Aberdeen University Graduations: Budding forensic psychologist inspired by former Peterhead prison guard

By Lottie Hood

July 4 2022, 5:00 pm

Emily McGee from Aberdeen University. Picture by Chris Sumner.

A chance encounter with a former prison guard inspired one Peterhead woman to pursue her dream career.

Emily McGee picked up her psychology degree from Aberdeen University today, and is now planning continue her education by specialising in forensics.

But if it hadn’t been for a chat with former Peterhead prison guard Jackie Stuart, her future may be unfolding in a completely different way.

Mr Stuart was infamously held hostage on the roof of the prison during the 1987 riots. The prison warden, who had been stabbed, was rescued by the SAS five days later.

He returned to work, and has since written a book – and shared his stories with visitors to the Peterhead Prison Museum.

Miss McGee, who is originally from the Blue Toon, admits that it was through his stories that she realised the importance of understanding psychology.

The 21-year-old said: “It made me very interested, especially in forensics. That’s what I want to go into.”

After going to summer school at Aberdeen University in 2018, she decided to enroll in September to study an undergrad in psychology.

Would have struggled without help of staff

While Miss McGee thoroughly enjoyed the course, she said she would have really struggled during Covid were it not for help from tutors and staff.

Being dyslexic, the graduate said the support she received during her studies “could not be faulted”.

She added: “I enjoyed it but it was not the same as speaking to people face to face. You’d be worried that you weren’t doing stuff right when it was online and it was just you in your room.”

“It was difficult but it was the staff that made it easy during the transition from in person to online. Anytime that I had a question, they were there to answer them.

“If it wasn’t for them, I would have struggled a lot.”

‘I still don’t believe it’s real’

During her time at university, Miss McGee met a great group of friends through sharing her flat in first year.

Now a tight group of 13, she added: “You hear all these stories about people going to a flat and never getting on. I’m really lucky with the people I ended up with.”

Miss McGee is looking for work experience before pursing a postgraduate in forensics and said she was excited to be celebrating her graduation with family later today with a “glass of wine”.

She said: “I can’t believe it’s happening, I still don’t believe it’s real. I don’t feel old enough to graduate.”