
Meet the QUB academic who's still clocking run times at international level: ‘I didn't think I would be as fast at this age'
Gladys Ganiel has a lot of demands on her time. Alongside being an academic at Queen's University Belfast, she is also a mother and a dedicated marathon runner.
She is successful in both her work and her hobby: she is a professor of the Sociology of Religion at QUB, and still runs impressive times in marathons, having previously competed at the Commonwealth Games.

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Daily Record
21 hours ago
- Daily Record
Inspirational honorary graduates celebrated at Stirling University's summer graduation
Former Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström, SPFL Trust CEO Nicky Reid, dedicated volunteer Lynda Morrison and events supremo Paul Bush OBE will receive honorary degrees Former Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström, SPFL Trust CEO Nicky Reid, dedicated volunteer Lynda Morrison and events supremo Paul Bush OBE will receive honorary degrees at next week's summer graduation at Stirling University. Margot, a Swedish parliamentarian who pioneered the world's first feminist foreign policy and is a passionate advocate for the environment, will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate in recognition of her outstanding contribution to protecting the environment and championing women's rights at Wednesday's ceremony. Across her illustrious political career, Margot has held a number of senior roles including serving as the first ever Vice President of the European Commission, the first United Nations Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, and Chair of the Council of Women World Leaders Ministerial Initiative. The same day, Lynda Morrison, who has volunteered 20 years of her life to helping shape the delivery of social work and nursing education through the University of Stirling's Service User and Carer Group (UNITY), will receive an honorary Master of Arts degree. She will be recognised for her long and meritorious voluntary service to social work and social work education, and to improving the lives of service users nationally and internationally. The UNITY group, which Lynda was instrumental in setting up in 2005, has attracted national and international recognition for being one of the first to involve service users and carers in the design, development, and delivery of teaching to social work and nursing students. On Thursday, Paul Bush OBE, the former director of events for VisitScotland who played a vital role in bringing major spectacles including the Commonwealth Games, the Ryder Cup and UEFA Euro 2020 to Scotland, will receive an Honorary Doctorate. He will be recognised for his outstanding contribution to sport and to the events industry in the country. He is a previous chief executive of Scottish Swimming and, while in that role, worked closely with the University of Stirling in developing the state-of-the-art National Swimming Academy. Alongside the facility, he built a professional coaching and performance management structure for the sport which led to significant and continuing international success. Paul will be joined by Nicky Reid, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) Trust, who will also be made a Doctor of the University for her outstanding contribution to charity and exceptional leadership qualities. Nicky achieved a Film, Media and Sociology degree from the University of Stirling in 2007 and went on to hold the position of Learning Centre Manager at Falkirk Football Club. Professor Sir Gerry McCormac, principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Stirling, said: 'Summer graduation is always a special highlight in the university calendar, and we are delighted that those celebrating next week will be joined by four inspiring role models. 'Each of our honorary graduates has made a lasting impact in their fields, contributing in powerful and enduring ways to society. We are proud to recognise their achievements and know that they will be outstanding ambassadors for the University.'


Scotsman
a day ago
- Scotsman
Matty McHale ready to take a walk on the wild side in Commonwealth clash
Matty McHale loved his time out in Hollywood under the watchful eye of Freddie Roach A trip to the iconic Wild Card Gym in Hollywood has got Matty McHale pumped up for tonight's Commonwealth showdown. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Capital flyweight faces English opponent Sean Bruce at the Caledonia Gladiators Arena in East Kilbride, desperate to take home the first belt of his professional career. The 28-year-old suffered defeat - his first in the paid ranks - last time out as Brandon Daord was crowned British champion in February, a bout McHale still maintains he won. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, the 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist insists he's left no stone unturned ahead of his South Lanarkshire duel. "It's been a long camp this one," McHale explained. "We've been out to LA too - I was there last year and a few years before that, but this camp was absolutely great. We got the best of the best, sparring the flyweight world champion Anthony Olascuaga so I was mixing it with these guys and thought; 'this is my level'. I went out there as an investment. It wasn't just for this fight, it's for the long run and I'm going to show it tonight. "I expect Sean to come forward a lot. He's a lively opponent but I just think I do everything better. I think he'll give it a go for the first few rounds but I'll take over from start to finish. "This is my time. All I'm thinking about is winning, but not just winning, winning in style. I need to make a statement here. To be honest, having lost last time out, even though I still thought I won, they must still think I'm right in the mix if they're giving me another title fight straight away. This is the sport we're in and you just need to take the good with the bad. You can't dwell on it, you've just got to get on with it because these things happen."


The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- The Herald Scotland
Major sporting events and grassroots sport to receive £900 million funding
At least £400 million will also be invested in new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities nationwide after the funding was outlined in last week's Spending Review, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said. England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland will be co-hosting Euro 2028, with the showpiece men's football tournament expected to generate up to £2.4 billion in socio-economic value alone, the DCMS said. Lisa Nandy said the investment represented 'major backing' to deliver world-class sporting events (Gareth Fuller/PA) Other major events scheduled to be held in the UK include the women's Rugby World Cup in England this summer, the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Invictus Games, founded by the Duke of Sussex, in Birmingham in 2027. Earlier this month, more than 100 athletes called on the Prime Minister to support a London bid for the 2029 World Athletics Championships. But the Government is yet to commit to the bid, but has not ruled it our either, with a spokesperson saying it was working with UK Sport to secure a series of major sporting events up until 2035. However, the DCMS confirmed that work was continuing to develop a bid for the UK to host the women's Fifa World Cup in 2035. Sporting bodies and local leaders for grassroots initiatives will work closely with the department to establish what each community needs before further plans are laid out. It said the investment will not only help create jobs and boost regional prosperity, but would also reduce barriers to opportunity and 'bring communities together through shared national moments'. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: 'Sport tells our national story in a way few other things can, uniting communities, inspiring millions, and showcasing our nation on the global stage. 'This major backing for world-class events will drive economic growth across the country, delivering on our plan for change. 'Coupled with strong investment into grassroots sport, we're creating a complete pathway to allow the next generation of sporting heroes to train and take part in sport in communities across the UK.' The peloton rides past as stage two of the Tour de France passes York Minster, Yorkshire in 2014 (John Giles/PA) The announcement comes after Ms Nandy previously pledged £100 million to upgrade sports facilities across the UK, including new and improved pitches, changing rooms, goalposts and floodlights, back in March. Nick Webborn, chairman of UK Sport, praised the new funding as having 'huge potential to drive economic growth, bring people together and inspire the next generation'. He said: 'We believe that live sport is a fundamental part of this country's social fabric. 'We are really excited to be working with the Government and support their commitment to secure the pipeline of big events beyond 2028 to ensure we can continue to reach, inspire and unite people in every corner of the country.' Stuart Andrew, the Conservative shadow culture secretary, said: 'Funding for major sporting events and grassroots sport is welcome – but the spending review was no boon for British sports. 'Rachel Reeves' tax hikes are forcing schools to sell playing fields and driving up business rates for stadiums. 'At the same time, Labour have scrapped the Opening Schools Facilities fund and the National Citizen Service – depriving young people of sporting opportunities. 'Labour must recognise that their economic mismanagement is dealing a devasting blow to the sports sector.'