8 Oct 2019

Lecturer likes to teach the world to sign

A University of Dundee lecturer has been honoured for using sign language and music to bring youngsters together in harmony. Sharon Tonner-Saunders, a lecturer in the University’s School of Education and Social Work, has been named as a recipient of a British Council eTwinning National Award for using songs and Makaton to break down international language barriers. Unlike British Sign Language, which is the language of the UK’s deaf community, Makaton was developed to assist hearing people with learning or communication difficulties. Signs are developed to look like a word and be as simple as...

7 Oct 2019

From sleeping cell to assassin – how immune cells work

Image credit: "T Lymphocyte" by NIAID is licensed under CC BY 2.0.   Scientists at the University of Dundee have carried out one of the most comprehensive studies into how immune cells sense and respond to their environment to fight infection and destroy tumours. The research team, who have published their findings in the journal Nature Immunology, said the results provide important insights into how immune responses might be manipulated for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and cancer. Professor Doreen Cantrell and Professor Angus Lamond, both in the School of Life Sciences at D...

7 Oct 2019

New Curator appointed to Botanic Garden

Kevin Frediani has been appointed as the new Curator of the University of Dundee Botanic Garden. Kevin joins the University from the National Trust for Scotland’s Inverewe Garden, where he has been Operations Manager. As Curator of the Botanic Garden in Dundee he will be overseeing a site that is home to a wide range of plants, with fine collections of conifers and broad-leaved trees and shrubs, tropical and temperate glasshouses, as well as water and herb gardens. Located in 9.5 hectares of south facing, gently sloping land near the banks of the River Tay, the Garden features many species of indig...

4 Oct 2019

New exhibition to honour legendary Dundee poet

The life of an inspirational author and teacher will be celebrated in a new exhibition at the University of Dundee. Jim Stewart, who lost his battle with cancer in 2016, taught Creative Writing at the University and was described by Dundee’s Makar, W.N. Herbert, as ‘one of the most significant poets of the last decade’. A celebration of his work, including poetry, prose, pictures and personal letters, will open in the Tower Foyer Gallery on Saturday 5 October. Susan Haigh, co-organiser of the exhibition, said, "It has been a real privilege to pay tribute to Jim through this exhibition....

3 Oct 2019

Mid-Autumn Festival helps students ‘Fall’ in love with Dundee

More than 350 University of Dundee students celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival this week, commemorating the East-Asian annual harvest festival, by sharing their cultures. Festivities which included an evening stroll up the Dundee Law to appreciate the moon took place to honour the second largest social event in the Chinese calendar after New Year. Performances from students across the city were held at Dundee University Students’ Association (DUSA) while mooncakes, a bakery product traditionally eaten during the time of the festival were offered to revellers. Hantao Wang, student and President of ...