15 Jun 2018

Computing whizz kids gear up for university challenge

Scottish school pupils will demonstrate their computing prowess next week when they clash keyboards for the University of Dundee’s Strathmore Trophy. Teams from 15 secondary schools will take part in the annual event on Monday 18 June, which challenges the programmers of tomorrow to complete a complex task set by staff from the University’s Computing department. Teams of four S1 pupils spend a morning at the Queen Mother Building on campus, under the tutelage of the department’s experts. Though the youngsters are only told of their assignment when they arrive, previous challenges have s...

15 Jun 2018

Conference aims to revive interest in the essay

An international line-up of academics and literary aficionados will attempt to breathe new life into the essay at a conference hosted by the University of Dundee. Teachers, writers, artists, publishers and journalists from around the world will join secondary school pupils and members of the public for ‘Taking Ideas for a Walk: The 2018 Essay Conference’, aimed at revitalising interest in the form. Beginning on Tuesday 19 June, delegates will gather at Hospitalfield House in Arbroath for the two-day event, hosted by Professor Kirsty Gunn and Dr Gail Low of the University’s English depar...

14 Jun 2018

Satellite images show Storm Hector engulfing Europe

Images captured by the University of Dundee Satellite Receiving Station show the UK and a swathe of Western Europe in the grip of Storm Hector. The image attached shows the storm sweeping in from the Atlantic and engulfing parts of France, southern England and the low countries before passing Scandinavia and swooping down into Scotland and the rest of the UK. These images are free to use but MUST BE CREDITED to 'NEODAAS/University of Dundee'....

14 Jun 2018

Raquel over the moon with space summer school

University of Dundee student Raquel Serrano-Calvo is over the moon at the news that she has landed a spot on a two-week space camp at the European Space Agency (ESA) next month. The 30-year-old PhD student from Barcelona said the prestigious placement could help launch her career into remote sensing of the planet by satellites. Raquel, who joined the University in 2016, is currently investigating the impact of hydrocarbons on vegetation through satellite-based sensors in a collaboration between the University’s Geography and Environmental department, School of Science and Engineering and the James ...

13 Jun 2018

Campaign to honour Dundee lecturer’s dying wish

A group of University of Dundee lecturers have launched a crowdfunding campaign to honour the final wish of a former colleague. Members of the University’s English department are hoping to raise £2,000 to publish the poetry of Dr Jim Stewart, who lost his battle against liver cancer two years ago. An immensely popular figure with both students and staff, Jim had shown little interest in making his poems public during the early stages of his career. However, after stating a desire to produce a volume of his work following his diagnosis, Professor Kirsty Gunn and Dr Gail Low have vowed to honou...