Usher 1898 Café

What's the relevance of 1898?

Usher 1898 is named to commemorate a key milestone in the history of public health. In 1898, the University of Edinburgh established the ‘Bruce and John Usher Chair of Public Health,’ the first chair of public health in the world. This chair became central to the development of the Usher Institute, which has played a pioneering role in advancing research and education in public health, health data science, and biomedicine. The name Usher 1898 reflects the Institute’s lasting impact on these fields, while celebrating its rich history and continued contributions to improving global health.

The name Usher 1898 was chosen through a competition held in October 2023, open to Usher Institute staff and students. Participants were asked to propose a name that reflected the Usher’s focus on public health, health data science, global health, or biomedicine, while offering a welcoming feel and conveying a sense of community and connection. The name also needed to be short, snappy, and memorable. The winning entry, submitted by Amanda Bradburn, was selected for its strong connection to the Usher Institute’s historical roots and its relevance to the café’s location within the Usher Building at Edinburgh BioQuarter.

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Photograph inside Usher 1898 Cafe