CASS Newsletter Issue 6 - August 2011

Second edition of successful Student Law Review launched

The second volume of the Aberdeen Student Law Review (ASLR) was launched at the end of July, at an evening event in James McKay Hall. Featuring articles on a range of topics, from the academic study of property law to the practical implications of oil and gas taxation, the ASLR is an academic journal managed entirely by students.

The event was attended by a number of alumni from law firms across the city, as well as the journal’s honorary patron, the Hon Lord Woolman, Senator of the College of Justice.  Contributors range from university students to recent graduates and trainee lawyers. The volume also includes an honorary contribution by Gary Allan, Queen’s Counsel, himself a graduate from the University’s Law School.

Throughout the past year the students have been working hard to promote the journal and increase its profile in the legal journals market and the editorial team has received subscription interest from across the world.  It is now held in a number of American universities, including Harvard Law School.

The purpose of the review is to showcase the work of students and alumni of the University of Aberdeen, providing a platform for the submission of scholarly essays, articles and case notes.

In his foreword to volume two Lord Woolman wrote, “I am delighted that the brio of those involved in launching the project has been sustained. In my view, volume two confirms that the ASLR is continuing to make a significant contribution to legal learning in Scotland.”

Return to top

Social Science student nominated for 'Student of the Year'

A student in the School of Social Science has been shortlisted for a top UK student award because of his voluntary work in the city and beyond, including Africa.  Ross Grant, a 3^rd year Politics and International Relations student, is one of the nomineesfor the NUS Student of the Year Award, which recognises students who have done outstanding work in the community and at their institution and who have gone out of their way to improve the lives of others.

Twenty-three year old Ross juggles his studies with his role as chairman of Tillydrone Community Council, chairman of Aberdeen Civic Forum and chairman of Tillydrone Development Steering Group.  He is also vice-chairman of Tillydrone Vision, which is working with young people in Uganda.  Wearing this hat he helped to set up an organisation which works with Bezellel Primary School in Uganda which has 500 pupils, 40% of whom are orphans.

Ross was also involved in helping to buy and send a tractor to the school so that they can harvest crops to feed the children. It is also hoped that the school can rent out the tractor to the local community.

Ross, who is from Aberdeen, said: “I was really surprised to have been nominated as it was done so quietly. I am honoured that the people I work with think so highly of me.  I felt motivated to do something after seeing the conditions in Uganda when I was out there in 2008 as part of Tillydrone community. When I came back to Tillydrone I was determined to help make a difference.”

Professor Chris Gane, Vice-Principal for Culture and Communities at the University of Aberdeen, said he was delighted to see a student committing so much time to helping his community.

“Ross is an outstanding student who has managed to balance the rigours of his degree course with his role as chairman of Tillydrone Community Council.  The University works closely with Tillydrone and Ross has been influential in ensuring close working relationships between the University and the Community Council.”

Return to top

Historian seeks to 'set the record straight' on atrocities committed during the Battle of Fromelles

The Battle of Fromelles fought during World War One has earned a reputation as the darkest day in Australian military history tainted not only by the high casualty rate but reported acts of atrocity at the hands of the enemy.  But as the 95^th anniversary of the battle passed, one of our History colleagues cast doubt upon the extent to which German soldiers were responsible for acts of brutality.

Dr Tom Weber examined the battle in detail in the course of researching his book Hitler’s First War, which discredits the Nazi leader’s First World War record.  The argument is that while individual soldiers from both sides broke the laws of ‘civilised’ warfare, the brutalisation of those who fought in the battle, which claimed 5,500 Australian casualties in a single day, was not as widespread as is commonly perceived.

The Battle of Fromelles, fought from July 19-20 1916, was a combined operation between English troops and the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) and it was the first occasion that the AIF saw action on the Western Front.  After a night and a day of fighting, 1,500 English and 5,533 Australian soldiers were killed, wounded or taken prisoner — the highest losses in a single day in Australia’s military history.  It ended in a resounding victory for the men of the List Regiment, the Bavarian unit to which Hitler belonged, and after the battle some Australian soldiers stated that they had seen Bavarian soldiers shooting injured Australians.  According to Australian reports, Bavarian soldiers let an Australian soldier who had been blinded stumble in circles before they shot him.

But Dr Weber argues that the commonly held perception of the battle is based almost entirely on Australian evidence.  In the course of his research for Hitler’s First War, he examined in detail the records of the List Regiment, uncovering many documents which have never been tapped as a source of evidence for Hitler’s war record.  He found that a report by 1st Battalion of the List Regiment which agrees that the laws of ‘civilized’ warfare had been broken. However, the villains of the report were Australian, not Bavarian.

Dr Weber said that although such incidents seem to have occurred on both sides, this does not reflect overall relations between the opposing soldiers.

“The evidence I have found suggests that while atrocities did take place, this was not a widespread or universal phenomenon.  Acts of decency and of treacherous violence coexisted and were sometimes combined. One such incident occurred at the end of the Battle of Fromelles, when two Bavarian soldiers carried an injured Australian soldier back to the Australian trenches, saluted the injured soldier, and then, as they walked back towards German lines, were shot by other Australians who were probably oblivious to what had happened.  However it seems that acts of decency in the aftermath of battle were more common than acts of brutality. Prisoners of War later recorded that on arrest, they were not treated at all brutally.”

Return to top

Education graduate named Scotland's best new teacher

A graduate from the School of Education has been named Scotland’s best new teacher and will now compete for the Outstanding New Teacher title in a UK-wide award.  Richie McColm (31), originally from Kirkintilloch, near Glasgow, won the Probationer of the Year category at the Scottish Education Awards because of the extensive programmes he set up to improve the lives of the pupils beyond the classroom.

Richie, who teaches at Perth Grammar School, began his first year in teaching by setting up a drama club - which now has 60 pupils - and feels that this has really increased the confidence of the children who participate.  He also uses his time outside the classroom to be a mentor to pupils who need extra attention and encourages those pupils in turn to be role models for other pupils in the school.  An important part of his efforts this year was the establishment of an Optimistic course to get pupils to think positively about themselves and their future aspirations.

Richie said he was delighted to receive the title but that the greatest award was not the prize itself, but that parents took the time out of their day to tell the competition the difference he had made to their families because of the work he had done in helping to put their children on the right path in life.  He calls these ‘moment rewards’ and said that for him, this is what the experience as Scotland’s best new teacher is all about.

Judges from the competition spent 80 minutes with pupils, staff and teachers, before observing his teaching for an hour.  He was accompanied to the ceremony, held at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow on June 14, by some of the pupils that he has helped, who during his presentation spoke of the respect they had for him and his efforts.  Richie said: “I came into teaching with a mindset of a responsibility for all individuals in the school and set up different activities to attend to the differing needs of pupils.  The University of Aberdeen Education department taught me about the need for inclusion in schools and to make every child feel safe and secure in their environment and helped me to understand how drama can be used as an educational tool to do this.  None of this is a task for me - I simply love everything that I am doing.”

According to Richie, he was able to dedicate additional time to extra-curricular activities because of the probationary timetable for new teachers.  He now plans to set up a theatre company in the school run entirely by pupils and tailored to meet the needs of the community when he starts as a new full time teacher at Perth Grammar in the autumn.

Richie will attend the Pearson Teaching Awards ceremony in London on 30^th October, which will be broadcast on BBC 2.

Return to top

Author wins prestigious bursary

A colleague from the School of Language & Literature has been awarded a £10,000 bursary from Creative Scotland based on the strength of her collection of short stories.  Helen Lynch, who teaches Literature and Creative Writing, has been awarded a Writer’s Bursary to allow her to progress with her new stories.

Helen won the Bluechrome Short Story Prize in 2008, which resulted in the publication of her first collection of stories, The Elephant and the Polish Question, a collection of short stories set during the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe.  Her work has also recently appeared in a number of prestigious periodicals and anthologies, including Gutter, Causeway, Even More Tonto Short Stories and The Year of Open Doors.

The Bursary is awarded to published writers, based in Scotland, to financially assist them with their next book or play.  Helen was awarded the maximum grant available based on the strength of her portfolio of work in progress.

Helen, who is also a whistle tutor with the Scottish Culture and Traditions Association and performs with the ceilidh band Danse McCabre, said: “I am thrilled to have received such a generous bursary.  It will buy me time to concentrate on writing for the next few months and to complete my second collection of short stories”.

Helen has featured regularly at the University’s Word festival and in November teamed up with two of the institution’s other award-winning authors, Professor Alan Spence and Dr Wayne Price, for an event to mark the UK’s first National Short Story week.

Professor Spence, Professor in Creative Writing and Artistic Director of Word, said: “This award is a thoroughly deserved recognition of the quality of Helen’s work, and her second collection of stories promises to be something really special.”

Return to top

Leading economist hosts business breakfast to showcase the Henley-Aberdeen Partnership

A leading business economist visited the University of Aberdeen in June to host a special breakfast event for local business leaders and academics showcasing the new Henley-Aberdeen Partnership.

Professor Dominic Swords - a leading business economist and a regular speaker at corporate conferences on the business impact of economic change - addressed an audience in the Linklater Rooms.

At the breakfast briefing Professor Swords provided a review and update of the economic issues that face the global economy. Drawing on the latest data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) mid-year reports, he presented his findings and views on the developing economic landscape and encouraged debate as to its impact on participants’ business areas.

The University of Aberdeen has teamed up with Henley Business School to create a strong business network for senior managers in the north-east of Scotland, known as the Henley-Aberdeen Partnership.  The breakfast is the second event organised by the partnership to promote the benefits the Henley-Aberdeen network to the business community.

Henley Business School at the University of Reading is the oldest business school in the UK with 65 years’ experience in growing business leaders.  Together with business partners, the aim is to create a network with a strong north-east focus which demonstrates that, working in partnership, academia and business can maximise the impact of leadership skills to the development of the Aberdeenshire economy.

The Henley-Aberdeen Partnership combines the delivery of high quality executive education from a recognised global leader with the world-leading credentials of academics at the University of Aberdeen, with expertise in areas such as North Sea oil and gas.  The initiative is based on the existing and renowned Henley Partnership which was established in 1995 to cater for managers and directors from nearly 40 partner companies.

Professor Angela Black, head of the University of Aberdeen Business School, said: “The north-east of Scotland is a thriving economic area with unique benefits and opportunities. This partnership between the University of Aberdeen and Henley business School will create a strong network of business organisations which will benefit not only industry already here but promote inward investment into the north-east.”

Further events to showcase the Henley-Aberdeen partnership are planned for September. For more information please email henley-aberdeen@abdn.ac.uk.

Return to top

Anthropology student awarded one of the world's most prestigious scholarships

Zoe Todd, a first-year PhD student in Social Anthropology, has been awarded a Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship following her nomination to the Foundation by the School of Social Science.

Zoe (28), originally from Edmonton in Alberta, Canada, is one of just 14 students to be awarded a scholarship for 2011.

The prestigious Trudeau Scholarships are granted to social sciences and humanities students who are examining matters of present-day concern to Canadians in key areas such as the environment, international affairs, responsible citizenship, and human rights and dignity. Many Trudeau Scholars go on to become leading national and international figures.

In addition to the generous financial prize from the Trudeau Foundation, Trudeau Scholars benefit from the expertise and knowledge of Trudeau Fellows and Mentors, highly accomplished individuals in the Trudeau community who are leaders in both academic and non-academic settings. Interaction in non-academic situations, including public policy networks and public forums, is a key component of the Trudeau Scholarship program.

Zoe’s research examines the social and health impacts of environmental change in the Canadian Arctic, as well as the broader issue of how resource extraction impacts the health and well-being of Indigenous peoples throughout the world.

Zoe is Métis going back six generations to the Red River in Manitoba, Canada as well as having ancestry in the St. Paul de Métis Settlement in Alberta.  Her great-great-great-great grandfather was a surgeon and trader for the Hudson's Bay Company who moved to Canada in 1816.  She said she was delighted to learn she had been successful in her application.

“This is one of the highest honours a PhD student studying the social sciences can receive. And it’s about more than funding research; it’s about the inspiring community of thinkers and actors that the Foundation fosters.”

“I’m incredibly excited to be welcomed into this community and to work with the other scholars to develop policy-minded solutions to challenges people face both in Canada and internationally. The calibre of the scholars, fellows and mentors that are funded and supported by the Trudeau Foundation is really amazing. The support that I am receiving from the Trudeau Foundation will help me conduct community-based research that is meaningful and related to real-world issues.  As a Métis person I’m really excited to be part of this group of scholars - I can tackle some of the issues that Aboriginal people in Canada face today.”

Return to top

Experts gather to remember the Battle of Harlaw

Experts in history, archaeology, genealogy, heraldry, clans and cultural legacy gathered in Aberdeen in June to share their collective knowledge of the Battle of Harlaw, ahead of the 600th anniversary of the contest.

This is the first time experts from such diverse fields have come together to focus on Harlaw and it is hoped that the conference will further understanding of the Battle, fought near Inverurie on 24^th July 1411,which had significant implications for the cultural and linguistic face of Scotland.  They will be joined by direct descendants of those who fought in the battle including David Irvine of Drum, whose ancestor Sir Alexander Irvine of Drum led his clan in the battle.

The conference, Harlaw Remembered, organised by the Elphinstone Institute in partnership with the Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen, took place on Thursday 9^th June at the Trinity Hall, Aberdeen.

The Battle of Harlaw was a contest over the Earldom of Ross fought between the Gaelic army of Donald of Islay, Lord of the Isles, and an army assembled by Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar, to defend Aberdeen against the Highlanders. The bloody battle, although indecisive, was of significant strategic importance as whoever controlled Ross, a territory stretching from Inverness to Skye, also controlled northern Scotland and held aconsiderable power over the rest of Scotland down to theTay.

Much of what is known, through the cultural history, poems and songs which commemorate the Battle, also featured in the conference.  Trinity Hall was a particularly apt venue for the event as the only two known artefacts of the battle - the Weavers’ banner and the sword of Provost Davidson of Aberdeen, who was killed during the conflict - are on display there.  Speakers included Dr Iain Banks, Executive Director of the Centre for Battlefield Archaeology at the University of Glasgow, Scottish historian Professor Richard Oram of the University of Stirling, and Dr Iain MacDonald of the University of Glasgow, who talked about the Lordship of the Isles.

Dr Ian Russell, Director of the Elphinstone Institute, said before the event: “The conference provides an important opportunity to bring together experts from diverse fields and those with a personal connection to the Battle for the most comprehensive academic examination of the battle to date. With the 600^th anniversary of Harlaw approaching we feel that it is important to recognise the significance of the battle and the cultural imprint it leaves today.  Although neither side could claim a clear victory, Harlaw changed forever the cultural and linguistic face of Scotland.”

Return to top

First student-run exhibition at King's Museum

‘Sounded Bodies’, the first student-produced exhibition to take place at the University’s newest museum, opened to the public on Tuesday 7^th June.  ‘Sounded Bodies’ is a collaborative venture between the departments of Anthropology, Film & Visual Culture and History of Art and is curated by students taking a new taught postgraduate course, Curating an Exhibition, coordinated by Neil Curtis, Head of Museums.  It is designed to give students the opportunity to become involved in every aspect of producing an exhibition.

Work included researching the topic, selecting objects from the University’s collections, designing the layout, writing labels and marketing the event to run at King’s Museum.  The student group’s project manager Sarah Ainslie said: “This was a great opportunity to combine academic and practical skills in one course and to work with a range of people from across the University”.

The ‘Sounded Bodies’ exhibition investigates the effects that sound has on human beings and explores the idea that we are immersed in sound. Sarah added: “We have been thinking about bodies being places where sound is not only heard, but also produced when our heart beats, our veins pulse, our lungs resonate and our feet tap. At the same time, sound is part of our environment that we often ignore but in which we are always deeply immersed”.

The objects on display are chosen from a variety of the University's extensive collections, including musical instruments, ethnographic items, scientific instruments and anatomical models. Visitors can explore fascinating objects that are normally used only for teaching and research, including a large-scale model ear used in anatomy teaching and a percussion pistol fired at wedding ceremonies in Aberdeenshire in the 18^th and 19^th centuries to drive away evil spirits.

Visitors to the exhibition will also be able to listen to the sounds of their own bodies using a stethoscope and monitor the noises they produce by way of an interactive spectrogram, as well as listening to a specially commissioned sound installation by renowned electro-acoustic composer Professor Pete Stollery and PhD music student Ross Whyte, and an original short video by postgraduate Visual Culture student Irene Jiménez.

‘Sounded Bodies’ in King’s Museum is open free to the public until Saturday 13^th August.

Return to top

Music student honoured for outstanding achievement

A gifted musician has been honoured by the University as one of three recipients of the Aberdeen Quincentenary Prize.  Edward Jones, a final year BMus student, is on track for a First Class Honours and dedicates much of his time to music-related activities. 

Former Aberdeen Grammar School pupil Edward (22) conducts music groups and has led the Deeside Choristers for four years, building them into an important group within the north-east of Scotland.  He also conducts the University of Aberdeen New Music Group and is assistant conductor of the University’s Opera Society.

Edward is active nationally and internationally with choirs and ensembles, performing with the Edinburgh Chamber Choir in Prague, Canterbury and Vienna.  He also gives up his time freely to accompany fellow students at musical events around Scotland and intends to stay on at Aberdeen to begin his doctoral studies in composition.

The Quincentenary Prize is an annual award, established to mark the University’s 500^th anniversary, and recognises the exceptional efforts and talents of students.  The students - Edward along with Natasha Moir (MBChB) and Nur Aizaan Anwar (MBChB) - were each presented with a £1000 cash prize and a medal in honour of their achievements by the Lord Provost of Aberdeen, Peter Stephen, at a ceremony held at the Aberdeen City Council Town House.

The ceremony was also attended by Professor Ian Diamond, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen.

Commending the students, Professor Ian Diamond, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, said: “The Quincentenary Prize recognises the outstanding efforts and talents of University of Aberdeen students, both in their academic careers and in their personal endeavours.

“Today’s ceremony honours these three prizewinners whose high educational performance combined with a real dedication to the wider community make them strong examples of the high calibre of exceptional graduates being produced by the University.”

Return to top

Aberdeen hosts first Scottish roadshow to highlight the important role played by social sciences

The University of Aberdeen hosted a Scottish roadshow to highlight the strategic contribution made by the social sciences to government, the media and the public in May.  Sponsored by the Academy of Social Sciences, the event formed part of a UK-wide campaign which aims to try and secure extra funding for the field.

The Campaign for Social Science was launched in January at an event featuring speeches by David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science and major figures in the social sciences.  The roadshow had already visited a number of English universities including Newcastle and Sheffield but this was the first time that it had come to Scotland.

The event was introduced by Professor Ian Diamond, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, and was hosted by the University’s Professor John Brewer, who is also President of the British Sociological Association.  Speakers included Professor Sir Howard Newby, President of the Academy of Social Sciences and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool; Professor Tony Crook, Chair of the Campaign for Social Science Board and Chair of Shelter, the national homeless charity; and Stephen Anderson, Executive Director of the Academy of Social Sciences.

Ahead of the event, Professor Brewer said: “The City of Aberdeen and the University is privileged to be host to the Scottish roadshow in support of the Campaign for Social Science organised by the Academy of Social Science.

“This is an opportunity to host a nation-wide campaign and to demonstrate the quality and enthusiasm for social scientific knowledge in Aberdeen and Scotland generally.  We hope it will give public recognition to the social sciences and help to ensure that future generations in Scotland can have access to social science knowledge and education.”

Return to top

Education professor outlines pioneering education research at the White House

A colleague from the School of Education gave a presentation at the White House on Tuesday 10^th May in order to share important educational research carried out at the University.  The event took place as the United States prepared to re-authorise its Elementary and Secondary Education Act and considered how teachers should best be prepared to enter the profession.

Professor Florian, Professor of Social and Educational Inclusion, described research and development that has taken place in the University of Aberdeen in briefings held in the White House and both Houses of Congress in Washington DC.

Professor Florian is co-author, with American colleagues Linda Blanton and Marleen Pugach, of a new policy briefing report, Preparing General Education Teachers to Improve Outcomes for Students with Disabilities, sponsored by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) and the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD).  The groundbreaking report highlights the importance of reforming teacher education to bring about better outcomes for students with disabilities and learning difficulties, a challenge that is faced in many countries.  The report addresses these challenges by outlining a vision for teacher education that builds on current developments, including lessons from the Inclusive Practice Project at the University.

The Inclusive Practice Project was designed to develop new approaches to training teachers to ensure that they have a greater awareness and understanding of the educational and social problems that can affect children’s learning and as well as developing strategies they can use to support and deal with such difficulties. Colleagues in the School of Education have made major changes to the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) for primary and secondary teachers to ensure that social and educational inclusion is addressed within the core programme.

The Project, which began in 2006, was funded by the Scottish Government and its research findings have already informed policy debates at the national, European (European Agency for Development of Special Needs Education) and international (UNESCO) level.

Professor Florian said: “I am delighted that work carried at in the School of Education is being recognised internationally.  It is a great honour to be invited to speak to White House and Congressional staff about our research and development work. Hopefully, the lessons from Aberdeen will have some impact on the ways in which teachers are trained in the United States in the future.”

Return to top

Colleague joins Scottish Energy Advisory Board

A colleague from the Business School has become a member of the Scottish Energy Advisory Board to the Scottish Government.

Professor Alex Kemp, Chair in Political Economy, has been appointed to the Board which provides strategic guidance on the issues facing the energy sector in Scotland with the overall purpose of delivering Scotland’s energy potential.

The Board and its themed Groups met collectively for the first time at the inaugural Scotland's Energy Summit in Aberdeen on 18^th May last year.  It aims to provide a forum for strategic discussion on the current and future energy challenges and opportunities for Scotland.

The Board also seeks to develop the Scottish industry view on these issues, to include potential synergies between the oil and gas, thermal generation, carbon capture and storage, and the renewables sectors, delivering a low carbon economy and ensuring the security of Scotland's energy supply.

Professor Kemp said: “This is an exciting time to be involved in the debate on Scotland’s energy future.”

Return to top

Spotlight on Sustainability and Social Responsibility

Colleagues will no doubt be aware of the University’s Advisory Group on Sustainability and Social Responsibility and the work that it does on many important issues, not least carbon management.  The College, which is represented at the Advisory Group by the College Registrar, is committed to raising awareness about the importance of carbon management and encouraging behavioural change in this area.  As a result, colleagues are asked to engage wherever possible in actions which can contribute to this behavioural change and to give ideas as to the sorts of things that can be considered, here is a brief overview of current College commitments:

• Ensure any estates development plans take into account best practice e.g. incorporating BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) and the provision of showering facilities for those taking alternative methods of travelling to work.
• Reduce printer usage e.g. by non replacement of desktop printers, in line with longer-term DIT strategy to utilise Multifunctional Devices (MFDs) in order to move away from desktop printing.
• Undertake as many recruitment interviews as possible by video conference, thereby reducing the need for travel.
• Exercise ever more rigorous control of travel expenditure e.g. requiring pre-authorisation before any bookings on £1,000 or more (including multiple bookings in one trip totalling £1,000 or more) are made, thereby reducing travel overall.
• Continue to encourage sensible behaviour which impacts on energy usage e.g.. Light switch stickers, PCs installed with power down software etc.
• Continue to encourage the use of technology that reduces carbon usage e.g. printing only where necessary and by the most efficient means, utilising SharePoint for document distribution, using OCS and other technology in pace of travelling to meetings, using electronic means of document transportation e.g. on student recruitment trips.

This list of ‘actions’ - directly linked to core business - will help to create an institutional culture that supports carbon management but it the support and commitment of every colleague is required for this to succeed.

Return to top