Alumni and friends were welcomed back to campus on 1st June 2024 to mark 100 years since the Joseph Black Building was officially opened in 1924. The event was attended by former students from across eight decades, spanning from the class of 1958 to the class of 2023. Some attendees travelled from as far as the United States and Europe to take part in the celebrations at the Joseph Black Building (formerly known simply as the Chemistry Department) on the King’s Buildings campus. A centenary of development The event opened with a welcome from Head of School, Professor Jason Love, who shared an update on the School of Chemistry’s current rankings, programmes and research themes. Dr Andy Alexander followed with a talk on the history of the Joseph Black Building and current work taking place to upgrade the building, with contributions from Dr David Brown, our Technical Services Manager. Attendees were amused to hear about similarities between the past and present day – including the fact that there were problems with lifts even in 1924! Historical reflections were followed by a research showcase, featuring Dr Claire Hobday, Dr Ben Bhawal and Dr Nicholle Bell. Attendees were given an insight into the cutting-edge research that is happening across the School of Chemistry today. Professor Lesley Yellowlees then presented on her personal reflections from 50 years of connection with the Joseph Black Building, including her journey to becoming Head of School, Head of College of Science and Engineering, and later, the first female Royal Society of Chemistry president. MChem alumna Zuzanna Kozicka was next with her talk: “Molecular glue degraders: fantastic drugs and where to find them”. This gave attendees an insight into Zuzanna’s work at Harvard Medical School and the Broad Institute, where she is exploring the therapeutic implications of modulating the ubiquitin-proteasome system with small molecules. The morning talks focussed on history and current research (credit: Andrew Cuthbertson) Inspiring talks and tours Over lunch, attendees enjoyed spotting themselves and recognising former lecturers in the class photos on display – dating back as far as the late 1950s! Attendees also had the opportunity to speak to current PhD students, who presented their research through posters along the central corridor. Professor Dominic Campopiano opened the afternoon session, which included inspiring alumni talks from President of the Royal Society of Chemistry Professor Gill Reid, Dr Kevin Parker and Dr Mary Doherty on their Edinburgh memories and careers since graduation. All speakers reflected on the power of inspiring role models and teachers in their own individual journeys, the critical importance of outreach in inspiring the next generation of chemists and making the subject area accessible for all, and the large variety of often unexpected pathways to achieving a ‘dream job’ in chemistry. The focus of the final session was the future of the Joseph Black Building. Dr Chris Mowat, Professor Jason Love, Dr Claire Hobday and student ambassadors Grace and Vilte answered questions from the audience on what the future of Chemistry at Edinburgh might look like, as well as potential opportunities and challenges facing the sector. Audience questions focussed on the role of AI in education, initiatives to increase sustainability awareness and action, and our identity within the subject area of chemistry. Student ambassadors Abbie, Dominika, Dylan, Grace, Lika, Sofia, Tim and Vilte then led tours around the Joseph Black Building and the newly opened Nucleus building, so that attendees could see the latest developments across campus. When asked about what had changed the most since their student days, many commented on the new teaching facilities. Attendees were particularly impressed by the Analytical Chemistry Instrument Suite (ACIS) and the new undergraduate teaching labs on the top floor of the Nucleus, our most energy-efficient, spacious and bright lab facility yet with views across campus to the Royal Observatory. Afternoon sessions featured alumni talks, a panel Q&A and poster exhibits (credit: Andrew Cuthbertson) A toast to the future The event concluded with a networking reception in the museum and social space, where colleagues old and new had the opportunity to catch up. Fortunately, we had warm weather and a clear blue sky for the day, so some even opted for outdoor gatherings in the sunshine! Many attendees joined a post-event dinner at South Hall (Pollock Halls), where more nostalgic memories and reflections from the day were shared. Professor Eleanor Campbell gave a talk on how the School of Chemistry has changed and developed over the decades – particularly our staff and student body. The evening closed with a toast to the future of the Joseph Black Building and our School community. The Joseph Black Building holds special memories for thousands of people who have studied and worked here over the decades. We were delighted to mark the centenary of our building together with so many alumni and friends and to look forward to the next 100 years. Professor Jason Love Head of School It was wonderful to mark this important moment in our School history with former students and staff. We were very honoured to host people who had travelled from far and wide to reminisce, meet fellow alumni and to learn about what the School of Chemistry is like today. Many new memories were made! Thank you to our fantastic speakers, student ambassadors and everyone who took part in this very special celebration. Kerry Balkwill Alumni Relations Marketing Officer Lifelong memories As part of the celebrations, we asked former students and staff to share their favourite memories of their time in the Joseph Black Building. Here are some of the highlights: Staff coffee mornings in the museum: “Neil Campbell was a pillar here; he was at the centre. We had coffee served down in what is now the museum every day, and he brought us together. At coffee, I would meet the inorganic chemists, all the organic chemists, we were all together and we knew what everybody was teaching. The whole place was humming.” (Robert Donovan, Professor Emeritus) ChemSoc fun and inspiring tutors: “Our last MChem day where we did Spice up your lab (still know the words), wee Mags in the shop - an absolute cult hero, PhD Thursday quiz and Friday morning experiments, ChemSoc cheese and wine - no-one made punch like Mary - and epic Firbush trips. Fun aside, I was well looked after and I’ll always be grateful to Colin, Dave and Simon for all they did for me during my PhD. I need to shout out to Lesley and Carole for being inspirational role models. It was a real privilege to research alongside them and I wish my student days could have lasted forever!” (MChem 1999 graduate) Global experiences: “Whilst pursuing the PhD, I received a choral scholarship to sing at a local cathedral choir, sang with the university chamber choir, went on a concert tour to Nice, Cannes, and Monaco, joined the humanist student association and the conferences of Humanist UK, and met some of the most interesting folks.” (PhD 2020 graduate) Other favourite memories: “The DMX 500.... that NMR machine served me so well!” “Meeting my closest friends in first year labs.” “Going in to get results of finals – on the board in the corridor…” “KB Bar on Friday evenings!” “Performing as lecturers in the 4th year show.” “Demonstrating to medics in the ‘Chicken House’.” “Alpacas at KB.” “Meeting my wife!” Many friends and colleagues reconnected at the event (credit: Andrew Cuthbertson) The beginnings of the Joseph Black Building Although the teaching of Chemistry at Edinburgh began more than three hundred years ago in 1713, this building has now been home to the School of Chemistry for the last century. Sir James Walker was Professor of Physical Chemistry at the University of Edinburgh from 1908, advocating for a new chemistry department building as the teaching and research spaces were overcrowded in Old College. Plans for a new department at the High School Yards had to be suspended during the First World War. However, the University purchased the current King’s Buildings land, and the construction of the Joseph Black Building began. It was the first building on the new campus, costing around £200,000 (approximately £40-50 million now). Laboratory equipment was prioritised over the exterior design of the red-brick building. On 6th July 1920, King George V laid the foundation stone for the beginnings of the University of Edinburgh's new Science campus, which was officially opened in 1924. The building holds great importance for every member of the School of Chemistry community, including over 6,000 former students. Virtual visit – take a look inside the Joseph Black Building Learn more about Sir James Walker and the origins of the Joseph Black Building Stay in Touch Are you a former student of the School of Chemistry and haven’t heard from us recently? Visit our alumni pages to discover how you can stay in touch to receive future event invitations, or contact us by email at chemistry.alumni@ed.ac.uk. Visit the School of Chemistry alumni pages More information If you missed the event and would like to see the full programme including information on talks and speakers, you can view this at the link below. Document Programme: 100 Years of the Joseph Black Building 1 June 2024 (1.09 MB / PDF) Publication date 26 Jun, 2024
