Women on Top at the University of Stirling
Stirling Student in Scottish Universities' Golf Champ
Moderator Visits University of Stirling
Stirling Swimmers Head for Olympic Trials
Executive Funds Pioneering Research on Patient Experience of Cancer
University of Stirling Swimmers Book their Olympic Places
Cornton Vale Expert Comes to Stirling
Scholarship Support from John Smith Bookshops
Professorial Inaugural Lecture
Mumps Outbreak in Forth Valley
Scotland's Poor Reputation for Industrial Relations Examined
BAFTA Winner Mark Daly Owes Success to Stirling
BUSA Success for Stirling University Tennis Players
Official Opening of Colin Bell Building
Football is More Than Kicking a Ball About
Dewar Demonstrates Early Season Form at Helen Holm
Women on Top at the University of Stirling
Date released:
Thursday 1 April
Following the appointment of Professor Christine Hallett as Principal
and Vice-Chancellor on Monday 15 March, the University of Stirling
has become the only Scottish University to have women in all of
its senior posts:
Principal and Vice-Chancellor – Professor Christine Hallett
Chairman of the University Court – Dr Doris Littlejohn CBE
President of the University’s Students’ Association – Miss Esther Kavanagh
Chancellor – Dame
Diana Rigg
Speaking at the University of Stirling’s graduation ceremony
on Friday 26 March, Dame Diana Rigg said: “Professor Christine
Hallett made history twice when she became Principal and Vice-Chancellor.
Not only is she the first woman to hold the office at Stirling,
but she is the first female Principal in one of Scotland’s
older universities. She is in good company. Stirling already has
a female Chancellor, myself, a female Chairman of Court, Dr Doris
Littlejohn, and a much younger female President of the University’s
Students’ Association, Miss Esther Kavanagh. Take note Mr
Blair and Mr Howard.”
Lesley Pollock
Media Relations Manager
(01786) 467058
Stirling Student is Scottish Universities’ Golf Champ
Date released: Thursday 1 April
Stirling University student
Richard Ramsay eased to a six-shot victory over the field at the
Scottish Universities’ Individual Golf Championship on Wednesday
31 March to win the Jack Allan Trophy.
The annual 36-hole event, held on the on the Old Course at Moray
Golf Club, Lossiemouth (par 71), saw over one hundred of the top
student and youth golfers competing in unseasonably warm sunshine
and light winds.
Scoring throughout the day was good and, at lunchtime, over a third
of the field were still in with a chance of winning. The morning
highlight was provided by Ramsay himself, when he shot a three-under
par 68, to lead his team mate Robert MacGregor by four strokes.
The afternoon rounds got off to a spectacular start with Alistair
Love of Heriot Watt University racing to six-under par through seven
holes. The pace, however, was too difficult to maintain and, despite
finishing with an excellent 68, Love was unable to get any closer
to Ramsay who added a one-under par 70 to his morning round for
a championship record score of 138 (4 under par).
Ramsay (20), from Aberdeen and a member of Royal Aberdeen Golf Club
is a second year Marketing and Sports Studies student at the University
of Stirling. He is a Royal & Ancient Sports Bursar and plays
off a handicap of +1. A Scottish Under-21 International and North-east
District player, he thanked his team mates, and particularly his
coaches Ian Rae and Steven Rosie, for his current run of good form
and achievement.
Lesley Pollock
Media Relations Manager
(01786) 467058
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Moderator Visits University of Stirling
Date released:
Monday 5 April
Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Rt.
Reverend Professor Iain Torrance visited the University of Stirling
on Thursday 1 April as part of a special tour of Stirlingshire and
Clackmannanshire.
Director of Communications and Development, Mr Giles Dove said:
“We are delighted that the Moderator chose to include the
University of Stirling in his official programme. Professor Torrance
has considerable knowledge of the higher education sector and colleagues
at Stirling hugely appreciated the opportunity to interact with
him.”
Professor Torrance was welcomed to the University by Principal and
Vice-Chancellor Professor Christine Hallett, before embarking on
tour of the campus including the University Art Collection, the
Department of Religious Studies, the MacRobert Arts Centre and the
Dementia Services Development Centre.
Professor Torrance said: “The University of Stirling has been
remarkably adroit in its strategic planning and management. It has
played to its strengths by developing internationally renowned centres
of excellence in research, especially in aquatic science, dementia
and sports science. It has deepened its links to its community with
the truly outstanding facilities of the MacRobert Arts Centre. Realising
that its staff are its greatest asset, in an enviable way it has
maintained collegiality throughout a turbulent period in higher
education."
Lesley Pollock
Media Relations Manager
(01786) 467058
The
Principal's Music
Date released:
Monday 5 April
The University of Stirling has organised a series of informal musical
recitals in the MacRobert Foyer under the banner of The Principal’s
Music.
The following events are open to the public and are free of charge:
Wednesday 14 April 1.10–1.50pm
Dollar Academy Young Musicians with a programme including music
by Corelli and Haydn.
Wednesday 12 May 1.10-1.50pm
Professor Leslie Smith’s Jazz Band play mainstream tunes.
Further information is available from the External Relations, Tel: 01786 467055 or E-mail: c&d@stir.ac.uk
Lesley Pollock
Media Relations Manager
01786 467058
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Stirling Swimmers Head for Olympic Trials
Date released:
Monday 5 April
Nine students from the University of Stirling will travel to Sheffield
this week to participate in the British Olympic Swimming Trials.
Double Olympian Nick Neckles (23) has already qualified to attend
his third Olympiad in Athens this summer representing Barbados,
however for his team mates the pressure is on to perform at the
Ponds Forge pool if they are to be in the running for selection
for the British Team.
Among those competing will be Todd Cooper (21) from Kidderminster
who competed at British senior level in the World Championships
and World Student Games last summer.
Todd commented “Swimming at the Olympic Games has been a goal
of mine for many years, so I’m really looking forward to seeing
what I can do at the trials”.
Each swimmer has been following a highly individualised preparation
programme in the run up to this crucial competition.
University coach Ciaran O’Brien commented: “These athletes
have really benefited from the support and academic flexibility
which the Scholarship Programme at the University provides. Scottish
Institute of Sport coach Chris Martin leads the coaching staff here
at Stirling University. He has been instrumental in ensuring each
swimmer has had the training they need to be able to perform when
it really counts.”
To be selected for the team swimmers need to finish in the top two
in their event and register a time that is faster than twelfth place
in the world rankings. This tough criteria means only top performances
will make the team; but Stirling’s swimmers remain positive
of reaching their goal.
Lesley Pollock
Media Relations Manager
(01786) 467058
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Ciaran O'Brien - Coach University of Stirling Stirling FK9 4LA UK |
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Gallery on Gambling
Date released:
Monday 5 April
Professor Wray Vamplew, an expert on sports history, has teamed
up with the National Horseracing Museum at Newmarket to develop
a new gallery observing the history of gambling. Opening tomorrow,
Tuesday 6 April, You Bet will trace the relationship between horseracing
and gambling from the beginnings of on-course bookmaking in the
1790s through to modern times when betting takes place via the Internet.
Among the objects on display will be one of the multi-coloured jackets
worn by ‘Prince’ Monolula, a tipster made famous by
his catchphrase ‘I Gotta Horse’. There are also letters
revealing a major scandal when the 1844 Derby, a Classic race for
three-year-old horses, was won by a heavily disguised four-year-old.
For much of the period under review, till the legalisation of betting
shops in 1961, cash betting away from the racecourse by working-class
men and women was illegal. Both bookmakers and punters disregarded
the law and an illegal betting industry thrived.
Professor Vamplew said: “Most illegal bookmakers employed
‘runners’ who received commission on the bets that they
collected from pubs, factories and small shops, especially tobacconists.
These were picked up in clock bags, leather purses which, when shut,
set the time on the clock to confirm that the bets had taken place
before racing started. A clock bag used by bookies’ runners
will be on display.”
The Tote was introduced to British racing in 1929 so that gambling
would help finance the sport. A major exhibit will be a mock Tote
office, complete with the uniforms of ‘the ladies in red’
who have helped create a distinct image for the Tote that is quite
unlike that of the bookmakers.
Professor Vamplew said: “At the course the Tote appeals particularly
to those preferring the orderly queue to the push and shove of the
betting ring, those wishing to bet in small amounts, and those seeking
to bet each-way or even place only.“
Betting shops will also feature, as that is where most betting takes
place. When they were allowed to open in 1961, the government did
not wish to be seen as encouraging betting and hence insisted that
the shops be unattractive and not be allowed television, comfortable
seating, the provision of refreshments, or even a toilet! A radical
change came in 1986, following legislation of 1985 that allowed
shops to have televised coverage of racing and other sports, and
to sell soft drinks in more comfortable, well-furnished surroundings.
The exhibition will also seek to be socially responsible. Professor
Vamplew said: “For most betters racing and the associated
gambling is fun, but, for some, addiction to gambling has resulted
in dire consequences for them and their families. Attention will
be drawn to those organisations which can assist people with a gambling
problem.”
The new gallery has been sponsored by The National Sporting League
Benevolent Fund in memory of one-time president Charles Layfield.
Lesley Pollock
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Wray Vamplew University of Stirling Stirling FK9 4LA UK |
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Hilary Bracegirdle Director of the National Horseracing Museum |
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Executive Funds Pioneering Research on Patient Experience of Cancer
Date
released: Tuesday 6 April
Cancer care will only improve by listening more to the experiences
of patients and their carers, Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm said
today.
He was announcing £1.5 million of Executive funding for pioneering
research into patient experiences at the University of Stirling’s
new Cancer Care Research Centre.
The Centre, the only one of its kind in the UK, was opened by the
Health Minister in October last year. It has set out an extensive
programme of work to improve outcomes for patients with cancer over
the next three years. This will include:
- Undertaking a comprehensive evaluation of the symptoms associated with cancer and its treatment, resulting in the first ever database of cancer related morbidity.
- Establishing a substantive body of cancer care research focused on the experiences of patients and carers, throughout all phases of their illness.
- Exploring a range of methods to capture the views of patients, carers and the public about cancer care in Scotland.
- Involving patients and carers in directing the activity of
the Centre.
Health Minister Malcolm
Chisholm said:
“Cancer remains a significant challenge in Scotland and I
am committed to reducing the burden of this disease.
“Currently our knowledge of patients’ experiences of
cancer is limited so gathering reliable information on patients’
experience of cancer, and of their treatment and care, is essential
if we are to make real progress in designing services around patients’
needs and securing improved patient outcomes.
“The Cancer Care Research Centre will operate as a national
resource for patient experience research with implications for all
areas of healthcare but maximum impact on cancer services.
“It will establish a robust source of information on patient
experiences and trends in cancer related morbidity in Scotland,
which will better equip us to tackle cancer in Scotland. This information
will be of use to everyone with an interest in cancer in Scotland.
“It will also enable us to provide cancer care which ensures
that patients, their families and carers are not only informed about
their care but are actively involved in influencing, planning and
developing that care.”
The Centre’s Director, Professor Nora Kearney, said:
“This level of support from the Scottish Executive highlights
the emphasis they place on listening to patients and carers. Undertaking
this large programme of work will allow, for the first time, a systematic
approach to understanding patients’ experiences of cancer
and allow us to develop cancer services which are responsive to
patients needs.
“In addition we will develop a national system for data collection
and analysis of cancer-related morbidity which will result in a
comprehensive picture of the true burden of cancer and will facilitate
more efficient costing of cancer services and inform workforce planning.
“It places patients and their carers at the forefront of cancer
care and we will work with them throughout Scotland to ensure their
views are heard and acted upon.”
Lesley Pollock
Media Relations Manager
(01786) 467058
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Professor Nora Kearney University of Stirling Stirling FK9 4LA UK |
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Stirling Student Sponsorship
Date released:
Tuesday 13 April
Independent market research company, MRUK research has rewarded
the top final year marketing students at the University of Stirling.
Gareth Lawrence was awarded £100 as the best student on the
course. He also wins a month long work placement with MRUK where
he will gain valuable work experience of the industry. A further
prize of £50 for the best assessment work was awarded to Kenyatta
Thompson.
Picture shows Adelina Broadbridge (Senior Lecturer in the Department
of Marketing ), Gareth Lawrence (prize winner), Kenyatta Thompson
(runner-up) and Jim Law (Managing Director of MRUK research).
Lesley Pollock
Media Relations Manager
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Ms Adelina Broadbridge University of Stirling Stirling FK9 4LA UK |
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University of Stirling Swimmers Book their Olympic Places
Date released:
Wednesday 14 April
The University of Stirling will be well represented at this year's
Olympics after three students made the qualifying times at the Great
Britain (GB) National Swimming Championships held last weekend at
the Ponds Forge, Sheffield.
Film & Media student, Todd Cooper (22) maintained his impressive
current form by smashing the GB 100m butterfly record at the event.
He has already experienced a major games final when he helped GB
to a fourth place finish in the 100m relay final at the World Swimming
Championships held in Barcelona last autumn. Todd is confident of
producing a medal winning performance in Athens.
Economics student Nick Neckles (24) will attend his third Olympics
after swimming for Barbados in the previous Sydney and Seoul events.
The 24-year-old broke two Caribbean records in the 100 and 200m
backstroke events at the weekend; but his overseas nationality prevented
him from swimming for a medal in the trial finals.
Economics student David O'Brien (21) surprised everyone except Head
Coach, Chris Martin, when he achieved the qualifying time at the
Nationals to book his spot in the GB Olympic 4 x 200m relay team.
Chris said:
“David has been swimming well in training all year and he
really only needed the right platform to demonstrate his talents.”
He added:
“I'm obviously very pleased and proud of the achievements
of all our swimmers. I think it is a testament to the superb holistic
performance development programme we have established at the National
Swimming Academy in conjunction with Scottish Swimming, the Scottish
Institute of Sport (SIS) and the University of Stirling.”
All of Stirling's Olympic hopefuls are sports scholarship holders
at the University. The scheme provides top-level coaching and sports
science support to talented athletes whilst allowing them to combine
their sport with their academic studies. Swimmer, Todd Cooper feels
he has benefited from this approach. He said:
“I cannot speak highly enough of the programme offered at
Stirling. A strong partnership approach to sports services exists
between the University and the SIS. Moreover, the University is
tremendously supportive of sport and provides alternative study
pathways to assist top-level athletes. The ethos of performance
and success permeates everything.”
Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Alison Sheppard, who trains at
the National Swimming Academy at Stirling, also made the times.
She will now compete in her third Olympics. However there was disappointment
for Stirling Marketing student Mark Lewis who, despite swimming
the third fastest British butterfly time ever, missed out narrowly
on a top two final finish and a place on the GB butterfly Olympic
team.
Lesley Pollock
Media Relations Manager
(01786) 467058
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Gowrie University of Stirling Stirling FK9 4LA UK |
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Cornton Vale Expert Comes to Stirling
Date released:
Thursday 15 April
The University of Stirling’s Department of Applied Social
Science is running a new criminology seminar series this spring
entitled New Themes in Criminology.
National and international scholars with an interest in the study
of crime and crime control strategies have been lined up to appear
including Pat Carlen whose study of Cornton Vale entitled Women
in Prison has achieved international acclaim.
The following seminars will be held in room 3S15, Colin Bell Building
4.30 - 6.00pm. Members of the public are most welcome.
Wednesday 21 April
Judging aliens, punishing monsters: justice at the boundaries
of the community – Professor Barbara
Hudson
Barbara Hudson is Professor of Law at the University of Central
Lancashire and is a leading scholar in criminology and penal theory.
She has research interests in criminology, penology and socio-legal
studies, race and criminal justice; feminist jurisprudence; restorative
justice; the punishment of impoverished offenders; emergent theories
of justice; probation; risk and criminal justice.
Wednesday 28 April
Risk and Responsibility in Women’s Prisons
– Professor Pat Carlen
Pat Carlen is Honorary Professor of Criminology at Keele University
and Visiting Professor of Criminology at Westminster University,
London. Pat Carlen is a leading scholar in the area of women and
punishment. In 1997 she was awarded the Sellin-Glueck Prize by the
American Society of Criminology for outstanding international contributions
to Criminology.
Lesley Pollock
Media Relations Manager
(01786) 467058
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Dr Laura Piacentini University of Stirling Stirling FK9 4LA UK |
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Tel: + 44 (0) 1786 467982 |
Scholarship Support from John Smith Bookshops
Date released:
Friday 16 April
 |
| Pictured are: Back row - Mr Kevin Brosnan (Access Programmes Co-ordinator), Professor Christine Hallett (Principal & Vice-Chancellor), Willie Anderson (Managing Director of John Smith & Son) and John Gray (Manager of John Smith & Son Bookshop at the University of Stirling). Front row – access students Laura Douglas, John Wood, Donna Reid and Miranda Walsh. |
Ten access students at
the University of Stirling have received £100 in book vouchers
from John Smith & Son Booksellers to help support them in their
studies:
Sam Brownlee of Dollar
Laura Douglas of Alloa
Claire Gethin of Falkirk
Nicolas Klaissle of Auchterarder
Donna Reid of Fallin
Miranda Walsh of St Ninians
John Wood of Tillicoultry
Lindsay Carson of Fallin
Heather Keir of New Stevenston
Andrew Marshall of Dunipace
Mr John Gray of John Smith
& Son presented the awards at a ceremony held in Airthrey Castle
on Thursday 15 April.
Lesley Pollock
Media Relations Manager
(01786) 467058
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Khlayre Mullin Development and Events Manager University of Stirling Stirling FK9 4LA UK |
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Professorial Inaugural Lecture
Date released:
Friday 16 April
The University of Stirling has organised a series of public lectures
to provide new externally appointed professors with an opportunity
to speak about their discipline in a publicly accessible way.
Professor Fred Coalter of the Department of Sports Studies will
deliver a lecture on A Wider Social Role for Sport: Rhetoric
or Reason on Tuesday 27 April at 5.30pm in the Logie Lecture
Theatre.
The lecture will be chaired by Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor
Christine Hallett.
Admission is free and refreshments will be served at the end.
If you would like to attend this event please contact the External Relations, Tel: 01786 467055 or E-mail: c&d@stir.ac.uk
Lesley Pollock
Media Relations Manager
01786 467058
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Khlayre Mullin Development and Events Manager University of Stirling Stirling FK9 4LA UK |
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Mumps Outbreak in Forth Valley
Date released:
Monday 19 April
There have been an increasing number of cases of mumps reported
since late December 2003 in Forth Valley. To date there have been
30 cases reported, 18 of which have occurred in University of Stirling
students. This is against a backdrop of over 400 cases in the West
of Scotland in the past few months.
As a precaution all students between the ages of 17-27, who attend
the University of Stirling, are being offered the combined mumps,
measles and rubella vaccination (MMR). Students are being are being
offered the option of attending the special mumps immunisation sessions
at Airthrey Park Medical Centre on campus, or going to their own
GP to have a course of two MMR vaccines.
Mumps is usually a mild disease and may even go unnoticed in young
children, but it can have severe complications particularly among
young adults and older persons. The incubation period is 14-21 days.
Symptoms begin with a headache and fever for a day or two before
the swelling of the salivary glands in front of the ears on one
or both sides leading to swollen face and cheeks.
Complications related to the infection can occur in a few people:
these include meningitis, swelling of the testes, swelling of the
ovaries, inflammation of the brain and deafness.
Dr Malcolm McWhirter, Director of Public Health for Forth Valley
NHS, said:
“MMR was introduced in 1988. Anyone now over the age of 17
will not have been offered MMR and will therefore have no immunity
to mumps unless they have already had the disease.
“We are currently advising students between the ages of 17-27,
who attend the University to have MMR because this age group is
at highest risk of an outbreak. There have been no cases reported
among members of staff, many of whom will already have had mumps.
We are therefore not offering the vaccine to staff members as a
routine. We are keeping the situation under review and will issue
further advice if necessary.”
A spokesperson for the University of Stirling said: “The University
has deployed a variety of methods to assist the NHS Board in getting
the immunisation message across to students. It has distributed
more than 3000 information packs to students living in University
residences and has circulated posters and e-mails alerting all of
its students to the Health Board’s campaign. Screen savers
in the student computer labs carry a message urging students to
get immunised, and detailed information on mumps and how to get
immunised is available on the University’s Intranet. The University
is keen that students protect themselves before the exam period
starts in May.”
Lesley Pollock
Media Relations Manager
(01786) 467058
Scotland's Poor Reputation for Industrial Relations Examined
Date released: Wednesday 21 April
Scotland’s reputation for poor industrial relations is undeserved
according to a new report by Dr Gregor Gall, a reader within the
University of Stirling’s Department of Management and Organization.
In fact, relations are far more co-operative than in many other
parts of the UK.
Union-Management Partnership Agreements, Productivity and the Scottish
Economy shows that Scotland was only second to the Midlands in having
the highest number of “partnership agreements” in Great
Britain.
Furthermore, Scotland had a higher number of “partnership
agreements” than Wales which has supportive public policies
and similar trade union strength and influence.
Dr Gall said: “This suggests that other factors influencing
the number of ‘partnership agreements’ are in operation
in Scotland such as the role of influential unions including Amicus
and AEEU, and a more supportive position from a number of employers.”
Lesley Pollock
Media Relations
Manager
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BAFTA Winner Mark Daly Owes Success to Stirling
Date released:
Wednesday 21 April
BAFTA winner Mark Daly (29) has thanked the University of Stirling
for making him decide to be a journalist.
The BBC reporter, who studied at Stirling between 1993 and 1997,
received the accolade of best current affairs programme at the awards
ceremony in London on Sunday for the controversial investigative
series The Secret Policeman in which he infiltrated Greater
Manchester Police to highlight racism.
Speaking in the University’s Alumni Magazine, Stirling
Minds, Mark said: “It was the print journalism course
I took as part of my Film & Media Studies degree at Stirling
that pointed me in the direction of journalism. On leaving Stirling,
I took a postgraduate diploma in journalism at Strathclyde University
and from there, got my first job, on the local paper in my own home
town, the Clydebank Post. After ten months I moved on,
however, and found my way to The Scotsman, where I worked
as a news reporter. I followed that with a stint at the Daily
Record and it was there that I got the first real taste of
undercover journalism. Posing as dealers and users, the reporting
team gathered evidence against around 200 heroin dealers as part
of a campaign against the drug.”
It was around that time that Mark heard there was a place going
at the BBC as an undercover reporter. They had already begun work
on a programme to investigate racism in the Police Service and he
was asked to consider working on this.
Mark said: “I jumped at the chance and it was to take over
my life for 18 months. We created a new identity for me, the key
part disguising my background in journalism, in order for me to
infiltrate the police service as a rookie cop. I finally joined
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) in January 2003 with only my brother
and a couple of close friends in on the secret. I remained undercover
in GMP until August 2003 when I was arrested, when my true identity
was uncovered. The results of the investigation were broadcast in
The Secret Policeman on the BBC in the autumn of 2003.
We exposed a significant number of racist police officers that were
later forced to resign. I worked under strict guidelines, not making
racial comments myself to incite others to say or do things they
wouldn’t have done otherwise. It was exhausting, but a tremendously
exciting project to be involved in.”
As a result of the programme a wide-ranging investigation into racism
in the Police Service has been launched.
Mark said: “I am grateful to my experiences at Stirling. It
was there that I decided to be a journalist and learned valuable
practical skills – from the writing that got me my first job,
to the editing skills that helped me put together The Secret
Policeman.”
Mark is also this year’s Royal Television Society’s
Young Journalist of the Year.
Lesley Pollock
Media Relations Manager
(01786) 467058
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Peter Meech University of Stirling Stirling FK9 4LA UK |
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BUSA
Success for Stirling University Tennis Players
Date released:
Thursday 22 April
Stirling University Sports Studies students, Colin Fleming and Alex
Halsey, returned triumphant from last weekend's British Universities'
(BUSA) Tennis Championships held at Loughborough. The duo, who hold
International Tennis Federation world rankings, beat the No1. and
No. 2 seeds to win the men's doubles title.
Fleming (20) also took the singles title after knocking out Halsey
(22) in the semi-finals. The young star, who represented GB in a
student tour of the USA earlier this month, was delighted with his
achievement. He said:
“Since coming to Stirling, it has been my goal to take the
BUSA individual title. I came close last year when I lost at the
final four stage, so to win this year is great. I'm also pleased
that the University now has its name on two of the major tennis
trophies after coming so close in previous years.”
It is the first time that a Stirling student has won the British
Universities' Individual title. Head coach, Euan McGinn said:
“Fleming was always in with a good chance of winning and his
game came good when he needed it most. Halsey also played well.
Hopefully, this will be the catalyst for more victories in the future.
I'm delighted for them both as they have worked hard to improve
their games.”
Lesley Pollock
Media Relations Manager
(01786) 467058
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Raleigh Gowrie Sports Performance Manager University of Stirling Stirling FK9 4LA UK |
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Official Opening of Colin Bell Building
Date released:
Monday 26 April
The University of Stirling has paid tribute to the memory of former
Principal and Vice-Chancellor Colin Bell by naming a new building
after him.
Professor Bell held office at the University of Stirling from September
2001 until his sudden death in April 2003. He was previously Principal
and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bradford, and Vice-Principal
and Professor of Sociology at the University of Edinburgh.
Given Professor Bell’s expertise in sociology, social inclusion
and social justice it is apt that the Colin Bell Building houses
the Department of Applied Social Science.
Professor Christine Hallett said: “The new purpose built Colin
Bell Building is a state-of-the-art development designed to advance
research in Applied Social Science at the University. It is a fitting
memorial to Professor Bell who was a sociologist of distinction
and an inspirational university principal.”
The building was officially opened and named on Friday 23 April.
Welcome and introductions were performed by Principal and Vice-Chancellor
Professor Christine Hallett. This was followed by a speech by Professor
Bell’s widow Dr Jan Webb who unveiled the plaque. A speech
was then made by Chairman of the University Court, Dr Doris Littlejohn
who unveiled a photographic portrait of Professor Bell taken by
university photographer Fred Phillips.
Staff in each of the Department of Applied Social Science’s
five sections – Departmental Office, Housing Policy and Practice
Unit, Social Work, Social Work Research Centre, and Sociology, Social
Policy and Criminology – moved into the building last July.
They were placed randomly throughout the building with the intention
of stimulating more cross-disciplinary research work. Rooms were
allocated by a lottery and have some of the best views on campus
including the loch, Airthrey Castle, Dumyat and the Wallace Monument.
The building also has a number of large research rooms, which are
the hub of the department’s research activity and where researchers
working in similar fields benefit from a close collegiate atmosphere.
Research work is also supported by a high-tech Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) room, one of the best in the UK, which also has
dedicated video-conference facilities.
Lesley Pollock
Media Relations Manager
(01786) 467058
For further information:
| contact us
> > > |
|
|---|---|
Khlayre Mullin University of Stirling Stirling FK9 4LA UK |
|
Tel: + 44 (0) 1786 466675 |
Football
is More than Kicking a Ball About
Date released:
Monday 26 April
The inextricable and fundamental relationship between Celtic Football
Club and the Irish diaspora in Scotland is analysed in a new book
edited by University of Stirling Sport Studies lecturer Dr Joseph
Bradley.
Launched this week by Argyll Publishing, Celtic Minded: Essays on
religion, politics, society, identity… and football, investigates
the culture and identities of Celtic Football Club supporters. Celtic
Fandom is explored in a series of articles and essays from a range
of perspectives. Emeritus Professor of English Literature at the
University of Glasgow Patrick Reilly, Celtic supporter’s representative
Eddie Toner, author and poet Des Dillion, Herald newspaper columnist
Hugh MacDonald, lecturer in education at the University of Glasgow
Dr Bob Davis, composer James McMillan and former players Tommy Gemmell
and Andy Walker are just some of the book’s 22 contributors.
The book is a representation of many of the views and identities
of the core supporters of Celtic Football Club and reflects on,
amongst other issues, the roots, identity and culture of Celtic
and its support as well as the lack of recognition experienced by
the Irish Immigrant community and their offspring in Scotland. Dr
Bradley explains:
“This is a collection of works written by people who represent
the heart and soul of this institution and who are also highly knowledgeable
and experienced in their fields. These voices are rarely raised
in public and seldom listened to. This book shows how football is
embedded in people’s lives, how its symbolism can mean so
much and how it can inform us about the place and significance of
football in Scotland. These contributions are stimulating and thought
provoking. The book represents a significant contribution towards
Scotland understanding itself as a multi-cultural society.”
Dr Bradley argues that football clearly is not just about kicking
a ball about but that in Scotland, as in many other countries, “following
football is strongly tied to notions of community and identity.
Indeed, these are what make football Scotland’s most popular
team sport”.
Lesley Pollock
Media Relations Manager
(01786) 467058
For further information:
| contact us
> > > |
|
|---|---|
Dr Joseph Bradley University of Stirling Stirling FK9 4LA UK |
|
Tel: + 44 (0) 1786 466493 |
Dewar Demonstrates Early Season Form at Helen Holm
Date released: Monday 26 April
Stirling University Sports Studies student, Dawn Dewar (19) finished
leading Scot at the weekend’s Helen Holm golf trophy played
at the Royal Troon links.
The competition acts as the opening event of the women's international
golf calendar and attracts players from across Europe, including
five Curtis Cup squad members.
Rounds of 71, 75, 74 gave Dawn a 6-under par total and a sixth place
finish behind eventual winner, Emma Duggleby (Malton & Norton),
who finished on a tournament record score of 14 under par.
Dawn said: “I've played more golf than ever before during
the winter months. Two foreign training camps with Stirling University
and a trip to Sanford organised through the Scottish Institute of
Sport have helped my golf enormously. Hopefully, I can continue
to play well throughout the season.”
Meanwhile, fellow Stirling Sports Studies student, Lynn Kenny has
accepted an invite to play in this week's European Ladies Professional
Golf Tour sanctioned Tenerife Open. She is one of five amateurs
playing in the event.
Lesley Pollock
Media Relations Manager
(01786) 467058