UWS Alumni Blog

Tag: Social Science

Major Recognition of Tobacco Control Work for UWS Graduate
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Alumni Stories, Featured

Major Recognition of Tobacco Control Work for UWS Graduate

A University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate and Co-Director of Tobacco Control Research Group at University of Bath has been recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO) for his decade of work to combat the tobacco epidemic. Dr Allen Gallagher BA (Hons) Social Science and MSc Drug & Alcohol Studies Dr Allen Gallagher, Co-Director of and research fellow within the Tobacco Control Research Group (TCRG) at University of Bath, has been named as a recipient of the 2026 World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) Award. This award honours individuals who have demonstrated outstanding effort and leadership in combating the tobacco epidemic. Allen began his academic journey at UWS graduating with a BA (Hons) in social sciences in 2014 followed by a MSc in drug and alcohol studies in 2015...
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Graduate Releases New Psychological Thriller
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Alumni Stories, Featured

Graduate Releases New Psychological Thriller

An Edinburgh author, and University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate, explores the risks of psychedelic healing in new psychological thriller The Medicine. Scottish author Emma Dhesi, who graduated from the then University of Paisley (now UWS) with a BA (Hons) in Applied Social Studies, returns with The Medicine, a psychological suspense novel that examines trauma, memory, and the growing interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy. Emma is the author of five novels, including The Day She Came Home and Follow Me, and is known for writing emotionally charged stories centred on women navigating complex personal crises. Her work blends domestic suspense with psychological depth, often exploring the tension between perception and truth. The third instalment in A Scottish Sus...
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Alumni Interview: Amanda Hursy
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Featured, Profiles

Alumni Interview: Amanda Hursy

In this alumni interview we speak to comedian and writer Amanda Hursy, whose sharp observations have helped her build a growing reputation on the comedy circuit. Amanda graduated from the BA (Hons) Psychology and Sociology degree at UWS. Photo: Amanda Hursy, BA (Hons) Psychology and Sociology (2009) Can you tell us a bit about what you’re doing now? I am working up material for my new stand up hour called ‘Death of a Saleswoman’ that will be on at the Gilded Balloon Patter House this Edinburgh Fringe. It's a new show about masking in the corporate sales world for over 20 years and accidentally becoming a comedian. I am also building up my own business which is launching this year and have already been booked for huge civic events such as the Commonwealth games - so it's an exci...
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UWS to host public panel on issues shaping Scottish Parliament election
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News

UWS to host public panel on issues shaping Scottish Parliament election

Members of the public are being invited to UWS’s Paisley campus on Wednesday 29 April for an event that will explore some of the biggest issues facing voters ahead of the Scottish Parliament election on Thursday 7 May. The free event, taking place on Wednesday 29 April, will bring together expert voices for an impartial discussion on some of the key areas influencing this year’s election and what they could mean for Scotland’s future. Hosted by Professor James Miller, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of UWS, the panel will feature The Scotsman’s Catriona Stewart, Professor Murray Leith, Dr Anna McKeever, Dr Emilia Pietka-Nykaza (all from UWS) and Dr Sean Kippin of the University of Stirling. Discussions will look beyond election campaigning to examine th...
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Head of Oxfam Scotland’s Social Justice Work Celebrated at Dumfries Graduation
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Honorary Graduates, News

Head of Oxfam Scotland’s Social Justice Work Celebrated at Dumfries Graduation

The Head of Oxfam Scotland has been recognised at the first of the University of the West of Scotland’s (UWS) winter graduations. Jamie Livingstone has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate at the University’s Dumfries graduation ceremony, which took place at the Crichton Memorial Church on Wednesday 22 October 2025. Jamie has been at the helm of Oxfam Scotland since 2013 and was celebrated for his work to reduce inequalities and to address the climate crisis, not just in Scotland, but across the globe. Born and brought up in Dunfermline, Jamie studied international relations and economics at the University of St Andrews. Before being appointed Head of Oxfam Scotland, he was the charity’s Campaigns and Communications Manager, following an almost decade-long career in journalism, incl...
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Charity leader recognised at UWS graduation
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Honorary Graduates, News

Charity leader recognised at UWS graduation

An influential figure in the third sector has been celebrated as part of University of the West of Scotland’s (UWS) summer graduations. Geoff Leask, previously the CEO of Young Enterprise Scotland, was recognised as part of a ceremony which took place at Paisley Abbey on Friday 11 July.  Geoff has more than 25 years of experience working in the third sector. As well as leading Young Enterprise Scotland, he also spent 12 years with the Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT). This included eight years of regional responsibility before joining the senior management team and going on to serve as Director.   https://youtu.be/DPaIyXShDnk?si=HfxyjtbTRG8WmeHr Geoff recently founded Clayhills Consultancy in August 2022 whose mission is to support charities and third ...
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UWS Graduate Represents Inverclyde Region at UK Parliament
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Alumni Stories, News

UWS Graduate Represents Inverclyde Region at UK Parliament

A University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate has given evidence before the Scottish Affairs Committee at Westminster, representing the voice of Inverclyde’s business community. UWS BA (Hons) Law graduate (2022) Corey Beaton, is Business Development & Membership Executive at Inverclyde Chamber of Commerce and spoke on behalf of the Chamber, contributing insight into the region’s economic evolution over the past four decades. Corey Beaton BA (Hons) Law 2022 Corey said: “It was a privilege to have been given the opportunity to give evidence before the Commons’ Scottish Affairs Committee on Inverclyde’s industrial transitions over the past 40 years.” “We highlighted the opportunities presented by our existing infrastructure and that they can be nurtured and developed for...
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Graduates Raise a Glass to Their One-year Anniversary at Isle of Cumbrae Distillers
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Alumni Stories

Graduates Raise a Glass to Their One-year Anniversary at Isle of Cumbrae Distillers

Two University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduates are about to celebrate one year as Managing Directors at Isle of Cumbrae Distillers after packing their bags and moving to Millport, following a chance meeting. We caught up with married couple Caroline Christie and Struan Fraser, both UWS alumni, who became Managing Directors of the Distillery in April 2024, to tell us more about their journey and plans for the future. How did you become Managing Directors of Isle of Cumbrae Distillers? The distillery was founded by five ladies who came out of retirement to create the distillery, and they had a five-year plan to go back into retirement once the five years were up. We bumped into Juli - one of the founding ladies - in Largs when she was promoting the distillery. I fell in l...
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Alumni Celebrated in The King’s New Year Honours List
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Alumni Stories

Alumni Celebrated in The King’s New Year Honours List

Graduates from University of the West of Scotland (UWS) are among the unsung heroes recognised for making outstanding contributions to their communities in The King's New Year Honours List for 2025. Graduate and former Chief Executive of NHS Lothian, Calum Campbell, was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for Services to Healthcare in Scotland.  Calum studied at the then University of Paisley, now UWS Paisley Campus, where he gained a Diploma in Professional Studies in Health Visiting and a BA (Hons) degree in Health Studies. He started working with the NHS in 1984, initially as a nurse, and then health visitor before moving into general management, retiring in the summer after 40 years of service. Commenting on his award, Calum said: “Whilst I am s...
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UWS Alumna Becomes MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North
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Alumni Stories, News

UWS Alumna Becomes MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North

A University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate has won the contest to become Member of Parliament (MP) for Paisley and Renfrewshire North in the recent UK general election. Alison Taylor, who graduated from the University’s Paisley Campus in 1988 came out top in the constituency standing for Scottish Labour with 19,561 votes, replacing the SNP’s Gavin Newlands, who had been the area’s MP since 2015 who achieved 13,228 votes. "As an alumna my first stop before departing for London was a very early meeting with UWS Principal Professor James Miller. It felt both comforting and emotional to be back where I started out as a 17-year-old student, then experiencing later the same day a very similar emotion as I walked through the doors of the Palace of Westminster for the first time as ...
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