School of Social and Political Science

Join SPS colleagues to raise money in memory of Professor John Peterson



Colleagues from the University of Edinburgh’s School of Social and Political Science (SPS) have challenged themselves to raise £5,000 in aid of postgraduate student learning.

They have set up the ‘Run your red sox off for John Peterson’ fundraiser, and pledged to run, walk, cycle and swim a collective total of 500 miles, in memory of their colleague and friend the late John Peterson, who was a Professor of International Politics at SPS. 

The team are looking for others to get involved help them reach their targets, too. You can walk, run, cycle, swim, paddle board, skip, hop, bounce – any way of moving!

The money will go towards the John Peterson Memorial Fund, a new scholarship which supports a range of studentships in SPS, with a particular focus on PhD study in areas linked to John’s expertise in International Politics.

We hope you will take part in this fundraising challenge to help support students in John's memory.

Make a donation

If you don’t want to take part in a physical challenge but are willing to donate or sponsor, just go to the JustGiving page and click donate.

Take part in the challenge

Or if you’d like to take part in the challenge here’s what to do: 

Step 1 - choose your challenge

Choose your challenge - for example you can run 5km, cycle 5 miles, swim 50 laps of your local swimming pool, the choice is yours. It should be challenging, yet doable, and appropriate for your level of fitness. If you are unsure, check with your General Practitioner (GP) before you start.

Step 2 - commit to fundraise

Commit to raise a minimum of £50 in aid of the Professor John Peterson Memorial Fund.

Step 3 - register

Registration costs £5 and will support the Professor John Peterson Memorial Fund.

To register, visit the JustGiving page, donate a minimum of £5, and leave a message detailing the challenge you've set yourself.

Step 4 - start fundraising

Share the link to the JustGiving page far and wide. Tell people what you're doing and ask them to donate on JustGiving.

  • Post on social media: Facebook; Twitter; Instagram; etc. 
  • Use your phone: text, email or message your contact list, asking them to support your fundraising.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask people more than once to sponsor you. We all need reminding at times so feel free to mention again that you are fundraising.

Step 5 - thank you

Let your supporters know when you've completed your challenge, thanking them for your support. And you can also use completing your challenge to remind people who haven't sponsored you yet.

More about the John Peterson Memorial Fund

The John Peterson Memorial Fund supports teaching and learning in the School of Social and Political Science (SPS), in honour of John’s long career as Professor of International Politics at the University.

It supports a range of studentships in SPS, with a particular focus on PhD study in areas linked to John’s expertise.

Professor John Peterson was at the forefront of teaching and research in areas including US-European relations, EU politics and policy, US foreign policy and transatlantic trade policy.

His work at Edinburgh engaged countless students and practitioners through his lectures and seminars, his leadership of programmes and projects, and his supervision of research students.

More information

If you’d like more information, please contact Kerry Mackay, Senior Community Fundraising Officer in Development & Alumni.