8 January 2008

Discovery Days 2008 - January 10th and 11th

Some of Scotland’s brightest minds get the New Year off to a stimulating start this week when the University of Dundee plays 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 sessions take place on Thursday and Friday of this week (Jan 10th and 11th) and are open to the public. They take place in the lecture theatre of the New Teaching Block at Old Hawkhill, with three sessions each day starting at 10 am, 1 pm and 3.30 pm, and admission is free.

The sweep of Discovery Days covers everything from the growing problem of coastal erosion to approaches to improving primary care services in the NHS to the efficiency of straightening teeth with braces. In between lies the detailed story of what happens when sperm meets egg to the experiences of Italian women in the Second World War.

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