How long have you worked here?
3 Years in July, I’m coming up to my workiversary!
What made you want to work here?
I had been teaching in a private school for four years prior to working at Abertay University and had realised that children were not my thing. When an old tutor from my masters degree recommended that I visit Abertay University and see what was available here, I did and found that the small size of the university actually created a genuine feeling of community and support within and between the departments.
How has the University changed over the years?
I first set foot in Abertay University in the year that it became a university so everything seemed new and shiny. The student numbers have definitely increased and it feels like the university has a more student-centred approach.
What would you say has been the biggest improvement?
The biggest improvement has definitely been the student services department. Not just because that’s the department I work in, I don’t ever remember seeing or even hearing about them when I was a student here. Also, the games design degrees, if they had been around when I was applying to universities then that would have been my first choice. In fact I am now doing my PhD in this field!
What one thing do you miss the most?
What I miss is the Breadalbane Arms (aka "The Bread") and its exotic wall of flavoured vodkas. So handy for after exams!
What are your memories of the campaign and, eventually, confirmation of University status in 1994?
For me, I don’t really remember the campaign as I was up in Tullynessle, Aberdeenshire whilst all that was going on. I do remember feeling excited to think that I was one of the very first students to attend the university.
Who has been your favourite or most memorable colleague?
I work alongside some amazing people both in LDS and doing my PhD in SDI. Wendy Fish is a fantastic teacher and a really good laugh as is Jim Kelly who reminds me a little of Marvin from Hitchhiker’s Guide; brain the size of a planet!
Within SDI I have felt so much support for my research that I have been humbled and again a fantastic bunch of people to work and study alongside. But more than that I have been lucky enough to get an absolutely amazing supervisor for my PhD here in Games and Arts. Euan Dempster is fantastic and I couldn’t ask for a better person to guide my very steep learning curve.
What is it about Abertay that made you want to come back?
To be honest, if you had asked me 25 years ago if I would ever be back studying and working in Dundee I probably would have laughed. Dundee was a very different city back then; there seemed to be quite an anti-student feeling. It has totally changed now and I am glad to call it my home. Both my work and study are at Abertay University and I hope to be able to stay here for the foreseeable future. Again this harks back to the sense of community and support that only a small uni can give you. Everyone seems to know your name and in turn we are able to get to know more of the students. They are more than just a number.
Posted on 4th Jul 2019
Last modified by API