Geoff Palmer

Your time at the University

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I arrived in Edinburgh as a PhD student in December, 1964. At that time Heriot-Watt was a college. Therefore, although my research was carried out at Heriot-Watt, my registration was at Edinburgh University.

My supervisor at Edinburgh University was the great chemist, Sir Edmund Hirst, FRS, FRSE. He encouraged me to ignore conventions and to look for and apply new evidence.

My research work, which was on the science and technology of changing germinated barley into malt, produced results which showed that the germinated germ produced enzyme-inducing hormones but did not produce significant quantities of enzymes, as previously thought. This work was reported in the scientific journal ‘Nature’ in 1967. The bran of the grain was found to be the primary source of the enzymes which change barley into malt in industry. Malted barley is used to produce beer, whisky and food products.

The Edinburgh West Indian Students’ Association was based at Potterrow, near George Square. It was the first time I came in contact with students from other Caribbean countries. The Association held different events. Some were social. Others related to political debates and plays wherein Caribbean patois languages were used instead of standard English.

The Association had a cricket team. I remember one of our community matches clearly. I protested strongly to the umpire that the batsman was ‘out’. The umpire was the Minister of a local church. Exerting his authority, he ‘sent me off’ the field for questioning his decision. I complained that there is no ‘sending off’ in cricket elsewhere. He smiled and said, “There is ‘sending off’ here!”

The Association also had a famous band which played at ‘dances’ such as those held in the University’s Men’s Union. I also have fond memories of one of my landladies who said that her renting rules were: “No heavy frying or cooking in my room.” … “To save water, permission for baths and clothes washing was required.” … “No ladies after 9.00pm.”

The Edinburgh West Indian Students’ Association was based at Potterrow, near George Square. It was the first time I came in contact with students from other Caribbean countries. The Association held different events. Some were social. Others related to political debates and plays wherein Caribbean patois languages were used instead of standard English.

Professor Sir Geoff Palmer

Your experiences since leaving the University

Since leaving the University, I have had successful careers in research, science, technology and teaching at the Brewing Research Foundation and Heriot-Watt University.

My career achievements relate to using the results from my PhD and postgraduate work to develop the Barley Abrasion Process which accelerated the malting process in industry (1973). As part of my career, I am very proud of the success of the brewing students that I had the privilege to teach at Heriot-Watt University.

Other achievements are linked to travelling to Nigeria to widen the industrial use of sorghum, a locally-grown grain, and receiving a Distinguished Research Award from the American Society of Brewing Chemists. I was the fourth person to receive this award.

I have also been involved in a wide variety of human rights, charity, community work and studies linking Scottish history with Caribbean history.

My interest in Scottish-Caribbean historical connections led me to find a letter written by Sir William Gibson-Craig, the MP for Midlothian in 1838, to his father who owned the Riccarton Estate on which Heriot-Watt University was built. In his letter Gibson-Craig stated that he had just voted for the abolition of British slavery in the Caribbean… “and would do so again”.

As a descendant of Caribbean slavery in Jamaica and as member of staff at Heriot-Watt University, I was impressed by Gibson-Craig’s conviction. Finally, in December 2018, 180 years after Gibson-Craig’s abolition vote, the Jamaican Government honoured me beyond expectations, by making me its first Honorary Consul in Scotland.

Alumni wisdom

Relate with the community and work consistently. Also, please note that, although we cannot change history, we can change the consequences using education, leadership and justice.