Name: Professor John Palfreyman
Title: Head of the School of Contemporary Sciences
Length of Service: 28 years
What made you want to work at Abertay?
I needed a permanent job and the guy who interviewed me, Bernard, was obviously an exciting and ambitious man. Seemed like a great person to work with. He also appreciated that I knew what research was, something that was to become significant once we were looking for University status
How did the University changed over the years?
Well, when I started, Dundee College of Technology it was rather old fashioned - lots of rules about things like photocopying and a ban on using computers for word processing (hard to believe this now). We became much more professional and we started to realise that there was a world out there which we could be an important part of. Our influence in Scotland and beyond started to develop.
Support services such as the Library and IT moved into the modern era - when I remember the old library it brings tears to my eyes. We got away from academics locked up in their offices to open plan, colours, music, computers everywhere, etc.
What has been the biggest improvement over the years?
Big difference was reaching out to the outside world.
What are your memories of the campaign and confirmation of University status in 1994?
I don’t remember much except being very excited that I might end up working in a University and, that to some small extent, I had helped us to get to this situation. I remember the parade to the church where the formalities of the process were celebrated. I remember being proud that senior people from Dundee University had to come to our event.
Who was your favourite or most memorable colleague?
Bernard King - the best colleague I ever had. Proudest moment - writing the first research strategy for the University (along with the Davids Bradley and Heeley).
What is it about Abertay that has made you want to stay all those years?
Bernard King who made Abertay such a exciting and innovative place to work. I am sure that without his efforts UAD would have been a far less successful enterprise.
Posted on 13th Aug 2019
Last modified by API