Principals Welcome

Over this last year, we have relished the opportunity to celebrate and reflect on Queen Margaret University’s remarkable 150-year journey. This edition of QMYOU celebrates a theme that has guided us from our earliest days: Acting with Head, Heart and Hand. Long before we became the modern university we are today, this simple motto captured the spirit of our institution – a commitment to intellectual rigour, compassion for others, and purposeful action.

The stories within these pages show just how deeply this triad is woven into our identity and continues to influence our institution today. You will read about how our recent honorary graduates – actor Ashley Jensen, arts leader Shona McCarthy, forensic scientist Carol Rogers and food entrepreneur Lucinda Bruce-Gardyne – as well as our alumni, students, and partners, embody these QMU values through creative achievement, pioneering research and knowledge exchange work, community engagement or personal resilience.

Head is present in our commitment to critical thinking, innovation and academic excellence – from our physiotherapy research teams creating digital healthcare solutions (p12&13), to educators empowering the next generation of business leaders (p22), to the scientific insights helping us better understand nutrition (p14), hearing health (p15) and child development (p18).

Heart shines through in stories of empathy, humanity and social responsibility. It can be found in the work of our new Chancellor, Patrick Grant, whose values align closely with our own (p5); in international alumni shaping culture and community across the world; and in MD Rezaur Rahman’s inspiring efforts to build bridges across Scotland’s communities (p28). 

And Hand is at the forefront in our applied learning and real-world impact – whether that’s acting and healthcare students collaborating in role play (p19), researchers co-designing life-changing footwear with people with foot-drop (p11), or our entrepreneurs turning ideas into ventures that strengthen local and global communities (p22&23).

This edition of QMYOU also offers a final look back at a memorable anniversary year (8&9), including the unveiling of a new public artwork, the premiere of a play telling QMU’s story, and the many events that brought our community together in celebration of our past, present and future.

Across every page, you will see how our old motto of Head, Heart and Hand still reflects our approach to teaching, research and partnership, whilst also shaping the people who pass through our university.

I hope you enjoy this edition of QMYOU, and that you feel inspired by the exceptional individuals and initiatives that reflect the very best of our university. Please continue to stay connected with QMU’s work as we continue our exciting journey.   

With best wishes

Sir Paul Grice, FRSE, FAcSS