Sonic screwdrivers, social purpose and ‘stuckness’ are just some of the topics to be explored at the University of Dundee next month.
Discovery Days 2023 takes place at the Dalhousie Building, Old Hawkhill, from Wednesday 11 to Friday 13 January. Eleven newly appointed professors will each talk for 15 minutes about their area of research, while inspirational teachers from the University will discuss the elements of their practice that led to them receiving awards for their impact on students’ learning.
The short presentations showcase the leading-edge work at Dundee helping to transform lives around the world. Covid-19 restrictions meant the 2021 and 2022 events had to take place online, but Discovery Days returns to a physical setting for 2023, with members of the public able to hear about innovative and impactful research in areas as diverse as social sciences and medicine.
Several of the sessions will be chaired by Professor Iain Gillespie, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University, who said, “Discovery Days is always a highlight in the University calendar, with the opportunity to hear from our newly appointed professors and award-winning teachers being a great way to start the new academic year.
“As always our speakers will explore a wide range of important topics and will demonstrate the world-leading work taking place here to enable us to transform lives locally and globally.”
At Discovery Days, Frank Ruda, Professor of Modern and Contemporary Philosophy, will draw on his research to explain the concept of ‘stuckness’.
He said, “We all know what it feels like when things do not seem to move. In the public discourse of modern societies, on all sides of the political spectrum, stuckness is often observed. The recent pandemic presents one such example of this mode of experience. This talk will address stuckness for the comprehension of history.”
Other speakers include:
- Professor Jeff Blackford – Education and research for social purpose
- Professor Jacques Hartmann – The end times of human rights
- Professor Natasha Lushetich – How do we remember in the digital age?
- Professor Mike MacDonald – Tractor beams and sonic screwdrivers
- Professor Susie Schofield – Professional identity – the clues in the pronouns
Members of the public are invited to attend as many sessions as they wish and will have the opportunity to ask the speakers questions about their work.
As well as showcasing the talents of Dundee’s academics, Discovery Days 2023 will also provide the public with the opportunity to witness the University Court at work. The institution’s governing body will host a public session on Wednesday 11 January, allowing interested parties to hear from and pose questions to leading figures from the University.
Friday will also see the announcement of the winners of the Stephen Fry Awards for Public Engagement, when a message of congratulations from the eponymous national treasure will be played. More information is available at https://www.dundee.ac.uk/engage/newsandevents/discoverydays/.