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THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH ISSUE 12 • AUTUMN 2005
RESOURCE THE NEWSLETTER OF SCOTLAND’S NATIONAL ACADEMY
Partnership of RSE & Parliament to Attract, Retain & Recognise Scotland’s Research Talent Leading scientists and other key decision- makers met in The Scottish Parliament on September 2 to discuss how Scotland can best attract, retain & recognise Scotland’s research talent. The Presiding Officer of The Scottish Parliament, The Rt Hon George Reid, MSP, opened the event which was held in the Parliament’s Chamber and organised in partnership with the Society and Scotland’s Futures Forum. Scotland’s Futures Forum has been set up by the Scottish Parliament with the aim of developing its capacity to think about the future. The discussion preceded the Society’s presentation of 42 Research & Enterprise Awards and Prizes which were announced by RSE Research Awards Convener, Professor David Saxon, OBE, FRSE. With the support of key public and private funding partners, these awards are worth over £1.7million and enable some of the brightest academics and potential entrepreneurs from home and abroad to undertake world-class research here in Scotland.
Photo. L-R Professor John Coggins with The Rt Hon George Reid. Copyright: The Scottish Parliamentary Body
Photo by Gary Doak Photos © Microsoft Photo by Gary Doak EU Research Commissioner at Science Meets Religion Energy Enquiry in the News RSE Scotland’s Research Talent
RSE Vice-President, Professor John Coggins, commented: Cormack Postgraduate Prize 2004 Our objective in holding this gathering alongside our Research Awards presentation is Dr Rejean Dupuis. Setting upper limits to seek ways of attracting top researchers to Scotland. We should also rise to the on the strength of periodic challenge of attracting top quality business ventures and enterprising people. This is gravitational waves from PSR what the Enterprise Fellowships are very much about. Scotland has made great J1939+2134 using the first science contributions over the centuries, but we must continue to do this and I think we have data from the GEO 600 and LIGO particular opportunities in the medical sciences, the physical sciences, in engineering detectors. Department of Physics and and we need to link all of these together. Astronomy, University of Glasgow Miss Christina Helen Walker. The Keynote speeches were delivered by: Dr Gary Crawley, the Science Foundation of Structure of Brown Dwarf Circumstellar Ireland; Mr Hugh Ilyine, Stem Cell Sciences Ltd; and Professor Peter Grant FREng, FRSE, Disks. School of Physics and FIEE, FIEEE, Member of The Scottish Science Advisory Committee (SSAC). Break-out Astronomy, University of St Andrews workshops then discussed specific questions. Lessells Travel Scholarship Closing proceedings in the Chamber, Mr Reid said Mr Sachi Arafat. Creating Novel I very much hope that we will have more events like this in conjunction with our Paradigms for Information Retrieval to Futures Forum where the Community engages with the politicians, and I can assure Rid It of Its Ad Hoc Nature. School of that everything that has been said tonight, when your report is done, will go out to Information & Management Sciences, our Committees, to our Members and to our Minister. University of California at Berkeley Mr Allan John Jardine. Combined A full report of the event’s findings will be available shortly from the Society in hard research of cooperative diversity copy and on its website. To register for a free copy of the report, please contact Stuart protocols with ETH, Zürich. Institut für Brown at the RSE: [email protected]. Tel: 0131 240 5000 Kommunikationstechnik, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology AWARDEES Mr Ravindran Manoharan. Novel The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) The following awards were made at the nonlinear dynamics method for NDT of is Scotland’s National Academy of Parliament reception on 2 September: ground anchorages. Research and Science & Letters. It is an independent Development Institution: MP body with charitable status. The Cormack Vacation Research Interconsulting Society organises conferences and Scholarship 2005 Mr Rafael Martin. Gas production lectures for the specialist and for the under aged-waste and field general public. It provides a forum for Mr Edward Bloomer. The Search for confirmation of radios of influence of informed debate on issues of national Burst Gravitational Waves from Pulsar and international importance. Its Glitches. Department of Physics and gas wells. School of the Built multidisciplinary fellowship of men Astronomy, University of Glasgow Environment, Napier University and women of international standing Miss Amy Cowan. Ultrafast Rotators as Dr Dimitri Mignard. Organo-metallic provides independent, expert advice a Signpost for Kinematic Associations Polymer Electrocatalysts for the to key decision-making bodies, Chemical Synthesis of Alcohols and including Government and in the Solar Neighbourhood. School of Hydrocarbons from CO2. Instituto di Parliament. Physics and Astronomy, University of St Chimica dei Composti OrganoMetallici The Society’s Research Awards Andrews (ICCOM), University of Florence programme annually awards well over Mr Charles Gentry. Alfven wave £1.7 million to exceptionally talented propagation near coronal magnetic null Ms Alexandra Price. Application of young academics and potential points. Division of Applied Neural Control Techniques to Wave entrepreneurs to promote commercial Mathematics, University of St. Andrews Energy Conversion. Laboratoire de exploitation of inventiveness and Mécanique des Fluides, Ecole Centrale Ms Katharine G. Johnston. A search for boost wealth-generation. de Nantes starlight reflected from tau Bootis b. Among its many public benefit School of Physics and Astronomy, activities, the RSE is active in classrooms from the Borders to the University of St Andrews Northern Isles, with a successful Miss Rachel Natalie McInnes. Magnetic programme of lectures and hands-on Pumping in Oscillating Solar Flare workshops for primary and secondary Loops. Department of Physics and school pupils. Astronomy, University of Glasgow The Royal Society of Edinburgh, Cormack Undergraduate Prize 2004 working as part of the UK and within a global context, is committed to the Mr Thomas Barber. The Age of future of Scotland’s social, economic Galaxies. Institute of Astronomy, Royal and cultural well-being. Observatory, University of Edinburgh
Ms Katharine G. Johnston. “A search for 2 starlight reflected from tau Bootis b. BP Personal Research Fellowship Royal Society of Edinburgh/Scottish Optoelectronics Dr Sarah Louise Hinchley. Enterprise Enterprise Fellowship Dr Gordon McAllister. Commercial Pose Determination of structures of unusual, Electronics Estimation and Tracking Software. unstable and reactive species. School Mr Mir Faheem. Digital Wireless Division of Applied Computing, of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) University of Dundee CRF/RSE Personal Research Measurement System. Department of Royal Society of Edinburgh/BBSRC Fellowships in the Biomedical Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Enterprise Fellowship Sciences University of Strathclyde Mr Riccardo Matjaz Bennett-Lovsey. Dr Tobias Bast. Hippocampal substrates Dr Ayse Goker. AmbieSense: an Development of a company for logic- relevant to episodic memory: infrastructure to provide personalised, based drug discovery. Faculty of Life differentiation and integration of context-sensitive information to mobile Sciences, Imperial College, London functions along the septo-temporal axis users. School of Computing, Robert Dr Mark Eccleston. Responsive of the hippocampus. Division of Gordon University Biopolymers for innovative diagnostic Neuroscience, University of Edinburgh Dr Sonia Schulenburg. Evolving and therapeutic delivery. Department Dr Carole Torsney. 5-HT2c receptor Artificial Traders for Successful Market of Chemical Engineering, University of regulation of AMPA receptor function Trading. Centre for Enterprise Cambridge as a basis for increased excitability of Management, University of Dundee Mr Ian Shadforth. GAPP: Transforming spinal cord dorsal horn neurones Dr Andrew Sherlock. PartBrowser. proteomic data into commercial during neuropathic pain. Moving from School of Engineering and Electronics, knowledge. Department of Analytical Columbia University, New York to University of Edinburgh Science and Informatics, Cranfield Centre for Neuroscience, University of Energy University Edinburgh Mr Tong Teh. Electrochemical Sensor Dr Martin Wickham. The IFR Model of Scottish Executive Personal Research Technology. School of Engineering and Human Digestion. The Model Gut Fellowship Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University Exploitation Platform, Institute of Food Dr Rosalind Allen. Rare events in non- Research Life Sciences equilibrium systems. School of Physics, Dr Richard McHugh Cannon. Improved University of Edinburgh Method of Male Fertility Testing. Dr Alan Kemp. Advanced Disk Lasers: A Department of Aerospace Engineering, New Horizon in Solid-State and University of Glasgow Semiconductor Laser Design. Institute Dr John B. March. Bacterial viruses for of Photonics, University of Strathclyde antiserum production services and Dr Keith Mathieson. A Retinal vaccine delivery. Department of Prosthesis for the Blind. Department of Bacteriology, Moredun Research Physics and Astronomy, University of Institute Glasgow Dr Margot McBride. A Computerised Scottish Executive Support Research Method of Positioning and Simulating Fellowship Patient Positioning for Diagnostic Dr Dominic Campopiano. Defensins – Radiography. School of Health & Social Mr Riccardo Bennett-Lovsey. The application structure and function of man’s natural Care, Glasgow Caledonian University of logic-based drug design. Illustration: Dr Suhail Islam antibiotics. School of Chemistry, Dr Congo Tak Shing Ching. University of Edinburgh Development of a portable/wearable Research Prize-Winners 2005 Dr Alison N. Hulme. Chemical Biology monitoring system for non-invasive Makdougall Brisbane Prize Approaches to Tagging and Imaging in monitoring of blood glucose levels for Dr James Wright. University of Biological Systems. School of diabetic patients. Bioengineering Unit, Edinburgh Chemistry, University of Edinburgh University of Strathclyde Dr Graham Kirby. Self-Managed Microelectronics W S Bruce Medal Reliable Location-Independent Mr Kenny Hough. Commercialisation Dr Michael Bentley. University of Distributed Storage. School of of Image Techniques Applied to CCTV Durham Computer Science, University of St. Footage. Department of Electronic and Neill Medal Andrews Electrical Engineering, University of Professor Mike Hansell. University of Strathclyde Glasgow Bruce Preller Prize Lectureship Professor Jason Reese. University of Strathclyde
3 Knowledge for Growth
PRIME MINISTER BLAIR PLEDGES SUPPORT TO ACHIEVE ADEQUATE EUROPEAN RESEARCH FUNDING During the morning session, which was chaired by the RSE’s International Convener, Professor Rona MacKie CBE, FRSE, the following presentations were made to the Commissioner, each of which was followed by discussion: Science Matters: making the right connections for Scotland by Professor Wilson Sibbett CBE, FRS, FRSE, Chairman of the Scottish Science Advisory Committee and Bishop Wardlaw Professor of Physics and Director of Research, University of St Commissioner Potocnik. Photo: Gary Doak. Andrews. Strengths and weaknesses of EU funding for Life Sciences in the On May 31, at the instigation of the needs if it is to compete with the USA, University of Dundee by Professor Peter RSE’s International Committee, the new China and India”. Mr Blair went on to Downes OBE, FRSE, Department of European Commissioner for Science pledge “As EU Presidency, we will work Biochemistry, University of Dundee. and Research, Janez Potocnik (above) hard over the next five and a half Innovation through the looking glass visited the Society. Discussions months to move towards agreement on by Dr Ian Underwood FRSE, Operations included the 7th Framework a budget for the next Framework Director, MicroEmissive Displays Ltd; Programme (FP7) which runs from 2007 Programme”. and winner in 2004 of The Gannochy to 2013 and for which budgetary The Society was delighted that, in what Trust Innovation Award of the Royal negotiations are ongoing. was Commissioner Potocnik’s first Society of Edinburgh (Scotland’s Immediately following the visit, Lord official visit to Scotland, he spent the highest accolade for individual Sutherland and President-elect Sir day at Society meeting leading figures achievement in innovation). Michael Atiyah wrote to Prime Minister in the science, business, and university After his visit to the RSE, Commissioner Tony Blair to express their serious communities and discussing the main Potoènik met leading Scottish concern about the cut to the research issues of high level research in politicians, including then Deputy First budget proposed by the Council of Scotland. Potocnik made a Minister and Minister for Enterprise Jim Ministers. The Prime Minister replied in presentation on: Creation of Wallace MSP. The Commissioner also encouraging terms, noting “I couldn’t Knowledge Economy and Society in visited the Scottish Parliament where he agree more on the importance of Scotland and Europe which was met the Presiding Officer George Reid Research and Development for building followed by a discussion chaired by Sir MSP and had informal discussions with the knowledge economy which Europe David Edward, KCMG, QC, FRSE, members of the European and External Chairman of the RSE’s European Forum. Relations and Enterprise and Culture committees.
Colin Imrie, Director of Eusolution.com Ltd, an Edinburgh based consultancy firm specialising in connecting Scotland to Europe and the wider world, was amongst the delegates at the Society and gives his impression of the meeting with Dr Potocnik:
The European Commissioner for Research and Innovation, Janez Potoènik from Commissioner Potocnik made this plea Slovenia, called on European Governments to turn words into hard commitments to when addressing a seminar organised support the commercialisation of research when discussing the future financing of the by the Royal Society of Edinburgh on European Union over the next few weeks. During a visit to Scotland on 30-31 May at the proposed new seventh framework the invitation of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, he said that the proposal of the programme. At this seminar Scottish Luxembourg Presidency to reduce the Commission’s proposed budget package for scientists and entrepreneurs drew research and innovation by 29%, while only making cuts in the common agricultural attention to the way in which the policy of less than 5%, did not reflect the stated commitment of European Ministers Scottish science base has reorganized to place priority on developing the knowledge economy to allow Europe to face up to itself in recent years. Partnerships have the competition it was facing from other parts of the world, notably Asia (the been formed between institutions to “Lisbon”agenda”). At a time when people were questioning the purpose of Europe it develop critical mass in research effort was important to demonstrate consistency between words and deeds, he said. and to develop synergies between
4 different disciplines. International autonomous from the Commission to framework programme. He had networks were being formed between oversee quality and excellence established a committee of 17 small Scottish scientists and those in Europe throughout the European research and medium level participants to advise and America. Resources were being area; a doubling of the funding him on what was required to simplify focused on centres of excellence where available for promoting contacts by the systems and that committee was Scotland could compete - and lead the young scientists through the Marie making substantial progress. It would way - at the world level. Centres such as Curie programme; and a similar also be important to break down the Dundee University School of Life doubling of funding for promoting barriers to the participation of small Sciences are now world leaders and links between research and industry and new applicants and young make a significant contribution to the and to allow SMEs to participate in researchers and to focus on quality. Like local economy through research programmes. all EU programmes (and national commercialisation and spin-off Scottish speakers welcomed these programmes for that matter he noted) activities - current estimates are that life moves, but drew attention to a number we could not expect radical changes sciences now constitute some 16% of of barriers which mitigated against overnight, but progress was very much the economy of Tayside. The maximising effective use of EU research in the right direction. “I am most Intermediate Technology Institutes had funding by the most progressive impressed by what is being done in been set up by Scottish Enterprise to institutions. Professor Peter Downes Scotland on the ground. We need to promote market-based from Dundee Life Sciences noted that learn to trust scientists more to choose commercialisation of research. And European funding only constituted 3% their priorities and to facilitate action to there have been some real successes in of his faculty’s research funding and develop knowledge” he said. commercial spin-off. Dr Ian that it was difficult for institutions to The Commissioner added that the Underwood, Director of Strategic break into established networks of research and innovation programme, Marketing of Micro emissive Displays of existing applicants. The process could although important, was only one Edinburgh, told the audience how his be slow and bureaucratic, networks element of the Commission’s overall company had developed from university tended to be too large and not approach to promote the research into groundbreaking conducive to the sharing of ground commercialisation of research. He knew technology for display units for video breaking discoveries and the that a key target is Scotland was to and still digital cameras and night programme did little to engage with increase its share of private sector sights which was now being marketed young researchers. A further barrier was investment in research and in the US and to Asian manufacturers. that UK institutions were moving development for the current low level Commissioner Potocnik told the towards full cost recovery for research of 0.6% of GDP to a level more in line seminar of the Commission’s plans for work but the EU system did not with the UK average of 1.6% and the seventh framework programme and recongise this approach. Ian towards the EU-wide target of 3%. It its wish to use the programme to Underwood, who led a EU-wide project was therefore important to promote develop a EU-wide research area which on micro display, was concerned that measures to increase the availability of would focus on adding value to SMEs could only get into the funding risk capital and allow public sector national and regional efforts and allow stream on the coat tails of larger players partnerships to develop to lever in more Europe to compete as a knowledge and that little if any attention was paid private research money. With this in economy in the 21st century. EU to SME views in the decision making mind Nelly Kroes, his fellow funding accounted for some 5% of process. Commissioner for Competition, would public funding for research and The Commissioner responded to these be launching very shortly a reform innovation in the EU as a whole. Key views by stressing his commitment to programme for state aids which would innovations for the new programme simplification of the application and seek to establish a more permissive would include the setting up of a decision-making processes and environment across the EU for public- European Research Council financial systems for the new private research partnerships.
THE SCOTTISH INDUSTRIAL R&D BASE The Scottish Science Advisory Committee is holding a workshop at the RSE on 28th November 2005 to explore and consider the strengths of the industrial R&D base in Scotland, (i.e. located outwith universities and research institutes), and to make recommendations on how R&D in industry might be best supported by the science base. The specific aims of the workshop are: § To examine how we can improve university-industry interactions in Scotland; § To examine how government (Scottish, UK and EU) R&D support can be best focused to benefit the industrial base in Scotland; and § To examine how the science base can assist Scottish industry to grow its overall value and enhance economic development in Scotland. For further information please contact Dr Avril Davidson. [email protected] 5 International ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC SCIENCE SCOTLAND During a visit to Edinburgh, which coincided with the visit of the European Created by the Society, in partnership Commissioner for Research, Professor Rona MacKie met with Professor Jan Palouš, with the Scottish Executive, British Head of the International Council for International Affairs, Academy of Sciences of the Council Scotland and Scottish Czech Republic and Mr Andrzej Magala (International Department Programme Officer Development International, this responsible for UK). During the visit a bilateral Agreement was signed to allow for publication features the best of science joint activities and an exchange programme. and technology in Scotland with the objective being to raise awareness Applications to this exchange programme are now open and should be submitted by amongst an international audience, the closing date for applications, 21 November 2005 – please see the website for using global networks of partner further details and an application pack: www.royalsoced.org.uk. As in the other organisations. bilateral programmes, the RSE will pay international travel costs and UK travel (public transport or equivalent) and the Czech Academy will pay the subsistence of researchers Issue 4 was published in spring 2005 visiting the Czech Republic. The costs are reversed for Czech researchers being hosted on the theme of understanding the in Scotland. Visits can be up to 4 weeks’ duration and applicants should have post- genome. Issue 5 is currently in doctoral status and be based at a Scottish research institution. production and will feature energy. Between issues the website is updated with new research stories as they appear. If your research group has a project of international standing to report, please send a brief summary to Stuart Brown, using the following email address: [email protected] . To receive copy of Science Scotland, register on the dedicated website www.sciencescotland.org indicating the appropriate format for receipt. Alternatively contact Stuart Brown at the RSE, ([email protected]).
Professor Rona MacKie with Professor Jan Palouš [Photo. Gary Doak] RELATIONS WITH NATIONAL ACADEMIES EVENTS The RSE is currently in negotiation with several Academies about the possibility 10-12 October. Hi-Tech Forum with the National Science Council of Taiwan. of signing memoranda of The Forum will comprise a Life Sciences Meeting, in partnership with the University of understanding. If any Fellows have Edinburgh, on 10 and 11 October at Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, links with Academies overseas, the Edinburgh EH16 4SB, and on 12 October, a Micronanotechnology workshop at the international team would be keen to RSE. hear from you. In particular, please let us know of any relations with Norway, These events are being organised to foster further collaborations between research China (National Natural Science groups in Taiwan and Scotland. For further information and registration, please Foundation), Hungary, Slovenia, contact Frances Fowler, International Relations Manager. Slovakia, Cuba and India. The RSE is 18 November. New Approaches to Drug Delivery, with the Academy of Sciences of also keen to engage with the research the Czech Republic at the University of Strathclyde. community in Africa. If you have any links or ideas on how the RSE can use This event is being organised to encourage collaborations between research groups in its limited resources effectively in these the Czech Republic and Scotland and to launch the exchange programme. For further countries, please contact: Frances information and registration, please contact Frances Fowler Fowler, ([email protected]) ([email protected])
6 INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMME RSE CHINA FORUM The International Exchange Programme provides opportunities for researchers from Through the RSE China Forum, several Scotland to further collaboration with overseas colleagues on a short visit of up to 4 links with China have so far emerged weeks, and also for Scottish researchers to invite foreign colleagues to visit Scotland. within the Fellowship. The China Follow-up trips may be possible depending on the outcomes of the first visit made. Forum hopes to organise an event to Further details on eligibility and application forms can be found on the Society’s promote the links between the Chinese website: www.royalsoced.org.uk. Completed applications (including supporting and Scottish research communities, documentation) must be submitted before the appropriate closing dates. (The final with particular emphasis on Chinese closing date in 2005, for applications under the bilateral agreements, will be 21 post-graduate and post-doctoral November, thereafter, 31 January, 30 April, 31 July and 31 October annually.) You researchers based at Scottish should allow at least 2 months after the closing date before travel. Please note that institutions. Please let the international these International Exchange Programmes are open to all post-doctoral team know of any relevant contacts : researchers in Scotland and not restricted to RSE Fellows. ([email protected]). Successful applicants who have returned from or hosted visits under the Exchange Programme include: Dr Wolfgang Bertola, University of Edinburgh, who visited institutions in Italy and successfully carried out experiments on the effect of additives on waterjet RSE EUROPEAN POLICY manufacturing technology. The visits allowed Dr Bertola to present his recent research on complex fluids, carry out discussions with colleagues, and prepare proposals for FORUM new collaborations, including an application for a joint research grant. Language Teaching and Researcher Professor Raj Bhopal CBE, University of Edinburgh, who worked with Dr Michael Mobility. Morrissey from the University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia to establish the basis of The RSE European Policy Forum would future research networks between Scotland and Australia in the area of Public Health, like to explore the issues relating to particularly pertaining to the causes, course and inter-relationships of the major language teaching in Scottish schools chronic diseases. The visit allowed planning for the first stage in this work, comparing and how these affect mobility of ethnic population groups in the two countries, to take place. The next stage will be Scottish students/graduates within the development of funding applications to conduct broad-based international Europe later in their lives. Planning for comparative studies of chronic disease patterns in ethnic minority populations. this event is at an early stage, so if you, Dr Mark Newman, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, who hosted Dr Bouakhaykhone or one of your colleagues, have Svengsuksa, Dean of the Faculty of Science, National University of Lao PDR. This was particular expertise in this area and you the first visit to the UK by staff from that institution. The main purpose was to engage are willing to contribute to this event in direct research collaboration with colleagues at the RBGE and to explore potential please contact Frances Fowler or Jean collaborative links with other Scottish institutions. At RBGE significant progress was Finlayson. made on specific research outputs as part of a Darwin Initiative project Taxonomic ([email protected]) Training in a Neglected Biodiversity Hotspot in Lao PDR. During her visit, Dr Bouakhaykhone made contact with researchers at the Universities of St Andrews and Aberdeen. Dr Carol Trager-Cowan, University of Strathclyde worked with Dr Aimo Winkelmann of the Max Planck Institute for Microstructure Physics, Halle, Germany, on the application of his many-beamed dynamical simulations to the simulation of electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) patterns acquired from GaN (Gallium nitride) in the NEW INTERNATIONAL scanning electron microscope. RELATIONS MANAGER Frances Fowler joined the RSE on 1 August 2005, replacing Michael White, who had been seconded part-time to the RSE from the British Council for the last 3 years. Michael will resume his full-time British Council career when he joins the Manchester office as Life Sciences Adviser later this year. We thank him for the time and effort he has made in helping to promote the Royal Society of Edinburgh in the international arena and wish him well for the future.
Image supplied by Dr Trager-Cowan, courtesy of Steve Hosey. An illustration of LED lighting - Glasgow weir illustrated with blue LEDs. 7 [email protected]
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. OCTOBER 2005
Monday 3 October at 5.30pm Monday 31 October at 5.30pm **LECTURE CLIFFORD PATERSON LECTURE Who You Are or Where You Are? Social and Spatial Patterning of Health Optical Science in the Fast Lane Professor Sally J Macintyre OBE PhD FMedSci FRSE, Director, MRC Social and Public Professor Wilson Sibbett CBE FRS FRSE, Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow Chair of the Scottish Science Advisory In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries public health activities were directed Committee (SSAC) and Chief Adviser on towards damaging aspects of the physical environment (polluted air and water, Science to the Scottish Executive unsanitary housing etc). From the mid twentieth century, with the increasing importance of chronic diseases, more public health attention was given to individuals’ behaviours and lifestyles, and more recently to aspects of the social environment such as social capital. This lecture will discuss how individual and environmental factors, and interactions between them, might influence patterns of population health.
Monday 17 October at 5.30pm. The Royal Museum, Edinburgh Wednesday 19 October at 6.15pm. The Bute Hall, University of Glasgow. CALEDONIAN RESEARCH FOUNDATION PRIZE LECTURE Once There was a Golden Age. How We Judge Television: Then and Now Joan Bakewell CBE
It is easily said nowadays that “television has dumbed down.” The sentiment is one Image courtesy of Run Deep Ltd of regret and nostalgia for a so-called Some lasers produce optical impulses golden age. But how golden was it? Joan that last just a few billionths of a Bakewell’s career spanned those golden microsecond. They allow us to watch decades, and she examines what simple molecules disintegrate into television was really like then, and why constituent atoms or take snapshots of and how our perceptions of television’s light travelling through biological tissue. value have shifted. Her message is one of Such lasers can also micro-machine hope mixed with regret. materials such as titanium for use as clinical implants, or reshape human Register online for the Edinburgh Event. tissue for corrective surgery, e.g. in the To register for the Glasgow Lecture (19 eye. Wilson Sibbett will introduce some October) contact Mrs Eileen Reynolds of the concepts that have enabled the ([email protected]), University development of practical ultrafast lasers, of Glasgow. Tel : 0141 330 4994 together with a range of applications Image courtesy of Knight Ayton Manage- that range from basic chemistry to ment weapons decommissioning. NOVEMBER 2005 Supported by The Royal Society Monday 7 November at 5.30pm Wednesday 16 November - Full ENVIRONMENTAL CHOICES LECTURE Day Composite Individuality : A Gaian View CONFERENCE Dr Lynn Margulis, University of Massachusetts Creation of Wealth Animals, plants and other life forms visible to the unaided eye are composites; they For the last ten years growth in the evolved as communities of bacteria that integrated to become individuals. Scottish economy has continued to fall Independence of any “individual” from the rest of the biosphere is equivalent to its below the rate for the UK as a whole. death. From the Gaian viewpoint, where the Earth’s reactive atmosphere and surface Manufactured exports are down and new sediments are regulated by the activities of over 30 million different life forms, the business start ups remain among the environment is the body. We are entirely dispensable to planet Earth. We are destined, lowest of UK regions. What can be done even if we modify our behaviour, to the fate common to other “plague mammals”: to remedy this situation and create a extinction. Supported by Scottish Natural Heritage. vibrant and successful Scottish economy for the future? Supported by Bank of Scotland 8 DECEMBER 2005 JANUARY 2006 Thursday 1 December at Monday 23 January at 6.00pm 6.00pm DISCUSSION FORUM DISCUSSION FORUM Science Meets Religion Earth, Wind, Fire and Water: Professor Simon Conway Morris FRS Tsunami Professor of Evolutionary Palaeobiology, The Boxing Day Tsunami and Hurricane Cambridge University and Professor Katrina highlighted the increasing Wentzel van Huysteen , James I McCord vulnerability of people across the World, Professor of Theology and Science, to the impact of natural disasters. In the Princeton Theological Seminary, USA Tsunami, more than 50 countries suffered Can either contemporary science or the deaths of their nationals, some theology wholly tell us about our place in 300,000 in total, with economic losses the universe or do we need a more multi- measured in billions. But much of the disciplinary approach to the subject of science and technology required to human uniqueness? The recent discovery mitigate the impacts already exists. For the of fossils in Indonesia suggesting the Developing World (most risk) the solution past existence of another species of lies in the integration of hard science with humans adds urgency and interest to the the social sciences, relying on NGO topic. The RSE is delighted to bring two experience to ensure its take-up locally. very distinguished academics from the The forum provides opportunities to UK and USA, who will discuss this topic explore the integration process across and invite public discussion on their disaster scenarios. point of view. Photographs courtesy of the Edinburgh Tsunami Taskforce and Shirine Bakhat, Mercy Corps Monday 19 December at 6.00pm EDINBURGH LECTURE FEBRUARY 2006 Inside Surgery from Without: Therapeutic Interventions from Images Sir Alfred Cuschieri FRSE, Director, Institute of Medical Science and Technology, Universities of Dundee and St Andrews, Professor of Surgery, Scuola Superiore Di Studi Monday 6 February at 5.30pm Universitari E Di Perfezionamento S. Anna, Pisa **THE GANNOCHY TRUST INNOVATION World-leading pioneer of keyhole surgery, AWARD PRIZE LECTURE Sir Alfred Cuschieri, will describe a new Mr John Harrison, Development Director, approach designed to reduce trauma and Surfactant Technologies Ltd (STL) consequently aid convalescence in John will give an overview into the surgical patients. He will consider the development of new materials evolution of the technology that enabled technology in Scotland and its successful even major operations for cancer to be global commercialisation. He will outline carried out non-invasively, and will the innovation (MicroEmulsions highlight the problems inherent to the Technology), its unique set of new minimal access surgery (MAS). Sir capabilities, and the benefits of its use in Alfred will also examine computer industrial cleaning applications. Discover enhanced MAS and discuss the prospects how the technology is setting new for minimal access therapy (MAT) - a standards in both oil and gas, and inks holistic approach embracing surgery, and printing sector applications radiology and flexible endoscopy. worldwide, and how it could impact job creation and global export markets. John Tickets are available from the Usher Hall with a £3.00 per ticket administrative fee. Tel: will also cover how the Gannochy Award 0131 228 1155. NB - Venue for lecture is RSE. Refreshments will be provided after the is helping the certification and lecture. In association with the Edinburgh Lectures Partnership manufacturing of these products in Scotland and what this achievement could mean for the Scottish economy. The RSE organises a wide range of events each year including conferences, lectures and discussion forums. The Society’s independence and the breadth of its Fellowship combine to enable us to provide these important neutral forums and engage in well- informed debates on topics concerning the well-being of Scotland and beyond. Whether it is science, the arts, business, law, health or fitness, we want to offer something for everyone.
** These Lectures form part of RSE Ordinary Meetings and may be preceded by Society Business, such as new Fellows signing the Roll, etc. 9 Free, fully-organised educational activities for young Young People people throughout Scotland Summer School RSE Roadshow Supported by City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, West Lothian and Midlothian Councils The RSE Roadshow will be visiting Stranraer on 27-28 October for a This year the RSE repeated its successful partnership with Heriot-Watt University, to physics-themed event as part of give S5 and S6 students from the City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, West Lothian and Einstein Year™. Primary and secondary Midlothian a taste of university life and the careers and courses open to them in the students (and the general public) will future. get to learn more about physics, from During two week-long non-residential Summer Schools, students took part in Science, black holes to low temperature physics, Engineering and Technology (SET) workshops introducing a variety of disciplines in a selection of talks and hands-on including Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry and Economics. This was workshops. complemented by a series of activities designed to introduce and improve core skills Professor Alan Heavens, of the and provide information on university life, from note-taking and student finance to University of Edinburgh, will be the student union. Each week also included a social evening for all who took part, introducing secondary school students comprising a quiz and a ghostly tour of the South Bridge vaults in Edinburgh. to astronomy in his talk The Big Bang Students commented that the Summer School was “very useful to get an idea of the and the Little Echo. Meanwhile, a team various scientific career paths”, “excellent, enjoyable and educational”, “a great way led by Dr Mo Taghizadeh of Heriot-Watt to meet new people and find out about university life” and “a good opportunity for University will be encouraging local development which is also fun”. primary and secondary students to look at physics in a variety of different lights and get them working together in Cool Physics workshops. In a workshop entitled Serpents and Synthesisers: the physics of musical instruments, Professor Murray Campbell of the University of Edinburgh will explore the physics of music with local primary students. Professor Campbell will also be running an evening workshop Science Meets Music which will provide a lively introduction for the general public to Talk Science School Lectures the science behind many familiar instruments such as the violin, trumpet This autumn ‘Talk Science’ speakers will be visiting schools throughout Scotland to and guitar. talk about a variety of topics, including: For more information please contact 13 October Chemistry, Colour and Magic by Dr Greig Chisholm. Lochgelly the Education team, High School, Fife. [email protected]. 15 & 16 October From Serpents to Synthesisers: the physics of musical Supported by The Institute of Physics instruments, by Professor Murray Campbell. Aberdeenshire, as part of Techfest 2005. 27 October Throwing Light on the Human Genome, Professor Wendy Bickmore FRSE. Firrhill High School. 27 October Drugs from Bugs, Dr Andrew Mearns Spragg. Drummond Community High School, Edinburgh. 6 December Death, Drugs and Dynamite! by Professor Allan Jamieson. Brechin High School, Angus. 20 & 21 December Who Are You? by Professor Sue Black OBE FRSE and DNA Profiling: its use in famous cases by Dr Adrian Linacre. James EINSTEIN and other marks™ Hebrew Watt College, Kilwinning Campus, North Ayrshire and University of Jerusalem, Represented by The Greenock Campus, Inverclyde. Roger Richman Agency, Inc., www.albert- einstein.net. If you or your colleagues have a lively talk or workshop that would be of interest to school children, or for further information, please contact the Education Team, [email protected].
10 Climate Change: the greatest problem facing Scotland and the Startup Science Masterclasses world? Saturday morning science masterclasses Supported by the Darwin Trust of Edinburgh and The University of St Andrews for S1/S2 students. These imaginative This year’s annual Discussion Forum for young people was held at St Andrews events enable students to investigate a University. This consensus-style conference gave S5 and S6 students from Fife and variety of topics through hands-on, fun Dundee the chance to engage in dialogue with climate change experts and develop activities. For further information, informed opinions on this complex debate. Experts in the field introduced the issues contact [email protected] and sparked some thoughtful discussions on climate change, its impact upon University of Dundee Scotland and the rest of the world, and possible solutions. 5 November Welcome to the After an introduction from Professor Maggie Gill FRSE of the Macaulay Land Use Rainforest and Plants for Research Institute, the students heard from Dr Simon Allen of the University of People. Dr Neil Edinburgh, who discussed Climate Change – is it really happening and how will it Patterson and Dr Alistair affect us? Ms Morag Watson of WWF Scotland then introduced the politics of climate Hood change in All Talk and No Action: the strange world of climate change politics, and 19 November Having the Heart to Get finally Dr David Reay of the University of Edinburgh highlighted the effect every a Grip. Dr Sandy Harper individual has upon climate change in Climate Change Begins At Home. 3 December DNA Detectives. Dr The Forum was then split into workshops to debate the ethical, political and economic Hilary-Kay Young considerations which impact upon possible solutions to the problems of climate 10 December Christmas Special. change. Professor Cheryll Tickle At the end of the day a straw poll was held to gather the students’ opinions: University of Glasgow · 100% agreed that climate change is a threat 5 November How to be a Bridge · 85% felt air travel should be taxed or even limited to reduce its environmental Builder impact 12 November How to be a Rocket · 90% felt that developed countries should accept the biggest share of the Scientist reduction in global greenhouse emissions 19 November How to be an Astronaut · 25% felt that a government that introduced policies which made drastic changes 26 November How to be an to the lifestyles of the public would be voted out of office. Astrophysicist . 65% of students present felt that governments should go ahead with these Heriot-Watt University changes anyway 29 October Toast in Motion. Bob · 100% said they would be willing to make changes to their lifestyle to reduce Tuttle emissions and reduce the risk for others. However, despite being willing to make 5 November Chemical Cluedo. Dr lifestyle changes themselves, the students felt that the general public would not John Parker want to make those changes. 12 November DNA Extraction Using Proposals made by the students who took part will be compiled into a report, which Kitchen Chemistry. Dr will be published by the RSE and presented to key decision-makers. Peter Morris 19 November The Mystery of Magnetism. Dr Peter Barker University of St Andrews 22 October Bagpipes and Electrons. Dr Bruce Sinclair 29 October CSI St Andrews: DNA Climate Change – The Young People of Scotland Decide. Fingerprinting. Dr Lorna Sibbett This year we will be expanding our successful Discussion Forum event to enable young 5 November Chemical Cluedo: A people from throughout Scotland to contribute to the debate. A CD-Rom, including Murder Mystery. Dr information and recordings from the event, resources for students and teachers and Chris Baddeley questions for debate in the classroom will be sent to schools throughout Scotland. Students will be invited to send a summary of their proposals to the RSE. The results 12 November It’s a Wonderful Life: will be compiled into a follow-up report which will be widely distributed. Fossils and their Stories. Stuart Allison For more information, or to register your interest in receiving the report, please University of Aberdeen contact the Education team, [email protected]. Programme to be confirmed.
11 Fellows’ Notice Board
FRONTIERS OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE WORLD HERITAGE SITES Nearly 2,000 years ago, Scotland stood on the very north-west frontier of the Roman The concept of World Heritage Sites is empire. That frontier, the Antonine Wall, is one of only three surviving artificial at the core of the World Heritage boundaries to the Roman empire in Europe: the others are Hadrian’s Wall and the Convention, adopted by UNESCO in German limes. Hadrian’s Wall was ascribed as a World Heritage Site in 1987. In July 1972, to which 178 nations belong 2005 the German frontier was added to the list of World Heritage Sites. Recently and through which UNESCO seeks to Scottish Ministers announced that they would be nominating the Antonine Wall as a encourage the identification, protection World Heritage Site. The intention is to submit the nomination in January 2007: a and preservation of the cultural and decision is expected in July 2008. natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value In the meantime, the European Community, through the Culture 2000 programme, to humanity. has awarded a grant of 810,000 euros to a consortium of six countries headed by Historic Scotland to undertake work in relation to the Frontiers of the Roman Empire The Convention required the in Europe. establishment of the World Heritage List, under the management of an inter- The project is worth a total of 1.35m euros and encompasses four main activities: the governmental World Heritage creation of a web-site and the linking of national archaeological data bases on Roman Committee as a means of recognising frontiers; the mounting of a series of exhibitions; the preparation of guide-lines on that some places, both natural and the conservation, management and presentation of Roman military installations; and a cultural, are of sufficient importance to variety of smaller projects under the general heading of documentation intended to be the responsibility of the bring together existing knowledge and undertake research to fill in at least some of international community as a whole. As the gaps. a member of the Convention, States The first fruit of this new collaboration is the publication of a booklet, Frontiers of the Parties are pledged to care for their Roman Empire, available free of charge from Professor David Breeze. World Heritage sites as part of ([email protected]). protecting their national heritage. Written in German, French and Arabic as well as English, it emphases the Nominations for inscription on the cosmopolitan nature of our Roman inheritance as well as clearly setting down the World Heritage List are made by the challenges for those involved in the project. appropriate States Parties and are subject to rigorous evaluation by expert Article contributed by Professor David Breeze, FRSE advisers to the World Heritage Committee, International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) for “We have already lost a third of the 37-mile length of the wall to modern cultural sites and/or the World developments and that means it is very much more important to save what Conservation Union (IUCN) for natural is left” Professor David Breeze, FRSE, Historic Scotland sites. Decisions on the selection of new World Heritage Sites are taken by the World Heritage Committee at its annual summer meetings. Inclusion in the World Heritage List is essentially honorific and leaves the existing rights and obligations of owners, occupiers and planning authorities unaffected. A prerequisite for World Heritage Site status is, nevertheless, the existence of effective legal protection and the establishment or firm prospect of management plans agreed with site owners to ensure each site’s conservation and presentation.
The Antonine Wall at Rough Castle, Bonnybridge. Copyright Historic Scotland
12 RSE FELLOW DIES ON EVEREST I-Ex Technology. Dr Milne was as many species of Primula as possible. experimenting with the I-Ex There are more than 400 altogether, so technologies developed by Prof. Austin finding specimens is quite a task. Tate’s team at the University of These beautiful plants are widely Edinburgh. I-Ex uses the I-X/IM-PACs grown, but all too often seeds that technology which is being packaged for have been incorrectly named are productive use in a project supported circulated. As many species come from by the Scottish Enterprise Proof of the Himalaya, Dr Milne was collecting Concept Fund. He was attempting to samples of seeds that have remained test basic communications and on the plants over the winter and reporting functionalities, with web-site confirming their identities by and blogging support provided at photographing the flowering plants or Edinburgh, and gain general experience collecting dried specimens. of the practicalities of using computer Metabolic Rate Measurement. For support of this type in extreme Prof. John Speakman of the University environments. of Aberdeen, Dr Milne was trying an Primula Specimen Collection. While experiment to measure metabolic rates Image Courtesy of University of Edinburgh on his way to Base Camp, Dr Milne was by drinking an isotope-laced liquid and RSE Fellow, Dr Rob Milne died on Mt. helping to collect material for a seeing how quickly it flushed out of his Everest on 5th June of a sudden heart research project. Prof. David Rankin, body. Elements of these are described attack. Dr Milne was at 8450m en route from Edinburgh University, and Pam on Dr Milne’s web log, ( http:// to the summit of Everest, which would Eveleigh from Calgary in Canada, are www.aiai.ed.ac.uk/project/everest/blog/ have been the seventh of the highest planning to record microscope and weblog.pl) peaks on each of the seven continents electron microscope images of seeds of that he had climbed. While walking into base camp and climbing Mount Everest, Dr Milne was conducting three experiments for other Fellows of the Society:
SCOTTISH RAILWAY PIONEER COMMEMORATED The Scottish Railway pioneer, John Miller who was a Fellow of the RSE for forty two years has been commemorated on the bicentenary of his birth, July 26 2005. RSE Fellow, Professor Roland Paxton was the driving force behind a tribute recognising that Miller engineered most of Scotland’s early main lines, including the first cross-border one and the Edinburgh to Glasgow line for which Haymarket was the capital’s terminus. A plaque presented by the Institution of Civil Engineers was unveiled by Sarah Boyack, MSP at Haymarket Station on the two hundredth anniversary of Miller’s birth. The following day The Scottish Parliament congratulated Professor Paxton on “his efforts to secure the recognition Miller deserves as one of the outstanding British railway Professor Paxton and Sarah Boyack unveil the plaque at Haymarket Station. Photo Chris engineers” Dixon LBIPP
13 Fellows’ Notice Board
FELLOWS DECEASED APPOINTMENTS, AWARDS, CITATIONS It is with much regret that we record Alan Alexander has been reappointed as Chair of Scottish Water for a three year the deaths of the following Fellows : period from 1 April 2005. Sir Ivor (Ralph Campbell) BATCHELOR Peter Boyle is the new Director of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (in Admiral Sir Lindsay Sutherland BRYSON Lyon). Mr William Murray CORMIE Philip S. Corbet has been awarded the DSc Degree by the University of Dundee. Professor David DAICHES John McClelland has been appointed head of the Scottish Further and Higher Professor Charles Arthur FEWSON Education Funding Council (SFHEFC). Other Fellows joining SFHEFC are: Peter Holmes, Rev Professor William Hugh Clifford Ian Ritchie, and Tariq Durrani. FREND John Mallard has been awarded the Freedom of the City of Aberdeen. He has also Professor Alexander Norman JEFFARES recently received the Gold Medal of the Royal College of Radiologists and the 2004 Mr George Scott JOHNSTONE Medal of the European Federation of Organisations of Medical Physics (EFOMP). Dr Jack St Clair KILBY Professor Lovat Rees has been appointed as a specially engaged Professor for life at Professor Saunders MacLANE the Liaoning University of Petroleum and Chemical Technology, Fushun, China. He has Professor John Drake MATTHEWS also been appointed to Chair and Organise the R.M. Barrer Memorial Symposium at Dr Robert William MILNE the next 15th International Zeolite Meeting in Beijing in 2007. Dr Bertram Desmond MISSELBROOK John Meurig Thomas is to receive the Sir George Stokes Gold Medal of the Analytical Dr Hubert Lloyd David PUGH Division of the Royal Society of Chemistry. He is also to be awarded honorary doctorates from the University of Sydney, Australia and Clarkson University, New York. Professor Joseph ROTBLAT Mr Richard Malcolm SILLITTO Fellows are asked to contact the MORNING COFFEE MEETINGS Fellowship Office, if they could be of Coffee is available in the Fellows’ Room on Tuesday mornings at 10.30. Once a month help in providing obituary material. from October to March this meeting takes the form of an informal discussion in the East Wellcome Room. The programme for the discussion meetings in the coming season is given below. These meetings are open to Fellows. BIRTHDAY HONOURS LIST 2005 Order of the British Empire 11 October 2005 A Mathematician Looks at Music Commander (CBE) Professor John M Howie. Adrian Bird 1 November 2005 The Delicate Interface between Scientists and Politicians David Fowler Dr Tam Dalyell Kenneth Reid 6 December 2005 Visual Art Provision Scotland; How Best can we Provide the Visual Officer (OBE) Arts in Scotland? David Saxon Sir Timothy Clifford 2006 10 January 2006 Reflections on Royal Society of Edinburgh Fellowship 1783-2003 Dr Charles D Waterston STAFF NEWS 7 February 2006 Parasitic Wasps: Does Taxonomy Matter and Where Should it be Vicki Ingpen, Journals and Archive Done? Officer since 1991, and Kevin Dr Mark Shaw Hammond a former RSE/Scottish 7 March 2006 The Royal Society of Edinburgh - Past and Present International Executive Personal Research Fellow Connections married in July 2005. Professor Rona MacKie William Hardie has joined the staff on a temporary basis to assist with the administration of the Energy Inquiry. FELLOWS’ GOLF CHALLENGE Gary Johnstone, Accounts Assistant left The 2005 Golf Challenge was held on 22 August over the Balcomie Links course at the Society during August and has Crail Golf Club, Fife. Scores were close for the top places and the Stewart Cup was been replaced by Clare Wright. won for the second time by Professor Wilson Sibbett.
14 SISTER ACADEMIES FELLOWS’ ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION RATES The following fellows were recently From 1 November 2005, Fellows’ Annual Subscription rates will rise to £150 full rate elected to the Royal Society of London: and £75 abated and overseas rates. Professor Laurence David Barron, Notices will be sent to Fellows during October. Fellows who wish to join the RSE’s Professor Deborah Charlesworth, Sir annual Direct Debit programme should contact the accounts office as soon as possible Thomas McKillop, Professor Peter ([email protected]). Sadler, Professor Harold Varmus , Professor Colin Watts. NEW FELLOWS’ INDUCTION DAY The following fellows were recently An Induction Day for New Fellows was elected to the British Academy: held for the first time on 2 May 2005. Fellows met Council and Executive Professor Robert C Craig, Professor Board Members for lunch where they David McCrone, Professor April were welcomed to the Society by RSE McMahon, Professor David Perrett. President, Lord Sutherland. Chairman of Trustees of the RSE Scotland CHARITIES & INVESTMENT Photo by Gary Doak Foundation, Professor Andy Walker (SCOTLAND) ACT provided New Fellows with an overview This Act was passed by the Scottish of the Society’s activities. Prior to the Parliament in June 2005 and will come ceremony of admission to Fellowship, into effect in 2006. There will be there was an opportunity to meet the consultation by the Office of the Society’s Staff and to find out the many Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) ways in which they might make a about the public benefit test which all valuable contribution to the life of the Scottish registered charities will have to Society. New Fellows offered positive pass, and Fellows will have the feedback following the event and the opportunity to contribute to the RSE’s Society plans to run a similar event for response. the new cohort in 2006. Professor Garry Taylor, University of St Andrews. Taylor, Garry Professor
RSE PRIZES TO BE AWARDED IN SESSION 2005-2006 Fellows are invited to note the following prizes which are to be awarded in session 05-06, and are encouraged to make nominations. Nomination forms can be downloaded from the RSE website or can be obtained from Anne Fraser, Research Awards Manager ([email protected]). The closing date for Royal Medal nominations is 13th March 2006, and for the CRF Prize Lecture, 18 November 2005. For all others the closing date is 30 November 2005.
The Royal Medals (Mathematics) or Transactions (Earth with no restriction on nationality. The Awarded annually to individuals who Sciences) Prize Lecture is normally given at a have achieved distinction and are of The next award is for a paper published number of locations in Scotland. The international repute in any of the in Proceedings A. next award is in Arts and Letters and following categories: Life Sciences; Makdougall Brisbane Prize there is no geographical restriction on the domicile of this Prize Lecturer. Physical and Engineering Sciences; Awarded biennially, with preference Humanities and Social Sciences; given to a person working in Scotland, Henry Duncan Prize Lectureship Business and Commerce. Candidates for particular distinction in the Awarded triennially to a scholar of any need not be RSE Fellows and should, promotion of scientific research. The nationality for work of international preferably, have a Scottish connection next award is in the field of Engineering repute in Scottish Studies. irrespective of place of domicile. Sciences. James Scott Prize Lectureship The Keith Medal BP Prize Lectureship in the Awarded quadrennially for a lecture on Awarded quadrennially for a paper on a Humanities the fundamental concepts of Natural scientific subject presented in the first Awarded biennially to a person Philosophy. instance to the Royal Society of working in a Scottish Higher Education (Nomination forms are available on the Edinburgh, preference being given to a Institution. The next award is in the Research Awards section of the RSE paper containing a discovery. The field of Philosophy, Theology and Law. Website. Further information can also medal is awarded alternately, provided CRF Prize Lectureship be obtained on pages 49-54 of the RSE that a paper worthy of Directory 2005.) recommendation has been received, for The CRF Prize Lecturers are expected to a paper published in Proceedings A be of the highest international repute,
15 Future Energy Supplies ENERGY INQUIRY - TAKING EVIDENCE AROUND SCOTLAND CLIMATE CHANGE The RSE’s Independent Inquiry into Energy Issues for Scotland has begun taking The Fellows’ Triennial Dinner, held evidence around Scotland. towards the end of the President’s 3 On 27/28 June, Members of the Committee visited Forres, meeting representatives year term, took place in the magnificent from Highland Council, the Findhorn Foundation, Scottish and Southern Energy, the surroundings of the Playfair Library Hall Forestry Commission, Wavegen and Talisman. They also undertook a site visit of the of Edinburgh University on Friday 24 Torr Achilty Hydroelectric Power Station near Marybank. June. Nearly 200 Fellows, their guests and invited guests of the Society On 18/19 July, evidence was taken in Stornoway, on the island of Lewis, from a range attended this highlight of the Society’s of bodies, including the Hebrides Renewable Energy Partnership, Lewis Wind Power, social calendar. The attendance clearly the RSPB, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Western Isles Council. The Inquiry demonstrated the Society’s standing at team also visited proposed wind farm sites and Arnish Point Development, a new home and abroad, with Presidents of location for renewable energy supply chain. the Academy of Sciences of the Czech On 27/28 July, Members of the Committee met representatives from Aberdeenshire Republic and the Royal Irish Academy, and Aberdeen City Councils; the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute; BP and TOTAL. as well as two former Presidents of the They visited Peterhead power station to hear about their proposed carbon Royal Society in London. sequestration project. Orkney and Shetland were the next destinations for the Committee, 25-27 August where they took evidence from the European Marine The principal guest was Lord Oxburgh Energy Centres, the Orkney Renewable Energy Forum, the Islands’ Councils and the KBE FRS, who gave a Shetland Renewable Energy Forum. The Inquiry team also visited Burradale Windfarm thought-provoking reply to Lord and the Lerwick Power Station and Waste to Heat Plant . Sutherland’s Toast to the Guests. International evidence was taken when on 1-2 September Members of the Committee Shortly before demitting office as travelled to Finland where the decision to build a new Nuclear power station had Chairman of Shell, he spoke about the recently been taken. The RSE’s Inquiry team met officials from the Energy Department challenge of balancing the need for of Finland’s Ministry of Trade and Industry and visited the Finnish Parliament where long term security of energy supply they had talks with elected Members and officials with responsibility for Energy Policy. with measures to mitigate climate Discussions also took place with the Director General of the Ministry of the change caused by greenhouse gas Environment Mr Markku Nurmi and Professor Mikko Kara, Executive Director of VTT emissions from fossil fuels. Processes who contributed to the Parliament treatment of Decision in Principle on the Bringing greenhouse gases under acceptability nuclear power as a future energy source for Finland. control was a massive task with no The Inquiry has received over 140 written submissions which are now available on the quick or simple answer, but he felt that RSE website or in hard copy from the Society, upon request. developing cleaner-burning coal technology, more efficient renewable sources, new enzyme technologies able to convert low grade agricultural by- products or urban waste into effective fuels, would all play their part. He urged that a start be made now on greenhouse gas control, using the technology at our disposal, although he was confident that new approaches would emerge and play their part over the next 25 years to deal with this huge scientific, technological, social and economic challenge.
Professor Maxwell Irvine, chair of the Energy Inquiry is interviewed on Lewis by Grampian TV. COPY DATE ADDRESS INFORMATION The copy date for the next issue is 22-26 GEORGE STREET website: www.royalsoced.org.uk 11 November 2005. Please send copy to EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND www.rsescotlandfoundation.org.uk Jennifer Cameron at the Society. EH2 2PQ e-mail: [email protected] [email protected] Any opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of Tel: 0131 240 5000 ReSourcE : ISSN No 1473-7841 all RSE Fellows Fax: 0131 240 5024 replaces RSE News