College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

2012

Archived news content from 2012.

Global tobacco cash cuts

Proposed funding cuts within the international body responsible for tobacco control will leave the world’s poorest countries more vulnerable to smoking-related diseases, a study suggests.

Bilingualism is best way forward for families

Families should be encouraged to embrace language learning if Scotland is to engage more fully with other European countries, a language Professor claims.

Memoirs shed light on fate of Irish famine victims

A Victorian aristocrat’s diaries reveal why the potato famine killed millions of Ireland’s poor but left the Highlands relatively unscathed, according to new research.

Music graduate wins prestigious competition

A Music graduate has won joint first prize at the L’Espace du Son 2012 competition in Brussels.

Independence experts awarded

With a referendum on Scottish independence due to be held in 2014, three University of Edinburgh academics have been selected to provide specialist evidence on how the potential dissolution of the United Kingdom would affect life in Scotland and beyond.

Extraverted gorillas enjoy longer lives

Gorillas with an extravert personality live longer than their more introverted peers, a study suggests.

Savile revelations must be seen in perspective

The UK is in the midst of a moral panic, created by the Jimmy Savile revelations, according to a leading social work expert.

More Facebook friends means more stress

A large number of friends on Facebook may appear impressive but, according to a new report, the more social circles a person is linked to online the more likely social media will be a source of stress.

Art students launch crafty Xmas in city centre

Edinburgh College of Art students have transformed part of Edinburgh’s Princes Mall as they unveil a massive mural across several shop fronts and open a pop-up Christmas shop with a vintage twist.

Edinburgh Law School's second oldest Chair filled

The University of Edinburgh Law School is pleased to announce that its established Chair in Civil Law has been filled by Professor John W. Cairns, FRSE.

Broadcaster takes up Arts residency

Broadcaster and traditional singer Frieda Morrison is to promote Scots language and song through a new post created by the University of Edinburgh.

Drama prize adds new dimension to literary awards

The James Tait Black Prizes, Britain’s oldest literary awards, are being extended to include a new category for drama.

Rare manuscript discovery illuminates history

Fragments of two medieval French epic poems have been discovered by researchers at the University of Edinburgh and the University of Bristol.

Prize book makes its mark with new undergraduates

More than 5,000 new undergraduates will be presented with this year’s winning book from the James Tait Black Prizes, Britain’s oldest literary awards.

Academic staff win BMA book award

Two of the College of Humanities and Social Science’s academic staff have won a prestigious British Medical Association (BMA) book award.

The Edinburgh Gadda Prize 2012

The Italian Department has held a series of public events to mark the Edinburgh Gadda Prize 2012. Now in its twelfth year, it celebrates one of the literary greats of European Modernism, Carlo Emilio Gadda.

ECA animators scoop three international awards

Students and graduates of Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) have won three awards at the KROK International Animated Film Festival 2012.

ECA graduate wins Signature Art Prize

A graduate of Edinburgh College of Art has won DegreeArt’s Signature Art Prize 2012.

Historical hub launched at Central Library

A unique centre that collates information on the history of Scotland’s contribution to World War 1 has been opened at Edinburgh Central Library.

ECA graduate shortlisted for the Oscars

A film directed by an Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) graduate has been shortlisted for an Oscar nomination.

Edinburgh Humanities among world's best

The University of Edinburgh has once again secured its place as one of the world’s best places to study the arts and humanities.

Vincent Hantam takes up arts residency

Celebrated dancer Vincent Hantam has become the first Artist in Residence for the Moray House School of Education.

ECA animators continue awards success

Edinburgh College of Art students have added to a successful week of awards by winning more film prizes, this time at Bristol’s Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival.

ECA animators dominate the BAFTAs

All three nominations in the animation category of the Scottish BAFTAs have been given to Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) graduates.

ECA student wins Fleming-Wyfold award

A final year student at Edinburgh College of Art has won the inaugural Fleming-Wyfold Award.

Exercise the body to keep the brain healthy

People who exercise later in life may better protect their brain from age-related changes than those who do not, a study suggests.

Best of the Best James Tait Black Prizes

Six critically acclaimed authors of the past 100 years are in the running to be named the best ever winner of Britain’s oldest literary award.

HSS researchers reach out to a wider audience

Academic staff members in various subject areas have taken part in British and foreign radio programmes to discuss various exciting topics.

New film and animation talent on show at Filmhouse

A former David Bowie collaborator, a Hollywood star and the Arab Spring all featured in a two-day showcase of ECA film and animation students at the city's Filmhouse cinema.

Renewed support of the Confucius Institute for Scotland from China and Scotland

On 6 June 2012, a conference at the Signet Library, Parliament Square, Edinburgh brought together important figures from Scotland, Europe and China.

A very inspired 2012 Art College Degree Show

Bingo halls, circus tents and Hollywood Westerns provide some of the highlights in this year's Edinburgh College of Art Degree Show.

Phone app helps scientists gauge how you feel about yourself

A smartphone app has been developed by behavioural scientists from the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences to record how people's perceptions of themselves vary from day to day.

Letter from Sherlock’s creator in historic display

A letter written by Sherlock Holmes creator Arthur Conan Doyle and a document signed by novelist Robert Louis Stevenson are to go on display at the University of Edinburgh.

Two-thirds of families worse off compared with last year, survey says

As this year's budget is due to be announced, research suggests nearly two-thirds of families find paying their bills is harder now than it was a year ago.

Fear study reveals workings of unconscious minds

Spiderman's intuitive response to danger - a fictional instinct called spider sense - gives him the edge over his adversaries. Now scientists have shown that in the real world, even lesser mortals can quickly learn to detect and respond to threats without being aware of them.

Further BAFTA success for ECA

Edinburgh College of Art students and graduates were triumphant at last night's New Talent BAFTA's.

Military Tattoo enlists ECA art students

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has launched a search for an Edinburgh College of Art student to become its official artist in residence.

Fashion students at ECA first in the UK to use plus size mannequins

Fashion students at Edinburgh College of Art will be the first in the UK to use plus size mannequins, ranging up to size 20.

Edinburgh student proves he is cutting edge with George at Asda

Edinburgh College of Art student, James Bruce, has been given a step up in the fashion industry ladder after winning runner up in a Graduate Fashion Week competition and having his designs picked up by a major high street retailer.

ECA collaborates on innovative Oxfam app

Oxfam launches innovative app revealing human stories behind donated items

Challenge Investment Fund 2011-12

Applications are invited for a second round of funding from the Challenge Investment Fund, initiated by the College of Humanities and Social Science, to support capacity building for inter- and/or multi-disciplinary working.

2012 postgraduate Prix du Québec

Harriet Kennedy, a first year PhD student in the Centre of Canadian Studies, has won the 2012 postgraduate Prix du Québec.

Innovative Learning Week

The Innovative Learning Week provides space outwith the curriculum for staff and students to explore new learning activities.

Gaelic Awareness Day for students

The University is currently preparing a Gaelic Language Plan that will aim to raise the profile of Gaelic in the University and create practical opportunities for its use.

Foreign Office minister to give talk on Afghanistan

Alistair Burt, Foreign Office minister for Afghanistan and the Middle East, will give a talk at the University on Thursday 19 January.

iPad game to help children with autism

Children with autism as young as 18 months could be helped to improve their socialising skills thanks to a new iPad app.

ECA at manipulate Visual Theatre Festival

Work from Edinburgh College of Art students will animate one of Edinburgh’s most innovative arts festivals.

ECA student creates band music video

A magical animated film from an Edinburgh College of Art student is the latest video from award-winning band Bombay Bicycle Club.

Film students create event for Glasgow Film Festival

Following last year's success, the University of Edinburgh has once again joined forces with the Glasgow Film Festival on a special project for this year's festival.

BAFTA win for former ECA student

A film by an Edinburgh College of Art graduate, John Maclean, has won an award at this year's BAFTAs.

Nordic Research Network 2012

The University's department of Scandinavian Studies invites participants to the Nordic Research Network 2012.