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The media contacts for further information on any of these stories, or for any media enquiries, are:
Andy Mitchell/Lesley Wilkinson
Head of Communications & Media (job share)
01786 467058
Trudy Whyle
Communications Officer
01786 466687
David Christie
Sport Communications Officer
01786 466553/466653
General email: mediarelations@stir.ac.uk. For urgent media calls outside office hours, please call 01786 473171 and ask to be put in touch with a press officer.
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Scientists oppose one-off ivory sales and urge international trade decisions to put Science above Politics
Date released: Friday 12 March 2010
Illegal killing of elephants is on the rise, driven by growing markets for ivory in the Far East, and the demand for ivory is spiralling out of control.
In a Policy Forum published in this week’s issue of Science magazine, 27 scientists from Africa, Europe and the United States, including Professor Phyllis Lee of the University of Stirling, argue that ‘one-time only’ ivory sales drive a resurgence in poaching.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) is meeting in Qatar over the coming two weeks where representatives will debate whether Tanzania and Zambia should be permitted to down-list their populations and make ‘one-off’ sales of ivory.
Professor Lee, Head of the Department of Psychology and an expert in human-elephant conflict mitigation, said: “Tanzania’s current ivory stockpile lacks source documentation, suggesting inconsistent record keeping, and both countries and their neighbours have seen a resurgence in elephant poaching. This has led to significant declines in some regional populations in eastern and southern Africa, but particularly in Central Africa.”
The authors in Science argue that CITES risks approving the sale of up to 38 tons of ivory from potentially poached animals. The points they make include:
Does a ‘one-off’ sale create a demand for ivory on the black-market? At this stage, all the evidence from intercepted illegal shipments suggests that demand has risen of late, a likely response to two sales from southern Africa in the past decade and anticipation of a forthcoming widening of the trade. Illegal ivory can make the supplier ten times more than legal auctions; an emerging market for ivory threatens the recovery of African elephant populations seen since the original 1989 ivory trade ban.
One-off sales are not in keeping with a trade ban, sending mixed messages to potential buyers. If the new petition is approved, end-users in China and Japan will be the drivers of this increased illegal trade. Much of the recently seized illegal ivory originated in Tanzania and Zambia – the two countries petitioning CITES.
Will the sale contribute to conservation activities as required before down-listing? CITES appears to be influenced by ideological arguments that elephants can, and should, be exploited sustainably to provide funds for conservation. However, the short term income from a one-off sale (c. $14M) is tiny in comparison to the $1.3 billion spent every year by wildlife-viewing tourists in Tanzania, who will not come if the elephant population is threatened by trade and poachers. And the economics of exploitation don’t add up for a large mammal species whose rate of increase is slower than growth in globalized financial markets, spending power and demand for ivory.
The Science authors make four key suggestions:
- CITES decisions need to consider how species like elephants shape their ecosystem, maintaining landscapes across Africa;
- Eligibility for trade requires independent verification;
- Proposals should be subject to peer-review by acknowledged experts rather than small, appointed panels; and
- A country’s record in controlling illegal trade should be examined more objectively by CITES when evaluating petitions.
Professor Lee added: “The CITES mechanisms currently encourage reciprocal swaps between countries in support of favoured petitions, which could result in a future without either elephants or other endangered species, such as bluefin tuna.
“It is time for scientific evidence to supersede politics in an open, transparent forum.”
Reference:
Elephants, Ivory and Trade. Wasser et al. Science Vol. 328, 12 March 2010.
The full text of the article in Science can be read at www.sciencemag.org/cgi/reprint/327/5971/1331.pdf
Further information:
Professor Phyllis Lee, Department of Psychology, University of Stirling
www.psychology.stir.ac.uk/staff/plee/index.php
University teamwork will get top marks for school pupils
Date released: Thursday 11 March 2010
For 130 local schoolchildren, Wednesday 17 March promises a break from the usual morning routine. The University of Stirling is welcoming final year pupils from Dunblane, Newton and St Mary’s Episcopal primary schools, and first year pupils from Dunblane High School, who will team up to work out of doors on various science-based environmental projects on the University campus.
The pupils will spend the morning on three different activities: Maps, Traps and Baps. The first involves mapping skills, using space and learning how others view space. The second requires the trapping and counting of some of the campus bug population. The third consists of feeding wild birds to determine their feeding patterns and how the act of feeding affects their behaviour.
This is just one of over 130 events occurring in over 40 UK towns, to mark Festival of Social Science Week, organised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). The numbers of students taking up science subjects is falling and of those who are interested in pursuing a science-based career, girls are very much in the minority. So the Festival’s aim is to encourage some of today’s school pupils to consider becoming tomorrow’s scientists.
Dr Allen Thurston, senior lecturer at the University’s Institute of Education, has been researching the issue and has found that both boys and girls learn science better when they have hands-on experience of it. Additionally, if learning takes place in an environment where they are working together in groups, children are more likely to remember the information.
“This is particularly the case when children make the switch from primary to secondary schooling,” Dr Thurston explains. “They lose their existing social networks and have to establish new relationships and bonds with their secondary school peer group. It can be an emotionally insecure time which often adversely affects their ability to learn.
“However, engaging in cooperative groupwork helps children to network and, in group situations where responsibilities are shared, they become more motivated, take ownership of the project and tend to enjoy the experience more – which in turn usually results in better performances and higher attainment levels."
Dr Thurston’s findings are the result of two research projects he has been running for the past four years, involving approximately 600 schoolchildren from eight different local authorities in Scotland. His research is funded by the ESRC which examines how social science research influences our social, economic and political lives.
The first research project focused on cooperative learning in the final year of primary school and the second focused on what happened to these same children, during the next four years of secondary school.
Dr Thurston said: “Our research found that children who learned about science in cooperative groups at primary school demonstrated a strong ability to learn during their secondary experience, with no learning ‘sag’ during the period when they moved schools. These findings are now being passed on to teachers, to underline the importance of engaging pupils in collaborative work. “
Cooperation will definitely be at the heart of Wednesday’s Maps, Traps and Baps activities, which are all about allotting tasks, creating and agreeing group rules and giving individuals responsibility for collecting data, which will then be used by the whole group to complete the morning’s research.
And many of the pupils working together on Wednesday are likely to meet each other again, when the primary school pupils move up to secondary school, later in the year – making their school transition just that little bit easier.
For further information, please contact Dr Allen Thurston on: allen.thurston@stir.ac.uk or call: 01786 467618
Doctors call for ban on promotion of alcohol in social networking sites
Date released: Wednesday 10 March 2010
Scotland’s top alcohol doctors are calling for the four Governments of the UK to support a ban on the promotion of alcohol in social networking sites after research published today shows that producers of leading UK alcohol brands are using new media channels in a way which contravenes the spirit of the advertising codes which maintain standards in alcohol advertising.
The study was undertaken by Dr Oona Brooks, from the Institute for Social Marketing at Stirling University on behalf of Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP). The study examined the websites and official pages on social networking sites of four leading UK alcohol brands – WKD, Lambrini, Smirnoff and Carling.
The material was reviewed against the CAP Codes relating to alcohol and the study found that much of the material contained in both the websites and official pages on social networking sites such as Facebook clearly contravened the spirit of the CAP codes.
Dr Brooks said:“Alcohol producers are increasingly using new media channels like websites and social networking sites to promote alcohol, so it is important to examine what kind of marketing messages young people are receiving through these channels. What I found was that the websites and official pages of leading UK alcohol brands on sites such as Facebook contained material which clearly contravened the spirit of the CAP Codes on advertising.
“They did this in different ways – by using fictional characters to appeal to youth culture and masculinity; by suggesting that alcohol is indispensable and by linking alcohol with sporting achievement. Alcohol advertising is not supposed do any of these things. The cumulative impact of such an extensive range of alcohol branded messages has the potential to contribute to the normalization of excessive drinking.”
The study also found that the age verification processes were questionable on all four alcohol brand websites and that television adverts for alcohol brands which have been barred by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) can be found on video sharing sites such as YouTube.
Dr Bruce Ritson, chair of SHAAP added: “The extent to which alcohol producers are now using digital media to promote alcohol is a matter of serious concern, due to the youth appeal of these sites, the difficulties associated with enforcing age restrictions, the relative lack of regulation and the sheer volume of promotional messages.
“We know from the evidence that alcohol advertising influences behaviour by encouraging young people to drink alcohol sooner and in greater quantities. We also know that increased consumption in the UK is linked to the escalating levels of alcohol harm that we have seen in recent years. We would urge all four governments of the UK to support a ban on alcohol promotion on social networking sites and put an end to self-regulation.
“We cannot have the alcohol and advertising industries regulating themselves and greater regulation coupled with action on price and availability offers our best hope of reducing alcohol harm.”
For full findings of the study, click on:
http://www.shaap.org.uk/news/139,Call_for_ban_on_alcohol_promotion_in_social_networking_sites.html
Greenland exposed - in Dundee
Date released: Wednesday 10 March 2010
The extreme environment faced by Viking settlers a thousand years ago is captured in an innovative sound-art installation which goes on show at Sensation Dundee this week.
Entitled ‘Exposure’ it is a kaleidoscope of sound and vision which combines the skills of University of Stirling environmental scientist Dr Paul Adderley and composer Dr Michael Young from Goldsmiths, University of London.
They have studied the hostile environment of southern Greenland and Dr Adderley, of the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, explained: "Our installation is a live computer-generated performance. We combine visual information gained from a forensic examination of soils from old settlements, with an understanding of how Greenland’s environment has changed. The everyday farm-life of the Viking settlers is used to create the synthesis of the sounds heard.
“Michael and I hope that the work will cause the audience to reflect on the nature of these past communities and the extremes of environment which were faced by Viking settlers who arrived in Greenland over a thousand years ago."
Dr Young added: "This project is a completely innovative science/art collaboration. The installation brings together analytical photographs with environmental recordings, Saga readings and many other sound sources. The audio and visual components are re-shaped and presented in real-time, by a custom-designed computer system."
’Exposure’ runs at Sensation Dundee, from 10 to 31 March. Entrance to the exhibition is included in admittance to Sensation.
Notes to Editors
- Sensation Dundee is one of Dundee’s premier visitor attractions, open daily from 10am to 5pm. It attracts over 60,000 visitors a year and is part of the Scottish Science Centres Network, along with Glasgow Science Centre, Our Dynamic Earth and Satrosphere Science Centre in Aberdeen. Sensation aims to inspire the scientists of tomorrow and to spark renewed interest in university science courses. For further information please contact Sensation Dundee on 01382 228800 or visit www.sensation.org.uk
- ‘Exposure’ is running as part of National Science and Engineering Week (NSEW). Funded by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills, the ten day programme of science, engineering and technology runs from 12-21 March with hundreds of events and activities, aimed at people of all ages. The NSEW’s theme for 2010 is ‘Earth’ in support of International Year of Biodiversity. For more information, see: www.britishscienceassociation.org/web/nsew/_aboutnsew.htm
Further information: contact Paul Adderley at the University of Stirling on 01786 467861 or alternatively on 07801 825514.
Stirling Professor shortlisted for Innovator of the Year
Date released: Tuesday 23 February 2010
University of Stirling Professor, Dave Goulson (pictured), has been shortlisted for the Innovator of the Year competition, which is run by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBRSC). This annual competition is designed to encourage, recognise and reward those scientists who maximise the social and economic impact of their excellent research work, thereby improving everyone’s quality of life. The winner will be chosen on 18 March at Canary Wharf, London.
Professor Goulson, a conservation biologist specialising in the behaviour and ecology of bumblebees, has been nominated in recognition of his creation of The Bumblebee Conservation Trust. Frustrated by the difficulties of getting his findings to the farmers and politicians where they could make a practical difference, Professor Goulson founded The Trust with colleague Ben Darvill in 2006. http://www.bumblebeeconservationtrust.co.uk
Today it has over 7,000 members and six paid staff and its activities include the development of education packs and running bumblebee recording schemes. It works with garden centres, local councils and farmers, as well as undertaking many on-the-ground activities with children and amateur gardeners. It also successfully influences policy through its meetings with politicians, including Ministers and members of the Scottish and European Parliaments.
The Trust’s efforts have created huge media interest in the plight of the nation’s bumblebees, raising public awareness around bumblebee conservation and encouraging the creation of bee friendly habitat – like the one recently created in Kent for reintroduction of the short-haired bumblebee.
By 2015, Professor Goulson aims to have recruited 20,000 Trust members, all working to ensure that no more bumblebee species become extinct. He says: “Bumblebees provide vital pollination services for crops and wildflowers – we lose them at our peril. Only by mobilizing an army of volunteers across the country can we hope to make the landscape-scale changes needed to conserve them. And this is exactly what the Bumblebee Conservation Trust is doing.”
The entrepreneurial activities undertaken by scientists like Professor Goulson generate valuable products, technologies, tools and knowledge – all of which have a social impact upon, and create revenue for, the UK and its economy.
In congratulating the finalists, Dr Celia Caulcott, BBSRC Director of Innovation and Skills recognised their commitment to use their science for the benefit of the wider community and said: “The UK bioscience community is producing world class research to take on issues of global importance and these researchers are great examples.”
Background:
- Professor Goulson is one of seven finalists selected from 36 nominations by an independent judging panel and is competing for a £5,000 prize in each of three categories: Commercial Innovator; Social Innovator and Most Promising Innovator.
- From the three category winners, one person will be selected as the overall Innovator of the Year 2010, collecting a further prize of £5,000.
- BBSRC annually invests around £450million in research in the agriculture, food, chemical, healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, significantly contributing to the UK quality of life. For more information, click on: http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk
Stirling students are UK winners of the Global Investment Research Challenge 
Date released: Tuesday 23 February 2010
Students from Stirling Management School have fought off tough competition from the University of Exeter Business School, Lancaster University Management School and Imperial College Business School, to be named UK winners of the Global Investment Research Challenge. Six other UK institutions entered, but failed to reach the final.
John Thom (UK), Rory San (UK), Caroline Schleese (Germany), Felix John Amoako (Ghana) and Munyaradzi Stephen Charangwa (Zimbabwe), pictured left to right, are all on Stirling’s MSc Investment Analysis, a Program Partner of the CFA Institute, the global association of investment professionals that awards the prestigious Chartered Financial Analyst qualification. The local challenge was hosted by the CFA Society UK in London's Canary Wharf.
To promote best practice in equity research and company analysis, the four teams of students had to research, analyze and report on a publicly listed company,Quintain Estates and Development plc, before presenting their investment recommendations, as practicing analysts would do. The students’ submissions were judged by a panel of leading investment professionals, comprising managing directors and heads of research and the teams were marked according to a strict set of criteria.
This year’s winning team was mentored by Jim Campbell CFA, ASIP, a graduate of the Stirling MSc Investment Analysis and an active member of CFA UK. Jim also mentored the 2008 and 2009 Stirling teams in the UK competition, both of which achieved second place, so he obviously has the golden touch!
The winning Stirling team will now go forward to represent the UK in the CFA Regional Final for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), which will take place in Istanbul on 24 March. Regional winners will then compete in the global final on 17 April in Hong Kong.
The Director of the Stirling MSc Investment Analysis, Dr Kevin Campbell, said: “This achievement is a richly deserved reward for the hard work and professionalism of our students and for the support they received from the staff of Stirling Management School’s MSc Investment Analysis.
“We are unique in having a team compete in the UK final in three successive years. Our students come from many countries and from varied cultures and backgrounds, providing a rich learning environment. This success signals Stirling as a premiere destination for those seeking a career in the global investment management industry”.
Bumbleton Hill – southern invader creates border buzz
Date released: Monday 22 February 2010
Conservationists are buzzing with excitement at the discovery of a new bumblebee species for Scotland – the first for fifty years. The discovery comes as Scotland enters Scottish Environment Week, which brings together MSPs and environmentalists to celebrate Scotland’s environment.
1400 years after the princess Æbbe fled north to Scotland and established a monastery at St Abbs, the Southern Cuckoo Bumblebee (pictured) defied its name and followed suit, crossing the border not far from Humbleton Hill, in an area known for its historical cross-border incursions.
The bee was discovered at St Abbs by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust’s Conservation Officer for Scotland, Bob Dawson. He commented: "It’s hugely exciting to discover a new species for Scotland – I’m thrilled. Cuckoo bumblebees can be tricky to identify. They look superficially similar to other bumblebees - black with yellow stripes – but males of this species have distinctive antennae. Thankfully Murdo Macdonald from the Highland Biological Recording Group confirmed my suspicions.”
The conservation group’s director, Ben Darvill noted that a good news story was long overdue. “At a time when bumblebees up and down the UK are struggling due to a lack of flower-rich habitat, it is heartening to see that at least one species is expanding its range. Sadly many other species are threatened with national extinction, with Scotland’s Great Yellow Bumblebee in particular trouble. We very much hope it’s not a case of “One in one out…”.
It is too early to say whether the southern cuckoo bumblebee’s arrival is due to climate change, but it seems likely.
Gardeners can make a significant difference to ‘the plight of the bumblebee’ by growing the right kinds of flowers throughout the year – many fancy varieties are of little use to wildlife. Cottage garden plants and wild flowers are best. For more information visit www.bumblebeeconservation.org or phone BBCT on 01786 467818.
Photograph courtesy of Nick Owens BBCT
Stirling invests in teacher education
Date released: Friday 19 February 2010
The University of Stirling is continuing to invest in its core activities of research and teaching with the announcement of a number of new positions in The Stirling Institute of Education.
As part of the University’s programme of expansion in key academic areas, six permanent posts have been created - a Chair in Education and five senior academic positions - which will enhance the Institute’s research-led approach to teacher education.
Professor Richard Edwards, Head of the Stirling Institute of Education, said: “In a recession, education becomes ever more important for individuals and society. In Scotland we are also in the midst of major changes to schooling with the introduction of Curriculum for Excellence. We are delighted to be expanding our teaching and research capability at this time to ensure that we prepare the next generation of educators to be able to meet the challenges of change.”
The Institute is also offering a number of postgraduate research studentships. He said: “We have a growing and dynamic doctoral community and offer a stimulating environment to undertake doctoral studies. We are pleased to offer a number of fully funded postgraduate research studentships commencing in Session 2010-11.”
Professor Edwards makes the point that, unusually in Scotland at the present time, the Stirling Institute of Education is booming: “We have more undergraduates and postgraduate students than ever before. The Institute has specialities in educational theory, curriculum and pedagogy, early years, professional education, lifelong learning, and inclusion and came first in Scotland for the quality of its research in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise.”
One of the UK's most forward thinking academic institutions, the University of Stirling is attracting talented research students and academic staff in key areas. Its creation of more than 30 new professorships and lectureships will be backed up by investment in 50 research studentships.
For details of the academic posts and research studentships, see: www.external.stir.ac.uk/future/index.htm
The Stirling Institute of Education: www.ioe.stir.ac.uk/research/studentships.php
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