University Strategy 2015-2020

Professor David Clark’s work is having an impact on how we care for people at the end of their lives. His research on palliative care around the world is being used by bodies such as the World Health Organization and the Worldwide Palliative Care Alliance to shape international strategy on end-of-life care.

Since graduating from Glasgow in 2009 with a BSc in Neuroscience, singer/songwriter Emeli Sandé has topped the UK singles chart and won numerous awards. In 2011 the University named her Young Alumnus of the Year.

In 2008 graduate Mark Beaumont (MA 2006) became the fastest man to circumnavigate the globe by bicycle, completing  the 18,297 miles cycle in 194 days and 17 hours. As well as setting a new Guinness World Record, Mark used his cycling to raise awareness and money for charity.

As a Chemistry PhD student at the University Jamie Gallagher became the winner of the first Universitas 21 Three Minute Thesis Competition in 2013. He was also named as one of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s 175 Faces of Chemistry, chosen for his science communications work.

Graduate Martin Patience (MA 2002) has reported from some of the most dangerous spots in the world. The BBC foreign correspondent, who is currently based in China, says, ‘It’s incredibly important to get in there, find out what’s happening and present it to the world in an impartial way.’

Janitor Graeme Kane is highly regarded by staff and visitors to the main building. They say, ‘Graeme is always willing to help’, a great ambassador’, ‘his contributions keep the wheels of the University turning’, ‘he’s all about people and customer service’.

Ann Allen, Director of Estates & Buildings, is driving forward the University’s new estate development plans in a project larger than the University’s move to Gilmorehill in 1870. She says, ‘This project is about much more than buildings. Ultimately, it will be an inspiring place for our world-changing students and staff, as well as for the community.’

Graduate Karina Atkinson (BSc 2007) has established a conservation organisation dedicated to discovering and protecting new species in Paraguay. She says, ‘I saw a real need for more conservation in the country and I thought, someone has to do something about this, and so I decided to try myself.’ 

Professor of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Ashraf Ayoub was recently named the best research supervisor in the 2015 Student Teaching Awards. His students describe him as ‘an inspiration when it comes to research, a father when it comes to life problems and a mentor when it comes to professional skills, truly a role model’.

A team of seven inspiring students organised the first TEDx event at the University in 2014. TEDx events bring together the best ideas and experiences to inspire world-changing thinking. For Glasgow’s first event, speakers delivered thought-provoking talks on the theme of connectivity. Although the students are now in different corners of the world, they are, of course, still connected.

Graduate Steven Moffat OBE (MA 1983) is the lead writer and producer of television favourites Sherlock and Doctor Who. As a past member of Glasgow University Student Television Steven values the opportunities this gave him to carve a career in broadcasting. 

When Dr Andrea Thomson received a Graduate Teaching Assistant award in 2013, Head of the College of Social Sciences  Professor Anne Anderson commented that ‘Andrea has enlivened and enriched the classroom for her students and made a major contribution to their intellectual development.’ Andrea is now working as research assistant within the college.

As winner of an Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Award in the 2015 Student Teaching Awards, Dr Raymond McCluskey has been described as ‘one of the most enthusiastic tutors I’ve ever known’. Raymond says, ‘Excellence in teaching is a continuum. I’ve been inspired by my teachers in the past. Now I’m inspired by the students and professionals of the future.’

Professor of Metabolic Medicine Naveed Sattar features in the Thomson Reuters Highly Cited Researchers 2014 list. He is one of ten Glasgow researchers recognised for exceptional impact in their field, based upon the number of individual papers published and the number of citations received.

Dr Vivien Williams moved to Glasgow from Italy to study for a PhD in English Literature. After completing her degree in 2013, Vivien stayed on at the University to be part of a project at the Centre for Robert Burns. Vivien’s role focuses on research dealing with Burns’ songs and musical work. She describes her job as a ‘wonderful experience working with an incredible team.’

Inspired by the Apollo moon programme, engineering graduate David Mackay (BSc 1979) has always wanted to be an astronaut. He’s set to make his own and other people’s dreams come true when, as chief pilot for Virgin Galactic, he will be one of the first captains to fly commercial passengers into space.