Education - Robert Gordon University Aberdeen

The Client
Having heard of us, and our concept of using Magic and Humour as a method of conveying key learning messages, we were approached by Colin Macduff of Robert Gordon University to discover if, and how we could help. Discussion ensued and it became apparent that indeed we could help. Colin saw many different ways in which magic and the art of illusion could help in the Medical PHD Students' research.

Appointing Fifth Dimension
Subsequent to our initial talks, it was decided that we (Fifth Dimension) would host a presentation entitled "Context, process or outcome in research: which is the most important?" Given that the awareness of deception in research is an area of importance, Colin decided that we should add an extra dimension of deception of our own in that we would adopt the personas of Professor and his researcher. The advertising flyer read as follows:
For this session we are fortunate to have a presentation by Professor Iain Lactic. Iain is an Aberdonian who is now based at the Prestovia Institute in Estonia. In recent years he has been involved in ground breaking work in the field of research psychology. In particular, Iain's work looks at innovative ways of thinking about and visualising research. For this presentation he will focus on the commonly used framework of context, process and outcome. Iain's approach is distinctive and not to be missed.
Throughout the session we slowly "revealed" our true identities.

The Results
A very fulfilling and enjoyable alternative method of demonstrating the value of research, Thank you. Studen'ts evaluation report.
From Colin Macduff:
"I've been asking some detailed questions of the staff who attended. You would be amazed how many were still not entirely sure by the end if you were academics or not. Some were very reluctant to let go of the idea and one told me today quite seriously that he had thought he could hear an East European tinge to the Prof's accent! I think it shows the power of suggestibility and how people like to keep you in a contextual box once they have put you there. There was almost universal agreement that you were convincing as an academic team. One staff member was slightly irritated by the Prof's insistence after every question that "it was a good point", but this was also seen as convincing academic behaviour! A member of staff also showed me the notes she had taken from the session. They very clearly reflected the points that we wanted to make, but she wasn't sure if they were valid any more when she had realised that they were not coming from real academics! This tickled me no end and is surely the ultimate "kickback" outcome!"