Education Works: Q and A Session with Sir Geoff Palmer OBE
Sir Geoff Palmer is Scotland’s first Black Professor and is Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University. He was knighted by the Queen in 2014. His groundbreaking work, the barley abrasion process has revolutionised the world of brewing and has earned him the American Society of Brewing Chemists Award of Distinction, considered the "Nobel prize of brewing".
Sir Geoff was also recently honoured by King Charles with his portrait which is on public display at Edinburgh’s royal palace as part of celebrating the Windrush Generation. The special display commemorates the positive contributions these pioneering men and women have made to the United Kingdom. In this reflective and historically-rich conversation, we discussed Sir Geoff's journey, upbringing, pivotal moments in his life, the famous “Barley Abrasion” process, and what advice he would give to younger people looking to get involved in activism and science.
Rapid-fire questions
1. What is your favourite book? The Bible
2. Who are the top three leaders who have inspired you? Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Nelson Mandela, Kwame Nkrumah
3. If you could have only three apps on your phone, what apps would those be - Twitter and Facebook
4. Who are some people that have made the impression on your life’s story - 1. The headmaster of Shelbourne Road Secondary Modern who took me into school (An headmaster in 1955 rejected Sir Geoff Palmer from a school calling him 'educationally subnormally')
5. Professor Anna Macleod at Heriot Watt College who accepted Sir Geoff into his PhD program.
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🔗 Connect with Sir Geoff Palmer
🧰 Resources mentioned
Books: Bible
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