1 November 2005
Brian Callison Appointed Writing Fellow at Dundee
Internationally renowned best-selling author Brian Callison has been appointed a Royal Literary Fund Writing Fellow at the University of Dundee.
Mr Callison is best known for his bestselling sea stories and thrillers. He won widespread critical and popular acclaim with his first published novel, 'A Flock Of Ships', in 1970. He has followed it with nineteen further bestsellers, which have been translated into twelve languages including Japanese, Finnish and Icelandic.
Mr Callison will work with the University's Learning Enhancement Unit on their 'Write Right' programme, helping undergraduates develop their academic or creative writing skills. Students can get free consultation from Brian on appointment.
Although born in Manchester, Mr Callison was educated at Dundee High School and the then Dundee College of Art. He continues to live and write in the local area.
"I am delighted to be working with Dundee University," said Brian Callison. "The principal aim of an RLF Fellow's work is to foster good academic writing practice among students across all disciplines and media.
"Students are often fretful about their writing abilities. They find difficulty in expressing their hard-won knowledge clearly. Professional writers struggle with such blockages on a daily basis, and have developed strategies to overcome them. Effectively, I'll be available to help demystify and, hopefully, ease the process of writing: usually consulting on a 1-1 basis but also by way of seminars and workshops."
Mr Callison is the University's second RLF Writing Fellow, joining Dr Bill Kirton, who has been successfully working with postgraduate students on writing style.
Developing clear and imaginative writing skills is key for students at all levels if they are to successfully communicate their ideas. The Learning Enhancement Unit at the University has developed a wide range of activities to encourage students to develop these skills.
"Students in all areas of studies, even areas such as mathematics and engineering, must be able to get their ideas across and having good, clear writing skills is a key element in that," said Kathleen McMillan, academic skills advisor at the Learning Enhancement Unit.
"It is wonderful that we are able to have skilled, successful writers such as Brian and Bill working with the students and passing on the benefits of their vast experience."
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Learning Enhancement Unit (LEU) is based in the University's Centre for Learning and Teaching. The core activities of the unit promote advanced student learning within the University through the Academic Support Programme and the Central eLearning Service.
In addition to the Write Right Programme, the Academic Support Programme also hosts another Royal Literary Fund Writing Fellow, Dr Bill Kirton, formerly of Aberdeen University, who, like Brian Callison, is a renowned author. In general, Bill works with postgraduate students and Brian with undergraduates in the Faculties of Engineering and Science and Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art.
A further programme called 'Writing by Appointment' offers similar tuition to students from other faculties. The aim of all the Academic Support Programmes is to encourage students to explore and develop the very particular skills of academic writing at higher education level. This involves working with students of all levels and abilities in order to help them develop their full potential within their courses of study.
For more information contact:
Roddy Isles,
Head of Press
Tel: 01382 344910,
out of hours: 07968298585,
Email: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk | 
