David Murie, the chair of BCS in Scotland, has received the John Ivinson award that recognises an individual member's outstanding services. He was given the commendation at the recent Digital Skills Network Event in Glasgow in front of a packed audience of around 200 delegates.
David Murie, the chair of BCS in Scotland, has received the John Ivinson award that recognises an individual member's outstanding services. He was given the commendation at the recent Digital Skills Network Event in Glasgow in front of a packed audience of around 200 delegates.
David has chaired BCS in Scotland for the past 14 years. He began his career as a secondary school maths teacher before becoming a programmer at the University of Dundee, developing his managerial skills as a top MSc student and a Toshiba prize-winner in Information Technology and Management at Sheffield Hallam University. He later became the Head of Business Improvement at Dundee University before retiring in 2013.
As he received the John Ivinson award from the incoming BCS President, Gillian Arnold, he said he did so "with a level of modesty".
In his speech, he spoke about those who had influenced him: "It is customary for recipients of an award such as this to make some self-deprecatory comment about 'standing on the shoulders of giants'. And in following that tradition, I am aware that when Isaac Newton made his famous comment, one of the giants he was referring to was the Presbyterian Calvinist genius Scot John Napier of Merchiston. His invention of logarithms enabled Newton to develop his 'Principia Mathematica', which ushered in the scientific age."
David also praised the contributions of his fellow BCS in Scotland members: "So, I am aware that there were two former chairmen of the BCS Scotland branch before I took over, and also that I accept the award on behalf of BCS Scotland colleagues, past and present, activists with a passion for BCS, and a passion for Scotland."
He noted that BCS had changed totally during his tenure at the helm of BCS Scotland. Outlining the branch's history, he said: "We started as a pressure group to try to raise awareness that we Scots are different – and not just wee Scots, but big Scots too!
"When I started as chair, I was told if you wanted to have influence, you needed to send a representative down to the government relations group. It was very Westminster-focused."
David said there seemed little interest in matters north of the border back then. Since then, he said, BCS has improved its capability to engage with the devolved nature of Scottish governance, its legal and educational systems, parliament and government.
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"If we brought about some of the successes in changing BCS, and its awareness of the separate Scottish climate, it's perhaps by knowing when to push or row back. It certainly is the case now – and witness this event – that BCS is very aware of the devolved climate in each of the four nations of the United Kingdom, as it is also aware of international branches that also participate in BCS.
"My message to you is that BCS is an organisation really worth supporting. It's certainly changed my professional life. I joined more years ago than I care to remember. I started by attending my local branch and getting involved in the committee.
"Over the years, I changed from being a secondary school teacher moving into computer programming and went up the management ladder at the university level.
"My message is to support BCS as an individual and encourage your organisation to join or get involved. We've been hearing today all the different ways organisations can participate with BCS in helping to reskill our workplaces, so get involved. Thank you so much for all the kind words and this award."
In his spare time, David is involved in two university choirs and has travelled the world performing chamber music, including singing at Notre Dame in Paris and the Lincoln Centre in New York. He's also a keen guitarist. Plus, David is heavily involved in the Church of Scotland at local, Presbytery and national levels, and is an Accredited Worship Leader and leads services on a monthly basis.
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