news THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH ISSUE 33 AUTUMN 2011 RESOURC E THE NEWSLETTER OF SCOTLAND ’ S NATIONAL ACADEMY

THE RSE YOUNG ACADEMY OF SCOTLAND The Royal Society of Edinburgh is delighted to announce that it has chosen the first 68 members of the new RSE Young Academy of Scotland. A small group of the newly-elected members is pictured (left) in Edinburgh following the announcement in September. This exciting development is the first of its kind in the UK and it will be part of a growing movement of Young Academies around the world. The Young Academy will be formally launched at an event at the RSE on Tuesday 29 November 2011. Details of the initiative and a full list of appointees are printed inside and are available on the RSE website.

Inspiring children Encouraging researchers Rewarding achievement New RSE President

New RSE President and General Secretary Take Office Sir John Arbuthnott has succeeded Lord Wilson of Tillyorn as the next President of the RSE, formally taking over the role at the Annual Statutory Meeting of the Society on 3 October 2011. Sir John Arbuthnott is a distinguished microbiologist and former Principal of Professor Alice Brown follows Professor the University of Geoffrey Boulton as the General Secretary Strathclyde. He also of the Society. She is the first woman to chaired the Greater be elected to this post. Glasgow Health Professor Brown is a former Vice-Principal Board and led the of the , having Clyde Valley review on the potential for providing shared local authority services. taught economics and politics in her Sir John was educated at Hyndland Secondary School, Glasgow University and Trinity academic career, and also served as the College, Dublin. He was made a Knight Bachelor for services to education in 1998. Amongst Scottish Public Services Ombudsman. Alice his academic posts he was a Professor of Microbiology at Trinity College, Dublin and the was an active figure in the development of University of Nottingham before returning to Scotland to take up the position of Principal devolution in Scotland, including, being a and Vice Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde, a role he performed from 1991 to 2000. member of the Consultative Steering Group He has also served on a number of committees advising on aspects of policy including: the that developed the procedures for the Richmond Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food; the report on Boundaries, , and promoting the equal Voting and Representation in Scotland; and on the Allocation of Health Resources in Scotland. representation of women in the Parliament. Sir John was elected a Fellow of the RSE in 1993 and served as a Councillor 2007 –2010. She was elected a Fellow of the RSE in 2002 and was awarded a CBE in 2009.

The retiring President, Lord Wilson of Tillyorn commented: Sir John is a person of high reputation, who, in addition to his academic achievements, has an outstanding record of public service. I have very much enjoyed my period as President of the RSE and in particular I am pleased that during my term the Society has recently established the RSE Young Academy of Scotland, which I hope and expect will nourish some of the outstanding younger generation of scholars and professionals that we have in Scotland. The Society will be fortunate to have Sir John as its next President. Under his Presidency I am sure that the RSE will go from strength to strength in all of its roles as the National Academy of Scotland. Sir John responded saying: I also welcome the election of Professor Alice Brown as the next General Secretary I am highly honoured to be elected as of the Society. Professor Brown is a well President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Full details of the current Council known and respected figure in public life The RSE, with its links across Scottish society, and Executive Board members can and I am confident that she will build upon plays an important role in the future of be viewed on page 18, along with the work in policy advice to government Scotland nationally and internationally. significant dates for the coming that Geoffrey Boulton has made a key session. priority during his term of office.

2 Astronomy in Focus

Fire in the Sky – Cosmic Threats to Life Worried about what tomorrow may bring? Over 200 people met on 23 April 2011, as part of the Edinburgh International Science Festival (EISF), and discovered more about potential threats to life on Earth. This was a unique opportunity to hear talks from the two current Astronomers Royal, Lord Martin Rees OM FRS (pictured right) and Professor John Brown FRSE (Astronomer Royal for Scotland) along with contributions from several other astronomers. A display of meteorites could also be viewed. The main thrust of the day was discussion about various cosmic threats to life that we face every day, such as comets, asteroids, solar and stellar blasts. Lord Rees’ view, on the other hand, was that human civilisation has only a 50 per cent chance of surviving until 2100 without suffering a catastrophic event caused by mankind.

The event finished with an End of the World Ceilidh, Photograph (above) by Douglas McCalman and an opportunity to use a telescope to view Saturn’s rings. Along with funding from the Institute of Physics Scotland (IoP) and EISF, Lorna McCalman and Charles Gleed of the Astronomical Society of Edinburgh had been awarded a Royal Society of Edinburgh Cormack Bequest Small Outreach Grant (£300) towards the cost of the meeting. Although this represented a small part of the full cost, the grant represented a significant contribution to the travel component, helping bring speakers from across the UK.

Robert Cormack Bequest Awards Cormack awards are for the promotion of public understanding of science, specifically relating to astronomy. Cormack Small Astronomy Outreach Grants The grants are awarded to individuals or groups to develop public understanding of science activities specifically relating to astronomy, and are available through the Robert Cormack Bequest Committee. This scheme is intended to help set up new projects, or to add new elements to existing ones, rather than to fund ongoing activities. Funded projects must benefit a wider audience (e.g. public visitors, whole school) rather than the recipients of the funds (e.g. Astronomical Society, School Class or Club). Cormack Bequest/Piazzi Smyth Bequest Vacation Research Scholarships Every year, awards may include one Piazzi Smyth Bequest Research Scholarship, for work clearly related to mountain top observing/data. Applicants must be full-time undergraduates (normally up to and including the summer before final year), be nominated by a Department in one of the Scottish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and have a class record indicative of good research potential. There is no restriction on home Photograph by Rachel Thomas, the Astronomical Society of Edinburgh institution or nationality. The value of each Cormack Scholarship is £100 per week and of the Further information about the Cormack awards, can be Piazzi Smyth Scholarship £120 per week, and the maximum length of viewed on the Society website at: each Scholarship is six weeks. www.royalsoced.org.uk/562_ScienceFunding.html

3 RSE Young Academy of Scotland

FIRST COHORT OF MEMBERS OF THE RSE YOUNG ACADEMY OF SCOTLAND ANNOUNCED

Following a rigorous selection process, the bringing together some of the most within Scotland and further afield. Council of the Royal Society of Edinburgh able and innovative young academics, This new initiative will add significantly to (RSE), has approved the names of 68 entrepreneurs and professionals in Scotland; the role the RSE already plays in society. candidates who will form the first cohort of that it will create a forum in which they The Cabinet Secretary for Education and members of the new RSE Young Academy can work together across the boundaries Lifelong Learning, Michael Russell MSP, of Scotland. The call for applications of their own disciplines and professions; welcomed the appointments, commenting: received a huge response , with over 330 and that this very talented group of young very well-qualified applicants. The people will act together to address the The new Young Academy is supporting the successful candidates cover a wide range issues and challenges facing society both talent of the future, exposing our best of academic subjects as well as young people to the those from the professions, experience and expertise business and public of the RSE Fellowship. service. The average age It provides the ideal of those selected is 36 forum for talent in and over 40% of the science, engineering new members are and the arts to mix women. Those selected with each other as will be members of the well as supporting Young Academy for an research excellence. initial period of three The young people years, with further involved will also cohorts being selected have the opportunity in future years. The to access some of Young Academy will be our leading business formally launched at an experts through the event on 29 November. RSE Fellowship and that can only help The RSE Council hope that them achieve their The RSE Young Academy ambitions. of Scotland will succeed in

Full list of members of the RSE Young Academy

Rosalind Allen Research Fellow and Proleptic Lecturer , School of Physics and Astronomy University of Edinburgh Sharon Ashbrook Reader in Chemistry, School of Chemistry University of St Andrews Des Balmforth Programme Manager SELEX Kirsty Blackstock Theme Leader , Socio-Economic Research Group Hutton Institute Rosalie Chadwick Corporate Finance Manager McGrigors James Chalmers Senior Lecturer, School of Law University of Edinburgh Paul Chapman Deputy Director, Digital Design Studio Glasgow School of Art Iain Chirnside Executive Director Brinker Technology Sarah Coulthurst Research Fellow and PI, Division of Molecular Microbiology University of Dundee Ineke De Moortel Research Fellow, School of Mathematics & Statistics University of St Andrews Lisa Debruine Senior Lecturer, School of Psychology Mirela Delibegovic RCUK Fellow, College of Life Sciences and Medicine University of Aberdeen Iain Docherty Professor of Public Policy and Governance, Business School University of Glasgow Edward Duncan Senior Research Fellow, Nursing Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Research Unit Nigel Eccles CEO Hubdub Ltd Daniele Faccio Reader in Physics, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences Heriot-Watt University Karen Faulds Senior Lecturer , Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry University of Strathclyde Ross Forgan Postdoctoral Research Fellow University of Glasgow Aileen Fyfe Lecturer , School of History University of St Andrews Jane Gotts International Director SCDI Alan Gow Research Fellow , Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology University of Edinburgh Tom Greggs Professor , School of Divinity, History and Philosophy University of Aberdeen

4 RSE Fellow and successful entrepreneur, Professor Chris van der Kuyl, expressed his support for the venture, observing, As a Fellow of the RSE I recognise the important work that it contributes in promoting research, ideas and entrepreneurship for the benefit of Scotland. The advances in knowledge in recent decades have been very fast moving and it is important for the Society to engage with the most talented young people who are active in Scotland today. These are the next generation of leaders in Scotland. I look forward to working with many of the people we are welcoming to the Young Academy today.

Jeremy Hall Scottish Senior Clinical Fellow , Division of Psychiatry University of Edinburgh Faye Hammill Professor of English, School of Humanities University of Strathclyde Giles Hammond Lecturer , School of Physics and Astronomy University of Glasgow Gareth Harrison Chair of Electrical Power Engineering University of Edinburgh Heriot-Watt University Helen Hastie Lecturer , School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences Associate Team Leader , Institute of Photonics University of Strathclyde Jennifer Hastie University of Glasgow Heather Haynes Lecturer , School of Engineering University of Edinburgh Catherine Heymans Lecturer and European Research Council Fellow Inst for Astronomy Scottish Government Asif Ishaq Policy Adviser , Safer Communities University of Glasgow Rob Jenkins Senior Lecturer, School of Psychology University of Edinburgh Elham Kashefi Lecturer & Advanced Research Fellow , School of Informatics Glasgow Caledonian University Karen Lorimer Research Fellow , Public Health University of Aberdeen David Lusseau Lecturer , School of Biological Sciences University of Edinburgh Catherine MacPhee Professor, School of Physics and Astronomy M Squared Lasers Graeme Malcolm Chief Executive Officer University of Glasgow Alexander Marshall Senior Lecturer , Department of History Arlene McConnell Radar and Advanced Targeting Systems Engineer SELEX Neil McLennan National Development Officer Learning, Teaching Scotland Andrew Mearns-Spragg Founder & Chief Technology Officer Aquapharm Biodiscovery Jeffrey Murer Lecturer on Collective Violence, School of International Relations University of St Andrews Francisca Mutapi Research Fellow , Institute for Immunology & Infection Research University of Edinburgh Caroline Nichol Lecturer, School of GeoSciences University of Edinburgh John Nicholls Head of New Business M Squared Lasers Cian O’Driscoll Lecturer, Politics University of Glasgow Chris O’Sullivan Senior Project Manager Mental Health Foundation Ian Overton Senior Scientist (Group Leader) , Biomedical Systems Analysis MRC HGU Gordon Pentland Senior Lecturer, School of History, Classics & Archaeology University of Edinburgh Martyn Pickersgill Senior Research Fellow , Centre for Population Health Sciences University of Edinburgh Craig Ramsay Programme Director , Health Services Research Unit University of Aberdeen Peter Reekie Director, Finance & Structures Scottish Futures Trust Jane Reid Research Fellow, Institute of Biological & Environmental Sciences University of Aberdeen Sinead Rhodes Senior Lecturer, School of Psychological Sciences and Health University of Strathclyde Will Shu Lecturer , Department of Mechanical Engineering Heriot-Watt University Craig Smith Lecturer , Department of Moral Philosophy University of St Andrews James Smith Professor, School of Social and Political Science University of Edinburgh Kenny Smith Lecturer , School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences University of Edinburgh Jane Stanley Lecturer, Music University of Glasgow Nicola Stanley-Wall Lecturer , Division of Molecular Microbiology University of Dundee Christian Tams Professor , School of Law University of Glasgow Benjamin Tatler Reader, School of Psychology University of Dundee Nicole Tausch Lecturer , School of Psychology University of St Andrews Job Thijssen Research Fellow, School of Physics and Astronomy University of Edinburgh David Tonery Chief Executive Oxygen Combustion Ltd Jano van Hemert Project Manager – Technical Optos Cliff Williams Senior Scientist , New Projects Team Ineos Technology James Wilson Senior Lecturer , Centre for Population Health Sciences University of Edinburgh

5 International INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMME One of the main purposes of the RSE International Programme is to award short-term travel grants to enable Scottish researchers Dr Peter Wilkie, Royal Botanic Garden to establish links with colleagues in other countries with a view to Edinburgh a long-lasting collaboration, through joint publications and joint Visited: Universiti Kebangsaan applications for longer-term funds. Malaysia Bangi, Monash University, Universiti Putra Malaysia, University of The RSE also supports longer-term collaborations through the Malaya and WWF Malaysia Joint Project Scheme with the National Natural Science Foundation of China, which facilitates longer-term international collaboration between researchers based in Scotland and China by providing two years’-worth of funding. Please check the RSE website for confirmation of the deadlines for the Exchange Programme – www.royalsoced.org.uk Following are excerpts from reports of International Exchange visits supported by the RSE International Programme.

Dr Vincent Rinterknecht , University of St Andrews Visited: Dr Raimon Pallas, University of Barcelona, Spain The project, conducted in the Spanish Pyrenees, aims to reconstruct the history of the last glacial activity in the La Pera Valley (Cerdania) and reconstructing past climatic variations. Glaciers are very sensitive to changes in Dr Peter Wilkie (Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh) temperature and precipitations and their dynamics (advance and retreat) record and Dr Richard Chung (Forest Research Institute past climatic changes. Malaysia) discussing Sapotaceae taxonomy. To investigate the La Pera Valley former glaciers the team are using: Understanding species diversity within geomorphological mapping (identification of moraines, striations,…); surface the tropical forests of Malaysia is critical exposure dating; and glacial modelling. Combined, these three techniques will to conservation efforts and to aid in the understanding of: illuminating what role they play in global climate systems. Building on existing links (1) the past influence of the Atlantic versus Mediterranean climate in this between the Royal Botanic Garden region; and Edinburgh (RBGE) and the Forest (2) the mechanisms involved in major climate shifts at the origin of the glaciers Research Institute Malaysia, this RSE growth and decay. exchange helped broaden this collaboration to include other organisations involved with tropical forest research and conservation. Focusing on the ecologically and economically important tree family Sapotaceae, a group of Malaysian Sapotaceae taxonomists was established to produce the Sapotaceae account for the Flora of Peninsular Malaysia. New contacts from the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Bangi, Monash University, Universiti Putra Malaysia, University of Malaya and WWF Malaysia were established through a series of meetings and lectures with staff and students. These contacts are helping in the development of new collaborations and joint research Sampling for surface exposure dating in Raimon explaining the geomorphology upper La Pera valley of rock glaciers to some of the team. proposals. A follow-up visit is planned in early 2012 to help bring these proposals to fruition.

6 Case Studies

Dr Yakun Guo, University of Aberdeen Tsinghua Garden Visited: Professor Danxun Li, Tsinghua University, China With the support from the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Dr Guo visited Professor Li and his research group at the State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Tsinghua University. During Dr Guo’s visit, they discussed and explored the possible opportunities for seeking funding to maintain long term collaborative research.

One of the possible funding opportunities is to apply to the National Natural Science Foundation of China under its international cooperation scheme. Dr Guo and Professor Li also discussed the research work on river engineering and dynamics. Discussions with MSc and PhD students were held to encourage them to come to Aberdeen to do research. A presentation on calculation of open channel flow was given during the visit, with staff, research associates and PhD students in attendance. The objectives of the visit have been fully achieved by: (1) strengthening the research collaboration between two parties; (2) exploring the opportunities for maintaining long-term research collaboration; and (3) drafting a joint paper based on analysis of data. The Old Gate, Tsinghua University

Royal Society of Edinburgh–National Natural Science Foundation of China Joint Project Scheme The Royal Society of Scottish-based collaborator: Dr Jiazhu Pan, University of Strathclyde Edinburgh –National Natural Chinese Collaborator: Professor Yong Zhou, Academy of Mathematics Science Foundation and Systems Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences of China (NSFC) This joint project has helped to strengthen the link with China. For example, the Joint Projects collaborators made a successful bid for a Scotland –China Higher Education Research Partnership for PhD Studies, and the China Educational Council has supported several The RSE–NSFC Joint Project scheme researchers to visit the University of Strathclyde to work with Dr Pan and Professor Mao. is designed to facilitate international Additional external funding of £64,000 has been awarded following on from this RSE- collaboration between researchers funded Joint Project. This project also provided opportunities to attract more students based in Scotland and China. A grant to come to study at Strathclyde through a 2+2 program. is provided to researchers to cover travel, subsistence and some research Dr Pan visited China several times during the course of the Project and gave talks on expenses. Joint projects run for two modelling non-stationary economic data, modelling multivariate volatilities and new years. Funding may be seen as seed developments on financial econometrics. Professor Mao visited China and gave a talk money to enable further collaboration on financial mathematics. Professor Zhou has made several visits to Scotland and worked and funding in the future. on risk management and semi-parametric modelling of economic data. The collaborators have obtained some joint research results, one paper has already been published in Statistics and its Interface , another paper will appear on BIT Numerical Mathematics soon and other research papers are forthcoming.

7 International

SCOTLAND –NORWAY COLLABORATION The Society was pleased to play host to the 2 nd Norway–Scotland Internal Waves Symposium in November 2010, under the auspices of the bilateral agreement signed in 2005 between the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters (DNVA). The agreement was signed with the aim of promoting increased collaboration between the two national academies and the research communities in their respective countries.

The primary focus was on the internal waves that travel on density interfaces in the ocean, where the waves present significant threats to offshore exploration and production installations and also constitute an effective agency for vertical mixing of sediment and nutrients in the water column. As the title of the symposium suggests, the event was a follow-up to the 1 st Norway–Scotland Internal Waves Symposium, held in the DNVA premises in Oslo in October 2008 and hosted under the same agreement. Both events were directed jointly by Professors Peter Davies FRSE (University of Dundee) and John Grue DNVA (University of Oslo). The symposium received generous core support from the RSE and DNVA, with additional funds being supplied by The National Telford Institute, The Marine Alliance Participants at the 2nd Norway –Scotland for Science & Technology for Scotland (MASTS), the Research Council of Norway and Symposium at the RSE the Universities of Dundee (UK) and Oslo (Norway). An important consideration was the need Participation was by invitation only, with the primary objective of bringing together to attract to the symposium the leading research groups in Scotland and Norway: international figures in internal wave research, (i) to consider the present scope of internal waves research activity in the individual to ensure the highest quality level for the countries; event and to promote informed discussions (ii) to explore new bi- or multi-lateral collaborative research projects involving of future directions in the subject. Norwegian and Scottish scientists; and (iii) to extend and strengthen existing cross-national collaborations. In total, 50 scientists contributed to the symposium, with 15 Scottish participants, from the universities of Dundee, St Andrews , Professors Edinburgh, Strathclyde and Aberdeen and David Farmer the Scottish Association for Marine Science FRS, University (SAMS) and 12 Norwegian articipants, of Rhode island, from the universities of Oslo and Bergen USA (left) and Bjørn Gjevik and the Norwegian Meteorological Institute, DNVA as well as leading scientists from the UK, University USA, Canada, Australia, Sweden, Iceland, of Oslo the Netherlands, Germany, Chile and China.

Full details of the event, including a full list of participants and the detailed scientific programme, are shown on: www.personal.dundee.ac.uk/~jkobine/Norway-ScotlandSymposium/

8 Research Awards & Prizes

Awards currently available . . . . For full details and to download application forms go to the RSE website at: www.royalsoced.org.uk/635_AvailableNow.html

Scottish Enterprise Enterprise RSE Beltane Prizes for Public Engagement 2012 Fellowships In 2012 the RSE and Edinburgh Beltane will once again be awarding two prizes for public engagement. Full details are available on the RSE website. Closing date: 14 November 2011

New RSE Prizes – Prizes in 2011 To recognise achievements across the career spectrum, the RSE Prizes Fund will support eight prizes each year: a Senior Prize and Medal and an Early-career Researcher Medal, in each of the following four disciplines: – Are you a researcher? Do you want to Life Sciences develop a spin-out business around your • Senior Prize – the RSE/Sir James Black Prize technological idea? Will you be expected • Early Career Prize – the RSE/Patrick Neill Medal to play a leading role in that business? Physical, Engineering and Informatics Sciences Enterprise Fellowships offer: • Senior Prize – the RSE/Lord Kelvin Prize • A year's salary to develop your • Early Career Prize – the RSE/Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane Medal commercial proposition and product, Humanities and Creative Arts hosted at your university or HEI • Senior Prize – the RSE/Sir Walter Scott Prize • Business training to give you the • Early Career Prize – the RSE/Thomas Reid Medal knowledge to prepare a viable business Social Sciences, Education, Business and Public Service plan • Senior Prize – the RSE/Adam Smith Prize • Access to networks of mentors, business • Early Career Prize – the RSE/Henry Duncan Medal experts and professional advisors The Senior Prize winners should have a Scottish connection but can be based anywhere • A "once in a lifetime" opportunity in the world, and do not need to be Fellows of the RSE. Senior Prize winners will receive Closing date: 23 November 2011. a medal and are required to deliver a lecture here in Scotland. This meets with the Society’s strategic objective of increasing public understanding of science and arts. Early-career Researcher Prize winners will receive a medal and this will be presented BBSRC Enterprise Fellowships when the Senior Prize winner delivers his/her lecture. The early-career researcher will normally be resident in Scotland. Nominations can only be made by RSE Fellows. Nomination forms are now available from the RSE website.

Closing date: 30 November 2011.

As above for the Scottish Enterprise RSE Royal Medals 2012 Fellowships but BBSRC Enterprise Fellowship applicants must have a link to Nominations are now being sought for the 2012 RSE Royal Medals. previously-funded BBSRC research. The business training is delivered with the For full details and nomination forms please contact Anne Fraser Scottish Enterprise Enterprise Fellows. 0131 240 5013 – [email protected] or visit: These Fellowships can be held UK-wide. www.royalsoced.org.uk/research_fellowships/prizes/prizes.htm Closing date: 23 November 2011. Closing date: 15 December 2011

BP Personal Research Fellowship CRF Biomedical Personal Research Fellowship Tenable for up to five years in Scottish Higher Education Tenable for up to three years in Scottish Higher Education Institutions, for independent research in: Mechanical Engineering, Institutions, for research in the biological, biochemical, physical Chemical Engineering, Control Engineering, Solid State Sciences, or clinical sciences related to medicine. Information Technology, Chemistry (non-biological), Geological Closing date: 17 January 2012 Sciences. Closing date: 10 January 2012

9 Schools’ Events @ RSE

RSE DESIGN A BANKNOTE RSE MASTERCLASSES EXHIBITION Applications have been coming in thick and fast In May 2011, the RSE and the Museum for the RSE's Autumn session of Startup Science on the Mound ran a competition with Masterclasses. three schools in Dumfries and Galloway These are run in partnership with, and take place at, challenging them to design a new £20 five universities across Scotland. The Masterclasses banknote. The design was to reflect are intended to give young people who have shown anything that illustrates their local area, an interest in science and technology the opportunity from scenery to animals – local people to broaden their knowledge and experience. to buildings. Four Masterclasses will take place on successive Thirty-four entries were received and the Saturday mornings and will comprise a mixture RSE organised an exhibition of these of talks, practical activities and fun, with guidance designs during July at the Ruthwell Savings and encouragement from session leaders. Bank Museum in Dumfries and Galloway, The subjects covered include: and during August at the Museum on the Mound in Edinburgh. In total, the designs • Become a forensic scientist and solve a mystery were viewed by over 10,000 people. with 6 subjects in ‘Chemical Cluedo’ • Build your own bagpipes in our ‘Bagpipes and Three winning designs are pictured below: Electrons Masterclass’ • Explore the microbial world in’The Good, the Bad and the Deadly’ • Learn how to be a rocket scientist or an aeroplane designer. In addition there is a new medical masterclass to be held at the University of Aberdeen, where participants will learn about Speed and Science, take part in an Interactive Trauma Session and explore the DNA Lab or discover Orthopaedics ‘Barnacle Geese’ by Ben Adair from Penpont Primary School and Physiotherapy. There are just a few places available for these classes so if you know a budding scientist in S1 Images above from 2010 classes or S2 who might be interested in taking part, please encourage them to sign up. Details of the remaining spaces and the application form can be found at www.royalsoced.org.uk/784_StartupScienceMasterclasses.html

NATIONAL NON-FICTION DAY – 3 NOVEMBER 2011 Illustrating Horrible Histories with Martin Brown ‘Hillwalking in Dumfries and Galloway’ by The RSE, Scottish Book Trust and Shula Lister from Cummertrees Primary School Scholastic Books are delighted to bring award-winning illustrator Martin Brown to the Royal Society of Edinburgh in November as part of National Non-Fiction Day 2011. Martin Brown illustrates the Horrible Histories series of books that revolutionised non-fiction and history books for children. The books have sold over 20 million copies worldwide and won countless awards, including a BAFTA. A Sunday night show with Stephen Fry has been broadcast on BBC1 and a new virtual world for children to explore and learn online has recently been launched.

‘Natural Scotland’ by Aine Vance Terry Deary’s wonderful and vivid re-tellings of history (with all the gory bits left in) are from Garlieston Primary School accentuated by Martin’s incredibly funny line drawings and cartoons . This much-anticipated event takes place over two sessions and Martin will be talking to P4 To find out more about these events or to P7 pupils about how he and Terry create the books and how he draws his images, as other events in the RSE Schools’ Programme, well as featuring characters, scenes and jokes from his favourite Horrible Histories books. contact: Maggie Twomey, RSE Events Officer, [email protected] More information about this exciting event can be found at: phone 0131 240 5035 www.scottishbooktrust.com/meet-our-authors/individual-events-programme or visit the RSE website at: The RSE supported last year’s National Non-Fiction Day, and the event was a huge success. www.royalsoced.org.uk/440_Schools.html The speaker, Kjartan Poskitt has written a blog about the day and this can also be found on the Scottish Book Trust website at: www.scottishbooktrust.com/ 10 Events @ RSE

Monday 7 November 2011 at 6 pm BELTANE PRIZE LECTURE Good communication between scientists and the public at large can be enjoyable Communicating Science as Culture for both sides and I believe there are fewer barriers than we are often led to believe. The past half century has seen much achievement of this type. However, communicating science should not be just about understanding its findings but also about recognising its human position. The practice of science in all its diversity is a human activity and, for all that its nature demands a certain approach, its procedures and achievements involve all aspects of our humanity – the emotions Professor Aubrey Manning OBE FRSE, and feelings as well as the intellect. It is Institute of Evolutionary Biology, part of our culture. University of Edinburgh

Monday 21 November 2011 Thursday 1 December 2011 at 6 pm Please note the date of this at 6 pm LECTURE event has been changed DISCUSSION FORUM from Monday 5 December The Arab Spring: Tropes and Discourses Science as a Public Enterprise; Why and How should Science Professor Yasir Suleiman CBE FRSE, be Open Professor of Modern Arabic Studies, University of Cambridge How did the official media in Egypt, Libya and Syria discuss the Arab Spring? What tropes of national identity did these media use to describe and explain the popular uprisings in these countries? What do these descriptions and tropes tell us about the structure of the Arab political scene? Will Islamist movements gain political ascendency in the post-revolutionary Arab order? What lessons can be learnt from Is there a need for a revolution in the the Arab Spring in the way we discuss and debate the Middle East? The lecture will deal way that science is done? Science thrives with these issues by examining ways of media representation, inter-Arab political rivalries on the open exchange of ideas and data, and the Islamist phobia regionally and in Western circles. but needs to revisit how these principles This lecture forms part of an Ordinary Meeting and so shall be preceded by Society apply in the digital age and against the business such as Fellows signing the Roll. rising expectation of transparency and increased access to scientists’ work from colleagues and the public. What should TICKETS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL RSE EVENTS – RSE L ectures and Discussion the principle of openness be? Forums are open to all and normally free to attend* but registration is required. The Royal Society is grappling with these is - To register please contact the Events Team. Please note that many RSE events sues in an ongoing study: Science as a pub - run to full capacity. If you book a place at any event but are unable to attend, please inform the RSE Events Department so that your place can be reallocated. lic enterprise . Professor Geoffrey Boulton OBE FRS FRSE, ( above ) Chair of the Study, To book tickets go online at: www.royalsoced.org.uk or phone the events will test the group’s emerging conclusions ticket line: 0131 240 2780 in a discussion at the RSE. For further information on all RSE events, visit www.royalsoced.org.uk or contact: [email protected] This is a joint discussion forum with the *some events may carry a charge to attend; please see individual events for Royal Society, London and the Genomics registration details Policy and Research Forum

11 Advice and Briefing Papers

Preventative Spending in the Scottish Budget Review of Higher Education Over the summer, the Scottish Parliament’s Governance in Scotland Finance Committee issued a call for evidence In September, an RSE working group on preventative spending in Scotland, as part responded to the review of higher of its scrutiny of the draft budget 2012 –13 education governance arrangements in and the spending review. Scotland. Key recommendations set out The RSE, having responded previously to in the paper are that: the Finance Committee on the issues of • The value of autonomy in supporting both preventative spending and the delivery the institutional vitality that is necessary if of public services, welcomed the opportunity a higher education institution (HEI) is to to continue to engage in this area. A working maximize its benefits to society cannot be group chaired by Sir John Arbuthnott was set overstated. Examples abound internationally up to prepare an advice paper on the topic. whereby efficiency of the universities to Key points of the response were: react to opportunity and need are • Achieving a fundamental shift in spending dramatically inhibited because of too direct priories at a time of exceptional pressure on an accountability to government. public expenditure will prove extremely difficult. Nevertheless, Scotland must ensure that • The evidence shows that higher it can deliver improved outcomes in key areas (health, social care and education), and the education governance has been enhanced consequences of decisions made in this difficult period will be felt for years to come. in the past decade and the sector is • A comprehensive review of where increased budget since 2005 has been spent and the generally well governed. benefits that have accrued would act as a starting point. Policies should be evaluated in • The governing body ought to be able terms of their impact on a wide range of factors that determine wellbeing in society. This to scrutinise and challenge all strategies would allow policies that already deliver preventative activity to be protected and those of the institution, and it should carry that run counter to the whole notion of preventative spend to be identified. ultimate responsibility for setting the • However, the obvious difficulty in shifting to a more preventative approach is that in university’s strategic direction. Strategic the short to medium term this will be a recipe for more public spending, not less. Funding oversight, scrutiny and challenge must mechanisms can be explored, but will likely be hampered by the lack of evidence on the apply to both the business and financial impact of preventative interventions and the challenges in quantifying future savings. operation of the institution, and its educational mission. • Ensuring that all existing evidence on preventative interventions is collated, understood and shared across delivery agencies will assist in the setting of priorities and most effective • The role of the Chair of the governing use of the budget available. Moreover, all initiatives should be monitored and evaluated body is crucial in terms of providing from the outset, in order to build up the evidence base. leadership and strategic oversight. Given the qualities and responsibilities that are • Early years intervention is rightly a priority for preventative spending and there is required of the Chair, a governing body ample evidence to support activity in this area. But Scotland also faces significant itself should determine the person best challenges in other areas, including care of the elderly, young people in care and alcohol qualified to fulfil the role in those HEIs misuse. Where evidence shows that interventions in these areas will be effective, such with a rector, the rector should not be actions should be prioritised. designated for this role ex officio . • Further, in light of the marked geographical inequalities in Scotland, communities • The evidence is that the choice of which exhibit multiple deprivation are likely to be highly dependent on public spending. members is crucial to the effectiveness Reductions which affect them may exacerbate inequalities and this must be taken into of governing bodies. Once appointed, account when decisions are taken on spending priorities. members should operate on the basis of • Numerical indicators are invaluable in monitoring progress and effectiveness; however, ad personam . Their responsibility is to the a narrative is also needed to interpret the numbers, link them to underlying theory and governing body and the institution as a give a true picture of impacts in the widest sense. whole, rather than to any other body that they may represent or be associated with. • The Scottish Government can support delivery agencies in the move to a preventative approach by ensuring that they have the evidence they need to justify a shift in spending • A key issue for HEIs is how to balance priorities. It must also support the real integration of budgets and highlight the flexibilities "top-down" strategy and "bottom-up" that already exist within and between budget streams that can be used to implement aspiration and inspiration. It is important preventative interventions. that there is a creative balance between the "top-down" perspectives of governing bodies and senior management on the For full details on all of these Advice and Briefing Papers visit one hand and the "bottom-up" perspectives of senates and student the RSE website at: representatives on the other. www.royalsoced.org.uk/293_AdviceBriefingPapers.html

12 Reshaping the Medical Workforce in Scotland in 2012 and beyond In August, an RSE working group responded to the Scottish Government’s consultation on reshaping the medical workforce in Scotland. Whilst the working group appreciates that the changing demographics of the medical workforce necessitates changes in the shape of the supply pyramid, any projections for NHS care delivery that do not take account of the substantial academic contribution will inevitably be Science as a Public Enterprise: Opening up Scientific Information inadequate. Any plans to reshape the In August, an RSE working group responded to the Royal Society, London study on Sci - future medical workforce should recognise ence as a public enterprise. that the need to support and grow the clinical academic community is essential to The working group believes that the sharing of data is crucial and the principle of open build a healthier and wealthier Scotland. data should be embraced. This does not, however, mean that access will be easy, immediate, or that the data will be in a readily accessible form. Many practical challenges will need to Flexibility and ease of appropriate movement be addressed, and a clear policy and funding framework will have to be developed. between NHS training positions and academic/research opportunities remains Key recommendations set out in the paper are that: a critical factor in safeguarding Scotland’s • In parallel with considering openness and access to scientific data, the priority should strengths in clinical academic medicine. be to help all citizens understand, as much as possible, how the scientific enterprise works, Workforce planning must remain flexible, so that they can understand and engage with it. responsive and adaptable if Scotland is to • New media, such as the blogosphere, offer excellent opportunities for increased inter - realise the full benefit of medical research action between scientists and the public, and we would encourage more scientists to and play an innovative role in improving engage with new access routes to the media. health and healthcare delivery. • There is a need to improve understanding of the difference between data and information, and it is clear that different constituencies are likely to be interested in different levels of data. It is important that thorough consideration be given to the data produced by privately-funded research. This will be important in terms of improving public trust in the source and processing of such data. • Open data will not be embraced without a major cultural shift in scientific practice which engenders data-sharing considerations at the very outset of research. This will require resources, training and changes to the recognition, progression and bibliometrics- driven rewards system. • It will be crucial to protect the privacy of individuals who could potentially be identified from data that are made publicly available. Extraordinary steps will need to be taken to prevent the inadvertent identification of subjects with rare conditions. The most careful scrutiny of such data will be essential. A clear and robust legal –ethical framework that is acceptable to the public and provides reassurance to contributing researchers will be required. • It would not be in the scientific or public interest to make available data that are simply wrong. It is essential that there be some form of peer review accreditation to determine what is made available in any public repository. • There must be a realistic recognition that the increased costs associated with the sharing and long-term curation of existing data are likely to be at the expense of the scientific endeavour in generating new knowledge. We suggest that consideration should be given to a “release-on-demand” model whereby, rather than expending considerable resources on the wholesale and complete preservation of all data to a standard suitable for wider release, enough is done to preserve the data so that they can be resurrected and used in the future. This would defer the costs to any subsequent re-use of the data.

13 Scotland’s Research Talent

Beltane Senior Prize for Cormack Vacation Research Carnegie Caledonian Public Engagement Scholarships Scholarships Professor Aubrey Manning OBE FRSE Oliver Douglas Allanson Michael Ferguson Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Department of Mathematics , Department of Music, University of Edinburgh (pictured below) University of St Andrews University of Edinburgh The distribution and characteristics of An examination of the issues of “active magnetic flux features observed by SDO/HMI participation” and “quality” in Roman Catholic liturgical music in Scotland, post- David Barr Vatican II: a critical re-evaluation through Department of Physics, the composition of new sacred music. University of Aberdeen The importance of Jupiter in Earth-like systems Nicola Ann McCallum (pictured below) Centre for Forensic Science, Colin Clark Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Strathclyde University of Glasgow Evaluation of post-mortem mRNA stability X-ray imaging spectroscopy diagnostics of solar flare accelerated electrons Hannah Jones Beltane Public Engagement School of Mathematics and Statistics , Young Innovator Award University of St Andrews MHD Mode Conversion in a Stratified Joanna Brooks (pictured above) Isothermal Atmosphere in Two Dimensions Human Cognitive Neuroscience,Psychology, James McLeman University of Edinburgh Department of Physics, University of Aberdeen Auber Bequest Award Star formation from dark filamentary clouds Lessells Travel Scholarships Professor James Cox Semeli Papadogiannakis Douglas Aitken School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh Institute for Astronomy, School of Engineering, The Invention of God in Indigenous Societies University of Edinburgh University of Edinburgh A Minimum Energy Approach to Galactic Novel approaches of using algae to reduce D S MacLagan Travel Grant Exploration using Probes the carbon footprint of wastewater Pr ofessor Xavier Lambin treatment plants School of Biological Sciences, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, University of Aberdeen Israel & Universidad Andres Bello, Cascading impacts of Europe-wide Santiago, Chile changes in herbivorous small mammal Abeer Syed abundance: changing cyclic dynamics School of Engineering, and impact on predators University of Glasgow Low Cost Microfluidic Diagnostics for Lloyds TSB Foundation for Sleeping Sickness Scotland Research Studentship Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, MA, USA Mark James Horne School of Philosophy, Psychology and Cormack Scholars pictured at the reception Giuliano Punzo l-r Oliver Douglas Allanson, David Barr, Professor Language Sciences, University of Edinburgh Mechanical Engineering, John Brown, Lord Wilson, Colin Clark, Semeli University of Strathclyde, Advanced Space Doing two things at once: visual and verbal Papadogiannakis and Koki Kakiichi secondary task performance in healthy Concepts Laboratory Swarm Manoeuvring using Emergent Behaviour older adults. Piazzi Smyth Bequest and Communication Network Influence Research Scholarship Department of Mechanical and Aerospace CRF Personal Research Engineering, University of Princeton, NJ, USA Koki Kakiichi Fellowship in the Biomedical Holly K M Smith Institute for Astronomy, Institute for Infrastructure and Environment, Sciences University of Edinburgh University of Edinburgh Diffuse infra-red haloes around the first Dr Megan MacLeod Digital Image Analysis for Deflection galaxies during the Epoch of Reionisation Institute of Immunology, Infection and Measurements during Structures and Fire Inflammation , University of Glasgow Experiments Protective Functional Responses of CD4 Department of Civil Engineering, Queen’s Memory T cells University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

14 Awardees 2011

CRF European Travel Scottish Enterprise Enterprise Fellowship – Visit to Scotland Fellowships Matthew Bett Dr Maksymilian Del Mar (pictured right) Institute of Arts, Media and Games, The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Abertay, Dundee University of Lausanne, Switzerland Motus: Cutting-edge virtual cinematogra - An Intellectual Biography of Professor phy technology using games technology Sir Neil MacCormick Institute for Advanced Studies in the Dr Chris Capus Humanities, Edinburgh School of Engineering and Physical Sci - ences, Heriot-Watt University Dr Jonathan Delafield-Butt Hydrason Biosonar Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen Alexander Cole School of Informatics, University of Edin - Advancing a solution to the composition BBSRC Enterprise Fellowships problem in the philosophy of mind burgh Institute for Advanced Studies in the Dr Margaret Anne Craig Peekabu Studios: Low-Fi Motion Control Humanities, University of Edinburgh Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical for Interactive Web Applications Dr Ema Jelinkova Sciences, University of Glasgow Spyridon Tsakas Department of English and American Studies, Clyde Bioscience – Improving the probability University of Edinburgh Business School Palacky University in Olomouc, Czech Republic of success in early stage drug discovery Single Vial System The “Twin Compasses” and the Idea of Professor Ian Henderson Dr Ammar Zaher Scottish Diasporic Writing School of Immunity and Infection Department of Electronic & Electrical Engi - School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures, and School of Biosciences, neering , University of Strathclyde University of Edinburgh University of Birmingham D-LOG Vehicle monitoring System Professor Igor Maver Improved delivery of recombinant proteins Department of English, to the extracellular milieu Dr Farid Amalou University of Ljubljana, Slovenia Dr Ekaterina Olegovna McKenna (below) Department of Mechanical Engineering, Fanny Susan Copeland – Between Scotland Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems School of Engineering and Physical Sciences and Central Europe Biology, School of Medical, Veterinary Heriot-Watt University Department of English Literature, and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow AccuFluidics : Bringing accurate and modular University of Edinburgh Low-volume reactor chip for biological fluidic solutions for biotechnology micro- and nano-array probing Jason Cook CRF European Travel Department of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh Fellowships – Visits to Europe Farm-scale Residue Conversion to Heat Dr Jon Blackwood and Power Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art Nart Daghestani & Design, University of Dundee Department of Electronic Engineering & Physics, Art before, during and after Yugoslavia, University of Dundee Institutes in Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Novel light sources for spectroscopy Macedonia, Montenegro and Bosnia- Hercegovina Dr Soumya Palliyil School of Medical Sciences, Dr Olivier Salazar-Ferrer University of Aberdeen French Section, School of Modern Developing biologic drugs for treating Languages & Cultures, University of Glasgow infectious diseases Rachel Bespaloff’s manuscript L’Instant et la liberté Dr Iain Hector Woodhouse Centre National du Livre (CNL), Monaco Department of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh Dr Rebecca Sweetman cArbomap School of Classics, University of St Andrews Late Antique churches as evidence for the Dr Le Zhang (pictured left) diachronic complexities of the School of Informatics, Christianisation of the Peloponnese University of Edinburgh British School, Athens and fieldwork in Exinite – Cloud backup with encrypted data the Peloponnese de-duplication

Full details of all 2011 Awardees are available on the RSE website www.royalsoced.org.uk/cms/files/research_awards/awardees.pdf

15 Scotland’s Research Talent

Scottish Government Arts & Scottish Government Arts & Scottish Government Arts & Humanities Small Grants Humanities Workshops Humanities Networks Professor Robert Crawford, FRSE Dr Mark Freeman Dr Andrew Jennings School of English, University of St Andrews School of Social and Political Sciences, Centre for Nordic Studies, Norman McBeath University of Glasgow UHI Millenium Institute, Scalloway, Photographer Historians of Education in Scotland Shetland Body Bags/Simonides Dr Arne Kruse Dr Kay Goodall (pictured below) Scandinavian Studies, School of School of Law, University of Stirling Literatures, Languages and Cultures, Uni - Conceptualising the ‘racial’ in Scots Dr Jonathan Hope versity of Edinburgh criminal law School of Humanities, Hjaltland Research Network Strathclyde University Professor Michael Witmore Folger Shakespeare Library, Dr Alex Marlow-Mann, Washington DC Centre for Film Studies The Digital Renaissance: mapping the University of St Andrews language of drama 1550 –1700 Professor Dina Iordanova Centre for Film Studies, University of St Andrews Dr David Archibald Scottish Film Festival Studies Network (SFFS) Theatre, Film and Television Studies, University of Glasgow Tracking Loach: The Angels’ Share from Inception to Reception Professor David Finkelstein Dr Murray Frame School of Arts, Social Sciences History, School of Humanities, Dr Ben Marsh and Management, University of Dundee History & Politics, University of Stirling Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh Professor Nick Fyfe The history of attempts to cultivate silk Professor Claire Squires School of the Environment, in the Atlantic world, c.1500 –1840 Stirling Centre for International University of Dundee Dr Andrew Perchard Publishing and Communication, Crime and Policing in Scotland: Scottish Oral History Centre, Faculty of University of Stirling Past and Present Humanities & Social Sciences, Book Events: The Transnational Culture, University of Strathclyde Commerce and Social Impact of Literary Community, Legacy and Memory in the Festivals Dr Gavin Miller Scottish Coalfields School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh Dr James J Smyth David Forsyth Dr David E Shuttleton School of Arts & Humanities (History & Poli - National Museums Scotland School of Critical Studies, tics), University of Stirling Dr Wendy Ugolini University of Glasgow Lest Scotland Forgets: recording the na - School of History, Classics and Archaeology, Medical Humanities Research tion’s Great War Memorials University of Edinburgh Network Scotland Professor John William Stewart “Wha bears a blade for Scotland?” Department of Social Sciences, Media and Journalism, Glasgow Caledonian University Scottish Government ‘The Dangerous Age of Childhood’: Child Dr Wilson McLeod Arts & Humanities Guidance in Britain, 1920 –1955 Celtic and Scottish Studies, Major Research Grants University of Edinburgh Dr Annie Tindley Dr Bernadette O’Rourke Dr Penny Fielding Social Sciences, Languages and Intercultural Studies, English Literature, Glasgow Caledonian University School of Management and Languages, University of Edinburgh The aristocratic sinews of Empire: Imperial Heriot-Watt University The New Edinburgh Edition of land reform, 1840 –1895 New speakers of minority languages: the Collected Works of Robert Dr Frances Wilkins A dialogue Louis Stevenson Department of Music, Dr Stana Nenadic University of Aberdeen School of History, Classics and Scots in the Sub-Arctic: Musical Dr Tamara Rathcke Archaeology, Fingerprints among the Cree Fiddlers English Language, University of Glasgow University of Edinburgh of James Bay Dr Rachel Smith English Language, University of Glasgow Colouring the Nation: ‘Turkey Red’ Rhythms in Scotland and Other Decorative Textiles in Scotland’s Culture and Global Impact, 1800 to Present 16 Awardees 2011

Scottish Crucible 2011 Dr Julia Allan School of Psychology, University of Aberdeen Dr Thomas Aspray Environmental Reclamation Services Ltd (ERS) Dr Leif Azzopardi School of Computing Science, University of Glasgow Dr Catherine Berry Centre for Cell Engineering, University of Glasgow Dr Henry Bookey Department of Physics, Heriot-Watt University Dr Qin Chen School of Engineering, University of Glasgow Dr Emilie Combet Human Nutrition Department, University of Glasgow Dr Paul Crook School of Mathematics & Computer Sciences, Heriot-Watt University Dr Sarah Dillon School of English, University of St Andrews Dr Mary Doherty Dept of Diabetes & Cardiovascular Sci.,Uni. of the Highlands & Islands Dr Jennifer Gregory Institute of Medical Science, University of Aberdeen Dr Heather Haynes School of Engineering, University of Glasgow Dr Stefan Hild Institute for Gravitational Research, University of Glasgow Dr Euan Kay School of Chemistry, University of St Andrews Dr Lorraine Kerr Centre for Systems Biology, University of Edin burgh Dr Christine Knight ESRC Genomics Policy & Research Forum, University of Edinburgh Dr Per Ola Kristensson School of Computer Science, University of St Andrews Dr Richard Kyle School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, University of Stirling Dr Sarah Martin Centre for Systems Biology, University of Edinburgh Dr David McGuire School of Management Enterprise, Queen Margaret University Dr Abel Polese School of Geography, University of Edinburgh Dr Stella Pytharouli Department of Civil Engineering, University of Strathclyde Dr Stuart Reid School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow Dr Kenneth Scott-Brown Centre for Psychology, University of Abertay, Dundee Dr Jane Stanley Music Department, University of Glasgow Dr Manlio Tassieri School of Engineering, University of Glasgow Dr Annie Tindley School of Law and Social Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University Dr Catherine Tsang School of Contemporary Sciences, University of Abertay, Dundee Dr Maria Valdes-Hernandez Brain Imaging Research Centre, University of Edinburgh Dr Marjon van der Pol Health Economics Research Unit, University of Aberdeen Dr Andrew Wodehouse Dept. Design, Manu.& Eng. Management, University of Strathclyde

Seventeen of the group were able to attend the reception and are pictured with Lord Wilson (centre back), Professor Miller (to his left) and Ruth Neiland (outside right). Some of the prize winning groups who submitted successful interdisciplinary research proposals are pictured, from top to bottom: Annie Tindley and Heather Haynes; Christine Knight, Lorraine Kerr and Jane Stanley; Julia Allan and Leif Azzopardi; Euan Kay; Sarah Dillon and Christine Knight; Maria Valdes-Hernandez and Julia Allan.

17 Society Business

CORPORATE PARTNERS OF THE RSE

The Society is pleased to announce that 13 organisations have now joined the Friends of the Society scheme. The plaque pictured opposite, which is on display in the Society’s Wolfson Theatre, features the logos of the current members of the scheme. Partners receive a number of tangible benefits in return for a modest annual fee as well as having the opportunity of finding out more about the RSE and the important work it carries out. The RSE and its corporate partners also benefit from a platform from which to explore areas of potential mutual interest and the possibility of developing beneficial projects. If you would like to know more about the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Friends of the Society initiative, or if your organisation may be interested in joining the scheme, please contact: Gordon Adam, Director of Business Development and Communications, phone – 0131 240 2781 or email – [email protected]

Dates for Fellows’ Diaries 2012 • 5 March 2012 – Announcement of Election of New Fellows • 14 May 2012 – Induction of New Fellows

• 3 September 2012 – Research Awards Reception

• 1 October 2012 – Annual Statutory Meeting

RSE COUNCIL AND EXECUTIVE BOARD COUNCIL AND EXECUTIVE At the 2011 Annual Statutory Meeting on Monday 3 October, Fellows were elected to serve on Council and Executive Board. Following are the lists of all office-bearers BOARD MEETINGS for the current session: All meetings are at 2 pm unless Council Executive Board otherwise stated: President General Secretary Council Sir John Arbuthnott MRIA Professor Alice Brown CBE 5 December 2011 Vice-Presidents Treasurer 20 February 2012 Professor Jean Beggs CBE Mr Ewan Brown CBE 14 May 2012 (starts at 10 am) Professor Graham Caie 3 September 2012 Curator 3 December 2012 Mr John McClelland CBE Professor Duncan Macmillan Professor Wilson Sibbett CBE International Committee Convenor Executive Board General Secretary Sir David Edward KCMG QC PC 7 November 2011 Professor Alice Brown CBE Programme Convener 6 February 2012 Treasurer Professor John Richardson 16 April 2012 Mr Ewan Brown CBE 20 August 2012 Research Awards Convener 5 November 2012 Fellowship Secretary Professor Steve Beaumont Professor Alan Miller Young People’s Convener Ordinary Members Dr Chris van der Kuyl Follow us on now on Professor Cairns Craig OBE twitter and facebook Professor Anna Dominiczak OBE Chairman of RSE Scotland Foundation Sir David Edward KCMG QC PC Professor John Coggins OBE Professor Susan Manning Education Committee Professor Sheila Rowan MBE Professor Sally Brown OBE

18 Fellows’ Notice Board

FELLOWS HONOURED DOORS OPEN DAY 2011

The RSE offers its congratulations to the following Fellows: Over 220 people visited the RSE on Saturday 24 September, when the Society HRH THE PRINCESS ROYAL HonFRSE participated in Edinburgh Doors Open Day. has succeeded HRH The Duke of Edinburgh HonFRSE Eleven volunteer staff were on hand to as Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh. welcome visitors and lead guided tours, The Duke became Chancellor in 1953. allowing the general public to discover During the Installation Ceremony on 26 September, some of the treasures to be found within HRH, who is the university's eighth Chancellor, the beautiful buildings on George Street. presented the then RSE President, Lord WILSON OF One of the Society’s activities is in TILLYORN KT GCMG with a degree of Doctor honoris supporting academics turn their causa for his contribution to Scotland via education, research into commercial business. commerce and culture. Mr Douglas Maxwell, who was awarded The Princess Royal also presented a University Benefactor’s an RSE Scottish Enterprise Enterprise award to Harry Potter author, Dr J K ROWLING OBE HonFRSE. This award is given Fellowship in 2000, went on to found to individuals or organisations that have made significant contributions to the life PAL Technologies Ltd in Glasgow. PAL of the university. develops health and fitness technologies which provide healthcare professionals Sir Michael ATIYAH OM PPRS HonFRSE has been appointed Grand Officer of the French L égion with meaningful measures of lifestyle d'Honneur and will receive the insignia from the French Ambassador in London in December 2011. and lifestyle changes. Professor Dianne EDWARDS has been elected the next (49th) President of the Linnean In keeping with the sporting theme of this Society, only the second woman to serve in this role since the Society's founding in 1788. year’s Doors Open Day, Douglas was asked Professor Janet CARSTEN , Professor Robert CRAWFORD and to give a small presentation during the tours. Professor Colin Neil MACRAE were elected Fellows of the British Academy in July 2011. Feedback from the tours was overwhelmingly Professor Jason REESE was elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in July 2011. positive and visitors enjoyed hearing about the development of the Society over the Professor Cheng KUO , University of Strathclyde, years, having the opportunity to view some won the SET Lecturer of the Year 2011 at an awards of the splendid rooms and artefacts on function in London on 23 September 2011, when his display and in seeing Douglas’ practical student, Peter Dow won the SET Student of the Year, demonstration, just one example of how in competition with 14 other winners from various the Society’s aims are being realised today. subject sectors. Peter Dow also won the best maritime technology student for his individual project on carbon capture and storage. SET awards are Europe’s most FELLOWS DECEASED important Science, Engineering and Technology Education awards being created in 1998. This is first It is with much regret that we record time the top prizes have been won by a Scottish university. the deaths of the following Fellows: Professor Kuo (right) receiving the prize from Malcolm Turner of SET awards Lord Rodger of EARLSFERRY Dr James GRIGOR FELLOWS’ COFFEE MEETINGS Alan Vernon HOLDEN Professor William JARRETT Coffee is available in the Fellows’ Room on Tuesday mornings at 10.30 am. Once a Professor John Arthur Joseph PATEMAN month, between October 2011 and March 2012, this will take the form of a discussion Dr Robert Firth SELLERS in the East Wellcome Room. These are informal and friendly occasions, open to all Fellows and, if you are able to attend, you will be made most welcome. Forthcoming discussions are: STAFF NEWS 8th November 2011 Professor Stuart K.Monro OBE FRSE Dr Marc Rands, Evidence and Advice The Role of the Exhibition Centre in the promotion Manager, who was seconded to the Royal of learning and useful knowledge today . Society of New Zealand in November 2010, 6th December 2011 Sir John Arbuthnott MRIA PRSE has now accepted a permanent post there Science and Public Affairs. and will not be returning to Scotland. 10th January 2012 Professor Olivia Robinson FRSE We wish him, his wife Ann and two sons, Why Roman Law? Douglas and Alexander, the very best as 7th February 2012 Dr Job Thijssen they continue to settle in their new home. Materials Science for Enhanced Energy Storage and Conversion. Finance Officer, Sheryl Anderson, married 6th March 2012 Professor David A. S. Fergusson FRSE Robin Vickery on 8 October 2011. We Science, Wisdom and Faith offer them our warmest congratuatlions.

19 Royal Medals and Maxwell Award 2011

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh presented Professor S Desmond Smith OBE FRS FRSE The IEEE/RSE/Wolfson, James Clerk the 2011 RSE Royal Medals to Baroness at a ceremony held at the RSE on Maxwell Award 2011 was presented Helena Kennedy of the Shaws QC and to 12 August 2011. to Dr Marcian (Ted) Hoff.

Dr Hoff is pictured with Moshe Kam (centre) Professor Wilson Sibbett, RSE Vice-President Professor Hector MacQueen, then RSE President and CEO of IEEE, and Peter Frith, Chief read the citation for Professor Smith. Vice-President read the citation for Technology Officer at Wolfson Microelectronics. Baroness Kennedy.

The quaich was designed and created by Malcolm Appleby who also produces the Royal Medals. It is based on a traditional Scottish design incorporating the RSE Royal Medal at its centre.

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh was presented with a silver quaich at the ceremony, in recognition of the 60th Anniversary of his election as an Honorary Fellow of the RSE.

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