Each month in this section we will provide more details on a particular group or a member, which may help you get to know us a little better and give you a “wee shove” to try something new or find out a bit more about us. Remember that your annual subscription covers membership of all of Glasgow Southside groups.
Introducing Dr Moira Shearer
I am a microbiologist and spent most of my working life in London working in cancer research. When I retired I joined Kingston upon Thames u3a and among the groups I participated in were Science and Technology and Women in History.
Science and Technology was an ideal group for me because of my career in cancer research. I was the only biologist in the group which had about 16 members. We explored a variety of topics introduced by individuals in the group and based on their individual interests or careers. We also visited places of scientific interest from time to time including Bletchley Park, the wartime code breaking centre and also the Atomic Energy Authority’s nuclear fusion laboratories at Culham near Oxford.
One of my other interests is history and the Women in History group was another way of exploring history through the lives of famous (and not so famous) women from the past. With a group of around 20 members we covered quite a number of interesting lives throughout the period that I was a member.
I returned to Scotland in 2021 and was involved in setting up Glasgow Southside u3a. The committee members of the new u3a were encouraged to offer groups which our members could join. I offered to lead the two groups mentioned above which I was familiar with.
Glasgow Southside u3a Women in History has been running now for over three years during which time we have explored the lives of women such as Josephine Baker, Jessie Stephen and Freya Stark. We also visited the Womens’ Library in Bridgeton.
Glasgow Southside u3a Science and Technology group has covered a large number of topics and scientists such as nuclear fusion, quantum mechanics, Epigenetics and we have visited Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life and the National Mining Museum.
Women in History meets from 10.30 till 12:00 on the first Tuesday of the month. Science and Technology meets from 10.30 till 12:00 on the third Wednesday of the month. From September 2026 both groups will meet at Newlands South Church.
New members are always welcome. Both groups do sometimes lead to lively discussions and I like to think we all learn something new.
Moira