NEWS
IN BRIEF
Community Forum helps locals engage
with QMU’s activities
P
EOPLE LIVING IN the surrounding communities of
East Lothian and Edinburgh are able to gain an insight
into University’s work by attending QMU’s Community
Forum.
QMU celebrates real Living Wage
commitment
Q
MU HAS JOINED a growing roll-call of Scottish
univer sities making the real Living Wage
commitment by becoming an accredited Living
Wage employer.
The University welcomed the Scottish Government’s Higher and
Further Education Minister, Shirley-Anne Somerville, to celebrate
the move on campus during Living Wage Week. The new UK rate
of £8.45 was announced in the autumn.
Dee Denholm, Head of Human Resources at QMU, said: “We
believe that paying at least the real Living Wage to all QMU staff
is the right thing to do. Paying each member of our team fairly is
at the core of our values, and the Living Wage accreditation offers
formal recognition for this.”
Higher and Further Education Minister Shirley-Anne Somerville,
said: “I’m delighted that Queen Margaret University is now
accredited as a Living Wage Employer, which is a key part of the
Scottish Government’s commitment to making our country a fairer
place for everyone to live, work and study.” ❒
Recognition for excellence in supporting
researcher career development
Q
MU’S WORK IN supporting the career development of
its researchers was acknowledged when it retained
the European Commission’s HR Excellence in
Research Award.
Kim Gilchrist, QMU’s Head of Research and Knowledge Exchange
Development, said: “QMU is one of first eight UK institutions to gain
this accolade having retained its award following its six year review.
The announcement demonstrates QMU’s long-term commitment
to the career development of it research staff. The retention of this
award is a fantastic endorsement of our commitment to increasing
the international profile of QMU in attracting academics and
promoting researcher mobility in Europe and beyond.” ❒
4
QMYOU / News in Brief
The Community Forum brings together university staff, local
residents, businesses, organisations, schools and council
representatives twice a year to discuss University and local
community issues.
Local people have the opportunity to ask questions about the
University and find out how it works with the community through
its students, staff, commercial work and widening participation
initiatives.
Professor Petra Wend, QMU Principal, said: “The Community
Forum creates a link between local people and the University,
and is part of our community engagement strategy. The event
attracts interest from local residents, councillors and representatives
from community groups and offers an excellent platform for local
information exchange. It also provides an insight into how the
University’s students and staff contribute to the community, as
well as opportunities for local people to engage in our activities
such as public events, open days, drama projects and community/
outreach initiatives.”
For more information and to register for the QMU
Community Forum, contact Jane Scott, Director of
Marketing & Communications, T: 0131 474 0000,
E: [email protected] ❒
Professor McCormack
awarded Fellowship of
the Royal College of
Surgeons
P
ROFES SOR BRENDAN
MCCORMACK, Associate
Director of the Centre
for Person-centred Practice
Research at QMU, recently
travelled to Dublin to receive a
Fellowship of the Royal College
of Surgeons.
The prestigous award was in recognition of Professor
McCormack’s global health expertise in person-centredness. ❒