We're an established university with a progressive and dynamic outlook. Our international reputation attracts top-class students and academics from across the world, with well over 100 countries represented in the University community.
"Coming to Dundee was literally the best decision I ever made. I've learned so much and met some amazing people. I love it here and would encourage anyone to come to this University."
Iain Kennedy from Bangor, Northern Ireland. Former President of Dundee University Students Association
Find out more below about some of the recent awards presented to the University.
The School of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee was bestowed the prestigious title of Regius Professor by The Queen to mark the Diamond Jubilee.
Professor Pete Downes, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dundee, said, “I am delighted by today’s announcement. The award of a Regius Professorship to Dundee is a tremendous affirmation of our world-class standing in Life Sciences.
“I am equally delighted to announce that the first Regius Professor in Life Sciences at the University of Dundee will be Professor Mike Ferguson CBE, FRS, FRSE.
“The leadership and expertise of established scientists who have achieved global acclaim in Life Sciences at Dundee includes 10 Fellows of The Royal Society and 27 Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. We now add to that a Regius Professorship.
“We also have a strong cohort of dynamic young scientists and rising stars in their fields, who will help carry the excellence of Life Sciences at Dundee into the future.”
Professor Mike Ferguson is Professor of Molecular Parasitology and Dean of Research in the School of Life Sciences at Dundee. Professor Ferguson has dedicated his research to studying the biochemistry of parasites that cause human tropical diseases and is a world-renowned expert in his field.
Together with his colleagues, he has been instrumental in establishing the Drug Discovery Unit and the new Centre for Translational and Interdisciplinary Research. He is also a member of the Wellcome Trust Board of Governors.
A Regius Professorship is a rare privilege, with only two created in the past century. It is a reflection of the exceptionally high quality of teaching and research at an institution. Each institution will assign the title to an existing Professor at the chosen Department or will appoint a new Professor to take the Chair and hold the title.
The Queen’s Anniversary Prizes are awarded biennially in recognition of 'world class excellence and achievement' for Higher and Further Education. The University of Dundee has won the prize in 1998, 2005 and most recently in 2013.
We are one of only a few institutions to be awarded the prize more than twice.
2013: Research in human anatomy applied to forensic and victim identification worldwide
The work of the University’s Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification (CAHiD) has had a tremendous impact and its achievements were recognised in 2013. It is one of the world’s foremost institutions for the study and application of human anatomy, forensic human identification, disaster victim identification and forensic and medical art.
2005: Enabling the discovery of new drugs and their development to treat major global diseases
Working with a consortium of public sector agencies and six of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, the University’s unique research methods are accelerating and enhancing the process of discovering new drugs to treat a series of major global diseases which kill and harm millions each year. The University offers a one-stop shop to the pharmaceutical industry, giving access to knowledge both about a key enzyme family, whose activities have implications for cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases and allergies, and about drug development targeting that enzyme family.
1998: Minimal access surgery: new techniques and treatments
Multidisciplinary clinical, instrument and skills teams are at the forefront of initiatives to introduce and develop ‘state of the art’ Minimal Access Techniques (MAT) - such as keyhole surgery, and the use of flexible telescopes and magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound and x-ray to visualise inside the body and to control surgical procedures - in order to minimise the damage to tissues, reduce pain and shorten convalescence. The surgical skills training unit, the first of its kind in the UK, provides intensive, practical courses for trainees, established surgeons and other healthcare professionals involving live operative demonstrations and simulation.
The Equality Challenge Unit (ECU)’s Athena SWAN Charter awards have been running since 2005. They recognise commitment to advancing women's careers in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment in higher education and research.
The University of Dundee became a member of Athena SWAN in 2011 and was awarded the Bronze Institutional Award in April 2013.
Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing and Life Sciences were awarded the Bronze Department Award in April 2014, and Life Sciences and the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification (CAHiD) were also awarded the Bronze Department Award in April 2015. You can read about our latest awards on our News section.
In 2015 the University of Dundee’s work in advancing gender equality across the institution was recognised with two more Athena SWAN Bronze Awards for its work in Engineering, Physics and Mathematics and in Computing. These awards recognise commitment and success in developing practices to support the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) in academia.
Find out more about the University of Dundee's Athena SWAN activities on our website.
From 2003 to 2013, The Scientist has polled the scientific community to find out which institutions and companies fostered the most innovative, rigorous, and supportive research environments.
The School of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee has appeared in the Top 10 International Institutions (outside of the US) four times, highlighting the reputation and strengths of our scientific community at Dundee.
- 2011 – Ranked 7th for Best Place to Work - Postdocs
- 2010 – Ranked 3rd for Best Place to Work - Postdocs
- 2010 – Ranked 3rd for Best Place to Work - Academia
- 2009 – Ranked 3rd for Best Place to Work - Postdocs
Find out more on The Scientist website
Established in 2004, the Green Gown Awards recognise the exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities and colleges across the UK. With a £200million investment in our campus recently, ensuring our new buildings were sustainable and energy efficient was a strategic priority for the University.
- In 2006/7 the Queen Mother Building was Highly Commended in the Sustainable Construction category
- In 2007/8 the University of Dundee won the Energy & Water Efficiency Category with the Dalhousie Building
The University has been recognised by the European Commission for its HR Excellence in Research since 2011. Recognition is granted to European universities whose policies and processes demonstrate continued development of a working environment supporting research excellence and increasing focus and impact.
The HR Excellence in Research logo tells researchers that an institution is committed to supporting their careers and can give them confidence about moving to a new institution, perhaps in a new country.
Find out more on the HR website
Recognition for our staff achievements
The innovative work carried out by our staff across the University is often recognised by external awards. Whilst we can’t possibly list everything, we have summarised some highlights from the past few years.
A project developed by staff in the School of Medicine was named winner of the Innovation Technology Excellence Award at the 2015 Herald Higher Education Awards.
The project enables undergraduate students to complete coursework using their own mobile devices and tablets in the classroom. This new approach has not only transformed the way that students learn, but has also enhanced the way that teachers teach. It provides students with instant assessment and feedback and allows teachers to focus on subject areas that need more attention.
Read the full article on our News website.
Professor Andrew Hopkins, of the School of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee, has been named Commercial Innovator of the Year at the BBSRC (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council) 2015 Innovator of the Year Awards.
Professor Hopkins won the award at a ceremony in London on March 31 2015. He was nominated for his pioneering work in algorithmic drug design. Andrew is the founder and CEO of ex scientia, a University of Dundee spin-out company which is pioneering medicines tailored to polypharmacology for a wide range of human diseases where improved efficacy is required.
Read the full article on our News website
`My Diabetes My Way’, a project led by the University of Dundee and NHS Scotland, was named winner of the Education and Self-Management Award at the Diabetes UK Annual Professional Conference in March 2015.
`My Diabetes My Way’ offers people with diabetes anywhere in Scotland online access to their medical records. In addition to explaining all of the clinical measurements that are presented, personalised and tailored information helps people understand and take control of their condition.
Read the full article on our News website
Professor Niamh Nic Daeid, of the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification (CAHID), and Professor Colin Palmer, from the University’s School of Medicine, were both elected Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in March 2015.
Professor Nic Daeid is a leading forensic science researcher who is renowned across the national and international landscape. She holds leadership positions with INTERPOL and the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI), acts as a consultant for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and is vice-chair of the scientific advisory board for the International Criminal Court.
Professor Palmer is Chair of Pharmacogenomics in the University’s Medical School. His work focuses on the role of genes and how these can impact an individual's susceptibility to disease or their reaction to treatment. His work in human genetics has led to him being one of the world’s most highly cited researchers of the 21st Century according to a study published by Thomson Reuters.
Read the full article on our News website
Professor Andrew Hopkins, of the School of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee, has been presented with the award for Life Sciences Entrepreneurial Business Leadership at the Scottish Enterprise Life Sciences Awards.
Andrew is the founder and CEO of ex scientia, a University of Dundee spin-out company which is pioneering medicines tailored to polypharmacology for a wide range of human diseases where improved efficacy is required.
Andrew is also Director of SULSA (Scottish Universities Life Sciences Alliance) and Chair of Medicinal Informatics at the University of Dundee.
Read the full article on our News website
The work of academics from the University of Dundee has been recognised in the 2015 New Year's Honours list.
Chris Whatley, Professor of Scottish History and former Vice-Principal of the University of Dundee, was honoured for his services to Scottish history education, while Dilip Nathwani, Honorary Professor of Infection, was honoured for his services to the treatment of infectious diseases. Both were given the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
Read the full article on our News website
Dr James Chalmers, of the University of Dundee, was awarded the inaugural Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE) John Munro Medal for Excellence in Teaching in November 2014.
The prize recognises the significant contributions to training and teaching made by young doctors. Dr Chalmers was nominated by a range of medical students, junior doctors and more senior colleagues.
Read the full article on our News website
Dr Victoria Cowling, of the University of Dundee, was awarded the inaugural Women in Cell Biology Early Career Award Medal by the British Society for Cell Biology (BSCB) in October 2014.
The Medal has been established to mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of the BSCB. It will be an annual honour awarded to an outstanding female cell biologist who has started their own research group in the UK within the last seven years.
Dr Cowling is based in the Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation (MRC-PPU) Unit in the School of Life Sciences at Dundee. Her research aims to find new methods of killing cancer cells by targeting how proteins are made.
Read the full article on our News website
The Chambers of Commerce Scottish Business Honours 2014 takes winning businesses from local Chambers of Commerce and showcases the best at the nationwide ceremony.
Space technology company STAR-Dundee has been hailed “a role model spin-out” after the firm took a major prize at the Scottish Chambers of Commerce’s inaugural awards. Academic-entrepreneur Professor Steve Parkes, Director Space Technology Centre at the University of Dundee, created the company in 2002. Its products – including spacecraft onboard data-handling network technology – are now used by space agencies across the world, including NASA, the European Space Agency and JAXA, the Japan Aerospace eXploration Agency.
Read the full article on our News website
A lecturer from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (DJCAD) has received a prestigious award for work combining traditional craft skills with the latest digital technology.
Sara Robertson and her collaborator Sarah Taylor won the 2014 Design Exhibition Jury Award for Fibre Arts at the International Symposium of Wearable Computers in September 2014. Their project, 'Digital Lace', uses smart inks and fibre optic technologies, to create ambient materials that respond to heat by colour change and light emission.
Read the full article on our News website
The University of Dundee’s Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification (CAHID) has been named the winner of the Forensic Education Award 2014, an independent award scheme sponsored by Forensic Industry E-Mag.
In presenting this Award, the team at Forensic Industry E-Mag were particularly impressed with the wide range of Forensic courses available at the University. Covering a number of forensic-related subjects at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, these courses are ideal for students looking to gain the necessary qualifications to undertake a successful career within the Forensics sector.
Read the full article on our News website
Leading international scientist Professor Sue Black was named one of the three winners of the Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun Award in September 2014.
Established in 1988, the award forms part of the Saltire Society’s annual awards programme, which recognises and celebrates Scottish culture and heritage. It celebrates the legacy of Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun, often remembered as one of Scotland’s true patriots, by recognising significant contributions made to Scottish culture.
The categories for the 2014 Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun Award are:
- Arts And Humanities – awarded to Dr Ann Matheson, member of the Board of the Scottish Poetry Library, for her lengthy and continued championing of Scotland’s literary and linguistic culture;
- Public Life – awarded to Great Britain’s most successful Olympian and most successful Olympic cyclist of all time, Sir Chris Hoy and;
- Science – awarded to Professor Sue Black, Director of the University of Dundee's Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification (CAHiD).
Read the full article on our News website
The Jisc RSC Scotland promotes the innovative use of technology in further and higher education and the iTech Case Studies are an effective and popular vehicle for disseminating and sharing innovative practice.
Each year case studies are entered for an iTech Award, and two members of staff teaching on the Teaching Qualification in Further Education (TQFE) were highly commended in 2013 for their entries.
- Lorraine Syme-Smith for ‘Connecting with TQFE distance learning through online tutorials’
- Lucy Golden for ‘TQFE online induction pathway steps’
A number of staff members in life sciences have been honoured in many ways. So far this includes an OBE, three CBEs, a Knighthood, many Fellowships and national and international science prizes.
For a full listing please visit www.lifesci.dundee.ac.uk/awards
Recognition for our students' and graduates' achievements
Similarly, our students and graduates are very often recognised by external awards. Whilst we can’t possibly list everything, we have summarised some highlights from the past couple of years.
University of Dundee student Christopher McCann was awarded £10,000 to develop his business idea at the 2015 Scottish Institute for Enterprise (SIE) Student Summit in Edinburgh.
Ten entrepreneurs shortlisted from hundreds of entries in SIE’s Fresh Ideas and New Ventures competitions were awarded prizes ranging from £500 up to £10,000.
Christopher, who is currently studying medicine at the University, scooped SIE’s New Ventures top prize. He will use the £10,000 prize fund to develop ‘snap40’, a wearable patient health early warning system and an idea he composed while working on wards of busy city hospitals.
Read the full article on our News website
Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design (DJCAD) graduate Edward Humphrey’s burgeoning career has been handed a massive boost after being named as the winner of the £14,000 Fleming-Wyfold Bursary.
Edward was announced as the second recipient of the annual Fleming-Wyfold Bursary at the opening ceremony of the 2015 Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) New Contemporaries exhibition in March 2015. He will receive a bursary of £10,000, plus £4,000 production costs for the next year.
Read the full article on our News website
Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (DJCAD) graduate Jamie Kunka has been named one of the three winners of this year’s £15,000 Sports Innovation Challenge.
The Sports Innovation Challenge is a business development programme and competition, run by the University of Stirling, for entrepreneurial students and recent graduates across Scotland. The winners will each receive £5000, desk space at Stirling University Innovation Park and a year’s access to a business mentor.
Read the full article on our News website
Poet Lindsay MacGregor, a recent graduate of the University of Dundee’s MLitt Writing Practice and Study, has been named as one of the ten recipients of a Scottish Book Trust New Writers Award.
The coveted awards, run by the Scottish Book Trust in association with Creative Scotland, provide unpublished writers with financial support to enable them to concentrate on developing their work, as well as professional guidance to help them move towards publication. Each recipient receives £2000 and a tailored package, including mentoring from writers and industry professionals.
Read the full article on our News website
A team of students from the University of Dundee won an unprecedented hat-trick of major prizes at the iGEM World Jamboree in Boston for their project to develop `The Lung Ranger’, a device to help combat some of the effects of cystic fibrosis.
iGEM – the International Genetically Engineered Machine competition – asks students to tackle a real world problem by designing and building a new device or system from a kit of biological parts.
At the iGEM jamboree in Boston in November 2014, the world finals for the competition, the Dundee team won the best project in the Health and Medicine track, the best Policy and Practices (Outreach) prize, and the prized iGemmers Award, which goes to the team nominated best by their peers. It is the second year in a row Dundee has taken the iGemmers Award.
Read the full article on our News website
Graduates from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design (DJCAD) picked up seven major awards at the New Designers and D&AD New Blood events in London in July 2015.
Graduates from DJCAD, part of the University of Dundee, have a fantastic track record of success at the events and this year’s crop has added to that roll of honour.
Among the award winners from Dundee were:
- Callum Wilson, BDes (Hons) Textile Design graduate and winner of the New Designers Harlequin Award
- Emma McCluskey BDes (Hons) Textile Design graduate and winner of New Designers Clothworkers Company Associate Prize
- Megan Falconer BDes (Hons) Jewellery & Metal Design graduate and awarded Graduates Membership Award 2015 from Contemporary British Silversmiths
- Lauren Millar BDes (Hons) Graphic Design graduates all won Best In Show Award at New Blood
- Susannah McGowan, BDes (Hons) Graphic Design graduate and winner of the New Blood Yellow Pencil award
Graduates from the BSc (Hons) Digital Interaction Design and BSc (Hons) Product Design also won the New Designers Best Stand Award.