School pupils to sample University life at WWI conference

Published On Wed 22 Oct 2014 by Grant Hill

Dozens of senior school pupils will get the chance to sample life in academia next week when they take part in a conference on World War I at the University of Dundee.

The Great War 1914-1918 Schools Conference takes place at Dundee University Students’ Association (DUSA) from 10am-3pm on Tuesday, 28th October. Around 80 pupils from Braeview Academy, Harris Academy, Menzieshill High School and St Johns High School who are currently studying the conflict will be attending the conference.

Historians involved in Great War centenary event projects on the Scottish and Russian experiences of the conflict will lead the seminar. The conference sessions will challenge received wisdom about the First World War and, in the process, offer pupils the chance to experience what it’s like to study History at university.

Dr Murray Frame, who will be opening the conference, said, “Historians at the University are involved in several path-breaking centenary research projects about the First World War, both locally and internationally, and this conference is designed to share some of the findings of this work with pupils and teachers as they study this crucial topic, looking at how new research is transforming perspectives on the war.”

Dr Billy Kenefick and Dr Derek Patrick, from the University, co-founded the Great War Dundee (GWD) Commemorative Project and, with partner groups, are coordinating the city-wide approach to commemorate the conflict. Their research has led to startling discoveries about Dundee’s contribution to the war effort as well as a greater understanding of how this was influenced by contemporary socio-economic conditions and the conflict’s legacy on the shores of the Tay.

The Great War 1914-1918 Schools Conference programme will include guest speakers from Russia and the United States, discussion sessions for teachers about new resources on the First World War, and a presentation by the University’s JOOT theatre company on how the war and the Russian Revolution shaped local politics.

More information is available by visiting http://www.dundee.ac.uk/humanities/events/greatwar-schools/ or emailing greatwar-schools@dundee.ac.uk.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277