Design, oral surgery, Scots Law and photography are just some of the delicacies on the University of Dundee's first Discovery Day menu, an event aimed at introducing the most innovative and exciting new researchers to the local community. Designed to celebrate professorial appointments and promote the cross fertilisation of ideas across a wide range of disciplines, the first Discovery Days will take place on 9 and 23 January 2004 in the Bonar Hall. Tickets are free and now available, allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Over the two Fridays, around 40 professors all of whom have been appointed over the last three years, will each give a 15 minute talk on a stimulating aspect of their current research. Their talks will be pitched at the non-specialist, with the emphasis on conveying the excitement of their research area and their aspirations for the future. Topics include how to make a limb, tobacco addiction, art works and the Cold War.
Each day will be divided into four mixed-discipline sessions of five presentations, rigorously chaired and followed by an opportunity for questions from the audience of invited guests, staff, students and the general public.
Professors of cellular pathology will share the day with those of politics, addictions pharmacology, fine art, Scots Law and educational research, while an exhibition of posters illustrating each talk will run concurrently. The series will be followed by a published volume encompassing a summary of each presentation.
University Chancellor and Nobel Prize winner Sir James Black will preside over the challenging summing up session after each event. Principal Sir Alan Langlands said, "Discovery Days will honour those who have been appointed as professors, inspire others to follow in their footsteps, stimulate new ideas and encourage partnerships across disciplines. Some of the most exciting research is happening at the interfaces of fields where ideas collide and unexpected resonances are generated. We look forward to Discovery Days becoming an eagerly anticipated feature in the university's winter calendar."
For free tickets call 01382 345562 or email b.m.smeaton@dundee.ac.uk
Editors' notes
DAY 1 - Friday 9 January 2004
09.10 Welcome and introduction by the Sir Alan Langlands, Principal
Session 1 Chair 1: Principal, Sir Alan Langlands
09.15 Professor Cheryl Tickle, Personal Chair of Developmental Biology
09.30 Professor Ian Ricketts, Personal Chair of Assistive Systems & Healthcare Computing
09.45 Professor Martin Chalkley, Chair of Economics
10.00 Professor Graham Ogden, Personal Chair of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
10.15 Professor Alastair Thompson, Personal Chair of Surgical Oncology
10.30 Questions
10.45 Coffee
Session 2 Chair 2: Dean of Life Sciences, Professor Peter Downes
11.15 Professor John Dewhurst, Personal Chair of Regional Economics
11.30 Professor Ian Crombie, Chair of Public Health
11.45 Professor Eric Wright, Personal Chair of Experimental Haematology
12.00 Professor Alan Dobson, Chair of Politics
12.15 Professor Tom Inns, Chair of Design
12.30 Questions
Session 3 Chair 3: Convener of Court, Mr Larry Rolland
13.45 Professor Pamela Ferguson, Chair of Scots Law
14.00 Professor Bill Saunders, Chair of Endodontology
14.15 Professor Peter Kitson, Chair of English Literature
14.30 Professor Kees Weijer, Personal Chair of Developmental Physiology
14.45 Professor Ann Burchell, Personal Chair of Molecular Medicine
15.00 Questions
15.15 Tea
Session 4 Chair 4: Vice Principal, Professor James Calderhead
15.45 Professor David Balfour, Personal Chair of Addictions Pharmacology
16.00 Professor Alice Belcher, Personal Chair of Law
16.15 Professor Stewart Fleming, Chair of Cellular/Molecular Pathology
16.30 Professor Geoff Barton, Personal Chair of Bioinformatics
16.45 Professor Calum Colvin, Personal Chair of Fine Art Photography
17.00 Questions
17.15 Summary and thanks Sir James Black, Chancellor
By Esther Black, Press Officer 01382 344768, out of hours: 07968298585, e.z.black@dundee.ac.uk