Members of the media are invited to attend the lecture series. Detailed press releases in advance of each lecture will follow. Interviews with the speakers can be arranged by contacting the Communications Office: Emma Darling 01224 272013 or Jill Moir, Head of Communications, 01224 272012 to discuss.
Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, Thursday November 20, Culture and Identity
Baroness Helena Kennedy has been Chair of the British Council, the United Kingdom's international organisation for educational and cultural relations, since 1998. Her other high-profile public appointments include Chair of the Human Genetics Commission. Appointed Queen's Counsel in 1991 and made a Labour Life Peer in 1997, Lady Kennedy practises predominantly in the criminal law and as acted in many leading cases including the Brighton Bombing Trial and the Guildford Four Appeal.
A regular broadcaster and journalist, she presented Channel 4's After Dark series now on BBC 4. Her award-winning book on women in the criminal justice system, Eve was Framed, was published in 1992. Among numerous awards and honours she holds honorary doctorates from 20 universities including Aberdeen.
Rt Hon Sir Malcolm Rifkind KCMG QC, Wednesday, November 26, Scotland and Europe
Sir Malcolm Rifkind served as Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs until 1997 when he was one of the Conservatives to lose his seat during the Labour general election victory. Sir Malcolm was an MP for more than 20 years with over a decade's experience in the Cabinet including Secretary of State for Scotland, Transport Secretary and Defence Secretary.
In 1983, as minister of state of at the Foreign Office, he was played a key role in persuading Margaret Thatcher to accept plans for the creation of a single market for Europe. Since leaving parliament he has acted as a business consultant and was made President of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party in 1998. Appointed a Privy Councillor in 1996, he was Knighted in John Major's resignation honours.
Joyce McMillan, Wednesday December 3, The Media and The Message
Joyce McMillan is chief theatre critic of The Scotsman newspaper and writes a political/social commentary column for the paper. She has been a political and arts columnist, theatre critic and broadcaster for over 20 years writing for Scottish and London-based newspapers. She is involved in Scottish and European campaign on democracy and human rights and was a member of the UK government's consultative Steering Group on procedures for the new Scottish Parliament. Joyce McMillan served as a member of the Scottish Arts Council's working group on the new national theatre project for Scotland. Her history of Edinburgh's Traverse Theatre was published in 1998.
Professor Sir Graeme Catto, Thursday December 11, Medicine and Society
Professor Sir Graeme Catto was appointed President of the General Medical Council in 2001. He is currently Vice-Principal at King's College London and Dean of the Guy's, King's College and St. Thomas' Hospitals' Medical & Dental School.
With a particular interest in renal medicine, nephrology and immunology, he began his scientific and clinical career at the University of Aberdeen in the 1970s and over the next 30 years rose to become Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Vice-Principal. Sir Graeme was instrumental in the development of Aberdeen's pioneering Institute of Medical Sciences.
His distinguished public service career includes a spell as Chief Scientist at the Scottish Executive and Vice-Chairman of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Knighted in 2002 for services to medicine and medical education, he is currently a member of SE London Strategic Health Authority and Chairman of Robert Gordon's College. He received an honorary doctorate from Aberdeen in 2002.
- Issued by
-
The Communications Team
Directorate of External Relations,
University of Aberdeen,
King's College,
Aberdeen
- Issued on
- 10 November 2003
