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The Royal Society of Edinburgh Issue 3 • Winter 2001

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The Royal Society of Edinburgh Issue 3 • Winter 2001 news THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH ISSUE 3 • WINTER 2001 RESOURCE THE NEWSLETTER OF SCOTLAND’S NATIONAL ACADEMY A Science Strategy for Scotland Science policy in Scotland is to be shaped by an independent, expert group, to be formed by The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE). Minister for Enterprise & Lifelong Learning, Wendy Alexander, announced the creation of the Scottish Science Advisory Committee, a key part of the first ever Scottish Science Strategy, at its launch in the Glasgow Science Centre in August. This is a central element of the science policy framework which sets out a new way forward to foster science in Scotland. The Scottish Science Advisory Committee, which is being set up under the auspices of the RSE will identify priorities, inform policy in science and technology, and advise Scottish Executive Ministers on issues of scientific importance. It will monitor progress and advise the Executive on how the Scottish Science Strategy is being implemented across departments. This remit has been agreed following consultation between RSE President, Sir William Stewart, and the Scottish Executive, which will fund the work of the Committee. The Society will be responsible for selecting the eminent men and women of the Committee and advertisements for positions on it, will appear shortly in the National Media. The Royal Society of Edinburgh will appoint a Chairperson to the Committee and it is expected that the Chairperson will also act as chief adviser on science to the Executive. Once appointed, the new Committee will be housed in its own part of the George Street Ashley Coombes, The ATOM Photographic offices of RSE. Infectious Salmon Anaemia Bio-terrorism A Pandemic of Diabetes a scientific perspective First Words Since the last issue of ReSourcE, there salmon anaemia, and mediation in has been a significant change at the top relation to patient/health service of the Scottish Parliament - Henry disputes in Scotland, science McLeish has demitted office. He was a masterclasses for young people, strong supporter of The Royal Society of commercialisation workshops and the Edinburgh and shared our commitment programme of Scotland’s Wellbeing to contributing to the social, cultural and seminars, sponsored by the Executive, on economic well-being of Scotland. The important policy issues such as budget of the Society increased, the Education, Energy, Transport and Health, Science Strategy for Scotland was have been widely welcomed. Our launched and a positive relationship Fellowship of some 1200 men and developed between the Executive and women has much to offer Scotland. An the Society. independent source of expertise, the We welcome his successor, Jack Society will seek to develop new McConnell, MSP and look forward to programmes to help Scotland to realise working positively with him and the its full potential. Parliament. I very much hope that I shall be seeking a meeting with the support for the Society will continue to First Minister to consider ways in which be enhanced. The RSE has a key role to the Society and the Executive can Sir William Stewart, FRS, FRSE play in providing new initiatives and well continue to work positively together and President thought through advice, of broad develop new, progressive initiatives. We relevance and value to the people of look forward to building on what has Scotland. Our review of foot and mouth been established so far. disease, our inquiries into infectious The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) is Promoting economic development Scotland’s National Academy of Science & Letters. It is an independent body with charitable status. The Society organises conferences and lectures for the specialist and for the general public. It provides a forum for informed debate on issues of national and international importance. An independent review into the RSE/ Fellowship Programme is shaping up to Its multidisciplinary fellowship of men Scottish Enterprise Fellowships be an excellent contributor to economic and women of international standing programme has reported on the development in Scotland. It is enabling provides independent, expert advice to scheme’s encouraging success rate. progress to be made in the key decision making bodies, including Established in 1997, the programme commercialisation of university research Government and Parliament. aims to help commercialise the and the establishment of technology exceptional research that is being oriented new businesses.” The Society’s Research Awards conducted within Scotland’s universities As a reult of the SQW report’s findings, programme annually awards well over in the key areas of optoelectronics, PPARC will continue its scheme of £1/2 million to exceptionally talented biotechnology, microelectronics and Enterprise Fellowships for a further two young academics and potential communication technology. years. entrepreneurs to promote commercial exploitation of inventiveness and boost In a recent, independent review, Three RSE/PPARC Enterprise Fellows have wealth-generation. economic development consultants already successfully created new Segal Quince Wicksteed (SQW) said of companies. Matthew Dallimore, Mark The RSE is active in classrooms from the the scheme: Williams and Andrew Zodrozny shared Borders to the Northern Isles, with a their experiences with the PPARC successful programme of lectures and “…economic impact performance…is very good, in terms of business spinout Enterprise Fellowships Committee at the hands-on workshops for primary and RSE in October. They are now seeking secondary school pupils. from universities, net job creation and cost effectiveness...The Enterprise further funding to develop the new UK The Royal Society of Edinburgh, firms. working as part of the UK and within a global context, is committed to the future of Scotland’s social, economic and cultural well-being. RSE in action RSE Announces Membership of Foot & Council Mouth Committee 2001-2002 Professor Ian Cunningham is to Chair The organism and the disease; At the ASM, held on Monday 29 the RSE’s independent inquiry into Foot outbreaks, including the recent one; October, the following were elected to & Mouth Disease. Professor Gavin approaches to control; impact on the serve on council for the session 2001- McCrone will be Vice Chairman of the economy; impact on tourism; lessons for 2002 committee, which is being set up at the the future President instigation of the President and Council The Committee will invite organisations Sir William Stewart, FRS of The Royal Society of Edinburgh. and individuals to give evidence to one Vice-Presidents The expert group will conduct a wide of its two subcommittees: Biological The Rt Hon Lord Ross ranging assessment of the impact of the Issues under the chairmanship of Dr Bill Sir David Carter disease on animal health and examine Martin and Economic Impact, chaired by Professor A C Walker the social and economic consequences Professor Gavin McCrone. General Secretary for Scotland of the recent epidemic on Membership of the expert group is : Professor A Miller, CBE the countryside and on the food chain. Professor Ian Cunningham, CBE, FRSE, Treasurer Particular emphasis will be placed on Sir James Armour, CBE, FRSE; Dr Brian Sir Laurence Hunter, FBA future methods of prevention and Ashcroft; Dr Jean Balfour, CBE, FRSE; Mr Curator control, and recommendations will be Ivan Broussine; Sir David Carter, FRSE; Dr Professor M D McLeod made on lessons to be learned for the W J Irvine, FRSE; Barbara Kelly; Dr Bill Fellowship Secretary future. Martin, FRSE; Professor Jeff Maxwell, Professor J D M H Laver, FBA The remit of the group is: To investigate OBE, FRSE; Professor Gavin McCrone, Programme Convener the outbreak, spread and control of Foot CB, FRSE, Dr Donald McRae; Dr Laura Professor J S Beck and Mouth Disease in Scotland in 2001. Meagher; Mr David Mitchell; Dr Peter Research Awards Convener In fulfilling this remit, the Working Party Nettleton; Professor Stuart Reid, FRSE Professor J R Coggins is expected to have regard to: Dr Robert Sellers; Mr Loudon Hamilton, International Convener CB, (Secretary). Lord Wilson of Tillyorn , KT, GCMG, KStJ Youth Programme Convener Dr L S D Glasser, MBE Chairman of the Committee, Professor Secretaries to Meetings Ian Cunningham said: Professor C M Duffus We will assess the impact on the national Professor D J Breeze economy, the food chain, and tourism, Councillors and will also be concerned with control Mr E Cunningham, CBE measures and their implementation. Professor C Kuo Professor E B Lane The recent outbreak of Foot & Mouth Professor J F McClelland, CBE Disease affected many spheres of life in Professor R G M Morris, FRS Scotland. In order to approach this Dr W S Nimmo complex subject, the range of expertise Professor M Peaker, FRS found in the committee is diverse. The Professor D H Saxon Society is delighted that a number of Professor P F Sharp specialists from outwith the RSE’s Professor I H Stevenson Fellowship have accepted invitations to Lord Sutherland of Houndwood, FBA be part of the Committee. Image Courtesy of the National Trust for Scotland. Photographer Bill Stout Submission of Evidence & Views Individuals and organisations are encouraged to submit information relevant to the remit of the committee, preferably by e-mail to : [email protected] or, alternatively in writing to: Mr Loudon Hamilton, at the Society. Up to date information will be posted on the RSE website www.royalsoced.org.uk 3 Examining Infectious Salmon Anaemia ¨ the detection methods used
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