Communitay
September 2022

Dr Natalie Coull joins National Cyber Resilience advisory board

The National Cyber Resilience Advisory Board (NCRAB) brings together leaders and influencers across the private, public and third sectors to provide strategic advice to support Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Government to help ensure Scotland is a digitally secure and resilient nation.

Dr Coull says: I am delighted to have been appointed to the National Cyber Resilience Advisory Board. The NCRAB has already made great progress to ensure Scotland can bounce-back for any cyber attacks it faces and can be prosperous in the digital sphere."

Dr Natalie Coull joins the National Cyber Resilience Advisory Board

New research partnership aiming to make golf more accessible to all

Academics at Abertay University have teamed up with Carnoustie Golf Links to create a new centre focused on golf research. 

The Carnoustie Golf Links Research Hub, based at the historic course, builds on previous collaborative research work between the two institutions and will focus on increasing participation in underrepresented groups, developing new methods to enhance golf performance and assessing the impact of major events.

Abertay partners with Carnoustie Golf Links on new innovative golf research centre

Abertay appoints new Professor as strategic research enhancement continues

Abertay University’s School of Applied Sciences has appointed international biology and chemistry expert Professor Christopher Gwenin as part of a continuing strategic priority to provide research with real-world impact. 

Professor Gwenin joins from Xi’an Jiaotong – Liverpool University (XJTLU) and brings a strong track record of working on high value and impactful projects that link academia and industry. 

Abertay University appoints new Professor as strategic research enhancement continues

InGAME evidence assessment looks at impact of loot boxes

An evidence assessment led by Abertay University that found loot boxes used by the video games industry have correlations with problem gambling has also uncovered a need for better research into the full range of impacts the sector has on its customers.

Commissioned by the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the evidence assessment team was tasked with considering harms in the industry and the impact of the loot box market.

Loot box evidence assessment underlines the research need

Abertay students named in games industry 'outstanding' list

Undergraduate and postgraduate students from Abertay University have been named as 'Graduates of the Year' in a new list from games industry trade body, TIGA.

A total of 16 of the 77 UK accolades bestowed by TIGA's Education Committee went to Abertay students, with judges rigorously reviewing submissions made, including an analysis of student work.

Abertay students named in games industry 'outstanding graduates' list

New research contradicts assumption that porn adversely affects relationships

Abertay researchers have found evidence to suggest that watching pornography may not be as detrimental to how men view romantic partners as widely believed.  

Contradicting widespread claims that pornography usage can impact men’s ability to form or sustain relationships, the team from Abertay’s Division of Psychology and Forensic Sciences found that much greater nuance is required when considering the real effect on relationships, and also the extent to which heterosexual men find other women attractive.

Abertay study reveals porn may not have ‘universally negative’ effect on how men view other women

Abertay is ranked 24th in the UK for student satisfaction

The National Student Survey 2022 (NSS), which gives final year students the opportunity to rate their learning experience, found that 81% per cent of those surveyed are satisfied with the quality of their course.

The results place Abertay 24^th out of 123 UK universities for overall student satisfaction, a jump of 13 compared with last year. In Scotland, Abertay is ranked 6^th out of 19 institutions.

Professor Liz Bacon, Principal of Abertay University, said: 

Our performance in this year’s NSS is a cause for celebration. For an institution of our size to be ranked in the top 25 UK universities for student satisfaction is a great achievement and I’d like to thank staff for their commitment to providing students with the best possible experience. I’m delighted that so many of our students have enjoyed their time at Abertay and I look forward to next week’s graduation ceremony where we will celebrate their achievements.

Abertay University receives top marks from students in nationwide survey

The Atlantic Council's Cyber 9/12 Challenge comes to Scotland for the first time

A competition that seeks to identify and foster the next generation of cybersecurity leaders will be hosted at Abertay’s new hub for cyber research and innovation later this year. 

The Cyber 9/12 Challenge, run by the Atlantic Council in partnership with the Scottish Government, Dewar Consulting and the University, will be held at the Abertay cyberQuarter on 18-19 October 2022. 

Abertay cyberQuarter to host the world’s only multidisciplinary cyber competition

Book from Abertay University Deputy Principal highlights need for new approaches

Universities in developing nations must urgently reform their teaching and learning models to take better advantage of the opportunities brought about by digital technology, a new academic book from Abertay University has concluded. 

Deputy Principal & Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alastair Irons co-authored The Emerald Handbook of Higher Education in a Post-Covid World which focuses on higher education providers in developing countries in Africa and the Global South. 

Academic handbook calls for higher education pedagogy reform in developing nations

Judges announced for Dare Academy 2022 final at EGX London

Nine games industry professionals have been announced as judges for the Dare Academy 2022 final, which is to be held at the EGX Games Event in London from the 22^nd-25^th of September.

Many of the judges are Abertay University alumni, who have taken part in Dare and have gone on to excel within industry.

Judges announced for Dare Academy 2022 final at EGX London

Abertay academic creates mental health resource for those affected by sight loss

Dr Mhairi Thurston, a senior lecturer on Abertay’s MSc Counselling programme, worked with sight loss charity Retina UK on the free online tool following a survey that showed 92% of those with inherited sight loss suffer negative psychological impacts.

Dr Thurston said:

In the past, sight loss was tackled purely from a functional perspective... Thankfully healthcare professionals are starting to take a more holistic approach to treating sight loss and there is now a lot of support out there aimed at promoting positive mental health in the sight loss community. 

Abertay academic creates new mental health resource for those affected by sight loss

Abertay ranked in top 20 UK universities for teaching quality

Abertay University has been ranked in the UK top 20 for Teaching Quality by this year’s Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide. 

The University was placed 17th out of 130 institutions across the country in the key area of Teaching Quality and also made improvements in almost every other metric used by the respected ranking. 

The accolade follows similar recent success for Abertay in the guide, with the University previously achieving the title of UK University of the Year for Teaching Quality 2021. 

It’s pleasing to once again see our commitment to teaching quality recognised at such a high level in this national ranking - Professor Liz Bacon

Abertay ranked in top 20 UK universities for teaching quality

Abertay's cybersecurity excellence drives economic growth in Dundee

Abertay University and other small institutions are well-positioned to stimulate the growth of key priority economies, according to a new report from Guild HE. 

The Building the Jigsaw Report by Guild HE - who represent 58 universities and colleges in the UK - shows that small universities are innovative, agile industry experts supporting economic development within their communities and specific sectors in the economy such as the creative industries, health and agriculture.

The new Abertay cyberQuarter, an £18m cybersecurity research, development and innovation centre housed within the University, is featured in the report and is credited with attracting cyber businesses to Dundee. The new centre provides regional SMEs with the space and resources to grow whilst allowing larger companies to establish a presence in the city, supporting economic development. 

Abertay University's economic impact highlighted in new report by Guild HE

Library over the ages

Abertay's library is a very distinctive and purpose-built building, which became a Bell Street fixture in the late 90s

Who can remember where the library was before? And what previously occupied the site?

Let's take a trip down memory lane and find out!

Abertay Library over the years

Bell Street Ventures

Bell Street Ventures (BSV) is your first port of call if you are interested in the world of self-employment and business startups. The facility is there to help guide you on your journey to starting out and trading with support, networks, and resources to make this as easy as possible. You can find more information about the services on offer through the BSV web page

We have a number of Enterprise Grants (up to £500) and Enterprise Bursaries (up to £2000) that are awarded throughout the academic year.

If you want to speak to someone about any of these, email our Enterprise Officer at simon.fraser@abertay.ac.uk

Bell Street Ventures