A unique collection of chairs including pieces by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Le Corbusier, Alvar Alto and Frank Gehry will be unveiled on Friday at the University of Dundee to celebrate the chairs of the University's forty newest professors as they deliver insights into their research at the first Discovery Day.
Discovery Days on 9 and 23 January will bring together researchers appointed to professorships over the last three years to elucidate their field of study for 15 minutes in front of an audience of the public, fellow academics and students.
Each session will see four academics take the stage chaired by one of the University's key figures. The University Chancellor Sir James Black will be present and will welcome and close each day's sessions.
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 in the Ustinov Room. The series will be followed by a substantial, quality publication encompassing a summary of each presentation.
Professor Pamela Ferguson of the Law Department will talk about the recently published criminal code for Scotland which she co-authored before Professor Peter Kitson changes the tempo to the romantic writing period. Cracking the 3 billion letter DNA sequence will be addressed by Professor Geoff Barton before Professor Calum Colvin talks through three of his key artworks in fine art photography.
Principal of the University of Dundee Sir Alan Langlands said: "Dundee provided the vessel in which Captain Scott took discovery to the extremes in a very physical way with his exploration of the Antarctic. No less exciting are the adventures of the mind. It is for these adventures of discovery that the University of Dundee is building an international reputation.
Through these Discovery Days we are honouring our new professors, all leading thinkers in their fields. They will be sharing some of their spoils - their ideas, thoughts and discoveries - to stimulate new mental adventures and unexpected partnerships leading into who knows what territory for the future?"
University Chancellor Sir James Black said: "The brain works best when doing focuses our thinking. I want students to make discoveries for themselves. The brain, thinking, links sensory inputs from eyes and hands to what we decide to do. All thought exists for the sake of action."
Discovery Days commences at 9.15am on Friday 9 January. The event is free and open to the public.
Notes for Editors
Media interviews can be arranged with any of the speakers. Interviews with the University Curator can be arranged to talk on the chair collection. Opportunity for TV or radio recording on Thursday 8 January. Call Jenny Marra, Head of Press on 01382 344910 or 07968298585.
By Jenny Marra, Head of Press 01382 344910, out of hours: 07968298585, j.m.marra@dundee.ac.uk