News
Retiral of Mr Ian Christie
Published on 27 February 2024
After 33 years at the University of Dundee, Ian Christie has decided to take early retirement from his post as a Postgraduate Skills Tutor at the School of Medicine in February 2024.
Ian was presented with gifts from UDOTS, University and NHS colleagues and friends, past and present, at an informal buffet at UDOTS Motion Analysis Lab on 26th February.
Ian commented: “I really can’t believe 33 years have passed since I first joined the University. I intended to give it 12 months initially and here I am more than an entire generation later. I’d like to think I’ve put in a decent shift, and I’ve been fortunate to work with many inspirational people over the last three decades, including three heads of department. There are too many to name-check, a few are sadly no longer with us, and several I can call close friends; they know who they are, and they’ve all added something positive to my life. I was overwhelmed by Arpit and Tim’s kind words and the turnout of people wishing me well. I can’t thank you all enough for the wonderful gifts; you truly spoiled me. I can now look forward to the next chapter of my life, hopefully, complete a third novel, return to my first love of painting, and learn to play the guitar (again!).”
Clockwise: Ian starts his University life in 1991, Professor Arpit Jariwala presenting Ian with gifts of appreciation, Ian and his brother, Grant’s, first two novels, the UDOTs Team.
Professor Arpit Jariwala (UDOTS Director) added: “It is sad to see Ian deciding to take early retirement from his post as a Postgraduate Skills Tutor at the School of Medicine. I have known Ian from my days as a Master’s student in UDOTS while undertaking my MCh (Orth) degree. Ian helped me tremendously to design my website-based research project and when I returned to Dundee in 2006 as an Orthopaedic Trainee, he helped me edit many of my publications and draw orthopaedic illustrations.
Ian has been an integral part of the unit supporting students in editing their research work and helping them in their oral presentations. His lecture “How not to do a PowerPoint presentation” is phenomenal and offers so much insight on what not to do.
Over the last five years, Ian, and his brother Grant, under the pen name Ian C. Grant, have co-written and published two murder mystery novels - The Detective Inspector Wiggins adventure series, and I encourage you all to read these as they are very well written and rather frightening. Ian’s post-retirement plans are to return to painting (before University life, Ian was a greeting card artist), and travel with his wife Valerie. Ian will be well missed by staff, students, and alumni. We all wish him the best for his retirement and hope he will keep in touch with us.”
Ian joined the University in 1990 on a 12-month European Social Fund programme, aged 23. Six months into the programme he was offered a full-time position as a Desktop Publisher, employed at the School of Biomedical Engineering on City Campus. He worked under Professor Eric Abel, initially designing and maintaining distance learning materials, working closely with the Department of Orthopaedic & Trauma Surgery, then led by Professor David Rowley.
Ian then moved to work exclusively at the University Orthopaedic Department based at Dundee Royal Infirmary before the department moved to the purpose-built TORT Centre at Ninewells Hospital in 2000. In 2007, Professor Rami Abboud succeeded Professor Rowley as the Head of Department, and in 2019, Professor Arpit Jariwala took over the reins as UDOTS Director, both having guided and supported Ian’s career development where for the past two decades he has been a Postgraduate Skills Tutor.
More recently, working in UDOTS, Ian has supported students on how to disseminate, present and publish their research making good use of his artistic talents on posters and PowerPoint points and various other mediums. He also provides electronic illustrations for research, educational and publication purposes. Over the years, Ian has designed the official Glastonbury Festival t-shirt (twice), redesigned the cover of The Foot Journal, and illustrated three children’s books. Over the last five years, Ian, and his brother Grant, have co-written and published two murder mystery novels set in Edwardian London to great reviews. Think of Sherlock Holmes meets Ripper Street! The Detective Inspector Wiggins adventure series is available in paperback and eBook from Amazon.
Ian is co-author of the Detective Inspector Wiggins Adventure series
Book One: The Reign of the Beast
Book Two: The Gallery of Death