NEWS IN BRIEF
QMU recognised in world university rankings
FOR THE FIRST TIME , Queen Margaret University features
in the QS World University Rankings , ranked in the top 70 % of universities in the world .
Now in their 17th year , the QS World University Rankings are considered the world ’ s most consulted source of comparative information about university performance . ❒
World ’ s first master ’ s in mad studies
THE WORLD ’ S FIRST master ’ s degree in mad studies is
now being offered by the University . Primarily a course for graduates with lived experience of mental health issues , the new MSc Mad Studies has been hailed as the most exciting piece of curriculum development in the last 20 years !
Mad studies is a recognised academic discipline that explores the knowledge and actions that have grown from the global mad movement . It cuts across the fields of social sciences , healthcare and humanities and expresses a radical new voice in academia about madness . Dr Elaine Ballantyne , Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy at QMU , explained : “ This is an important development that recognises mad studies as an academic discipline , and the important contribution that the mad community can make to the generation of knowledge about madness . “ At the core of mad studies , we should have mad people , mad issues and mad culture . QMU is keen to push academic boundaries and we are passionate about social justice , equality of opportunity and person-centred learning . “ We can ’ t wait to engage with students , who want to learn how mad studies can meaningfully contribute to social justice and change .” ❒
New website dedicated to LGBT +
IN RECENT MONTHS , QMU has created a section of its
website which is dedicated to supporting people from its LGBT + community .
The University is deeply committed to equality and diversity , and part of that commitment is to create a welcoming environment on campus and online for all staff and students . Particularly for new students moving away from home for this first time , it can be a daunting prospect making new friends and settling in to a new life . It ’ s important that everyone feels welcome and has good access to social and support networks . The new area of the website helps the LGBT + community find out about access to the LBGT + Student Society , LGBT + Staff Network , and well as support , wellbeing and counselling services . Find out more at : www . qmu . ac . uk / lgbt ❒
New course to advance practice in the care home sector
A
NEW COURSE which will help to improve care and advance professional practice within the care home sector has been launched by QMU ’ s Division of Nursing .
The new initiative responds to the need for an improvement in multidisciplinary education opportunities which are specific to the care home sector and which are suitable for a range of experienced practitioners , whether they be in clinical , leadership , management or development roles .
Dr Caroline Dickson , Programme Leader for the new PgDip Personcentred Practice : Advancing Care Home Practice at QMU , explained : “ Education provision that is specific to the care home sector is an area of learning that has been sadly neglected . One of the most important things about this new course is that it recognises care home practice as a specialism in its own right . “ There are an incredible range of professionals all working across the care home sector . Multidisciplinary teams made up of nurses , care workers , allied health professionals , managers , chaplains and social workers all make an important contribution to the overall success of service provision and management . But to be truly successful , it is critical that everyone is involved in creating person-centred cultures which allow people , both living and working within the care homes , to flourish .” Dr Dickson concluded : “ We have taken a multidisciplinary approach to developing this new course by collaborating with professionals in care homes ; business ; nursing ; and palliative and community settings . We hope this unique course will build morale amongst staff who are able to benefit from excellent development opportunities , whilst also improving quality standards and leadership across the care home sector .” ❒
4 QMYOU / News in Brief