26 QMYOU / Where are you now ?
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS ON CAMPUS
In October 2017 , QMU celebrated the 10th anniversary of its move to the Musselburgh campus . In the next few pages , we highlight some of the graduates who have studied at the campus in East Lothian and look at what they are doing now .
Sheila Murray
MA Arts , Festival and Cultural Management ( graduated 2015 )
WHILST STUDYING FOR her master ’ s at QMU , Sheila was appointed to the board of Creative Scotland - the government agency in charge of promoting Scotland ’ s arts , screen and creative industries .
Sheila , who is from Edinburgh , had significant arts management experience both in the UK , and abroad , including board membership of several high profile arts organisations . Her MA at QMU covered the role and purpose of boards , in addition to a wide spectrum of issues affecting Scotland ’ s arts and culture . She was , indeed , a perfect fit for the Creative Scotland board .
Sheila said : “ I ’ m a firm believer in the need for continuous learning . The course deepened my skills through practical application and academic discussion of issues facing cultural leaders today . I underestimated the rigour , but it was an invaluable , highly enjoyable experience ”.
Since graduating , Sheila continues to make a significant contribution to the Scottish arts through her judging for the Inches Carr Trust , as curator for the Edinburgh Macmillan Cancer Support Art Show and recently , as a mentor to undergraduate art students at Reading University . ❒
Stuart Duncan
Executive Master ’ s Public Services Management ( now Master of Public Administration – MPA ) ( graduated 2010 )
Before enrolling on the Executive Master ’ s in Public Services Management , Stuart from Bo ’ ness was leading the creation and establishment of one of Scotland ’ s largest public service partnerships .
In 2009 , Stuart moved to the Scottish Government to work in the Justice department and led a number of major summary justice reform programmes . In 2014 , Stuart was appointed a Programme Director at the Scottish Government and authored the Digital Strategy for Justice in Scotland . He has since been leading an implementation programme to deliver the objectives set out in the strategy ; transforming administrative , civil and criminal justice in Scotland .
In January 2017 , Stuart joined the Leading Improvement Team in the Scottish Government to help departments and organisations across the public sector shape their change and improvement work .
He said : “ The Executive Master ’ s in Public Services Management helped me better understand the evolution of government in the UK and devolved administration here in Scotland . The knowledge that I acquired certainly made me more inquisitive . Even now , I constantly question policy and look for evidence to verify decisions .” ❒
Michael Grant and Agata Jagodzinska
BA ( Hons ) Film ( 2007 - 2011 )
MICHAEL GRANT FROM Auchterarder started studying at QMU when it had just opened its new campus in 2007 . In 2010 , he met Agata Jagodzinska , a Polish student , and the duo went into partnership together in 2012 when they established Raw Film Productions , a video production company .
Michael said : “ In the last few years our work has included travel to Canada for the Royal and Ancient Golf Association ; and to Malawi to highlight the work of the charity 500 Miles which makes prosthetics and orthotics for people with mobility difficulties , giving them a chance to live independent lives . Through our film contacts we have raised awareness of serious health issues through our involvement with the Mental Welfare Commission , and created a historical documentary of the ancient two week ceremony ‘ Musselburgh ’ s Riding of the Marches . Currently we are working on a promotional film for the Lamp of Lothian and documentary about the Fishwives of Musselburgh .
“ Our company now specialises in promotional film for third sector organisations and documentary work for charities .”
Michael concluded : " Over the years we have also had the opportunity to collaborate with other QMU graduate start ups such as Round Frames , Smart Film Production , and Front Edge Media . We believe this is important because by having a strong network of talented filmmakers to work with , we can take on larger projects together and so develop our businesses further ." ❒
26 QMYOU / Where are you now ?