Archives Services has launched a new online resource designed to raise awareness about the groundbreaking work that has been undertaken at Glasgow over the years and the people responsible for it.

Glasgow World Changing is a new website that celebrates the innovations and discoveries that have taken place at the University throughout the years and shaped the world that we live in today.

The comprehensive site allows users to browse the pioneering work in several ways; by searching for a specific person, by browsing by subject area, or using an interactive timeline. The site also contains videos showcasing the work of a few of the Glasgow world changers, including Ian Donald who pioneered the use of ultrasound for medical diagnostics, and Donald Robertson who was a revolutionary social and economic researcher who led the way in urban and regional planning.Gilmorehill in the 1890s 

Lesley Richmond, the University’s Director of Archives and leader of the World Changing project, said: “One of the purposes of the site was to make both people with a connection to University and the general public aware of some of the men and women other than Lord Kelvin, Adam Smith and James Watt because for centuries there has been research going on at Glasgow that has helped shaped the world that we live in today.”

Currently, the World Changing database only covers the Twentieth Century, and contains details of the work of 102 world changers; the plan now is to take this extend this record to include the work that went on in the University pre-1900. There are also plans to develop a Nominations page where people can suggest their own Glasgow world changers.

Speaking about the launch of the new website, Professor Steve Beaumont, Vice-Principal Research and Enterprise, said: “The University of Glasgow has been contributing to new knowledge and pushing the boundaries of our understanding for over 550 years.

“Our dedication to recording and disseminating this knowledge is evident in the fact we have one of the largest Archives and Library services in the UK and one of the world’s finest University museum collections. Glasgow World Changing celebrates the University’s contribution to scientific, technical and cultural developments throughout history.”

First published: 8 April 2011

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