about us
Dr Hardie and Professor Blackburn have worked together since 2005, questioning the current perspective that the audience must be spoon-fed with simplified information. They have succeeded in bringing clarity and beauty to difficult, complex processes, allowing the general public to become deeply involved with the power of science.
Professor Noé Mendelle, Director, Scottish Documentary Institute
amy hardie
Amy is Head of Research in the Scottish Documentary Institute at Edinburgh College of Art, part of the University of Edinburgh. Her films focus on the emerging field of Medical Humanities and on stem cell science, linking the clarity of animation with precise scholarly information and the multi-leveled power of film. She works closely with the public health department of University of Edinburgh, and is recognized as an outstanding collaborator.
Amy's feature The Edge of Dreaming was the first Scottish feature documentary to be selected for competition at IDFA in 2009 and was awarded the Grand Jury Prize, Kiev International Film Festival. Amy graduated from the National Film and Television School in 1990 with the BP Expo prize for best student documentary (Kafi’s Story). She has directed prime time television for Channel 4 and BBC, the award-winning science documentary Stem Cell Revolutions, and Conversations: ethics, science, stem cells. She is currently directing a feature documentary supported by the BBC at Strathcarron Hospice. |
clare blackburn
Clare is Professor of Tissue Stem Cell Biology at the University of Edinburgh’s MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine. Her research investigates the role of stem cells in development and maintenance of the thymus - a central organ of the immune system.
At the University, Clare leads a team of specialist science communicators in EuroStemCell, a broad-reaching programme of outreach and public engagement in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. EuroStemCell has developed a coordinated European infrastructure for engagement with stem cell research. It provides trusted, accurate and up-to-date information on stem cells and regenerative medicine for European citizens through the multilingual website, supported by events, tools and resources for teachers, patients and the public. The project also aims to increase the visibility of European stem cell research by disseminating research findings and increasing participation of stem cell research scientists in communication and outreach. Clare also has a specific personal interest in the use of film as a medium for public engagement with science, and has been scientific director of 7 films - including the award-winning feature-length documentary Stem Cell Revolutions. |
cameron duguid
Cameron studied animation at Edinburgh College of Art and has been working as an animator and film director since 2001. His degree film Type was a visual journey, using traditional stop-motion techniques, through a world of scientific illustrations, manipulating the viewers perception of scale and dimension.
Since graduating, Cameron’s work has been largely science based. Films include A Stem Cell Story, a short introduction to the world of stem cell research, Annotate and Brain Damage, a C4 3 Minute Wonder in collaboration with NSPCC. As animator, his films have included the bafta award winning Parallel Worlds, Parallel Lives a BBC4 documentary about quantum theory and Stem Cell Revolutions, a Wellcome Trust supported film charting the history and scientific evolution of stem cell research. He has also animated a selection of music videos, including a leafy autumnal video for Jesus H. Foxx, So The Wind Won’t Blow it All Away. |