Guy Bewick, Derek Ball & Derek Scott, University of Aberdeen, UK, Members of local organising committee

https://doi.org/10.36866/pn.113.28

For our Annual Conference next year, you will enjoy a world-class event in Aberdeen, a city with a long heritage of physiology research and education, which is near beaches, whisky trails and wildlife, and experiences 18 hours of daylight in July.

Founded in 1496, the University of Aberdeen has magnificent medieval buildings at the King’s College campus. Its scientific pedigree includes five Nobel Prizes, in medicine or physiology, chemistry, physics and peace. Our key physiologist was JJR MacCleod (Nobel Prize, 1923), whose isolation of insulin with Frederick Banting, enabled its use in the treatment of diabetes. Michael Kosterlitz (Nobel Prize, 2016) the son of the remarkable Hans Kosterlitz who discovered the enkephalin pain regulatory system, was also born here. Our current physiological research strengths are in neuroscience, diabetes, nutrition, pharmacology, education and sports science, and we offer world-class sporting facilities.

In the late 1800s, the Universities of Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow collectively pioneered the teaching of physiology as a distinct discipline in the UK. The strong teaching tradition has continued, as Mary Cotter received The Society’s inaugural Otto Hutter Teaching Prize in 2010. Aberdeen’s first Regius Professor (William Stirling) joined the foundling Society in 1877, and Aberdeen now has the only such chair in the UK, with the present incumbent being Colin McCaig. Finally, physiology and neuroscience are the two largest cognate degree programmes in the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, training approximately 50 graduates annually. Across the city, Robert Gordon University’s striking Garthdee Campus also delivers substantial physiology teaching components to their health sciences degrees (Nursing, Midwifery and Physiotherapy).

Physiology and teaching aside, Aberdeen boasts beautiful scenery, and is easily accessible by flight or train. Shelter from the Grampian Mountains ensures July precipitation is amongst the lowest for British cities. There are cafes, restaurants and bars to suit all budgets. Aberdeenshire has air and water that are fresh and clean, and miles of sandy beaches, cliffs and mountains. The uncluttered roads give ready access inland to the native wildlife, including red kites, ospreys, buzzards, deer and red squirrels, while our beaches offer views of seals and dolphins. There are over 100 castles (e.g. Craigievar, reputedly inspiring the Disney emblem), countless stone circles, Pictish standing stones, whisky distilleries (seven within a few miles of Aberdeen, and many more beyond), plus golf courses in almost every village. Come and enjoy a warm welcome, long days of great science, and hospitality second to none.