7 January 2005

Discovery Days showcase Dundee's leading new thinkers

The University of Dundee will put some of its leading new thinkers before the public for the second year running as nineteen of the University's newest professors present their latest findings to an open audience of the public, staff and students next week (13th and 14th January).

World class researchers including Professors Andrew Morris, an expert on treating diabetes, George Macfarlane who studies the bacteria that cause ulcerative colitis, and Callum Brown who will explain how the 1960s became a focus for Europe’s secularism will present at Discovery Days.

The 15 minute presentations will take place on the afternoons of 13th and 14th January in the Bonar Hall. Each session which will include four or five professors will be chaired by a Principal or Dean of the University, with the new Chair of Court John Milligan taking the chair for the first session on Friday afternoon. The chair will invite questions from the floor after the presentations.

Chancellor and Nobel Prize winner Sir James Black will sum up at the end of each day.

Principal Sir Alan Langlands who will chair the first session on Thursday said: "I warmly welcome all those who have an interest in what is happening in the world today - and what could be happening tomorrow - to attend the university's second annual Discovery Days programme. The presenting professors have all emerged as leading thinkers in their diverse fields, from architecture to ear implants and the Discovery Days offer a unique opportunity to share the excitement of their research with a wide audience."

International artist David Mach, who is the University's first Visiting Professor of Inspiration and Discovery, will attend Discovery Days where a special exhibition will feature a series of stunning and evocative images from the work of artists and scientists involved in the Wellcome Trust-funded Inspiration and Discovery programme. The Discovery Days Showreel demonstrates the diversity of places and forms from which inspiration and discovery can be drawn - from the perpetual miracle of cell division to potato pathogens, war and pollution.

Parties of pupils from a number of local secondary schools will also attend.

The sessions are free and the public are invited to attend from 1.25pm Thursday and Friday at the Bonar Hall.

Professors are availble for interview in advance.

By Jenny Marra, Head of Press 01382 344910, out of hours: 07968298585, j.m.marra@dundee.ac.uk