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THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH ISSUE 15 • WINTER 2006
RESOURCE THE NEWSLETTER OF SCOTLAND’S NATIONAL ACADEMY
Microcrystals promise major medical benefits
A new technology being developed in Scotland could transform the treatment of many diseases by enabling protein medicines that currently need to be injected, to be taken with an inhaler. Recognising the importance of this breakthrough, Dr Marie Claire Parker was presented with the nation’s top award for innovation at a Ceremony held in the Royal Museum of Scotland on 27 October 2006. Dr Parker is CEO of XstalBio Ltd, a University of Glasgow and University of Strathclyde spin-out company, which developed as a result of an RSE/Scottish Enterprise Enterprise Fellowship held by Dr Parker in 2001. The Gannochy Trust Innovation Award of the Royal Society of Edinburgh has been created to encourage and reward Scotland’s young innovators for work which benefits Scotland’s wellbeing. This coveted award also carries a cheque for £50,000 and a specially commissioned gold medal, which was presented to Dr Parker by the President of the RSE, Sir Michael Atiyah. Dr Parker plans to use the £50,000 award to help develop the manufacturing process of stable, cost-effective vaccines and the advancement of a high quality biotechnology manufacturing company in Scotland, boosting our economy.
Events around Scotland Christmas Lecture 2006 International Exchanges Recognising Excellence
GANNOCHY TRUST INNOVATION AWARD OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH Entitled “Protein-coated Microcrystal (PCMC) Technology”, Dr Parker’s new process can attach proteins such as insulin to crystals that are so tiny (between one and five thousandths of a millimetre) that they can be inhaled, allowing the drug to enter the body via the lung. Whilst it must be emphasised that the technology is still to be clinically tested, it could enable some people with certain types of diabetes to avoid inconvenient, painful injections by taking their medicine with an inhaler. This technology is therefore likely to increase the consistency of the medicine being taken and so improve control of blood- sugar levels. Protein and peptide drugs, so called biopharmaceuticals, normally have to be injected because in pill form they are destroyed in the gut by the body’s own naturally-occurring acids. There are believed to be over 200,000 people in Scotland with diabetes and numbers are predicted to increase dramatically1*. The World Health Organization states that at least 171 million people worldwide have diabetes and estimates that this figure is likely to more than double by 2030 to reach 366 million2*. PCMC Technology has the potential to create a new generation of therapeutic drugs and therapeutic vaccines that would significantly improve the treatment of chronic and acute diseases in Scotland and around the World. Because the crystals engineered by Dr Parker are stable at temperatures as high as 400C, the technology could be of particular benefit to people in countries where refrigeration of medicines is difficult. XstalBio Ltd recently signed a licensing agreement with Europe’s largest manufacturer of therapeutic proteins, Boehringer Ingelheim. One outcome of this agreement will be the construction of a GMP manufacturing plant capable of producing large quantities of sterile PCMC suitable for clinical trials The company has also entered into a collaboration with Avecia to develop vaccines that can be used to combat bioterrorism. Dr Parker has so far focused on healthcare and, in particular, formulation and drug-delivery, but the innovation also has applications in a wide range of other areas, including diagnostics and cosmetics. The Gannochy Trust’s Chairman, Dr 1*Source: Diabetes in Scotland (NHS Scotland) 2*Source: http://www.who.int/diabetes/en/ Russell Leather (pictured below) said: Reacting to the announcement, Dr Parker said: The Gannochy Trust recognises the I am delighted and exceptionally honoured to receive what is a highly prestigious enormous potential of Dr Parker’s award; The Gannochy Trust Innovation Award of the Royal Society of Edinburgh for innovation to offer very significant 2006. The award will provide a wonderful mark of recognition for the PCMC healthcare benefits to people in Scotland Technology, both for myself and XstalBio, not only in Scotland but also globally. With and abroad. I am delighted that we can this award we intend to develop our manufacturing process further for the cost- support and encourage the best of our effective and efficient production of stabilised vaccines and to continue to market the young innovators through this technology globally. partnership with the RSE. I wish Dr Parker and her colleagues every success in transforming their technology into life- RSE President, Sir Michael Atiyah said: enhancing and life-saving medicines. This innovation has the potential to transform the treatment of many diseases. If clinical trials prove successful, this technology could improve the quality of life of many and save countless lives by enabling vaccines to be provided in countries where refrigeration is difficult. I am delighted that, as a result of the Gannochy Trust’s generous support, we are able to recognise Dr Parker’s achievement. I offer my congratulations to Dr Parker and commend her ingenuity, dedication and hard work.
2 President’s Perspective
I recently attended an informal meeting held at the Royal Society in London which brought together the Presidents and Chief Executives of five UK academies: The Royal Society, the British Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Academy of Medical Sciences and the Royal Society of Edinburgh. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss ways in which we could act more effectively together on matters which straddle all fields, climate change being a high-profile example. In particular we considered the merits of joint approaches to the Government, speaking with a united voice on important and topical issues.
Lord Browne, the incoming President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, brought the perspective of industry, while the RSE, operating on the smaller canvas of Scotland, illustrated the way in which science, medicine, engineering and the arts can all be fruitfully integrated. We agreed to carry on the dialogue between our academies in a variety of ways, and to exchange experience from both sides of the border.
Sir Michael Atiyah, OM, FRS, PRSE, HonFREng, HonFMedSci, HonFFA
DEBATING SCOTLAND’S ENERGY CHOICES
Following the publication of the RSE’s Inquiry Report into Energy Issues for Scotland, the RSE is planning to hold a series of countrywide events to engage as wide a range of The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) society as possible to debate the issues and to help better inform the decisions that is Scotland’s National Academy of need to be taken.This will culminate in a final conference in Edinburgh in April 2007. Science & Letters. It is an independent body with charitable status. The The first public events in the series were held at the University of Aberdeen on the 24th Society organises conferences and October and comprised a discussion forum for S5 and S6 students in the Linklater lectures for the specialist and for the Rooms during the general public. It provides a forum for day and a public informed debate on issues of national discussion forum in and international importance. Its the King’s College multidisciplinary fellowship of men Auditorium in the and women of international standing evening. provides independent, expert advice Professor Maxwell to key decision-making bodies, including Government and Irvine DL FRSE, Parliament. Professor Roger The Society’s Research Awards Crofts CBE FRSE programme annually awards well over and Dr Malcolm £1.7 million to exceptionally talented Kennedy CBE FRSE, young academics and potential along with Mr entrepreneurs to promote commercial Graham Shanks, exploitation of inventiveness and Chief Executive of boost wealth-generation. Satrosphere Science Centre in Aberdeen, participated in the students’ discussion forum Among its many public benefit which focused on issues relating to energy supply, energy efficiency, saving, research activities, the RSE is active in and development, as well as the role of government and public awareness. Professor classrooms from the Borders to the Crofts chaired a panel comprising Professor Irvine, Mr Iain Todd from Aberdeen Northern Isles, with a successful Renewable Energy Group and Mr Nial McCollam, Chief Executive of ITI Energy for the programme of lectures and hands-on public discussion forum. Around fifty people from industry, local government, academia workshops for primary and secondary school pupils. and the public attended the evening event and a lively debate of the issues ensued. Further events will be organised around Scotland next year. For details see the RSE web The Royal Society of Edinburgh, working as part of the UK and within page at http://www.royalsoced.org.uk/events/energy.htm a global context, is committed to the future of Scotland’s social, economic and cultural well-being.
3 Scotland’s Research Talent
AWARDEES 2006 In addition to the awards announced in the last newsletter, the following awards were also made at the Annual Awards Ceremony on 29 September 2006 at the Royal Society of Edinburgh: Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland CRF European Travel Fellowships – CRF European Travel Fellowship – Research Studentship Visits to Scotland Visits to Europe Miss Katie L Blackett Dr Guido Alfani Maria Fletcher Bacteria in the pathogenesis of Barrett’s Universita commerciale “L.Bocconi”, Italy School of Law, University of Glasgow Oesophagus and Adenocarcinoma of the Households and Plague European Criminal Law and Justice Oseophagus in older people Visited Department of History, University Visiting Robert Schuman Centre of Microbiology and Gut Biology, Division of Glasgow for 3 months Advanced European Studies, European of Pathology and Neuroscience, Dr Javier Calle Martin University Institute, Florence, Italy University of Dundee Department of English Philology, Professor Brian Girvin Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland University of Malaga Department of Politics, University of Personal Research Fellowship Digitisation and Electronic Edition of the Glasgow Dr Irina Erchova Middle English Manuscripts in the Three Roads to Europe: A Comparative ‘Learning to Forget’: Aberrant Plasticity in Hunterian Collection Study of Denmark, Ireland and the the Aged Hippocampus Visiting Department of English Netherlands Center for Neuroscience Research and Language, University of Glasgow Visiting Department of History, Institute for Adaptive and Neural Dr Alexander Pavlenko University of Aarhus, Denmark Computation, School of Informatics, Taganrog Institute of Management and Dr Frank Lorenz Müller University of Edinburgh Economics, Russia Department of Modern History, University Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland Scots and Eastern Slavonic Languages: of St Andrews Support Research Fellowship Some Common Features of Language Crown-Prince Frederick and the Political Professor John Speakman FRSE Development Culture of Imperial Germany (1858 – Experimental induction of uncoupling as Visiting School of English, University of 1888) a mechanism for reducing free-radical Aberdeen Visiting School of History, Free University production: an experimental text in the Dr Barbara Schaff of Berlin & University of St Andrews mouse Department für Anglistik und Dr Jane Stuart-Smith School of Biological Sciences, University Amerikanistik, Universität München Department of English Language, of Aberdeen Books Across Borders: John Murray’s University of Glasgow Science Fellowships for Teachers Handbooks to Italy and Germany. Investigating the influence of television Jennie Hargreaves Visiting Centre for the History of the on language change Placement with BNG Chapelcross, Book, University of Edinburgh/NLS Visiting Fachbereich Literatur – und Nuclear Licensed Site Sprachwissenschaften, University of Rebecca Sutherland-Shiell Hannover, Germany Phenology in Schools Placement with the Education Department, Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh RESEARCH AWARDS RECEPTION 2006 Keeley Hathway Placement with Glasgow Science Centre The annual RSE Research Awards Reception was held at the RSE on Friday 29 September 2006, when 43 Research and Enterprise Awards and Prizes were announced by the RSE Research Awards Convenor, Professor Peter Holmes CLOSING DATES FOR 2007 (pictured left). With the support of key public and private funding partners, these awards are worth over AuberAWARDS Award 19 January £1.7 million and enable some of the brightest Lessells Travel Scholarship 2 February academics and potential entrepeneurs from home Lloyds TSB Foundation 23 February and abroad to undertake world-class research here in for Scotland - Studentship, Scotland. A large number of those receiving awards Personal and Support were present and representatives of some of the Research Fellowships funding bodies and Fellows of the RSE who serve on Scottish Execuitve 16 March the committees responsible for chosing recipients of Personal and Support the awards were able to attend and offer their Research Fellowships congratulations to the worthy awardees. BP Research Fellowships 30 March
4 RSE ENTREPRENEURS’ CLUB - “QUIZ THE DRAGONS”
This event was based on the BBC “Dragons’ Den” programme but with the tables turned, so that young potential entrepreneurs could ask the questions of the experts. The Entrepreneurs’ Club was held at the RSE on Thursday 12 October with 50 people attending the networking dinner which was followed by a ”Quiz the Dragons” session. Dr Ian Sword chaired the session and rewarded those individuals who posed the best questions with chocolate coins! Eight successful and well established entrepreneurs from the Scottish business community agreed to be on the panel, which fielded questions from the audience of past and current RSE Enterprise Fellows. The questions The ‘Dragons’ ranged from “what would the dragons back row from left to right:- Edward Cunningham CBE FRSE, Ian Sword CBE FRSE, Ewan have done differently had they had the Brown CBE FRSE, David Milne OBE FRSE and Julia Edgar benefit of hindsight?” to “how do front row left to right:- Ian Underwood FRSE, David Sibbald FRSE and Peter Denyer FRSE you attract investment into a University spin-out company?”. The dragons were:- Professor Peter Denyer FRSE, Dr David Sibbald FRSE, Chairman and Dr Ewan Brown CBE FRSE, Chairman of formerly Managing Director of VLSI CEO of Sumerian Networks Ltd. Lloyds TSB Scotland plc, Director of John Vision Ltd and now Chairman of Dr Ian Sword CBE FRSE, formerly Wood Group plc, Stagecoach plc, MicroEmissive Displays Ltd (Business Chairman Inveresk Research Ltd and Scottish Knowledge plc and former Angel). former Chairman Scottish Enterprise Executive Director of Noble Grossart Ltd. Ms Julia Edgar, Chief Operating Officer, Edinburgh and Lothian (Business Angel). Mr Edward Cunningham CBE FRSE, Pleiad Devices, Perth. Professor Ian Underwood FRSE, Director Chairman of DesignLED Products Ltd, Professor David Milne OBE FRSE, of Strategic Marketing, MicroEmissive Director Braveheart Ventures Ltd, Managing Director of Wolfson Displays Ltd and RSE/Gannochy Trust Treasurer RSE and former Chairman of Microelectronics plc, Edinburgh. Innovation Award winner 2004. BUE Marine Ltd (Business Angel).
ENTERPRISE FELLOWSHIPS EVENING
The Scottish Enterprise and BBSRC Enterprise Fellows gave their presentations to Fellows of the Society and representatives of the funding organisations at the RSE on 12 October. Professor Jane Bower FRSE (pictured left) has been responsible for delivering the business training for these Fellowships for the past seven years. To mark her contribution and dedication to the Enterprise Fellows and the Programme, Professor Bower was presented with a silver tray, engraved with the names of the Enterprise Fellows she has guided through the business training programme.
5 International
INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMME Professor Peter K. J. Robertson, Chair of Energy and Environmental One of the main current functions of the International Committee of the RSE is to Engineering, The Robert Gordon award short-term travel grants to enable Scottish researchers to establish links with University (RGU) colleagues in other countries with a view to a long lasting collaboration, perhaps Institution Visited: Key Laboratory of through joint applications to appropriate grant-giving bodies for longer-term funds. Photochemistry, Institute of It is important to recognise that these grants are available to all researchers at Chemistry, The Chinese Academy of postdoctoral level, not only to Fellows of the RSE. They are perhaps particularly Sciences appropriate for younger members of research groups to facilitate the establishment (ICCAS) of international connections. The visit to There follow details of five visits supported by the International Committee. the Institute of Dr Steve Wallis, Senior Lecturer in Water Engineering, Heriot-Watt University Chemistry, Institution Visited: Institute of Geophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, The Chinese Warsaw, Poland Academy of Sciences by Dr Wallis of Heriot-Watt University (HWU) spent two weeks at the Institute of Professor Geophysics (IGF), Warsaw, Poland undertaking joint work on the mathematical Peter modelling of solute transport in rivers. Liaison took place principally with Professors Robertson was a highly successful trip Rowinski, Czernuszenko and Napiorkowski and followed three previous shorter visits during which a number of important to Poland and one previous reciprocal visit to Edinburgh. Joint work commenced by outcomes resulted. During the visit a applying modelling tools developed by IGF to experimental tracer data collected in lecture was delivered not only to the staff streams by HWU. Initial results obtained during the visit were very promising, with at the academy but also to academics IGF’s neural network-based method for predicting dispersion coefficients giving from other universities. In addition a good estimates of the coefficients derived from the tracer data. Other modelling number of experiments on samples of projects using the tracer data will begin later in the year. laser modified titanium dioxide prepared The joint work already in progress was reviewed during the 26th School of by RGU were performed during the visit, Hydraulics, which was held in September in Goniadz, Poland, and to which Dr Wallis producing some important new findings was invited to speak. During the School the latest results from the neural network on these materials. The most important method for predicting dispersion coefficients and plans for future collaboration, of these was the discovery of a visible including reciprocal visits of staff, were discussed. The first joint paper will be light activity, which is highly significant submitted by the end of 2006. It was proposed that a regular series of visits be and is a potentially crucial breakthrough established in order to ensure continuation of joint work. A visit by IGF staff to HWU in photocatalytic materials. These under the RSE’s International Programme is being considered for Spring 2007. Short experiments and follow up work will be term reciprocal visits of other staff and/or PhD students are also being considered. the subject of forthcoming collaborative publications between RGU and ICCAS. Further collaboration between the two Scottish-based host: Dr C. Tara Marshall, School of Biological Sciences, institutions is planned, with a number of University of Aberdeen other research projects being pursued. In Visitor: Dr. Nathalia A. Yaragina, Polar Research Institute of Marine Fisheries addition Prof. Zhao of ICCAS plans to and Oceanography, Russia visit RGU in July 2007. Dr Yaragina’s visit was devoted to collaborative work studying the reproduction and population dynamics of the Barents Sea cod stock. The visit extended the longstanding collaboration between Drs Yaragina and Marshall to include an analysis of the demographic structure of the cod stock over the time period 1946- 2004 to investigate whether the changes have impacted the reproductive potential and long-term sustainability of the stock. Drs Yaragina and Marshall also reviewed progress being made by a PhD student at Aberdeen with funding support from BBSRC to investigate cod bioenergetics using a detailed Russian database on cod liver weights. In addition, classical ecological metrics of fitness, namely the intrinsic rate of increase and net reproductive rate, were estimated for two cod stocks of Atlantic ocean (Barents and Irish Seas). Future research will interpret these metrics in relation to both environmental variability and variation in key life history traits such as maturation rate. As a result of this visit a number of papers are currently being produced and are due for publication in 2007. The visitor (Nathalia), left, host (Tara), right and the students and post-doc. Photo was taken during the visit to the Millport Biological Station on the Isle of Cumbrae 6 Scottish-based host: Dr Murray Roberts, Higher Scientific Officer, Scottish Scottish-based host: Dr E. K. M. Association for Marine Science Tisdall, Reader in Social Policy, Visitor: Dr. Steve W. Ross, Research Faculty, University of North Carolina at University of Edinburgh Wilmington Visitor: Professor Anita Rampal, Funding from the RSE International Exchange Programme supported the visit of Dr Ross Professor in Elementary and Social to join a research cruise on the R/V Pelagia and to visit the Scottish Association for Education, Delhi University Marine Science. Dr Ross joined the R/V Pelagia cruise as part of an initiative to begin comparisons and joint studies on deep coral habitats on both sides of the Atlantic.
Professor Anita Rampal visited the University of Edinburgh, as part of a collaborative project, with research teams in India, South Africa and the UK. The collaborative project is developing theory on children’s participation, from R/V Pelagia in Galway (22 Jun 06) international and inter-disciplinary perspectives. Over the last decade, the In addition to learning new techniques (multibeam mapping, box coring, benthic rhetoric of participation has become landers), Dr Ross obtained samples of Lophelia pertusa tissue and two of Madrepora prominent within policy and practice for genetics studies. These will be valuable pertaining to children, both in the UK for long distance comparisons with the and internationally. However, the extensive western Atlantic samples. popularisation of participation in Structurally, there is a lot of similarity practice has not been accompanied by between coral banks at the Rockall Bank any sustained theoretical mounds and those off the southeastern considerations of the concept. The US, and this cruise was invaluable for the project aims to address this gap. insight it provided. Upon return to SAMS, Professor Rampal was a key participant Dr Ross gave a formal seminar on western within the intensive seminar Atlantic deep coral research. He also “Theorising Children’s Participation: participated in meetings to plan future international and interdisciplinary trans-Atlantic research efforts and to plan perspectives”, as well as giving two future exchanges. papers during the seminar. She gave Coral bank multibeam map two further seminars, open to all those Following the successful RSE-funded international exchange visit, Drs Ross and Roberts interested and advertised throughout applied to the European Union for a grant to allow Dr Roberts to work on sabbatical in the University and beyond, on children’s North Carolina. Dr Roberts is pleased to report that a grant of 250,000 Euros has been participation in the Indian school awarded. This will allow Dr Roberts to live and work in North Carolina curriculum. for 16 months to develop plans for the first ocean basin scale assessment of cold-water Further collaboration is planned, with coral ecosystems. After this, Dr Roberts will return to Scotland with funding for a applications for empirical research and further eight months to complete work on this ‘Trans-Atlantic Coral Ecosytem Study’ networking funding and publications. (TRACES). The project is funded by the EC’s Marie Curie fellowship scheme and begins in summer 2007.
In addition, following Dr Ross’s RSE-funded trip to the UK to join the Dutch research cruise, it is likely that the Dutch cold-water coral researchers will send their benthic landers to the USA in the coming years to study the deep-water reefs on the other side of the Atlantic. These expensive systems (akin to lunar landers) allow the monitoring of processes at the seafloor. Drs Ross and Roberts believe the RSE support was pivotal in developing this initiative which is now growing into a larger project.
7 International
EVENTS AND VISITS
EU Lecture – European Science Policy and Academia – 25 October 2006 The President of ALLEA (All European Academies), Professor Jüri Engelbrecht, visited the RSE on 25 October 2006 and gave a successful lecture entitled “European Science Policy and Academia”. ALLEA is a self-governing association of the leading national academies in Europe and the RSE was admitted to membership in 2002. We are greatly honoured that Professor Engelbrecht chose to visit the RSE so soon after his election at the General Assembly this year. His lecture took place as part of a series of high-profile events arranged by our International Committee’s European Policy Forum. He is a distinguished physicist and mathematician and former President of the Estonian Academy of Sciences. He is a member of EURAB and the Governing Council of ESF, and was a member of the European Research Council Identification Committee. Amongst numerous books and articles, he was editor of the ALLEA Report on National Research Strategies in Smaller European Countries. Professor Engelbrecht’s lecture was well received and resulted in an interesting question and answer session, which continued over an informal dinner with members of the RSE’s International Committee and Council.
LINKS WITH SISTER ACADEMIES Memorandum of Understanding with the Slovak Academy of Sciences The RSE is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with The Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS). The agreement was signed by the SAS First Vice- President, Professor Slezák and Professor Sir Neil MacCormick FRSE on Thursday 23rd November 2006 in the RSE and was witnessed by the SAS Scientific Secretary, Dr Falt’an and Dr William Duncan, RSE Chief Executive. The agreement sets out the commitment to facilitate, encourage and support research collaboration in all areas between research groups in Scotland and Slovakia. Under this agreement the two academies also agree to fund academic exchanges between the two countries through the RSE’s Bilateral Exchange Programme.
LANGUAGES IN SCOTLAND – WHAT’S THE PROBLEM? The report of the RSE’s successful event “Languages in Scotland – What’s the Problem?” has now been published. The report is available to download from the RSE website or in hard copy by contacting Morven Chisholm, International Relations Officer 0131 240 5000, [email protected]. The RSE is keen to hear your views on the issues discussed during this conference and also what follow-up action the Society might take. Please forward any comments to [email protected]
8 Science and the Parliament
In November, The Society was again involved in supporting Science and the Parliament. Established by The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and now in its sixth year, this event seeks to provide an opportunity for members of the scientific community, MSPs and other decision-makers to discuss key science and science policy issues. Held in Our Dynamic Earth, the day’s proceedings looked ahead to next year’s Scottish Parliament elections and the political parties’ science manifestos.
RSC President, Professor Jim Feast opened the event which was chaired by Professor Wilson Sibbett, Chair of The Scottish Science Advisory Committee (SSAC). Keynote speeches were made by Nicol Stephen MSP, Deputy First Minister & Science Minister, (pictured above) and Professor Anne Glover, Chief Scientific Adviser (pictured right). Dr Richard Pike, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry and Mr Ross Martin of the Centre for Scottish Public Policy set the scene for break-out discussion groups in which participants considered elements that should be included in the preparation of any Manifesto for Science. This was addressed by focusing on four policy areas: Enterprise & Lifelong Learning; Education; Environment; and Energy. Professors Wilson Sibbett, Stuart Monro, Muffy Calder and Peter Grant, all Members of the SSAC, reported back on the panel’s discussion and conclusions.
The political parties’ science manifestos were then outlined by: Dr Elaine Murray MSP (Lab); Jim Mather MSP (SNP); David Davidson MSP (Con); Jamie Stone MSP (SLD); Robin Harper MSP (Green) (pictured left to right).
The day concluded with a reception, exhibition and presentation of awards.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS TICKETS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL RSE EVENTS. To book tickets online, visit www.royalsoced.org.uk or contact [email protected] for further information. JANUARY 2007 Tuesday 13 February 2007 at Monday 15 January 2007 at 5.30 pm 5.30 pm BP PRIZE LECTURE ECRR PETER WILSON LECTURE Protecting Human Dignity at the Beginning and End of Life Does Science Matter? Professor Graeme Laurie, Chair of Medical Jurisprudence, School of Law, Professor Anne Glover FRSE, Chief University of Edinburgh Scientific Adviser for Scotland This lecture considers the growing appeal of human dignity as a guiding principle in modern medical decision- making. Calls to uphold human dignity are particularly acute when life and death decisions are involved, and these arise at both the beginning and the end of the human life cycle. But human dignity is a notoriously difficult idea to enshrine in law: does it refer to my assessment of my own life and what I consider to be dignified, or does it concern a more objective view of what might generally be considered to be a dignified existence? Faced with this dilemma, we will consider how valuable the appeal to human Photograph © microsoft dignity is for the patients’ rights and what alternatives might be preferable.
Tuesday 16 January 2007 at Perth Concert Hall at 7.30 pm ENVIRONMENTAL CHOICES REGIONAL LECTURE Science is international. It is Scotland’s Changing Biodiversity fundamental to our understanding of Dr Fiona Watson, Director, Environmental Historian the world we live in and how we Environmental scientists are well aware of the importance of the past in understanding respond to and interact with it. the present, but historians are rarely involved in analysing landscape change, despite Throughout history science has enabled their discipline’s ability to help establish not only what mankind to tackle some of the world’s happened but why. Dr Watson’s own work with an most pressing problems and its role as a interdisciplinary team in the Centre for Environmental force for change is growing in History at the University of Stirling seeks to unravel the importance. Technology and innovation highly complex relationship between nature and now impact greatly on our daily lives human activity in the Scottish uplands over the last and the pace of change is quickening. four hundred years. The results provide a fascinating The resulting benefits are enormous insight into the shaping of the landscape and the and wide-ranging. It is crucial that attitudes of those who inhabited the ‘wildernesses’ Scotland’s science base is ready to take we love today. This lecture is organised jointly with the advantage of future global Royal Scottish Geographical Society and Society of opportunities and that our young Antiquaries of Scotland. Tickets may be purchased at a cost of £5 from the venue on people are excited and engaged by the evening of the event. Students and Members of the RSGS will be admitted free. science. This event is organised jointly with the Edinburgh Consortium for Rural Research and the Institute of FEBRUARY 2007 Biology. Monday 5 February 2007 at 6 pm DISCUSSION FORUM Cultural Policy and National Identity in Post-Devolution Scotland In Scotland culture has been celebrated as a key factor on the road to devolution. Since 1999 debates and policies on culture - from the National Cultural Stategy to the Cultural Commission; the review of the national companies to the launch of the National Theatre; and “Creative Scotland the awards” to Creative Scotland the agency” - have busied government. Drawing on the experience of key figures in Scotland’s cultural life, this seminar explores our new engagement with cultural develpment and policy. How might a “policy-defined culture” impact on Scottish life and change the image that Scotland presents to a wider world?
The full list of RSE events appears on the RSE website, www.royalsoced.org.uk/events and in the RSE events diary, available from the Events Team - [email protected]
10 Wednesday 14 February 2007 at the Royal Museum, Lothian Tuesday 20 February 2007 at Glasgow City Chambers, George Street entrance, Edinburgh at Square, Glasgow 6.30 pm FULL DAY CONFERENCE DISCUSSION FORUM Glasgow’s People: Transcending Poverties The 10 Years of Dolly: Past, Present This seminar promises to be a frank analysis of the and Future historical and present situation of Glasgow Ten years society, as well as recognising that, despite the ago, Dolly physical regeneration of the city and the became improvement in employment prospects, there are the world’s still underlying problems to be addressed of most social, cultural and spiritual poverty in particular famous areas of the city. Glasgow’s development and sheep. some root causes of its present and past social Looking difficulties will be put into a global perspective. back, what Our current method of tackling these issues will did her be examined, as the physical, medical, social, cultural and spiritual needs for the birth really building of healthy communities are explored. Image © Roslin Institute A conference fee will apply – lunch and refreshments will be provided. mean for science and the society we live in? What can be done now and in the MARCH future with the technology? And what should be done? Thursday 8 March 2007 at 5.30 pm LECTURE Discuss these questions and more with Dr Philology in a New Key: Humane Studies in Digital Space Donald Bruce, Director, Society, Religion & Professor Jerome McGann, The John Stewart Bryan Professor of English, Technology Project, Church of Scotland University of Virginia, US. and Professor Ian Wilmut CBE FRS FRSE, Educational programmes, particularly at Roslin Institute, Edinburgh; Keith university level, are largely driven by research Campbell, University of Nottingham; agendas. It is abundantly clear that scholarly Professor Grahame Bulfield CBE FRSE, research exchanges - communication and University of Edinburgh; Professor Harry authorized publication – will very soon require Griffin, Director, Roslin Institute; and digitisation. The problems to be overcome are Professor Alan Holland, University of both technical and institutional and the Lancaster. humanities community must define, explore, Wednesday 14 February 2007 and address these problems. This lecture marks at the Royal Museum, the completion of the Edinburgh Edition of the Chambers Street, Edinburgh Waverley Novels, published by Edinburgh from 11 am – 4.30 pm University Press. FAMILY EVENTS Celebrating 10 Years of Dolly A day of activities for all ages to mark the Monday 12 March 2007 at 5.30 pm life and death of Dolly the Sheep. GANNOCHY TRUST INNOVATION AWARD PRIZE LECTURE Meet the scientist who led the team that Dr Marie Claire Parker, XstalBio Ltd, University of Glasgow created Dolly, take part in family Protein-coated microcrystals (PCMC) are an workshops including art workshops (all innovative materials/particle technology that ages) and extract has wide-ranging applications across drug your own DNA! delivery, nanotechnology, separations (age 10+). Talk technology and biocatalysis. Drug delivery of to the vet who proteins and vaccines using PCMC however, cared for Dolly has been the major focus of research and and find out development over the last 5 years. from Museum Effective delivery of therapeutic proteins is staff how she and remains a challenge for the was prepared for pharmaceutical industry, but represents a display. See significant opportunity for both the patient and provider. PCMC can be formulated to Dolly’s bones and other objects on span a range of drug delivery routes such as via inhalation whilst providing drug- exclusive display for a limited time only. based particles that show excellent resistance to stress conditions of temperature and More information on individual events humidity. (some of which require booking) will be available on the museum website. 11 Free, fully organised educational activities for young Young People people throughout Scotland
RSE Christmas Lecture at University of Stirling Weather Forecasting in the 21st Century by Heather Reid, BBC Broadcast Meteorologist, Tuesday 12 December 2006 at 7.30pm. (Refreshments from 7 pm). The Sun’s energy warms the Earth and causes air within the atmosphere to rise. It’s this simple scientific process coupled with the Earth’s Rotation that eventually leads to complex weather systems on a global scale. Predicting the weather has challenged meteorologists for centuries and modern day weather forecasts now rely on the latest supercomputer technology, observations from around the world and a network of meteorological satellites. The days of damp seaweed are long gone! Every forecaster has access to computer model predictions, satellite images, radar pictures and real-time observations. However, our climate now appears to be changing and global warming may yet provide the greatest challenge to the world of weather forecasting. This presentation will explore how we forecast the weather in the 21st Century, possible future developments, and provide a behind the scenes look at how TV forecasts are prepared. As well as a free afternoon talk for schools at 1.45pm, Heather Reid, BBC Broadcast Meteorologist, will give a talk to the general public in the evening at 7.30 pm in the Logie Theatre, University of Stirling. Tickets cost £2 (£1 concession) and are available from the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 22-26 George Street, Edinburgh, or by contacting the Education Team on 0131 240 5000. Tickets will also be available at the door on the night. Computing Science Schools lecture programme to Annual Inspiration Award Masterclasses be expanded On 11 September, the RSE held its The Computer Science Inside… project Talk Science schools lectures have been fourth Annual Inspiration Awards in has been extended to include a new an extremely successful part of the RSE recognition of the volunteers who have series of Saturday morning workshops Education programme for many years, made an exceptional contribution to at the University of Glasgow. The and it has been decided that we will the Young People’s Programme. classes are free and enable secondary expand this series to represent the Awards were presented to Professor school pupils to participate in two Society’s dedication to supporting a Wendy Bickmore FRSE and Professor workshops over a three hour period. wide range of disciplines. The science Sue Black FRSE, who are both There are four workshops to choose lectures will continue, but it is hoped contributors to the RSE @ Schools from: that there will also be a range of programme and members of the Young - One Problem, 1000 Machines humanities and arts lectures available People’s Committee; Dr Adrian Linacre, - Algorithm Development from April 2007. The lecture a long-term contributor to the RSE @ - Predictive Text Messaging and programme will be renamed RSE @ Schools programme; Lorna Sibbett and Machine Learning Schools to reflect this change. Dr David Miller, who are both involved - Tablets of Stone with Startup Science Masterclasses; Dr If you or your colleagues have a lively The first masterclass will be held on Quintin Cutts, who is responsible for talk or workshop that you feel would Saturday 9 December 2006 (S3 and setting up and delivering the Computer be of interest to school children please above) and the second on Saturday 20 Science Inside project; and Professor contact the education team at the RSE January 2007 (S2 pupils). Classes will Mark Chaplain, who is the coordinator to explore the opportunities further. begin at 9.45am and finish at 1pm. For and a lecturer for the Dundee Maths further information, please contact Masterclasses. [email protected]. Contributors to the RSE Young People’s Startup Science Masterclasses Maths Masterclasses activities provide valuable inspiration for all the budding young scientists in This Autumn’s Saturday morning science Maths Masterclasses are currently Scottish schools. The volunteers show masterclass programme is currently running in Glasgow and West Lothian real commitment to the programme running at Dundee, Glasgow, Heriot- for children in their final years of which often involves travelling Watt and St Andrews universities. The primary school this Autumn. These throughout Scotland and holding classes are for S1/2 students and aim to classes aim to show that maths is fun activities on Saturday mornings. The emphasise the role of science and and creative, with challenging RSE would like to thank everyone who technology in society, by enabling investigations designed to develop contributes their time, dedication, students to investigate a variety of topics problem solving, intuition and expertise and enthusiasm to these through hands-on activities. analytical skills. events. For further information on all of the above, visit our website - www.royalsoced.org.uk/schools or contact the RSE Education Team - 0131 240 5000 - [email protected]
12 Science Education - Are we losing the plot?
The Foundation for Science & Technology nine, and found science dogmatic and there a danger that it would result in held a joint Discussion meeting with the irrelevant to their interests. Even those attempts to teach “concepts” which RSE on 2 November. Nearly 100 invited who went on to do science at University would be too abstract for young pupils guests, including teachers from schools lacked that curiosity which would make to absorb? A scientific education should throughout Scotland, the higher and them look outside the exam foster competence, understanding, further education sector, and users of requirements. Why? Was it just creativity, sensitivity and curiosity. How science, heard short presentations from adolescence, or was it the way they were did this fit into the “dual mandate”? All Professor Anne Glover FRSE, Chief taught? She, and speakers from the these qualities might well be appropriate Scientific Adviser, Scottish Executive; floor, had no doubt. The problem lay in for those aspiring to become Professor John Holman, Director, the curriculum, the way it was taught, professional scientists, but was it not National Science Learning Centre, York and the processes of assessment. wildly optimistic to pretend that they and National STEM Director, DFES; and could all be taught in the 10% of the Bob Kibble, Senior Lecturer, Moray The emphasis of the discussion fell on curriculum (which is what “Science for School of Education, University of assessment. There was too much of it: it the 21st Century” was proposing for Edinburgh. The event was supported by had become an end, not a tool. “science for the citizen”)? If it were right the Gatsby Educational Foundation and “Teaching to the test” inhibited - as most accepted - that the two streams the Institute of Physics. teachers’ creativity and gave rise to a in the dual mandate should be explicitly prescriptive and constricted curriculum, differentiated, then the objectives for the Scotland has trained chemistry and forcing more and more facts down citizenship stream must be restricted, physics teachers in nearly every school; students’ throats without giving them otherwise they would foster a soft and good recruitment of teachers; small time to do the practical work which woolly approach. Keep up the curiosity, classes of 20, and an effective single would excite their interests through by all means, and try to impart some examination board. England, in contrast, connecting those facts to the real understanding of scientific method, but has a dearth of trained physics and problems the world faced. While none don’t pretend you can do much more. chemistry teachers; has many schools doubted that assessment might have without either; is failing to recruit gone too far, and had its dangers, there Neither England nor Scotland will know sufficient replacements; classes of 30; were some cautionary voices about the whether they have “lost the plot” until and five examination boards. Is, enthusiastic attack on assessment. What the effects of “Science in the 21st therefore, all well? Could Scotland relax - was important was the ability of teachers Century” and the Scottish Review of the sure that it had not “lost the plot“? to teach imaginatively and creatively, Science Curriculum become evident in understanding that they did not own the the attainments and interests of pupils. The answer, from Professor Glover and curriculum. The curriculum was there for As Mr. Kibble said, that will not be from contributions from the floor, was the needs of the pupils; their interests known for six to seven years. Had the ‘no’. It was crucial to ensure that the must prevail. Failure to stimulate them question been asked six or seven years review of science education, now in did not necessarily mean the curriculum ago – “have we lost the plot?” - the progress, ensured that the science base was at fault. Scientists had a answer for Scotland would be “no”, as was strengthened; science careers were responsibility to help them in their task shown today in the state of its schools, promoted; and the public became by communicating their own enthusiasm the number of trained teachers, and the engaged with science through for science in a way that pupils could size of classes. Both countries, however, understanding its methodology and its understand - preferably by visiting must start from where they are. Both face importance for everyone. As Professor schools. similar problems: a youth culture in Holman put it, outlining the new which sustained and hard work is curriculum “ Science for the 21st Speakers added some qualifications to derided as not being “cool”; economies Century”, science education had a “dual Professor Holman’s “dual mandate”. Did which give able people financial mandate” - it should ensure a basic it allow for the third objective of science opportunities which teaching can never science literacy in the population, education - the creation of a cadre of match; and a widespread disillusion with, “science for the citizen”, but also provide outstanding scientists, who would be and mistrust of, science. But they do have a sound basis of knowledge for those capable of world-class research? Was similar advantages - strong and who were to become professional there perhaps something condescending internationally respected science scientists. Scotland, in spite of its in the category “science for citizenship”? communities, and administrations advantages, was far from achieving these Did that not assume that, if you failed to determined to enhance and strengthen aims. pursue science at school, you would not those communities, and put science at wish to pursue it in later life? It was the centre of their educational policies. Professor Glover put her finger on the possible that pupils might find (unlikely problem. At the heart of science is as this might appear, given current This personal note is by Sir Geoffrey curiosity about the way the world works: statistics) modern languages more Chipperfield KCB, who produced a young children have that curiosity; but interesting than science at age 15, but separate summary of the meeting they seemed to lose it about the age of realize the error of their ways later. Was available on the FST website www.foundation.org.uk 13 Fellows’ Notice Board
APPOINTMENTS FELLOWS DECEASED FELLOWS’ GOLF 2006 It is with much regret that we record The RSE golf outing was held this year on Anton the deaths of the following Fellows: the 24th August at Auchterarder Golf Muscatelli FRSE Club. This is a short course, but has been Dr Robert Alexander CHALMERS beautifully integrated with the landscape announced as Dr Victor Collin FARMER and, in places, runs alongside the the the new Dr Alexander Reid HILL PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles. Principal of Dr Daniel MARTIN The weather was extremely kind, with Heriot-Watt Sir James (Woodham) MENTER little wind and blue skies. The Stewart University. He Professor Henry Gemmell MORGAN Cup was won by Sean McKee beating last will take over in Professor John Ross RAEBURN year’s winner, Wilson Sibbett, by a February 2007. Professor John Hunter WILLIAMSON single stableford point. Congratulations to: Wilson Poon, Professor of Condensed Matter Physics, University of Edinburgh and John Irvine, STAFF NEWS Professor of Inorganic Chemistry, Miss Koren Calder joined the Staff on University of St Andrews, who have Monday 23 October 2007 as Education both been awarded EPSRC Senior Outreach Officer as part of the Events Research Fellowships. Team.
FRSE WINS SCOTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
Anna Dominiczak, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Glasgow, who has been CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR named Scotswoman of the Year by The RSE Rooms will be readers of the Glasgow Evening Times closed from Friday 22 newspaper. December 2006, reopening on Wednesday 3 January 2007 RSE PRIZES TO BE AWARDED IN SESSION 2006 - 2007 Fellows are asked to note the following prizes which are to be awarded in session 06/07. Only Fellows of the Society can make nominations. Nomination forms can be downloaded from the RSE website or obtained from Anne Fraser, Research Awards Manager [email protected]:- The Royal Medals medal is awarded alternately, provided scientist. The next award is in the field Awarded annually to individuals who that a paper worthy of of Medical Sciences. have achieved distinction and are of recommendation has been received, for Closing date for nominations is 31 international repute in any of the a paper published in: January 2007. following categories: Life Sciences; 1) Proceedings A (Mathematics) or Henry Dryerre Prize Lectureship Physical and Engineering Sciences; 2) Transactions (Earth Sciences) Awarded quadrennially to a Humanities and Social Sciences; The next award is for a paper published distinguished scholar in the field of Business and Commerce. Candidates in Proceedings A. Medical Research. need not be RSE Fellows and should, Closing date for nominations is 31 Closing date for nominations is 31 preferably, have a Scottish connection January 2007. January 2007. irrespective of place of domicile. (a Alexander Ninian Bruce Prize James Scott Prize Lectureship separate nomination form is available Awarded quadrennially for meritorious Awarded quadrennially for a lecture on for this medal, closing date is Monday research in Medical or Veterinary the fundamental concepts of Natural 5 February 2007). Physiology, with preference given to a Philosophy. The Keith Medal person working in a Scottish Higher Closing date for nominations is 31 Awarded quadrennially for a paper on Education Institution. January 2007. a scientific subject presented in the Closing date for nominations is 31 (More information on RSE Medals, first instance to the Royal Society of January 2007. Prizes and Prize Lectureships can be Edinburgh, preference being given to Bruce Preller Prize Lectureship found on pages 45-50 of the RSE a paper containing a discovery. The Awarded biennially to an outstanding Directory 2006)
14 THE ANNUAL STATUTORY MEETING The ASM ending the 223rd Session was held on Monday 9 October 2006 at the RSE. ‘What is a National Academy?’ Following reports from the General Secretary, Treasurer and Fellowship Secretary, DISCUSSION SUPPER Officers and Council for the 224th Session were elected – see below. Professor Maxwell Irvine, Chairman of the Energy Inquiry Committee then gave a brief overview of the (Fellows only) Energy Report published in June 2006 and Professor Roger Crofts CBE, Inquiry on Thursday 15 February 2007 Secretary, outlined the key issues. A lively discussion ensued to which many of those present contributed. For the first time, this meeting was web-cast live and Fellows who cost £25 were unable to attend were able to comment or raise questions during the meeting by e.mail. The video can now be accessed from the video and interactive link at For further details and to reserve www.royalsoced.org.uk/video/index.htm.. places contact: [email protected]
RSE COUNCIL FROM 10 OCTOBER 2006
President Sir Michael Atiyah OM LEGACIES Vice-Presidents Professor Jan McDonald Professor John Mavor This form of giving makes an extremely Lord Patel of Dunkeld valuable contribution to the resources General Secretary Professor Gavin McCrone CB available to registered charities, as well as Treasurer Mr Edward Cunningham CBE having tax benefits for the donor’s estate. Fellowship Secretary Professor Andrew Walker Any Fellow interested in discussing, in Councillors Professor Sue Black OBE confidence, how a legacy might Professor Rona MacKie CBE contribute further to the life of the Society Professor April McMahon and its public-benefit activities, is invited Ms Shonaig Macpherson CBE to contact the Chief Executive, Dr William Professor Christopher Whatley Duncan, [email protected] or RSE Treasurer, Edward Cunningham, [email protected]
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX OF FORMER FELLOWS
As those present at the Annual This index is available on the RSE Statutory Meeting will have heard, Dr website, and printed copies have been Charles Waterston (RSE General deposited with leading academic and Secretary 1986-91) produced a reference libraries. detailed biographical index of former This monumental publication of over Fellows covering the period since the 1000 pages is the culmination of Society began in 1783 until 2002. several years dedicated research and investigation by Dr Waterston, aided by Mr Angus Shearer who devoted a considerable amount of time to the project. The Society is most grateful to them both for creating an invaluable reference source about the Fellowship. Dr Joseph Parker 1871-1940 Their work built upon that of Professor Neil Campbell, who had produced To ensure this Index can be kept up to information on the first hundred years date, the Society hopes that Fellows will of the Fellowship, but the current index provide biographical information includes additional personal consistent with the data fields in the Dr George McVittie1904-1988 information not collected by Professor Index and we will be contacting all Campbell in his earlier compilation. Fellows later to clarify this.
15 The Vikings and Scotland
Run jointly with The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, this successful conference encompassed a wide and diverse range of disciplines and brought together all the varied aspects of the Viking impact on Scotland: the history, the archaeology, the place-names and the literary and linguistic evidence. Held in September at the Royal Museum, Edinburgh, The Vikings and Scotland: Impact and Influence included the latest contribution to the field of early population history in the form of new genetic studies, an aspect which is going to have a very important role indeed in future consideration of the impact of the Scandinavian invaders on Scotland. The Opening Evening Lecture by Magnus Magnusson summed up the dilemma of uncertainty which has racked the world of Viking studies in the past decades: ‘Saints or sinners? Heroes or villains? Settlers or invaders? Raiders or traders? Pillagers or poets?’ As he remarked, perhaps indeed they were all of these things. The Society thanks the Organising Committee and in particular Dr Barbara Crawford for creating such an excellent event.
Photographs by Gary Doak COPY ADDRESS INFORMATION Please send any copy to Jenny Liddell at 22-26 GEORGE STREET website: www.royalsoced.org.uk the Society - EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND www.rsescotlandfoundation.org.uk [email protected] EH2 2PQ e-mail: [email protected] Any opinions expressed in this ReSourcE : ISSN No 1473-7841 newsletter are not necessarily those of Tel: 0131 240 5000 replaces RSE News all RSE Fellows Fax: 0131 240 5024