Prestigious accolade for Fifer

A Fife man has been honoured with a prestigious accolade for his distinguised contribution to university life during his studies.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Jul 2020, 16:50 BST
Updated 6th Jul 2020, 16:54 BST
The prestigious Wimberley award has been given to joint winners, Scott Mackenzie and Christoffer Nielsen, who both showed outstanding academic achievement alongside a commitment to social, political and health advocacy throughout their time at the University of Dundee. Scott (pictured) is originally from Coaltown of Balgonie.The prestigious Wimberley award has been given to joint winners, Scott Mackenzie and Christoffer Nielsen, who both showed outstanding academic achievement alongside a commitment to social, political and health advocacy throughout their time at the University of Dundee. Scott (pictured) is originally from Coaltown of Balgonie.
The prestigious Wimberley award has been given to joint winners, Scott Mackenzie and Christoffer Nielsen, who both showed outstanding academic achievement alongside a commitment to social, political and health advocacy throughout their time at the University of Dundee. Scott (pictured) is originally from Coaltown of Balgonie.

Scott Mackenzie was named joint winner of the Wimberley award along with Christoffer Nielsen for showing outstanding academic achievement alongside a commitment to social, political and health advocacy throughout their time at the University of Dundee.

Scott (23) graduated early in medicine and joined the cohort of junior doctors helping to fight the coronavirus pandemic, while Christoffer (24) graduated with a first-class honours in politics. Although they weren’t able to cross the stage, both celebrated from home and reflected on how the opportunities they had at Dundee shaped their experience and future careers.

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Originally from Coaltown of Balgonie, Scott graduated with a number of published papers already under his belt promoting equality with a focus on reproductive rights in the LGBT+ community. In addition to excelling academically, he also co-founded the highly popular Dundee University Sign Language Society in 2016.

Christoffer Nielsen (pictured)Christoffer Nielsen (pictured)
Christoffer Nielsen (pictured)

Scott said: “I feel incredibly grateful to have been given this award. I appreciate there is a wealth of brilliant work that goes on at University of Dundee at both an undergraduate and postgraduate level.

“I was very thankful to even be considered and winning the Wimberley Award has been a wonderful surprise.

“Dundee’s great reputation for training compassionate doctors combined with the welcoming and inclusive student community making it the perfect place to study.

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“It has been a real pleasure having the freedom to be supported in projects important to me, such as my work on LGBTQ reproductive rights. My biggest personal highlight and what I am most thankful for is the wonderful friendships I have made in Dundee that will last a lifetime.”

Scott will be moving on from his role at Ninewells to join NHS Lothian to start work as an academic junior doctor in a few months.

Christoffer is a Politics graduate from Copenhagen, Denmark and has spent his time at Dundee as a fierce champion of human rights while also engaging in student leadership as Vice-president for the School of Social Sciences where he campaigned tirelessly for students’ welfare.

During his time at Dundee Christoffer designed and implemented a two-month advocacy campaign for Dr Ahmadreza Djalali, an Iranian-Swedish academic who has been sentenced to death under allegations of spying that he and his supporters dispute. Due to the pandemic Scott and Christoffer joined thousands of University of Dundee Graduates celebrating from home.

Related topics:Dundee