qm news - 71

The magazine for alumni and friends ofQueen Margaret University

ISSUE 71, JUNE 2010

QMU PLAYS KEY ROLE IN GLOBAL NETWORK TO SUPPORTPEOPLE CAUGHT UP IN DISASTERS

QMU STUDENTS PERFORM AT SHAKESPEARE’S GLOBE

COLLABORATIVE AGREEMENT WITH JEWEL & ESK COLLEGE

CONTENTS

08-09

03 News in brief

04 Bullying in the workplace

05 Social enterprise

06 Trafficking at gobal events

07 New masters programmes in social justice

08-09 QMU plays key role in establishing global network

10-11 New horizons for drama at QMU

12 Collaborative agreement with Jewel & Esk College

13 NHS staff win Consort Scholarships

14-15 Focus on food

16-17 QMU graduates in the food industry

18 Obesity research

19-20 Development news/scholarships

21 Development news/awards

22-23 The student experience

24-25 Alumni in the news/classnotes

26 Graduates’ Association newsletter

27 Events news

12

10-11

Note from the Principal

In my note introducing the last issue of QMNews, I outlined my vision for QMU.Underpinned by a commitment to relevancethis vision focuses round “4 ‘i’s” - inter-professional, inter-disciplinary, industry-relevance and international. In this issue,you’ll find a wealth of stories that illustratethe relevance of our work and show the “4i’s” in action.

You can read about how the work of ouracademics is contributing to the recoveryfrom the Haiti earthquake, and learn howour expertise is supporting the developmentof social enterprises. You will findfascinating details of research we areconducting on issues affecting societytoday including obesity, workplace bullyingand human trafficking.

Alumni and other friends of QMU are ahugely important part of the Universitycommunity and over the past few months, Ihave enjoyed many opportunities towelcome visitors to the campus and meetothers from across Scotland and beyond.Over this time, I have been struck by theimpact that our graduates make in theworld. Equally, I have been delighted by thewarm response that I have received fromfriends of the University. It is clear to methat many people - including policy-makers,politicians and community workers - sharemy view of the valuable contribution thatQMU can make to the challenges facingsociety today - from social mobility to socialenterprise, and from economic developmentto environmental sustainability.

As I move into my second year as Principal,I look forward to welcoming more visitors toQMU and working with my colleagues tocontinue to enhance the performance andreputation of the University for the benefit ofour current students, alumni, partners andthe wider community.

Thank you for your ongoing interest andsupport in the work of QMU.

Dr Petra Wend PhD, FRSA Principal and Vice-Chancellor

Edited, designed and produced by:Marketing and Communications OfficeQueen Margaret University, Edinburgh,EH21 6UU T: 0131 474 0000E: [email protected]

COVER PHOTOGRAPHBA (Hons) Costume Design andConstruction students created a stunningarray of costumes for a Ridotto - amasked ball, popular in the 18th Century.

Our cover shows Ariane Oiticica asColombina from the Commedia dell’Arte.

QMU SHORTLISTED IN THELEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENTAWARDS

QMU has been shortlisted in twocategories in the prestigious TimesHigher Education Leadership andManagement Awards 2010, to beannounced in London on June 17.

The University was selected as a finalistin the Outstanding ICT Team categoryfor its work in using technology tosupport staff, students and researchers,and as a major component of the newcampus development.

QMU was also shortlisted for an awardin the ICT Initiative of the Year categoryfor its smartcard project. The Smartcard- a multi-purpose card originallydeveloped to provide security andaccess control, cashless purchasing andvisual identification of staff and students- can now also be used for libraryborrowing, printing, parking and gymmembership.

The Smartcard project was also highly-commended in the Universities andColleges Information Systems

Association (UCISA) Awards for 2009 for the “high level of systems integrationachieved and improvement in businessprocesses”.

QMU Principal, Dr Petra Wend, said:“We are delighted that our ICT team hasachieved such recognition. It is welldeserved and demonstrates that ICT atQMU is focused on enhancing thestudent experience.”

QMU’s thin-client project was shortlistedfor the e-Government National Awards2009, under the category of Green ICT –the last stage of the UK’s primary publicsector technology awards.

Fraser Muir, Director of InformationServices, said: “With thin-client, usersdo not have hard drives at their desks.Instead, processing is performed oncentral servers and users have a low-power terminal. The technologyminimises heat generation, reducing theneed for ventilation. Consequently, thebuilding design requires minimal airconditioning and mechanical ventilation.”

CONVERT YOUR DEGREE TO ANEW MSC?

Perhaps you’re looking for a careerchange, need to top up yourqualification, or just fancy a newchallenge. If this is you, then this newQMU Masters may be the answer.

The new MSc in InternationalManagement and Leadership isdesigned primarily for those with a goodHonours Degree in a non-business ormanagement discipline, or applicantswith a degree who have someexperience behind them.

Designed to be a cutting-edgeconversion degree preparing you for amanagement and leadership career inan increasingly globalised andinterconnected world, this coursefocuses on contemporary, real-lifemanagement and leadership skills andchallenges, as well as current academicdebates and developments. It’s availableon a full-time or part-time basis.

For further information contact: Rune Todnem By E: [email protected] orRichard Bent E: [email protected]

NEWS IN BRIEF

QMU IS FIRST IN UK FOR OVERALL LIVING EXPERIENCE AND FIRST IN THE WORLD FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SUPPORT

QMU was ranked first in UK for OverallLiving Experience, and first in the worldfor International Office Student Supportin a sector wide survey of domestic andoverseas students. The StudentBarometer and International StudentBarometer surveyed undergraduate andpostgraduate students. It explored thestudents’ decision-making process intheir choice of where and what to study,and the quality of their experience beforeand after arrival at QMU.

A total of 834 of our domestic students(21%) participated in the StudentBarometer survey and 232 of ouroverseas students (45%) in theInternational Student Barometer.

The results showed that our EU andInternational Students ranked usNumber One in the UK out of the 55competing universities for overall livingexperience, and second overall out ofthe 123 institutions participating across13 countries in the same category. Thesurvey examined accommodation, thehost culture, opportunities for friendship,and work and eco-friendly attitude.

QMU’s International Office (Recruitment& International Liaison Office) wasranked first in the world within thestudent support category.

QMU International Officer, Louisa Stratton,(right) with QMU graduate Shubhada Karande(centre) now working in Mumbia (see p25) andAnnabelle Gibson (De Montford University).

The majority of young workers whoparticipated in an online survey into theeffects of abuse in the workplace,conducted recently by QMUresearchers, said they had sufferedabuse or violence on at least oneoccasion in the last year.

Overall, 65% of respondents reported atleast one incident of workplaceabuse/violence in the last twelvemonths. More than half - 59% ofrespondents - reported being sworn ator called unpleasant names; 43% saidthey had been verbally threatened; 5%reported being spat at; 8% said theyhad been physically assaulted; and 8%reported being physically assaulted withan object.

The research, commissioned by TheScottish Centre for Healthy WorkingLives and carried out by an academicteam led by Dr Chris McVittie, SeniorLecturer in Psychology, aimed to gainpractical insights into the experiences ofyoung workers aged 16 to 24.

It involved an online survey, discussionsand interviews with young workersemployed in the fast food industry,convenience stores and betting shopsthroughout Scotland.

Of the 349 Scottish workers whoresponded to the survey, the majority –82.5% - were women. Most (58%) wereaged between 19 and 21, and the vastmajority (92%) were of white ethnicity.

Workers in all sectors reportedworkplace abuse. However, employeesin retail/convenience store settings werethe most frequently-targeted group, with

PAGE 04

workers in pubs, restaurants, fast-foodoutlets, and cafes the second mostfrequent reporters of abuse.

Analysis of the findings showed no clearlink between the frequency of differentforms of abuse, and age, gender,ethnicity, or geographic setting.However, there were significantrelationships between sectors ofemployment and the forms of abuseexperienced.

Individuals working in call centres ordirect marketing were significantly morelikely than those in other sectors to havebeen threatened verbally. Those in publicsector jobs were significantly more likelythan other workers to have been spat at,or to have experienced physical violencewith or without a weapon.

One of the more worrying conclusions ofthis research was that while instances ofworkplace abuse and violence, and inparticular verbal abuse and threats, werecommonly reported by respondents,many of the instances described hadnot been reported to employers or toothers.

Dr McVittie said that the findings wereconsistent with previous work whichsuggested workplace abuse frequentlygoes unreported.

He also expressed concerns relating tosector specific risks - relating to callcentres/marketing and to public sectorjobs – which have not previously beenidentified and require particular attention.

Dr McVittie said that it was importantthat such abuse was not normalised.

He said: “There is a need to challengethe perceptions of young workers sothat they do not view abuse or violenceas a normal part of their working lives.”

The research concluded that TheScottish Centre for Healthy WorkingLives and other agencies could do moreto increase awareness of abuse andviolence and to promote good practiceamong employers.

Dr McVittie said: “Employers need tomake more explicit to their employees that incidents of abuse or violence arenot to be tolerated. They should providespecific training in how to deal with suchincidents and ensure that appropriatesupport mechanisms are in place.

“There is also a need for the generalpublic to recognise that certain forms ofbehaviour are unacceptable in theirinteractions with young workers and toaddress these. Workplace abuse andviolence is a problem that requires to betackled on all these fronts,” he added.

The majority of respondents - 65% -reported an impact of workplace abuseon their health. However, only one thirdhad reported incidents of abuse.

QMU STUDY REVEALS EXTENT OF ABUSE IN

THE WORKPLACE

FEATURE

QMU STAFF’S WORK TOSUPPORT GRADUATE’S NEWSOCIAL ENTERPRISE

QMU graduate, Helen Crawford, hasembarked upon an innovative socialenterprise in Argyll. Soroba House Hotel,aims to deliver training in hospitality skillsto the long-term unemployed andpeople with disabilities.

Lecturer, Bernie Quinn of QMU’s Schoolof Business, Enterprise andManagement, has secured ScottishFunding Council Innovation funding towork with the business to generate newincome streams and enhance itssustainability.

The University is one of seven championinstitutions appointed by the ScottishGovernment to participate in a pilotproject to promote social enterprise infurther and higher education. It will hosta nation-wide knowledge exchangeevent this summer, to build awarenessof social enterprises and promoteparticipation in them by staff andstudents at universities across Scotland.

Social enterprise - business driven by asocial or environmental purpose – is agrowth area of activity which is makingan important social and economiccontribution in Scotland and across theworld. Well-known examples of socialenterprises include The Big Issue, andJamie Oliver’s restaurant Fifteen. SorobaHouse Hotel is one of a range ofprojects currently being taken forwardwithin QMU to build knowledge andawareness of social enterprise.

Other QMU projects include workingwith Street Soccer Scotland andPropoor Sports Ltd - which aims totackle social exclusion through sport - toestablish an evaluation framework tomeasure the positive impact of physicalactivity on individuals, communities andthe economy. QMU is also providingsustainable business planning advice to

The Centre of Health and Well-beingCompany which provides clients withhealth improvement programmes.

QMU researchers are collaborating withPaths for All to evaluate key factors insuccessful local walking schemes, andundergraduate students on QMU’sPublic Relations programmes have beentasked with a project to develop andimplement a promotion strategy to raiseawareness of social entrepreneurship asa career option for students.

Bernie Quinn explained how QMU wouldsupport emerging social entrepreneur,Helen Crawford, in developing herbusiness which aims to address theskills training gap for the tourismindustry in Oban.

He said: “Staff will work with SorobaHouse Hotel to identify short termcourses that can be offered to the foodand drink sector to fill existing skillsgaps. We will assist them in devising amarketing and PR strategy to promotethe resource to the local food, drink andtourism sectors, and work with them toassess the potential to developadditional spaces within the hotel togenerate new income streams.”

Fellow QMU Lecturer, Trevor Laffin, willbe assisting on the menu constructionand the use of local produce.

Helen Crawford said: “Soroba HouseHotel will offer training and accreditationin all aspects of hotel operations. It willalso provide a conference centre, fourone bedroom suites for residents, coffeebar and, in-time, full restaurant facilities.Earlier this year, the social enterprisewas one of three Argyll projects awardedfunding from the Scottish Government’sSocial Enterprise Fund.”

Helen’s parents ran a successful bedand breakfast. Long before sheembarked on an OND in InstitutionManagement in 1973 at the then QueenMargaret College, she wanted to be inthe hotel business.

Helen said: “I was lucky enough to betrained properly and now I want to passon that training while at the same timebringing it into the 21st century.”

She believes that by providing the youngunemployed and those with disabilitieswith training she can help them build afuture for themselves.

She said: “My hope is that we can bringthem in and train them in house-keeping, front-of-house, bar work andkitchen work. There is something foreveryone in the hotel industry.”

Helen graduated from QMU in 2007 witha BA in Consumer Studies (distinction).

RESEARCH

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

QMU graduate Helen Crawford outside her new Soroba House Hotel

NEW HUMAN RIGHTSRESEARCH EXPLORESPOSSIBLE LINKS BETWEENHUMAN TRAFFICKING ANDGLOBAL EVENTS

QMU academics are carrying outresearch investigating the link betweenhuman trafficking for the sex industryand global events.

Dr Rebecca Finkel and Dr CathyMatheson have been granted researchawards from QMU’s School of Business,Management and Enterprise, theInternational Centre for the Study ofPlanned Events and the Carnegie Trust.

In their research project, entitledOlympian Panic or Prevention? HumanTrafficking and Global Events, theacademics, both specialists in eventmanagement, are conducting apreliminary study investigating measureswhich are being implemented to preventhuman trafficking at events such as theOlympics.

The project explores the relationshipbetween human rights abuses, such ashuman trafficking and global events, andincludes a case study of the 2010Vancouver Winter Olympics usingqualitative methodology.

The research aims to examine thehuman trafficking situation in Vancouver.It will also analyse the new objectives inplace to respond to this humanitarianissue as it relates to global events.Finally, the researchers aim to developlessons learned which can inform globalmega event destinations to prepare,prevent and protect against humanrights abuses.

International NGO’s – such as the UN –frontline women’s agencies in Vancouver,and University of British Columbiaacademics have raised concernsregarding possible links between humantrafficking for the sex industry and global

sporting events. They have suggestedthat major sporting events and theconcomitant increase in visitors to hostcommunities, both prior and duringevents, could contribute to humantraffickers targeting such destinations.However, there is a lack of research todetermine whether this is the case.

Dr Finkel said: “In recent years, therehave been increasing reports of humanrights abuses in relation to global events.Some examples of these types of issuesare the displaced millions because of theBeijing Olympics, the health and safetyviolations affecting migrant labourers forthe Delhi Commonwealth Games, andthe concerns over trafficking andprostitution during the German WorldCup. Although most countries and citieswelcome global events because of theeconomic development, tourism, andimage promotion opportunities theyoffer, the outcomes for those at thelower levels of society are usually lessoptimistic and rewarding.”

Dr Finkel said that this under-researchedarea of events management wouldprovide an opportunity for ground-breaking studies into the more ethicallyquestionable dimensions of the world ofinternational celebrations.

Dr Matheson added: “Most research inthe field tends to analyse production orconsumption aspects of mega andhallmark events. This study will insteadfocus on one aspect pertaining to theinvisible service classes, who arepresent at global events but whose

contribution or plight is not widelyacknowledged by global eventstakeholders, such as policy makers,international media outlets, lawenforcement officials, internationalevents committees, event directors,event participants and audiences. Byanalysing a contemporary issuepertaining to vulnerable populations, thisresearch also has the potential to be animpetus for social and cultural change.”

The researchers have conductedinterviews with key stakeholdersincluding Vancouver Police Department,the Royal Canadian Mounted Police,academics from the University of BritishColumbia and Simon Fraser University,and frontline and ethnic minority supportagencies.

Dr Rebecca Finkel said: “The researchlooks at the preventative measures usedto address human trafficking in Canada,and the potential risks of traffickingdirectly associated with the 2010Vancouver Winter Olympics. Thefindings will be useful to other citieshosting major events, such as theLondon Olympic Games in 2012.”

She said: “The Olympic Games may notbe directly linked to human trafficking,but they can act as a catalyst to bringthese issues to the forefront of policydebates. Because the media spotlightshines on the host city, many humanrights groups can use this time as aplatform to highlight these importantissues to the world.”

Dr Matheson added: “As the profile oflarge events increases in reputation andsize, this research has the potential toassist private, public and voluntaryorganisations. It will also informuniversity teaching ensuring thatScotland is developing internationally-focussed and socially-responsible eventmanagement graduates.”

PAGE 06

TRAFFICKING AT GLOBAL EVENTS

Three new, innovative postgraduateprogrammes in social justice will belaunched by QMU this Septemberunderlining the University’s commitmentto social relevance and sustainability.The three courses are: MSc in SocialJustice; MSc in Gender and SocialJustice; and MSc in EnvironmentalJustice.

Eurig Scandrett, Lecturer at QMU’sSchool of Arts and Social Sciences, andco-ordinator of the new Mastersprogrammes, said: “Universities have aresponsibility to benefit the whole ofsociety which goes beyond deliveringwell-educated graduates and relevantresearch. It also involves supportingthose organisations in civil societyworking to bring about social change forthe better.”

“QMU has a good reputation for doingthis already, with a number of lifelonglearning and development courses forcommunity groups and professionals.These new Masters programmes havearisen out of many years of working withcampaign groups and draws on theexperience of academic staff who arekeen to use their teaching and researchskills for progressive causes,” he added.

Dr Scandrett, who worked for Friends ofthe Earth Scotland before coming toQMU and has fifteen years’ experiencein community work and adult education,is acutely aware of how social andenvironmental injustices continue toimpact disproportionately on the poor,the exploited, the disempowered andthose who suffer discrimination.

He said: “Despite advances in ourcollective knowledge, inequalities in theUK continue to worsen. Across theworld, despite rising wealth, povertyremains a fundamental problem. In theUK, one fifth of all households live onlow incomes, with poverty particularlyaffecting women, children andpensioners.

"Environmental pollution affects thepoorest most. Of the poorest 10% ofScotland’s population, half live within2km of a polluting industry, and there isa significant correlation between socialdeprivation and contaminated land,” headded.

Statistics indicate that women are morelikely than men to be poor: in the UK,working women’s income is 83% of thatof men, and reduces to only 40% afterretirement. Domestic abuse remains asignificant cause of violence againstwomen with two women murdered everyweek on average by partners or formerpartners.

Dr Scandrett said: “Despite thesestatistics, there has been progresstowards social justice, but this has onlyhappened through the hard work ofcampaigning, lobbying and protesting byordinary citizens demanding their rights,showing solidarity and following theirconvictions.”

QMU has collaborated with ScottishWomen’s Aid (SWA) in the developmentof the MSc in Gender and SocialJustice. SWA has been a core part ofthe women’s liberation movement in theUK since it was set-up in 1974 with theaim of providing refuge for womenescaping violent relationships. Itcontinues to campaign and providesupport and education on domesticabuse and violence against women.

QMU was itself a product of an earlierwomen’s movement when ChristianGuthrie Wright and Flora Stevensoncampaigned for education for women. Inrecent years, QMU and ScottishWomen’s Aid have collaborated on anundergraduate module offered toprofessionals and volunteers in the field,and full-time psychology and sociologystudents. This collaboration has led tothis innovative Masters programme, andSWA has put together a team of highly-

experienced staff who will be workingwith lecturers from QMU.

The Environmental justice programmehas its origins in an undergraduatecollaboration between QMU and Friendsof the Earth, a worldwide network ofenvironmental activists with a strongreputation for sound research andeffective grassroots campaigns. Friendsof the Earth Scotland has long been atthe forefront of challengingenvironmental injustice where pollutingfactories, toxic dumping, contaminationand resource exploitation affects thepoorest, exploited workers and socially-excluded groups. It initiated the HigherEducation Certificate in EnvironmentalJustice with QMU, which ran for eightyears. Drawing on that experience, andinterdisciplinary expertise from acrossthe university, QMU staff have developeda postgraduate course which seeks tounderstand and address environmentalinjustice whilst looking at practicalinitiatives for sustainable development.

Riot police confront protestors during the Gleneagles G8, Scotland. 2005

Bhopal survivors at the World Social Forum,Mumbai, India. 2004

NEW MASTERS PROGRAMMES IN SOCIAL JUSTICE

The aftermath of the earthquake whichstruck Haiti on January 12 left hundredsof thousands of people in desperateneed of food, shelter and medical aid.However, the devastation wrought bythe earthquake also resulted in lessvisible, insidious social andpsychological damage that will have itsimpact over the coming months andyears as the Haitians - many of whomlost their home and members of theirfamilies - come to terms with themassive social disruption caused by the catastrophe.

The earthquake also put to test aninternational network aimed at fosteringgreater collaboration and communicationbetween agencies in providing mentalhealth and psychosocial support to thevictims of conflicts and natural disasters– an initiative in which QMU’s Institutefor International Health and Development(IIHD) is playing an important role.

The Mental Health and PsychosocialSupport Network is a global networkinghub which aims to provide greaterleverage to healthcare professionals andother agents working to alleviate thepsychosocial effects of suchemergencies. The Network connectspeople in very different contexts - fromlocal community centres to the UnitedNations organisation headquarters -through an interactive website: www. psychosocialnetwork.net.

Applicants are welcomed personally bya Network host who invites them toshare their interests and supports themin exchanging expertise, accessingresources and forming interest groups.

This site went live less than a monthbefore Haiti’s earthquake - by April 2010it had over 500 members.

Senior Research Fellow, Dr AlisonStrang, Leader of Network StewardingGroup, said: “IIHD has been workingwith communities affected by conflictand disaster for many years. When theDecember 2004 tsunami struck, wewere able to support colleagues in SriLanka who played a central role in co-ordinating the psychosocialresponse. Together we struggled firsthand with the challenges of channellingthe enormously generous internationaland local responses."

One of these colleagues, AnandaGalappatti, fellow Stewarding Groupmember and leading Sri Lankanpsychosocial professional, (now aQMU/Edinburgh University joint PhDstudent), became renowned for hisinnovative Mangrove Network which

brought together local and internationalprofessionals for co-ordination, trainingand support. In autumn 2005, IIHDconducted a study for UNICEF SriLanka, reviewing a selection of the hugerange of psychosocial programmesestablished since the tsunami to explorethe challenges agencies faced inassessing needs and planning effectiveand culturally appropriate programmes.

Dr Strang said: “We saw the disasterfrom international, external and localperspectives. It was clear that, in thechaos, there was a need for effectivecommunication and greater co-ordination of effort between theinternational agencies and local peopleon the ground. Achieving closer, moreeffective collaboration plays an importantstrategic role in emergency situationssuch as this.”

“While most of the large internationalhumanitarian organisations recognise

QMU PLAYS KEY ROLE IN ESTABLISHING GLOBAL NETWORK TO PROVID

TO VICTIMS OF CONFLICTS AND NATURAL DISASTERS

FEATURE

A Haiti group host is being trained to build relationships among those supporting the mental healthand psychosocial well-being of the people affected by the earthquake Photograph: Terre des Hommes

this need, they struggle to make realdialogue happen. Our team hasdesigned a way to build communityacross the usual barriers of distance,culture and power that divide. TheMHPSS Network provides a place whereeveryone can participate: it is ‘low-tech’so doesn’t require sophisticated internetaccess, and it is hosted by fellowprofessionals from different globalregions trained and supported to reachout to people less confident with thetechnology or the culture,” she added.

The result is a two-tier solution: aninteractive website providing access to asearchable library, documents, training,resources and links to other groups, anda network of local hosts.

Dr Strang said: “It is a network whichaims to bring together professionalsacross the world at both internationaland local levels. It’s about realrelationships with real people, not just awebsite. Through the website membersand professionals in the field can set upgroups to tackle specific problems, suchas training communities to supportchildren affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.They can also set up groups in responseto any disaster, including those whichmight not make the international news.”

The Haiti group already had 66members by April 2010. It is the mainlocation for information exchange by theofficial UN disaster responsecoordination mechanisms. A Haiti grouphost is being trained to develop the roleand build relationships among thosesupporting the mental health andpsychosocial well-being of the people

affected by the earthquake. Initialfunding for the project was provided bya number of humanitarian organisationsand other stakeholders, includingUNICEF, WHO, UNHCR, IFRC, LloydsTSB Foundation for Scotland and theRegional Psychosocial Support Initiative,Africa.

The Stewarding Group first met last Julyin Johannesburg. This meetingbenefitted from a collaboration forged bythe first QMU internal researchconference in January 2009. OliverEscobar of the Dialogues groupfacilitated the meeting and providedreflections on process which informedthe on-going development of the team.

The website now has a full-time hostbased in Sri Lanka and a team ofRegional hosts across the world. Eachyear the Network seeks new funding tosupport and extend the work. This yearthe priorities are to consolidate thehosting team, improve on-line facilitiesand provide a website interface indifferent languages.

SANTANDER SCHOLARSHIPSSUPPORT IIHD’S

INTERNATIONAL PROFILE

In the last two years, six internationalstudents have been funded to come fromvarious countries within the SantanderNetwork - i.e. Venezuela, Columbia, Braziland Spain - to study for Masters degreesin International Health at QMU. Withoutthis funding, the students would not havebeen able to study here.

Oonagh O’Brien, Lecturer in the Institutefor International Health and Development,said: “Due to their socio-economic andcultural backgrounds, the Santanderstudents have brought a valuable newdimension to the Institute, often offering adifferent approach to the understanding ofthe social determinants of health.”

Two students whose expertise and talentwere outstanding were Keven Bermudezand Blanca Haddad. Keven specialises inproviding therapeutic support in conflictsituations and is currently working withrefugees in Spain. Blanca Haddad is anArt Therapist whose dissertation wasconducted on the Vouná orchestra,looking at music and arts as a tool forsocial development.

Blanca said: “As an artist and art therapist,the Santander Scholarship has enabledme to study the MSc in SocialDevelopment and Health at QMU andgiven me the opportunity to gain newinsights into the development challengesaround the world. I’m having theopportunity to exchange my ideas withpeople from different parts of the world.”

TO PROVIDE MENTAL AND PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT

R

FEATURE

Dr Alison Strang (top second right) andmembers of the Stewarding Group withAnanda Galappatti, QMU PhD student (topright), and Oliver Escobar, QMU Dialoguesgroup (bottom right)

QMU’s continuing role as one of theleaders in the provision of dramaeducation in Scotland was recentlyconfirmed by Education and LifelongLearning Minister, Mike Russell MSP’sannouncement of a new course inActing for Stage and Screen.

The announcement was made at thelaunch of the Scottish Drama TrainingNetwork, a Scotland-wide initiativedesigned to enhance the provision ofdrama training in Scotland by fosteringcohesion in the sector across stage andscreen professional practice, educationand training.

Dr Christine L. Bovis-Cnossen, Dean ofthe School of Arts and Social Sciencessaid: “The launch of the Network has

been extremely positive, not just for theacademic institutions involved, but alsoin widening access for students and inmeeting the needs of industry and of thewider community.

“As a result, QMU and Edinburgh NapierUniversity have secured funding toprovide a two-year course focussing onthe craft and practice of performance inboth stage and screen acting. This is anexciting move and a first for Scotland,”she added.

The new qualification, a BA/BA (Hons) inActing for Stage and Screen, will beopen for entry to year 3 by audition, andstudents at Scotland’s colleges whohave successfully completed an HND,Foundation Degree or SCQF level 8 in

an appropriate subject may apply.This new programme complementsQMU’s new degree course in drama andperformance which began this academicyear.

Dr Bovis-Cnossen said: “I am pleased toreport that our new degree course inDrama and Performance has beenenthusiastically received by the firstcohort of students. This course of studyaims to produce graduates whocombine critical thinking with theirpassion for drama and who will broadenthe reach and relevance of the art duringtheir careers.

“We are continuing to build on ourenviable reputation for pioneering workin community theatre and adapting thetraditions of drama to wider socialissues, demonstrated by our work inintroducing drama in Scotland’s prisonsas part of a rehabilitation programme foroffenders,” she added.

Another example of the social relevanceof our work in drama is 2020 CarbonOdyssey, a multidisciplinary performanceproject funded by the Engineering andPhysical Sciences Research Council,which aims to excite 14-18 year oldsstudying science about carbon research.This project is a unique collaborationbetween QMU and the University ofSussex.

Carbon Odyssey was written anddirected by QMU Drama Lecturer,Bianca Mastrominico. It was performedby fellow Lecturer, John Dean, and QMUgraduates, Alex Bird and Melanie Jordanwith guest expert Malcolm Heggie,

FEATURE

NEW HORIZONS FOR DRAMA AT QMU

QMU students show off lavish period costumes as they get ready for the Ridotto – a masked ball

popular in the 18th century. The costumes were created by BA (Hons) Costume Design and

Construction students as part of their Professional Practice module in which they were required to

create designs suitable for a site-specific show.

Professor of Theoretical Chemistry atUniversity of Sussex. The firstperformance took place at the BrightonScience Festival and is being followedby a short tour of schools and colleges.

What’s more, we are extending thescope of our work in drama throughresearch. One example is theatre-based research on the role of masks incharacterisation conducted jointly byour Drama and Psychology academics.This work is offering new insights onthe role of the face in self-identity, aswell as the role of masking,transformation and identity inperformance. Longer term, thisresearch has many potential practicalimplications; for example, it maysuggest ways of helping people whohave to live with facial disfigurement.

Another innovation is the QMUConversations series. This is a series ofinterviews that theatre critic, JoyceMcMillan, a visiting Professor at QMU,has recently completed with prominentfigures from the worlds of theatre andscreen in front of a public audience oncampus. The series included interviewswith the Hollywood actor, Brian Cox ofBourne Identity and BourneSupremacy; Scottish actor, BillPaterson star of Sea of Souls and Lawand Order: UK; actor and director,David Hayman star of ITV police dramaTrial and Retribution; and producerDavid MacLennan. Vicky Featherstoneand John Tiffany, Artistic Director andAssociate Director of the NationalTheatre of Scotland, completed theline-up of industry professionals offeringan insight into careers in the theatre.

Laura and James were directed byRobin Wilson, Head of Acting and BenWinger, a fourth year Acting andPerformance Honours student. Throughout the weekend Laura andJames participated in classes, lecturesand workshops at the Globe, exploringlanguage, movement and voice with thetheatre’s practitioners.

Course Leader, Catherine Owen, said: “It was a perfect opportunity for thestudents and also for our university.Both Laura and James were greatambassadors for us. They did someexcellent networking. We are very proudof them.”

FEATURE

QMU drama students Laura Szaleckiand James Murfitt were given theopportunity of a lifetime when they wereinvited to perform at Shakespeare'sGlobe in London, as part of the fifthannual Sam Wanamaker Festival onMarch 21.

Laura and James, both BA HonoursActing and Performance students,performed a scene from Shakespeare’sA Midsummer Night’s Dream. They wereselected, following auditions at QMU, toperform at the festival as one of 22 pairsof students drawn from the UK’s leadingdrama schools. James said: "I wasexcited to be playing the part ofDemetrius in one of Shakespeare's best-loved comedies. It was a huge honourto perform at Shakespeare’s Globe.”

Laura, who played Helena, saidafterwards: “It was a fantastic chance ofa lifetime to act on one of the mostprestigious stages in the world. There isnothing like the feeling of standing onthat stage. It was indescribable. I cameaway feeling sparkling – I felt so inspired.I was so grateful to have been given thatchance.”

She added: “It was absolutely great. Weenjoyed every single moment of it. Atone point we had to wait until theaudience had stopped laughing. In theaudience were tourists, directors,students from every drama school in theUK and people who simply enjoyShakespeare.’’

STUDENTS PERFORM AT SHAKESPEARE’S GLOBE

Laura Szalecki and James Murfitt performingat Shakespeare’s Globe. Photography: Manuel Harlan.

COLLABORATIVE AGREEMENTWITH JEWEL & ESK COLLEGEWILL BOOST PROGRESSIVELEARNING & SUSTAINABILITY

QMU and Jewel & Esk College havesigned a collaborative agreement whichwill widen access to education andmaximise the sustainability of bothinstitutions.

Building on the existing relationshipbetween the College and University,QMU Principal, Dr Petra Wend, metJewel & Esk Acting Principal and CEO,Peter Malcolm, to sign a memorandumof understanding that identified tenmajor areas of potential inter-organisational collaboration.

Dr Petra Wend said: “This Memorandumof Understanding opens the door forstrong and active collaboration betweentwo modern, forward-thinking learninginstitutions for the best interests of ourstudents and the industries andcommunities that we serve. We willfocus on key areas, such as health andthe creative industries where there aresynergies, and will seek opportunities tomerge resources to create a whole thatis greater than the sum of its parts.”

The agreement commits the institutionsto explore potential for improvedmanagement and business efficienciesbut the main focus is on delivering clearsuccession pathways and support forlearners between institutions.

Peter Malcolm said: “QMU and Jewel &Esk have a history of working welltogether. We already share staffing andsupport services across many areas anda mutual involvement in curricularsubjects like health, the creativeindustries and knowledge transfer withlocal businesses. Today’s agreementformalises this collaborative approachand opens the way for further co-operation as our relationshipstrengthens.”

The ten areas identified for collaborationare: health; creative industries;articulation initiatives that allow studentswith an HND, HNC or equivalent workbased qualifications to access degreelevel study without having to repeatyears 1 and 2; schools and communityactivity; knowledge transfer; studentassociations; student support services;IT, library, sports and accommodationservices; commercial and communityuse of facilities - both institutions havenew or newly refurbished premisesoffering high quality facilities - andgeographical proximity opportunities.

In the area of health, both institutionshave a track-record in meeting thecareer development needs of NHS staffand will work together to delivercontracted work jointly. For example,there is potential for using a Scottishversion of Foundation Degrees as aqualification product that givesmaximum flexibility over design, contentand assessment for primarily work-based and individualised learning alreadyresearched by Jewel & Esk College.

QMU and Jewel & Esk College are majorcontributors to the creative industries.Where QMU has a major presence indrama and stage performance, Jewel &Esk College has a focus in musicbusiness, performance in modern musicand the application of digital sound and

PAGE 12

web technologies in commerce andbusiness. Resources will be shared andopportunities explored for joint activitieswhich could provide entry into newareas of activity.

Both institutions will work together toevaluate the commercial and communityuse of their combined facilities andestates, and to identify the benefits ofjoint marketing, co-ordinated use offacilities and consistent developmentsthat maximise income and engagementwith businesses and communities.

Find out what happened whenInternational HospitalityManagement students from QMUjoined with students from Jewel &Esk College and award-winningchefs, to host their first Scottishfood festival in the new eh15restaurant. See pages 14 and 15.

COLLABORATIONS

Dr Petra Wend and Peter Malcolm sign the collaborative agreement

NHS STAFF WIN CONSORTSCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDYAT QMU

The learning and career paths of threemembers of NHS Lothian have beengiven a major boost with the award ofthe first Consort Education Scholarships.

The staff, who work in various healthcareroles at the Royal Infirmary, have eachbeen awarded a prestigious ConsortScholarship, enabling them to progresstheir learning at QMU.

The Consort scholarship celebrates the10th anniversary of the partnershipbetween Consort Healthcare and NHSLothian at the Royal Infirmary ofEdinburgh. The agreement enables NHSLothian and Edinburgh Universityemployees connected with the RoyalInfirmary, to apply for funding toprogress their continuous professionallearning at QMU.

The scholarships have been awarded toAssistant Audiologist, Melissa Howieson;Senior Manager PartnerRepresentative, Norma Black; and StaffNurse, Eleanor Pryde. They will fund thecourse fees for each of the students.

Melissa Howieson said: “TheScholarship has allowed me to study forthe Diploma in Higher Education HearingAudiology within QMU’s highly-regardedSpeech and Hearing Sciences. Afteronly a few classes, I felt able to feedmuch of what I was learning on thecourse back into my practical work.

“I was keen to further my training. TheDiploma will not only allow me todevelop within my department, it willhelp me play a significant part inenhancing the service for hard-of-hearing patients,” she added.

The Consort Scholarship also enabledNorma Black to study for the MScNursing at QMU on a part-time basis

while she continues in her role withinNHS Lothian.

Norma is involved in supporting theAgenda for Change process andrepresents partnership on a number ofhigh-level strategic groups. Her roleinvolves building trust and sharedresponsibility in the area of partnershipworking, particularly in relation to servicedesign and supporting staff in theprocess. She was keen to develop herknowledge of the theories relevant toorganisational change with a view toprogressing to a more senior role.

Norma said: “The Scholarship is not onlyenabling me to achieve my continuousprofessional development needs in thearea of Nursing, it’s also presenting apersonal challenge and offering a senseof achievement. I’d urge anyone who isserious about developing their potentialto look at the benefits that the ConsortEducation Scholarship can provide forstaff working within the Royal Infirmary.”

The third recipient, Staff Nurse EleanorPryde, was keen to improve herprospects within nurse education.Eleanor’s favourite role is mentoringstudent nurses, clinical support workersand other staff nurses. She is nostranger to CPD, having alreadyundertaken the MSc in AdvancedPractice (Nursing). With a clear goal of

eventually becoming a nurse lecturer,she applied to the Consort Scholarshipto fund a place on the Pg Certificate inProfessional Education at QMU.

The programme will allow Eleanor toenhance her professional teaching andcommunication skills, equipping her toprogress her career in nurse education.The Scholarship will fund Eleanor tostudy part-time for one year whilecontinuing her role as staff nurse.

Stephen Gordon, Regional Director forConsort, said: “We are delighted toannounce that the Consort Scholarshiphas commenced, allowing us tostrengthen our partnership with NHSLothian through the splendid educationalservice offered by QMU. It is especiallypleasing to see that the first recipients ofthe scholarship are staff who are atvarying stages of their career and workacross differing service areas.”

For further information contact: QMU’s Admissions Office on E: [email protected] T: 0131 474 0000 and ask for ‘Admissions’W:www.qmu.ac.uk/registry/scholarships

ConsortEducationScholarship.htm

COLLABORATIONS

From left to right: Carol Stirrat (Consort), Norma Black (student), Steven Gordon (Director ofConsort), Melissa Howieson (student), Marie Donaghy (Dean of Health Sciences, QMU)

QMU has a long established and highlyrespected connection with pivotalplayers in Scotland’s food and drinkindustry, with many of its graduates andstaff playing key roles in the industry’ssuccess. Collaboration between industryand academics is even more relevanttoday with the growing need forcompanies to become more innovativeand competitive, and for universities tosupport the economy.

The involvement of industrial partners,combined with academic rigour,continues to underpin coursedevelopment at QMU, ensuring thatgraduates are equipped with the skillsand knowledge to become effectivepractitioners in their field. Thisdevelopment of industrially-relevantcourses has been enhanced throughQMU’s collaboration with Jewel & EskCollege (JEC). Through this partnership,students can benefit from access tofacilities and expertise at bothinstitutions, at all levels of their academiccareer, with industry therefore benefittingfrom high calibre personnel.

Access to expertise

Another key way in which the academiccommunity supports innovation anddevelopment in the food and drinkindustry is through QMU’s jointknowledge transfer project, 2kt,sponsored by Scottish Enterprise. Theproject aims to reach out to businessand share academic knowledge, helpingbusinesses to develop and market newproducts and improve competitiveness.

2kt provides a gateway giving access tomore than 1,000 sector-specific experts

at eight leading higher educationestablishments in East Scotlandincluding QMU, Edinburgh NapierUniversity and Jewel & Esk College. Itoffers a range of specialist servicescentred around dietetics and nutrition,consumer choice and psychology, andfood and drink small and medium sizedenterprises (SME) development andsupport.

Researchers in QMU’s School ofDietetics, Nutrition and BiologicalSciences have had continued success inattracting funding for their research withindustry, supported by 2kt. They areworking with POMM WonderfulPomegranate Juice to look atantioxidants; Wicken Fen Foods for thedevelopment of a health product usingleaves from vegetables such as broccoli;and with Belhaven Fruit Farm to rebrandand market their new range of fruit ices(in collaboration with Edinburgh NapierUniversity which produced the graphicsfor the packaging design).

PAGE 14

Dr Mary Warnock of Dietetics, Nutritionand Biological Sciences, and DavidMiskin of the Food Innovation Institute,have received funding from 2kt to workwith Advanced Microwave Technologies(AMT) to evaluate their new technology.AMT developed a process to heat liquidstream with microwaves which has lotsof possible applications for the industryincluding pasteurisation and cooking. A pilot model is soon to be situated atQMU which companies can access andtest for their own purposes.

FOCUS ON FOOD

Award-winning chef Tom Kitchin

SERVING UP A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS FOR QMU

IN THE FOOD AND DRINK INDUSTRY

QMU students joined forces with students from Jewel & Esk to showcase Scottish Regional Food Photography: Paul Johnston, Copper Mango

Collaboration in the kitchen

The preparation of food is very muchback on the agenda for QMU’sInternational Hospitality Management,and Hospitality and TourismManagement students. Second yearstudents were given an opportunity toshowcase their skills when QMU joinedforces with Jewel & Esk College (JEC) tohost their first Scottish food festival inEdinburgh.

There was plenty to tantalise thetastebuds with celebrity chefs such asTom Kitchin, Joe Gray, graduateapprentice from Jamie Oliver’s Fifteenrestaurant and Fiona Burrell, QMUgraduate and Principal of the EdinburghNew Town Cookery School, alldemonstrating their signature dishes.Second year QMU students devisedmenus based on 10 regions of Scotlandusing local, fresh produce, for samplingby the 300 plus guests. Local food anddrink producers also supported theevent by offering tasting sessions and byproviding their products for sale at thefarmers’ market.

Bernie Quinn and Trevor Laffin fromQMU’s School of Business, Enterpriseand Management helped organise theunique event.

Trevor Laffin said: “It was an excellentopportunity to explore the quality anddiversity of Scottish produce. It was notonly a terrific learning opportunity for ourstudents, it was also a lot of fun andinspirational for members of the public.”

Gordon Hodgson, Head of the Faculty ofService Industries at JEC, said: “Thiswas a very exciting project, bringingtogether two educational establishmentsrenowned for their expertise inhospitality. For the public, it was anopportunity to taste the very best ofScottish produce and to see some ofthe country’s top chefs in action.”

Robin Harper MSP said: “A great showand a superb advertisement for whatScotland has to offer! This must happen

every year. I hope it grows and grows asa focus for making sure in the future thatwe all, and in particular our tourist andhospitality industries, take full advantageof everything we ourselves have to offerin Scotland.”

Four very lucky students were rewardedfor their performances and involvementin the event with the opportunity totravel to QMU’s collaborative partner, theSwiss School of Tourism and Hospitality,in Chur, Switzerland to attend its annualfood festival, the inspiration for theQMU/JEC event.

The date for next year’s food festival hasalready been set for April 2, 2011. Lookout for the QMU students once againserving delicious five course meals at theeh15 restaurant at JEC next spring.

FOCUS ON FOOD

QMU staff and students invite visitors to the Swiss School of Tourism and Hospitality’s food festivalto sample traditional Scottish fare

Crowds throng to the annual food festival atQMU’s collaborative partner, the Swiss Schoolof Tourism and Hospitality, in Chur, Switzerland

Marc HenryHospitality & Tourism Management,1995-1999

Marc is Hospitality Operations Managerfor Harvey Nichols Department store inEdinburgh. He manages all hospitalityand food retail departments within thestore ensuring standards are met, salesare maximised, costs controlled, and allareas run smoothly.

What are your memories of QMU?The over-riding memories are of thepeople I met and the friendships I made- friendships that will last forever.Staying in halls of residence during firstyear was a great experience and onethat I would recommend to all first years.Good times!

Any tips for current students?Be prepared to work hard to get whatyou want. Success will only come withhard work.

What did you do after QMU?The summer I graduated I stayed inEdinburgh to work on the opening ofOur Dynamic Earth, working in the caféand bar there.

Following six months there, I left to travelthe world, stopping in Singapore,Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, NewZealand and the US. I worked in Sydney,Australia as a laundry assistant in theInter-Continental Hotel down by CircularKey – not the most glamorous position,but it taught you the value of hard workand I worked with some unusual, yetterrific people.

I returned to Edinburgh in late 2000 andstarted working for the Montpelier Groupas a waiter.

I was promoted to Assistant Managerand moved around a few of their units.Then the opportunity came up to workfor Harvey Nichols in 2002 and I havebeen here ever since.

Have you been able to use skills youlearned at QMU in your work?Although not necessarily hospitalityspecific skills, I certainly rely heavily onthe overall general management andmarketing skills I learned during my timestudying.

What’s the best thing about your job?The fact that I get to work in a vibrantindustry where there are differentchallenges every day. I also love workingwith food and drink, particularly at thehigher end – I do get to taste a lot ofnice wine and some fantastic food.

What’s the most challenging thing aboutyour role?Like any business, the most challengingaspect is delivering results, both for yourcustomers and for management.Managing and motivating a team ofpeople to deliver and exceedperformance standards, ensuring all ourcustomers leave knowing they have hada terrific experience. On the other hand,scrutinising our procedures andprocesses to ensure we are as efficientas possible while still upholding theintegrity of the brand and the principlesof the company.

What are your plans for the future?I intend to keep working hard andcontinuing to learn. We’ll see where thattakes me.

Fiona BurrellHND in Institutional Management, 1974-1977

Fiona is Principal of the Edinburgh NewTown Cookery School, Queen Street,Edinburgh which opened in December2009.

After leaving QMC, Fiona started hercareer as assistant to the Principal atEdinburgh’s Woman and Home CookSchool 30 years ago. She returned toQMC as a technician in the HomeEconomics Department before runningher own catering company in Edinburghserving directors’ lunches,demonstrating and developing recipes.Having cooked in a chalet for a seasonin St Anton, Fiona moved to London andworked in various kitchens before joiningthe world famous Leiths School of Foodand Wine. In her 12 years there, sheworked her way up from tutor to HeadTeacher and then Principal.

Fiona has enjoyed a successful careeras a freelance consultant and has beena Member of the Guild of Food Writerssince 1992. She has written andcontributed to many of the publications

PAGE 16

QMU GRADUATES IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY

Marc Henry

Fiona Burrell

from the Leith School including: theLeiths Baking Bible, Vegetarian Bible,Book of Cakes, the Leiths Cookery Bibleand the Complete Christmas.

What are your memories as a student? I really started to enjoy the course in thethird year. I made very good friends whoare still great friends now. The not sohappy memories are of the mop capswe had to wear for cooking. I’ve still gotone somewhere - it looks like a museumpiece!

Any tips for current students: You will be amazed in years to comehow things you learn now are of use toyou in the future. The skills I learnedhave been a very good base with whichto start a career – although I don’t think Irealised it at the time.

What’s the best thing about your currentrole with ENTCS? The variety - it’s never dull!Last week I was demonstratingcomplicated gateaux in the morning,then teaching a family how to makebread in the afternoon while beingfilmed. The most challenging part isfitting in everything I have to do, alongwith looking after my family. My husbandis becoming a very accomplished cook!

What are your plans for the future?Lots, but most importantly, we want tocontinue to develop the school’sreputation to become one of the leadingcookery schools in the UK. Visit ourwebsite at: www.entcs.co.uk

Jane StewartHigher Diploma in Hotel Catering andInstitutional Management, 1981-1984

Jane is a cheese maker producingAnster cheese using home-producedmilk on the family dairy farm nearAnstruther in Fife. Her role is to run thecheese-making operations, the coffeeshop and the visitor attraction whichincludes a viewing gallery.

In response to falling milk prices, Jane’sfamily (dairy farmers for more than 50years) sought new ways to find value fortheir milk. Jane enrolled on a shortcheese-making course, and thentravelled around Wales and the South-West of England on a fact-finding tour offellow artisan cheesemakers. Equippedwith this knowledge and experience, shereturned to begin the business and, in2008, the first St Andrews Farm Cheesewas created.

What are your memories as a student?I loved my time at QMC and enjoyed thewhole course. I enjoyed the practicalkitchen sessions best of all. I have veryfond memories of the jolly banter fromMr McIver in the Production Kitchen!

Any tips for current students: Savour it all. Your time at university issuch a good grounding for your futurecareer. I use skills I learned all the time,often without thinking about it.

What’s the best thing about your currentrole? I derive huge satisfaction from my job.Cutting open a cheese that we havemade never ceases to thrill me. Talking

to customers at Farmers' Markets atevents and in our coffee shop isinspiring. The best thing about the job isthe variety and daily challenges that foodproduction and marketing bring. One ofthe most challenging things is to balancethe demands of running the businesswith those of being a farmer's wife andmother of three boys.

What are your plans for the future?The development of another cheese,hopefully later this year.

For more information on Jane’s businessvisit: www.standrewscheese.co.uk

QMU GRADUATES IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY

Jane Stewart

QMU GRADUATES’BUSINESS/SERVICEDIRECTORY

We are planning to have a QMUGraduates’ Business/ServiceDirectory featuring contact detailsand brief business informationavailable on the QMU website.

If you are interested contact:Ann HubbardAlumni & Development Assistant E: [email protected]

Marie Reid, Professor of AppliedPsychology, has been awarded around£50,000 from the Chief Scientist Officeto carry out research on obesity andintellectual disabilities. The project is incollaboration with the Department ofClinical Psychology at Edenhall Hospitalin Musselburgh.

The project will investigate theperspectives of people with intellectualdisabilities and those of their carers, andexplore their understandings of healthyand unhealthy eating and activity, andtheir experiences of preparing food andchoosing activity.

Recommendations for successfulnutritional and activity strategies will bemade based on the results of theresearch.

There are indications that healthinequalities are more likely to affectpeople with intellectual disabilities thanthe general population.

“Recent research at the University ofGlasgow has shown that higher rates ofobesity in adults with mild to moderateintellectual disabilities is the result of acomplex interaction of factors,” said DrJessie Gunson, Research Fellow on theObesity and Intellectual Disabilitiesproject.

“The project here at QMU is importantas it will enable us to examine some ofthose factors in much more depth, andin a qualitative, contextualised way,” sheadded.

Previous research has suggested thatcarers of individuals with intellectualdisabilities often play a significant role insupporting the food practices andactivities of those for whom they care.

Professor Reid said: “We need todetermine the experiences andunderstandings that those with anintellectual disability, and those involvedin their care, have about food choiceand activity so that they can beempowered to manage their diets.”

The qualitative study will explore theperspectives of four stakeholder groups:overweight and obese people with anintellectual disability; family carers; paidcarers; and project leaders. Questions will explore understandings ofhealthy and unhealthy eating andactivity, and experiences of preparingfood and choosing activity.

Professor Reid is a chartered Clinicaland Health Psychologist with specificinterests in ingestive behaviour includingeating disorders in children and adults,obesity and restrained eating, and thepsychological effects of nutrients onappetite and mood.

PAGE18

MAJOR RESEARCH PROJECT TO EXPLORE EXPERIENCES

OF OBESITY IN ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES

TASTE AS AN NUTRITIONALGATEKEEPER

Professor of Dietetics, Nutrition andBiological Sciences, Isobel Davidson,examined how our ability to tasteinfluences our acceptance of andliking for food, and has beendescribed as the nutritionalgatekeeper, in a free public lecture atQMU in January 2010.

The event was part of the University’sProfessorial Lecture Series.

OBESITY RESEARCH

NEW BURSARY ANNOUNCEDFOR STUDENTS IN HEALTH ANDSOCIAL SCIENCES

A new bursary, funded by a Scottishcompany that specialises in the care andeducation of young people in crisis, hasbeen launched.

The Common Thread Bursary forstudents at QMU was announced byDavid Whitton MSP at a reception in theScottish Parliament in April.

The bursary will be open topostgraduate and undergraduatestudents studying courses in the Schoolof Health Sciences. It is also open tostudents from all courses who haveexperienced the care system (allapplications and students’ details will betreated in the strictest confidence), or tothose who can demonstrate acommitment to improving the lives ofvulnerable young people.

Speaking at the Parliamentary reception,David Whitton MSP said that he was“delighted” to announce the award.

He said: “Common Thread providesexcellent facilities, therapies and care formany children in crisis and is at theforefront of the Scottish social carearena.”

Common Thread Director, Julie Joseph,commented: “Our vision for the award isto encourage students to enter theprofession of social care and assist themthrough their period of academic study.While applications from those with anexperience of the care system may beconsidered favourably, it is not aprerequisite.”

Rosalyn Marshall, Vice Principal of QMU,welcomed the launch announcement,saying: “Bursaries are a fantastic way toease the financial pressure whichstudents face today. We are proud to bepartnering with this pioneering Scottish

organisation and we thank CommonThread for its generosity to ourstudents.”

The award will cover fares, tuition fees,maintenance, books and learningresources, dissertation/thesis researchand travel.

Julie Joseph, who is also a part-timeMasters student in Dance MovementPsychotherapy at QMU, said shewanted to extend the assistanceCommon Thread already gives to manyyoung people in crisis to the academicsector, and to those who will contributeto the care of young people in thefuture. She also hopes that thebeneficiary will have a relationship withthe Common Thread Group and see thework that it does.

Common Thread is a residential child-care provider based in Dumfriesshire,which offers creative solutions forlooked-after children in a residentialenvironment and training for those whowork with children. It provides both amedium to long term residential service

DEVELOPMENT NEWS/SCHOLARSHIPS

and a short-term intervention service foryoung people.

Julie Joseph said: “Common Threadstrives to be a model of excellence inproviding care for young people in crisis.These young individuals are often victimsof troubled family situations and this isfrequently reflected in their behaviour.They are suitably placed in caringenvironments that allow them to fullyintegrate into society in a positivemanner. The many success stories thatCommon Thread has had of children inresidence are testimony to this.”

Common Thread has three homes inDumfries and Galloway and one home inthe Greater Glasgow area. The housesare home to two, three or four youngpeople at a time.

Julie Joseph Director of Common Thread (left) with David Whitton MSP and Dr Petra Wend

QMU Principal at the launch reception in the Scottish Parliament

Photography: Jeremy Stockton

boosted by Santander Research and Travel Awards. Research Fellow, FionaO’May, five MSc students from IIHD andone member of staff received awards.

Fiona O’May and Rio Floreza received£1,000 each for research visits to Brazilin September for data collection andfield studies on the Homeless World Cup(HWC), an annual, international footballtournament, which gives teams ofhomeless people a once in a lifetimeopportunity to represent their country.

The Homeless World Cup supportsgrassroots football projects in more than70 counties, each of which organisestraining and annual trials to select theteam to represent their nation.

For the last two years Fiona has beeninvolved with the HWC organisers andwith Street Soccer Scotland, its partnerproject in Scotland, since its inception.

Research by Fiona and Rio will buildupon existing work carried out by QMU. In particular it will build upon thedevelopment of an evaluation strategy in2009 by QMU Research Fellow, DrRebecca Horn for Street SoccerScotland, for use by the partnerprojects.

Fiona will attend the HWC tournament inRio de Janeiro, meet with each of theteam managers from the 56 participatingcountries, and present workshops onthe monitor and evaluation framework.

Rio Floreza will to carry out a researchstudy for Street Soccer Scotlandmeasuring the impact of participation inthe Homeless World Cup upon theirplayers.

Samira Guachalla received an award of£1,000 enabling her to travel to Caetitein Brazil to conduct field studies andfurther her research on her MScdissertation on governance and watercontamination by uranium.

The award of £1,000 will enable MScstudent Luis Matias Hernandez to furtherhis dissertation research on the impactof the health brigades on the well-beingof remote indigenous communities of theAmazonian region of Columbia. Thesehealth brigades consist of groups oftraditional healers and apprentices, whotravel monthly to remote Amazoniancommunities which lack almost any formof health service.

Yankari Moreno received an award of£700 enabling her to travel to Venezuelato conduct interviews for research onher dissertation on adoption.

Marta Mateus Revuelta received anaward of £800 enabling her to pursueresearch on gender-based violence andits implications on the psychosocial well-being of women in Mexico.

Through a £500 award to Lecturer,Oonagh O’Brien, Santander will alsosupport a growing body of work withinIIHD on refugee integration andpsychosocial well-being in the context ofemerging European identities.

QMU was the first university in Scotlandto sign up to the Santander Universitypartnership in 2007.

This year, QMU has received a total of£40,000 in funding divided betweenInternational and PostgraduateScholarships (page 9), Research & TravelAwards and Community Service Awards– reflecting Santander’s continuedcommitment to supporting highereducation and mobility between the UKand countries in which Santander has apresence.

To celebrate the rebranding of Abbey toSantander in the UK, an additional 200scholarships are to be distributedamong the 36 universities in the UKSantander Partnerships.

QMU’s allocation of this new funding istwo UK Undergraduate Scholarships of£3,000 each, and one InternationalPostgraduate Scholarship of £5,000.

QMU Vice Principal, Rosalyn Marshall,attended a commemorative event atSantander headquarters in London inJune to celebrate this much welcomedresource.

Rosalyn Marshall said: “Santander issetting an excellent example in devotingan element of its profits to the universitysector and we are delighted that evenmore students and staff will be able tobenefit from their vision and generosity.”

RESEARCH AND TRAVEL AWARDS

International research at QMU’sprestigious Institute for InternationalHealth and Development (IIHD) has been

DEVELOPMENT NEWS/SCHOLARSHIPS

Santander representatives areregularly on campus offeringservices to staff and students. In June an ATM will be installedon campus.

SANTANDER CONTINUES TO SUPPORT RESEARCH AT QMUAND COLLABORATIVE LINKS

Six students from QMU were recognisedfor their excellent work in the communitywhen they were presented with awardsfrom Santander.

The Santander Community ServiceAwards 2010 were awarded inrecognition of the students’ work with awide range of community organisationsranging from the Musselburgh Browniesto charities involved in internationalsupport projects.

At an award ceremony at QMU, eachstudent was presented with a chequefor £100 from the University’s StudentFund for their sterling efforts, whileSantander gifted £500 to each of thecharities with which the students hadvolunteered.

Oonagh O’Brien, Lecturer in InternationalHealth and Development at QMU, said:“We are really proud that many of ourstudents give their time to help a rangeof amazing voluntary organisations whilstworking hard towards gaining theiruniversity qualifications. This is not onlygreat for the charities but also helpsstudents integrate with the communityand gain invaluable skills.

“We are delighted that the SantanderCommunity Service Awards provide uswith the opportunity to recognise thededication of these students and tounderstand the important work of thesecharities,” she added.

David Craig, Branch Manager fromSantander, Potterrow Branch,Edinburgh, said: “Santander is veryproud to be involved with theCommunity Awards. Each of the studentprize winners exhibited an immense

amount of passion for his or her chosencharity and is striving to make adifference in the local and widercommunity. They are a credit to us alland deserve all the support we canoffer."

Second year Speech and LanguageTherapy students, Danielle McFarlandand Katie Houston, were recognised fortheir work as assistant leaders with the3rd Musselburgh Brownies. Thestudents, who joined the unit while intheir first year at university, attendStoneyhill Community Hall everyWednesday and help with a wide rangeof activities including first aid training andguiding district meetings. The £500award from Santander will go towardstaking the Brownies to camp andhelping to pay subscriptions.

Georgie Turner, student on the BA(Hons) Events Management programme,was recognised for her volunteeringefforts with Drama Skool, a smallcommunity drama school in theCorstorphine area of Edinburgh. Sheattends every week helping the childrenwith dance routines and drama scenes.Her encouragement and inspiration has

helped the children create imaginativepieces of theatre. The £500 award fromSantander will go towards taking thechildren to their first real theatreproduction.

In order to raise awareness of mentalhealth and improve the studentexperience at QMU, Megan O’Carroll,fourth year BSc (Hons) OccupationalTherapy student, initiated the Light UpYour Mood campaign. The successfulcampaign involved the staging of aseries of mental health workshops aswell as a film night and well-being fair.The award from Santander will gotowards the continuation of thecampaign next year.

Sociology and psychology student, TinaWren, received her award for her workwith the Mount Kilimanjaro First AidProgramme in Tanzania, Africa. Herdevelopment work enabled 12 youngpeople from Mount Kilimanjaro school toteach first aid skills within their owncommunities. She also created a linkbetween children in Scotland and thoseat Mount Kilmanjaro School byestablishing a pen pal scheme. Tinaplans to return to Mount Kilmanjaro thissummer to continue her work.

Zoe Clements, who is studying for anMSc in International Health, volunteeredwith STAND International, anorganisation which enables youngpeople from socially disadvantagedbackgrounds to volunteer for a project inBelarus. Zoe was part of a team whohelped secure funding for project work,ran training, recruited volunteers andmentors and participated in evaluations.The £500 award from Santander will gotowards funding another trip this year.

DEVELOPMENT NEWS/AWARDS

STUDENT VOLUNTEERS RECOGNISED FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL CHARITIES BY SANTANDER

Students are presented with the scholarships by David Craig, Branch Manager from Santander’s, Potterrow branch, Edinburgh (right).

Rio Floreza said: I began my time atQMU in 1999 with a visit to the Leithcampus for an interview for a place onthe BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy course.

I have vivid memories of taking a trip toCorstorphine campus to play 5-a-sidefootball one evening during my Fresheryear, and meeting the then StudentPresident, Tim Hammond-Evans.

That was when I realised that aStudents’ Union existed to help studentsthrough their studies and provideopportunities to get involved in activitiesto enhance their student experience. Iwas intrigued to know that two studentseach year, like Tim, had the privilege ofdevoting all their time to helping otherstudents. This left me to wonder if I’dever put myself in the frame.

On return to QMU in 2007, I had quite adifferent perspective as a postgraduatestudent, but was nevertheless keen toget involved in the Students’ Union.After a year as Sports and SocietiesOfficer, I ran for President with Andrew‘Rusty’ McClean as my Depute and wewere duly elected for 2008/9.

Andrew ‘Rusty’ McClean said: It’shard to believe two years have elapsedand somewhere in the middle we werere-elected. Our time in office alreadyseems a haze and I’m not sure what our

abiding memories of the role will be!For now, we’re content in the knowledgethat the Union has grown and matured after a rocky start to life on a newcampus. The move has helped bringstudents together and the new buildingmakes for a modern, enjoyable spacewhere students can work and socialise.Now, it’s all about starting to realise the

enormous potential that we have toimpact on our local community here inEast Lothian and to develop a realcampus spirit at Craighall.

Rusty and Rio said:

Flagship volunteering programme

Our first year saw us take full advantageof the opportunities to introduce a lot tothe Union, including our flagship project- the Volunteer Recognition Programme.

We were aware of the time, talent andresources given to the Union by severalstudents – not only sports and societiesmembers but also those involved inother activities. These included: theStudent Newspaper, The Echo; the newBorrow-A-Bike scheme brought in byRusty; our Student Survey team - whichsurveyed nearly 1500 students; Raiseand Give - which this year completelysmashed the £1000 barrier; welfarevolunteers and members of the StudentParliament and Executive Committee.

Recognition for these students wassorely needed and we were delighted towork with the University to offer anumber of concessions to them - anextra free print credit, waived gymmembership joining fee, discounts in theUnion and training events in everythingfrom budgeting to interview skills.

Accreditation at an academic levelhasn’t been easy to bring in, but we aredelighted to have worked with EastLothian Volunteer Centre to include theirendorsement on our certificates andoffer non-campus volunteeropportunities to our members.

Every student is part of a community

We wanted to embed old traditions andintroduce new ones such as theStudent of the Week initiative, sabbaticalsurgeries, and a Students’ Unionbulletin. We worked to raise the profile ofthe Student Parliament, encouraginggreater participation, and invitedstudents to name the Bar - Quora Bar!

We were proud to pick up awards forParticipation (NUS UK Runners Up2008); Representation (NUS UK 2ndPlace Course Representative of the YearCategory 2009); a Bronze Accreditationfor Quora Bar; and Most ImprovedStudents’ Union in the UK Award at the2010 National NUS Awards.

THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE

OUTGOING SABBATICAL OFFICER RIO FLOREZA AND ANDREW

Promoting the voice of students

We were delighted to welcome ourPrincipal, Dr Petra Wend, Vice Principal,Professor Alan Gilloran, Chair of Court,Ian Percy, University Chancellor, Sir TomFarmer, and Cabinet Secretary forJustice, Kenny MacAskill, to speak atUnion events over the last two years.

For our part, we’ve represented theUniversity at Student leaders’ roundtablediscussions at the Scottish Parliament,NUS study trips to Brussels, andattended NUS Conferences.

Student Parliament

This year, we’ve taken a more strategicapproach and passed motions at theStudent Parliament to bring in a newmodel of trusteeship for the Union. We now have a Board of Trusteesdistinct from our current Executivecommittee. Three student trustees, threeexternal trustees and three studentsfrom the Executive committee form thegroup responsible for the legal, financialand strategic direction of the Union.

Most satisfying of all has been thedevelopment of the Union’s Three YearStrategic Plan. It’s something that weare excited about. It will give us impetusto keep going with the great workundertaken by the Union staff and QMUstudents.

We have just completed a charityhitchhike from Cape Wrath to campusand now look forward to heading out toRio de Janeiro to volunteer in theHomeless World Cup in September.We’re hoping our friends at QMU willhelp us fundraise to send a couple ofplayers to the event (seehttp://www.justgiving.com/Rio-Rusty)

Wherever else we end up, we willcontinue to observe the Union from afarwith real interest, wishing the Union andthe University well for the years ahead!

A myriad of events

Events are an important feature of theUnion. We are now starting to realisesome consistency in what we offer.

Starting with Fresher’s Week, we nowhave the Launch! event in October tokick-start the year; our ChristmasSnowball; the Refreshers events to startthe second semester; the UnionsElection results; the classic sell-outGrand Ball in March; our awards andhandover event, Journey in April; andthe Big Bang finale in May.

A union for all our students

During our time in office, there has beena lot of talk in the sector ofInternationalising Students’ Unions.

More than 30 students joined us on twosuccessful cultural and humanitariantrips to Ekwendeni, Malawi, in 2009 and2010, as part of an internationalvolunteering project.

We had sell-out Fresher’s World in Unionevents when more than 250 internationalstudents shared their cultures withhome-based students. We also piloted aUnion Language Club and worked withthe University to introduce a volunteeringin the local community project forinternational students.

THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE

AND ANDREW MCCLEAN REFLECT ON THEIR JOURNEY AT QMU

Principal and Vice-Chancellor,Dr Petra Wend said: "Working with Rio and Rusty hasbeen an absolute pleasure, and Ipersonally would like to thank themfor their positive attitude, hard workand enthusiasm. Everyone at QMUrecognises the outstandingcontribution they have made to theStudents’ Union during their twoyears in office, particularly during theperiod after the move to the newcampus, and we all wish them everysuccess with their future careers.”

From left to right: Rio Floreza, Christie McMonagle (new Student Vice President), Dr Petra Wend, Blain Murphy (new Student President), Andrew (Rusty) McClean

We are always delighted to hear news offormer students. Please keep in touch: E: [email protected], T: 0131 474 000,W: www.qmu.ac.uk/alumni_and_friends

Andrea Todd (nee Pulham),Institutional Management, 1966After graduating I worked in hospitals inCanada, and later, sold tupperware withfood demonstrations in South Africa.After training as a HE teacher in Leeds Ireturned to do another year at QMC asthe qualification wasn’t recognised inScotland. (I was remembered by formerteachers as the one who would not peelmushrooms!) After 22 years teaching Iam now a Blue Badge Tour Guide in thesummer and the oldest chalet girl in theAlps in the winter! The teaching inorganisational skills still do me proud.

David McCann (re Equity, Wallace), Dip Dramatic Arts, 1985I founded Pace Theatre Company in1988 and am now its Executive Director.The company is a registered charity andnon-profit making business based inPaisley. The company has four maincomponents: a professional theatreproduction and theatre-in-educationcompany; PACE Youth Theatre – thelargest youth theatre in the UK with over2,000 members; PACE Casting – acasting agency which represents youththeatre members; and PACE MedicProductions – a media productioncompany specialising in educational andvideo productions.

Kirsty Shea (Nee Paton) BA StageManagement & TheatreProduction, 1997After graduating I worked as a freelanceStage Manager with various theatrecompanies including: Brunton; Traverse;Lyceum; Tron; 7:84; and King TheatreGlasgow. Since 2006, I have beenAssistant to General Manager andArtistic Director at the Tron Theatre.

Amy Dewar, BA (Hons) Hospitality &Tourism Management, 1999After graduating, I started as an EventsCo-ordinator at the George Hotel. I wasappointed Events Manager after a year.I then moved into sales and joined theBalmoral as Sales Manager to theevents industry. After two years I movedto Apex Hotel’s head office, againmanaging the conference and eventsales for the group. I had a fantastic fouryears making new contacts in theindustry and travelling from Spain andGermany to America and the UK.

I am now heading up sales andmarketing for Hotel du Vin andMalmaison in Edinburgh as RegionalBusiness Development Manager. It is agreat job with never a dull moment! Notwo days are ever the same and I get tobe involved in so many different things.

I would love to have my own businessone day – I just need the winningnumbers to get it all started!

Aviaja Egede Lynge, BA (Hons)Tourism Management, 2000I am a Greenlandic social anthropologist,living and working in Nuuk where I teachanthropology at the Institute of ArcticEducation, University of Greenland.I chose Scotland and QMU for my firstdegree because it was an English-speaking country and because thecountry's culture and history wasenormously exciting for me. I have neverregretted this as going to Scotlandenabled me to experience the worldoutside Greenland and Denmark.

At QMU there was an internationalenvironment with students from manycountries, and the teachers weremotivational and supported me in myinterests. Big thanks to Frank Howie! Ifyou have interested and motivatedteachers you can make it and althoughmy English wasn’t perfect, mymotivation helped me through.

I'll never forget when I got my first A (in a third language!) It was a greatpersonal victory. After QMU, I studied fora Master's Degree in SocialAnthropology at Edinburgh University.

I've had some opportunities, bothprofessionally and personally, that Iwould not have had if I had not startedat QMU. I have in many ways in mycareer had great use of the things I'velearned, both in my job, participation inboards and a lot more. Scotland willalways be in my heart.

ALUMNI IN THE NEWS/CLASSNOTES 40s 50s 60s 70s 80s 90s 00s

Dr Petra Wend has created twopastel drawings of the QMU campus.These have been reproduced oncards which are being sold to raisefunds for student bursaries.

Art has long been a hobby of Dr Wend. She part-funded herdegree by selling commissionedportraits. Help her support studentswho are facing financial challengesby purchasing these cards which areavailable from the University shop orfrom Isobel Lister.T: 0131 474 0483E: [email protected]

Gift cards (blank message) areavailable either singly for £1.50 or inpacks of 6 (3 each of 2 designs) for£5.50 plus postage.

FUND-RAISING CARDSWITH ILLUSTRATIONS BYQMU’S PRINCIPAL

Macy Chan, MSc Public HealthNutrition, 2003After graduating I worked for two and ahalf years in Ashfield and Mansfield PCTin Nottingham. This was followed bytemporary consultant positions atNewham PCT in London; NDNSNutritionist at NatCen in London; HealthDevelopment Manager at Ealing PCT;and as a Food and Health ProjectManager for East Living, London. Aftertaking a break to travel around SouthEast Asia and Hong Kong (home!) Imarried. We have now moved toCanada where I will be teaching atHumber College in Toronto.

Imogen (Minnie) Ensoll, BA StageManagement & TheatreProduction, 2003I have just been promoted to CompanyStage Manager at Theatre by the Lake inKeswick. Having been here for threeyears working my way up from ASM, Ihave now got the cherry on the cake!

Clair Prime, BA Stage Management& Theatre, 2005I have been working for North EastSurrey College of Technology (NESCOT)in Epsom, Surrey for two years as thesole Performing Arts Technician.

I recently began teaching the technicaland business units of the BETC National& first Diplomas. It is a wonderful jobthat combines all the aspects that Istudied whilst at QM ie. rigging lighting,sewing costumes, editing sound effects,building and painting sets. NESCOT hasalmost 100 students on its performingarts courses and we have producedmany different productions and creatednew ones including a northern take onthe Mystery Plays planned for thesummer.

Pooja Gupta, MSc Physiotherapy,2006Pooja Gupta, a senior physiotherapist atErskine and Erskine Park dementia unit,was recognised as one of the top carers

in Scotland when she was selected frommore than 300 entries as a finalist in theCare Newcomer of the Year category atthe Scottish Care Awards 2009.

Indian-born Pooja has had a majorimpact on the quality of life of the ex-service men and women by introducingexercise classes and initiating individualphysiotherapy sessions.

Pooja was nominated for the award byher physiotherapy colleague Janet Leith.

Janet said: “Pooja and I care for over300 ex-servicemen and women. She isa fantastic girl. She has a very gentleway and a great deal of respect for theelderly. Our veterans have a lot of timefor her and make a real effort for her.”

Pooja said: “It’s nice to be recognisedfor doing a job that I adore. I loveworking with elderly people and,because I’m from India, a lot of theveterans have memories of India andmake a connection with me.”

Nicola Blance, BSc (Hons) Nutrition,2009For the very first time, The ShetlandIslands have their first nutritionist. Nicola

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ALUMNI IN THE NEWS/CLASSNOTES 40s 50s 60s 70s 80s 90s 00s

is believed to be the first person ever tobe employed as Health ImprovementPractitioner with NHS Shetland.

Dr Sandra Drummond, Lecturer inNutrition, said: “This is a very promisingmove for the future development ofnutrition within Shetland. Nicola’s work issure to have a very positive impact onthe health of the community.”

Shubhada Karande, MScOccupational Therapy, 2009Shubhada sent this photo of theopening ceremony of the OccupationalTherapy Clinic outside Mumbai, Indiawhere she is now working.

She said: “The journey of pursuing themasters program at QMU was fulfilling.I am now practising as a PeadiatricOccupational Therapy and work withchildren with special needs.

“While working, I realised the importanceof evidence - based practice andresearch skills which I acquired in thisprogram,” she added.

Pooja Gupta

Shubhada (wearing black tee shirt) andcolleagues at the opening of the new JumpStart Therapy Centre, Mumbai

MembershipA slow but steady trickle of newmembers have joined the Graduates’Association this year. More would bewonderful!

Madras LodgeThe main advantage of membership isuse of our seaside hideaway atGullane. Madras Lodge, which isavailable to rent all year round to GAmembers, is proving very popular.Recent visitors have been delightedwith the new kitchen/dining/living roomin The Loft and the first-floor showerroom in The House.

Bookings for 2010 have been brisk butthere are still some dates availablefrom now to December. Members cansee photos on our websitewww.qmuga.org.uk and checkavailability for booking by joining theGoogle group or contacting our newBookings Secretary Anne Vokes. Asummer week in The Loft (sleeps 3-4)for just £190.

Events ProgrammeRegular networking lunches continueon the last Saturday of the month fromSeptember to November and fromJanuary to April. We will be holding ourAGM late this year on June 26 as partof the Reunion weekend.

CommitteeWe have six committee meetings in theyear before our AGM, which is on June26, 2010. We are always seeking newblood on the committee so if you thinkyou may be able to help please get intouch with me or any other member ofcommittee.

CommunicationWe really do need help with our ITwork – the website has been updatedrecently, but we could probably domore with it, and we need to get intosocial networking. Would anyone liketo join us and bring us bang up-to-date?

QMUGA CONTACTSWebsite: www.qmuga.org.uk

MembershipAll graduates and present or formerstaff of QMU and its constituentcolleges are eligible for lifemembership of 40 years.Cost:£35 in graduation year, £45 for othersContact:Helen Kerr26/6 Hawthornbank LaneEdinburgh EH4 3BHT: 0131 220 2714E: [email protected]

Madras LodgeMadras Lodge’s modest charges for2010 are:The House (sleeps 4 to 5) £200-£300per week; 2 nights £95The Loft (sleeps 3 to 4) £145 to £190per week; 2 nights £77Contact:Bookings SecretaryAnne VokesT: 07817 328 035E: [email protected]

Networking lunchesLast Saturday in the month,September to November and Januaryto AprilYou can bring a friend if you’re a bittoo shy to come on your own.Contact:Social SecretaryDorothy Finlayson4 Brunstane Road NorthEdinburgh EH15 2DJT: 0131 669 5341E: [email protected]

Committee and generalcommunicationTo join our e-newsletter for membersor just to let me know the newsContact:PresidentAnne Woodcock131 Clepington Road, Flat 1/LDundee DD3 7PAT: 01382 816502E: [email protected]

QMUGA NEWSLETTERby Graduates’ Association President, Anne Woodcock

VICE PRINCIPAL WELCOMES EDINBURGH CLIPPERTO THE BIG APPLE

Whilst on University business in NewYork in June, our Vice PrincipalRosalyn Marshall welcomed thevessel representing Edinburgh in theClipper 09/10 Round the World YachtRace. A reception to mark the arrivalof the Edinburgh clipper in the city,hosted by Edinburgh City Council andScottish Development International,provided QMU with the opportunity toraise the profile of the Universityamongst leading figures in New York.

Homecoming 2014 was alsohighlighted at this event as wasQMU’s hosting of the Homecoming2009 archive recently announced bythe First Minister, Alex Salmond.

Edinburgh’s vessel is one of tenidentical 68-foot racing yachtscompeting in the event, each of whichis sponsored by an international city,region or country. The 09/10 racebegan from the Humber on the northeast coast of England on September13, 2009 and is due to return on July17, 2010, after circumnavigating theglobe.

QUEEN MARGARETCONFERENCES AND EVENTS

Are you looking for a meeting room orvenue to host an event? Do youregularly arrange conferences andevents? Then QMU could be the venueyou’re looking for.

Here at QMU we have an extensivearray of venues available for hire,ranging from impressive lecturetheatres to clinical labs and dramastudios. We deliver an excellent serviceat great value prices. Previous clientshave included The ScottishGovernment, East Lothian Council, TheScotsman, British PsychologicalSociety, and The British and IrishOmbudsman Association.

We can meet your organisation’s needswhether you are looking for a venue fora small business meeting, trainingworkshops, or a large internationalconference attracting up to 250delegates.

We can also offer accommodationoutwith term times (June to August).From September to May we have

negotiated competitive delegate rateswith local and Edinburgh hotels.

Whatever your event or conferenceneeds, you can be confident that it willbe handled professionally frombeginning to end by our experiencedConferences and Events Team.For full details on Conferences andEvents at QMU, please visit:W:http://www.qmu.ac.uk/services/conferences.htm

Alternatively, contact the QMUConferences and Events Team: E: [email protected] or T: 0131 474 0000 and ask for‘Conferences and Events’ whenprompted by our automated system.If you would like to receive emailsabout upcoming events and publiclectures at QMU and be added to ourmailing list:E: [email protected]

EVENTS NEWS

THE EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSESCHOLARSHIPS

The Edinburgh Playhouse Scholarshipswere established three years ago whenthe Director of the Edinburgh PlayhouseTheatre James Haworth met withRosalyn Marshall QMU’s Vice Principalto discuss how our students could beencouraged in their studies.

Each year since 2008, a second-yearstudent has been awarded £1,500 inrecognition of their hard work. Theycontinue to receive this funding annuallyuntil they graduate. This year’s recipientwas BA (Hons) Performance ArtsManagement student Louise Hutson.

“Louise was chosen because of theenormous effort she made in heracademic work, and her contribution toDance Base and Edinburgh InternationalFestival through her work-basedlearning,” said Simon Girdler, Lecturer inPerforming Arts Management.

Nicola Kenny, the first winner of thescholarship, graduates this month andwill take up a permanent post at DundeeContemporary Arts Centre as their Pressand Marketing Officer.

“I am absolutely delighted for Louise andprevious recipients of the PlayhouseScholarship, Nicola Kenny and RosieDuncan. We look forward to

strengthening our relationship withJames Haworth and The Playhouse, andto James giving a guest lecture to ourstudents next year,” said Dr ChristineBovis-Cnossen, Dean of the School ofArts and Social Sciences.

Louise Hutson and James Haworth

CONTACT:Development and Alumni OfficeQueen Margaret University, Edinburgh,EH21 6UU.T: 0131 474 0000 F: 0131 474 0001E: [email protected]: www.qmu.ac.uk/alumni_and_friends

QMU ON TOP OF THE WORLD – OURCHANCELLOR’S ARCTIC CHALLENGEQMU’s Chancellor, Sir Tom Farmer,embarked upon the challenge of a life-timewhen he journeyed with award-winninghairdresser Charlie Miller to the ArcticCircle to achieve the world’s first haircut atthe North Pole.

It was a long, arduous trip for a trim but atits heart was a serious purpose, to raisefunds and awareness for the TeenageCancer Trust, which supplies real hair wigsto young patients in Scotland.

The eight-day expedition was led by SirTom’s friend, English explorer DavidHempleman-Adams, who has climbed theworld's seven highest mountains andsailed the Atlantic solo.

He invited Sir Tom to join the trek, and SirTom in turn invited Charlie – a close friend,who has supported the Teenage CancerTrust for many years in styling real hairwigs for teenage patients. It was Charliewho was inspired to use the trip to raisefunds for the charity.

The intrepid trio set off on April 13 toLongyearbyen, one of world’s mostnorthern towns, and then to SvalbardIsland in the Arctic Circle. They flew byhelicopter to the base-camp at Ice CampBorneo, located at 89 degrees north.There, they received a full cold weatherbriefing session which covered ice-camping, trekking and dog-sledging .Following a day and a half ofacclimatisation (temperatures there candrop as low as – 40C) they continued, byhelicopter to the Pole.

There, a radar system enabled them topinpoint the exact location of the Pole. It

Marketing and Communications OfficeQueen Margaret University, Edinburgh,EH21 6UU.T: 0131 474 0000 F: 0131 474 0001E: [email protected]: www.qmu.ac.uk

QMU STUDENTS REACH FINAL OFUK-WIDE BUSINESS COMPETITIONFINALA team of four students from QMU wonthe regional heat in the KPMGInternational Business Case Studycompetition.

Raghav Murali, Karl Monsen, JohannesNacke, and Sofia Bruce went on tocompete against teams from Durham,Nottingham and Imperial universities inthe UK final in London in February.

Richard Bent, Senior Lecturer in theSchool of Business, Enterprise andManagement, said: “It was a realachievement for the QMU team toqualify for the regional heats ascompetition was extremely stiff. Theybeat two teams from Durham Universityand one from Edinburgh University tomake it into the final.”

NEWS

This publication is printed on Revive Silk 75 (a recycled paper containing a minimum of 75% post consumer collected waste).

was time for Sir Tom’s trim – and at35C it was pretty cool, even for thiscanny Scottish entrepreneur, renownedfor his can-do attitude and “top of theworld” greeting when asked how hefared.

These were challenging conditions evenin Charlie’s expert hands which wereencased in thick gloves to protectagainst frostbite. At one point, Charliewas obliged to stop so Sir Tom couldput back on his hat and warm up.Despite the conditions, they achievedtheir goal, and Sir Tom ended up with ahaircut which showed Charlie’sunbelievable skills. As other members ofthe party watched, there were soonrequests for haircuts all round. When thegroup returned to camp, Charlie treatedtwo ladies to a very special haircut.

Sir Tom said: "We brought back pics toprove it and, yes, Charlie did cut my hairthere – a world first. Standing at the Polewas quite emotional. We never thought itwould affect us in that way. Fewer than2,000 people have ever been to thePole, so we came back feeling a wee bitspecial.

“I was also delighted to be able to flythe QMU flag and leave it flying at thetop of the world.” he added.

QUICK FACTQMU has the seventh highestsuccess rate under the researchgrants scheme out of all highereducation institutions according tothe ESRC 2008-2009 annual report.

The Economic and Social ResearchCouncil is the UK’s leading researchand training agency.

qm news - 71

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