ISSUE 40 SUMMER 2013 resource The Newsle/er of ’s Na.onal Academy

The RSE commissioned one of Scotland’s leading artists, Victoria Crowe OBE FRSE, to paint a portrait of Professor Peter Higgs CH FRS FRSE. The portrait was unveiled on the occasion Photograph ®Kenneth Gray of the Fellows’ Summer Recep7on at the RSE on 14 June 2013

Also featured in this issue: New Portrait Gallery of Mathematicians Visit to the European Parliament Latest on the Constitutional Debate resource SUMMER 2013 Portrait Unveiled Professor Peter Higgs CH FRS FRSE In order to commemorate the discovery of the Higgs Boson, and to honour the man whose outstanding research was central to proposing its existence, the RSE commissioned Victoria Crowe OBE, FRSE (pictured below right) to paint a portrait of Professor Peter Higgs. The pain7ng was unveiled at the RSE on the occasion of the Fellows’ Summer Recep7on in June 2013. The unveiling was followed by a discussion about the portrait between ar7st and si8er, which provided a fascina7ng insight into the way that Victoria was able to capture Peter’s personality on canvas. Professor Duncan Macmillan FRSE (below le' with Professor Higgs) set the context for that discussion with a percep7ve presenta7on about the ar7st and her work. The portrait will hang on the walls of the Kelvin Room, within the RSE’s pres7gious premises on George Street, .

Photographs ®Kenneth Gray Horizon 2020

On 30 May 2013, the RSE took a group of 25 academics and university research funding administrators to the European Parliament in Brussels. The purpose of the visit was to learn more about the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 funding programme, which will replace the current Framework Programmes. The funding is currently under nego7a7on, but is expected to be at least €70 billion. The group was welcomed by Alyn Smith MEP, whose office organised and funded the visit. • John Smith, Deputy Secretary General Most Sco9sh Universi7es were The group met with three of the six (Research & Innova7on) of the represented in the group and a wealth Sco9sh MEPs and learned how the European University Associa7on (EUA); of informa7on was gained, including: European Parliament operates and about its rela7onship with the Council • Benjamin Turner, Policy Analyst in the • the funding available through of the European Union and the Support to the Scien7fic Council unit Horizon 2020; of the European Research Centre (ERC); European Commission. The group • the three priority areas (Excellent then had a series of mee7ngs which • Sco9sh Government EU Office officials; Science; Industrial Leadership; included presenta7ons from: and Societal Challenges); • Luca Polizzi and Charles Abbo8 of Scotland Europa; and • the 7meline – first call expected on 1 January 2014. • Brendan Hawdon, Head of Unit – Framework Programme, DG Research and Innova7on, European Commission. Presenta7ons from this visit can (le ) , RSE Head be found on the RSE website at: of Policy & Parliamentary Affairs www.rse.org.uk/news/news.php?id=156 and Press is interviewed in Brussels. 2 resource SUMMER 2013 RSE Fellows Honoured

The RSE offers its congratula7ons to the following Fellows who recently have been honoured in various ways:

Newly-appointed Corresponding Fellow, Professor Robbert The following RSE Fellows were elected Fellows of the Royal Dijkgraaf, leads the procession a'er the inaugura7on ceremony Society on 3 May 2013: of King Willem Alexander of the Netherlands at New Church on Professor Keith Ball, (below le') Scien7fic Director, 30 April 2013 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Interna7onal Centre for Mathema7cal Sciences; Professor William Earnshaw, Professor and Wellcome Trust Principal Research Fellow, ; Sir John Savill, Vice-Principal and Head of the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh; Chief Execu7ve of the Medical Research Council in the UK; Professor Paul Sharp, (below right) Professor of Gene7cs, University of Edinburgh.

Source: Jasper Juinen/Ge0y Images Europe

Professor Marc Mangel CorrFRSE has been selected as a Fellow of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathema7cs (SIAM). This Fellowship honours individuals who have made Honoured in Her Majesty The Queen’s Birthday Honours List outstanding contribu7ons to the fields served by the in 2013 were: organisa7on – applied mathema7cs in partnership with computa7on science. Knight Bachelor: Jonathan Mills, Director and Chief Execu7ve, Edinburgh Interna7onal Fes7val. Professor Terence Trusco/, Emeritus Professor of Chemistry at Keele University, was elected a Fellow of the Learned Order of the Bri.sh Empire; Commander (CBE): Society of Wales in April 2013. Professor Hugh Pennington, Emeritus Professor of Bacteriology, University of Aberdeen. Professor Philip Schlesinger's appointment as Visi7ng Order of the Bri.sh Empire; Officer (OBE): Professor of Media and Communica7ons at the London Professor James Hough, FRS. Chief Execu7ve, School of Economics and Poli7cal Science has been Sco9sh Universi7es Physics Alliance and Research extended for a second term, to 30 September 2016. Professor in Natural Philosophy, University of .

Professor Marian Wiercigroch (le') has been awarded the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa by Lodz University of Technology (LUT) in Poland, joining an elite group of leading scien7sts and poli7cal dignitaries who have been honoured by the Polish university. LUT senate (right) during the ceremony.

3 resource SUMMER 2013

Enlightening the Constitutional Debate

A series of discussion events to enlighten the public debate on Scotland’s constitutional future.

Should Scotland be an independent country? Its people will decide in September 2014 and the series of events being run by the RSE in partnership with the Bri7sh Academy is already making an important contribu7on to the public debate which surrounds such a significant 7me in Scotland’s history. The contribu7on began with a joint report published in September 2012. From this has grown a series of discussion events which so far has addressed, in more detail, issues concerning Scotland and the European Union, Tax and Spending, Defence and Interna7onal Rela7ons and The Real Economy. Reports of the discussions which flowed from these highly informa7ve and fully subscribed events are publicly available on the Society’s website (see below), as are video recordings of the three that have been held in the Society’s Rooms in Edinburgh.

Pictured (above) the debate on Defence and Interna7onal Rela7ons, with the panel, comprising: Lieutenant General Sir Alistair Irwin, (Chair) President of the Royal Bri7sh Legion for Scotland; Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Crawford, Stuart Crawford Associates, former SNP defence advisor; Dr Phillips O'Brien, Reader in Modern History and Convenor of the Global Security Network; Professor William Walker, Professor of Interna7onal Rela7ons, University of St Andrews; Rt Hon Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, (le') Former Secretary General of NATO and former Secretary of State for Defence.

Forthcoming events in the series are: 24 July Currency, Banking and Financial Services at The Bri7sh Academy, London 24 August Culture and Broadcas/ng at The Sco9sh Parliament, Edinburgh 25 September Borders, Immigra/on and Ci/zenship at the RSE, Edinburgh 17 October Science and Higher Educa/on at The University of Aberdeen 20 November Welfare and Public Services at The University of Strathclyde, Glasgow February 2014 Historical, Legal and Cons/tu/onal Issues at The Bri7sh Academy, London

Reports and video recordings of past events and details of events to come are available (and will be regularly updated) at: www.royalsoced.org.uk/1061_EnlighteningtheCons.tu.onalDebate.html

Scotland and the . The full ini7al report produced by the RSE and the BA in September 2012 is available online at: www/rse/org.uk/cms/files/advice-papers/2012/scotland_in_the_UK.pdf

4 resource SUMMER 2013

Spreading the benefits of digital participation

Since its launch in February, the RSE Inquiry into Digital Par7cipa7on has been running consulta7on sessions with a range of stakeholders. The Inquiry has so far engaged with local businesses, statutory and voluntary sector representa7ves, representa7ves from the RSE Young Academy of Scotland, and representa7ves from the accessibility sector. Through consulta7on with these groups, the Inquiry has gathered feedback on the benefits and risks of increasing digital par7cipa7on across different sectors of society, and the barriers to par7cipa7on experienced by different groups. At a consulta7on event in , the Inquiry met with the owners and directors of local SMEs and heard about some of the challenges encountered by them in maximising the benefits of digital media. A key message from this consulta7on was that, par7cularly for small businesses, ‘one size does not necessarily fit all’ when it comes to how the internet can be used to improve business. For businesses selling unique products, access to a global market through online sales was thought to be extremely useful. For businesses selling globally- available products to a local market, however, internet sales were not thought to represent a relevant market. In this instance, a roundtable discussion helped some of these businesses to iden7fy other ways by which an internet presence might assist their sales; for example by flagging their presence on Google Maps and other naviga7on so'ware. The session was useful and informa7ve, and provided some excellent examples of how innova7ve use of the internet could vastly improve business opportuni7es for SMEs, as well as iden7fying some of the perceived risks and challenges faced by SMEs in ge9ng online and making the internet work for them. More details of this and other consulta7ons will shortly be available on the Digital Inquiry blog. Professor Alan Alexander OBE FRSE (Commi8ee Vice-Chair) is pictured addressing the Inquiry launch with Professor Michael Fourman FRSE (Commi8ee Chair) (le') and RSE President, Sir John Arbuthno8.

The Inquiry will also be working throughout the summer, travelling around Scotland and hos7ng a range of consulta7on events for members of the public and specialist industries. It is also possible now to submit responses to the inquiry online, at: h8p://bit.ly/DigInquiry

Visit the dedicated website and blog and follow progress of the Inquiry at: h/p://digiscot.net

55 resource SUMMER 2013 Women in STEM

The Society hosted an event on 23 April 2013 reflec7ng upon progress since the The event was well a8ended and publica7on of the Tapping all our Talents Report published in April 2012, which received presenta7ons from: focused on the advancement and reten7on of female scien7sts within their • Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell FRSE, professional disciplines. (by video link); The reason for ini7a7ng the Report was the recogni7on that around 75% of women • Professor Lesley Yellowlees FRSE, with degree-level scien7fic qualifica7ons no longer work in the field, (whilst for men President of the Royal Society the figure is around 50%) – represen7ng a loss of individual opportunity to many of Chemistry; women, as well as a loss of talented professionals to the economy and the na7on. • Mark Batho, Sco9sh Funding Council; It was encouraging that the RSE Report had been well received by all of the • Shona Robison MSP, speakers, but more importantly there was also a positive reaction from many Minister for the Commonwealth of the organisa7ons with responsibili7es to address this issue, including: the Games and Sport; and Research Councils; the Sco9sh Funding Council; the Department for Business • Dr MSP, Innova7on and Skills; and the Sco9sh Government. Chair of the Cross-Party Group An audio recording of the 2013 event can be accessed at: on Science in the Sco9sh Parliament. www.rse.org.uk/1079_April2013.html The Event was chaired by Professor The full Tapping all our Talents report can be found at: Fiona MacKay of the University of www.rse.org.uk/cms/files/advice-papers/inquiry/women_in_stem/tapping_talents.pdf Edinburgh.

The Sco9sh Government issued a formal response to the RSE Report. This was very complimentary and suppor7ve of the recommenda7ons produced by the Society and outlined the ac7ons the Government was taking to address many of the issues raised. This is now available to view on the RSE website. The RSE’s General Secretary, Professor Alice Brown, has also been asked to be a member of the newly-formed government Strategic Group for Women and Work. In addi7on, Professor Brown will be speaking about the RSE Report at the annual Parliamentary Links Day event held at Westminster in late June. This year’s topic is Diversity in Science.

Professor Brown (pictured above le'), was a guest speaker at the Athena SWAN Awards Ceremony hosted by the RSE in early June 2013. Athena SWAN accredits academic ins7tu7ons who ac7vely support women in scien7fic careers. Dame Julia Higgins FRS, Patron of Athena SWAN, is pictured (group photo – 2nd from le') with one of the winning teams a'er presen7ng them with their award at the event.

Photographs by Gary Baker 6 resource SUMMER 2013 Nagin Cox, NASA Engineer

Zoja Bazarnic, Principal Officer of the United Life on Mars? States Consulate General in Edinburgh, said In April, in partnership with the United “We were delighted to bring Nagin to Scotland, States Consulate General in Edinburgh, where she was able to engage with a wide the Society was delighted to host a visit variety of audiences and share some thrilling by US Na7onal Aeronau7cs and Space stories about the great discoveries being made Administra7on (NASA) engineer Nagin Cox. on Mars and beyond. The Royal Society of Edinburgh provided the perfect opportunity Nagin is one of the most respected female for Nagin, not only to discuss her experiences, space engineers in the world and has but also to learn about the work in astronomy, supported mul7ple interplanetary robo7c physics and aerospace engineering happening missions, including the NASA/Jet Propulsion in Scotland. Nagin also was struck by the rich Laboratory’s Galileo mission to Jupiter, the history of the RSE and its Fellows’ significant Mars Explora7on Rover Missions and the contribu7ons to her field. Thank you to the Kepler telescope mission to search for Earth-like planets around other stars. She RSE for being such wonderful hosts as Nagin is currently on the mission opera7ons team for the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) began her tour of Scotland.” NASA’s rover to Mars, ‘Curiosity’, that launched in November 2011 and successfully Nagin landed in August 2012. In a cap7va7ng presenta7on to an invited audience, Nagin wears shared her first-hand experiences of ‘Life on Mars’. Does it include human life? watches Nagin wasn’t forthcoming on that, but who knows, perhaps one day soon.... showing Professor Alan Miller,RSE Fellowship Secretary (pictured above with Nagin), who three 7me zones: welcomed and introduced Nagin, said “This was an inspira7onal lecture. Nagin GMT; cap7vated the audience with her insight into NASA missions and the intriguing New York; ques7on of the possibility of extra terrestrial life.” and Mars! Lab Notes

An interdisciplinary piece for music and film, Lab Notes, was launched at the Royal Society of Edinburgh on 14 May. The project is the outcome of collabora7on between three par7cipants in Sco9sh Crucible 2011 (pictured l–r: Dr Lorraine Kerr, Dr Chris7ne Knight, and Dr Jane Stanley at the RSE Award Ceremony in 2011) along with Glasgow-based film maker Mar7n Clark. Dr Kerr is Project Manager for Experiments at SynthSys (home to the Tecan robot); Dr Stanley, Lecturer in Dr Kerr illuminated the role that the liquid handling robot Music at the University of Glasgow, composed the music; and plays in systems biology research, including inves7ga7ons into Dr Knight, Senior Policy Research Fellow at the ESRC Genomics circadian rhythms in plant biology and the ageing process. Policy & Research Forum at the University of Edinburgh, Mar7n Clark commented on some of the aesthe7c features contributed to the engagement and dissemina7on of the piece. of the robot, highligh7ng the fact that, unlike many pieces of laboratory equipment, it is possible to see the inner mechanical ‘Plungers’ – an workings of the machine as it performs its opera7ons. Dr Stanley image extracted spoke about the capacity for music to create an expressive nar- from the film. ra7ve dimension for the robot’s movements and explained that in composing the score she aimed to construct a musical lan- guage in response to the robot’s gestures, as well as draw a8en- 7on to its anthropomorphic quali7es. A number of themes emerged in the course of the panel discussion, including the challenges inherent in interdisciplinary collabora7on Following a presenta7on of Lab Notes, each contributor and the poten7al for art to change the way we see our surrounding spoke about the role they played and this led to a panel environments. Dr Kerr underlined this by commen7ng that she discussion chaired by Professor Alan Miller FRSE. Dr Knight now sees SynthSys’s robot from a very different perspec7ve. provided contextual informa7on about Sco9sh Crucible, An unan7cipated and notable outcome of their collabora7on which originally funded the project. Sco9sh Crucible is a was the realisa7on that projects like this offer the mutual programme established by NESTA and now supported by benefit of encouraging public engagement with contemporary the Sco9sh Funding Council, that fosters the development forms of art and music, as much as they do with science. of Scotland’s future research leaders. Dr Knight highlighted Crucible’s aim to support innova7ve collabora7ve research Lab Notes is available to view online at between a broad range of disciplines. h8ps://vimeo.com/66694209 77 resource SUMMER 2013 The Michael and Lily Atiyah Portrait Gallery of Mathematicians

Sir Michael and Lily A7yah have created a gallery of 70 portraits of mathema7cians, which is situated in the James Clerk Maxwell Building located on the King’s Buildings campus of the University of Edinburgh. There is also an internet version at: www.maths.ed.ac.uk/news/2013/the-michael-and-lily-a7yah-portrait-gallery

The Gallery was opened on Sir Michael’s 84th birthday – 22 April 2013. The mathema7cians were chosen by the A7yahs for many different reasons, which are described in the texts accompanying the portraits in the Gallery and on the website. Nineteen of the portraits feature Fellows of the RSE Sir Michael Francis A7yah OM – past and present – these with Lady Lily A7yah are reproduced here. Elected Honorary Fellow in 1985 Served as President 2005–2008

Alexander Craig Aitken Dame Mary Lucy Cartwright Paul Adrien Maurice Dirac 1.4.1895–3.11.1967 17.12.1900–3.4.1998 8.8.1902–20.10.1984 Elected Fellow in 1925 Elected Honorary Fellow in 1968 Elected Honorary Fellow in 1946

William Leonard Edge Albert Einstein Karl Friedrich Gauss 8.11.1904–27.9.1997 14.3.1879–18.4.1955 30.4.1777–23.2.1855 Elected Fellow in 1934 ElectedHonoraryForeignFellowin1927 Elected Foreign Fellow in 1820 8 resource SUMMER 2013

Sir William Rowan Hamilton Godfrey Harold Hardy Fritz Ernst Peter Hirzebruch 4.8.1805–2.9.1865 7.2.1877–1.12.1947 17.10.1927–27.5.2012 Elected Honorary Fellow in 1835 Elected Honorary Fellow in 1946 Elected Honorary Fellow in 2010

Sir William Vallance Douglas Hodge Sir Harold Jeffreys Nicholas Kemmer 17.6.1903–7.7.1975 with Bertha Jeffreys 7.12.1911—21.10.1998 Elected Fellow in 1928 22.4.1891–18.3.1989 Elected Fellow in 1954 Elected Honorary Fellow in 1953

Dusa Margaret McDuff Lord James Peter Hymes Mackay Jules Henri Poincaré Elected Corresponding Fellow of Clashfern KT PC QC 29.4.1854–17.7.1912 in 2008 Elected Fellow in 1984 ElectedHonoraryForeignFellowin1895

Robin Schlapp Sir Michael A7yah and Isadore M Sir Edmund Taylor Whi8aker 18.7.1899–31.5.1991 Singer receiving the 2004 Abel 24.10.1873–24.3.1954 Elected Fellow in 1927 Prize from King Harald of Norway Elected Fellow in 1912 9 resource SUMMER 2013

Fes7val 2013 throws light on the rela7onships between ar7sts and technologies: how new developments can influence the way in which ar7sts work and in turn influence technologies. This programme of talks and discussions highlights moments when changes and advances in technology enter our lives and affect them in ways we could never have predicted.

Sunday 11 August 2013 at 5 pm Tuesday 13 August 2013 at 2.30 pm at The Hub, Castlehill, Edinburgh at The Hub, Castlehill, Edinburgh DISCUSSION FORUM DISCUSSION FORUM The Leisure Revolu/on How Art Intersects with Technology

Jesse Schell, Dis7nguished Professor of in Cinema Entertainment Technology, Carnegie Mellon Moshe Kam, Drexel University, Philadelphia, discusses University, and technology entrepreneur the never-ending cycle of advancements in cinema, Chris van der Kuyl discuss the gamifica7on that provide for expanded ar7s7c freedom and in of design and its poten7al for widespread turn lead to new technological opportuni7es. influence. Chaired by writer Ben Hammersley Chaired by Sir John Arbuthno8, President of the RSE

Tickets: £6 To book contact: www.eif.co.uk – tel: 0131 473 2000 Hub Tickets, the Hub, Castlehill, Edinburgh, EH1 2NE Please note: a transac7on fee of £1 will be added to bookings made by phone, post and in person. There is no transac7on fee for online bookings

2 August–2 November 2013 University Main Library, George Square Edinburgh Edinburgh 300: Cradle of Chemistry Exhibi/on The exhibi7on offers a fascina7ng journey into Edinburgh’s unique stamp on the development of chemistry as a modern independent science. It highlights the crea7vity of chemists who have either taught or studied Chemistry at the University of Edinburgh. Knowledge of chemistry is not required. To guide you, exhibits are arranged by three main themes: Cradle of Chemistry; Discovery and Enlightenment; Open to all and free to a8end. and Economy. Highlights include: Joseph Black’s chair; Charles Darwin’s chemistry No booking required. lecture class card; the first model of sodium chloride – made with kni9ng needles; proceedings from the oldest chemical society; original samples from the discovery For further informa7on contact of stron7um oxide; and an Oertling early long-beam assay balance. [email protected]

10 Thursday 24 October 2013 Thursday 24 October 2013 at 8 pm FULLLDAY CONFERENCE CONCERT at The Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh 300: Cradle of Chemistry George Street, Edinburgh The Sco9sh An Evening of Enlightenment meant much more than Music and Opera philosophy, rhetoric and poli7cal economy: inspired by the reputa7on of Edinburgh medicine Chemistry and chemistry Dr Julian Wagstaff, Composer teaching was to spread throughout Europe in Residence, School of Chemistry, and North America. University of Edinburgh In 1713, James Crawford was appointed first professor and This special concert is being presented as part of celebra7ons many dis7nguished chair-holders followed. Large numbers of to mark 300 years of chemistry at the University of Edinburgh. students travelled from afar to a8end the innova7ve lectures Performed by professional musicians and singers, the concert of William Cullen and the brilliant lecture demonstra7ons will be of the highest quality. It will open with a performance of Joseph Black (discoverer of carbon dioxide) later in the of Julian Wagstaff’s acclaimed piano trio A Persistent Illusion, century. This tercentenary conference considers the rise in commissioned by the Royal Society of Chemistry local sec7on the public’s curiosity for chemistry: how, exactly one century in 2011, followed by the premiere of a new short opera for a'er Crawford’s appointment, the then professor of chemistry three singers and three musicians, commissioned by Edinburgh was a8rac7ng 515 subscribers to his annual course on chemistry. University School of Chemistry and celebra7ng the history of Tickets: £40 the school in drama7c form. Concession rate: £30 for students – proof required. Tickets: £12 For further informa7on and to book Concession rate: £10 for conference a8endees – conference and/or concert, visit: conference booking reference number required. [email protected] Students/unwaged: £6 – proof required.

This event will provide an Wednesday 13 November 2013 opportunity to meet with at 6 pm Dr Rowan Williams, the University of Edinburgh DISCUSSION FORUM Gifford Lecturer for 2013–2014, and to discuss with him, Part of the Gifford Lecture Series in a relaxed manner, some of the themes of his Gifford An Evening with Dr Rowan Williams Lecture Series which will be taking place at the University Dr Rowan Williams, Master of Magdalene College, of Edinburgh between Cambridge and Former Archbishop of Canterbury 4 and 14 November 2013. All welcome, but 7ckets must be prebooked through the Usher Hall Box Office. The pres7gious Gifford Price £5 – (refundable up to three days prior to lecture (personal callers only)). Lectures have been delivered There is a £1 non-refundable transac7on fee for telephone and online bookings. annually since 1888 by Online: www.usherhall.co.uk. In person: Usher Hall Box Office, Lothian Road, a succession of distinguished Edinburgh EH1 2EA or telephone: 0131 228 1155 – Monday–Friday 10am–5.30pm international scholars. 11 resource SUMMER 2013

RSE Schools Talks The new RSE @Schools talks brochure has gone out to all Sco9sh schools. This programme is a series of free, curriculum-linked talks for schools across Scotland, available at any point throughout the school year. All of our talks are by experts, keen to enthuse and excite students from P6 to S6, on a wide range of subjects from biology, astronomy and physics to literature, culture and the arts. Many of our speakers are willing to work with the teachers, to tailor their talks to fit with class curriculums, and to different age groups and class sizes. The talks are free to schools and the RSE covers all speakers' costs, including travel and accommoda7on. All the school needs to provide is a venue for the talk and the audience. Teachers are also asked to supervise students during the talks and provide some feedback a'erwards.

Talks in the past have included: • Professor Hendry Ellington – A Guided • Susan Ca/anch – See the Rainbow • Professor Mar.n Hendry FRSE – The Tour of the Universe Dark Side of the Universe This thirty-minute workshop gave pupils Pupils were taken on a guided tour of the opportunity to carry out paper In this talk the mysteries of the Universe the observable Universe, beginning with chromatography experiments, using were explored. Building from the a visit to the inner planets and the Sun filter paper, felt pens and salty water. concepts of measuring the distance to and then journeying to the centre of the The resul7ng ‘chromatograms’ were faint galaxies and the Doppler shi' of la8er to see how it produces the energy dried and could be taken home by the light, those present looked in detail at that keeps us all alive by ‘burning’ pupils. Once they saw what had the current observa7ons that indicate hydrogen. The tour progressed to the happened to the felt pen dots and that over 95% of the Universe is made outer planets of the Solar System and pa8erns they had made on the filter up of a strange form of ma8er called illustrated how they differ from our paper, pupils had a discussion about ‘Dark Ma8er’ and ‘Dark Energy’. The Earth. The visit was then extended to chromatography and what had ul7mate fate of the Universe was also our nearest stars, more remote regions happened. The applica7on of discussed, including considera7on of of our Galaxy, other local galaxies and chromatography in industry was current observa7ons that suggest the the furthest regions of the extra-galac7c discussed and the pupils were shown expansion rate is accelera7ng, and its Universe. chromatography columns which are implica7ons for our understanding of used in the Diageo Laboratory. cosmology and par7cle physics. Delivered to a Primary 7 class in St Allan’s Primary School, S7rling, in March This talk took place at St Thomas RC Professor Hendry gave the talk at 2013, the tour was illustrated through- Primary, Aberdeenshire, in March 2013 and Wallace High School, S7rling, in out with fascina7ng Powerpoint images. was presented to 84 Primary 1–7 pupils. February 2013 to 80 S5 & S6 pupils.

• Alison McLure – Antarc/ca – (You can go far with Physics!) The Antarc7c is a remarkable con7nent – remote, hos7le and uninhabited. Yet it is of key importance to our understanding of how the world works. For the early explorers, Antarc7ca was the ul7mate survival contest. For scien7sts, it remains a place of intellectual challenge. Pupils found out what kind of science is carried out in the Antarc7c and met a physicist and meteorologist who described how her physics degree took her to Antarc7ca and what life there was like. Dr McLure (pictured right) delivered her talk at the Na7onal Library of Scotland in March 2013 to an audience of S3 and S4 geography pupils from North Berwick High School. Read summary report: www.rse.org.uk/cms/files/events/reports/ 2012-2013/Women-in-Science_Antarc.c-Experience.pdf 12 resource SUMMER 2013 Future RSE@Schools talks include: • Rory O’ Riordan • Professor Jeremy Smith FRSE • Professor Roy Burdon FRSE Wasted Heat: Why not build a Solar Scots and English – Two Languages, The Suffering Gene Farm? Two Dialects This talk will explain what science knows This talk covers the energy available Scots is at the heart of many current about how our genes are adversely from the Sun’s heat and light, and debates on language and iden7ty in affected by the modern environment. explains the difference between present-day Scotland. But is Scots a Ironically, these environmental photo-voltaic solar panels that can be language, or is it a dialect of English? adversi7es are mainly the result of the used to make electricity and solar water What is the difference between Scots unintended consequences of the very panels that make hot water. A sec7on and Sco9sh Standard English? Is there industrial revolu7on and modern of the talk will also deal with the storage one form of Scots or many? Where did technologies that have transformed our of energy in cells and ba8eries for later Scots come from? These are some of the lives in many posi7ve ways. The talk will electricity genera7on and explores the ques7ons to be addressed in this talk. illustrate how our bodies defend proper7es of the tanks used for hot themselves from external a8ack and The talk will be given at Glasgow water storage. In addi7on, the ac7ve what the consequences are if these Academy Preparatory School in August ‘demonstra7ons’ will be tailored to the defences are overwhelmed. In 2013 to Primary 6 and 7 pupils. age group and are designed to last about conclusion, more cau7onary approaches 40 minutes. to the development of new technologies, industrial processes, products and This talk was arranged for Primary 6 & 7 foodstuffs will be discussed. pupils at Bo’Ness Public Primary School. This talk has been arranged for S6 pupils If you would like to find out more about the RSE@Schools talks, please contact at Oldmachar Academy in Aberdeen, Events Officer, Rachel Steele – [email protected] – 0131 240 5035 to be held during October 2013.

RSE Start-up Science Masterclasses Twice a year, the RSE, with partner universi7es, delivers a series of free Science Masterclasses across Scotland. At these Masterclasses, S1 and S2 students get up to all sorts of scien7fic ‘mischief and mayhem’, dissec7ons and designs, crea7ng things from bagpipes to perfume and breaking down plant DNA, exploring the bug world around us, learning how to design things, from planes to bridges, and even indulging in a round of Chemical Cluedo! The Spring 2013 classes ran from March 2013 un7l June 2013 and were enjoyed by all.

Some recent feedback: Dominic very much enjoyed the masterclass last week and came back enthused about DNA – and strawberries! Parent of a child who a8ended the masterclasses at Heriot-Wa8 University Thanks again for running such interes/ng classes and encouraging the next The next session of Start-up genera/on of scien/sts. Science masterclasses will be Parent of a child who a8ended the masterclasses at Heriot-Wa8 University held in October/November 2013. Watch out on our website for Fraser and his pal Andrew thoroughly enjoyed the class. He is normally a quiet boy the announcement of dates but he has not stopped talking about it! Thanks so much for the opportunity to a0end. and details of workshops Parent of a child who a8ended the classes at Glasgow University

13 resource SUMMER 2013

Recent events @Lochaber Since the launch of the RSE@ Lochaber project in September 2012, RSE Fellows and other experts have delivered school and public talks on a wide variety of subjects in all parts of the region. In recent months, students at Kinlochleven High School learned about their industrial heritage when Dr Andrew Perchard, University of Strathclyde, gave a talk about Aluminiumville. Lochaber High School students heard about the pioneering ac7vi7es of The Weathermen of Ben Nevis from Marjory Roy, of the Sco9sh Centre of The Royal Meteorological Society. Professor Jim Hunter FRSE, University of the Highlands and Islands, spoke informa7vely and entertainingly about A Lochaber McDonald in the Camp of Si1ng Bull at Mallaig High School. Professor Alan Watson, University of , helped promote the legacy of CTR Wilson, Scotland’s only Nobel Prize-winning physicist, in a talk at Kinlochleven High School. All school talks were followed by public talks, which were well a8ended by the local community.

May 2013 was a par7cularly busy month for the RSE @ Lochaber project. Professors Hugh Cheape (le') and Donald Meek FRSE (right) delivered a joint public talk, comprising a bilingual approach, on the Gaelic Culture of Lochaber at the Sunart Centre, Stron7an. Alison McLure of the Ins7tute of Physics shared her insight in a talk en7tled Women in Science, focusing par7cularly on her experience working in Antarc7ca. (Alison also delivered this talk in North Berwick – more details and an image on page 12). Alison’s school and public talks were 7med to coincide with the Ins7tute of Physics’ ‘Lab in a Lorry’ visits to Kinlochleven and Lochaber High Schools. A public talk was also given by Professor Allan Macinnes FRSE, University of Strathclyde, discussing whether the history of the Lochaber region describes a Bandit Country or Last Jacobite Heartland? Professor Jeremy Smith FRSE, University of Glasgow, also had a busy schedule, speaking to primary pupils at Duror, Glencoe, Ballachulish and Kilchoan on the subject of Your Language, Your Landscape, Your History and delivering public talks in Fort William and Kilchoan, considering English and Scots: Using the Past to Explain the Present.

14 resource SUMMER 2013

Par7cular school event highlights during May were the Legendary Landscapes primary school workshops presented by RSE Events Officer, Rachel Steele, and the visit to two local schools by children’s author, Cathy MacPhail. Rachel (pictured right) previously worked at the Dundee Science Centre and her experience in geography and geology enabled the inclusion of these workshops in the Lochaber programme. The Legendary Landscapes workshops took place at primary schools in Ardgour, Upper Achintore and Caol, and on the Isle of Eigg. Cathy MacPhail’s gripping and some7mes ‘gri8y’ stories for children and teenagers enthralled students at Lochaber and Kinlochleven High Schools, where they heard excerpts from her brand new book, Mosi’s War, and took part in interac7ve crea7ve wri7ng ac7vi7es of a ‘spooky’ nature! RSE @ Lochaber con7nues to build on this already wide-ranging programme during the summer of 2013, with a range of school and public talks planned for June to September, some of which have already taken place. Details of these are shown below.

3 & 4 June Sco0sh Associa.on of Marine Science (SAMS) Sea-Bed Mapping Workshops Kinlochleven, Duror, Glencoe, Acharacle Primary Schools Ardnamurchan High School, Lochaber High School 13 June Lari Don – Children’s Author Local Primary Schools Kinlochleven High School 14 June Professor Maggie Gill Feeding 9 Billion People Lochaber High School – School Talk Ben Nevis Hotel, Fort William – Public Talk 17 June Professor Iain Stewart, University of Plymouth and BBC Presenter – Scotland Rocks! Lochaber High School – School Talk Ben Nevis Hotel, Fort William – Public Talk 19 June Kate Leiper – Ar.st/Illustrator Ardnamurchan High School – School Talk 27 July Allan Burne/ – Author Blood Curdling Stories from Scosh History Family Event at Fort William Library 3 & 4 Sept The Appin Murder and the Re-Trial of James of the Glen Chaired by Professor Sue Black Ben Nevis Hotel, Fort William Early Sept Dragons’ Den-style Entrepreneurial Event (Date tbc) Lochaber & Kinlochleven High Schools

For full details of events visit: www.rse.org.uk/1007_RSELochaber.html Summary reports of all the talks are available at: www.rse.org.uk/506_PastEventsReports.html

15 resource SUMMER 2013 Prizes 2012–2013

The following Medals are to be presented in 2013: Senior Prize winners Each senior medal winner is required to deliver a prize lecture on the occasion of his medal presenta7on. The dates of these lectures are s7ll to be confirmed and will be adver7sed on the RSE website and in future edi7ons of ReSourcE. The Prizes Commi8ee received several outstanding nomina7ons for the Sir James Black Medal, and, excep7onally recommended that Medals should be awarded to both of the scien7sts named below: RSE/Sir James Black Medal RSE/Sir James Black Medal RSE/Lord Kelvin Medal to RSE/Sir Walter Sco/ Medal to Professor Christopher to Professor Andrew Whiten Professor Peter Davies FRSE, to Professor David Hewi/ FRSE, Hasle/ OBE FRSE FMedSci, FRSE FBA, Professor of Professor of Fluid Dynamics, Regius Chalmers Professor of Director of the Queen’s Evolu7onary and University of Dundee, for his English Literature at the Medical Research Ins7tute Developmental Psychology outstanding contribu7on to University of Aberdeen, for his and Sir John Cro'on and Wardlaw Professor of the discipline of Fluid outstanding contribu7on to Professor of Respiratory Psychology, University of St Mechanics, par7cularly Sco9sh Literature through his Medicine, University of Andrews, for his outstanding Environmental Fluid work on The Edinburgh Edi/on Edinburgh, for his contribu7ons to making Mechanics. of the Waverley Novels which outstanding contribu7on to Scotland foremost in the UK was a monumental piece of inflamma7on research. in the study of primates and literary scholarship over the animal behaviour. past 25 years.

Early-Career Prize winners RSE/Patrick Neill Medal RSE/Makdougall Brisbane RSE/Thomas Reid Medal RSE/Henry Duncan Medal to Dr Marc Dweck, Bri7sh Medal to Dr Aidan Robson, to Dr Gordon Pentland, to Mr Neil McLennan, Quality Heart Founda7on Clinical Lecturer in the School of Physics Senior Lecturer in History at Improvement Officer (Educa7on, Lecturer, University of and Astronomy, University of the University of Edinburgh, Culture and Sport) at Aberdeen Edinburgh, for his outstanding Glasgow, for his breadth and for his high quality research City Council and President of research work in the field of depth of knowledge in his which contributes significantly the Sco9sh Associa7on of clinical cardiology and his research field, making him an to Bri7sh and Sco9sh poli7cal Teachers of History, for his innova7ve ways of engaging excellent spokesperson and and cultural history, and for outstanding contribu7on to with the public to increase its champion for par7cle physics his longstanding commitment civic society,crea7vity and social understanding of this area of and physics in general, and to knowledge exchange. enterprise, educa7on and the science. Dr Dweck is a for his ongoing programme Dr Pentland is a Member social sciences. Mr McLennan Member of the RSE Young of schools outreach ac7vi7es. of the RSE Young Academy is a member of the RSE Young Academy of Scotland. of Scotland. Academy of Scotland.

Aidan is pictured running an RSE School Science Masterclass on How to be a Rocket Scien/st 16 Entrepreneurs’ Club

The RSE Entrepreneurs’ Club met in April 1 The main speakers of the evening were 2013 at the RSE for a networking Ka7e Michels (2 right), Director of the Recep7on and Dinner. The event was Sal7re Founda7on Fellowship Programme, a8ended by 54 people, including: RSE and Kim Richmond (2 le') , a newly- Fellows involved in business and graduated Sal7re Founda7on Fellow. enterprise; current and former RSE Ka7e explained the opportunites that Enterprise Fellows; Sal7re Founda7on Sal7re Founda7on Fellowships can provide, Fellows; guests from the Venture Capital which include 7me at Babson College in and Business Angel communi7es; and Boston, USA, where business training is guests from Sco9sh banks and the CBI. delivered, followed by short-term work The evening was hosted by Professor 2 placements in global companies. Being Grahame Bulfield CBE FRSE (1) who able to learn with and from like-minded, welcomed everyone to the RSE and 2 entrepreneurial individuals with diverse explained the format of the evening. backgrounds and experience is a very 2 2 valuable aspect of the Fellowship. To provide the invited audience with a flavour of the Enterprise Fellowship The Chairman then drew the evening to programme, seven Enterprise Fellows a close by repor7ng that the Enterprise delivered one-minute ‘elevator pitches’, Fellowship programme has been running describing the businesses they had created: 3 very successfully for fi'een years. In that 7me, Enterprise Fellows have gone on to • Neil Gibbs (5 centre), Curapel Ltd – a become CEOs, either in the companies company delivering innova7ve solu7ons they started or moving on to lead others. to skin diseases such as psoriasis and eczema. He embraced the Enterprise Fellows’ enthusiasm and courage, recognising • Lee Baker, Chi-Squared Innova7ons Ltd that barriers to crea7ng new enterprises – a company supplying so'ware that is able s7ll exist. It takes a huge amount of hard to search databases more effec7vely, work and determina7on to be successful, reliably and quickly than other so'ware 4 but it is people such as the Enterprise currently available on the market. Fellows who succeed, thereby benefi9ng • Kanika Bansal (5 right), Medicen society. He encouraged everyone to Devise Ltd – a medical device company support the Enterprise Fellows and other which is producing a solu7on to infec7on young people like them, not only because around catheters for hospital pa7ents. they deserve support but also because they are the people who will lead the • Elias Ekonomou (4) , VitalMeda – a pre- country out of the current recession. incorpora7on stage so'ware enterprise 5 delivering health data with applica7ons Building on the good rela7onship between in the sports and health markets. the RSE and the Sal7re Founda7on, both organisa7ons were delighted to • Mohammed Belal (5 le'), Rutherford announce the crea7on of an ‘RSE Sal7re Appleton Laboratory, CLADS – a Fellow’. This opportunity is available for revolu7onary instrument which uses outstanding individuals who wish to lead dispersion spectroscopy to iden7fy and Scotland’sinnova7ve companies. quan7fy the chemical composi7ons of 6 both liquids and gases. The closing date for applica7ons was at the end of June, with the Fellowship • David Heath, University of Strathclyde, due to commence in September 2013. who has just started his SE-funded Fellowship, with a proposed device which can quickly and cheaply assess claims (6) Professors Donald Ritchie CBE (le ) and Jim Murray OBE, RSE Fellows who have provided invaluable support to on product efficacy of skin moisturisers. the RSE Enterprise schemes over the years. • Eleanore Irvine (3) , BioGelX Ltd – For more informa7on on RSE Enterprise Fellowships visit: a new company pushing forward bio- www.royalsoced.org.uk/564_EnterpriseInnova.onFunding.html inspired applica7ons using a family For informa7on on the Sal7re Founda7on and its awards visit: of novel, patented pep7de hydrogels. www.sal.refounda.on.com

17 resource SUMMER 2013

The Young Academy of Scotland was established by the RSE, the first cohort (of 68 members) being welcomed in November 2011. The RSE con7nues to support the Academy’s journey to becoming a self-sufficient independent body. As part of the process, the Academy already organises its own ac7vi7es and budget and sets its own priori7es. It does this under the auspices of The RSE Scotland SCIO, a separate chariable structure which ensures the support of, but independence from, the RSE. Professor Peter Holmes OBE FRSE (pictured top) is the Chair of the RSE Scotland SCIO. The first cohort of members elected its own facilita7ng group (pictured l–r (back) Chris O’Sullivan; Alan Gow; Aileen Fyfe; (front) Ineke De Moortel; Peter Reekie). The Young Academy is a unique opportunity for colleagues from a broad Keeping it in the family, Duncan Forgan range of disciplines to work together and (above le') joins his brother, Ross, who engage with the challenges and was part of the first cohort. opportuni/es modern Scotland has to offer. Our unique mixture of academics and professionals sets us apart from many young academies and learned socie/es around the world. With our recent intake of members, a number of new ac/vi/es are being proposed. For example, discussions are progressing to form Working Groups around the issues of work, employment and markets, and health communica/on, to name only two. The Young Academy also appointed Stephanie Magowan as Execu/ve Assistant earlier this month. Stephanie's role supports the work of the Gurjit Singh Lalli (above) and Karly Young Academy and the Manager, Lesley Kehoe (below) are welcomed to Campbell. the Young Academy of Scotland by RSE President, Sir John Arbuthno8. On Monday 29 April 2013, 50 new members were welcomed to the Young Academy at a ceremony, followed by a recep7on, held at the RSE. New members who were able to a8end are pictured (right). Professor Alan Miller, RSE Fellowship Secretary and Deputy Principal (Research and Knowledge Exchange) at Heriot-Wa8 University is pictured at the recep7on, with new members also from Heriot- Wa8: Helen Bridle (le'), Olga Kozlova (centre) and Bernade8e O’Rourke.

For more informa.on visit the website: www.youngacademyofscotland.org.uk/ 18 resource SUMMER 2013

FRIENDS OF THE SOCIETY SPRING RECEPTION An exci7ng new networking event was added to the RSE offered the chance to join a tour of the Conference Centre calendar earlier this year when a Royal Society of Edinburgh and were made aware of some of the benefits associated Friends of the Society Spring Recep7on took place at the RSE with membership of our corporate engagement scheme, on Wednesday 10 April. Friends of the Society. This relaxed and friendly occasion provided an opportunity The ‘Friends’ ini7a7ve, launched in 2009, was created to give for our exis7ng and poten7al business partners to meet with the invited partners an opportunity to find out more about members of the RSE Young Academy of Scotland, awardees the important work of the RSE, whilst providing a pla6orm to of our research and enterprise awards, both past and present, explore areas of mutual interest. Members of the scheme also as well as RSE Fellows and staff. receive a number of tangible benefits in return for a modest annual fee. Around 75 people a8ended the event and guests were welcomed on the evening by the RSE Vice-President for The feedback from the recep7on has been very posi7ve Business, Ian Ritchie (pictured below right). In addi7on to and we are now planning to hold another similar event networking over drinks and canapés, a8endees were later this autumn.

FRIENDS OF THE SOCIETY CORPORATE PARTNERS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH

If you would like to know more about the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Friends of the Society initiative, or if your organisation may be interested in joining the scheme, please contact: Gordon Adam, Director of Business Development and Communications – 0131 240 2781 – [email protected]

19 resource SUMMER 2013

Honorary Fellow, Sir David Cox (le') is welcomed by RSE President, Sir John Arbuthno8.

An Induc7on Day for those elected to Fellowship of the RSE in 2013 took place on 20 May. The Council of the RSE was pleased to welcome 37 of the 47 new Fellows to the RSE for this enjoyable occasion. Following a welcome by RSE President, Sir John Arbuthno8, and a presenta7on about the Society by General Secretary, Professor Robert Stamps Professor Alice Brown, new Fellows were given a guided tour of the building, met (above) signs the Roll. RSE Fellows and staff, and learned about the work of the RSE and how Fellows can become involved with these ac7vi7es. The new Fellows also heard about the work of the RSE Young Academy of Scotland and the Academy’s interest in working with the Fellows of the Society. The official Admission Ceremony was held in the Lecture Theatre, where Fellows were invited to sign the Roll Book and were presented with their cer7ficates. Ten exis7ng Fellows, who had not already done so, also took the opportunity to sign the Roll Book. The day ended with a drinks recep7on for the new Fellows and their guests. A full list of the new Fellows, and photographs taken during the day, can be viewed on the website at: www.rse.org.uk/164_FormalAdmissiontoRSEFellowship.html

Corresponding Fellow, Professor Joseph Ndung’u (above le') and his guest, Linnet Mathu, with Professor Peter Kennedy FRSE, who nominated Professor Ndung’u and read his cita7on at the ceremony.

Professor Vicki Hanson (right) with Professor René De Borst with Rachel Steele, RSE Events Officer. Dr Karin de Borst and son

Professor Sethu Vijayakumar with Ian and Shrija Kumari and their daughters. Judith Wall Professor Euan Brechin with Karen Brechin

COPY ADDRESS INFORMATION Please send any copy to the Editor (Jenny Liddell) 22–26 GEORGE STREET website: www.royalsoced.org.uk at the Society – [email protected] EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND www.rsescotlandfoundation.org.uk ReSourcE: ISSN No 1473-7841 EH2 2PQ e-mail: [email protected] Any opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of all RSE Fellows Tel: 0131 240 5000 Fax: 0131 240 5024 The Royal Society of Edinburgh, Scotland’s National Academy, is Scottish Charity No. SC000470 The RSE Scotland Foundation is a connected charity, registered in Scotland as Scottish Charity No. SC024636 Events ticketline: 0131 240 2780 The RSE Scotland SCIO is a connected charity, registered in Scotland as Scottish Charity No. SC043194