St Andrews launches solar farm

The University's new solar farm - part of its strategy to become net zero by 2035 - was recently unveiled by Kate Forbes MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy, on a visit to Eden Campus.

Research Excellence

According to the results of the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), more than 88% of research carried out by the University of St Andrews is world-leading or internationally excellent. 

Saints Sport Success

Saints Sport has had a number of other notable successes since we reported last month that Saints Golf won the BUCS national championship These include hosting the inaugural Home International Rowing (HIR) Beach Sprints at the East Sands in St Andrews this summer and winning two prestigious Tennis Scotland Awards.

Ukraine Hardship Fund

In anticipation of the need to support the students and staff in St Andrews who are affected by the war in Ukraine, the University has launched a greatest-need Hardship Fund to assist with accommodation, living expenses and other incidentals. The Fund aims to provide anyone directly affected by the war with the peace of mind that St Andrews will remain a safe and supportive haven.

Are you coming to the 150th Open?

Alumni coming to St Andrews for the Open in July are invited to register to receive an exclusive Open goody bag, and to gain access to our special Alumni Clubhouse during the tournament week.

Spaces are still available to join our friendly tournament at Kingsbarns Golf Links on Monday 11 July. Play along with other friends and supporters of the University and attend the celebratory Prizegiving Dinner.

The Chancellor in Conversation with Sir Alex Younger

The Rt Hon Lord Campbell of Pittenweem CH CBE PC QC FRSE recently talked to Sir Alex Younger (BSC 1986 (Hons) Economics) about his extraordinary career with the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) as part of the Chancellor's Circle programme of events.

Online short courses survey

The University is considering developing a portfolio of certified, online short courses to make its world-class teaching and research available worldwide to anyone who wants to gain expertise, further their education, upskill and advance their careers. We would like to explore potential interest in such courses through our global alumni network and have developed a short online survey to capture your comments and insight.

Responsible Debate: in-person discussion and workshop 
1 June, 10.00-11.30am, Lower College Hall, St Andrews

Join the Young Academy of Scotland and The Ethics Cup as they seek to promote ways of discussing controversial topics in a constructive fashion. Chris Law MP will be on the panel. This is funded as part of the University’s Scotland’s Future Series.

Support the Entrepreneurship Centre

If you are an entrepreneur or business owner and are interested in contributing to guest speaker sessions, acting as a mentor or adviser for start-ups and spin-outs, or hosting specialist workshops we would love to hear from you! Contact entrepreneurship@st-andrews.ac.uk.

St Andrews Summer Lecture Series
Global Health: Lessons from a Pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic was one of the greatest crises of a generation. What did we learn? And how can we use this knowledge to shape our recovery? Hear from academics from across subject areas as they share what their work has revealed. Speakers include Professor Stephen Reicher, who was heavily involved in the advisory groups to the UK and Scottish Governments, and Professor Christos Lynteris, a medical anthropologist.

SaintsFunder

It’s been another fantastic year for SaintsFunder with lots of exciting and worthwhile projects coming on board. The spotlight this month falls on Blue Angels who are continuing to raise funds to award more bursaries to make dance accessible to all.

SaintsFunder is open to all students, alumni and University staff, so send your ideas to SaintsFunder@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Alumni stories

We welcome stories from alumni about your time here, your journey since leaving and what the University of St Andrews has contributed to that journey.

This month there are two alumni stories. Isabel Lachenauer (MA 2013) describes how studying at St Andrews gave her the skills, life experiences and 'story doctor' she needed to write a debut novel that was bid for by five publishing houses! Noa Bricklin (MA 2016) explains how studying Art History and Social Anthropology gave her the skills to be a critically acclaimed production designer. Her film This is Not a War Story is being live-streamed at the Byre Theatre on Thursday 26 May at 6.30pm BST.

Email the editor sem28@st-andrews.ac.uk if you would like to share your story.

Saints Talk programme

Our next Saints Talk is by Professor Graham Turnbull from the School of Physics & Astronomy on Tuesday 31 May 2022 at 5.15pm BST. Further details will be available soon.

We were delighted to welcome many alumni and friends to a special edition of Saints Talk on 12 May, when Professor Stephen Gethins discussed Russia's invasion of Ukraine with Professor Phillips O'Brien, Professor of Strategic Studies in the School of International Relations. If you missed this fascinating insight, you can catch up on our YouTube channel.

View the full programme for Candlemas Semester 2022 

Alumni Authors

Laidlaw Live

Look out for the latest Laidlaw Music Centre live-streamed concerts and access high quality music – wherever you are in the world.

Reconnect!

If you know someone who would like to reconnect and sign up for St Andrews in the News, they can do so using the links below:

alumni: Update your contact information 

parents/guardians of undergraduate students: Register to join the Family Programme

email: alumni@st-andrews.ac.uk for more information