysdale and Walid Salhab delivered a screen training programme for new writers and directors in Edinburgh’s area of regeneration. Over 80 participants were involved in the programme; 16 short films were produced and the results screened at national film festivals; two of the resulting films won awards, including the 2005 Jim Poole Award for Best Scottish Short Film.

Web 2.0 Application in an Archival Context

Funded by an AHRC Knowledge Catalyst Transfer Grant, 2008-2009. Working with the National Library of Scotland, David Finkelstein and Walid Salhab are broadening online access to NLS collections through the use of Web 2.0 technologies, creating media outputs based on the John Murray Archive, interpreting the collection through short video material, and providing sustainability by embedding visual literacy skills within the NLS working environment. For further information, click here.

East Lothian Tourism Website Streaming Video and Exhibition Show Reel

Richard Butt, Mark Gilham and Walid Salhab were commissioned by East Lothian Council to produce streaming video content in 2009 for their tourism website and an Exhibition Show Reel, incorporating a Homecoming East Lothian Legacy Theme, for use at international tourism exhibitions.