28 November 2007

Discovery Days 2008

Some of Scotland’s brightest minds will get the New Year off to a stimulating start when the University of Dundee plays host in January to two of the most exciting days in the academic calendar - Discovery Days 2008.

31 of the University’s newest Professors will deliver quick-fire lectures - each lasting 15 minutes - detailing some of the cutting-edge research and academic activity being carried out at Dundee.

The sweep of Discovery Days covers everything from what happens when sperm meets egg to the experiences of Italian women in the Second World War. In between lie explorations of why the dentist’s drill could become a thing of the past, how we can make computers `see’ and new approaches to combatting the problem of coastal erosion.

There is also a strong strand of medical and life sciences research being presented.

Two of the sessions - which take place over January 10th and 11th - will be chaired by Mike Gilson, editor of `The Scotsman’, and the Lord Advocate, Elish Angiolini. All sessions are open to the public and are free to attend.

Dundee first established the Discovery Days format four years ago, giving a wide range of newly-appointed Professors the forum to present their research, all in quick, snappy 15-minute mini-lectures.

The format proved an instant hit, making leading academic research instantly accessible and helping develop links across the University community. The format provides a unique test for the professors, who are asked to condense often complex and wide-ranging work into their 15 minutes, but it is a challenge they have constantly risen to. It will be fascinating to see how this year’s cohort present their own ideas.

The days will be accompanied by a stunning exhibition of posters.

All of the Professors are available for interview before, during or after Discovery Days 2008. There will be images available to accompany each of the lecture subjects. Please contact the University press office for further information.

The draft programme can be viewed at: www.dundee.ac.uk/principalsoffice/discoverydays2008.html

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk