The Institute of Social Marketing Opens its Doors
Stirling Celebrates National Science Week
Perth and Strathspey Reel Society Set to Perform
First Study into Nurse Prescribing in Scotland
Impact of Demographic Change on Scottish Economy
Innovation Award Winners Announced
Hymns Unlock Key to Past for Older People
Stirling University Students’ Union is One of UK’s Safest
The Institute of Social Marketing Opens its Doors
Date released: Sunday 6 March 2005
Can marketing, the force that has driven our love affair with cigarettes and fast food, really be used to improve public health? Professor Gerard Hastings, Director of the University of Stirling and the Open University’s new Institute for Social Marketing, argues that the answer is yes:
“If tobacco companies can use marketing to hook us on cigarettes and fast food companies can market a billion burgers a day, then public health can use it to reverse this tide. Commercial marketers make their profits by influencing our behaviour – by getting us to wear these trainers or eat that chocolate bar. They do this by understanding us as consumers, rewarding our loyalty and making us feel good about ourselves. Social marketers can use the same methods to influence, not our consumption, but our health behaviours – what we eat and drink, how much exercise we take and so on.”
The Institute, which is located at Stirling, officially opened its doors this week. Its ten staff bring twenty-five years of experience of delivering high quality research, consultancy and training in social marketing from their former base at Strathclyde. Deputy Director Martine Stead said: “The move provides fabulous opportunities to collaborate with world class colleagues at both Stirling and the OU.”
The Institute is currently heading up the evaluation of Blueprint, the UK Government’s biggest ever drugs education programme, which is taking place in schools in three areas of England. It will also be casting a critical eye on commercial marketing. The team’s previous work on tobacco promotion, for example, has revealed the seductive impact that branding and advertising of cigarettes can have on the young. As Professor Hastings explains: “scrutinising and exposing the activities of the tobacco industry is a crucial part of the fight against smoking related deaths”.
ISM is also working closely with the Scottish, Westminster and European Parliaments. Professor Hastings, for example, is part of the Scottish Executive’s National Smoke Free Areas Implementation Group, which will advise Scottish Ministers on the implementation of the proposed ban on smoking in enclosed public places, and is acting as a Special Advisor to the Westminster Health Select Committee during their enquiry into to the pharmaceutical industry.
Professor Hastings will give his inaugural lecture Marketing Health: Opportunity, Threat or just Oxymoron? at the University of Stirling on Wednesday 6 April at 5.30pm in the Logie Lecture Theatre and at the Open University Business School, Milton Keynes at 1pm on Wednesday 18 May.
Lesley Pollock
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Stirling Celebrates National Science Week
Date released: Monday 7 March
The University of Stirling is holding four free public events to celebrate National Science Week (11-20 March). NSW aims to celebrate science and its importance to our lives, providing an opportunity for people of all ages across the UK to take part in science, engineering and technology activities.
The following events are open to all and will take place in LTA3, Cottrell Building, opposite the entrance to the MacRobert:
Monday 14 March 7.30 – 8.30pm
Farmers as researchers: experiences from Asia
Poor farmers in Asia, who cannot afford to risk losing the crop of their rice field or pond to test their own ideas, are trying out new techniques thanks to the support of researchers in the Institute of Aquaculture. This illustrated presentation by Anton Immink highlights how small steps can make a big difference.
Tuesday 15 March 7.30 – 8.30pm
Poles Apart: Scientists’ tales from the Arctic and the Antarctic
Despite their isolation from man's industrial development both the Arctic and Antarctic are not immune from the impacts of environmental change. Two scientists from the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Professor David Hopkins and Dr Philip Wookey share their perspectives and experiences of working in these harsh yet beautiful environments, describing some major science issues currently being studied.
Wednesday 16 March 7.30 – 9.00pm
Where does my seafood come from?
We are regularly told that seafood is good for us, but do we really care where it comes from or how it is produced? This talk by Francis Murray and Anton Immink of the Institute of Aquaculture explains how farming fish offers potential solutions to fill the gap from dwindling sea stocks and if managed responsibly offers a sustainable supply of food, income and employment.
Thursday 17 March 7.30 – 8.30pm
The Storming Castles: The Impacts of Extreme Climates on People and Places
The Asian tsunami showed how coastal landscapes are dramatically altered by tidal surges. Dr Richard Tipping of the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences will show how new techniques in environmental science combined with archaeology and history suggest that Caerlaverock Castle may have been stormed both by troops and extreme tidal surges.
Lesley Pollock
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(01786) 467058
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Anton Immink Stirling FK9 4LA UK |
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Tel: +44 (0) 01786 466577 |
Perth and Strathspey Reel Society Set to Perform
Date released: Monday 7 March
The University continues its series of informal lunchtime musical recitals with a performance by Perth and Strathspey Reel Society on Wednesday 16 March.
The band will play a selection of traditional Scottish and Irish Music in the MacRobert foyer from 12.15 – 1pm. Admission is free and members of the public are most welcome.
Lesley Pollock
Media Relations Manager
(01786) 467058
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Khlayre Mullin Stirling FK9 4LA UK |
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Tel: +44 (0) 01786 466675 |
First Study into Nurse Prescribing in Scotland
Date released: Tuesday 15 March 2005
The University of Stirling’s Public Health Research Group in the Department of Nursing & Midwifery is carrying out the first major study of nurse prescribing in Scotland. The research, funded by the Scottish Executive, is due to be completed in 2007.
Leading the research, Professor Andrew Watterson of the University of Stirling said:
“The recent expansion of nurse prescribing in Scotland is the subject of much discussion and this will provide an extensive evaluation of the development and some of its effects. The study will identify the benefits and challenges of nurse prescribing in Scotland, so that the impact on nurse prescribers, patients and other healthcare staff can be assessed.”
The two and a half year project will involve a national survey of all nurse prescribers registered in Scotland in 2005. The questionnaire will be broad and cover a wide variety of topics relating to nurse prescribing. Key to this part of the project will be the completion of the questionnaire by as many nurse prescribers as possible. Responses will be anonymous and any feedback gained from responses to the questions will be beneficial to the research, its findings and ultimately the future of nurse prescribing in Scotland.
Lesley Pollock
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(01786) 467058
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Professor Andrew Watterson Stirling FK9 4LA UK |
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Tel: +44 (0) 01786 466283 |
Impact of Demographic Change on Scottish Economy
Date released: Tuesday 15 March
The universities of Stirling and Strathclyde have received £51,500 from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) to evaluate the impact of population decline and ageing on the long-term performance and health of the Scottish economy.
Professors Peter McGregor and Kim Swales of the University of Strathclyde and Professor Robert Wright of the University of Stirling will use a simulation approach – using a mathematical model of the Scottish economy – to measure the effects of increased immigration to Scotland brought about by policies such as the Scottish Executive’s Fresh Talent Initiative. The model will also be used to assess the differences made by increasing government spending on family friendly policies that aim to make it easier for parents to combine childrearing and employment.
Professor Robert Wright said: “The demographic situation in Scotland is bleak. While life expectancy is increasing, deaths exceed births and the number of immigrants only balances the number of emigrants. If there are no major changes, Scotland’s population will continue to decrease as well as age rapidly.”
The scale of this expected change over the next four decades is considerable.
“According to the most recently available population projections carried out by the Government’s actuary department,” said Professor Peter McGregor “the population in Scotland will decline from its current level of about 5 million to 4.5 million by 2043 – a decrease of about 10 percent. As the population shrinks, its age distribution will also change dramatically.”
The award is one of six grants being made under the ESRC and Scottish Higher Education Funding Council’s Research on Scottish Demography initiative set up to study fertility, migration and ageing in Scotland.
Lesley Pollock
Media Relations Manager
(01786) 467058
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Professor Robert Wright Stirling FK9 4LA UK |
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Professor Peter McGregor |
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Tel: +44 (0) 141 548 3848 |
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Professor Kim Swales |
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Tel: +44 (0) 141 548 3966 |
2005 Funding Announcement
Date released: Thursday 17 March 2005
The Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) has announced its main grants for teaching and research for 2005/06. The funding which has been announced is as expected and is in line with previously advised public expenditure plans. The overall percentage increase for Stirling is 3 percent whilst the average for Scottish institutions is 3.4 percent.
The University of Stirling is pleased to advise that the grant which it has been allocated accords with its forward projections and thus will enable the University to continue its development in a sound and stable financial climate.
The University also welcomes the announcement of the Learning and Teaching Infrastructure Funds contribution which it will use to address elements of its Capital Development Programme alongside the funds which have been previously announced by the Funding Council.
Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Christine Hallett, said the grant announcement and the recognition by the Scottish Executive and the Funding Council of the need to invest in a sustainable infrastructure is welcome and the funding for the teaching infrastructure to supplement what had already been agreed for the research infrastructure would enable the University to move forward in its desire to provide a high quality environment for both its students and its academic staff.
Lesley Pollock
Media Relations Manager
(01786) 467058
Innovation Award Winners Announced
| Pictured above from left to right: Frank Kelly, Mike Pretious, Ernesto Espinosa, Jose Mota, Stuart Mitchell, Hong Jing, Lei Jing, Nigel Willby and David Gilvear. |
Date released: Wednesday 23 March
Prizes of up to £10,000 were awarded to staff and students last night (Tuesday 22 March) at the Stirling University Research & Enterprise (SURE) Innovation Awards. The Awards, supported by Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley and Inverness & Nairn Enterprise, provide winners with funding to get their innovative ideas off the ground.
Funding was awarded to the following projects:
- Dr David Gilvear of the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Dr Nigel Willby of the Institute of Aquaculture to develop a centre to provide scientific advice on restoring and managing Scottish rivers so that they are of greater benefit to wildlife and the public and can cope better with floods.
- Mr Frank Kelly of the Department of Sports Studies to develop a new device to time sprinting athletes.
- Mr Mike Pretious of the Institute for Retail Studies to develop a course in retailing.
- Mr Ian Murray of the Department of Nursing and Midwifery to develop a course on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
- Postgraduate Ms Lei Jing to develop a business trading in television productions.
- Undergraduate Mr Stuart Mitchell to provide small-sided football leagues around Scotland.
- Postgraduates Mr Ernesto Espinosa and Mr Jose Mota to develop an environmentally friendly way of disposing of waste.
Lesley Pollock
Media Relations Manager
(01786) 467058
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Ms Kate Wooding Stirling FK9 4LA UK |
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Tel: +44 (0) 1786 458139 |
Hymns Unlock Key to Past for Older People
Date released: Wednesday 23 March 2005
A reminiscence project in a church community in South Edinburgh has culminated in a CD of hymns, produced with the help of the University of Stirling’s Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC).
DSDC Library & Information Service Manager, Eileen Richardson said: "We regularly get enquiries about a tape of hymns which has gone out of production. Dementia carers and care home staff found it an invaluable tool for stimulating reminiscence, so we were keen to help the church group produce a new collection.”
Suggestions for the CD were collected by Reverend Susan Kirkbride of Morningside United Church who took a list of hymns on her regular visits to a day care service for people with dementia, local care homes and housebound older parishioners.
She said: “Chatting about hymns and looking through the hymn book stirred up memories and gave people the opportunity to talk about their lives. For some, simply reading the titles of hymns was enough of a trigger. One lady sang her favourite hymn word perfect without even looking at the book; while others recalled the hymns they had at their weddings or talked about Sunday school.”
The most popular choices have been used to produce the CD, entitled Restoring the Soul, sung by the choirs and members of Morningside United Church, Christ Church Morningside and Morningside Baptist Church.
The album will be launched at Morningside United Church 3.30pm on Wednesday 23 March and will be available from DSDC as well as Morningside United Church priced £6.
Lesley Pollock
Media Relations Manager
(01786) 467058
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Eileen Richardson Stirling FK9 4LA UK |
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Tel: +44 (0) 1786 467740 |
Stirling University Students’ Union is One of UK’s Safest
Date released: Thursday 31 March 2005
The University is pleased to announce that Stirling University Students’ Union (SUSA) has been accredited with ‘Best Bar None’ status. The award highlights the Association’s long standing commitment to social responsibility and the safety of its members.
Students’ unions throughout the country were invited to enter the award scheme run by NUS Services. Venues were assessed in a variety of areas including door policy, glass drinking vessels policy, drink and drugs, CCTV, crime prevention and emergency strategies. The Universities of Stirling and Strathclyde were the only Scottish unions to receive accreditation.
SUSA President, Al Wilson said: “I am delighted that SUSA is one of only two student unions in Scotland to have been accredited with this award. Corporate social responsibility is the big buzz phrase in the licensed trade industry just now, but this award shows that actions speak louder than words and I am proud to lead an Association that places such a large emphasis on its members’ safety and welfare.”
Al Wilson and Vice-President and Treasurer, Chris Woof collected SUSA’s award at a glitzy ceremony in Liverpool’s Adelphi Hotel in March.
Lesley Pollock
Media Relations Manager
(01786) 467058
For further information:
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Al Wilson (SUSA President) Stirling FK9 4LA UK |
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Tel: +44 (0) 1786 467166 |