The Royal Society of Edinburgh
Review 2003 (Session 2001-2002)
The Royal Society of Edinburgh Review 2003 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH
REVIEW OF THE SESSION 2001-2002 The Royal Society of Edinburgh 22-26 George Street Edinburgh, EH2 2PQ
Telephone : 0131 240 5000 Fax : 0131 240 5024 email : [email protected] Scottish Charity No SC000470
Printed in Great Britain by J W Arrowsmith Ltd, Bristol, BS3 2NT Cover illustration by Aird McKinstrie. Design by Jennifer Cameron THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH
REVIEW OF THE SESSION 2001-2002
PUBLISHED BY THE RSE SCOTLAND FOUNDATION ISSN 1476-4342
CONTENTS
Proceedings of the Ordinary Meetings ...... 3 Proceedings of the Annual Statutory Meeting ...... 5 Trustees report to 31 March 2002 ...... 17 Auditor’s Report and Accounts ...... 29 Schedule of Investments ...... 51 Activities Prize Lectures ...... 55 Lectures ...... 71 Conferences, Symposia, Workshops and Exhibitions ...... 127 Publications ...... 149 Fundraising ...... 151 The Scottish Science Advisory Committee ...... 153 Evidence, Advice and Comment ...... 157 Inquiries ...... 159 Public Policy Seminars ...... 161 Links with Industry ...... 163 Events for Young People ...... 165 Research Awards ...... 167 Medals, Prizes And Prize Lectureships ...... 173 Grants Committee ...... 175 International Programme ...... 177 Fellows’ Social Events ...... 179 Grants, Sponsorship and Donations ...... 181 Changes in Fellowship During the Session ...... 183 Staff Changes during the Session ...... 185 Index ...... 187
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ORDINARY MEETINGS 5 November 2001 4 February 2002 Chairman Chairman The Rt Hon Lord Ross PC, VPRSE Sir William Stewart FRS, PRSE. Formal Admission to Fellowship Formal Admission to Fellowship Professor Roger Crofts, Professor Professor Peter Humfrey. Hugh Miller, Professor Susan Lecture Smith and Professor Michael Muslims, Jews and Christians - the Summerfield. Quest for Human Solidarity. Prince Lecture (chaired by Professor J S El Hassan bin Talal of the Beck, FRSE) Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Therapeutic Cloning and Repro- (page 81) gramming in Stem Cell Research. 4 March 2002 Dr Harry Griffin, Roslin Institute and Professor Michael Steel FRSE, Chairman University of St Andrews. (page The Rt Hon Lord Ross PC, VPRSE. 71) Election of Fellows Following a 3 December 2001 ballot, those Fellows shown on page 183 were elected to the Chairman Fellowship. Sir William Stewart FRS, PRSE. Scrutineers Lecture Professor V B Proudfoot and Dr C Options and Opportunities in a D Waterston. Pandemic of Diabetes. Professor Ray Newton and Dr Andrew Lecture Morris, Ninewells Hospital and Regeneration of the Forth & Clyde Medical School, Dundee (page 75) and Union Canals. Professor Roland Paxton MBE, FRSE, 7 January 2002 Honorary Professor, Department Chairman of Civil and Offshore Engineering, Sir William Stewart FRS PRSE. Heriot-Watt University, Mr Jim Stirling, Director of British Water- Lecture ways and Professor George Knowledge for Vision: Vision for Fleming FRSE, Professor and Head Knowledge. (Royal Society of Water and Environmental Medawar Lecture. Professor Management Division, Strathclyde Richard Gregory CBE FRS FRSE, University. (page 89) Professor of Neuropsychology, University of Bristol. (page 79)
3 Review of the Session 2001-2002
13 May 2002 Council (PPARC), Professor at Imperial College London, Head of Chairman Physics and Dean of the Graduate Sir William Stewart FRS PRSE. School at Swansea University, Lecture member of the Governing Council How and Why We Age. Professor of the European Science Founda- Tom Kirkwood, Professor of tion, Board Member of the Gerontology, University of European Research Advisory Newcastle. (page 98) Board (EURAB). (page 107) 1 July 2002 30 September 2002 Chairman Chairman Sir William Stewart FRS, PRSE. Professor Andrew Walker VPFRSE. Formal Admission to Fellowship Formal Admission to Fellowship Mr Richard Armstrong, Professor Professor Kenneth Norrie, Profes- David Nevin Fraser Bell, Professor sor Jane Plant CBE. Sergio Della Sala, Professor Lecture Andrew Harrison, Ms Margaret Scotland and China: Growing Patricia Henton, Professor Derek Together. Professor Stephen William Johnston, Professor Robin Blackmore, Regius Keeper of the Law, Professor Thomas Frederick Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Melham, Professor Ilya Molch- (RBGE). (page 112) anov, Mr Ian Cleland Ritchie. Lecture Basic Science and the Wealth of Nations. Professor Ian Halliday FRSE, Chief Executive, Particle Physics and Astronomy Research
4 PROCEEDINGS OF THE STATUTORY GENERAL MEETING Minute of the Statutory General Meeting held on 28 October 2002, ending the 219th Session
The Annual Statutory Meeting Society’s Patron. He also reported took place in the Society’s Wolf- that the fundraising campaign, son Theatre on Monday 28 launched in August 2001 during October 2002 at 4.45pm. Sir a visit to RSE by HRH The Duke of William Stewart, FRS, FRSE, Edinburgh, HonFRSE, had already President, took the Chair. reached its various targets - The Minutes of the Annual indeed it had exceeded the overall Statutory Meeting held on target of £5 Million. He warmly Monday 29 October 2001, which thanked all those who had helped had been circulated to Fellows achieve this most pleasing prior to the meeting (also see outcome. Review 2002, page 7), were taken Dr Arthur and Professor Proudfoot as read, approved by those were nominated as Scrutineers for Fellows present and signed by the the ballot to elect Officers and President as a correct record. Council of the Society for the President’s Welcome 220th Session. The President welcomed Fellows The President then invited the and commented that he was General Secretary and Treasurer to pleased so many Fellows had present their reports. stayed on for the formal business General Secretary’s Report of the ASM after the outstanding lecture just given by M. Philippe Professor Andrew Miller, CBE, Busquin, EU Commissioner for FRSE, said Research, whose very busy “This General Secretary’s report is schedule meant he was unable to a review of the activities of the RSE present his lecture after the final during the 2001/2002 Session. business had been concluded. During this Session, the RSE has The President remarked that M. become an integral part of the Busquin’s lecture was a most Scottish Executive’s Scottish fitting conclusion to what had Science Strategy. As part of the been a remarkable Session, other first integrated Scottish Science highlights of which had been Strategy, the Scottish Executive outlined in the Annual Report, charged the RSE with the setting circulated beforehand to Fellows. up of the Scottish Science Adviso- He commented briefly on the ry Committee (SSAC) to identify recent Jubilee Dinner, attended by priorities, inform policy in science HRH The Princess Royal, Hon FRSE, and technology and advise to mark the Golden Jubilee of the Scottish Executive Ministers on
5 Review of the Session 2001-2002
issues of scientific importance. Programme has undertaken a The Committee, chaired by number of events this year across Professor Wilson Sibbett FRS, the breadth of Scotland. The FRSE, and drawn from a range of Christmas lecture by NASA sectors, including education, Astronaut, Dr Bonnie Dunbar, business, science communication, Corr FRSE, was held at Dumfries academia and research, was Academy and described the appointed by the RSE and has importance of exploration, from been developing its future work the early explorers at the turn of plan. The SSAC is, of course, the 20th Century to those who independent of the RSE in its explore space today. The non- deliberations and its conclusions. residential Science Summer Camp, This Session has also seen the supported by Shell Expro, was development of the RSE’s fund- held at Satrosphere and University raising initiative and I am grateful of Aberdeen this year. The theme to all those who have contributed. of the event was Waste and the The Fellows’ Fundraising cam- Environment and included a paign got under way in November mixture of talks, hands on 2001, with a target for Fellows’ activities and field trips. donations set at £400,000 and at The Startup Science Masterclasses, time of going to press it was close supported by Lloyds TSB Founda- to being achieved, with over tion for Scotland, ran at locations £355,000 pledged. The £5million across Scotland, including the target for partnership activity has University of Glasgow, the also been achieved, thanks to University of St. Andrews, Heriot- major grants from Lloyds TSB Watt University, the University of Foundation for Scotland, Scottish Dundee and Satrosphere (in Enterprise and the Gannochy association with the University of Trust. Such fund-raising efforts Aberdeen). The RSE’s Saturday will help provide the resources for Maths Masterclasses were held the RSE to deliver the goals and this year at Dalmeny Primary objectives of its Corporate Plan, School and Kelvinside Academy, promote learning and put the Glasgow, and the Physics Master- multidisciplinary expertise of its classes were held in conjunction Fellows to work for the good of with the Department of Physics Scotland. The aim of the next and Astronomy at the University stage of the fundraising campaign of Glasgow. is to raise significant money from The Schools’ Lectures took place major corporations. at venues from Livingston to the Young People’s Activities Isle of Lewis and were part of The Society’s Young People’s TechFest and National Science
6 Proceedings of the Annual Statutory Meeting
Week. A Discussion Forum for S5- ing Council, Scottish Enterprise 6 pupils (supported by the Darwin and the Scottish Executive and Trust) on the technology and was attended by 320 people. ethics underlying therapeutic and Another well-attended event was reproductive cloning was held at a half-day conference on Manag- Stirling University, and the RSE ing Intellectual Property in Roadshow, with talks and work- Scottish Higher Education at the shops for local primary and RSE on 28th June, supported by secondary students, as well as the the RSE, Scottish Enterprise, general public, was held at SHEFC and Universities Scotland. Eyemouth High School in Berwick- Research Awards shire. The Society supports research For the first time, in recognition of across a broad range of disci- all this activity, 12 certificates were plines, and recognises research presented at the RSE’s Annual excellence, through its fellow- Awards Reception in July to those ships, prizes and prize who have made an outstanding lectureships. We were delighted contribution to the Society’s that Scottish Enterprise committed activities for young people. £5.5 million for a second round of Links with Industry Enterprise Fellowships from 2002 The Society has continued to to 2007, allowing the Society to strengthen the links between award 80 new Fellowships over industry and academia. Two this period. This followed a very further high-profile Foresight positive independent review and Seminars were held in November evaluation, by Segal Quince 2001 and February 2002 on the Wicksted, of the 13 Enterprise topics of Lab on a Chip Fellowships that had been Technology, at the RSE, and completed since Spring 2001. Transport Technologies and In the latest round of awards, the Logistics, in Glasgow, in Society awarded nine Enterprise partnership with the Scottish Fellowships, one PPARC Enterprise Executive and SHEFC. Fellowship, one BP Fellowship, One particular highlight in this and two Lloyds TSB Foundation area included the very successful for Scotland Personal Fellowships “Innovation in Scotland in the and four Lloyds TSB Foundation 21st Century – Matching Knowl- for Scotland PhD Studentships. edge and Enterprise” Conference With the additional funding from at the Glasgow Thistle Hotel. This the Scottish Executive Enterprise event was co-hosted by the and Lifelong Learning Department Scottish Higher Education Fund- now in place, the Society was also able to award a larger number of
7 Review of the Session 2001-2002
Personal and Support Fellowships Medal for an outstanding publica- this year, and awarded two tion in natural history, was Personal Fellowships, three awarded to Professor Philip Support Fellowships and two new Corbet FRSE. Science Fellowships for Teachers. Evidence, Advice & Comment These new Fellowships for science, In fulfilling our role as a provider engineering, technology and of expert evidence and advice to careers teachers in Scottish Parliaments and Governments, the secondary schools provide the Society has responded to 29 opportunity to take up to three requests for comment in the months away from teaching 2001-2002 Session. These have duties to spend time in an included topics such as managing industry, research or business radioactive waste safely, regula- environment; funding for a tions on the deliberate release of replacement teacher in the GMOs into the environment, a applicant’s school is also provided. review of arts and humanities In honouring outstanding research funding and research achievement the RSE presented a and knowledge transfer in number of Prizes and awards this Scotland. Session. This year was the third In addition to responsive evi- round of Royal Medals for dence, the Society has also outstanding achievement, which instigated a number of proactive were awarded by HRH The Inquiries. In February, prompted Princess Royal, Hon FRSE, at a by a symposium on Medical dinner in the Signet Library on 3 Practice and the Growth of October. This year’s medals were Litigation in the UK held at the awarded to: Professor Sir Alfred RSE last year, the Society’s Work- Cuschieri FRSE, Professor John ing Group, chaired by Lord Ross, Mallard OBE, FRSE and Professor published its report Encouraging Sir Alan Peacock FBA, FRSE. In Resolution which explored addition, the James Scott Prize mediation as a means of resolving Lectureship on the fundamental clinical negligence disputes. concepts of natural philosophy was awarded to Professor Sir In June, the Society’s Working Michael Berry FRS; the BP Prize Party on Infectious Salmon Lectureship in the humanities was Anaemia, chaired by Professor Sir awarded to Dr Colin Kidd; the Roderick MacSween, published its Makdougall-Brisbane Prize for report The Scientific Issues distinction in the promotion of Surrounding the Control of scientific research was awarded to Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA) Dr Dario Alessi FRSE and the Neill in Scotland which looked into the
8 Proceedings of the Annual Statutory Meeting
science behind legislation govern- the way for Exploration of the ing the control of Infectious Space Frontier. This event was Salmon Anaemia, which had been jointly hosted with Heriot-Watt damaging one of Scotland’s most University and filled 550 seats at important industries. the Riccarton Conference Centre. In July, the Society’s Inquiry Other highlights have included: Committee into Foot and Mouth · a public lecture on the Regener- Disease in Scotland, chaired by ation of the Forth & Clyde and Professor Ian Cunningham, Union Canals, by Professor published its report Inquiry into Roland Paxton MBE FRSE, Mr Foot and Mouth Disease in Jim Stirling and Professor Scotland which investigated the George Fleming FRSE, including outbreak, spread and control of details of the construction of Foot and Mouth Disease in the Falkirk Wheel; Scotland during the 2001 epi- demic, including the effects on · a Regional Event at the Universi- the rural and tourist economies of ty of Dundee on Strangers in a Scotland. The RSE attracted Strange Land? Two Centuries of particularly high levels of press the Irish in Scotland by Profes- and media coverage for this report sor Tom Devine, describing and its findings, with journalists Scotland’s largest immigrant showing particular interest in group; vaccination, import controls and · a public lecture on Epidemics of public confidence in vaccinated Infectious Diseases in Livestock meat. by Professor Roy Anderson, Meetings jointly hosted with the Scottish The Society has again increased Agricultural & Biological the number and variety of events Research Institutes at the in its meetings programme. The Macaulay Institute in Aberdeen, quality of meetings remains high, which discussed the interface and with positive feedback from between scientific research and audiences the Society is succeed- policy formation, in light of the ing in raising its public profile. 2001 Foot and Mouth epidemic and the BSE epidemic. Successful events this year have included a lecture from Dr Bonnie This year’s CRF/RSE International Dunbar, Corr FRSE, Astronaut and Conference was on the topic of Assistant Director of University Memory: Physiological Processes Research and Affairs, NASA and Clinical Implications, and entitled From RSS Discovery to attracted 156 participants from Space Shuttle Discovery: Leading the UK, the USA and Canada. The event covered a range of topics
9 Review of the Session 2001-2002
including amnesia, epilepsy and ing Fellows and 1211 Ordinary the consequences of neurodegen- Fellows - 1292 in total. Women erative disease. Fellows make up 5.7 % of the Publications Fellowship and the average age of The Society published six issues of the Fellowship stands at 66.8 Proceedings A: Mathematics and years. The percentage distribution three issues of Transactions: Earth of disciplines in the Fellowship (as Sciences (including one double of September 2002) may be issue), and a steady rate of summarised under the four Sector submission of papers to both Groups: journals has been maintained. · Life Sciences 35% The new look RSE News ‘Re- · Physical, Engineering and SourcE’ has been published twice Informatic Sciences 39% this year in its more ‘user friendly’ · Arts, Humanities and Social format and has been disseminat- Sciences 18% ed widely. Contributions from Fellows for additional material · Economics, Business and continue to be as welcome as ever. Administration 8%. Fellowship Matters 72.5 % of Fellows are resident in The election year 2001 - 2002, Scotland, 18.4% in England, culminating in the election of 8.5% overseas and 0.6% either in Fellows in March 2002, was the Wales, Northern Ireland or Ireland. second of an initial three-year Dr Charles Waterson FRSE and Mr exercise following the recommen- Angus Shearer have also succeed- dations of Professor Laver’s ed with the first objective in Working Party on the Balance of compiling a biographical details the Fellowship. In March 2002, database of every RSE Fellow since the Society elected 62 new the Founding of the Society, by Fellows: four Honorary Fellows, creating an electronic record of four Corresponding Fellows and the basic biographical details of 54 Ordinary Fellows. With respect every Fellow. The next phase will to age and gender, the average be to enter further biographical age of the new Ordinary Fellows details. was 50.4. Seven women were International Activities elected as Ordinary Fellows and Our international programme one woman was elected as an continues to develop and we have Honorary Fellow. made excellent progress in Current statistics show that the developing and enhancing our Fellowship is comprised of 67 links and relations in Europe and Honorary Fellows, 14 Correspond- beyond. We obtained member-
10 Proceedings of the Annual Statutory Meeting
ship of the All European Acade- within the devolution settlement mies Network (ALLEA) in the and in further developing its Spring of 2002 and strengthened overseas relationships our links with European contacts - Beyond Europe, the Society signed notably in October 2002 we also Memoranda of Scientific Co- signed a Memorandum of operation with the Chinese Scientific Co-operation with the Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Polish Academy of Sciences. In the National Science Council addition, we have hosted Scottish Taiwan. The Memorandum with / European events, the most recent CAS was ratified during a vist to being a seminar for the Scottish China by a small RSE delegation, research community which led by Lord Wilson of Tillyorn. promoted research opportunities Work is in hand regarding the within the upcoming EU Frame- practical implementation of both work 6 programme, in partnership agreements. In addition, His Royal with Scotland Europa and the UK Highness Prince El Hassan bin Research Organisation, Brussels. Talal of the Hashemite Kingdom In partnership with the Karolinska of Jordan, spoke at the Society on Institute, Stockholm and the Royal the 4 February 2002 on the quest Swedish Academy of Sciences, we for human solidarity between also held a joint life sciences & Christians, Muslims and Jews, biotechnology event in Stockholm reflecting on the events of on 17 October 2002. This was the September 11th 2001. main pillar of a wider programme As a final international event this entitled Scotland in Sweden, run Session, the European Research by the Scottish Executive Sweden, Commissioner Philipe Busquin from 16-19 October, to promote visited the RSE on 28 October and position Scotland in areas 2002 to give a lecture which, such as arts, culture, governance, given the scale and importance of science and tourism. The Executive European Union funding for commissioned the Society to research, and the proximity to his organise the science event on launching of the EU Framework 6 behalf of Scotland. We were programme, is a great coup for delighted to do so and the the Society. President lead a delegation which demonstrated Scotland as being Staffing Matters at the leading edge of life scienc- The staff complement of the RSE es. The event was an excellent has continued to develop to meet example of the positive contribu- the growing activities of the tion which the Society continues to make to support Scotland
11 Review of the Session 2001-2002
Society. During this Session there In setting up the Scottish Science were a number of departures and Advisory Committee (SSAC), the arrivals. To the following staff who Society was similarly pleased to have left the Society I would like appoint Dr Avril Davidson as the to give the Society’s thanks for Head of the SSAC Secretariat and their support and commitment: Ms Tracy Rickard as Administrator Ms Jennifer Etchells, Facilities and for the SSAC. Conference Co-ordinator I would also like to thank Mr Ms Elaine Hay, Research Fellow- Michael Westcott, formerly ships Assistant/Telephonist Assistant Secretary, University of Ms Beth Owens, Assistant to the Edinburgh, for his on-going work RSE Foot and Mouth Inquiry this Session, in building the Ms Wendy Saunders, Events Co- architecture for a filing system for ordinator RSE archives. Ms Anna Whitehead, Temporary This year has been my first year as Events Assistant General Secretary and I will New staff welcomed in this continue to build upon the session are: achievements of my predecessor, Mrs Elizabeth Bigelow, Reception- Professor Peter Wilson. The ist/Telephonist Fellows are a national asset of Miss Roísín Calvert, Events great worth and I will do all I can Manager to stimulate their contribution to Ms Kirsteen Francis, Facilities Co- Scottish society in the discovery ordinator and application of new knowl- Ms Sarah Gilmore, Events Assist- edge.” ant Treasurer’s Report Ms Paulette Hughes, Receptionist/ Sir Laurence Hunter, CBE, FRSE, Telephonist said Mrs Jenny Liddell, Research Awards Co-ordinator “I would like to use my time this Mr Colin Nelson, Facilities Assist- evening to do three things: ant 1.Report on the 2001-02 ac- Mrs Margaret Tait, Receptionist/ counts and comment on some Telephonist of the main factors underlying Mr Duncan Welsh, Temporary the figures. Events Co-ordinator 2.Report on the outlook for the Mr Michael White, International current financial year (2002-03). Officer (seconded from the British Council). 3.Take a more general look at the longer-term financial position
12 Proceedings of the Annual Statutory Meeting
and explain our current thinking and a short statement on the and approaches to the issues. current position in the new I do think it is important that the Annual Report, which has been Fellowship should have a clear sent to all Fellows. But we felt it understanding of the financial desirable to include an excerpt situation, not just in terms of the from the formal Trustees’ Report, formal accounts, but also in terms which provides greater detail of of the budgeting and administra- the finances. tive procedures underlying them. Report on 2001-02 Accounts This is particularly the case when As you will know, this was another the finances are difficult, as they disappointing outcome – it was, have been in recent times. frankly, a bad year financially. Before getting to the main issues, Overall, the combined Society and I should explain a little further Foundation deficit was £121,000, some changes in the presentation including losses on investment. of these accounts to you. Chang- A number of points need to be es in the Recommended Practice made about this outcome: for Charitable Bodies mean that 1.The major problem was the loss we are obliged to change our of £155,000 rental income to traditional presentation of the the Foundation resulting from accounts, in prescribed ways. This the failure of our commercial is designed to lead to a clearer tenant, Houseworks. This in presentation of income and turn had a knock-on effect on expenditure by type (such as the Society, since Council promotion of research). In agreed to waive interest addition, new accounting stand- payments due from the loan to ards mean that there are the Foundation. additional items of disclosure that have to be complied with, notably 2.The deficit was not due to with regard to pension provision. unscheduled overspends or I was also keen to introduce a poor financial controls on new, more ‘popular’, easily read budget. The consequences of version of the main financial data, Houseworks’ demise were taken since I know that although many into account in the budgeting of you are well versed in analysing process and in fact the final accounts, others may prefer a outcome was an improvement simplified version. on the forecast deficit. We did manage to make some econo- Thus we have taken the opportu- mies, but further emergency nity this year to incorporate a cuts would have run counter to summary picture of the accounts the Society’s Corporate Plan,
13 Review of the Session 2001-2002
designed to raise the Society’s remainder was due to a decline profile as Scotland’s National in investment values (the stock Academy. market effect) and the loan to 3.These plans involved an increase the RSE Scotland Foundation. in expenditure on an enhanced Overall, then, 2001-02 was a very research and teaching fellow- difficult year, due particularly to ship programme, and on the loss of rental income. On the fundraising to support develop- brighter side, we were able to get ment in the longer term. Total through the year and maintain the expenditure in fact rose by 10% expanded programme for the while income rose by 9.7%, promotion of science and research leaving a small but significant as envisaged in the Corporate gap on the deficit side. Plan. Donations and grants to the Secondly, can I now turn to the Society increased by over 50%, current year, 2002-03. The good including appeal receipts and news here is that we have a new additional Scottish Executive commercial tenant, Lakeland, who funding for the Scottish Science started trading from July in Advisory Committee and other Number 26 George Street. The specified activities. Investment downside of this is that regular income for the Society was income from the new rental down, largely due to the waiver agreement has only started to of interest on the loan to the flow in the last month or so, and Foundation, following the loss the Foundation will have to wait of rental income. These until 2003-04 to obtain a full changes in income were rental income. That loss has been reflected in increased outgoings taken into account in budgetary on funding research awards and planning for the current financial on fundraising. Expenditure on year, and although matters will international activities (research have improved, both the Founda- links and exchanges) increased, tion’s and the Society’s accounts as did management and will still reflect a significant loss of administrative costs, but the income. Some further loss of latter was contained at 12% of investment income can be income, which meant running a expected as a result of stock very tight ship to administer an market falls. Overall, the problem expanded programme. has been to try to strike a balance 4.Balance Sheet: the decline in net between making economies and assets was 1.7%, half of which maintaining the thrust of the was due to the building Corporate Plan, in the light of depreciation charge. The additional funding support
14 Proceedings of the Annual Statutory Meeting
available to the Society and the manage the Society through a Foundation from a variety of difficult period. Our aim is to sources. The net outcome, restore a stable financial balance however, will be a further but in the Society and Foundation, to much reduced deficit in the set about rebuilding reserves, and current financial year. to identify a level of activity that is May I now turn to my third and sustainable over the longer term. final topic – the longer term To some extent, the future outlook. Clearly the run of prospects will depend on the deficits has to be brought to an success of the second phase of end. The Society simply cannot fundraising, focused mainly on continue to run deficits as it has commercial organisations, but been doing, and I am only too there is no doubt that the new aware that this either has to mean funding already achieved will be significant economies or addition- an enormous help. al sources of income to support I would like to conclude by the expanded level of activities. thanking my colleagues on the The good news here is that the Treasurer’s Committee, particularly Scottish Executive, as you will have Lord Ross who stood in for me heard from the President, has during a period of absence, and agreed to significantly raise the Kate Ellis and William Duncan for funding it makes available to the their immense work behind the Society, over the next three years. scenes. I, and indeed the Society, Critically, this will not only bring owe a great debt to them.” support to the Society’s pro- Following the opportunity to ask grammes for Research and questions of the Officers, covering Teaching Fellowships, for the issues such as the Corporate Plan, understanding of science and for prospects for increased Scottish advice on public issues in science, Executive funding, the relation- but it will provide much-needed ship between the Society and core support for the staffing and Scottish Science Advisory Commit- administration of the Society’s tee, and closer links with British programmes. The impact of this, Council, it was agreed unani- and a successful first phase of mously that the General fundraising, on future budgets is Secretary’s and Treasurer’s reports currently being worked on, in the should be accepted. The Presi- context of a revised, tighter, dent thanked the Officers for their budget planning procedure, reports and their work for the under the watchful eye of the Society. Treasurer’s Committee, which was set up just over a year ago to help
15 Review of the Session 2001-2002
The President reported that the Lesley Glasser, Young People’s power to appoint Auditors now Programme Convener and lay with Council which intended Professor Malcolm Peaker. to reappoint KPMG, subject to Bicentenary Medal satisfactory negotiations over fees. It was agreed unanimously that The President presented the Council should proceed to Bicentenary Medal to Professor exercise its power to appoint Peter Wilson, CBE, FRSE, for his auditors as indicated. outstanding service to the Society, particularly as General Secretary Election of Council (1996-2001). The President asked the Scruti- New President neers to report and they indicated that the papers were in order and Sir William then formally handed that the Fellows listed on the over the President’s Insignia to Ballot Sheet had been elected Lord Sutherland of Houndwood, unanimously to serve as the Kt, FBA, FRSE, and wished him Council for 2002-2003. The well during his period as Presi- President thanked the Scrutineers. dent. Lord Sutherland commented on the many achieve- Sir William thanked the Officers ments of Sir William’s Presidency and members of Council who had and thanked him most warmly for served with him, in particular his contribution. those also retiring at this ASM, viz Lord Ross, Vice-President; Profes- sor Malcolm McLeod, Curator; Professor John Laver, Fellowship Secretary; Professor John Coggins, Research Awards Convener; Dr
16 TRUSTEES REPORT TO 31 MARCH 2002 The Council of the Society as • prepare the accounts on a Trustees of the Society present going-concern basis unless it is their report for the financial year inappropriate to assume the ended 31 March 2002. Society will continue its activi- Statement of Council’s responsi- ties. bilities The Council has a responsibility Under the Laws of the Society, the for keeping proper accounting Council has the responsibility to records which disclose with manage all matters concerning reasonable accuracy at any time the affairs of the Society. The the financial position of the Treasurer, a member of the Society and which enable it to Council, has a duty under the comply with the Law Reform Laws of the Society to present to (Miscellaneous Provisions) the Fellows at the Statutory (Scotland) Act 1990 and the Meeting the accounts for the Charities Accounts (Scotland) preceding financial year to 31 Regulations 1992. It has general March. responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to it Under Charities legislation, the to safeguard the assets of the Council is required to prepare charity and to prevent and detect accounts for each financial year fraud and other irregularities. which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Society Investment powers and policy at 31 March and of its financial The Council has power under the activities during the year then Laws to control the investment of ended. the Funds of the Society. In preparing these accounts, the The management of the invest- Council should ments is carried out by Stewart • select suitable accounting Ivory Wealth Management on a policies and apply them discretionary basis. The objectives consistently; set by the Council of the RSE are first to stabilise a sufficient level of • make judgements and estimates income to meet the target set that are reasonable and annually by Council and thereafter prudent; to invest for capital growth • ensure that the recommenda- potential. The Council has tions of the Statement of delegated the detailed monitoring Recommended Practice (Ac- of performance to the Investment counting by Charities) have Committee, which makes compar- been followed; isons against a composite benchmark reflecting the mix of
17 Review of the Session 2001-2002
assets held and the WM Median sources including the RSE’s index. restricted funds. The basis of As a consequence of the restric- eligibility and selection varies tion being placed on the total according to the detailed scheme return available from the portfolio regulations, which are published by the high income requirement, on the RSE’s Web site the Council has agreed in princi- (www.royalsoced.org.uk). ple to realise part of the overall Grants are also made in support capital gain to make up a propor- of research activities of Fellows of tion of the targeted “return for the RSE including support for the year” subject to no more than travel connected with research or 2% of capital value being drawn scholarship, small scale specialist out of capital. This has not yet meetings, to assist research been drawn down. The income visitors to Scotland to undertake targets for the year have been met collaborative research work with a and the total return values have Fellow, to assist a visiting lecturer out-performed the average charity to come to Scotland to assist index and the UK market. research collaboration between Representatives of the Investment two institutions in Scotland or Committee meet annually with between universities and industry the fund managers to discuss and to assist in the publication of their compliance with the books written by Fellows. These constraints set by the Committee grants are funded by the RSE’s and the risk environment. In the designated Grants Fund. The year under review no compliance Grants Committee is responsible issues arose which required to be for making awards in accordance reported to the Committee. with the detailed rules set out by the Council of the Society for the Operating policies - Grant disbursement of the Grants fund. Making Details of committee membership The RSE makes grants to individu- are to be found in the Society’s als in higher education annual directory and on its institutions in support of research website. activities in the categories of postdoctoral research Fellowships, Reserves Policy and Funds support research Fellowships, The Society holds a number of post-graduate Studentships, restricted funds resulting from undergraduate vacation Scholar- bequests for particular purposes, ships and Enterprise Fellowships. details of which are set out in Each of these categories is note 2(c) to the financial state- specifically funded from various ments. The Council has also
18 Trustees’ Report to 31 March 2002
created designated funds, where Risk management the Society has set aside sums During the year the Council from its unrestricted funds, the established a Treasurer’s Commit- purposes of which are set out in tee. Its remit includes examining note 2(b) to the financial state- the major risks faced by the ments. The General Fund Society and formalising, and represents the balance of unre- extending where necessary, stricted funds arising from past existing systems established to operating results, which are not monitor and control these risks to invested in fixed assets or desig- mitigate any impact that they may nated for a specific purpose. have on the Society. This work is The Council has examined the in progress and is expected to be requirement for free reserves, and completed during the next concluded that whilst the present financial year. In the meantime level of reserves gives adequate the Council believes that the working capital for core costs, it existing informal systems and the would be desirable to have a structure of decision taking and General Fund reserve in the range reporting through Business of three to six months expenditure Committee and Council continues on central costs. They have also to provide assurance that risks are concluded that the Society should carefully managed. maintain a development fund to give flexibility to respond to new initiatives on a timely basis without the need for specific fundraising.
19 Review of the Session 2001-2002
The Year 1 April 2001-31 March 2002
This year has seen the RSE become hand-over of the post of General an integral part of the Scottish Secretary from Professor Peter Executive’s Scottish Science Wilson to Professor Andrew Strategy, with the RSE being Miller. The Council was very charged with the setting-up of the grateful for all the hard work Scottish Science Advisory Commit- Professor Wilson put into his role tee, chaired by Professor Wilson as General Secretary and now Sibbett FRS FRSE, to identify hopes to build upon the founda- priorities, inform policy in science tions established by his and technology and advise dedication. Scottish Executive Ministers on Links with Young People issues of scientific importance. This Scottish Science Strategy The Society’s Young People’s takes forward the key recommen- programme has again been busy dations of the Science Strategy this year with events taking place Review Group and some of the across Scotland. A Discussion recommendations of the Royal Forum on Mobile Phone Technol- Society of London/Royal Society of ogy and Safety for S5-6 pupils was Edinburgh joint report on Devolu- held at Glasgow University, held tion and Science. jointly between the RSE and the BA, and supported by EPSRC and This year has also seen the launch Institute of Physics. For a week in of the RSE’s fundraising initiative. the summer, S1/S2 pupils attend- We were delighted and honoured ed the new RSE Summer Science that HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, Camp at Satrosphere in Aberdeen. who celebrated his 50th anniver- This was a week-long non- sary as an Honorary Fellow, agreed residential camp with a general to be Patron of this campaign, theme of Space and Time, sup- which he launched at the RSE on ported by Lloyds TSB Foundation 6 August 2001. for Scotland. The Society also held There were a number of regular new Physics Masterclasses for S5- changes to Council membership 6 students, in conjunction with following the Annual Statutory the University of Glasgow. This Meeting this year. The Council bid builds on the success of the farewell to Professor Robert Startup Science Masterclasses for Donovan, who had provided a S1/2 pupils, supported by Lloyds valuable contribution as Vice- TSB Foundation for Scotland, President, and welcomed his which run at five locations across successor, Professor Andy Walker. Scotland. The RSE Roadshow was This year has also seen the based at Eyemouth High School in
20 Trustees’ Report to 31 March 2002
Berwickshire, with talks and SHEFC. The Workshops were held workshops for local primary and in Glasgow, Dundee, Edinburgh secondary students, as well as the and Inverness and aimed at general public. identifying and encouraging the Other successful events have adoption of best practice with included the RSE’s regular Satur- regard to commercialisation day Maths Masterclasses, thanks within the Scottish science base. to Professor Jack Carr and Teresa Another highlight was the very Carr. The Schools Lectures took successful Innovation in Scotland place at venues from Livingston to in the 21st Century - Matching the Isle of Lewis and were part of Knowledge and Enterprise TechFest and National Science Conference at the Glasgow Thistle Week. The RSE Christmas Lecture Hotel. This event was co-hosted by was given by Dr Bonnie Dunbar, the Scottish Higher Education NASA Astronaut, Corr FRSE, at Funding Council, Scottish Enter- Dumfries Academy. Dr Dunbar prise and Scottish Executive and spoke about the importance of was attended by 320 people. exploration from the early explor- Research Awards ers at the turn of the 20th Century to those who explore space today. The Society continues to support research across a broad range of Links with Industry disciplines, and recognise research The Society has continued to excellence, through its fellow- strengthen the links between ships, prizes and prize industry and academia. Two lectureships. further high-profile Foresight This year was the second round of Seminars were held in November Royal Medals for outstanding 2001 and February 2002 on the achievement, which were awarded topics of by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh at Lab on a Chip Technology, at the a ceremony in the Palace of RSE, and Holyrood. This year’s medals were Transport Technologies and awarded to: Sir James Black, Logistics, in Glasgow, in partner- Professor Ian Scott and Professor ship with the Scottish Executive Tom Devine. and SHEFC. We were delighted that Scottish In developing its support for Enterprise committed £5.5 million commercialisation, the RSE for a second round of Enterprise organised a series of Science Base Fellowships from 2002 to 2007, Research and Commercialisation which will allow the Society to workshops, with the support of award 80 new Fellowships over Technology Ventures Scotland and the next five years, commencing in
21 Review of the Session 2001-2002
the financial year 2002-03. This In addition to responsive evi- followed a very positive independ- dence, the Society has also ent review and evaluation, by instigated a number of Working SQW, of the 13 Enterprise Fellow- Parties and Inquiries. In June, ships that had been completed prompted by a symposium on since Spring 1997. Medical Practice and the Growth In the latest round of awards, the of Litigation in the UK held at the Society awarded six Enterprise RSE last year, the Society estab- Fellowships (including two in the lished a group, chaired by Lord newly funded category of Microe- Ross, to exploring mediation as a lectronics), one PPARC Enterprise means of resolving clinical Fellowship, one BP Fellowship, negligence disputes. In October, and one Lloyds TSB Foundation the Society formed a Working for Scotland Fellowship. With the Party, Chaired by Sir Roderick additional funding from the MacSween, which looked into Scottish Executive Enterprise and recent changes to the methodolo- Lifelong Learning Department gy for identifying cases of now in place the Society was also Infectious Salmon Anaemia. In able to award a larger number of December, an Inquiry into Foot Personal and Support Fellowships and Mouth Disease in Scotland this year, and awarded five was initiated, chaired by Professor Personal Fellowships and two Ian Cunningham, to investigate Support Fellowships. We also the outbreak, spread and control awarded the Bruce-Preller Prize of Foot and Mouth Disease in Lectureship to Professor Adrian Scotland in 2001. Bird and look forward to his Scotland’s Wellbeing - our public lecture in due course. policy seminar programme - has Evidence Advice and Comment also continued, with Urban Congestion being the subject of In fulfilling our role as a provider the fourth event in the series. of expert evidence and advice to Through this series the Society has Parliaments and Governments, the sought to facilitate a Society has responded to 41 wholly-inclusive approach to requests for comment in 2001- policy debate in Scotland. In 2002. These have included a keeping with earlier events in the human rights commission for programme, it was attended by a Scotland, possible scenarios for Scottish Executive Minister, and the uptake of GM in agriculture brought together a wide range of and the draft Land Reform Bill. interested stakeholders.
22 Trustees’ Report to 31 March 2002
Meetings Publications The Society has again increased The Society published six issues of the number and variety of events Proceedings A: Mathematics and in its programme and has seen a four issues of Transactions: Earth marked upturn in the attendance Sciences (including two double at events, with the overspill rooms symposium issues), and a steady being put to use for several rate of submission of papers to lectures. both journals has been main- A number of successful events tained. were held this year. Dr Bonnie The new look RSE News ReSourcE Dunbar, Corr FRSE, Astronaut and has been published three times Assistant Director of University this year in its more ‘user friendly’ Research and Affairs, NASA gave a format and has been disseminat- memorable lecture, From RSS ed widely. Contributions from Discovery to Space Shuttle Fellows for additional material Discovery: Leading the way for continue to be as welcome as ever. Exploration of the Space Frontier. Fellowship matters This event was jointly hosted with Heriot-Watt University. In associa- The election year 2001 - 2002, tion with the Scottish Jean culminating in the election of Monnet Centre for European Fellows in March 2002, was the Excellence, the RSE hosted a second of an initial three-year seminar to launch the Future of exercise following the recommen- Europe debate in Scotland. This dations of Professor Laver’s important event was attended by Working Party on the Balance of the Scottish Executive Minister for the Fellowship. The number of Europe, Members of the Scottish new Ordinary Fellows was set at and European Parliaments and an upper limit of 55 and included ambassadors and representatives extra allocations in those disci- from member and accession pline areas identified as being states. poorly represented in the Fellow- ship. In addition, four Other highlights of the year have Corresponding Fellows were included a visit and lecture by HRH elected and four Honorary Prince El Hassan bin Talal of the Fellows. The average age at Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan election for Ordinary Fellowship entitled Muslims, Jews and was 50.4. Christians in the 21st Century : The Quest for Human Solidarity Current statistics show that the and a popular lecture on the Fellowship is made up of 93.6% Regeneration of the Forth and Ordinary, 5.3% Honorary and Clyde and Union Canals. 1.1% Corresponding Fellows. Of
23 Review of the Session 2001-2002
the Ordinary Fellows, 47.8% are most recent being the launch of under 65, 5.9% are women, The Future of Europe Debate in 76.1% are in Scotland, 19.1% are Scotland. in the rest of the UK and 4.8% are Beyond Europe, continued resident overseas. The majority progress has been made on (50.7%) of Honorary Fellows are establishing a research exchange based overseas and of the agreement with the National remainder, 11.6% are in Scotland Science Council, Taiwan, which with 37.7% in the rest of the UK. should be implemented next All Corresponding Fellows have to April. Lord Wilson of Tillyorn, be domiciled overseas. The who became the new Internation- breakdown across disciplines is: al Convener in October 2001, led Life Sciences 34.4%; Physical, a small delegation to China to Engineering and Informatic ratify a Memorandum of Under- Sciences 39.2%; Arts, Humanities standing with the Chinese and Social Sciences 18.2%; Academy of Sciences, to promote Economics, Business and Adminis- and strengthen scientific co- tration 8.2%. operation between both sides. International activities Staffing Matters Our international programme The Society welcomed the ap- continues to develop and we have pointment to the staff of Mrs made excellent progress in Róisín Calvert as Events Manager, developing and enhancing our following the departure of Mrs links and relations in Europe and Heather Mantell, and the appoint- beyond. In Europe, positive steps ment of Mr Frank Pullen, MBE, as have been made regarding the Central Services Manager. Mr Society obtaining membership of Stuart Armstrong has acted the All European Academies throughout this period as the Network. We will learn the Society’s external Fundraising outcome of that in Spring next Consultant. In setting up the year. We have also strengthened Scottish Science Advisory Commit- or links with European contacts - tee (SSAC), the Society was also notably the European Commis- pleased to appoint Dr Avril sion, and have hosted major Davidson as the Head of the SSAC Scottish / European events. The Secretariat.
Professor Andrew Miller General Secretary
24 Trustees’ Report to 31 March 2002
Financial review April 2001-March 2002 The accounts for the year ended to £177,000 before transfers; this 31 March 2002 have been higher level is largely because the prepared to comply with the General Fund bears the residual requirements of the revised cost of management and adminis- Statement of Recommended tration, publicity and fundraising. Practice for Charities issued by the On the plus side the Appeal raised Accounting Standards Board. This £91,000 in cash in the period has entailed a revision of the with further substantial inflows presentation of Statement of since the year end. Financial Activities (SOFA), which Income and Expenditure incorporates the income and expenditure account, as well as Total incoming resources at £1.96 new items of disclosure included million have increased by 9.7 % in this Trustees Report. These over the previous year. The new amendments have required that category of donations and grants much of the detailed functional at £665,000 shows an increase of analysis is now shown in notes to 52% over last year as a result of the accounts with a summary Appeal receipts, a new grant from presentation by type of incoming Scottish Executive for the Scottish and outgoing resources in the Science Advisory Committee and SOFA. The intention is to make increased grant for additional clearer the overview of the result specified activities. for the year. Income from activities has in- Result for the year creased by 5% to £1.18m, the increase in support for research Financially, the year was overshad- awards of nearly £175,000 being owed by the loss of the offset by a fall in meetings commercial tenant of the RSE income. The previous year showed Scotland Foundation, with a particularly high level of income consequent loss of income to the from meetings and events due to Foundation of £155,000. This the New Frontiers Exhibition and has impacted on the Society’s the £113,000 for this year is at a accounts to the extent of a waiver similar level to earlier years. of interest of £85,000 due on its loan to the Foundation (described The category of Investment in more detail below). In this income was much reduced as a context the Society’s overall loss result of the waiver of interest for the year of £121,000 is referred to above but dividend unsurprising, if disappointing. income from the investments The General Fund loss amounted managed by Stewart Ivory held up
25 Review of the Session 2001-2002
well although the total income Teaching Fellowships which are from this source was reduced being piloted in the current year. from £104,000 to £98,000 Expenditure on activities fell because of reducing tax credits, overall by 3% from £648,000 to which will be phased out by 2004. £626,000 reflecting the lower The share of investment income expenditure on meetings in line credited to the General Fund is with the drop in income. This increased by approximately category also includes the expend- £30,000 as a result of the earlier iture on the increased levels of decision by Council not to credit advice and comment, for example income to the Grants Fund for the the inquiry on Infectious Salmon time being. Anaemia, Mediation and the The total resources expended of Health Service and the initial £2.07 million increased by 10% stages of the Foot & Mouth over the previous year with much Disease Inquiry. The costs of of the increase coming from £59,000 incurred on behalf of the increased expenditure on fund- Scottish Science Advisory Commit- raising and research awards. The tee also appear here. Expenditure new category Cost of Generating on international links and the Funds includes both the direct initial stages of exchange research fundraising costs and an alloca- fellowships, substantially in- tion of general overhead in creased by the value of the proportion to overall staff time in secondment of Graeme Herbert this area. from the Scottish Executive, more Grants payable of £1.09million, than doubled to £50,000. which include the allocations The new category of management made by the Grants Committee and administration costs, includ- and the promotion of research by ing building depreciation and non awards of Research Fellowships routine expenditure on the and studentships, have increased buildings and central publicity by over 13%, as a result of expenditure increased from additional Fellowships awarded £223,000 to £241,000, repre- from increased funding by the senting approximately 12% of Scottish Executive and the full year income. This increase was largely impact of additional Enterprise due to publicity expenditure. Fellowships funded by Scottish Balance Sheet Enterprise and PPARC. Expendi- ture here also includes the initial The overall decline in net assets costs, mainly development and set for the year amounts to 1.7%, up, of the new Scottish Executive half of which arises from the building depreciation charge with
26 Trustees’ Report to 31 March 2002
the movements on investments ‘Donations and Grants’ in the and the loan to the RSE Scotland Statement of Financial Activities. Foundation contributing to the Conclusion and future prospects balance. Investment values declined by only £18,000 or 0.8% In retrospect, the year ended in the period against a back- March 2002 was a difficult and ground of difficult stockmarket disappointing one from a finan- conditions. cial point of view. The significant loss of rental income from The RSE Scotland Foundation House Works was highly unwel- continued to make the capital come at a time when the Society’s payment of £46,800 on its loan activities and Fellowship pro- despite the waiver of interest and grammes were expanding in line this amount was applied to the with the Corporate Plan. The building maintenance fund set up outcome was another sizeable to fund future major building deficit, in the context of a growing refurbishment. The waiver of income and expenditure account. interest was necessary support to assist the Foundation to recover Looking forward at the present from its deficit of net assets, financial year and beyond, it is which was aggravated considera- clear that the Society has to ‘turn bly by the loss of rental income in the corner’ and achieve a stable the year ended 31 March 2002. balance in its finances. The The new Tenant, Lakeland Limited, situation will improve, of course, took possession of the unit at the with the expected flow of rental end of May 2002 and rental will income from the Foundation’s flow from October 2002. new tenants, Lakeland Limited, but this will accrue only in the Net current assets showed an second half of the present increase of £16,499 or 7%, financial year. The initial phase of arising from a decrease in de- fundraising has been successful, ferred income and an and that will bring an injection of improvement in net cash balances, funds over the next three years or in particular from fundraising. so. It will be important, however, The small balance of the 1994 to ensure that these funds are Appeal fund which remained after used not to shore up an ongoing refurbishment of the Fellows’ deficit, but to support projects rooms has been amalgamated and programmes designated in with the 2001 Appeal fund. The the Corporate and Business Plans. receipts of £91,000 for the 2001 To this end, the Treasurer’s appeal are shown as designated Committee has reviewed the fund receipts in the category of budget process and will seek to
27 refine the forward budgeting the success of various current process. It also needs to take a initiatives, particularly the second hard look at the underlying phase of fund-raising. The aim longer-term issue of financial must be to achieve a restoration balance and to ensure that both of reserves and a balance of continuing and new activities are income and expenditure in 2003- adequately funded in advance of 2004 and beyond. implementation. To a large extent, Laurence C Hunter, Treasurer. such development will depend on AUDITOR’S REPORT AND ACCOUNTS We have audited the accounts on and disclosures in the financial pages 31-49. statements. It also includes an Respective responsibilities of assessment of the significant Council and Auditors estimates and judgements made by the Council in the preparation The Council is responsible for of the accounts and of whether preparing the Trustees’ Report the accounting policies are and, as described above, the appropriate to the Society’s accounts in accordance with the circumstances, consistently Laws of the Society, relevant UK applied and adequately disclosed. legislation and accounting standards. Our responsibilities, as We planned and performed our independent auditors, are audit so as to obtain all the established in the UK by statute, information and explanations the Auditing Practices Board and which we considered necessary in by our profession’s ethical order to provide us with sufficient guidance. evidence to give reasonable assurance that the accounts are We report to you our opinion as free from material misstatement, to whether the accounts give a whether caused by fraud or other true and fair view and are properly irregularity or error. In forming prepared in accordance with the our opinion we also evaluated the Laws of the Society, the Law overall adequacy of the presenta- Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) tion of information in the (Scotland) Act 1990, and the accounts. Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 1992. We also report Opinion to you, if, in our opinion, the In our opinion the accounts give a Trustees’ report is not consistent true and fair view of the state of with the financial statements, if the Society’s affairs as at 31 March the Society has not kept proper 2002 and of its incoming resourc- accounting records, if we have not es and application of resources received all the information and including its income and expendi- explanations we require for our ture in the year then ended and audit. have been properly prepared in Basis of opinion accordance with the Laws of the Society, The Law Reform (Miscella- We conducted our audit in neous Provisions) (Scotland) Act accordance with Auditing Stand- 1990 and the Charities Accounts ards issued by the Auditing (Scotland) Regulations 1992. Practices Board. An audit includes examination, on a test basis, of KPMG LLP, Chartered Accountants, evidence relevant to the amounts Registered Auditor, Edinburgh. September 2002
29
ACCOUNTS
BALANCE SHEET AT 31 MARCH 2002
Note No 2002 2001
£ £ £ £ Fixed Assets Tangible fixed assets 13 2,587,377 2,665,327 Fixed Asset Investment Investments at market value 14a 2,261,211 2,279,378 Historical Cost : £2,143,957 (2001 - £2,203,109) Loan to RSE Scotland Foundation 14b 2,125,176 2,171,984 6,973,764 7,116,689
Current Assets RSE Scotland Foundation current account 56,063 76,815 Debtors 15 78,862 112,188 Cash at bank and in hand 178,019 44,224 Money Market and other term deposits 117,295 250,000
430,239 483,227
Current Liabilities Creditors Amounts falling due within one year 16 (171,399) (240,886)
Net Current Assets 258,840 242,341 Net Assets 7,232,604 7,359,030 Funds General Fund 17 73,593 212,683 Designated Funds 18 5,788,617 5,779,526 Restricted Funds 19 1,370,394 1,366,821 20 7,232,604 7,359,030
Approved by the Council on 30 September 2002
Laurence C Hunter Sir Laurence Hunter, CBE Treasurer
31 Review of the Session 2001-2002
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING THE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2002
Note No General Designated Restricted 2002 2001 Fund Funds Funds Total Total £ £ £ £ £
Incoming resources Donations , grants and similar incoming resourcess 4 500,880 91,073 73,453 665,406 436,039 Activities in furtherance of the Society’s objectives 5 182,446 - 1,002,782 1,185,228 1,136,229 Investment income 6 30,297 18,641 58,976 107,914 212,553
Total incoming resources 713,623 109,714 1,135,211 1,958,548 1,784,821
Resources Expended Cost of generating funds 7 108,948 -- 108,948 19,962 Charitable expenditure: Grants payable 8 9,625 24,696 1,062,522 1,096,843 969,396 Activities in furtherance of the Society’s objectives 9 559,467 4,835 62,114 626,416 648,045 Buildings, management and administration 10 213,239 27,851 - 241,090 223,281
Total resources expended 891,279 57,382 1,124,636 2,073,297 1,860,684 Net incoming resources before Transfers (177,656) 52,332 10,575 (114,749) (75,863)
Gains/(losses) on investment assets Realised gains 329 3,406 5,594 9,329 38,793 Realised losses (582) (6,027) (9,898) (16,507) (51,112)
(253) (2,621) (4,304) (7,178) (12,319)
Realised Surplus/(deficit) for the year (177,909) 49,711 6,271 (121,927) (88,182) Transfers between funds 38,977 (38,977) - - -
Unrealised (losses) (158) (1,643) (2,698) (4,499) (109,818) Net Movement in Funds (139,090) 9,091 3,573 (126,426) (198,000) Balance brought forward at 1 April 2001 212,683 5,779,526 1,366,821 7,359,030 7,557,030 Balance carried forward at 31 March 2002 73,593 5,788,617 1,370,394 7,232,604 7,359,030
32 Auditors’ Report and Accounts
CASH FLOW STATEMENT YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2002
2002 2001 £ £ Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash outflow from operating activities Net incoming resources before Transfers (114,749) (75,863) Appeal receipts (91,073) (13,778) Dividends receivable (92,244) (104,412) Interest receivable (9,022) (107,551) Interest payable - - Depreciation 89,505 81,517 Decrease/(increase) in debtors 21,591 (28,360) Decrease/(increase) in RSE Scotland Foundation current account 20,752 (140,044) Increase/(decrease) in creditors 5,335 (205,835) Net cash (outflow) from operating activities (169,905) (594,326)
Cash flow statement Net cash outflow from operating activities (169,905) (594,326) Appeal receipts 91,073 13,778 Returns on investments and servicing of finance: Interest received 9,582 135,030 Interest paid - - Dividends received 103,419 95,478 Capital expenditure and financial investment: Purchase of tangible fixed assets: (11,555) (3,639) Proceeds from sale of tangible fixed assets - 320 Proceeds from sale of investments 80,373 272,657 Purchases of investments (73,882) (260,457) Loan to RSE Scotland Foundation 46,808 46,808 Increase/(decrease) in cash 75,913 (294,351)
Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds (note 25) Increase/(decrease) in cash in the year 75,913 (294,351)
Net funds at beginning of year 219,401 513,752 Net funds at end of year 295,314 219,401
33 Review of the Session 2001-2002
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2002
1. Accounting basis The accounts have been drawn up to comply with the provisions of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990, the Charity Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 1992 and for the first time follow the recommendations of the revised Statement of Recommended Practice for charities (SORP) approved by the Accounting Standards Board in October 2000. The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost accounting rules as modified to include the revaluation of investments. The accounts comprise three primary financial statements, the Statement of Financial Activities, which incorporates the Income and Expenditure Account, the Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement.
2 Funds The Society’s funds are classified in accordance with the definitions in the SORP into Restricted funds, where there are restrictions placed by a donor as to the use of income or capital, Designated funds, where the Council of the Society has set aside sums from its unrestricted funds for a particular purpose and the General (unrestricted) Fund. The classifications made are as follows:
a) General Fund - a discretionary Fund available to Council to meet the ordinary activities of the Society.
b) Designated Funds Staff restructuring fund In July 2000 Council resolved to create a Staff restructuring fund, to be used at its discretion to provide flexibility in staffing arrangements and in developing future operations. 1994 Appeal Fund - contributions from Fellows and other benefactors in response to an appeal to replenish Society Funds following the purchase of 26 George Street and its refurbishment. During the year the balance of this fund brought forward was used firstly to refurbish the Fellows’ rooms and the residual balance was then amalgamated with the 2001 Appeal. Continuing contributions arising from this appeal are credited to the 2001 appeal. 2001 Appeal Fund - an appeal to provide development finance to implement the Society’s Corporate plan. Capital Asset Reserve Fund - representing the book cost of the rooms at 22-24 George Street, and 26 George Street and an allocation in respect of funding of the refurbishment of 26 George Street. Building Maintenance Fund - a reserve to support the future maintenance of the fabric of the Rooms. Dr James Heggie Fund - income from this fund supports the Society’s activities with young people. Grants Fund - a fund created by contributions and legacies from Fellows and used to provide grants to support research activities of Fellows. C H Kemball Fund - income from this fund is used to provide hospitality for distinguished visitors from other learned societies and academies. c) Restricted Funds Robert Cormack Bequest - to promote astronomical knowledge and research in Scotland. Lessells Trust - to fund scholarships abroad for engineers. Auber Bequest - to fund research by naturalised British Citizens over 60 years of age. Prizes Fund - to fund various prizes. Dryerre Fund - to fund postgraduate research in medical or veterinary physiology. Piazzi Smyth Legacy Fund - to fund high altitude astronomical research. CASS Fund - to fund academic/industrial liaison. Retailing Seminar Fund - to fund a programme of seminars on retailing.
34 Auditors’ Report and Accounts
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2002
3 Accounting Policies
Incoming resources a) Donations grants and similar incoming resources Subscriptions are accounted for on the basis of the subscription year to October 2002 and include income tax recoverable on subscriptions paid under Gift Aid. Revenue grants are credited to income in the period to which they relate; capital grants are deferred and amortised over the useful life of the assets to which they relate. Donations of a recurring nature from other charitable foundations and one-off gifts and legacies included in other income are taken to revenue in the period to which they relate.
b) Incoming resources for charitable activities Incoming resources for activities are accounted for on an accruals basis. Publication income receivable in foreign currencies is converted into sterling at rates of exchange ruling at the date of receipt.
c) Investment income Interest and dividends are accounted for gross in the year in which they are receivable, tax deducted being recovered or recoverable from the Inland Revenue.
Resources expended d) Expenditure and support costs All resources expended are included on an accruals basis and where directly attributable allocated to the relevant functional category. Central costs, which include support costs, are allocated to categories of resource expended in proportion to staff salaries.
e) Depreciation and repairs The Society’s principal assets are its buildings in George Street, Edinburgh. Under FRS 15 the Society depreciates the buildings assuming a 50 year life. It is the policy of the Council to maintain the buildings to a high standard and provision is made for upkeep of the buildings through a designation from General Fund. Any permanent diminutions in value are reflected in the Statement of Financial Activities. Costs of repairs and maintenance are charged against revenue. Minor equipment is written off to Income & Expenditure Account in the year of purchase. Computer and audio-visual equipment is depreciated on a straight-line basis over four years.
f) Investments Investments are stated at their market value at the balance sheet date. Unrealised surpluses on revaluation are credited to funds in accordance with their proportionate share of the investment portfolio.
g) Pensions The Society participates in defined benefit pension schemes which are externally funded. The cost of providing pensions is allocated over employees’ working lives with the Society and the Foundation and is included in staff costs.
35 Review of the Session 2001-2002
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2002 2002 2001 £ £ 4a Donations, grants and similar incoming resources Fellows’ subscriptions 4b 105,121 97,287 Scottish Executive Grant 328,000 278,000 Scottish Executive Grant re Scottish Science Advisory Committee 24a 55,519 - Release of deferred income 6,413 6,412 Other grants and donations 4c 42,530 41,073 Gifts in kind - (value of secondment of staff) 36,750 - Appeal receipts 91,073 13,267 665,406 436,039 4b Subscriptions Contributions from Fellows Admission Fees 5,400 5,500 Annual Subscriptions 89,314 82,225 Income tax recoverable under gift aid 10,407 9,562 105,121 97,287 4c Other grants and donations Fleck additional receipt 2,420 1,419 Lessells Trust additional receipt 12,939 13,335 Legacy 20,800 - Donations for Foot & Mouth Disease Inquiry 4,995 - Sales of ties (net) 153 240 Sales of sundry publications 538 412 Grant from MacRobert Trust for Millennium Prize - 25,000 Other income 685 667 42,530 41,073 In addition to the donations set out above the Society receives donations made specifically in support of meetings which are included in meetings income (see note 5a) 2002 2001 £ £ 5a Activities in furtherance of charitable objects - incoming resources Promotion of research 5b 1,002,782 825,207 Meetings 24c 113,166 275,892 Educational activities 27,527 16,411 Academic / Industry links 33,252 16,152 International activities 8,501 2,567 1,185,228 1,136,229 5b Promotion of research - receipts Scottish Executive grant - research fellowships 379,228 304,507 - teaching fellowships 6,500 - British Petroleum Research Fellowships Trust 168,543 139,045 Caledonian Research Foundation 14,082 35,115 Scottish Enterprise 216,714 188,130 PPARC Enterprise Fellowships 83,586 54,619 Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland 134,129 103,791 1,002,782 825,207
36 Auditors’ Report and Accounts
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2002 2002 2001 £ £ 6 Investment income Dividends (Net) 92,245 90,326 Income tax recoverable on dividend income 6,107 14,086 Interest arising on deposits (Gross) 9,022 18,957 Interest receivable from RSE Scotland Foundation - 88,594 Rent of rooms 540 590 107,914 212,553 7 Cost of generating funds Fundraising costs 70,348 10,583 Proportion of central costs (note 11) 38,600 9,379 108,948 19,962 8 Grants payable Promotion of Research 8b 1,060,125 896,176 Prizes and Grants 36,718 73,220 1,096,843 969,396 8b Promotion of Research Direct Costs : Restricted Funds SEELLD Research Fellowships - Support 61,293 60,093 SEELLD Research Fellowships - Personal 276,350 206,900 SEELLD Teaching Fellowships 730 - 338,373 266,993 BP Research Fellowships 154,985 125,869 CRF European Fellowships 10,422 31,262 Enterprise Fellowships (Scottish Enterprise) 200,422 168,547 Enterprise Fellowships (PPARC) 75,308 48,304 Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland Fellowships 119,129 92,292 Robert Cormack Bequest 5,025 5,770 John Moyes Lessells Scholarship 24,224 22,860 Auber Bequest Awards - - Henry Dryerre Scholarship 11,076 13,271 D S McLagan Travel Grant 588 - 939,552 775,168 Direct costs : General Funds Library 475 1,304 940,027 776,472 Proportion of central costs (note 11) 120,098 119,704 1,060,125 896,176 9a Charitable activities Publications 9b 38,209 39,930 Meetings 225,360 397,357 Educational activities 56,793 57,070 Academic / Industry links 49,219 35,315 Fellowships Office 50,204 48,920 International activities 50,425 19,907 Evidence Advice and Comment 96,869 49,546 Scottish Science Advisory Committee 59,337 - 626,416 648,045
37 Review of the Session 2001-2002
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2002 2002 2001 £ £ 9b Publications Editorial & management costs of journals 11,700 18,437 Support of journals published by RSE Scotland Foundation 16,930 7,380 Other publications 2,431 7,972 31,061 33,789 Proportion of central costs (note 11) 7,148 6,141 38,209 39,930
The RSE Scotland Foundation became publisher of the Society’s journals and Year Book with effect from the 1997 volumes. The Society retains copyright and incurs editorial costs in respect of these publications. The Society has made a donation to the RSE Scotland Foundation equivalent to the Foundation’s net deficit on publications.
2002 2001 £ £ 10 Buildings, Management and administration Buildings and Maintenance 5,568 12,947 22-24 George Street - depreciation 22,061 22,061 26 George Street - depreciation 32,949 32,949 22-24 George Street - expenditure from designated funds 24,046 23,139 84,624 91,096 Management and secretariat 76,105 75,196 Publicity 80,361 56,989 241,090 223,281
11 Central Costs Total Payroll 487,539 462,128 Less paid by RSE Scotland Foundation (82,708) (83,578) Salaries (note 12) 404,831 378,550 Value of secondments 36,750 - Staff training, agency and recruitment costs 37,982 15,159 Total staff costs 479,563 393,709
Other Costs: Establishment expenses (22-24 George St) 30,951 24,571 Establishment expenses (26 George St) 109,811 110,457 Computer and equipment costs 4,970 12,039 Communication, stationery and printing costs 44,797 39,115 Travel and subsistence, hospitality 23,185 23,617 Miscellaneous 2,118 5,991 Professional fees 11,710 14,172 Audit fee 8,519 5,875 Depreciation 34,495 26,507 270,556 262,344 Total Central Costs 750,119 656,053
38 Auditors’ Report and Accounts
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2002 11 Continued In addition to direct costs incurred, central costs have been apportioned to expenditure on functional activities, as follows:
General Designated Restricted 2002 2001 Fund Funds Funds Total Total £ £ £ £ £ Cost of generating funds Fundraising 38,600 38,600 9,379 Support costs - charitable activities Publications 7,148 7,148 6,141 Meetings 145,259 145,259 160,959 Educational Activities 46,650 2,886 49,536 49,581 Academic/Industry links 39,033 39,033 38,396 Fellowships Office 50,204 50,204 48,920 International links 41,923 41,923 17,340 Evidence, advice & comment 92,330 92,330 49,052 Scottish Science Advisory committee 16,591 16,591 - Promotion of Research - 120,098 120,098 119,704 Prizes and Grants 2,253 9,247 11,500 19,301 Management and administration Buildings and Maintenance 5,568 5,568 12,947 Management and Secretariat 76,105 76,105 75,196 Publicity 56,224 56,224 49,137 617,888 12,133 120,098 750,119 656,053
Total Paid by Paid by 2001 2002 Foundation Society Total £ £ £ £ 12 Employees Wages and salaries 411,025 67,850 343,175 319,576 Social Security Costs 27,054 5,698 21,356 23,189 Other pension costs (note 21) 49,460 9,160 40,300 35,785 487,539 82,708 404,831 378,550
The average number of employees of the Society including those employed under joint contracts with the RSE Scotland Foundation during the year was 20(2001 - 20). One joint employee earned over £50,000.
39 Review of the Session 2001-2002
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2002
22-24 26 George St. George St. Equipment Computer Total £ £ £ £ £ 13 Tangible Fixed Assets Cost At 1 April 2001 1,103,038 1,647,468 56,983 39,425 2,846,914 Additions -- 10,944 611 11,555 Disposals ---- - At 31 March 2002 1,103,038 1,647,468 67,927 40,036 2,858,469
Depreciation At 1 April 2001 44,122 65,898 43,502 28,065 181,587 Charge for the year 22,061 32,949 24,129 10,366 89,505 At 31 March 2002 66,183 98,847 67,631 38,431 271,092 Net Book Value At 31 March 2002 1,036,855 1,548,621 296 1,605 2,587,377 At 31 March 2001 1,058,916 1,581,570 13,481 11,360 2,665,327
Value at Investments Proceeds on Gain/(loss) Revaluation Market 1 April 2001 made at cost sale of on sale value at Investments March 2002 £ £ £ £ £ £
14a Fixed Asset Investments Managed Funds 180,578 --- 4,024 184,602 Fixed interest 582,316 70,000 -- (7,192) 645,124 UK equities 1,119,900 148,988 (80,373) (7,178) (11,444) 1,169,893 Overseas equities (managed funds) 140,167 54,654 - - 10,113 204,934 Cash deposits 256,417 (273,642) 73,883 -- 56,658 2,279,378 - (6,490) (7,178) (4,499) 2,261,211
The deficit on sale of investments measured against their historical cost was £81,747 (2001 -deficit £19,172). The investment management fee of £6,490 (2001 £12,200) has been deducted from the proceeds of sale of investments. 2002 2001 £ £ 14b Loan to RSE Scotland Foundation Due within one year 46,808 46,808 Due after one year 2,078,368 2,125,176 2,125,176 2,171,984
The Loan initially bears interest at 4% per annum, capped at the amount of rent received by the Foundation, and is repayable over the period to 30 June 2047, the expiration of the lease of 26 George Street. On 1 July 2002 Council agreed to waive the interest payment due for the year ended 31 March 2002 as no rental was received by the Foundation in that period from the ground and basement floor unit. The capital repayment for the year of £46,808 was paid at the end of the financial year as normal.
40 Auditors’ Report and Accounts
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2002 2002 2001 £ £ 15 Debtors General debtors 40,158 45,478 Stock of ties 3,582 3,653 Prepayments and accrued income 1,095 51,203 Income Tax Recoverable 34,027 11,854
78,862 112,188
16 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Bank overdraft - 74,823 General creditors 76,266 81,672 Accruals and deferred income 73,987 59,935 University of Glasgow (note 19) 15,266 13,828 Symposia income deferred 5,880 4,215 Deferred capital grant - 6,413
171,399 240,886
17 General Fund
At 1 April 2001 212,683 199,815 Net movements in funds for the year from Statement of Financial Activities (139,090) 12,868
73,593 212,683
41 Review of the Session 2001-2002
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2002
Capital Building Staff 2001 C H Kemball Grants Dr James Total Asset Maintenance Restructuring Appeal Fund Fund Heggie Reserve Fund Fund Fund Fund £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ 18 Designated Funds At 1 April 2001 4,812,470 108,603 15,975 10,248 17,473 609,307 205,450 5,779,526 Investment income - 6,245 919 1,859 754 - 8,864 18,641 Other income --- 91,073 - -- 91,073
Less Direct expenditure - (14,957) - (9,088) - (15,450) (1,949) (41,444) Investment Management Fees (50) (1,735) (585) (2,370) RSE admin and staff costs (3,756) - (7,511) (2,301) (13,568) Surplus/(deficit) for the year - (8,712) 919 80,088 704 (24,696) 4,029 52,332
Transfers between funds Re building depreciation (55,010) 55,010 Re loan repayment (46,808) (46,808) from General fund 7,831 7,831 (101,818) 55,010 7,831 ---- (38,977)
Net gains on investment assets Realised - - -- (55) (1,919) (647) (2,621) Unrealised ---- (34) (1,203) (406) (1,643)
At 31 March 2002 4,710,652 154,901 24,725 90,336 18,088 581,489 208,426 5,788,617
As described in note 2, the 2001 Appeal Fund comprises the receipts from the Appeal launched in 2001 to raise funds to finance developments in implementing the Society’s Corporate Plan. The residual balance of the 1994 Appeal Fund after the refurbishment of the Fellows’ rooms has been transferred to the 2001 Appeal Fund.
In approving the budget for the year ended 31 March 2002, Council resolved that as the balance of the Grants fund was sufficient to meet current needs, the income of approximately £30,000 from the investments held by the Grants Fund should be allocated to the General Fund. 42 Auditors’ Report and Accounts
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2002 Robert Lessells Auber Prizes Dryerre Others Total Cormack Trust Bequest Fund Fund Bequest £ £ £ £ £ £ £
19 Restricted Funds At 1 April 2001 114,945 394,561 310,234 74,052 438,013 35,016 1,366,821 Investment income 4,960 17,025 13,386 3,195 18,899 1,511 58,976 Other income - 12,939 --- - 12,939 Less Direct Expenditure (5,025) (24,224) - (500) (11,076) (1,600) (42,425) Investment Management (327) (1,124) (883) (211) (1,247) (100) (3,892) RSE Admin and staff (1,263) (4,337) (3,410) (814) (4,814) (385) (15,023)
Surplus/(deficit) for year (1,655) 279 9,093 1,670 1,762 (574) 10,575
Net gain on investment assets Realised (362) (1,243) (977) (233) (1,379) (110) (4,304) Unrealised (227) (779) (612) (146) (865) (69) (2,698)
At 31 March 2002 112,701 392,818 317,738 75,343 437,531 34,263 1,370,394
“Prizes Fund” comprises The Keith Fund, The Neill Fund, The Makdougall-Brisbane Fund, The Gunning-Victoria Fund, The James Scott Prize Fund, The Bruce-Preller Lecture Fund, The W.S. Bruce Memorial Fund, The Dr D.A. Berry Fund, The Henry Duncan Prize Lecture Fund and The BP Prize Lecture in the Humanities Fund. “Others” comprise the Piazzi-Smyth Legacy Fund, the Retailing Seminar Fund and the CASS Fund. The Retailing Seminars Fund arises from the donation of the surplus from an earlier series of meetings that publicised research in the retailing sector. The fund is to be used to support meetings in this area. Under the terms of the Lessells Trust the University of Glasgow is entitled to 10% of additional amounts received by the Society from the Trust. The balance included in Creditors at 31 March 2002 represents the total sum apportioned but not yet paid over to the University (note 16).
Unrestricted Designated Restricted 2002 2001 Funds Funds Funds Total Total £ £ £ £ £
20 Analysis of Assets between Funds Fund balances at 31 March 2002 are represented by : Tangible fixed assets 1,901 2,585,476 - 2,587,377 2,665,327 Investments 82,813 808,004 1,370,394 2,261,211 2,279,378 Loan to RSE Scotland Foundation - 2,125,176 - 2,125,176 2,171,984 Current assets 62,866 14,059 1,937 78,862 112,188 RSE Scotland Foundation current account 56,063 - - 56,063 76,815 Deposits (152,667) 269,962 - 117,295 250,000 Bank overdraft less cash 87,484 (14,060) 104,595 178,019 (30,599) Current liabilities (64,867) - (106,532) (171,399) (166,063) 73,593 5,788,617 1,370,394 7,232,604 7,359,030
43 Review of the Session 2001-2002
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2002 21 Pension Costs a) USS The Society participates in the Universities Superannuation Scheme, a defined benefit pension scheme which is externally funded and contracted out of the State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme. The assets of the Scheme are held in a separate trustee-administered fund. The fund is valued every three years by a professionally qualified independent actuary using the projected unit method, the rates of contribution payable being determined by the trustee on the advice of the actuaries. In the intervening years the actuaries review the progress of the scheme. It is not possible to identify each institution’s share of the underlying assets and liabilities of the scheme and hence contributions to the scheme are accounted for as if it were a defined contribution scheme. The cost recognised within the deficit for the year is equal to the contributions payable to the scheme for the year. The latest actuarial valuation of the scheme was at 31 March 1999. The most significant assumptions, those relating to the rate of return on investments and the rates of increase in salary and pensions, are as follows: Past Service Liabilities Future Service Liabilities Investment return 4.5% 5.5% Salary Increase 3.6% 3.5% Pension Increase 2.6% 2.5% At the valuation date the market value of the scheme’s assets was £18,870 million and the value of past service liabilities was £17,427million. The value of the assets represented 108% of the benefits that had accrued to members, after allowing for expected future increases in earnings. The contribution rate payable by the Society was 14.0% of pensionable salaries. b) Lothian Pension Fund The Society also participates in the Lothian Pension Fund, a defined benefit pension scheme established under local government pension fund regulations. This scheme has determined that it is possible at a cost to ascertain the share of assets and liabilities relating to individual admitted bodies. The assets of the Scheme are held in a separate trustee-administered fund. The fund is valued every three years by a professionally qualified independent actuary using the projected unit method, the rates of contribution payable being determined by the trustee on the advice of the actuaries. In the intervening years the actuaries review the progress of the scheme. The latest full actuarial valuation of the scheme was at 31 March 1999. The major assumptions used by the actuary were that, over the long term, the return on the scheme’s assets would be 6.1% per annum, salary increases would average 4.3% per annum and present and future pensions would increase at a rate of 2.8% per annum. At the valuation date the market value of the scheme’s assets was £1,483 million and the value of past service liabilities was £1,571 million. The value of the assets represented 94% of the benefits that had accrued to members, after allowing for expected future increases in earnings. The contribution rate payable by the Society was 205% of employees’ contributions of 6% of pensionable salaries, amounting to 12.3%. The actuary has confirmed that it is appropriate to take the pension charge to be equal to the actual contribution paid during the year. Whilst the Society continues to account for pension costs in accordance with Statement of Standard Accounting Practice 24 ‘Accounting for Pension costs’, under FRS 17 ‘Retirement benefits’ the following transitional disclosures are required: The valuation at 31 March 1999 has been updated by the actuary on an FRS 17 basis as at 9 September 2002. The major assumptions used in this valuation were: 2002 Rate of increase in salaries 4.3% Rate of increase in pensions in payment 2.8% Discount rate 5.9% Inflation assumption 2.8%
44 Auditors’ Report and Accounts
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2002 21 b) Continued The assumptions used by the actuary are the best estimates chosen from a range of possible actuarial assumptions which, due to the timescale covered, may not necessarily be borne out in practice.
Scheme assets The fair value of the scheme’s assets, which are not intended to be realised in the short term and may be subject to significant change before they are realised, and the present value of the scheme’s liabilities, which are derived from cash flow projections over long periods and thus inherently uncertain, were:
Value at 31 March 2002 £’000 Equities 1,365,554 Bonds 155,502 Other – Property 145,187 Cash 117,548 Whole scheme assets 1,783,791
£ Of which RSE share 140,000 Present value of scheme liabilities (133,000) Surplus/deficit in the scheme – Pension asset/liability 7,000 Related deferred tax liability/asset - Net pension asset for RSE £7,000
The amount of this net pension asset would have a consequential effect on reserves.
c) Pension Charge The total pension charge for the year was £38,375 (2001 - £35,785)
22 Transactions with Council members No member of Council received any payments other than reimbursement of expenditure on travel and subsistence costs actually and necessarily incurred in carrying out their duties as Councillors and Officers. The aggregate of such reimbursement amounted to £6,401 (2001 - £6,273).
23 RSE Scotland Foundation RSE Scotland Foundation is a charitable trust, recognised in Scotland as Scottish charity number SCO24636. It was created in March 1996 with the object of advancing the education of the public in Scotland in science and engineering and in so doing to conserve the scientific and cultural heritage of Scotland. The President, General Secretary, Treasurer, Curator and a Vice President of the Society are ex officiis Trustees of the Foundation, which draws on the resources of the Society in carrying out its objects. The Foundation also has five nominated Trustees. The Foundation became publisher of the Society’s journals under a Publications Rights Licence effective from 1 January 1997. The Foundation has also carried out work in support of the Society’s involvement in the Scottish Science Trust and the implementation of the Technology Ventures Strategy.
On 1 July 1997 the Society granted to the Foundation a 50 year lease over 26 George Street carrying an obligation to refurbish the building within a three year period. The Council of the Society agreed to make funding of up to £2.3 million available to the Foundation in support of the refurbishment. The agreed terms of the loan are as described in note 14 b. A waiver of interest was agreed for the years ending 2002, 2003 and 2004, to assist the Foundation in extinguishing its deficit of net assets.
45 Review of the Session 2001-2002
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2002 At 31 March 2002 the financial position of the RSE Scotland Foundation was as follows: 2002 2001 £ £ Net Liabilities Fixed assets 2,060,752 2,105,629 Current assets 78,174 170,300 Current liabilities RSE Current Account (56,063) (76,815) Loan from Royal Society of Edinburgh (46,808) (46,808) Other (127,230) (144,977) Creditors over one year:-Loan from Royal Society of Edinburgh (2,078,368) (2,125,176) Represented by Income and Expenditure Account (169,543) (117,847)
The Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2002 was as follows: Incoming resources 2002 2001 £ £ Donations, grants and similar incoming resources 16,930 10,880 Charitable activities Publications 114,086 99,895 Academic/Industry Links 75 25 Licence fees 89,093 98,063 Activities for generating funds Rental and service charges receivable 46,423 153,702 Conference Facilities letting ( net ) 55,814 35,229 Investment income - bank interest 976 2,383 323,397 400,177 Cost of generating funds Conference facilities hire 42,629 38,234 Building management 120,496 129,997 Fundraising and publicity 350 - 163,475 168,231
Net incoming resources 159,922 231,946 Charitable expenditure Publications 131,017 107,513 Public understanding of science - 1000 Academic/Industry links - 3,500 Management and secretariat 37,859 30,095 Depreciation on leasehold improvements 42,742 42,742 Interest payable - 88,594 Provision for bad debts - 7,880 211,618 449,555
Total resources expended 375,093 449,555 Net outgoing resources and movement in funds for the year (51,696) (49,378) Balance brought forward (117,847) (68,469) Balance carried forward (169,543) (117,847)
The Council of the Society has confirmed to the Trustees of the Foundation that they will continue to support the Foundation and will not call for the repayment of the current account balance in the foreseeable future.
46 Auditors’ Report and Accounts
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2002
24 Supplementary Information ; grants, donations, receipts 2002 2001 a) Scottish Executive Grants £ £ Income Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department Promotion of Research 395,728 304,507 Scottish Science Advisory Committee 55,519 - Activities grant 328,000 278,000 Public policy Seminars 15,018 9,974 Foresight seminars 7,583 - Exhibition - 10,000 Department of Health 2,000 6,996 803,848 609,477
Direct Staff and 2002 2001 Costs other costs Total Total Allocated to Functional Activities £ £ £ £
Scottish Science Advisory Committee 45,519 10,000 55,519 - Meetings office 24,601 45,045 69,646 80,702 Educational activities - 40,497 40,497 40,659 Publications office 16,930 20,574 37,504 34,491 Promotion of research 348,374 47,354 395,728 304,507 Evidence advice and comment - 92,330 92,330 49,546 Management and secretariat - 76,105 76,105 62,054 Buildings - Establishment expense 30,951 - 30,951 24,571 - Maintenance - 5,568 5,568 12,947 466,375 337,473 803,848 609,477
The Scottish Executive provides grant-in-aid under the powers of S.23 National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985 to meet the costs of SEELLD Research Fellows, and costs of activities including the cost of maintaining the Society’s premises and a share of the Society’s staff and other costs. In addition to the cash grants set out above, the Society benefited from a staff secondment from the Scottish Executive, which has been included in the accounts at its value to the Society of £36,750. The grant from the Department of Health is from the Chief Scientist Office for an oral health seminar. BP Research Caledonian Scottish Lloyds TSB Wellcome Fellowship Research Enterprise Foundation for Trust Trust Foundation Scotland £ £ £ £ £ 24 b) Donations Income Promotion of research - receipts 168,543 14,082 216,714 134,129 5,870 Education --- 19,612 - Meetings Income --- 12,500 - 168,543 14,082 216,714 166,241 5,870 Costs Promotion of research154,985 10,422 200,422 119,129 - Education ----- Conference --- 19,612 - Workshops --- 12,500 4,760 RSE administration and staff costs 13,558 3,660 16,292 15,000 1,110 168,543 14,082 216,714 166,241 5,870
47 Review of the Session 2001-2002
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2002
24 b) Continued The BP Research Fellowship Trust supports postdoctoral fellowships in Scottish HEIs. The Trustees of the Trust are the President, General Secretary and Treasurer of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. The Caledonian Research Foundation supports postdoctoral fellowships in biomedical sciences and European visiting fellowships, a prize lecture and an international conference. The Wellcome Trust sponsors a series of research workshops. The Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland supports postdoctoral Fellowships, postgraduate studentships and lectures and conferences to fund and disseminate research aimed at improving the quality of life for an ageing population. c) Donations in Support of Meetings The Society gratefully acknowledges all those who make donations in support of meetings. The companies, trusts and other bodies that made donations of £1,000 or more in the year ended 31 March 2002 are as follows:
Archibald, Campbell & Harley WS London & Edinburgh Mathematics Societies Scottish Higher Education Funding Council Astra Zeneca UK Limited Medical & Dental Defence Union of Scotland Scottish Society for the History of Photography The Darwin Trust National Grid Co plc Technology Ventures Scotland Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council Ove Arup & Partners University of Durham
25 Analysis of net funds At At 31 March Cash 1 April 2002 flows 2001 £ £ £
Cash at bank 178,019 133,795 44,224 Deposits 117,295 (132,705) 250,000 Overdraft - 74,823 (74,823) 295,314 75,913 219,401
48 Auditors’ Report and Accounts
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2002
26 Main Activities 2001/02 2000/01 Number Number Meetings and Education Lectures 17 19 Symposia/Conferences/Seminars 8 11 Exhibitions - 1 Policy seminars 2 3 Debates 1 1 Workshops 3 4 Technology Ventures and Foresight Seminars 6 4 Young People’s events Science Masterclasses 35 16 Maths Masterclasses 8 16 Schools Lectures 10 10 Christmas Lectures 2 2 Discussion Forum 1 1 RSE Roadshow 1 0 Physics masterclasses 4 - Science summer camp 1 - Publications (issues) Proceedings A 6 6 Transactions 6 2 Year Book and miscellaneous publications 1 1 Resource (/ RSE News) 4 4 RSE Fellows Number of Fellows 1311 1287 Candidates for Fellowship 256 156 Research Fellowships and Scholarships Postdoctoral Research Fellows in post 15 15 Support Research Fellows 4 7 European Visiting Research Fellows 6 7 Enterprise Fellows in post 7 8 Applications for Research Fellowships 84 80 Studentships appointed - 2 Prizes and Grants Prizes awarded 4 8 Grants awarded 28 18 Central Administration Submissions to Government and public agencies 41 30 External events held at RSE – 22 George Street - 1 – 22-26 George Street 115 150
49
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS 9 Closing Market value (3,777) 77,002 (1,670) 75,33 (1,529) 20,475 for year for Revaluation on sale Gain/(Loss) Sales Proceeds 4 cost Purchase 9 9 Value Market Opening Number Investment Closing Fixed Interest Fixed Treasury Stock 9.75% 2002HoldingsHSBC 11.69% 2002 70,000 70,000 75,081 80,77 (2,901) 72,180 Powergen 8.5% 2006ICI Investments7.625% 2007Corus Finance 6.75% 2008Royal Bank of Sc 7.387% 2010/49 100,000 109,034 70,000 70,000 100,000 77,00 81,805 91,648Shell Transport Trading& Ord 25pBPB Industries Ord 50pWilson BowdenOrd 10pIMI Ord 25p 8,000Rotork Ord 5pAstrazeneca 43,520GlaxoSmithKline Ord 25pReckitt Benckiser Ord 15,250 10 10/19p 4,000 36,753 (1,814) 30,560 (1,118) 107,220 (692) 4,500 16,000 2,801 7,500 40,410 80,687 41,600 51,566 90,956 24,638 2,100 70,560 (1,680) 41,840 22,722 5,780 59,475 36,340 11,520 (5,237) 8,800 4,125 51,930 46,329 2,667 50,400 28,763 73,227 Aberforth Geared Cap & IntTrust 9.25%HBOS IRPFUK Equities 70,000BP AmocoOrd US$0.25 }Rio Tinto 70,000 48,000 8,000 66,960 34,920 12,579 1,500 700 22,00 70,700 2,501 4,080 50,000 71,040 Royal Society of Edinburgh Schedule of Investments - movements at valuation. Year ended 31 March 2002. ended 31 March Royal Society of Edinburgh Schedule Investments - movements at valuation. Year
51 Review of the Session 2001-2002 Closing Market value for year for Revaluation on sale Gain/(Loss) Sales Proceeds cost Purchase Value Market Opening Number Investment Closing Unilever Ord 1.4p } BrownN Group Ord 10pCapita GroupCarlton Comms 6.5% Conv 2010Electrocomponents10p Ord National ExpressReed InternationalOrd 12.5p 30,000 22,000Christian Salvesen Ord 28 1/8p 7,142 36,075Whitbread Ord 25p 53,020 36,246BT Group 25p 6,500 50p Ord Comms & Wireless Cable 35,620MM02 6,500 5,000 40,000Sainsbury (J)Ord25p 42,445 59,250Vodaphone Group 5p 2,544 3,000Centrica 0 12,084 26,250Scottish Southern& Energy Ord 50p 2,100 25,739Viridian Ord 25pAberforth 20,178 Smaller Co TrustPLC OrdCGNU 25p 2,405 12,269 5,000 18,005HBOS Stk 25p 9,500 15,000 31,075 9,435HoldingsHSBC OrdUS$0.50 } 29,088 36,575 (5,250) 419Legal 16,888 General & Group Ord 2.5p} 30,000 3,850 1,665 2,405 3,892 12,795 91,500 8,910 (7,800) 30,825 (4,582) 3,778 56,870 10,000 5,000 3,300 40,138 20,800 (4,355) (4,989) 39,600 31,050 27,852 1,820 33,696 31,038 2,600 3,778 13,650 (6,392) (6,450) 6,000 25,207 20,750 44,265 23,549 42,000 19,800 5,692 (588) (10,220) 2,925 6,734 1,378 19,463 34,000 18,600 37,953 (2,137) 110,100 (8,550) (1,056) (874) 1,641 (104) (5,941) 22,500 26,796 22,675 33,592 3,510 19,266 45,510
52 Schedule of Investments Closing Market value for year for Revaluation on sale Gain/(Loss) Sales Proceeds cost (32,866) (32,866) Purchase Value Market 2,022,961 273,642 80,373 (7,178) (4,499) 2,204,553 Opening Number Investment Closing Lloyds TSB Group Ord 25pPillar 7/17p } Property 29 InvOrd Smaller Companies ITULS 2003 BalancedUK Property TrustSage1p Ord Spirent 7,650 5,000Autonomy Corp 32,392 28,994 Acc UT Fund European Cazenove 34,575 89,078Fairbar 45,000US Equities IT25p Ord American Fleming Japanese Equities 0 25p IT Japanese Ord Fleming Far East 45,000 Equities 70,584 9,500 Acc A Pacific Asia CFS 4,000 23,465European Equities 0 4,500 Accum Trust Euro Odey CF 31,280 20,000 ACC Fund European Investec 9,865 2,944 48,900Other Areas Equities 58,073 IT Markets Emerging Templeton 5,657 (651)Demergers etc (12,511) 0 (14,576) 36,370 1,475 52,304TOTALS 12,000 13,000 28,343 74,502 7,000 1,350 1,981 36,050 7,683 11,083 46,350 26,720 (963) 27,934 8,050 (1,995) (9,379) (3,033) 940 32,220 1,100,859 21,470 (9,700) 39,200 6,143 15,377 67,681 1505 28,225 134 29,068 857 8,540
53
PRIZE LECTURES 34th Bruce Preller Prize Lecture Professor Adrian Bird, FRSE 13 June 2002 The Epigenetics of Disease
Over a period of 25 years Professor Adrian Bird has made many seminal contributions to our understanding of DNA methylation and the biological and medical significance of this key form of DNA modification. His many accomplishments include being the first to show the semi-conservative copying of DNA methylation and to obtain evidence that methyl-CpG mutates to TpG in DNA. This latter finding has had huge significance in terms of pathological mutations in human disease, including cancer. Another key breakthrough was the identification of CpG islands which are found at the promoter regions of many human genes. This finding has also had a considerable impact on human genetics, helping people to identify disease and other genes, and has had direct relevance to cancer in terms of a silencing mechanism for tumour suppressor genes. Over the past few years, Profess Bird has concentrated on identifying proteins that bind to methylated DNA. He has cloned the genes for a number of these and shown that these proteins repress transcription, often by recruiting histone deacetylase complexes. Thus providing a mechanistic understanding for the link between methylation, chromosome structure and gene regulation. Since Professor Bird isolated one of these genes, it has shown to be mutated in human Rett syndrome. Hence, whilst working on a fundamental aspect of molecular biology, Professor Bird has had a major influence on human genetics and medicine. His work has been recognised by a number of honours and prizes, including election to the Royal Society in 1989 and the award of the prestigious Louis-Jeantet Prize for Medicine in 1999. Professor Bird is Director of the Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology in Edinburgh and is a Governor of the Wellcome Trust.
“It is a great honour to be asked might have had a chance of to give this lecture and I’d like to understanding what I’m talking thank the RSE and its Fellows for about but I’m also going to the invitation. include quite a lot of unpublished I’m going to pitch this lecture at a work which I hope will entertain level at which Charles Preller those of you who are in the field.
55 Review of the Session 2001-2002
A human being contains over one keep the TV off is to fail to switch million million cells. Each cell has it on; you don’t have to continual- a nucleus containing the chromo- ly take a decision to suppress it. somes carrying genetic But in an organism we have a information, and the actual soup and the machinery needed molecule containing this informa- to make all the genes work is tion is DNA. We now know the present all of the time. To prevent entire sequence of the human certain genes from working you genome – and here (slide) is a have to do something special and small section of the “book of this talk will look at the special man”. To extract information things you do to genes to make from such a sequence is no trivial sure they don’t mess up the matter. Knowing the human identity of a cell. genome sequence is very much So how do some genes get shut the end of the beginning rather down? One of the lessons we’re than the beginning of the end. I learning is that there’s rarely one expect there will be another 100 answer to a biological question. years spent working out exactly This talk therefore looks at just what it means and you shouldn’t one of the ways genes are shut believe anybody who tells you any down; this involves adding different. chemical groups, or put another What one can extract from that way, placing ‘knobs’ on the DNA information is that there are such that the whole region genes arranged linearly along the becomes ‘walled off’. The DNA and they are expressed suppressed gene effectively does differently in different cells. For not exist and in fact the DNA is example one cell is a blood cell, glued up to such an extent that another is a skin cell, and the reversing the process is rather reason they are different is difficult. Ian Wilmut will know because they express different how difficult it is to reverse these genes. In one type of cell gene A effects by taking a nucleus from a and gene C are expressed to differentiated cell and asking it to produce proteins which fold up, differentiate again. Cloning is so do their job and make the cell difficult partly because these kinds what it is. Yet gene B is silent. of mechanisms are very very This lecture is really about how stable, shutting these genes down you silence genes. for good and all. This may seem like a strange topic DNA methylation is effectively a because for many people the ‘clamp’ for genes. The sequence analogy for organisms is electron- of bases in DNA that is methylated ics. We all know that the way you is CG. Here (slide) are two CGs
56 Prize Lectures
and the actual modification is The pattern arising from this added to the C. However, because activity can be transmitted for a DNA is read in opposite directions very long time. Methyl groups on the two strands of the double don’t stand out very much from helix then CG is paired with itself; the rest of the DNA, but they are so CG occurs in pairs on opposite nonetheless read and have strands of the double helix (slide biological impact. So where are showing a methylated CG paired all these methyl groups? For to unmethylated CG). Epigenetics, reasons that are not entirely clear to introduce the word, refers to genes are split up. If we look at processes that lead to heritable where the CG sequences are changes in the use of DNA that found we find a high density at don’t involve changing its se- the beginning of genes in clusters quence but involve processes that are not methylated (i.e. added on top of the DNA that are unmethylated). In fact most nonetheless heritable. human genes have a cluster of Epigenetic mechanisms allow CGs at their start positions. If it additional information added to so happens that these CGs the DNA to be passed on. Methyl- become methylated, then that ation does this in the following gene is shut down long-term way. Here we have a very simple because methylation interferes pattern (slide). One CG is methyl- with gene expression. Silence is ated whereas the other one is not. long-term because, as I have just When DNA replicates, the methyl- shown, when you methylate ated strand is copied to provide something it is copied forever. another methylated CG on the So methylation is a way of new strand. However an unmeth- shutting down genes in the long ylated CG is copied with an term. How does the signal get unmethylated CG. Hence the read to produce silencing? One pattern of methylation on the old way is that transcription factors DNA strand is copied onto the are unable to bind to DNA new on. Methyl groups are added because of the methyl groups. to DNA by the methylase enzyme This is not terribly efficient and it does this by looking at the because there are quite a lot of DNA for methyl groups. If it finds transcription factors that don’t a methylated CG paired to an care about methylation at all. The unmethylated CG (i.e. hemimeth- other mechanism of repression ylated DNA), it puts a methyl occurs due to certain proteins that group onto the unmethylated are attracted by DNA methylation. strand. If it finds unmethylated They attach to the methyl CG CGs on both strands it does sites, changing the structure of nothing.
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the chromatin and shutting down tion on the other hand can render transcription of the gene. There genes non-functional by shutting are several of these proteins them down. This leads not only discovered in (or in collaboration to cancer but also to fragile X with) our lab and we’ve been syndrome, a common form of trying to work out what they do. inherited mental retardation in Before we explore these DNA humans. The primary reason why binding proteins we should ask the necessary gene doesn’t work what does DNA methylation do is because of methylation. The biologically? We know that DNA second thing that can go wrong is methylation is important in the that there appear to be genes that process of X chromosome inacti- should be silenced but are not. vation. Females have two Rett syndrome appears to be X-chromosomes and one is shut explained this way, as does the down because males only have very rare ICF syndrome. Finally, one. Dosage of genes is very methylation actually damages important in life and so one X DNA. This wonderful system for chromosome is silenced and this shutting genes down permanent- depends very heavily upon ly, has a cost associated with it; methylation. Another area is methylation actually causes genomic imprinting: sometimes mutations on quite a large scale. you express the gene that comes So those are the sorts of ways in from one of your parents but not which I’m going deal with the the gene from the other. The involvement of DNA methylation reasons for this are obscure but in disease. I’ll do it via the interest we know that the mechanism in our lab (since that is what I involves DNA methylation. There know most about) in these are yet more occasions in which methyl-binding proteins; proteins methylation plays a role in that love binding to DNA that is development, each time silencing methylated and causing biological certain genes. effects. Moving on to DNA methylation in I shall begin by discussing MECP2 disease, a theme throughout this and Rett Syndrome. I showed you talk, we can ask: “What can go a cartoon of proteins binding to wrong?” In theory what can go methylated DNA. Here I’ve drawn wrong is that the wrong genes (in a totally non life-like way) a can be silenced. This happens in stretched out protein showing its cancer - a genetic disease in which different domains. It is a strange mutations occur resulting in fact that although proteins genes that are different in a nasty function as 3D objects, you can way, or non-functional. Methyla- stretch them out linearly and
58 Prize Lectures
ascribe various functions to of normal development then they various bits. The first methyl have a terrible crisis and regress binding protein we found was dramatically. There is progressive MECP2, ironically discovered encephalopathy, loss of expressive whilst attempting to purify hand use and severe mental MECP1. MECP2 has a domain that retardation with no speaking in takes it to methylated sites on almost all cases and no walking in DNA where it binds. Another many cases. Ataxia (shaking of the domain we delineated is a limbs), breathing abnormalities transcriptional repression domain and digestive problems are all that shuts the DNA down when often present. All of the girls with MECP2 has bound, enabling this syndrome have new muta- repression to take place. tions in this gene because the I’m now going to talk about some girls do not reproduce, and boys medical aspects of this gene. First with mutations in this gene die of all, (slide) these are nucleo- very early indeed. So every muta- somes with nucleosomal tails tion is a new mutation. 50-100 which are very conserved bits of children are born in the UK each the nucleosome that are there to year with Rett syndrome and there have chemical messages written are thought to be altogether on them. We are going to concen- about three thousand girls with trate on the bits of DNA that are this condition in the UK. What not methylated. Here is a re- you sometimes see are missense pressed gene that is not working mutations where the base change and we assume the histone tails results in the wrong amino acid are clinging on, despite lack of inserted into the cluster around evidence that they actually do. the methyl-binding domain. MECP2 comes along, binds, Elsewhere it is much more brings in the big machinery, variable; there are all sorts of lighting strikes, changes the nonsense mutations, frameshifts chromatin, and now this gene is etc. permanently off. Why does Rett syndrome affect We were happily working away on girls? The gene is on the this, safe in the knowledge that it X-chromosome. Girls with Rett had academic but not medical Syndrome are heterozygous, that interest, when researchers in the is they have a functional MECP2 USA discovered the gene that gene on one chromosome, and a caused Rett Syndrome; it is non-functional one on the other mutated MECP2. Rett syndrome X-chromosome. All cells have the affects one in ten thousand girls. same DNA, but what makes them There is a period of 6-18 months different is random
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X-chromosome inactivation. have some of the attributes of Some cells inactivate the mutated Rett Syndrome but they are the copy of the gene, so now they males, the nulls. What about express the normal copy of heterozygote females? Initially MECP2 just like any normal cell. they were absolutely normal, Other cells express the mutated normal size litters etc., but then it version of the gene which is non- emerged that the heterozygous functional in some (and perhaps females did start to come down all) respects. It is these latter cells with the symptoms. By a year of that cause the problem. Males age, more than 80% of the only have one X chromosome, so animals had acquired symptoms. if it has the mutation then death Unlike the nulls they do not die, occurs in the first year of life. The they stabilise and have parallel girls are rescued by the fact that symptoms to those of Rett half of their cells have a functional Syndrome in humans including an gene, but are rescued at an abnormal gait (they walk with enormous price. their feet far apart) and there are We are interested in what MECP2 other quite striking resemblances. does. We were studying it to get We were doing this to get a at gene expression questions but model for Rett Syndrome as very now we had another reason for little is known about its pathology studying it: to understand this except from post-mortems on important syndrome. We made a brains. gene knockout in the mouse. This So we have a mouse model. We (slide) shows a section of mouse have delayed onset of symptoms; brain to show MECP2 expression. remember in humans the onset of In the knockout mice you can see symptoms is at 6-18 months. In there is no MECP2 in the brain. mice it is not that dissimilar, which The brains of knockout mice are is very strange as mice develop to normal at the time they are a totally different time scale weaned but later on they are not compared to that of humans – well. The mice have no MECP2 in and there are some interesting their brains (the girls with Rett deductions from that. They have syndrome have some cells that are neurological problems, reduced MECP2+ and some MECP2-). They movement abnormal gait, limb are fine for a few weeks and then clasping, and finally there is by about 6 weeks on average they stabilisation like in the human have symptoms; they stop moving, syndrome. We can study these have tremors, arrhythmic breath- mice with the hypothesis that Rett ing and become very ill and die, or Syndrome is caused by the failure in practice are killed. These mice of MECP2 mediated gene silenc-
60 Prize Lectures
ing in the brain. For many in the families, or in tumours you can field it is already accepted that find it methylated. MECP2 is a repressor, you take This genetic evidence proves that away the repressor and genes these genes are important in come springing on and that must cancer. Their absence is important be the problem. We have done a in provoking cancer, and the fact lot of experiments, as have others, that one finds them methylated but it is not easy to verify this and silenced implies strongly that hypothesis. However we are methylation can do the same job starting to get interesting infor- as a mutation. They are silenced in mation now which encourages us sporadic tumours by methylation. to believe the hypothesis may be Inactivation clearly confers a right. The Rett Syndrome story is selective advantage. If you throw ongoing. drugs in which remove the Now I’m going to talk about DNA methylation you can re-express methylation and cancer, due to these genes and everything works silencing of the wrong genes. fine. You can for example restore There is quite a lot of evidence DNA repair just by demethylating from other labs that genes in the MLH1 gene. Methylation cancer (that are mutated in many appears to be a substitute for cases) can also be shut down by mutation. There is still controversy methylation. In other words they about this, but it is dying away in are still potentially functional but the face of a mountain of evi- epigenetically they are silenced. dence. We are now running Here are some examples: P16inc is clinical trials to try to test some of a gene whose presence ensures the molecules that reduce methyl- that the cell cycle is restrained and ation, to test their anti-cancer the cell does not just rush into cell efficacy. Mutations are forever, but division, which of course cancer methylation is reversible in theory cells do without hesitation. There and so the drugs could also are familial melanomas for which reverse the tumorigenesis. This is there are mutations in this gene the hope, whether or not it will be which predispose them to cancer. delivered remains to be seen. You also find this gene silenced by In this connection I now want to methylation. Another example is talk about MBD2, another MIH1 (a DNA repair gene) which is repressor or gene silencer, in the found to be mutated in familial context of cancer. MBD2 is part of colon cancer. In each of these a huge machine that silences cases you can find the gene genes, by binding to the DNA. mutated in these susceptible What happens when we remove the gene that encodes MBD2?
61 Review of the Session 2001-2002
Taking away a gene to see what enous genes, i.e. part of the happens is the only way one can organism. We looked at T-helper really find out what its protein cells, i.e. thymus cells that are does. What happens in this case is involved in the immune system. that the mice are more or less fine, Thymocytes can develop into two but they don’t look after their sorts of cells, TH1 or TH2, and set offspring in the slightest; an up immune reactions involved in interesting behavioural point. I’m allergy and antibody production. going to focus on the fact that if We take naïve T-helper cells that you take cells from the knockout express neither of the two genes, mice and put methylated genes in interleukin-4 (IL4) and interferon- artificially, then they can’t repress gamma to a situation where they them properly. Normally if you express interferon-gamma if they take a methylated gene and put it are TH1, or IL4 if they are TH2. into a cell from any mammal (a This is a simple binary system. In mouse in this case) and for MBD2- cells, something goes comparison take the same wrong. Cells can be sorted by unmethylated gene and put it in FACS (fluorescent activated cell the cell, then the methylated one sorting) with respect to expression hardly works. It works to about of interferon-gamma or IL4; they 2.5% of the level of the unmethyl- migrate differently when express- ated one. These (slide) are two ing either gene. This enables gene different cell lines derived from expression to be visualised in a the MBD2- mice. The striking two dimensional pattern. The result is that when genes are consequences of MBD2 deficiency introduced into these cells, for T-helper cell differentiation are methylated genes are expressed at that more cells express higher about 25% of the level of the levels (and at an earlier stage) of unmethylated ones. If MBD2 is the appropriate gene. In other put back into the cells along with words you are taking the lid off a reporter gene, then the repres- something that was previously sion is restored. If you put back a repressing them, and there is mutant version of MBD2 that significant derepression of the does not bind methylated DNA, inappropriate gene; they’re then you don’t restore repression. expressing the wrong gene, so the To conclude, in this artificial assay, silencing of the wrong gene is the cells from these mice (which defective. That is quite a dramatic are reasonably normal) do not effect to an immunologist. repress methylated genes. The hypothesis, and there is more I’m now going to talk about work evidence to support it, is that which is looking at real endog- MBD2 is keeping this gene
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switched off until the cell is ready. MBD2 removal gives them a lot You might ask why the organism less. doesn’t die since you are taking To the last part of my talk: DNA away something that reads the methylation and mutation. This is methylation signal? In response I where epigenetics meets genetics. take you back to the five different Epigenetics is non-genetic proteins for which methylation inheritance of changes in DNA represses transcription; we are function and it meets genetics removing just one of them. The because DNA methylation causes other four are still there. This kind damage on a spectacular scale. If of redundancy always gets in the one looks at the total number of way of interpreting these kinds of point mutations that give rise to a experiments. whole spectrum of human genetic So we have failure to repress an diseases and ask how many of artificially transfected reporter and them are at CpG, the methylatable failure to properly repress an sequence, we find 26% of them endogenous gene in these MBD2- are here. More than 25% of cells. So that supports our idea mutations that give human that what this gene does is to genetic diseases and also of repress transcription. mutations that arise within cells to What about cancer? I told you give cancer are at CpG. This is a that methylated tumour suppress- totally disproportionate number er genes are silenced by given the frequency of the methylation. So we thought, dinucleotide. The problem is since these mice are defective in caused by water. Cytosine, under repression we (in collaboration) the insidious influence of water, would put them onto a cancer gets deaminated about 100 times prone background. Normally per cell per day. This (slide) amino mice live for a couple of years and group gets deaminated to give a occasionally they start to get carbonyl group and as a result you tumours. Therefore the way in get uracil instead of cytosine. which one studies the effects of Uracil in DNA counts as a strange different chemicals and different base, and does not pair properly genotypes on cancer is to get mice with guanine, so there are two that are susceptible, i.e. left to signals that say ‘get me out of themselves they live for a while here’, and there is a big machine and then start to get cancer. And that comes in to do that very then you can ask whether a efficiently. However, when particular treatment gives them methylated cytosine is deaminated more cancer more quickly or does (by the same reaction involving it give them less? We found that water) you get thymine, a conven-
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tional DNA base. In this situation repair protein comes in and takes all you can get hold of is the out the T resulting from the mismatch, and repair turns out to mutation of a methylated CG, be rather inefficient. The repair bringing in all the subsequent gives rise to a TG mismatch. T and repair processes necessary to G do not normally pair and if not restore a C. But one always has to repaired give rise to a TG CA be suspicious of what happens in mutation. the test tube; there are some The TG CA mutation is the classic examples where people mutation so frequently found in have the got the wrong ideas human populations. If you look from simply looking at the test- at worms and flies, they don’t put tube. The best example was when methylation all over their genes, the first DNA polymerase was so they don’t suffer from this. isolated and was in fact an They don’t live very long for other exonuclease that destroyed DNA, reasons but nevertheless by but under the conditions in the covering our genes with methyla- reaction it was being forced to put tion we invite this problem. We it together. So you have to check just have to assume that the whether you have the right assay benefits of methylation somehow in your test-tube. The properties outweigh the disadvantage of of MBD4 in vitro suggest that it mutability. But for a long time it reduces mutability in methyl-C by has been suspected that there initiating repair of TG mismatches must be something that repairs. at methyl-CpG sites. If so, then Some mechanism that recognises knockout mice lacking MBD4 the T (within the TG) and says should display an increased “wait a minute, that T is wrong, frequency of CpG mutations. We it’s paired with a G in a methyl-CG took the so-called ‘big blue context, we need to put back the mouse’ (neither big nor blue but C”. The protein that we’ve been containing a row of bacteri- working on, MBD4, performs this ophage lambda genomes), then role. It has no role in silencing exposed the mouse to no MBD4 transcription as is the function of for a while. The lambda DNA can the previous enzymes I have then be removed and a very discussed; it is a DNA repair precise screen exists for looking at protein that attempts to undo the the mutations within its DNA. We damage that methylation of DNA looked at the CII gene and asked causes. whether this region was methylat- ed. Bisulphite analysis shows I will now talk about some of the where the methylated CG exists. recent unpublished evidence in Millions of phage were analysed favour of that idea. In vitro the
64 Prize Lectures
and the sorts of mutations found of methylated DNA involving included GC to TA (where the G is MBD4. replaced by a T), GC to AT, GT to To summarise, methyl-CpG- CG etc., taking out one base and binding proteins mediate putting in one base. What you silencing, and we have discussed a notice is that one category is few of these tonight. Silencing higher than the others. One contributes to cancer. This is mutation occurs at a much higher largely the work of other labs that frequency and it occurs at the has led to this conclusion but CpG dinucleotide. So this what I’ve shown you is new work category has increased dramatical- suggesting that the methyl- ly in these mice as a result of binding proteins play a key role in taking away MBD4. this, one of which may turn out to What has it done to the overall be interesting therapeutically. frequency of mutation? This is the Failure in silencing may cause Rett fraction of all point mutations syndrome. I say may because it seen in the experiment at the has yet to be proven, but that is methyl-CpG site. Normally, as I the most likely explanation. You showed earlier in the human take away something that repress- diseases, it is about 25 – 30% and es, then failure to repress could be it turns out to be the same in causing the problem. Finally, DNA these mice. In fact in every methylation incurs a mutagenic organism that has been examined cost (which we knew already) and it is the same percentage. But repair of some damage due to when you take away the MBD4 DNA methylation is carried out by gene you find that between MBD4. You may ask why it should 60-80% of all mutations are at be a hotspot for mutation if there the CpG site. is a repair mechanism. I could To conclude, I am showing you, wave my hands and give all sorts once more, the mouse with of explanations – but I won’t go intestinal tumour susceptibility. If into that right now. you get more mutations without Finally I want to acknowledge MBD4, do you also get more those who have been involved cancer? The answer is yes, which primarily in this work: is what you expect because you’re Jacky Guy, Catherine Millar, Xin getting more mutation and Shen Man, Brian Hendrich, Jim mutations cause cancer. So the Selfridge, Helen Barr. conclusion is that MBD4 sup- presses CpG mutation in vivo. In addition we collaborated with This establishes that there is a Alan Clarke and Owen Sanson in mechanism devoted to the repair Cardiff on the cancer part of the
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project. Peter Keightley did some not a big advantage for a cancer statistics for us. Anne Hutchins cell as the mutation rate produced and Steve Reiner at the University is too slow. “ of Philadelphia did the immuno- Is it possible to target and silence logical part of the project.” specific genes using an exoge- Questions and Answers. nous source? How dramatically is gene expres- “Unfortunately this is impossible. sion actually changed in MBD2 It would be a good idea to target null mice? methylation to a specific gene so “This is an area currently being you could shut it down (for examined and it is possible to find example shutting down genes quite a lot of differences. I that when activated cause cancer). showed the IL4 / interferon- The trouble is that although the gamma results already – I think effect of methylation is getting to there may a lot more of that. But I be quite well understood, the part think the effect might be quite about what decides how some- subtle for many genes.” thing gets methylated in the first place is weakly understood. One Are mutations within the human would need to understand this MBD4 gene linked to cancer much better before targeting susceptibility? could be possible.” “There is evidence that mutations Why is the timescale of onset of in MBD4 can be found in cancer, Rett Syndrome so similar to that but not nearly as frequently as seen in the knockout mice? one would like to implicate this gene in tumorigenesis. One of the “Perhaps a neurone in a mouse at things one needs to bear in mind 37ºC and a neurone in a human is that if you mutate this gene at 37ºC would behave similarly if there is not a lot more mutation they both were lacking the same as a result of losing it. It is actually vital component. I think what is quite subtle, producing a low rate lost in the neurons is the ability to of mutation which, even if it were keep going. Neurons are formed not repaired, would be a low rate and keep on working for years. I in terms of the timescale of cancer. think these cells can do it for a It would take an enormous while, but then are no longer able amount of time to hit a cancer to do so. They will have a half-life, gene at this unrestrained muta- and you can imagine the half-life tion rate. Removal of MLH1 would not differ greatly from produces many more mutations mouse to human. There is a view all over the genome in a very short in the field that it is a neuro- space of time. Taking out MBD4 is developmental disorder and that
66 Prize Lectures
there is some developmental To what extent is the CpG ‘short- moment at which something age’ affected by methylation in critical is meant to happen in the other organisms such as inverte- brain and without MECP2 you brates? cannot do it. My argument We looked for methylated genes against that is that these heterozy- in many organisms as we knew gote mice have had 3 litters. They CpG was rare in invertebrates. have been living a normal life for One animal we looked at was the 6 months to a year. What develop- sea squirt, which is a chordate and mental process are they waiting to has domains of methylated DNA, go through? There isn’t one in my interspersed with unmethylated. If opinion.“ you look at the CpG frequency To what extent is this methylation then the methylated patches all gene family conserved across the have very little, and the unmethyl- animal kingdom? ated ones have plenty. Presence of “It looks as though it is conserved methylation over evolutionary across all vertebrates which all time has eliminated CpG from have a lot of genomic methyla- parts of the genome. The bit that tion. The invertebrates do not is not methylated has no muta- have solidly methylated genomes genic burden and so has not as vertebrates do, and most of eliminated CpG. The reason for these proteins are missing too. the intermediate state is because One is found, and this is MBD2. these genomes are partly methyl- Evolutionarily MBD2 is the ated.“ ancestor of these genes. A relative of this is found in Drosophila.
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11th Caledonian Research Foundation Prize Lecture Lewis C. Cantley Professor of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School and Chief, Division of Signal Transduction, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Institutes of Medicine. 10 April 2002 (Edinburgh), 11 April 2002 (Dundee) The role of Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase in Development and Disease
Lew Cantley is credited with the discovery of a family of enzymes, the PI 3- kinases, which have critical roles in regulating normal mammalian cell growth and movement as well as cellular responses to insulin. It is a discovery that has far-reaching medical implications for the treatment of cancer, diabetes and inflammatory diseases. The significance of Lew Cantley’s work is now widely acknowledged, most recently with his election last year to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. But as with many stories of discovery and innovation, the early days were characterised by scepticism and, like many pioneers before him, Lew had to begin by swimming against the tide. In his early career Lew was studying the regulation of ion transport mecha- nisms when he realised that many factors that stimulated growth and differentiation also affected membrane lipids called phosphoinositides, or PIs, which at the time were still only suspected to have signalling roles. The PI 3-kinase field began with two controversial papers from Lew’s group published prominently in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and Nature in 1984 and 1985. They showed the presence of a PI kinase activity associated with the Transforming gene products of Rous Sarcoma virus and Polyoma virus. These viral proteins were already known either to possess tyrosine kinase activity or to associate with tyrosine kinases of the host cell. Lew showed that the PI kinase activity was a distinct component of a protein complex that also contained and was regulated by the previously characterised tyrosine kinases. With the finding that the new lipid kinase generates a novel series of lipids phosphorylated at the 3-position of the inositol ring each of which functions as an intracellular signal, the field was set to explode and it has been expanding ever since. Much of the excitement stems from the evident medical significance of PI 3- kinase dependent signalling. PI 3-kinases are activated by the majority of known growth factors and oncogenes. The links to cancer were strength- ened still further with the discovery by Jack Dixon’s group that a major
68 Prize Lectures
tumour suppressor gene, PTEN, encodes a phosphatase that specifically antagonises PI 3-kinase dependent signalling by dephosphorylating its lipid products. Researchers studying insulin signalling had searched in vain over nearly half a century for the elusive second messenger of insulin action before the products of PI 3-kinase were shown to fulfil this role; drugs that mimic key elements of the PI 3-kinase signalling pathway now have great promise in the treatment of type II diabetes, the new epidemic of the western world. And the recently discovered gamma isoform of PI 3-kinase specifically regulates neutrophil migration to sites of inflammation so that inhibitors should be effective in treating inflammatory disorders. Lew’s work continues to ride the crest of this very vigorous wave. In today’s lecture he is going to share with us some of the recent work of his labora- tory in which the deletion of genes encoding the catalytic and regulatory subunits of PI 3-kinases in mice is revealing both anticipated and unexpect- ed biological roles of this signalling pathway.
More than fifteen years ago we mice. However, the relevance of discovered the enzyme, phosphoi- the PI3K pathway for human nositide 3-kinase (PI3K) because cancers was not clear until the of its co-purification with onco- discovery of the PTEN tumor genic protein-tyrosine kinases. suppressor gene. This gene is Subsequent studies by our mutated or deleted in a large laboratory and others showed number of advanced human that activation of PI3K by various cancers, especially in glioblasto- oncogenes resulted in enhanced mas, melanomas and metastatic growth and survival of cultured prostate cancer. The discovery by cells. The discoveries in the mid Jack Dixon’s laboratory that PTEN 1990s that lipid products of PI3K is a lipid phosphatase that could directly bind to pleckstrin degrades the products of PI3K homology domains in a variety of indicated that hyperactivation of protein kinases and regulators of the PI3K pathway was likely to be low molecular weight GTP driving these metastatic cancers. binding proteins revealed down- Indeed, studies with cells in stream signaling pathways that culture have shown that the PI3K- mediate PI3K responses. Of AKT pathway provides both a particular interest was the finding growth and survival signal. that the cellular homolog of the To further understand the role of AKT retrovial oncogene product the PI3K pathway in development was activated by products of PI3K. and disease, we generated mice in The viral form of AKT had been which the regulatory subunits of shown to cause lymphomas in
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class Ia PI3K were deleted. Three approach using phospho-specific different class Ia PI3K regulatory antibodies that recognise proteins genes exist (p85a, p85b and phosphorylated at sites that p55g) and these genes are resemble this motif. With this partially redundant in function procedure, we identified the during development. However, protein product of the Tuberous deletion of both p85a and p85b Sclerosis 2 gene, tuberin as a results in embryonic lethality at substrate of AKT. Previous studies day E12 due to a variety of had shown that loss of tuberin defects, including bleeding, results in increased cell prolifera- suggesting the importance of this tion as well as increased cell size pathway for vascular develop- and that patients with Tuberous ment. Surprisingly, although PI3K Sclerosis have widespread hamar- is required for most aspects of tomas similar to those of patients insulin signaling, mice with carrying a defective PTEN gene heterozygous loss of p85a or (Cowden’s disease). Our studies homozygous loss of p85b have indicate that Tuberin is a negative increased insulin sensitivity. These regulator of cell growth, in part studies indicate that in addition to because of its ability to inhibit the the role of p85 subunits in mTOR-p70S6K pathway for regulating PI3K activity, these controlling protein synthesis. proteins play a negative role in Phosphorylation of tuberin by AKT insulin signaling that is not yet turns off this function, allowing understood at the molecular level. cell growth to proceed. The To better understand the PI3K- discovery that tuberin is a link AKT signaling pathway, we between the PI3K pathway and developed a new method to the control of protein synthesis identify in vivo substrates of the and cell growth provides a better AKT protein kinase. The tech- understanding of the molecular nique combines a bioinformatics basis of cancers and Tuberous approach for scanning the human Sclerosis, and suggests new proteome for proteins with motifs targets for pharmaceutical likely to be phosphorylated by this intervention in these diseases. kinase, and an experimental
70 LECTURES Dr Harry Griffin Roslin Institute and Professor Michael Steel FRSE University of St Andrews 5 November 2001 Therapeutic Cloning and Reprogramming in Stem Cell Research
Dr Harry Griffin described how sion of the immune response of ‘cell therapy’ offers the chance to the recipient and genetically treat a number of important modifying the cells, using cells medical conditions, including derived from the patients them- diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and selves - “therapeutic cloning”. heart attacks. Research groups So-called “therapeutic cloning” around the world are testing out involves transferring the nucleus the approach in small-scale from a diploid (somatic) cell, for experimental trials in mice, rats example, a patient’s skin, to an and, in a few instances, humans. enucleated egg. Activation with a For cell therapy to be widely small electric shock in effect acceptable, two questions need to creates a human embryo and a be answered: potential source of cells that are “Where do we obtain the cells to immunologically identical to the treat large numbers of patients?” donor of the nucleus, i.e, the and “How do we avoid immune patient. However, human eggs rejection?” are not in great supply and The ideal source of cells, albeit therapeutic cloning is not an highly controversial, is the human option for routine treatment of embryo. At seven days of devel- individual patients. Dolly is opment the embryo comprises a perhaps the most famous example ball of about one hundred and of animal cloning. She was fifty cells, including an inner cell created in the manner described mass of embryonic stem cells. above and since her creation the These cells are candidates for cell same technique has been applied therapy because: they can be to mice, pigs, cattle and goats, obtained free of contamination, and many different cells have they will multiply indefinitely and been used as donors of nuclei. they can be directed to become a However, cloning has had a very wide range of different cell types, low success rate, with only a 1-2% for example, heart, skin, kidney. chance of live offspring, a high We can avoid immune rejection in percentage of which die, (in mice several ways, including suppres- approximately 18%). Other
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problems in mice include an acetylation. How can we reverse enlarged placenta in the offspring this process, i.e. reprogramme a (2-3 x normal size); cloned sheep cell? The process might be and cows are often oversized. One reversed by growth factors. In lamb born this year had enlarged tissue culture the absence of arterioles causing hyperventilation neighbouring cells might initiate and had to be put down at 12 the process but questions would days of age. The oocyte is pro- remain over the completeness of grammed to deal with sperm DNA the reversal, its permanency and not somatic DNA and the deleteri- its safety (uncontrolled growth). ous effects noted above may be Cord blood, of course, is a source due to the different ‘formats’ of of haematopoietic stem cells, these DNA. These differences hepatocytes, and muscle cells. But include chromatin structure, does cord blood contain pluripo- methylation patterns and telomer- tent cells of every type, for ase activity, and it may take a long example top level angioblasts? Do time to discover their full effects. they even exist? Inappropriate reprogramming A potential condition for gene may also be an issue in creating therapy would be muscular stem cells by therapeutic cloning. dystrophy and, as with all such Professor Michael Steel advised candidate conditions, the ques- that in mice we can isolate stem tion is how to encourage the cells and direct them to grow into engineered cells in preference to different types, but we haven’t yet the existing dysfunctional cells. identified such cells in humans. Muscular dystrophy is caused by a However, in various human lack of dystrophin, a protein that tissues, cells with at least some of acts to stabilise the muscle these pluripotent properties have membrane. In its absence, muscle been identified. In general, as a is lost over time. One approach cell becomes increasingly special- would be to replace the dys- ised, telomere length reduces, and trophin gene, but another would the cell loses its proliferation and be to increase expression of the regeneration ability. Part of the eutrophin gene, normally tran- process of reprogramming might scribed at a low level. Sickle cell involve restoration of telomere anaemia presents an analogous length. scenario. Rather than introducing Various mechanisms are postulat- a replacement gene, it may be ed for the mechanisms used by possible to reactivate the foetal the genome to programme itself, haemoglobin gene. Although including methylation, Master- controlled reactivation has not yet Control genes and histone been achieved, continued expres-
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sion into adult life does some- the telomeres of several centenari- times happen spontaneously, ans has shown that none had without ill effects. This approach reached the end of theirs. would avoid the problems Further questions posed were: is associated with gene reintroduc- there difficulty in obtaining tion. embryos from IVF clinics for During subsequent discussion, in research and is there any research answer to a question about looking at the offspring of cloned whether it would be possible to animals? Are the benefits inherit- replace muscle cells by reducing ed as expected? In answer to the the muscle mass by starving an first question Dr Griffin replied organism to a sub-lethal state, that we need embryonic stem cells introduce the replacement gene to find out why they can be and then reintroduce nutrition, manipulated so easily. Once that Professor Steel answered that is understood we will be in a starving to a sublethal state would position to manipulate somatic lead to smaller muscle cells that cells. An audience member would, on replacing the nutrition, advised that it costs $100 to become bigger. The same cells freeze a cord. With 600,000 would be present. Dr Griffin births a year it cannot be practical responded to the next question (or economic) to store umbilical about whether there are cytoplas- cord blood in case an individual mic factors affecting DNA by might need it 50 years hence. In stating that experiments with replying to the second question frogs are indicating that such Dr Griffin stated that as yet we components do exist. don’t know. A company in the The next question asked whether USA has eight cloned calves that other primates can be used as have now reached sexual maturity, models for examining telomere so we should soon find out. We reduction, or perhaps the pig, will want to know whether the since its telomere structure would offspring perform as well as their be more akin to the human than parents – and is there consistency would the rodent structure. Dr in their milk yield? Griffin replied that no primate A vote of thanks was moved by experiments have been reported Professor Veronica Van Heyningen yet and that telomere reduction is FRSE, Honorary Professor of not actually that important a Medicine at the University of factor. Professor Steel added that Edinburgh and Head of the Cell we probably have enough Genetics Section at the MRC telomere remaining to last Human Genetics Unit, Western another lifetime. Examination of General Hospital in Edinburgh.
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Professor Thomas Devine, FRSE, FBA, HonMRIA Research Institute for Irish and Scottish Studies University of Aberdeen 21 November 2001 Strangers in a Strange Land? Two Centuries of the Irish in Scotland Regional Lecture
Speaker’s Abstract The Irish are Scotland’s largest Despite this the Irish have been immigrant group of modern marginalised in Scottish historiog- times. Today well over a million raphy until recent times. As a Scots can claim descent from the result their story is encrusted with vast numbers who left poverty, myth and distortion. This lecture hunger and unemployment in will present a revisionist view of their native land for a new life in the Irish in Scotland based on new Scotland. This great movement of research and fresh interpretations. people had a massive effect on It is an analysis vital to an under- the making of modern Scottish standing of how the modern Society. nation developed.
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Professor Ray Newton and Dr Andrew Morris Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee 3 December 2001 Options and Opportunities in a Pandemic of Diabetes
Professor Newton began by Type I diabetes is now considered stating that we are caught in a to be an autoimmune disease tidal wave of diabetes approach- with a genetic component, ing pandemic proportions. resulting in beta-cell destruction Diabetes is one of the very few in the pancreas. It becomes conditions for which the number increasingly common in northerly of people affected is increasing. latitudes, and Scotland has one of Currently there are 1.5 million the highest rates at 30 per sufferers in the UK and 135 100,000. One variant, ‘Brittle million people worldwide. In the Diabetes’, characterised by a UK, £94 million a year is spent in deterioration of glycaemic control treatment. in adolescence, has been of The discovery of insulin in 1921 particular interest to Professor was initially heralded as the end Newton and Dr Morris as part of of diabetes, but it was soon DARTS (Diabetes Audit and apparent that new problems lay Research in Tayside Study). It was ahead; primarily as a result of the suggested that behavioural rather deleterious effect of glucose on than physiological problems the vascular system. In a study of might account for the poor 307 individuals, diagnosed with control observed during the diabetes before 1953, it was teenage years. For example, a shown that after 40 years, 50% of study of teenage diabetics these people had died before indicated that more than 10% reaching the age of 50. Professor were not actually taking any Newton outlined some of the insulin. improvements in treatment that A second, and more common, have taken place over the years. type of diabetes (Type II) has been These include the changeover characterised by a reduction of from spirit-disinfected needles to 33% in life expectancy, This type the new-generation infusion has a predeliction for certain pumps. Furthermore, he pointed ethnic groups and affects 10% of out that for the future there is a older people. It is associated with real prospect of islet cell trans- obesity, hypertension and smok- plantation. ing. Diagnosis is often 6-10 years after initial onset, by which time
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complications may already be Dr Morris pointed out that their present. Furthermore, diagnostic view of diabetes is that it is no entry levels are constantly being longer just a condition of in- revised, thus leading to increased creased sugar levels, but it is a numbers of people afflicted. Type disease of premature cardiovascu- II diabetes occurs in Tayside at a lar morbidity and mortality rate of 5.52% and by 2007 the associated with hyperglycaemia. number of sufferers is expected to Diabetics have a higher incidence double to 20,000. A big differ- of infarction as well as a higher ence can be observed between mortality rate after infarction, but urban and rural groups. It might if diagnosed early enough, be assumed that this represents treatments such as aspirin and General Practitioner care versus streptokinase can improve hospital care but in fact it ap- outcomes. It was pointed out that peared that many rural cases were there is a great unmet clinical not seeing their General Practi- need and one of our biggest tioner at all. challenges is to increase the Dr Morris began by outlining practice of evidence-based details of a meeting of EU mem- medicine. However, General ber states, which set out 5-year Practitioners are burdened by target reductions for Type II ever-changing ‘guideline bench- diabetes (St. Vincent Declaration). marks’ relating to diabetes; e.g. These included cardiovascular blood pressure; yet American failure, renal failure, amputation studies have shown that only and blindness. Sadly it appears 50% of people are aware of high that these targets are far from blood pressure, and many may being met. The DARTS network not be controlling it. Dr Morris was therefore set up in Tayside in also highlighted the need for order to provide an integrated clinical governance. That is, we collaborative approach to the should have access to data which problem. The population in show for example, the success Tayside has the advantage of rates of different hospitals. This being relatively static, includes can be provided by the DARTS both rural and urban dwellers and network. Thus, the Tayside uses a unique patient identifica- regional diabetic network has a tion system. The DARTS network comprehensive website serving uses a combination of data both patients and GPs. For sources to monitor the condition, example, it enables GPs to including encashed prescriptions, compare the diabetes-screening specialist centres and mobile eye- rate of their practice, whilst van examinations. patients can access high quality
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information on the condition. This as part of the network could not network could be expanded to be carried out by an optician it cover the whole of Scotland. was noted that while many In the subsequent discussion, the opticians can do the tests, the speakers were asked what the coverage was not required for a explanation was for the increased population-based study such as incidence of diabetes in northerly that in Tayside. In response to a latitudes. It was suggested in reply number of further questions it that the cause was part cultural was commented that we need to and part genetic. The next treat diabetes as a public health question asked that the speakers issue and it was noted that body elaborate on the eye-van screen- mass is increasing in Scotland ing which is carried out in Tayside. with 24% of five-year old children It was explained that this screens being overweight and 8% being for diabetic eye disease by looking obese. In relation to diet it was through dilated pupils at the pointed out that in Finland, the retina. Very effective laser treat- North Kerelina project, which was ment is available if deterioration is multiagency driven and included discovered. A further questioner tax discounts on healthy foods, noted that the speakers had resulted in significant reductions attributed the tidal wave to in cardiovascular disease. obesity and asked if there might A vote of thanks was moved by be any involvement of polluted Professor Elizabeth Russell CBE food. It was pointed out in reply FRSE, Professor of Social Medicine, that Type I diabetes may be University of Aberdeen, who triggered by a viral infection or a noted that the technology and chemical stimulus. However expertise that we have in Dundee obesity and lack of exercise are is just what is needed to help us considered to be very important achieve an equivalent result to the factors in Type II diabetes. When North Kerelina success in Finland. asked if the eye tests carried out
77 Review of the Session 2001-2002
Dr Bonnie Dunbar, CorrFRSE Assistant Director (University Research & Affairs) NASA 6 December 2001 From RSS Discovery to Space Shuttle Discovery: Leading the Way for Exploration of the Space Frontier Part of the Edinburgh Lecture Series
Dr Dunbar, a specialist in ceramic engineering and mechanical/biomedical engineering, became a NASA astronaut in August 1981. She is a veteran of five space flights, (1985, 1990, 1992, 1995,1998), and has logged more than 1,208 hours (50 days) in space, travelling 20 million miles. She served on the Atlantis mission (1995), the first Space Shuttle to dock with the Russian Space Station Mir, and to exchange crews. Dr Dunbar was conferred with the Degree of Engineering by Heriot Watt University in July 2000. She is also one of only five women in the world to be inducted into the Women in Technology International Hall of Fame.
Speaker’s Abstract Space Exploration: the Human Earth. Today, two nations regular- Imperative. Exploration of the ly launch humans into space and physical environment around us two more are on the verge. A has been as important to human look at history can help us chart progress as intellectual pursuit of the course into the future, but the arts and sciences. Only 100 what may that future be? What years ago, Captain Scott sailed are the challenges and the from Dundee, Scotland, by opportunities? What are the wooden ship to Antarctica - a potential risks of not being a part relatively unexplored region of the of that human imperative?
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Professor Richard Gregory CBE, FRS, FRSE Professor of Neuropsychology, University of Bristol 7 January 2002 Knowledge for Vision: Vision for Knowledge Royal Society Medawar Lecture In his talk, Professor Gregory tion transmission, compared to demonstrated the importance of what was seen. Interpretation lack of stimulus, as well as was based upon neural signals, presence of stimulus, in building cognitive rules and object knowl- our understanding of an image, edge (previous experience – both emphasising that it was still inherited and life). Problems, unknown how the brain fits however, could arise both in the together a ‘mental picture’ derived neural signal and in the cognitive from a number of separate image rules. placements upon the fovea. Professor Gregory classed illusions He described how a good deal of as instabilities, ambiguities, knowledge in this area came from distortions, paradoxes and a man whose sight was restored fictions. An example of ambiguity at the age of 52. This man saw was presented as an image that things that previously he knew could be interpreted both as a only by touch and he saw only a duck’s head looking to the right, pattern, not an object for those or a rabbit’s head looking up- objects for which he lacked a wards, with the same pattern knowledge-base. For example, he giving rise to two perceptions. was unable to recognise an The brain considered the two elephant at the zoo because his candidates, and weighed up the knowledge of elephants amount- likelihood of each, using its ed to a brief description he had knowledge-base. As an example once received; ‘like a big dog but of distortion, an image of a wall with a tail at each end’. with a pattern of black and white Professor Gregory believed that squares was presented with the the translation of nerve impulses parallel lines of the wall appearing into our knowledge of the world, to converge to create wedge using a postage-stamp-sized shapes. He noted that in perspec- object called the eye, was a tive, the eye made an assumption miracle of evolution. The brain of distance, with the brain performed the transition from compensating for distance optical image to physical object through a process called ‘size using a very low rate of informa- constancy’.
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Finally, Professor Gregory paid other senses. Professor Gregory tribute to the several excellent replied that there were and gave science centres appearing as an example the sound of throughout Scotland, such as that sizzling sausages sounding very in Glasgow. He believed that these like rain when heard outside. hands-on environments were Following the discussion a vote of precisely what were needed to thanks was proposed by Professor encourage children in science. Helen Ross, in which it was noted During the ensuing discussion, that Richard Gregory was a the audience noted that vision present-day representative of an was only one of the senses and exceptional family that invented questioned whether there were the Gregorian reflecting telescope any analogous illusions in the and, subsequently, calculus.
80 Lectures
Prince El Hassan bin Talal of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 4 February 2002 Muslims, Jews and Christians - the Quest for Human Solidarity
“We have all been affected by the nature; a politics for people, events of September 11th, but I ‘anthropolitics’. hope not irreparably so. We are at Ironically, in the Jordan/Israel a societal crossroads and we have negotiations, we encountered the choice of moving away from three types of fear, one of which each other or closer together. One was the fear of peace itself rather is mutually assured destruction than a fear of war. (MAD), the other mutually assured security (MAS). I believe we can All multilateral processes appear achieve the latter because I believe to include two stages. in the concept of community and The first is security; consider that the propensity for good. in our region, $300 billion has Quoting from the most recent been spent on security in the last document presented to the G8 10 years. countries by the Independent The second stage is the economy. Bureau and Office for Humanitari- Illegal migration from our coun- an Assistance, tries catalysed discussion with the ‘Hiding behind one excuse or EU (after signing the Israel/Jordan other, governments tend to violate Peace Treaty in 1994) for $35 international human rights laws. billion to assist development work International reprimands are often to alleviate poverty for a decade. ignored.’ However, the EU said no, and today we are spending money on The problem is most acute when security forces, rather than ‘non-state’ actors participate; encouraging illegal immigrants to those who don’t consider them- stay in their own country. selves bound by international law. Very little research is done on Jews, Christians and Muslims migration; only two universities in must insist that humanitarian the Western world are active in factors be placed at the forefront this field. The issue of migration of all considerations. and refugees is a huge interna- We must seek a new kind of tional problem. politics, capable of ending Conflicts are often characterised humanity’s war with itself and by the inability of either side to
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recognise the suffering of the The different fundamentalisms, other. The Arab/Israeli conflict is a including secularism, are tearing prime example. We need educa- us apart, both within and be- tion exchange programmes such tween communities. Despite many as the EU’s Socrates and Erasmus conflicts, there are enough to begin to rectify the situation. historical examples of peaceful co- Interacting with each other and existence of different religions for taking the best from each other is optimism, e.g. between Christians the way to progress. Islam and Muslims in North Africa, and teaches that God created mankind during the Crusades; in Andalusia to comprise various religions, not in the Middle Ages, Jews, Muslims a single one, and recognises and Christians co-existed in peace Judaism and Christianity. I am for close to eight centuries. proud to be a pluralist. I see the world as comprising one What place does a variegated civilisation and ten thousand experience of human religion cultures rather than many civilisa- serve in the great scheme of tions. I believe in a continuous things? God’s command to all process of dialogue and interac- human communities on Earth is to tion between the cultures. Islam is vie with one another to do good a broad religion that cannot be works. generalised. It is often presented as a global threat. Muslim The Koran is clear that there societies have undergone centu- should be no compulsion in ries of change. This contradicts religion. Solidarity among the the fallacy that it is an unbending faiths means that competing institution. Islam emphasises religions strive for the common justice, benevolence, wisdom and good. compassion. Christianity emphasised in the Given the inherent ambiguity of words of the Pope, ‘Faced with a language, text-based religions world that too often denies justice inevitably lead to multiple inter- with violence, we Christians base pretations. Furthermore any major our hope on the merciful provi- religion is by definition a diverse dence of God to reach the most institution. As with any text- hardened of hearts.’ based religion, there are These attitudes should inspire the anti-pluralist tendencies in Islam Churches to a dialogue with other running in parallel with the religions and cultures to reaffirm pluralists. Unfortunately Islam is the values of human life. too often portrayed as being entirely hostile to the West; Islam equals extremism. I find this
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disturbing considering that Bosnia and Afghanistan may have Muslims comprise almost three been avoided had we kept to the quarters of the world’s refugees, promises of United Nations in those who are fleeing conflict. 1974 to donate 0.7% of GNP of Terrorism is committed by people the industrialised countries to the from many different religious development of the disadvan- backgrounds, including secular- taged countries. Today’s ‘angry ists. Islamic terrorists are not neighbours’ might have been considered as objects of piety friends and trading partners. within Islam. In the context of the Middle East Can we manage the transition the situation looks pretty bleak. from a culture of war to a culture The Palestinian territories com- of peace? I would like to hear prise 64 different administrative Western leaders talking about entities, and I don’t know how revolutionising a law of peace, they are supposed to get their act rather than the battlefield. We together in order to turn back the have to understand each other’s tide of occupation. The arc of cultures and respect them. crisis, from Cairo down to the Wars will never end until justice South of the Gulf, and up to the prevails. I call for sustainable North of the Caspian Sea contains dialogue, not just sustainable 70% and 40% of the world’s oil development. Peace cannot be and gas respectively. I would like achieved by political and econom- to see a comprehensive OSC ic development alone, but approach and a culture of compli- requires the intellectual and moral ance where state and non-state solidarity of mankind. Education actors state very clearly their and interaction play major roles in opposition to terrorism. The dispelling bias and exclusiveness. penetration of Islam by security In Istanbul, a Parliament of forces can only serve the extrem- Cultures is to be established. ists. Israel is a democracy, but the People of different cultures will be increasing spiral of violence is able to talk to each other rather being questioned by ordinary than leaving the issue of crisis Israelis themselves. To quote a avoidance to governments alone. rabbi colleague, ‘There are no simple answers to the political Global inequality has grown in conflict, but there are possibilities the last 20 years; the richest 350 of meeting each other at the level people own more than 40% of of religious understanding”. the world’s wealth. The crises in
83 Review of the Session 2001-2002
Professor Steve Jones Galton Laboratories, University College London 15 February 2002 Is Evolution Over? Joint RSE/Institute of Biology/ Edinburgh Centre for Rural Research Lecture
Steve Jones is Professor of Genetics at University College London. He has worked on the genetics and evolution of snails, slugs, fruitflies and humans. His fieldwork has taken him around the world, from Africa to Syria, but on balance he still prefers snails in the Pyrenees. In 1991 he gave the BBC Reith Lectures on The Language of the Genes, and published a book of that title in 1993. He had a TV series (and a book) entitled In the Blood in 1997, and in 1999 published Almost Like a Whale, an attempt to update Charles Darwin’s The Origin of Species. He is at present working on a book about men (who turn out not to be very interesting), but plans to get back to the molluscs (who are hermaphrodites) as soon as possible.
Speaker’s Abstract
Many people - from H G Wells least in the West, and at least for and other Utopians onwards - see the time being), no natural a future of biological decline for selection, no random change in Homo sapiens, as, somehow, the small populations and perhaps a weaker are allowed to survive. I decline in mutation rate. Utopia, will argue that, instead, everything for those who worry what it might we know about human evolution be like, is already here. suggests that it is over with (at
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Professor John Burland, FREng FRS 18 February 2002 A tale of two towers: Big Ben and Pisa Joint RSE/Royal Academy of Engineering Lecture
“This lecture tells a story of the was established to implement movements of two world famous stabilisation measures and in that towers, resulting from nearby year the seventh level, forming the construction activities and the base of the bell chamber, over- application of novel geotechnical hung the ground by 4.5m. protective measures. Construction of the Under- The first tower, Big Ben, is part of ground Car Park at the Palace the Palace of Westminster. of Westminster Completed in 1858 and founded In the 1970s a deep underground on dense gravel and London clay, car park was constructed close to it stands 55m above ground level Big Ben clock. Ground movements and leans 220mm NW, a gradient and possible building damage just within detection of the were of major concern for this human eye. The second tower, the project. Predictions of the dis- leaning tower of Pisa, stands placements of the southerly within the Piazza dei Miracole and retaining wall on completion of is the bell tower of the magnifi- excavation were very reasonable. cent Romanesque Cathedral. Standing 65m high on soft Prediction of ground surface sediments, construction began in movements was, however, far less 1173 and was completed in three satisfactory. A consequence of stages with completion in 1360. this was that, whereas Big Ben Had the long pauses between the was predicted to tilt away from phases of construction not taken the excavation by about 1/6000, it place the tower would have fallen actually tilted towards the excava- over; the pauses allowed consoli- tion by about 1/7000. The dation of the soft sediments unexpected response of Big Ben thereby increasing the strength of has spawned an entirely new area the ground. In 1838 a walkway of study of the behaviour of the (catino) was excavated around the ground at small strains and we base of the tower resulting in a now have a much clearer under- lurch to the South by nearly 0.5m, standing of why Big Ben moved as bringing the tower close to it did. collapse. In 1990 a Commission
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Movements of the Pisa Tower The single most important finding The underlying ground of Pisa in the development of a tempo- Tower consists of three distinct rary stabilisation strategy was that layers. The middle layer is soft the tower is not settling; rather it sensitive normally consolidated is rotating from North to South. marine clay and beneath the Any work to stabilise the tower tower is dished by 2.5 – 3.0m, a has to maintain the building’s good indication of how very soft character and an initial temporary the ground is. In addition, the solution was, therefore, to load water table is within 1-2m of the 600 tonnes of lead onto the base bottom of the tower. of the North side of the tower. As a result the top of the tower A history of the tower’s inclination returned by 15mm. Sadly, political was needed to generate computer interference demanded that the models necessary to predict the unsightly lead be replaced with tower’s reaction to any stabilising ground anchors and as a result in work. Looking at the angle at September 1995 the tower which the bell chamber meets the lurched drastically. This became tower, one can tell that the tower known as black September and a had already leaned substantially hurried replacement of 900 by 1360. In addition, the main tonnes of lead was necessary to body of the tower has a ‘banana’ prevent collapse. shape, the result of attempts during construction to correct the Influence of the Jubilee Line lean; masons had place tapered extension on the Big Ben Tower blocks of masonry at the level of Major excavation close to Big Ben each floor to bend the axis of the is currently underway to expand tower towards vertical. London’s Underground System. Since 1911 the inclination and Our prediction was that the 40m difference in elevation between deep trench would cause both north and south plinths has been movement and tilt of Big Ben. The monitored. The rate of change of contractor, Balfour Beatty, has inclination is now twice that of used a new technique, ‘compen- the 1930s and in the past century sation grouting’ to counteract any the tower has moved 125mm. settlement. This involves drilling Several attempts have been made horizontal tunnels beneath Big in this century to correct the tower Ben, inserting pipes into these but each has had a negative tunnels and injecting them with effect. At one stage it leaned at grout. One-way valves allow 5.44°, and models indicate it must grout to be ejected at controlled certainly fall at 5.50°. locations along the tunnels’ lengths, so adding extra material
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to the ground beneath Big Ben. immense civil engineering This has been very successful and challenges. Both compensation is an outstanding civil engineering grouting and soil extraction are exercise, worthy of greater highly innovative methods of recognition. stabilisation that are completely Stabilisation of the Pisa Tower consistent with the requirements using Soil Extraction of architectural conservation. Their implementation has re- Computer modelling predicted quired advanced computer that a permanent solution to Pisa modelling, large-scale develop- could be achieved by soil extrac- ment trials, an exceptional level of tion from beneath the North side continuous monitoring and of the tower. Trials close to the carefully developed systems of actual site using a miniature tower day-to-day communication and confirmed these predictions. In control.” early 1996 the Commission agreed to preliminary soil extrac- Questions and Answers tion, but just as work was due to Is the underlying clay of Pisa start the Commission fell. A new uniform? Commission insisted upon a The stratigraphy is well known; reinvestigation of potential the underlying clay is very uniform solutions and in August 1998 from North to South, and we again decided in favour of relied on that fact in planning the preliminary soil extraction; in early extraction. 1999 twelve drilling tubes were Were you able to obtain samples put in place. By July 1999 the of the tower’s marble structure tower had rotated back by 2cm to that were under such enormous the same lean as was present in stress/strain? 1973 and the Commission then Non-destructive tests were used to agreed to full soil extraction. After determine this. The beautiful further soil extraction during marble cladding conceals marble 2000 and 2001 the tower was rubble of very variable strength back to its 1838 lean. Stabilised, with large voids and fractures. the tower was returned to local authority control on 16th June How does one measure tilt? 2001. We predict it will be Measurements began in 1911 another 100 years before further and in 1934 a plumb line was work is necessary. installed to measure changes in inclination, sensitive to 0.1 arc- Conclusion seconds. The theodolyte is today’s The conservation of both Big Ben most commonly-used instrument and the Pisa Tower has provided for measuring tilt, but in 1992
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extremely sensitive electronic The question was do I resign or equipment, developed by the don’t I? I had only one option and space industry, was installed to that was to see the project measure changes in tilt. through. What other options were consid- What provision has been made for ered in addition to soil extraction? the long-term monitoring of Pisa? About a dozen options were I have no further formal involve- considered. These included: ment with Pisa. The Commission · A concrete plate at the tower’s has ended its life but before being base pulled down with ground disbanded a monitoring group anchors was set up. However no funding has been provided for this group. · Electro-osmosis, i.e. removing We wait with anticipation to see if water from the clay on the north support will appear. The problem side is maintaining the will of officials. · Drainage Unlike previous attempts at stabilisation, we have document- · Compensation grouting ed every aspect of our work in During stabilising work it ap- order to assist any future work. peared at one stage that the How did you conduct yourself tower was both sinking and with the contractors engaged to rotating. Why did this occur? perform the work at the two sites? This was caused by a sudden drop In both cases the contractors were in temperature in the Alps excellent, and a delight to work resulting in high winds. This event with. Trevi developed a special was extremely alarming, but drill for the soil extraction at Pisa thankfully only happened the and (correctly in my opinion) were once. adamant that they would only What equipment is being used for undertake the work with a the ongoing monitoring of Big counterweight attached to the Ben and Pisa Tower? tower by chains. In the case of Big Geodetic surveying, particularly Ben, Balfour Beatty developed precision levelling, is used at both compensation grouting, a very sites. In addition there is an innovative and successful technol- automated plumb line at Pisa. ogy. Please comment on your decision If one should see a chimney to remain in charge throughout leaning, should one be worried? the political meddling. If it’s leaning at 5.5°, then yes!
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Professor Roland Paxton MBE, FRSE Honorary Professor, Department of Civil and Offshore Engineering, Heriot-Watt University Mr Jim Stirling Director of British Waterways Professor George Fleming FRSE Professor and Head of Water and Environmental Management Division, Strathclyde University 4 March 2002 Regeneration of the Forth & Clyde and Union Canals Professor Paxton began by giving Smeaton combined excellence in an overview of the first 200 years both engineering and manage- of the canals’ existence, from their ment and his outstanding success original construction between earned him a reputation as the 1760 and 1790, to their final father of civil engineering. His closure in the 1960s. design for the Forth & Clyde It was recorded by Thomas Telford entailed a canal 38.75 miles long, that these canals were first comprising 39 locks, 33 draw- proposed during the reign of bridges and 43 aqueducts and Charles II, and increasing commer- having a flat summit level 56 feet cial momentum generated by the above sea-level. In 1768 a route industrial revolution led to initial was decided and construction construction in 1760. Their commenced at Grangemouth. purpose was to obviate a highly Work continued until 1779 (at dangerous 500-mile journey which time funding dried up) then around Scotland’s coast. recommenced in 1785 and was completed in 1790. A group of noblemen invited the leading engineer of the day, John 40 of Smeaton’s original drawings Smeaton, to build the Forth & were brought back to Scotland by Clyde and in turn he gained the Royal Commission and show knowledge by travelling to the the enormity of the task, complet- continent in 1755 to observe ed as a series of small contracts. canals. At the time of construction Smeaton only came to Scotland the only comparable example was twice per year during the latter the Languedoc canal, built five years of construction and between 1666 and 1681. employed a project manager, Robert Mackle, to oversee
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day-to-day work. The result was a mid-80s a Forth & Clyde local plan world-class canal which operated was in place. This strategic plan at great profit and had a pro- was unprecedented as it crossed found influence upon Scotland’s authority boundaries. A pro- industrial development. It was 56 gramme of piecemeal feet wide, 27 feet wide at the improvement began and contin- base, 8 feet deep and capable of ued until the arrival of the lottery carrying masted ships up to 100 (specifically Millennium funding). tonnes weight. The stretch now This provided a once-in-a-lifetime occupied by the Falkirk wheel opportunity to restore the two comprised 11 locks, one being canals across Central Scotland. 130 feet long and 20 feet wide The driving forces behind restora- and used by boats 19.5 feet wide, tion were local communities – and so using its capacity to the ironically the same communities full. who had once called for the The Union Canal also featured canals to be filled in. The restora- grand engineering but, unlike the tion became a complex Forth & Clyde, was a commercial multi-partner exercise and the failure. In 1830 the railways solidarity of those partners has became significant and began to been crucial to success so far – compete strongly with canals. and will continue to be crucial in In contrast to most canals, the the canals’ future. Mr Stirling Forth & Clyde remained success- pointed out his pride in the fact ful. It carried 3 million tons of that British Waterways had led goods in 1868 and continued this project from the beginning. until the First World War when the As in their original construction, Grangemouth Docks were closed. major civil engineering was After the First World War, leisure required. The Forth & Clyde was became the major use for both blocked in 33 places and stretches canals but in the 1960s both up to 2km were in-filled. Major canals were officially closed. work was required at several sites. During the 60s and 70s the canals Thus, at Falkirk there was a need were neglected, and obscured by to change the height of an public utilities. Local communities aqueduct and create a new road called for them to be filled in as bridge. At Grangemouth there they had earned reputations as was a need to find a new route for killers. the canal, and also to change its However, by 1976 it was realised line to make use of the river that the canals might become a Carron. Additionally there was a source of recreation, and by the need to tunnel beneath the M8, to reopen a 1.7km blocked
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section and to find a new route without which this project would around the private housing, roads not have happened. and shopping centre in Wester Professor Paxton pointed out that Hailes. This has resulted in a in many ways, restoring the canal complete change in the canal’s has been an even more difficult appearance. process than its original construc- The biggest technical problem tion. The early builders did not was the Falkirk section where the have to contend with the complex two canals meet. The Union planning and environmental Canal is higher than the Forth & legislation we have today. For Clyde and joining them meant example, in the last 20 years, 240 negotiating the Glasgow – acts of environmental legislation Edinburgh rail line and the have been passed. There were Antonine Wall, the most also many different potential important Roman site in Scotland. objectors throughout the length Eleven locks have been buried of the canal and so the difficulties there since the 1930s. Restoring encountered with bureaucracy them would have been an option, and due process were found to be but in the spirit of Smeaton and significant. Telford it was decided to be bold The original canal cost £300,000, and innovative; and the idea of a £400 million in today’s terms. The wheel eventually emerged. The £78 million spent on restoration wheel occupies a brownfield site, is therefore a relatively small an area previously used as a tar- percentage. This modern invest- works (heavily contaminating the ment of £78 million is a very canal with tar and mercury) an different kind of investment and opencast coal mine and a fire-clay could be thought of as ‘environ- mine. mental capital’. Payback will not The Falkirk Wheel is the first be measured in capital terms as rotating boat-lift in the world. with the original canal. This time Ten hydraulic motors drive the the rewards are seen to be wheel’s axle, which in turn drives a environmental and social as well series of cogs, in the manner of a as economic. Thus, communities planetary gearbox. are able to see the employment Professor Fleming began by saying and leisure opportunities result- that the above account demon- ing from the project. Their strates that we still have great support played a major role in its engineers and visionaries with us success. today. He paid warm tribute to Jim The restoration has been a catalyst Stirling’s visionary leadership, for the decontamination of
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polluted land, such as the tar- “canal capital of the world”; works and mercury mentioned professional sculptors working earlier; ironically this pollution alongside communities at Wester was initiated by the original canal Hailes; volunteers building as it catalysed the industrial drystane dykes; 50,000 people revolution. turning out at the reopening of British Waterways should be the canals. The partnership congratulated on their ability to involved in driving the project has deliver on such a huge project and been colossal and it must hold fulfil a true partnership between together if the full benefits are to environment and engineering. In be delivered in the future. doing so they have demonstrated Professor John Archer, Principal a commitment to social inclusion, and Vice Chancellor, Heriot-Watt to the environment, to communi- University moved the vote of ties and to history. thanks. He noted that the Union The real driving force in this Canal has been dubbed the project has been sustainability. “mathematical canal”, placed as it The benefits have been wide- is, entirely along the 73rd contour. spread and include: leisure and He expressed the hope that the community development at canal can go on to emulate its Edinburgh quays; the regenera- heyday, when it supported many tion of the town centre at thousands of leisure users. Kirkintilloch, now branding itself
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Nicolas M Donofrio Senior Vice President, Technology and Manufacturing, IBM Corporation 27 March 2002 Technology Innovation for a New Era 2002 Sir Eric Mensforth International Gold Medal Lecture organised by IEE Manufacturing Enterprise Professional Network co-sponsored by The RSE, Edinburgh University and IBM Speaker’s Abstract The presentation covers the Procurement and Fulfilment orders-of-magnitude improve- operations into a fast, efficient, ments in the capability of process-driven team serving all of information technology over the IBM’s systems-level products, years and how those changes will contract manufacturers and advance at an even faster rate over network of suppliers. the next 30 years. Nick Donofrio Nick Donofrio also addresses the talks about how the innovative growing need for the world’s application of new technologies business enterprises and institu- will fulfil the under-served needs tions of higher learning to attract for interoperability, portability and and nurture technical talent, operations efficiency within all particularly the untapped pool of institutions. As an example, he talent represented by women and outlines how IBM has trans- under-represented minorities. formed its global Manufacturing, The Sir Eric Mensforth International Gold Medal Sir Eric Mensforth helped create, one of four awards instituted by and for longtime led, the West- the IProdE in 1981 as part of their land company. He was President Diamond Jubilee celebrations and of the Institution of Production is “to be awarded to a person of Engineers, (IProdE) from 1967-69 any nationality for an outstanding and was awarded Honorary contribution to the advancement Fellowship in 1978. The IProdE of manufacturing engineering was later renamed the Institution technology or manufacturing of Manufacturing Engineers management”. When IMfgE (IMfgE). merged with IEE, this medal The Mensforth Gold Medal was became the IEE’s premier manu- facturing award.
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Sir George Mathewson Chairman, The Royal Bank of Scotland Group 2 April 2002 Focus v Diversity: The Strategic Dilemma at King’s College Conference Centre, University of Aberdeen
Sir George Mathewson, Chair- Group, he revealed how strategic man, the Royal Bank Group options had enabled the forma- delivered his lecture Focus v tion of a broad-based, solid, yet Diversity: The Strategic Dilemma flexible organisation, capable of to an appreciative audience at continuing to grow and prosper King’s College Conference under different circumstances. Centre, University of Aberdeen, Sir George’s PowerPoint presenta- on 2 April 2002. Using exam- tion can be viewed on the RSE ples from the corporate strategy web site. of the Royal Bank of Scotland
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Professor Roy Anderson FRS Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London 26 April 2002 Epidemics of Infectious Diseases in Livestock: the Interface between Scientific Research and Policy Formulation Joint Lecture with SABRI at The Macaulay Institute, Aberdeen
Speaker’s Abstract The lecture discusses the interface with the measles, mumps or between scientific research and rubella. The talk ends with a policy formulation in the context discussion of different approaches of the control of infectious to risk analysis in the area of diseases. The main focus is on public health. It is hoped that this diseases of veterinary importance, will inform policy development. with particular emphasis on the Particular attention is given to the 2001 Foot and Mouth epidemic methods appropriate under and the BSE epidemic in Great circumstances where many Britain over the past decade. scientific uncertainties surround However, reference is also made to key parameters. The problem of major disease problems in human vCJD in humans is used to communities, such as the current illustrate current scientific ap- AIDS pandemic and the issue of proaches to such problems. the safety of the MMR vaccine to protect children against infection
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Professor David Wark University of Sussex and the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory 29 April 2002 Results From The Sudbury Neutrino Observatory Cormack Lecture
The lecture was opened by with other matter they can Professor Andrew Walker, Vice- penetrate through fantastic President of the RSE. Professor amounts of matter without Walker then handed over to stopping. This remedy did indeed Professor John Brown FRSE, solve the problem in understand- Chairman of the Robert Cormack ing beta decay, and was Committee, who acted as Chair- spectacularly verified (much to man for the lecture. Professor Pauli’s surprise, as he thought he Brown introduced Professor Wark had predicted the experimentally and invited him to deliver his unobservable) when Reines and lecture. Cowan actually observed neutri- nos at the Savannah River reactor Professor Wark’s lecture discussed in the 1950s. However in the late the thirty years of experiments 1960s another problem arose: the which have demonstrated the observed flux of neutrinos from phenomenon called neutrino the Sun was significantly smaller oscillations, focusing on recent than predicted. Subsequent results from the Sudbury Neutrino experiments verified this deficit Observatory. He discussed the using a variety of techniques for significance and future of this solar neutrinos over a wide range new area of particle physics. of energies. One of the most Professor Wark began by describ- important of these demonstra- ing how neutrinos were first tions was the first experiment, proposed by Wolfgang Pauli in called SAGE, to measure the low- the 1930s as a “desperate energy neutrino flux by observing remedy” to the apparent disap- the appearance of a few atoms of pearance of energy and germanium per week in a target momentum in beta decay. These of 60 tonnes of metallic gallium. neutrinos were predicted to be The author was a member of the emitted in these radioactive SAGE experimental team, and he decays, and to possess various will recount some of the difficul- surprising properties: they have ties overcome in the performance no charge, very little or no mass, of such a challenging experiment and since they interact only weakly
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deep under a mountain in the experimentally demonstrated. sometimes turbulent Caucasus. This experiment is called the These new experiments made it Sudbury Neutrino Observatory, or seem very unlikely that the deficit SNO. It consists of a 1000-tonne of solar neutrinos was caused by a heavy-water target built into the problem in our understanding of world’s most sensitive light the core of the Sun. Another detector, all constructed to “desperate remedy” was pro- unprecedented standards of posed - perhaps the neutrinos radioactive cleanliness in a cavity emitted from the Sun were the size of a ten-story apartment changing from one type to block buried 2 km underground another before reaching the Earth, in the world’s largest nickel mine. and thereby evading the experi- This experiment had reported ments? In the years after Reines’ results over the last weekend that and Cowan’s experimental conclusively showed that neutri- observation of neutrinos it was nos from the Sun are changing realised that there are actually flavour - a real milestone in our three distinct types - called the understanding of fundamental electron, muon, and tau neutri- physics and astronomy. The nos. Our Sun should only emit author is the UK co-spokesman electron neutrinos, which was the for the SNO experiment, and he only type that the early solar described the unique features of neutrino experiments had useful SNO that allow it to make its sensitivity to. measurements, and some of the difficulties surmounted in build- Perhaps some of the electron ing such an enormous but neutrinos were changing into the sensitive device in such an unlikely other types (an effect not allowed place. in the models of particle physics of the time) and thereby evading A vote of thanks was moved by detection. After 30 years of effort Professor Walker, Vice-President of this phenomenon, called neutrino the RSE. oscillations, has now been
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Professor Tom Kirkwood Professor of Gerontology, University of Newcastle 13 May 2002 How and Why We Age
Professor Tom Kirkwood began and disease as we draw towards his talk by stating that the the close of our lives. There is demographic change brought therefore a great imperative from about by ageing is arguably one the biomedical perspective to of the most pressing issues facing understand ageing; to target society today; affecting the very those conditions that cause most experience of life and structure of distress. Additionally there is the society. People are living longer great question of how to adjust and, if media reports are to be society to take into account the believed, this process shows no increase in numbers of old sign of slowing. This is one people. reason to understand the process When one considers the incredi- of ageing. Another is fundamen- ble biological achievement of tal scientific curiosity. Ageing is a forming a fully-functioning mysterious process from both a human being, Professor Kirkwood mechanistic and evolutionary stated, it becomes surprising that perspective and has great impact we cannot achieve the relatively upon individual and societal simple act of remaining alive. health. However, Professor What are the evolutionary forces Kirkwood explained that his that have shaped the underlying lecture would focus on our physiological processes? In emerging understanding of the nature organisms die young - science behind the subject. unlike the situation of increasing Professor Kirkwood stated that old age we see in humans in the most of us can expect to reach 40- developed world. In any field 50 years of age. 85% of children situation we see very little impact can expect to reach their 65th of ageing on the survival curve. birthday and that is a staggering So the opportunity to display the improvement from 100 years ago. ageing process is more of a But as we go through the later potential than a reality. This fact decades of life our chances of immediately counteracts the survival decrease; for every eight notion that ageing is somehow years our chances of mortality programmed into us. It cannot be doubles. Perhaps more important so, because the ageing mecha- is the experience of illness, frailty nism affects such a tiny
98 Lectures
percentage of the population that ageing population. Now known there can have been scant oppor- as antagonistic pleiotropy - tunity for selection to act on those emphasising that the two selec- processes. Natural selection tion forces are working in simply has not seen that phase of opposite directions. the life history. And how would Professor Kirkwood then de- an effect, which is inherently scribed how in the 19th Century detrimental, be selected for? August Weissman recognised the Group selection theories have profound difference in multicellu- been proposed but they cannot lar organisms between the explain this adequately. germline and all the remaining Professor Kirkwood explained that cells in the body (the somatic in the 1950s, Peter Medawar cells). Weissman saw that the recognised the above and saw germline has to be endowed the that there is no selection force property of immortality as genetic acting on the later stage of the life information must be transmitted histories of most organisms. very precisely or a population will Therefore mutations which affect go extinct. But the soma does not this part of life have little selection have such a consideration because pressure against them - a selec- sooner or later the individual will tion shadow because they affect die. such a tiny proportion of the Let us imagine, Professor Kirk- population. He reasoned there- wood proposed, 3 billion years fore that mutations were causing ago when the only living forms ageing. This is known as the were primordial cells. These were theory of mutation accumulation. probably very vulnerable to their Soon after Medawar, George environment and one of the first Williams recognised that some things to evolve would be repair genes may have different effects mechanisms. The next milestone at different stages of the life was the emergence of multicellu- history - pleiotropic gene action. larity, albeit modest. The next and Some of these may have good crucial milestone was the evolu- effects in early life but deleterious tion of the soma/germline effects later in life. As an example distinction, as this allowed a Professor Kirkwood suggested a division of labour between the cell gene for the deposition of calcium types that make up a multicellular that, although beneficial in early organism. Suddenly the germline life, might lead to calcification of took over the responsibility of the arteries in later life. Genes reproduction, freeing all other such as this do not matter in the cells to differentiate to form wild but they do matter in an kidney cells, neurones etc. This
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removed from the soma the need DNA is copied whenever a cell to retain the ability to generate divides. One in a billion bases offspring and therefore the soma copied will be incorrect and as the does not need such an investment human genome is three billion in its internal well being because bases long, there are roughly sooner or later that organism will three mutations for every cell die. If you can make savings in division. An adult will have in the efficiency by cutting back on order of 140 new mutations in maintenance and repair in soma every cell of its body, unique to cells then you have played a clever each cell; intrinsic corruption of trick because you can build an the genotype. organism much more cheaply. Professor Kirkwood explained that Survival in the wild only needs to animals display great variation in run through to generating the lifespan. In mammals there is 40- germline. fold difference in the longevity yet Take an organism out of the wild, the biochemistry of ageing is Professor Kirkwood explained, similar in all. Therefore some of and you see the deleterious the factors which influence effects of not investing in the lifespan are likely to be those maintenance of the soma. which influence repair capacity. Perhaps uniquely, humans have Alex Berkley has correlated activity done just that. So here is a of a key enzyme involved in repair physiological explanation - ageing - polyA ribose polymeraseI - the is nothing more than the accumu- first enzyme to be activated when lation of random lifelong damage to DNA occurs. Lifespan molecular damage. We are not correlates closely with levels of programmed to die, but pro- this enzyme. Professor Kirkwood grammed for survival. An explained that in his own labora- organism begins as a very high tory they have looked at the ability quality product but through its of different species’ cells to lifetime, dividing again and again, withstand damage by stress. This we see an accumulation of is largely oxidative stress, deriving damage. As the decades tick by from cells’ dependency on oxygen we see the outward results of this for energy production, leading to damage. This view of ageing tells generation of reactive oxygen us: 1) what ageing is about in species (ROS) that can damage broad terms and 2) ageing is a cells. If we look at different lifelong process, running in our species, there is a clear correlation bodies even before we are born. between the cell’s ability to Professor Kirkwood warned that withstand stress and the organ- DNA copying is error prone and ism’s lifespan. ROS can damage
100 Lectures
any cellular constituent and have divide there is a danger that their generated much interest in ageing telomeres become shorter and research. shorter; this is exactly what Professor Kirkwood pointed out happens to somatic cells. You that damage to mitochondrial could not have this situation in DNA is of particular interest germ cells because eventually because there is speculation that there would be no DNA left. the vulnerability of mitochondrial Germ cells have a special enzyme, DNA may be very important in telomerase, that ensures that the ageing. They are in the front line full length of the DNA is copied. of energy production and interest- In somatic cells it is switched off ingly they encounter ten times the and telomeres become gradually mutation rate of chromosomal shorter and shorter. Many believe DNA. Mutant mitochondrial DNA that this is a separate mechanism leads to increased ROS and this for ageing - quite different from may lead to further problems the simple accumulation of downstream. In collaboration damage. with the Neurology Department, And yet, Professor Kirkwood University of Newcastle, Professor explained, it turns out that the Kirkwood imparted that they have rate of telomere loss is very closely found that as ageing continues linked to the level of cell damage, there is an increase in the level of particularly oxidative stress. mutant mitochondria (i.e. mito- Fibroblasts grown in culture chondria unable to produce display ageing (cellular ageing). If normal levels of cytochrome we apply oxidative stress the coxidase). The ciliary epithelium number of cell divisions reduces, of the eye shows the greatest i.e. they age prematurely. If you effect of these changes - and the add an antioxidant, they are effect in other tissues should be rejuvenated and grow further. It looked at. turns out that oxidative stress Professor Kirkwood drew atten- contributes much more to tion to the fact that telomeres (the telomere shortening than does ends of DNA chromosomes) are end replication alone. Particularly much in the news as a potential exciting is the prospect of looking contributor to ageing. When DNA at prematurely-shortened is copied there is difficulty when telomeres as a way of identifying the ends are encountered because individuals at risk of certain age of the interaction of the polymer- related diseases in which oxidative ase and the DNA which it is stress is thought to play a role. copying, known as the ‘end This is indeed what we find if we replication’ problem. When cells
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look at patients with vascular In terms of future prospects, dementia. Professor Kirkwood stated his Thus, Professor Kirkwood con- belief that we can build an cluded that there are several awareness of ageing into our different mechanisms in operation lives. We can minimise our at the cellular level, affecting exposure to tissue damage by ageing: somatic cell mutation, modification to diet, lifestyle, telomere shortening and damage sanitation, housing etc. This to macromolecules. Much work is surely explains why people are needed to bring this understand- living longer and these factors ing together. may represent a greater contribu- tion to our longevity than does Professor Kirkwood then asked modern medical science (apart the question, why do people age from antibiotic and vaccine in different ways? In answer to development). We need to this he stated that there is a harness this knowledge to strong genetic component in develop new interventions that longevity; perhaps 25% of ageing target the upstream processes is genetically controlled. Nutri- that contribute to ageing. Ageing tion, lifestyle and chance provide is a multistage progression which the other 75%. Quite why there eventually results in the complex is so much variation in lifespan for phenotype of age related diseases two genetically identically organ- and if we intervene upstream we isms in exactly the same could have a much more pro- environment is a very exciting found effect than by tinkering at research area. the end. And these upstream Professor Kirkwood then turned processes will tell us about other his attention to stem cell biology, diseases too. this being another area of And finally, Professor Kirkwood medicine impacted by ageing. warned that we should not expect Intestinal stem cells have a much quick fixes and there may be a greater level of programmed cell trade-off in our efforts to combat death in older age – their vulnera- other disease states. p53 is a bility to stress is greater. If we highly important gene in cancer wish to use adult stem cells for and is known as the guardian of therapeutic purposes we must the genome because of its crucial remember this. In contrast, role in controlling cell prolifera- embryonic stem cells are prone to tion. Mice heterozygous for the different stresses; chiefly mutation mutant p53 gene were reported because they are grown in culture. recently. Ordinarily the wild-type protein is turned over at a high
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rate. The mutant protein appears gets rid of cells which still have to stabilise the wild-type protein some useful value left in them, and the resulting mutant mice hence reducing fitness. In the have dramatically-reduced chances context of p53 it appears you can of cancer. However they aged have too much of a good thing. faster and lost cells from key Professor David Breeze, Secretary tissues faster. So there seems to to Meetings, moved the vote of be a price to pay; i.e. the organism thanks. gets rid of bad cells faster, hence reducing the cancer risk, but also
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Professor Thomas Devine FBA FRSE Hon MRIA 16 May 2002 The Immigrant Experience: Scots, Irish and the USA 1850-1950 at King’s College Conference Centre, University of Aberdeen Presented in association with the University of Aberdeen to celebrate the visit of The Scottish Parliament to Aberdeen, 28-30 May 2002.
Speaker’s Abstract
With our political leaders working Scottish bestseller list, asked why hard to reach out to Scots and our ancestors left these shores for friends of Scotland abroad, Tom the New World and how the Irish Devine, the historian and author experience has provided the of the best-selling The Scottish inspiration for strengthening our Nation: 1700-2000, which Celtic connections. outsold Harry Potter in the
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Professor Oliver Mayo CSIRO Livestock Industries Australia, Fellow of the Australian Acade- my of Science and Foreign Member of the Russian Academy of Agricultural Science 26 June 2002 The Realisation Of Fisher’s Research Programme Fisher Memorial Lecture
The lecture was opened by nature, to Darwin’s great and Professor Andrew Walker, Vice- correct theory, and he and all his President of the RSE, who gave successors have provided that the welcome to the RSE. Sir framework. Indeed, we’re still Walter Bodmer FRSE, Chairman of filling in gaps, but the framework the Fisher Memorial Committee stands. And yes, he did seek to and Chairman for the lecture then provide an integrated theory and introduced Professor Mayo and methodology for experimentation invited him to give his lecture. in biological research, broadly R A Fisher (1890 – 1962) was one conceived. But no, many of his of the leading scientists of the major hopes, especially those 20th century, who laid the related to social biology, remain foundations of modern statistics merely hopes, and are widely and mathematical genetics. regarded as false. This is not, Professor Mayo’s lecture consid- however, to agree with Ruse that ered the concepts which defined Fisher was driven by the urge to Fisher’s research and explained “justify God’s ways to man”. how the ideas that he sowed have In 1999, Ruse wrote: been cultivated by those who “Fisher’s passions were eugenics followed. Professor Mayo drew and Christianity. He believed that examples particularly from God created the world in a Australia, where Fisher spent the progressive fashion…. last years of his life. Biological degeneration…. can be Professor Mayo questioned prevented only through wholesale whether Fisher had a research eugenic practices…. Not to act in programme, and if so had it been this way is to turn from our fulfilled? He concluded that the Christian duty”. answer to both questions is yes and no. Yes, he wanted to One cannot over-emphasise the provide the theoretical underpin- extent to which these views ning, mostly mathematical in informed Fisher’s thinking about
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the evolutionary process. In a years of struggle for recognition, letter to me, Box (2002) wrote: during which he produced most “I cannot think of RAF’s Christian of his major insights. He was faith as prime motivation, nor, I always busy, always responding am sure, did my book give and often producing his best justification for such a view. …. work in response to what others sought from him, just like Samuel No, he was not motivated by Johnson. Add poor eyesight, Christian faith. I do not know worse temper, extraordinary what he believed. But I know that knowledge, and a head full of he loved thinking, pursuing lines worked out but unwritten of thought, enjoying the manipu- material. lation of ideas, delighting himself and his hearers when the ideas As Boswell recorded on 17 April hung together beautifully in 1778: “Tom Tyers described me coherent patterns that proclaimed the best: ‘Sir, (said he,) you are like the truth – a truth about earth, of a ghost: you never speak till you course, we have no evidence are spoken to.’ ” If we conduct beyond. Is that motivation careful experiments with numeri- enough?” cal results, if we work in evolution, breeding, human genetics, Fisher Letting one’s fancy roam, note is the resident ghost in most of how Fisher worked, after his early our research programmes today.
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Professor Ian Halliday FRSE Chief Executive, Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council Professor, Imperial College London Head of Physics and Dean, University of Swansea Graduate School Member, Governing Council of the European Science Foundation Board Member, European Research Advisory Board (EURAB) 1 July 2002 Basic Science and the Wealth of Nations
Professor Halliday began by providing significant economic posing the question ‘How, in the effect; (a view politicians do not name of science, can we make want to hear). Using examples Scotland, the UK and Europe from PPARC he asked the audi- rich?’ EURAB was set up to give ence which might create wealth. independent advice to the He began by looking at an European Commission on how to historical example, the electron. allocate its 17 billion Euros over The problem engaging those the next 5 years, a sum equivalent scientists was ‘What is an electric to 5% of the total European current?’ Following the electron’s spend on R&D. The Commission discovery there were no immedi- is asking how the next round of ate breakthroughs for at least 30 spending should be allocated to years. Indeed it took 100 years, make Europe more competitive; through many ups and downs, to on a par with countries such as lead us to the position today and the US. It is clear that big changes although those physicists realised are required in Europe’s research their discovery would have great strategy and Europe’s political future impact, nobody could have leaders have declared their desire predicted what has happened. for Europe to be the leading Furthermore, few people realise knowledge-based economy; they that a simultaneous invention wish to see a doubling in Europe- occurred, in which Thompson an spend in R&D. However used a piece of technology to Europe’s technological power and discover the electron: the TV tube. desire to be technologically This relationship between tech- powerful has been questioned nology and scientific (The Wealth of Nations, Lester C. breakthrough is very close; the Thurow). two are inextricably linked. Professor Halliday expects all Professor Halliday selected serious scientific breakthroughs to examples from today’s physical take at least 100 years before research which may be the
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‘shapers of the future’. The first is diversity. There is a significant in Glasgow University, where a expectation in the physics commu- group is close to detecting nity that the GRID will happen gravitational waves. Already an and large American companies are old subject begun by Clerk very interested in this develop- Maxwell and Einstein, these waves ment. It is the modern analogue are the ultimate signal carrier as of the TV tube; the technology they pass through everything. The allowing us to perform the problem is detecting them. Their scientific experiment. use would revolutionise astrono- The third example was the my and in the next 5 years we may neutrino factory, the next but one see this technology developed. particle physics machine and Politicians and the public might costing several billion dollars. It argue that the huge costs involved will be a key piece of infrastruc- may be wasted, as there might be ture able to pull in all kinds of no commercial payoff; but did the technology and industrial growth, 1890 physicists know the true but does the UK want it? To have impact of the electron? it in Britain requires an investment The second example given also now in R&D so that in 15 years involved mass. The Higgs boson there is nowhere else in the world will probably be discovered in for the machine to go. The next *CERN in the next five years and particle physics machine is the understanding it may enable us to ‘linear collider’. The Germans and control the mass of objects. Americans have already put in 10 Commercially it may not pay off year’s R&D so that the only for many years but the Higgs is so conceivable site is Hamburg or fundamental in physics that it is Stanford. The British treasury has very likely to have significant historically ignored the advantag- impact. CERN scientists believe a es of investing in such projects. paradigm shift in computing is Professor Halliday went on to required for the Higgs experiment discuss the potential impact of the to work. They talk about a UK’s new ‘eScience’ centre based technology called the ‘GRID’; in in Scotland, and argued that it layman’s terms, a development of must be given substantial funding the Internet. The GRID makes not if it is to dominate the European only information available but scene; to attract the IBMs and also computing power; providing Oracles of the industrial world. In the home PC with access to huge British terms just over 120 million computing power and software
*CERN (European Nuclear Research Centre)
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pounds is being spent, but the bet. Do Scottish and UK govern- European money available is 17 ment have the will power to place billion Euros. He argued that all these big bets? Stanford Physics the European resources should be department currently have a $600 made available to the UK for this million contract from NASA to project, a politically difficult but build a satellite – an order of necessary task if it is to succeed. magnitude greater than any UK This is exactly what CERN has physics department resource. In done; it is big enough to convince contrast the UK does not have a global companies such as Micro- strong decision-making capability. soft that it can change the global The first questioner asked wheth- computing scene. er the country performing the Similarly, the gravitational waves initial research will necessarily study in Glasgow must receive reap the economic benefits? Sony much more funding, currently and Toshiba, not Scottish compa- only 10% of the American scale of nies, have gained the benefits of investment. It is Nobel Prize the electron. Professor Halliday material and perhaps we should argued that without the research give up some other area of staff and skilled labour it isn’t research in order to get this prize? possible to attract companies able In contrast The Higgs is already to exploit scientific developments. CERN’s and the question here is The UK does not have a surplus of not whether the UK can do it but engineers and biologists. The how we grab value from the second questioner asked about system at CERN. This creates the refereeing of proposals for endless political problems. European research funds. Profes- Professor Halliday argued that sor Halliday explained that EURAB nations within Europe should has advised that referees and divide up the research strategical- proposals should not be anony- ly; that there is little point in mous and that a high risk / high spreading resources thinly so that gain culture should now be every country does a little of nurtured. The third questioner everything. Norway, for example, asked whether the UK has the could receive the total European ability to deliver a technologically spend on marine aquaculture, and advanced society. Professor Scotland could take the total Halliday argued that changes in spend on gravitational waves. In a research culture were beginning biological context the Wellcome to show through, for example Trust have made a commitment to research students are now make Hinxton the global campus encouraged to explore the for bioinformatics; a £120 million commercial opportunities present-
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ed by their work. The fourth argued that biological science questioner asked whether receives a disproportionate environmental issues influenced amount of support. He went on EURAB policy. Professor Halliday to explain that PPARC, unlike the gave fusion as an example of MRC, does not run institutes of its research that could have huge own and must rely on the univer- benefit to energy production and sities to develop the commercial is an area to which Government is applications of their physical giving consideration. research. In response to further discussion Professor David Saxon moved the regarding the benefits to the UK vote of thanks, noting that the as compared to benefits to the recent establishment of a Scottish wider global community, and the Science Advisory Committee finite funding available for suggested positive support for a research, Professor Halliday research environment.
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Professor David King Chief Scientific Adviser and Head of the Office of Science and Technology 24 July 2002 Science, Society and Government
Government is now focusing on of a 7% increase was provided in science as a major factor that can 2000 and this has recently been transform our economy - Profes- revised to 10% (and will continue sor King quoted an American to increase at 10% for the next 5 research paper indicating that years). After a period of chronic every $100 put into research under-funding during the 80s and generates on average a return of early 90s, the science base is now $30 per annum in perpetuity - regenerating. Professor King and in May 2002 Tony Blair gave welcomed higher stipends and the first speech dedicated to salaries for researchers, arguing science and research ever made by that proper rewards must be a Prime Minister. As an added provided if people are to stay in return, investment in the science science, but cautioned that to base has an effect not only on the move ahead with science, engi- economy, but also on health, neering and technology defence and in cultural transfor- underpinning our manufacturing mation. base, two needs must be met - The UK conducts some world-class human skills and public support. science - we are world-renowned The UK must adopt a new model for molecular biology and 34 for the public understanding of Nobel prizes have been awarded science, as the model of simple in this area. However, Professor information transfer is not King argued that the foundations working, with a recent survey of molecular biology actually lie in showing that only 4% believe physics; and investment must be scientific information conveyed by spread throughout the sciences. Government Ministers. We must In the 1998 budget, the 15% rise accept that the public, as consum- for science funding was the ers, may have a different view, largest single increase in any part which must be included in any of the budget. A further promise debate.
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Professor Stephen Blackmore, FRSE Regius Keeper, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) 30 September 2002 Scotland and China: Growing Together
Professor Blackmore began by Scottish gardens, e.g. primula, explaining why China is the most rhododendron and magnolia. important country with which The same richness of Chinese RBGE has links. Botanically, the flora also supports an extensive country is unique in that it is the medicinally active repertoire of only country in the world to have between 5,000 and 6,000 species, an unbroken transition from and in much of China medicine is boreal to tropical forest, covering plant. A prime example is the a great range of climates and snow lotus, a high altitude species altitudes. of the daisy family used to treat a The Chinese flora has 30,000 variety of conditions. If the first vascular plant species, i.e. 12% of wave of species imported to the the world’s plants, and new UK was of garden imports, the discoveries occur on a daily basis. second wave is now of medicinal Additionally the absence of East – plants. West Mountain ranges has However, 10% of Chinese flora enabled plants to move North and are now classed as threatened and South unrestricted during Ice this includes many of those Ages. This has enabled the medicinal species. Factors include survival of many taxa now extinct timber logging, desertification, in the remainder of the Northern and water shortage, but perhaps Hemisphere, for example the the most significant aspect is loss Gingko and Metasequoia (dawn of natural habitat. Fortunately redwood). The latter species was there is a growing political will to unknown as a living tree until tackle these environmental issues; 1943 when examples were found the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Sechzuan; it was soon to be has launched a 50-year plan to cultivated in many Botanic tackle plant loss and the authori- Gardens round the world. ties are investing heavily in the Professor Blackmore went on to joint ventures with which RBGE is describe the huge range and involved. impact of Chinese flora. In Professor Blackmore then ex- addition to its crop species (e.g. plored the early relations between tea, ginger anise and pepper) RBGE and China. Many of RBGE’s Chinese flora are a mainstay of herbarium species deriving from
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China were collected by a group historical periods. In 1991 a of French Missionaries who made formal signature of a “twinning explorations in the late 19th agreement” was made and an century. The most noted collector, increasing amount of RBGE however, was George Forrest, an research is now conducted in RBGE employee, active between China, rather than in Edinburgh. 1904 and 1931. Forrest’s focus In 1992 RBGE became an editorial was the Hengduan Mountains centre for ‘The Flora of China’, a region, the richest area of biodi- huge undertaking involving many versity outside the tropics. Its volumes. Funded by the US, these terrain is very difficult, character- volumes are absolutely necessary ised by deep gorges running for promoting world access to North to South and even today Chinese flora, whether for remains largely unexplored. Many conservation, biotechnology, or of the specimens collected by any purpose which draws on these pioneers are well preserved plants as a starting material. (some even retaining their colour) More recently, in 1995, the and this material is fundamental Chinese hillside project began at to today’s taxonomic research. RBGE. Featuring 5,000 species, it Different researchers might revisit contains a greater variety than any a particular specimen over and botanic garden in China. Indeed over, rechecking and re-identifying one purpose for this garden is to as our knowledge matures. In assist Chinese botanical gardens contrast to the early collectors, in their expansion. One example is plant collecting today is a collabo- the Kunming garden at the 1999 ration between countries and International Horticultural multiple specimen sets are Exposition; funded through the collected, enabling researchers Foreign and Commonwealth around the world to refer to a Office, this event was also an specimen gathered at the same important step in promoting time and place. diplomatic relations between the Professor Blackmore moved on to UK and China. explain the modern-day links Another notable garden created between the RBGE and China. by RBGE is the Hua Xi Botanic Contact was reestablished in the garden in Sechzuan. Also known 1930’s and 1940’s, when two as ‘The Back to China’ collection, prominent botanists, T.T. Yu and this garden features over 100 W.P. Fenk, trained in Edinburgh. species of rhododendron returned Students trained by these two from RBGE. Many of these are individuals maintained the now rare in China, some possibly connection, even through difficult extinct. An important aspect has
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been the training provided to study. RBGE is currently propagat- Chinese horticulturists, and this ing material in Edinburgh to take work connects with other projects to this garden and next year will such as panda conservation. train Chinese individuals who will Professor Blackmore continued to work there. The garden will be detail a current expedition to involved in research to see China in which two teams are whether medicinal species such as attempting to reach a previously the snow lotus (Saussurea) can be unexplored region, close to the cultivated, rather than harvested areas visited by Forrest. The teams from the wild, and will also be are providing the botanical looking at habitat restoration. expertise to a long-term biodiver- Funding for this area of work sity study managed by the US came from three British compa- National Science Foundation and nies, BHP Billiton, BP and British there are likely to be hundreds of Airways, and this may well be a new species discovered. mode of funding suitable for other cultural institutions in Another major initiative for RBGE Scotland, to explore with Chinese is a new Botanic Garden and Field partners. Station at Lijiang in the Yunnan Province, a collaborative project Professor Blackmore concluded by with funding from the Chinese drawing attention to the continu- National Academy of Sciences, the ing rapid expansion of the Provincial Government and the Chinese economy; increasing Kunming Institute of Botany. numbers of delegations come to Established at 3,000m and Scotland in the interest of partner- overshadowed by the spectacular ship, business and education and 6,000m Jade Dragon Snow there are many opportunities for Mountain this garden will institutions in Scotland to build specialise in the conservation of links with this advancing country. alpine plants. Consent from Interest in Scotland exists at the several ethnic minority communi- highest level of Chinese Govern- ties was required for this ment and Professor Blackmore ambitious project, which has the described his pleasure last year support of Chinese Government. when welcoming Hu Jin Tao, The major RBGE input is to China’s Vice President, to RBGE. establish the field station that will He noted also the recent signing provide access to higher reaches of a ‘Memorandum of Under- of the mountain. Providing 18 standing’ between the RSE and accommodation rooms, its the Chinese National Academy of facilities will be available to other Sciences (NAS) and the new organisations for many aspects of programme of collaboration
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which will result. A delegation always remain in the country of from NAS will be visiting Edin- origin. Some of Forrest’s duplicate burgh in November to further this sets are now being returned to relationship. China. The first question regarded the A further question regarded the potentially deleterious impact of accuracy of recording place of tourism development in South origin of specimens. Professor West China. Professor Blackmore Blackmore explained that GPS explained that tourism develop- (Global Positioning System) is now ment would have to be of high used to record place of origin. quality and not overbearing on A final question regarded the natural systems. He argued that extent of RBGE’s interest in non- Botanic Gardens allow people to vascular species in China, for see species in a controlled manner example Bryophytes. Professor and can remove the pressure on Blackmore explained that Bryo- wild specimens. phyte collection was strong, Another question related to the although many other non-vascular acquisition of material from families were receiving less French missionaries. Professor attention than he would like. In Blackmore explained that multiple part this is due to a lack of skills in sets were collected and the ‘top identification, particularly in algae. set’ has been held in Paris. At the Lord Wilson of Tillyorn KT GCMG time of collection there were no FRSE, RSE International Convener Chinese Herbaria in which a set and Former Governor of Hong could reside. Nowadays top sets Kong, moved the vote of thanks.
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Sir William Stewart, PRSE 7 October 2002 Science and The Society. Where is Science and the Society going at the beginning of the 21st Century? Presidential Address
Sir William noted that when the would readily find a place in Society was formed in 1783, history. The Royal Medals, Britain was the richest country in awarded through the RSE for the the world. This was also a period highest levels of scientific achieve- in which many great Scots made ment, sought to recognise and discoveries that would have reward their efforts. lasting and pivotal impacts on the A decade ago companies did all world. But by the mid 20th their own research, but have since Century the UK had lost its lead as discovered that it is more efficient an innovator, discover and for them to search out the best explorer. university collaborators from a In 1993 the Office of Science and global “a la carte menu” of Technology published Realising university researchers. our Potential, the first White Paper In conclusion he urged that the on Science for 20 years, followed RSE focus its attention on out- in 1995 by the launch of the standing people, irrespective of Foresight Programme. These are their discipline and that it should now the cornerstones on which scan the horizon for niche areas of UK and Scottish science policy is opportunity, collaborating with founded. the best people in the world Sir William added that despite wherever they may be. The RSE’s funding problems, great science programme of activities - much was still being carried out in expanded in recent years - seeks Scotland by individuals who to fulfil that ambition.
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Professor David Lowenthal Emeritus Professor of Geography at University College London. 14 October 2002 Hugh Miller’s Influence on Transatlantic Environmental Awareness The Hugh Miller Bicentenary Lecture held in Association with the Cromarty Arts Trust
The Rt Hon Lord Ross PC FRSE, precipice and descends with a Vice-President, introduced the billowy swell into the broad fertile lecture, held in association with plain in front, as if the uplands the Cromarty Arts Trust, in were breaking in one vast wave celebration of the bicentenary of upon the low country. There is a Hugh Miller’s birth. He noted that patch of meadow on the opposite in 1956 the centenary of Hugh side of the stream, shaded by a Miller’s death was marked by a group of ancient trees, gnarled lecture by Professor T. S. Westoll and mossy and with half their entitled Hugh Miller and the Old topmost branches dead and white Red Sandstone. Dr Lester Borley, as the bones of a skeleton. We Trustee of the Cromarty Arts Trust, look down upon them from an noted his appreciation that the elevation so commanding that RSE should wish to join with the their uppermost twigs seem on Trust in celebrating the life of well nigh the same level with their Hugh Miller. interlaced and twisted roots, Hugh Miller was born in Cromarty washed bare on the bank edge by on October 10 1802, and in his the winter floods. A colony of life worked as a stonemason, herons has built from time bank accountant and, more immemorial among the branches. famously, as editor of The Witness There are trees so laden with nests from 1840 until his death. Dr that the boughs bend earthwards Borley read an example of Miller’s on every side, like the boughs of work The Old Red Sandstone to orchard trees in Autumn; and the illustrate the quality and vividness bleached and feathered masses of his writing. The piece describes which they bear, the cradle of the river Findhorn in Morayshire : succeeding generations, glitter grey through the foliage in “We stand on a wooded emi- continuous groups as if each tree nence that sinks perpendicularly bore on its single head all the into the river on the left in a mural wigs of a court of session”.
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Professor Lowenthal began by identified three principal ‘appreci- expressing his pleasure in having ators’ of nature: the natural worked with Dr Borley over the scientist, the poet and the past 18 months in anticipation of landscape painter. Miller exempli- the recent conference on Hugh fies to a marvel the first two of Miller. He then outlined his these skills. lecture; to explore the genesis of Professor Lowenthal then ex- interest in popular natural history plored the beginnings of the that Hugh Miller exemplified in interest in natural history. Essen- his own life and teachings, and tially it came from an which influenced so heavily the Enlightenment mode of thought understanding and concern for from the 18th century; an effort to nature both here and in the USA understand a world that was in the first half of the 19th being rapidly explored, discovered century. and utilised by the Western First he sketched a panorama of a European peoples in their con- great landscape painting complet- quest of the rest of the globe. ed in 1859, a time when Figures at the time included Karl Americans were celebrating a Linnaeus, who attempted a total wilderness, rather than destroying classification of living organisms, it. Like Miller, the artist Frederick Hutton and Playfair, who de- Church was a disciple of the great scribed the stratification of rocks, philosopher and traveller Alexan- and physicists and astronomers. der Von Humboldt, to whom the The natural world was altering painting was dedicated. Von very rapidly from something seen Humboldt’s death was mourned as dangerous to something to be by every significant figure in the enjoyed. Although the main sciences and arts because his life scientific advances took place in exemplified what so many of them continental Europe, the passion stood for: the study of nature in for natural history first took root the ‘large’. Humboldt and his in the USA and Britain. The disciples came to symbolise a economic and social development tradition in which nature should and transport system of the early be seen both in a scientific sense 1800’s enabled many people, and in its relationship to humans including Hugh Miller, to take and how humans lived in it. time from work to explore their Humboldt said that every citizen interests, and nowhere was too should have a grasp of both the remote for even the ordinary facts of the creative world and curious traveller. Another major their influence on the people who factor revolutionising access to lived with those facts and he the countryside was cheap
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printing, which increased the seen as a highly religious act; availability of texts and guide- Christianity told people they books. The passion for going, ought to be doing this. At the seeing, naming, collecting and same time the notion of creation- possessing proliferated at an ism was coming under assault incredible rate and instruments from several sources. The contra- such as the microscope and diction of creationism and aquaria were widely used in this growing scientific awareness only fervour. The passion was also added fuel to the passion for fuelled by the nostalgia for a life understanding the natural world. in the countryside being increas- The same trends were evident in ingly swapped for an urban the USA at much the same time. existence. This is surprising, as the Professor Lowenthal proceeded to Americans started off with a ask why people should be wilderness which most were trying interested in nature. Firstly, it was to eradicate and replace with good for the health. People went civilisation. For them nature was to the country to escape the not wilderness; nature was mainly fumes and confinement of the what they had made after city, and to exercise ‘muscular destroying the wilderness. The Christianity’, as it was to be great American naturalists (most known in the later part of the of whom were British born) were century. Secondly, it filled time enthralled by the wonders and profitably: Victorians did not like beauties of the continent. In laxness or time wasting. Enjoying contrast to British lecture nature was clearly more fruitful audiences which were split than any pursuit such as cock between ordinary people and the fighting. Thirdly, and most elite intellectuals, American important, it was a morally audiences featured a broad mix of improving exercise as it helped to people, who converged to engage promote citizenship and a in a common enterprise: the massively expanding education exploration of nature, such as system. The Victorians had geological surveys, which might inherited from the romantic lead to economically valuable theologians a sense that it was discoveries. Americans also saw a necessary to worship God patriotic purpose in their efforts through an awareness and which would assuage their appreciation of His creations. The inferiority complex regarding the notion of studying with the short time they had populated the microscope, telescope and naked New World and the richness of eye what God had created was the Old World’s natural history.
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While Constable and Turner Marsh’s Man and Nature (or The became the great exemplars of the Earth as Modified by Human delineation of nature in Britain Action), written in 1864, which (and Wordsworth and Tennyson revolutionised thinking on the became the exemplars of its poetic environment: evocation), Americans had a “The soil is ultimately parched by whole range of landscape painters the fervours of summer and who saw the New World as better seared by the rigours of winter. than the Old World; it was not Bleak winds sweep undressed mired down in all the tragedies over the surface and dry up the and evils of human history which scanty moisture. Bared of leaves, they had left behind. Natural broken and loosened by the history was to be seen as national plough, dried and pulverized, the natural history. Hence there was a soil grows less and less produc- transition from a state of tive, less able to protect itself from ‘understanding’ to a state of wind and sun and scouring rain ‘protection’ for nature, a complete and gradually becomes altogether reversal of the wilderness ethos barren. In parts of Asia Minor, which prevailed a little time North Africa, Greece and even before. Belief in creationism Alpine Europe, the face of the prevailed, as is still the case today. earth, causes set in action by man Hugh Miller was an exemplar of have wrought the face of the many of these things and George earth to desolation almost as Perkins Marsh was an American complete as that of the moon. equivalent. Marsh was born in The Earth is fast becoming an northern New England at a time unfit home for its noblest inhabit- when forests were first being ant and another era of equal cleared for agriculture, so he saw human crime and human improvi- the transformation to a deforest- dence would reduce it to such a ed country. After farming he condition of impoverished became a quarryman, railroad unproductiveness, of shattered promoter, sheep-raiser, local surface, of climatic excess as to politician, congressman and threaten the deprivation, barba- ambassador. He also found time rism, perhaps even the extinction to write books on English litera- of the species”. ture, speak twenty languages and Professor Lowenthal explained compile the first Icelandic gram- how apocalyptic these words mar published in English. In seemed in the 1860’s and how it addition, he had a constant woke people to such concerns in concern for the landscape. the USA, Alpine Europe, and the Professor Lowenthal quoted from Colonies. He then asked what
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lessons these words had for today. the major force in the kind of He argued that despite the reform that we need to maintain clouding of our judgement as a in our memory of people like result of the piety of Miller’s and Hugh Miller. Marsh’s writing, one lesson would Professor Lowenthal was asked certainly be the importance of the whether there were lessons for fusion of art and science; if you the Scottish Universities. In cannot ennoble science with response he argued that they poetry and art then it becomes should not become trades arid and dehumanised. Miller and schools; they should stay broad Marsh fought bitterly against the enough to allow students to reductiveness of those who would remain professionals of life, rather declare art and science as oppo- than professionals of particular site poles and both shared trades in life. concern for the future, for the stewardship of ideas, life, fossils, Another contributor argued that a fish, and the long-term future. sense of kinship with the natural Both shared a confidence in world was not an invention of the human power that many of us 18th / 19th century, rather it goes today have lost because we are back to at least the 15th Century, now so dubious about progress. as evidenced by Robert Hender- Marsh and Miller always felt that son’s writing. humans could rectify their Professor Lowenthal was then mistakes. asked about Miller’s impact on Professor Lowenthal concluded by John Muir. He explained that Muir noting a continuing theme of took on Miller’s philosophy and great iconoclasts, in tune not only saved Yosemite, a place he saw as with their own times but armed essential for spiritual regeneration with a visionary process, enabling of Americans. Muir felt that them to look ahead and back. people had to have such places in The Scottish Enlightenment had their country or they would not had great impact in this develop- recapture the sense of wonder ment and this had been enlarged that was essential for a free and by the Romanticists, by the pieties democratic people. Going back to and earnestness of Victorianism, nature did not mean living in such and by the hugely significant fact a place, but simply to visit it, or that the Scottish Diaspora was even to just think about it, in the unlike any others as it was literate. knowledge that it existed. The Scots became the school Asked whether he had faith in teachers, the legislators, the progress, Professor Lowenthal foresters, the administrators and explained the he does but cannot
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explain why. Furthermore, he can Firstly, we doubt whether we can appreciate why faith in progress retrieve ourselves from the has dwindled. At the time of Muir dangerous creations of technolo- and Miller it was still possible to gy. Secondly, we have no faith in believe that through science a institutions, such as government. better way of life would result for Dr Charles Waterston moved the a large number of people. Vote of Thanks. However, society today has lost its faith in progress for two reasons.
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Philippe Busquin European Research Commissioner 28 October 2002 Research in Europe Sir William Stewart introduced the European countries added Commissioner, thanking him for together? The policies of the taking time out of a very busy various European science and schedule to visit the Society and to technology Cupertino bodies such share his views on the hugely as CERN and ESA? More specifi- important topic of research in cally, EU policy? Everything Europe. Sir William provided a combined? He saw the two brief summary of the Commis- impossibilities as highlighting a sioner’s career. He also weakness of “Research in Eu- highlighted the Society’s increas- rope”, a weakness which affects ing activity in providing a public Europe’s performance and its forum for debate on issues of ability to make the most of results national and international for the benefit of the economy importance. And, within that and citizens of Europe. context, the Society’s recognition The Commissioner said his chosen of the importance of improving title covered a very broad subject. the engagement between scien- He did not intend to cover all tists and society - an area in which aspects of it, but to concentrate institutions such as the Society on a few essential points and have a key role to play. consider them from a particular In opening, the Commissioner perspective. He contrasted the explained why “Research in image of research in Europe with Europe” was the title of his the rest of the world – in particu- lecture. “European Research”, he lar drawing comparisons with the said, was impossible, because USA and Japan. Europe is, and there is at the moment no remains, the second world European research as such, i.e. scientific power. It produces just one cannot speak of European over one-third of the total number research as one might, for of world scientific publications, example, speak about American more than the USA, but in terms research. “European Research of citations it is in second place, a Policy” was even less realistic, sign that, while world-class because, quite simply, there is no research of the highest level of such European policy at present. excellence is conducted in Europe, What could it possibly mean? The there is still not enough of it. research policies of the various
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The respective weight of the major but that it is not enough to co- science and technology powers ordinate the efforts. They also was fairly reflected by the Nobel need to be stepped up. Europe Prizes for Science. Between 1950 cannot hope to keep up with its and today, the USA has carried competitors, let alone become by away 213 Nobel Prizes in these 2010 the most dynamic and disciplines, Europe 144 and Japan competitive knowledge-based eight. Of the nine science prize economy in the world, unless it winners in 2002, three were substantially increases its research European, four American and two spending. The EU has committed Japanese. All of this is a good itself to increasing its research reflection of a Europe which is spending to as close as possible holding its second place between to 3% of GDP by 2010, with the the USA, which continues to bulk of the increase coming from dominate, and Japan which is a rise in private sector spending. steadily gaining ground in basic To support this the Commission research. has put forward a series of ideas, The European Research Area including how to encourage the (ERA), while already more than private sector to invest more in just an idea, is not yet a reality. research. This is the subject of a Why? Three main features of wide debate. research and research policy in The Commissioner emphasised Europe are relevant. Europe does the aim of creating a society which not spend enough on research, as welcomes research and innova- a whole, and spends less than its tion. In a knowledge-based competitors. It is less able to economy and society, universities translate the results of scientific play a key role as a result of their work into products and services, twin function of research and and commercial and economic teaching and their growing role in successes. Its efforts are dispersed the innovation process. But there and lack coherence as a result of is something else, something fragmentation of activities and the more subtle, two elements that inadequate co-ordination of are more difficult to apprehend policies conducted in Europe. because they are of a cultural In considering the need to nature: on the one hand the spirit strengthen the European research of enterprise; and on the other, effort, the Commissioner saw the the degree of receptiveness of ERA initiative as a response to one society to innovation, linked with of the weaknesses which prevents confidence in progress. Like any Europe from fully exploiting its human activity, scientific research considerable scientific potential, gives rise to developments
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entailing risks which have to be the risk of skidding out of control evaluated, kept under control and and encouraging undesirable minimised, but always in the applications and the interests and certain knowledge that there is no suffering of sick people and those such thing as zero risk. The image close to them. of research can be unfairly In conclusion, the Commissioner associated with problems for remarked positively about Scot- which it is not responsible and land’s outstanding history in the where, far from being the cause, field of scientific excellence, and science is a key element in their how, through the continuing solution. Even more so than in the work of its universities and first case, efforts must be made institutes, it is maintaining its here to promote approaches tradition. ERA and the initiatives based on rationality. The Commis- to which it is giving rise, afforded sioner saw institutions such as the research conducted in Scotland an Royal Society of Edinburgh as opportunity to step up its contri- having a role to play in this bution to research in Europe, connection. while reaping the benefits of the The issues, he said, arose more efforts made elsewhere in an EU often then not on a European that would soon be welcoming scale and in a European context. ten new members. The same They should therefore be ad- applied to the Royal Society of dressed at European level to Edinburgh, with regard to all the enable experience to be pooled efforts made in Europe to pro- and to help bring points of view mote the advancement of closer together where differences knowledge and a better under- of opinion are a source of difficul- standing of science, a task ties. He highlighted in particular, performed by the academies of research in the field of life science and learned societies since sciences and technologies, as their inception, and which must increasingly leading to develop- continue to be performed. ments which raise ethical issues Questions and Answers and controversy. A specific example being research into What was being done to ensure a embryonic stem cells. continuing supply of researchers in Europe, for example, address- It is not, he said, always easy to ing the need for science education find a middle way between in schools? respect for freedom of research The Commissioner agreed the and common values on the one importance of science education hand, and respect for different in schools and the need for that opinions on the other; or between
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to be addressed. Beyond that, In response, the Commissioner European research needed to highlighted the food safety make itself more visible, to sell its priority within the 6th Framework wares, and to be more attractive Programme, through which to researchers. In this context funding would be available to all Europe’s benchmark was the member states, including the United States, where research United Kingdom, and in particular activity was more visible, and to in relation to collaborative where research was more attrac- projects. This supported the tive. Commission’s objective of greater Are we co-ordinating the activities co-ordination and engagement. of the EU States and engagement In funding university research, the between Research Councils? United Kingdom government The Commission is trying, re- recognised and understood the sponded the Commissioner. But it need to support the full cost, and is not a simple process. We are very good progress had been often met with parochialism, with made on this. The same full cost a reluctance to add value beyond issue existed in relation to the boundaries of individual framework funding, but seemed states and institutions. That does to be less understood by the not, however, mean that we will Commission, and little progress not continue to do what we can appears to have been made to to co-ordinate activities and smooth the funding difficulties engagement. encountered. Are there plans to The Commission recently provided address this? around 84 million euros in The Commissioner accepted that relation to the control of animal the procedures governing frame- diseases, but because of EC work funding can give rise to regulations which required the accounting difficulties and the United Kingdom to provide rules were not always clear. matching funding, researchers in However, European funding aims the United Kingdom received no to give greater capacity to univer- part of the EC funding. Such sity research; full costs should be decisions surely serve to discour- met and universities should not age co-operation and be disadvantaged. co-ordination between member Professor Andrew Miller, RSE states and institutions? General Secretary, moved the vote of thanks.
126 CONFERENCES, SYMPOSIA, WORKSHOPS AND EXHIBITIONS Discussion Forum Reproductive Cloning - Does the End Justify the Means? 5 November 2001
Following the Lecture Therapeutic Rt Reverend Bishop Holloway Cloning and Reprogramming in FRSE, former Bishop of Edinburgh Stem Cell Research by Professor and Primus of the Scottish Michael Steele and Dr Harry Episcopal Church; Professor Sheila Griffin (see page 71), a Discussion McLean FRSE, Director, Institute of Forum took place led by a panel of Law and Ethics in Medicine, eminent speakers, including : University of Glasgow and Dr Professor Alastair Campbell, Helen Watt, Research Director, Director, Centre for Ethics in Linacre Centre for Health Care Medicine, University of Bristol; the Ethics.
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Wellcome Trust Research Workshop Psycho-social and Ethical Aspects of Genetic Counselling 26 November 2001 This meeting, held at The Royal She drew on literatures from Society of Edinburgh, brought public health genetics and the together 33 experts. We planned social sciences and explored some five short presentations and of the tensions involved in moving followed each with longer from the clinic to the community. discussions addressing the current She examined the place of public public, state and scientific interest health within the new nexus of in the “new” genetics. Attend- alliances around genetics in ants of the workshop were given health care, including the pharma- the opportunity to display posters ceutical and biotechnology on recent work in this field (five industry. She suggested that research teams brought posters). although public health discourses The first speaker, Dr Sheila placed a firm emphasis on the Simpson from Aberdeen, ad- social determinants of disease, the dressed psycho-social and ethical rise of new genetic technologies issues based on recent research as and the Human Genome Project well as her clinical experience. She means that public health is now particularly highlighted the impact being firmly placed within a on the individual. A specific issue biomedical discourse. This was raised in relation to adoption discussion involved a debate and fostering: “Should the “new” around research participation, family be informed that their child particularly with regard to in- is at risk of developing a heredi- formed consent and medical tary disorder?” Does this create registers such as those recording “unadoptable” children? What congenital abnormalities. medical information should then The third speaker, Dr Sheila King, be collected for children who are focused upon a programme which adopted? The responsibility of The Wellcome Trust funds in researchers and practitioners in ‘Biomedical Ethics’. She empha- informing these debates and the sised the collaborative, role of research ethics committees interdisciplinary and broad were topic discussed in great methodological scope of the depth. programme and outlined the Dr Sarah Cunningham-Burley different types of work, activities (University of Edinburgh), present- and funding that the Trust is ed a more theoretical approach. involved with in this area (see
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http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/ for responsibility is it to pass on this more details). The presentation information (if family members do led to debate and further ques- not pass it on)? Furthermore, as a tions on possible funding moral philosopher he stressed the opportunities. maxim that we cannot derive an After lunch Professor Theresa ‘ought’ from an ‘is’. This led to a Marteau (King’s College, London) heated discussion on the question addressed the emotional, cogni- whether this was a particularly tive and behavioural impact of individualistic and rights-based genetic risk information as the approach, and whether a more basis for developing effective ways relationalist and contextualised of presenting such information in ethical position would frame the order to: debate in a different way. - minimise emotional distress; At the end of the day, Professor - enhance understanding and Angus Clarke (Cardiff) was asked - change behaviour to reduce to summarise some of the debate identified risks. for us. He suggested that there are four types of disease areas This presentation explored associated with molecular genet- whether it is possible to anticipate ics in relation to (public) health people’s responses to genetic risk care and health service provision: assessment. The discussion focused on the issue of behaviour- - Single gene disorders – which al genetics and subsequent involves people gaining interventions, which may be information from the statutory tailored towards one’s genotype services; and phenotype. It was suggested - Cancer/heart disease areas – that a “culture of blame” may which requires further resource ensue if people don’t change their allocation but was not dis- behaviour to fit their biology. cussed at this meeting; - Reproductive/eugenic issues – The final scheduled speaker was the outcomes of which we are Professor Eric Matthews (Universi- still researching and ty of Aberdeen), who focused - Susceptibility areas. upon issues associated with two particular late-onset genetic Overall, he stressed that the role disorders: Huntington’s disease of public health genetics is to and hereditary breast/ovarian undertake psycho-social research cancer. Three specific questions and to evaluate the impact of were explored: (1) Who has the these new technologies on the right to know?; (2) Who has the health service and in terms of right not to know?; and (3) Whose health economics.
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Conference Innovation in Scotland in the 21st Century Matching Knowledge and Enterprise 26 November 2001 Organised by The RSE for Scottish Higher Education Funding Council Scottish Executive and Scottish Enterprise
National economies operate in a in order to grow strong Scottish competitive global environment in businesses, and to provide which the capacity to learn and cutting-edge science to meet the apply knowledge is critical to needs of the people of Scotland. success. UK Government and In order to create a shared agenda Scottish Executive policies have between academic and business stressed the roles of the education stakeholders to discuss how system and the knowledge base in knowledge transfer could play a higher education institutions strategic role in economic devel- (HEIs) as key components of an opment, The Royal Society of innovative and competitive Edinburgh had been asked by knowledge-driven economy. An Scottish Higher Education Fund- efficient and productive knowl- ing Council, Scottish Enterprise, edge economy is also one in and Scottish Executive to organise which companies have access to a a conference on “Innovation in wide range of innovative solutions Scotland in the 21st century - to exploit market opportunities, matching knowledge and enter- and have the capacity and desire prise.” The conference was held to adapt and take full advantage on 26 November 2001 in Glas- of these. Such economies depend gow and was attended by over upon strong interactions between 300 people - from both the companies, the knowledge base business environment and the and investment finance, and knowledge base. They were entrepreneurial individuals with interested in driving forward market awareness, technical innovation in Scotland, and in knowledge and access to venture considering how best to maximise capital. In moving towards this the benefits for Scotland of the goal, a key objective of the intellectual capital in its universi- Scottish Executive’s Science ties and businesses. The event Strategy is to increase the effective included speakers from business, exploitation of scientific research
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academia and public bodies from Session 2 - Business’ view on both Scotland and abroad, in innovative partnerships order to learn about leading - Ms Lynne Cadenhead, Director, national and international Far Blue Scotland practice, as well as an exhibition - Professor Peter Denyer, Director, illustrating innovative knowledge MicroEmmissive Displays transfer in Scotland. In her - Mr Scott McGlinchey, Director, contribution to the conference, ICL Scotland Wendy Alexander, the then Session 3 - Business innovation - Minister for Enterprise and the international approach Lifelong Learning, described the - Professor Gunnar Gustafson, need to create ladders of opportu- Professor of Engineering nity and pipelines for progress. Geology and Dean, School of Civil Engineering, Chalmers Programme and Speakers University of Technology, Welcome and introduction Gothenburg, Sweden Chairman, Mr Alf Young, Policy - Mr Leif Gustafsson, President of Editor, The Herald VBK and Chairman of the Session 1 - Recent developments Centre for Management of the in Scotland Built Environment, Gothenburg, - Professor John Sizer, Chief Sweden Executive, Scottish Higher - Mr David Sibbald, President, Education Funding Council Scottish Tech Tour 2001 - Dr Robert Crawford, Chief - Dr Niall Mateer, Executive Executive, Scottish Enterprise Director, University of California - Ms Wendy Alexander MSP, Trust (UK) Minister for Enterprise and Panel discussion and summary: Lifelong Learning (Wendy - Professor Geoffrey Boulton, Alexander has since resigned as Vice-Principal, University of Minister for Enterprise and Edinburgh Lifelong Learning) - Professor John McClelland, - Sir Alan Langlands, Chairman, Chairman, Technology Ventures Scottish Institute for Enterprise Scotland - Professor John Archer, Conven- - Mr Ian McDonald, CEO, er, Research and CONNECT Scotland Commercialisation Committee, - Professor David Milne, Manag- Universities Scotland ing Director, Wolfson - Professor Grahame Bulfield, Microelectronics Ltd Director, Roslin Institute - Sir William Stewart, President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
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Wellcome Trust Research Workshop New Perspectives on the Aberdeen Typhoid Outbreak held at the University of Aberdeen 6 December 2001
A one-day event in the form of conflicts and political and four short presentations by economic dimensions. members of the project team. This outbreak was one of the The aim of the workshop was to most important food safety provide an opportunity to report milestones in the twentieth and discuss the research into the century. Many of the features of Aberdeen typhoid outbreak. the 1964 incident have been This is part of a three-year repeated in later food scares. Wellcome Trust funded project Part of the discussion looked at that started in 1999. Each of the ways in which history of a food four sessions highlighted one of safety issue can be explored to the main themes covered by this provide an opportunity for project, including the experience interaction between historians of the people of Aberdeen, the and those involved in food safety impact of the media, professional issues since the 1960s.
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Symposium The A-Z of Oral Cancer : An Holistic Route January 25 2002
The Oral Health Group of the radiotherapy are still the corner- Royal Society of Edinburgh held a stones of treatment. However, very successful multi-professional there have been significant symposium entitled the A to Z of advances in surgical techniques, Oral Cancer on January 25th whilst improvements in anaesthe- 2002. sia and peri-operative care have Delegates were welcomed to the reduced surgical mortality rates. In meeting by Sir David Carter, Vice the short term, improvements in President. He indicated that oral outcome could be best effected by cancer now accounts for 2-3% of ensuring equitable access for all all cancers in the UK and poses a patients to adequately resourced, particular problem in Scotland. Sir dedicated head and neck multidis- David was, therefore, particularly ciplinary teams. The co-ordination pleased that a meeting was being of care and development of held in Edinburgh. appropriate patient pathways was discussed in depth, stressing the The first session focused on the need for multidisciplinary team epidemiology of oral cancer, its working. Development of nurse- diagnosis and current treatments. led clinics could improve support The overall survival rate for oral for oral cancer patients at all cancer is currently 50%. Clinical stages of the disease. outcome depends on the stage of the disease at diagnosis and its The second session covered novel site, tongue cancers having a treatments and screening. particularly poor prognosis. Risk Treatment failure in oral cancer is factors include alcohol and due to loco-regional recurrence tobacco use, especially in combi- and distant disease, but current nation, deprivation and poor treatment methods have limited diets. In Scotland, the incidence of success. Studies in gene therapy, oral cancer rose by 40% between viral therapy and antibody therapy 1985 and 1996, and currently all show promise but are in the stands at 13 per 100,000. The early stages of development. clinical presentation of oral cancer There was detailed consideration is highly variable, hampering early of the criteria relevant to deter- diagnosis. Modern imaging mining whether a national techniques have refined treatment screening programme for oral planning, but surgery and cancer was appropriate, conclud-
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ing that further research evidence The symposium ended with two was required before a judgement workshops, in which delegates could be made. considered the reasons for late The third session examined presentation of oral cancer and patient follow-up and rehabilita- the priorities for change in tion. This included a presentation provision of oral cancer services. from the father of a young man There is a requirement for a who had died of oral cancer. He redesigning of the care system believed that increased public including rapid access clinics, awareness, sustained professional regionalisation of oral cancer development and rapid detection treatment in special centres and of oral cancer, with availability of development of protocol driven fast track referral to centres of treatment plans. There is a excellence for diagnosis and perceived lack of both public and treatment, were essential if lives professional awareness of the were to be saved. Presentations disease and a need to encourage from a speech therapist and a further research and audit. In restorative dentist clearly indicated relation to early diagnosis, it was the advances that have been made also recognised that the patient in recent years in post-surgical groups most at risk of oral cancer rehabilitation of oral cancer are those who are less likely to be patients. Finally there was a regular dental attenders, a presentation devoted to palliative problem compounded by the fact care, a significant challenge in that oral cancer is often symptom- head and neck cancer, for which less in its early stages. there is a lack of good research The full proceedings of the evidence and clear-cut guidelines symposium will be published by for patient management. the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
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Particle Physics Workshop Particle Physics at the Limits 6 February 2002 A record number of physicists space cannot be considered as (over 100) attended for the empty, and a particle will be lost seventh Particle Physics Workshop, by collision with the microwave organised this year with support background. This means that the from the Institute for Particle sources of these particles must be Physics Phenomenology of nearby (on a cosmic scale) which is Durham University. The workshop puzzling. The field has been focused on the experimental, developed over many years by observational and theoretical ways Professor Watson at Leeds. The that we are trying to expand the event rates are low, so there is no envelope of our knowledge. alternative to using bigger detectors. He is now heading an The first plenary speaker was Dr international effort in the Auger Keith Ellis of Fermilab, Chicago Project with detectors scattered and the University of Edinburgh, across an area of Argentina the who spoke on the search for the size of London. Higgs Boson at the Fermilab colliding beam facility. The world Four short talks showed the has taken up the search for this diversity of the challenge. Dr elusive particle, proposed by Peter Daisuke Nomura (Durham) talked Higgs (Edinburgh) in the 1960’s about lepton-flavour violation in and which underpins the theoreti- supersymmetric models. Dr Andre cal validity (‘renormalised’ in the Sopczak (Lancaster) gave us an sense that sensible questions account of the scientific potential cannot have nonsensical answers) of an electron-positron linear of the Gauge theories that have collider. Dr Arjun Berera (Edin- been outstandingly and precisely burgh) introduced clearly the idea verified in recent years. In 2001 of dissipative effects during the LEP reached the limits of its energy inflationary period of the Uni- reach, leaving tantalising hints verse’s early life. Finally, Dr Gavin that establishing the Boson may McCance (Glasgow) described a be just around the corner. way in which Particle Physics is leading the e-science revolution Professor Alan Watson (Leeds) and the use of the computer grid explained the mystery of the for data warehousing. One existence of super-high-energy proposal is to model the grid cosmic rays. At the phenomenal organisation on the success of the energies where these are observed
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world wide web. Sites will com- leptons, we now know a lot about pete to buy data on the open the mixing of the three genera- market. Those with the widest tions, although the ‘smoking gun’ bandwidth to their customers can of tau-neutrino appearance will offer higher prices to those who take some years to see. As for the supply the data sets. absence of anti-matter in the Finally Dr Steve Playfer (Edinburgh) Universe, which is the most updated us on CP violation and spectacular violation of CP flavour physics. The beautiful and (matter-antimatter) symmetry, precise results emanating from whilst we know in principle the the Babar and Belle experiments needed conditions, how nature in the USA and Japan have has contrived this result, which is increased the precision of results essential for our own existence, is dramatically and for the first time still hidden from us. the self-sufficiency (‘unitarity’) of So Physics remains a mystery, in the standard model with only the best sense of the word. The three generations of quarks is more we know about it, the more being tested. Concerning the elegant and amazing it seems.
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Symposium The Future of Retailing: Drivers of Change, Catching the Consumer 21 February 2002
The third in a series of annual The day’s presentations began symposia was held at the Society with Mr Iain M Gotts, Director, on Thursday 21 February 2002 DTZ Pieda Consulting, speaking and attracted some 90 partici- on the subject of Retail Dynamics pants. The Rt Hon Lord Ross PC, and their Implications for the former Lord Justice-Clerk of Future Pattern of Shopping in Scotland, opened the meeting by Scotland. This was followed with giving a welcome on behalf of the Professor John Dawson, Professor Society. of Marketing, University of Professor Gavin McCrone went on Edinburgh, talking on Recent and to provide an overview of the possible Future changes in symposium by talking about the Scottish Retail Structure. After a changing relationship between short break the presentations the customer and the retailer, continued with Mr James G emphasising the changes that Mackinnon, Chief Planner, The have arisen since the appearance Scottish Executive talking on the of large shopping centres and subject of the Evolution of retail businesses and how they National Planning Policy on have affected local retail outlets. Retailing. The final talk of the day He provided examples such as that was delivered by Mr Martin of ASDA, which has more retailing Venning, Manager of Corporate business than the whole of Spain. Affairs for Tesco plc, Mr Venning gave a presentation entitled Retail Professor McCrone went on to say Regeneration and Renaissance. that employment in the sector has decreased, and the nature of the jobs involved has altered.
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Wellcome Trust Research Workshop Biochip and Functional Genomics 20 March 2002
The post-genomic era has opened Sessions were organised to cover up exciting new areas of biomedi- the main coordinating themes of cal research opportunities. emerging technology, functional Techniques and methods of genomics and methods of analysis are being developed to analysis. Several high profile exploit the information content of speakers from the UK, and two whole genomes as well as large from the US covered these topics collections of proteins and other extremely well. biomolecules. The meeting was attended by 120 The development of biochips participants, the majority of whom arrayed with many thousands of were from Scottish research separate genes or proteins which Centres. are then simultaneously analysed This was an extremely valuable has been a catalyst technology for and timely meeting for reviewing this new research. the dynamic field of biochips and To further overview and discuss their wide application to biomedi- the potential for biochips in cal research. biomedical research, the Scottish A full report of the meeting has Centre for Genomic Technology recently been published: Roy et. and Informatics (www.gti.ed.ac.uk) al., Comparative and Functional organised a Wellcome Trust / Genomics 2002; 3: 380-386. Royal Society of Edinburgh Research Workshop on March 20 2002 entitled: Biochip and Functional Genomics.
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International Conference The Bicentenary of the Birth of David Octavius Hill (1802-1870) The Artful Use of Light 18-20 May 2002
The three-day conference, organ- to the entire event, Dr Sara ised jointly with the Scottish Stevenson on the calotypes Society for the History of Photog- themselves. Finally in this section, raphy with financial support from Mr William Buchanan reflected on Lloyds TSB Scotland, attracted 90 the subsequent reputation of Hill delegates from throughout the and the rediscovery of the Hill- UK as well as from several over- Adamson work in the late seas countries including Canada, nineteenth and twentieth century. USA, France, Denmark, Nether- The extraordinary technical lands, Belgium, and Austria. achievement of the early experi- Participants included world menters and exponents of authorities on the history of photography, and new revelations photography, curators of major concerning the underlying science collections, academics and other provided the material for the professionals and also students morning of Day Two. Recent and amateurs with an interest in research using advanced tech- the field. Topics covered included niques is now giving much greater the historical context of the insight into how Adamson and creation of the calotype photo- his contemporaries worked. It was graphs, recent research on the astonishing to learn that signifi- technical achievements, and cantly differing chemistry was international perspectives on Hill employed even within a single and Adamson. portrait session. Presentations On Day One, speakers dealing were made by the leading authori- with historical matters included ties, Dr Mike Ware, Mr James Professor Larry Schaaf from Berry, and Ms Kathy Eremin. Baltimore on the relationship Colourful titles seemed in fashion between Fox Talbot and Hill, in these sessions so Dr Ware’s Professor Murdo Macdonald and paper was entitled, Adamson’s Dr Duncan Forbes on the cultural prints and Goldilocks’ Syndrome, context of the work, Mr Ray while in preparation for the McKenzie on Hill’s pre-photo- afternoon expedition to Fife, graphic achievements, Professor Professor Graham Smith offered, Duncan MacMillan on Hill’s Filth, Ruinous Neglect and the ‘Disruption’ painting and, central Genius of Antiquity in Hill and
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Adamson’s Photographs of St photographer, Professor Thomas Andrews, and Dr Alison Morrison- Joshua Cooper. This was not quite Low contributed, Tripping the the last word, however, as later in Light Fantastic: Henry Talbot and the day (Hill’s 200th birthday), in David Brewster. the Church of St Andrew and St On the third and last day, the George, Colin Ford CBE delivered focus was very much Hill and a public lecture entitled, appropri- Adamson’s international impact. ately, For the Love of Photography. Dr Monika Faber from Vienna The success of the conference was talked of Heinrich Schwart’s evident at the time in the high championing of Hill, M. Quentin quality of the contributions, the Bajac offered the French perspec- enthusiasm of participants and tive and Dr Doug Nickel the crucial the generally relaxed atmosphere American connection, particularly created. More impressive (and with the Photo-secessionists and somewhat astonishing) was the Camerawork. subsequent independent assess- It was only appropriate, however, ment of several senior delegates that the last paper was delivered that this was “the best photogra- (with great passion and insight) by phy conference they had ever an internationally distinguished attended”.
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Symposium The Increase in Allergic Disease : Environment and Susceptibility June 4 2002
This Symposium brought together changes in diet since the 1960’s, leading experts in the field of with increasing consumption of allergy to provide insight into salt and vegetable oils and factors underlying the recent decreasing consumption of fish increase in allergic disease and to and fresh foods, particularly fresh identify factors that could be green vegetables. Two hypotheses modified to prevent or treat relate the increase in allergy to the allergy. decreasing dietary intake of Professor Peter Burney (London) antioxidants and fish and to the demonstrated that between the increasing consumption of mid-1960s and the mid-1990s vegetable oils. The data relating there was an increase in asthma asthma with dietary intakes was prevalence of approximately 5% reviewed. per year. Similar increases in the Professor Patrick Holt, (Australia) prevalence of eczema and hayfever presented the concept that have also occurred. More recent allergic disease is determined by data was presented suggesting antenatal influences interacting that the increase in allergic with factors that regulate the disease may have plateaued. postnatal immune maturation. Professor David Strachan (London) One of the major determinants demonstrating that the recent influencing the risk of allergy increase in asthma could not be appears to be the overall rate of attributed to air pollution. He postnatal maturation of immune outlined the hygiene hypothesis competence, and postnatal that early childhood exposure to exposure to microbes is the key infection reduces the likelihood of stimulus for the immune matura- allergic disease. This hypothesis is tion. Maturation of the immune supported by associations system appears to be delayed in between allergy and birth order, infants who develop allergic family size, social class, a western disease, leading to adverse lifestyle, antibiotic use in early life responses to allergens and some and patterns of microbial bowel viral infections. flora. Professor Tom Platts-Mills (USA) Professor Anthony Seaton dispelled the notion that the (Aberdeen) highlighted the increase in allergy was a conse-
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quence of increasing levels of immunological and epidemiologi- allergens. Recently reports have cal data. Instead it would appear consistently demonstrated that that changing regulation of infant exposure to cats is protec- immune responses has resulted in tive. These children mount an an increase in allergic and autoim- alternative non-allergic immune mune diseases such as juvenile response when exposed to cats diabetes mellitus and rheumatoid and the nature of this was arthritis. outlined. Professor Platts-Mills Ms Marjory O’Donnell (National finished by highlighting the need Asthma Campaign Scotland) to investigate the influences of highlighted the public misconcep- the decline in physical activity and tion that air pollution and traffic increase in obesity. fumes underlie the increase in Professor Scott Weiss (USA) asthma and allergy. There is a accepted that genetic influences need for the testing of current alone cannot account for the hypotheses relating to the increase in allergy but that increase in asthma in order to changing interactions between conclude the current theorising. genes and environmental could. A Mr Michael Hardiman from the number of gene loci and candi- Carpet Foundation provided date genes have been linked to evidence of the practical conse- parameters of allergy and these quences of misconceived were outlined. He highlighted the perceptions about the increase in powerful interaction between allergy. Public misconceptions b -AR polymorphisms, smoking 2 about the role of house dust mite and the likelihood of asthma. has seriously affected the carpet Dr Rob Barker (Aberdeen) re- industry with the loss of carpet viewed current concepts in the sales and jobs in the industry. immunology of allergy. The notion The full proceedings of this of a recent generalised bias Symposium will be published in towards allergic immune respons- the journal Clinical and Experi- es is untenable given recent mental Allergy.
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Caledonian Research Foundation International Conference Memory: Psychological Processes and Clinical Implications 22-23 August 2002 The original brief for this meeting forms, such as the division of de- was to focus on an aspect of clarative memory into episodic neuroscience that would involve and semantic, and all manner of both basic and clinical scientists further sub-divisions that help us and would endeavour to reach translate psychological concepts across the basic/clinical divide. It into anatomical and neurobiologi- is not always easy to have a cal ones. meeting of minds across the The year 2002 was the 30th rubicon of basic and clinical anniversary of a very important neuroscience. However, after paper in the field of memory. careful discussion, we chose Written by the Canadian experi- “memory” as our topic. mental psychologist, Endel The last 20 to 30 years have ech- Tulving, this outlined the distinc- oed the last 20 years of the tion between “episodic” and previous century in witnessing “semantic” memory. Now, 30 great strides in the understanding years later, and with much learned of learning and memory. In the about episodic memory since, latter part of the 19th Century, im- there is a renaissance of interest in portant contributions were made the concept of episodic memory - by the psychologist William James with questions now being posed (the brother of the writer Henry about the areas of the human James) on the distinction between brain that are activated when primary and secondary memory, episodic memory processing takes and by Théodule Ribot who enun- place, whether and how this form ciated the principle that old of memory can be selectively memories become resistant to dis- impaired by certain kinds of brain ruption. Similarly, in the latter damage, and whether it is unique part of the 20th Century, the con- to humans or if animals may also cept of multiple memory systems possess such a system. has emerged into a sophisticated The Royal Society of Edinburgh taxonomy that includes short-term was honoured that Professor memory, perceptual-representa- Tulving agreed to devote the first tional systems, declarative day of our symposium to the memory, spatial memory, and vari- concept of episodic memory and ous kinds of skills. These in turn he gave the first paper. He are readily sub-divided into other described developments of the
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concept of episodic memory over selective brain damage, and of the last 30 years, culminating in normal subjects using electro- his “SPI” model in which informa- physiological and functional brain tion is relayed serially from a imaging techniques, are collective- perceptual-representational ly leading to new concepts - such system to semantic memory, and as between retrieval-effort and thence to episodic memory. Once retrieval-success, and between the in these systems, information is more personal and public aspects processed in a parallel and semi- of episodic memory. These papers independent manner were followed by three further (Serial-Parallel-Independence). presentations - by Gaffan, This was followed by papers by Hampton and by Morris - devoted Vargha-Khadem and Mishkin, to the issue of whether non- discussing developmental amne- human primates and other sia, and by Squire, discussing animals may show episodic or declarative memory, in which a episodic-like memory. Hampton’s controversy about the functional paper described an ingenious role of the hippocampus was series of experiments that purport brought out into the open. to show that rhesus monkeys have Squire argues that the medial- some form of awareness of what temporal lobe memory system, of they can remember, while Morris which the hippocampus is a part, described a new technique to look mediates the formation of all at very rapid, one-trial, paired- forms of declarative memory. In associate learning in the rat. contrast, the phenotype displayed The second day of the meeting by developmental amnesics with took us into the territory of the ostensibly restricted damage to clinical application of these ideas the hippocampus points to a about memory. O’Carroll ex- particular sensitivity of episodic plained that disturbances of memory. Following an illuminat- memory are not normally required ing panel discussion, in which for a diagnosis of clinical depres- reference was made to the sion, but that experimental work constructive exchange of test has revealed that such disturbanc- materials by the protagonists to es most certainly do occur in the help resolve their discrepant syndrome, including changes in views, further papers by Kapur retrieval style that specifically and Kopelman, by Rugg, and by affect episodic memory. Schacter Maguire discussed different outlined the “seven sins of methodological approaches to memory”, and then focused on retrograde amnesia and the misattribution errors - an impor- retrieval of episodic memory. tant component of Careful study of patients with
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false-memories. A noteworthy changes in old-age, quite apart feature of his paper, like that of from any changes associated with Rugg earlier on, was the quite disease. Craik defended a process extraordinary experimental view of the organisation of ingenuity of modern cognitive memory, distinct from the memory psychologists - an ingenuity that systems perspective, arguing that is not as well known about or while improved encoding can appreciated as it should be. Seckl certainly improve memory, it is not discussed specific aspects of a process that is differentially neuroendocrinology that can affected by age. Conversely, impact on memory, particular the retrieval processes do seem to be action of glucocorticoids. Baxen- vulnerable, leading to his advice dale and Zeman, in two separate that improved encoding and talks, then described the impact of retrieval are the keys to a good epilepsy on memory. A theme to memory into old-age. Deary took emerge from these papers was the us into the very different territory importance of aetiology in both of differential psychology and permanent and transient condi- psychometrics, discussing what tions. has been learned from the The last afternoon took us into remarkable study that he and his the impact of old-age and of the colleagues have undertaken with degenerative conditions that so the now 80-year old subjects of often accompany it. Rossor the Scottish Mental Survey of described the neurology and 1932. genetics of Alzheimer’s Disease As organisers, our impression was and other dementing conditions. of a meeting that was greatly The effect these have on memory enjoyed by the 120 persons was discussed by Graham and by registered and we were particular- Della-Sala. The cognitive profile ly gratified that those attending of different types of dementia is came from many walks of life. clearly distinct - some affecting Academic scientists in the audi- episodic memory as an early ence were alongside many symptom, others impacting upon working in the caring professions, our semantic knowledge of the such as people who look after world. There are also striking children with epilepsy and differences in recent and remote members of the Alzheimer memory in the different forms of Scotland charity. We hope the dementia, and in working- Caledonian Research Foundation memory when subjects are asked is well pleased that we succeeded to perform two tasks at once. The in reaching out in this way to a symposium ended with two wide audience. striking talks on how memory
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Wellcome Trust Research Workshop Maternal, Foetal and Infant Thyroid Hormone Metabolism 3 October 2002 Maternal to foetal transfer of - to inform a discussion on the thyroxine (T4) is essential for the future of neonatal clinical first half of human pregnancy and research in Scotland, and how to a lesser, but decreasing extent, this inter-relates with basic thereafter. Even subtle dysfunc- science and with other Europe- tions in this maternal T4 supply, an centres. In particular, the such as relative hypothyroxinae- opportunities offered by the mia or the presence of thyroid CEC Sixth Programme of the antibodies, can result in measura- European Community for ble effects on foetal brain research, technological develop- development and the longer-term ment and demonstration neurodevelopmental outcome of activities. the infant and child. The preterm - to highlight iodine deficiency in infant is particularly vulnerable to Scotland and Europe and interruption of maternal transfer inform Health Policy makers and of thyroxine because there are clinicians. invariably additional problems, such as: hypothalamic-pituitary- The structure of the workshop thyroid immaturity; developmental was as recommended with two constraints on the synthesis; international speakers (Professor peripheral metabolism of iodothy- Francois Delange, International ronines; non-thyroidal illness; as Council for Control of Iodine well as postnatal iodine deficiency. Deficiency Disorders, Brussels: and Professor Theo Visser, Erasmus The objectives of the workshop University, Rotterdam) who were were to: able to provide the necessary - Inform representatives from the background, supported by three participating Scottish clinical local speakers. Ample time for centres of the progress made to discussion was allowed through- date in analysing the epidemio- out the day and in particular at logical and iodothyronine the conclusion of the meeting. information on preterm infants Thirty-five participants were recruited as part of a CEC invited from a wide range of funded project within the backgrounds and attendance was Quality of Life and Management almost complete. of Living Resources 5th Frame- work.
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Main Conclusions · Iodine deficiency is still prob- · Transient hypothyroxinaemia in lematic in many European preterm infants is strongly countries and a further initiative correlated with non-thyroidal by the WHO was expected. illness in these infants. This is · Monitoring of iodine status in an important conclusion as Scotland and the UK has not conventional thyroid hormone been systematically undertaken supplementation (thyroxine) is and ideas were developed not likely to alter clinical which should allow a progres- outcome, on the bases of such sion from pilot studies already studies in adults. undertaken to retrospective · Serum-free thyroxine levels population surveys to prospec- (thought to be the biologically tive studies. active pool) surprisingly appear · Maternal iodine deficiency in to be maintained in many pregnancy was highlighted and preterm infants even though the need for neurodevelopmen- total thyroxine levels are tal studies of infants as the depressed. Further studies were primary outcome measure, discussed to confirm these particularly where iodine findings. deficiency in the population is · Collaborative clinical research in mild to moderate in nature. The fetal and neonatal issues in role of iodine and thyroid Scotland has been shown to be hormones in the development successful and should be of the first trimester human further developed. Integration foetal brain was discussed with with collaborators in basic a conclusion that further studies science and also across multiple were required. European centres has also been · The status of iodine deficiency shown to be feasible and in preterm infants was noted extremely productive. and that studies were underway · Core funding issues were to delineate the problem and highlighted which allow the investigate solutions. support and continuation of Organised by : Professor Robert human developmental research Hume, Professor of Developmen- beyond the immediate period of tal Medicine, Tayside Institute of study, to allow long-term Child Health, University of neurodevelopmental-clinical Dundee; Dr Judith Simpson, outcomes to be ascertained. Specialist Registrar in Neonatolo- · There was overall support to gy, Princess Royal Maternity submit a programme of work in Hospital, Glasgow. the CEC Sixth Programme.
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PUBLICATIONS Proceedings A: Mathematics Other Publications The journal had 157 papers Foot and Mouth Report: Inquiry submitted for consideration into Foot and Mouth Disease in during the Session and published Scotland. six issues: parts 131.6 to 132.5 ISA Report: The Scientific Issues inclusive. 74 papers were pub- Surrounding the Control of lished. Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA) Transactions: Earth Sciences in Scotland. Three issues were published: Health Mediation Report: Encour- volumes 92.2 and 92.3/4 (2001) aging Resolution - Mediating Patient/ and volume 93.1 (2002), compris- Health Services Disputes in ing 18 papers. Scotland. ReSourcE : Issues 3 and 4 Innovation Report: Pipelines and Royal Society of Edinburgh Ladders - Report of a Conference Directory 2002 (Session 2001- entitled Innovation in Scotland in 2002) the 21st Century - Matching Knowledge and Enterprise. Royal Society of Edinburgh Review 2002 (Session 2000- RSE Annual Review 2001-2002. 2001)
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FUNDRAISING The Fundraising Campaign the creation of The Patrons’ Circle. Realising Scotland’s Excellence Its aim is to become an eminent launched in the autumn of 2001, forum through which select by the President Sir William companies can make a significant Stewart has achieved its initial contribution to Realising Scot- targets. land’s Excellence. New grants of £5m have been The support of major organisa- attracted so that the campaign to tions will be an investment in develop “partnership projects” Scotland’s future and enable the has reached its target. The Lloyds Society to:- TSB Foundation for Scotland is · Bring together key people in supporting research into ageing; a Industry, Academia and Govern- major new award to support ment to develop thinking on Innovation has been sponsored by areas of mutual concern the Gannochy Trust in conjunction with the RSE and a new series of · Act as an independent forum grants from Scottish Enterprise and focus minds on issues of will create an expanded pro- importance to Scotland, the UK gramme of Enterprise Fellowships. and internationally; stimulating new thinking and inspiring new The campaign has also been initiatives. generously supported by almost 30% of Fellows. The target of · Increase the output of impartial, £400,000, a figure that looked independent expert opinion for ambitious at the start of the use in public and private sector campaign will be achieved. The policy making funds donated will be transferred · Develop programmes of into a “Fellows’ Development Research and Debate that will Fund” which will be used to contribute to the realisation of develop Event activities and the Scotland’s economic, social and Young People’s programme cultural potential within the UK among other things. and internationally and address In the next phase of fundraising ways in which the societal needs the Society will seek to raise funds of Scotland can best be met. from the corporate sector through
151 Review of the Session 2001-2002
Final thoughts
A area which the Society has never organisation which one values emphasised to its Fellows is that and a method by which one can of legacy bequests. Many organi- be remembered by the organisa- sations rely heavily on legacies as tion. The Society has a short a source of income, which information leaflet on legacy frequently enable them to donations and would be pleased undertake programmes that could to send Fellows a copy if they felt not otherwise be supported. this was an appropriate way to A legacy is an excellent tax give to the Society. efficient way to support an
152 THE SCOTTISH SCIENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE The Scottish Science Advisory meet a further three times during Committee (SSAC) was estab- its first year. lished in May 2002 to provide First SSAC Meeting (7 May independent advice to Scottish 2002), held at the Royal Society Executive Ministers on strategic of Edinburgh scientific issues. The first meeting was very much Following the appointment of an introductory meeting, where Professor Wilson Sibbett, CBE, the Committee had a very positive FRS, FRSE as Chair of the Scottish and open discussion covering a Science Advisory Committee, and number of issues including as chief adviser on science to the members’ aspirations for the Scottish Executive, the Council of SSAC, their visions for Scottish the Royal Society of Edinburgh science, how these visions might (RSE) appointed 17 committee be achieved and the key themes of members. The committee the steering brief provided by the membership represents a breadth Scottish Executive. The SSAC of expertise and knowledge across agreed that given its broad remit a range of scientific disciplines and interests, there was a need to and interests which include establish a number of working education, business, engineering, groups to develop and take technology, social science, forward distinct elements of the medicine, ethics, public engage- SSAC activities. ment and public policy. It is intended that the committee will The three priority areas that be well placed to provide expert emerged from these initial advice across a number of relevant discussions have led to the policy areas. formation of three working groups: The Committee is uniquely placed to take an overview of the § The Science Base – Mechanisms scientific landscape in Scotland. It for Excellence will take a medium to long term, § Science Education; and horizon-scanning, strategic view § Science in Society. in formulating its advice on science strategy, science policies The SSAC was delighted that the and science priorities – with an new Minister for Enterprise and overall aim of improving the Lifelong Learning was able to social, environmental and attend part of this first meeting, economic prosperity of Scotland. as his first engagement in his new role. During the period of this Review the SSAC has met twice, and will
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Second SSAC Meeting (27 examine how the best science can August 2002), held at The High be undertaken and, additionally, School of Dundee how this science can be used most The key areas of discussion at this effectively to improve the quality meeting were, Science and the of life and contribute to the Scottish Executive; Science and the economic prosperity of Scotland. NHS in Scotland; and Priorities for Science Education, will look at the the three SSAC Working Groups. quality and content of science The SSAC welcomed Lucy Hunter education in Scotland, from and Andy Bishop (Scottish primary school through to higher Executive, Enterprise and Lifelong education and beyond. Learning Department) to the Science in Society, will look at meeting to lead a discussion on public engagement with science Science and the Scottish Executive and the use of science in policy and Professor Roland Jung (Chief making in Scotland. Scientist in the Scottish Executive Other Activities Health Department) to lead a discussion on Science and the The SSAC Chair and Head of NHS in Scotland. Secretariat have begun a series of visits to, and meetings with, a It is planned to invite key individu- wide range of organisations and als, from the Scottish Executive individuals across the scientific and other organizations, to future community. These meetings have meetings to brief the Committee helped to publicise the existence on issues that have specific and role of the SSAC and have timeliness and topicality. provided much background SSAC Working Groups information for the SSAC, ena- The three SSAC working groups bling an improved vision of will try to meet at least once science across its boundaries in between each full committee Scotland. It is also hoped that meeting. these meetings will help to lay the foundations for future and The Science Base – Mechanisms expanded working relationships for Excellence, will look at mecha- with the SSAC. nisms to promote excellence in the Scottish science base and will
154 Scottish Science Advisory Committee
Scottish Science Advisory Committee - Members
Professor Wilson Sibbett, CBE, Professor Maggie Gill, FRSE FRS, FRSE (Chair) Professor Peter Grant, FRSE, FREng Professor Geoffrey Boulton, OBE, Professor Sally Macintyre, OBE, FRS, FRSE FRSE Professor Jane Bower Dr John Nicholls Dr Donald Bruce Professor Andrea Nolan Professor Muffy Calder Mr Ian Ritchie, FRSE Professor John Coggins, FRSE Professor John Savill Professor Graham Durant Professor David Wallace, CBE, FRS, Professor Tariq Durrani, FRSE, FRSE, FREng FREng Dr John Whitelock Mrs Sarah Fletcher
Scottish Science Advisory Committee - Staff
Dr Avril Davidson, Head of Ms Tracy Rickard, PA/Administrator Secretariat
Contact Details www.scottishscience.org.uk [email protected] Tel : 0131 240 5014 Fax : 0131 240 5034
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EVIDENCE, ADVICE AND COMMENT The Society submitted evidence, advice and comment on the following reports during the Session
November 2001 March 2002 Scotland’s freshwater fish and Managing Radioactive Waste fisheries: Securing their future. Safely. Department for Environ- Scottish Executive Environment ment, Food and Rural Affairs and Rural Affairs Department Devolution: inter-institutional The Public Appointments Bill. The relations in the United Kingdom. Scottish Parliament Local Govern- House of Lords Committee on the ment Committee Constitution December 2001 Topic of Royal Commission’s next Review of Graduate Studies. The study. Royal Commission on British Academy Environmental Pollution January 2002 April 2002 Scottish Higher Education Review. A Strategy for Aquaculture. Scottish Executive Enterprise and Scottish Executive Environment & Lifelong Learning Department Rural Affairs Department Contingency Plan for the Possibili- Government Funding of the ty of BSE in Sheep. Scottish Scientific Learned Societies. Executive Environment & Rural House of Commons Science and Affairs Department Technology Committee Management of possible expo- Innovations in Microprocessing. sure to CJD through medical House of Lords Science and procedures. CJD Incidents Panel Technology Committee Review of Arts and Humanities May 2002 Research Funding. Department Review of the Locational Guide- for Education and Skills lines for the Authorisation of Labelling and tracing of Genetical- Marine Fish Farms in Scottish ly Modified Food and Animal Waters. Scottish Executive Feed. House of Lords European Environment and Rural Affairs Union Committee Department February 2002 August 2002 The Long-Term Effects of Chemi- Scottish Higher Education Review: cals in the Environment. Royal Second Round. The Scottish Commission on Environmental Executive Enterprise and Lifelong Pollution Learning Department
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Positron Emission Tomography Draft Strategic Planning Docu- (PET) imaging in cancer manage- ments. Biotechnology and ment - Health Technology Biological Sciences Research Assessment - Consultation Council Assessment Report. Health National Endowment for Science, Technology Board for Scotland Technology and the Arts. House The Cairngorms National Park - of Commons Science and Technol- Consultation on Draft Designation ogy Committee Order. Scottish Executive Environ- Draft Revised Work Plan. The ment Group Agriculture and Environment September 2002 Biotechnology Commission Research and Knowledge Transfer Scottish FMD Contingency Plan. in Scotland. SHEFC and Scottish Scottish Executive Environment Enterprise and Rural Affairs Department Proposal for a Directive on October 2002 Environmental Liability with Consultation on the Implementa- regard to the Prevention and tion of Directive 2001/18/EC on Remedying of Environmental the Deliberate Release of Geneti- Damage. Scottish Executive cally Modified Organisms into the Environment Group Environment. Consultation on Short-Term Research Contracts in New Scottish Regulations. Science and Engineering. House Scottish Executive Environment of Commons Science and Technol- Group ogy Committee Inquiry into Fighting Infection. Study on the Environmental House of Lords Science and Effects of Marine Fisheries. Royal Technology Committee Commission on Environmental Pollution
158 INQUIRIES The work of three Working Groups established by the Society during the 2001-2002 session concluded during this session with reports on issues concerning Mediation in patient / health services disputes, Infectious Salmon Anaemia and the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in the United Kingdom,
Mediation in Medical Negli- Infectious Salmon Anaemia - gence Cases - published February published June 2002 2002 Following representations made Prompted by a symposium on to the RSE by members of the Medical Practice and the Growth public, expressing the view that of Litigation in the UK held at the the current EC legislation is not RSE in 2000, a panel of experts, based on science, a Working Party, chaired by then RSE Vice-President chaired by Professor Sir Roderick Lord Ross, was established with MacSween, was set up to assess the support of the Scottish the science behind legislation Executive and the Medical and governing the control of Infec- Dental Defence Union of Scotland, tious Salmon Anaemia (ISA), a viral to explore whether mediation disease of salmon. Oral and could help resolve disputes written evidence was received between patients and the health from a number of national and services in Scotland. international salmon, fisheries and disease control organisations, The Group took evidence from a including submissions from range of professional organisa- Norway and Canada. The Working tions, public bodies and the Party also visited the FRS Marine general public within the United Laboratory in Aberdeen as well as Kingdom. It also gathered a salmon farm and hatchery. evidence from a number of Overall, the Working Party international jurisdictions. welcomed the general stance The broad conclusion which it taken by the EU in controlling ISA, reached advocates the use of but stressed the importance of mediation as an advantageous distinguishing between ISA option for resolving disputes disease and infection by ISA virus. between patients and the health In addition, the Working Party services. This conclusion is concluded that it was impossible underpinned by a range of to establish whether the virus was specific recommendations exotic to the EU and recommend- contained in the Group’s report. ed that fish communities in the sea around salmon farms and in fresh water whose catchments are
159 Review of the Session 2001-2002
associated with salmon farming, methods of prevention and be examined in detail to deter- control. Over the Inquiry, the mine whether the virus is group received over 100 written endemic. It also recommended evidence submissions, held public that the survey for ISA virus in wild meetings in Dumfries and the salmon be re-established. Scottish Borders, and heard over Foot and Mouth Disease - 50 oral evidence submissions. The published July 2002 report made 27 recommendations including the need to treat future Chaired by Professor Ian Cunning- livestock epidemics, not just as an ham, this group, with members agricultural problem but to take drawn from veterinary health, into account wider economic and medicine, farming, economics, social aspects. It also recommend- tourism, consumers and the ed the incorporation of general public, was tasked with emergency barrier or ring vaccina- conducting a wide-ranging tion as an adjunct to the slaughter assessment of the impact of the of clinical cases, reducing the disease on animal health and numbers of animals requiring to examining the social and econom- be slaughtered. The Scottish ic consequences of the epidemic Executive has supported and is on the countryside and on seeking to address the recommen- Scotland as a whole. Particular dations of the report. emphasis was placed on future
All three reports are available on the RSE website
160 PUBLIC POLICY SEMINARS As part of its continuing contri- The “Scotland’s Well-being” bution to helping Scotland meet programme comprised a series of the new challenges set by “think tank” events, which devolution, “Scotland’s Well- provided neutral platforms for being”, the Society’s programme discussion of important economic, of public policy seminars, which cultural and social development began during the 2000-2001 issues, and which helped to Session, continued into this inform the policy decision making Session with Mediation and the process concerning the future Health Services in Scotland being well-being of the people of held on 19 November 2001. Scotland. The programme was This focused on the potential use inclusive in its approach and of mediation in helping to brought together people from all resolve disputes involving walks of life, including Scottish patients and the health services Executive Ministers, the public, in Scotland, and it supported the MSPs, academics, practitioners, work of the Society’s Mediation the voluntary sector and Scottish Working Group, which consid- Executive and Local Government ered this particular issue and officials. Reports are available on reported its considerations in the RSE websites. The programme February 2002. Reports of the was supported by the Scottish seminar and the Working Executive, which provided the Group’s conclusions are available necessary funding and staffing on the RSE website. resource.
The seminars below were held in the 2000-2001 Session and details can be found in the 2002 Review. 14 December 2000. The Active Involvement of Older People. 14 February 2001. Educating through Inclusive Schooling. 26 March 2001. Renewable Energy -21st Century Challenges and Changes. 25 June 2001. Urban Congestion - A Charging Solution.
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LINKS WITH INDUSTRY The RSE is committed to promoting the economic well-being of Scotland by encouraging closer links between the country’s research base and its commercial sector. This already happens in a number of ways, including providing Enterprise Fellowships which allow young researchers to develop- ing their research from a commercial perspective; supporting the Government’s Foresight programmes in Scotland; and by undertaking work leading to and in support of Technology Ventures, a national strategy aimed at increasing the volume of Scottish-based businesses exploiting Scotland’s world class Science base. Details of the Society’s Enterprise Fellowships are provided in the Research Awards section. The following events were also held in encouraging closer links between the country’s research base and its commercial sector in 2001/02. Events 22nd November 2001: The 13th February 2002: The Fifteenth Foresight Seminar on Sixteenth Foresight Seminar on Lab on a Chip Technology. Transport Technologies and This Foresight event was an forum Logistics at the Corinthian in for considering the opportunities Glasgow. and challenges associated with This Foresight event considered advances with miniaturised potential advances in transport systems for the commercial, technologies and logistics. academic and public sectors. Introduced by Professor Andrew Introduced by Professor Andrew Walker, it included keynote Walker, Vice President of the Royal presentations by Dr Mike Sporton, Society of Edinburgh and Profes- Foresight Vehicle Co-ordinator, sor of Modern Optics, Heriot-Watt GrenTek Ltd on “The Foresight University, it included keynote Vehicle Programme - Road presentations by Dr Coulton Transport for the Future” and Legge, Technology Development Professor Alan McKinnon, Section Leader, GlaxoSmithKline Professor of Logistics, Heriot-Watt on “The Big Future for Microsys- University on “Freight Expecta- tems - A Pharmaceutical tions: Forecasting Future Trends in Perspective” and Professor Jon Distribution”. Cooper FRSE, Professor of Bioelec- tronics & Bioengineering, University of Glasgow on “The Impact of Micro and Nanotechnol- ogy on Biological Screening”.
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28th June 2002: Managing Powering the Knowledge Econo- Intellectual Property in Scottish my’, and from Mr Robin Brighton, Universities, Issues from the UK/ who led the team that produced AURIL Study, 2002 the guide at Segal Quince Wicks- This half-day conference discussed teed, on ‘Managing Intellectual the key issues arising from a Property in the Scottish Research Universities UK/AURIL report into Base - Observations and Issues’. strategic issues related to universi- The event also included a panel ty owned intellectual property. discussion including Professor Chaired by Professor Andrew Andrew Walker, Mr Bill Wicksteed, Walker, it included keynote SQW, Professor Jim Penman, Vice presentations from Professor John Principal of Robert Gordon Archer, Principal of Heriot-Watt University, Dr Alastair Alexander, University and Chairman of the Director of Research and Innova- steering group responsible for the tion at the University of Aberdeen study, on ‘Intellectual Assets - and Dr Jim Adamson, Chairman of amfINSIGHT Ltd.
164 EVENTS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE Schools’ Lectures tion from the explorers at the turn 13 November 2001. Otters and of the 20th Century to those who Others by Professor James Conroy explore space today. at Elgin Academy Startup Science Masterclasses 11 December 2001. Lasing Down Supported by Lloyds TSB Founda- the Internet by Professor Thomas tion for Scotland Krauss at Kingussie High School These Saturday morning classes 11 January 2002. Bridge Building for S1/2 students run in the by Professor Miles Padgett at Autumn and Spring/Summer Milburn Academy, Inverness terms. This Session a new set of lectures at University of Dundee 23 January 2002. Soap Bubbles was added to the programme. and Membranes by Dr Ciaran Ewins at James Young High University of Glasgow School, Livingston 3, 10, 17, 24 November 2001 20, 27 April, 4, 11 May 2002 14 March 2002. Death, Drugs and Dynamite! by Dr Alan Jamie- University of St Andrews son at Nicolson Institute, Isle of 17, 24 November, 1, 8 December Lewis. As part of National Science 2001 Week. 27 April, 11, 18, 25 May 2002 11 June 2002. Serpents and Heriot-Watt University Synthesisers by Professor Murray 3, 10, 17, 24 November 2001 Campbell at Whitehills Secondary 20, 27 April, 4, 11 May 2002 School, Glasgow University of Dundee 25 June 2002. Mirrors, Metals 24 November, 1, 8, 15 December and Magic by Dr Susan Armstrong 2001 at Ross High School, Tranent 20, 27 April, 11, 18 May 2002 4 October 2002. Capturing Satrosphere, Aberdeen Colour with Chemistry by Dr Greig 3, 17, 24 November, 15 December Chisholm at Lochgilpead High 2001 School, Argyll 2, 16, 23 April, 27 May 2002 Christmas Lecture Primary Maths Masterclasses 4 December 2001. Dr Bonnie 10, 17, 24 November, 1 December Dunbar, NASA Astronaut, Corr 2001 at Dalmeny Primary School, FRSE gave the Christmas Lectures South Queensferry at Dumfries Academy to S1/S2 19, 26 January, 2 and 9 February students from local schools and 2002 at Kelvinside Academy, then to the public. She spoke Glasgow about the importance of Explora-
165 Review of the Session 2001-2002
Roadshow technology works and outlined Supported by Science Year in the benefits and drawbacks. Scotland and Scottish Borders Professor Kenneth Boyd from the Council University of Edinburgh highlight- 19-22 March 2002 based at ed the ethical considerations. The Eyemouth High School, Berwick- young people discussed in shire workshop groups and developed their own proposals as to the way Workshops and talks for local P7, forward. They were not in favour S1, S5/6 students and the public. of human reproductive cloning Primary students found that but felt that therapeutic cloning maths could be fun in the Codes had the potential for health and Circles workshop and enjoyed benefits. They called for interna- getting hands on in the Get a tional regulation of cloning Pizza the Action! workshop. technology. Secondary students had a lively talk about Colour Chemistry while Science Summer Camp the general public had the Supported by Shell Expro opportunity to hear Professor Waste and the Environment. Hugh Pennington, FRSE from the 22-26 July 2002 based at Satro- Food Standards Agency’s Scottish sphere Science Centre and Advisory Committee and the University of Aberdeen. University of Aberdeen, speak about issues surrounding Foot A non-residential summer camp and Mouth Disease, E. Coli and made up of workshops, talks and BSE. field trips for S1/2 students. Topics included paper recycling, Discussion Forum composting and dealing with Supported by the Darwin Trust human waste. Particularly popular The Future of Cloning – Young was the falconry display at Shanks People Decide Landfill site where birds of prey 18 June 2002 at Stirling University deter seagulls and crows from for S5/6 students. flocking and causing a health hazard. Mr Tim King from the Roslin Institute explained how cloning
166 RESEARCH AWARDS The following Research Awards were made in the Session 2001/2002. BP Research Fellowship Mrs Patricia Stewart: Environmen- Dr Patrik Ohberg: Quantum tal survey and analysis (Kelso High information (Physics, Strathclyde) School, Borders. Placement with SEELLD Personal Research Borders Survey Team) Fellowships Lloyds TSB Foundation for Dr Kirsten Dickson: Molecular Scotland Personal Research mechanisms underlying memory Fellowships (Neuroscience, Edinburgh) – from Dr Anthea Innes: Older people’s USA lives in remote and rural areas of Dr Paul McKenna: Investigations Scotland: an exploration of life in Laser-Induced Nuclear Physics events, health and social status (Physics, Strathclyde) (Applied Social Science, Stirling) SEELLD Support Research Dr Margaret Lai: Helping brain Fellowships cells save themselves (Molecular Medicine, Edinburgh) Dr Ian Gent: Algebraic Constraint Programming (Computer Science, Lloyds TSB Foundation for St Andrews) Scotland Research Studentships Dr David Hutchings: Dispersion Miss Janine Cooper: Provoked Control in Photonic Microstruc- Confabulations Distinguish tures for Ultrashort Optical Pulse Patients with early Altzheimer’s Applications (Electronics & Disease (AD) from normal elderly Electrical Engineering,Glasgow) (Psychology, Aberdeen) Dr Tim Wess: Determination of Miss Claire Fitzsimons: An old structure function relationships in measurement in a new setting: the extracellular matrix: under- the use of transient changes in standing supramolecular oxygen uptake during exercise as relationships in collagen based an indicator of cardiorespiratory architectures (Biological Sciences, fitness in frail elderly people Stirling) (Geriatric Medicine, Edinburgh) SEELLD Science Fellowships for Mr Alan Gow: Life history factors Teachers affecting cognitive decline with age (Psychology, Edinburgh) Mr Kenneth Hamilton: To develop a kit, currently unavailable in Miss Carly Rivers: In acute ischae- schools, to make multiple copies mic stroke, is imaging better than of DNA fragments (Breadalbane time from onset for determining Academy, Aberfeldy. Placement response to thrombolytic treat- with Edinburgh University SAPS ment? (Clinical Neurosciences, Biotechnology Scotland Project Edinburgh) team)
167 Review of the Session 2001-2002
CRF Biomedical Research Dr David Howard, University of Fellowships Edinburgh, to visit the University Personal Fellowships of Toulouse, France. Dr Archa Fox: Biochemical charac- Dr Andrew Mackillop, University terisation of paraspeckles: a novel of Aberdeen, to visit the General nuclear domain (Life Sciences, State Archives, the Hague, Dundee) Netherlands. Dr Hilary Snaith: Investigation of Dr Paul Vogt, Universiteit Maas- the role of mod5p to improve tricht, The Netherlands, to visit the understanding the cellular polarity Department of Linguistics, in fission yeast (Cell & Molecular University of Edinburgh. Biology, Edinburgh) PPARC Enterprise Fellowship Support Fellowship Miss Joy McKenny: Accurate Dr John Reilly: The contribution to reproduction of surface structure obesity risk of energy expenditure, via the vacuum forming technique physical activity and genotype (Astronomy, Durham) (Human Nutrition, Glasgow) Scottish Enterprise Enterprise CRF European Visiting Research Fellowships Fellowships Microelectronics Professor Irina Belobrovtseva, Ms Gabriela Juarez-Martinez: Ultra Tallinn University of Educational High Throughput Arrays for Post Studies, Estonia, to visit the Genomics Structural Studies Department of Slavonic Studies, (Electronics & Electrical Engineer- University of Glasgow. ing and Chemistry, Glasgow) Dr Jean-Louis Dessalles , Ecole Communication Technologies Nationale Superieure des Telecom- Mr Garrey Rice: TDD Mode 3G munications, Paris, France to visit Simulation and Channel Estima- the Department of Theoretical and tion (Electronics & Electrical Applied Linguistics, University of Engineering, Strathclyde) Edinburgh. Creative Industries Dr Dmitry Fedosov, Institute of Dr Colin Urquhart: 3D Scanning General History, Russian Academy for the creation of Realistic of Sciences, to visit the Centre for Animatable Virtual Human Russian Studies, University of Characters (Computing Science, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow) London. Dr David Hopkin, University of Glasgow, to visit Paris and other centres in France.
168 Research Awards
Energy Dr Meurig Sage, (Communication Mr Barry Johnston: A novel tidal Technologies) current power generation system Dr Andrew Peacock, (Microelec- (Civil & Offshore Engineering, tronics) Heriot-Watt) Dr Ben Hounsell, (Microelectron- Mr Iain Chirnside: Novel technolo- ics) gy for leak sealing and leak Dr Stuart MacKay, (Optoelectron- detection in pipelines (Engineer- ics) ing, Aberdeen) Dr Grant Crossingham, (PPARC) Biotechnology Lessells Scholarships Dr Olga Kozlova-Zwinderman: Use Mr Gareth Harrison, Edinburgh of aequorin based technology as a University biosensor (Cell & Molecular Biology, Edinburgh) Miss Joanne Lawlor, Heriot-Watt University Dr Mairead Murnion: Kinasource: a company that will identify and Mr Iain Macdonald, Manchester validate new targets for drug Metropolitan University development (Life Sciences, Mr Iain MacPherson, Glasgow Dundee) University Dr Robert Speight: Genes to Ms Annie Nyander, Napier commercial biocatalysts using University integrated high throughput Mr Neil Tierney, Glasgow Universi- screening technologies (Chemis- ty/Glasgow School of Art try, Edinburgh) Mr Philippe Vadillo, Edinburgh Software University Dr John Favier: Discrete Element Mr Andrew Wodehouse, Abertay Analysis Software (Civil & Environ- University mental Engineering, Edinburgh) Wellcome Trust Research Enterprise Fellows’ Presenta- Workshops tions Professor Robert Hume for a The Scottish Enterprise and PPARC workshop entitled, Maternal, Fellows gave their six-monthly and Foetal and Infant Thyroid Hor- final presentations on 14th March mone Metabolism and 2nd October 2002 respective- Professor Michael Rennie for a ly. Presentations were made by:- workshop entitled, Update on the Dr Chris Hillier, (Biotechnology) musculoskeletal system Dr Marie Claire Parker, (Biotech- Dr David Donaldson for a work- nology) shop entitled, Event-related potential studies of memory and
169 Review of the Session 2001-2002
attention: How does Neuroimag- Miss Jennifer Pollock, Glasgow ing increase understanding of University, for her project entitled human cognition? Solar photospheric flows and the Dr W Colin Duncan for a work- motion of magnetic elements shop entitled, Tissue and Vascular Miss Laura Reid, Glasgow Univer- Remodelling in the Female sity, for her project entitled Monte Reproductive Tract Carlo Simulations of Microflares Cormack Vacation Scholarships and Nanoflares Miss Nina Hatch, Edinburgh Miss Jennifer Toher, Glasgow University, for her project entitled University, for her project entitled Improving the Detection of Weak Probing Quintessence with the Gravitational Lensing Hubble Diagram of Type I Super- Mr Alexios Kavgas, St Andrews novae University, for his project entitled Miss Saffron Wyse, St Andrews Extra-Solar Planet Search University, for her project entitled Mr Robert MacKay, Glasgow Transition Region Blinkers and the University, for his project entitled Solar Magnetic Carpet Constraining stellar atmosphere models with gravitational micro- lensing data
170 Research Awards
Research Fellows in Post During the Session
SEELLD Personal Research BP Research Fellowships Fellowships Dr Matthew Costen, Heriot-Watt Dr Peter Andolfatto, University of University, Chemistry. Edinburgh, ICAPB. Dr A Finch, St Andrews University, Dr David Andrew, University of Geological Sciences. Glasgow, IBLS. Dr C Gordon, Strathclyde Universi- Dr A Anderson, Dundee Universi- ty, Chemistry. ty, Mathematics. Dr Y Najman, Edinburgh Universi- Dr A Arnold, Strathclyde Universi- ty, Geology & Geophysics. ty, Physics. Dr K Skeldon, Glasgow University, Dr S Collins, Glasgow University, Physics & Astronomy. Physics. CRF European Visiting Research Dr S Booker, Dundee University, Fellowships Mathematics. Professor T Artemieva, Russian Dr Sonja Franke-Arnold, Strath- Academy of Sciences, from School clyde University, Physics. of European Languages & Cul- Dr M Haw, Edinburgh University, tures St Petersburg, Russia, to Physics and Astronomy. Edinburgh University. Dr Alun Hubbard, University of Dr S Döring, from University of Edinburgh, Geography. Essen, to Dept of Moral Philoso- Dr Nigel Kelly, University of phy, St Andrews University. Edinburgh, Geology. Dr M Fazzini, from University of Dr Jason Smith, Heriot Watt Macerata, Italy, to Dept of English University, Physics. Literature, Edinburgh University. SEELLD Support Research Dr S Murdoch, from Aberdeen Fellowships University, to State Archives Stockholm, University of Uppsala, Professor S Barnett, Strathclyde Gothenburg Regional Archive and University, Physics & Applied University. Physics. Ms J Tomicka, from National Dr A Mount, Edinburgh University, Museum of Warsaw, Poland, to Chemistry. Hunterian Museum and Glasgow Dr David Hopkins: University of University. Stirling, Environmental Science. Dr C Woolfson, from Glasgow Dr Anthony Powell, Heriot-Watt University, to Kaunas Medical University, Chemistry. Academy, Lithuania.
171 Review of the Session 2001-2002
Lessells Scholars Biotechnology Mr Gordon Cameron, Napier Dr Chris Hillier, Glasgow Caledo- University. nian University, Biological & Mr Steven MacGregor, Strathclyde Biomedical Sciences. University Dr Marie Claire Parker, University Mr Ben Thornber, Edinburgh of Glasgow, Chemistry. University. PPARC Enterprise Fellowships Cormack Scholars Dr Grant Crossingham, University Mr Richard Archibald, Edinburgh of Southampton, Physics & University. Astronomy. Mr Peter Arrowsmith, Edinburgh Lloyds TSB Foundation for University. Scotland Personal Research Mr Niall Deacon, Edinburgh Fellowships University. Dr Anthea Innes, University of Mr Michael Fleming, Glasgow Stirling, Applied Social Science. University. Dr Margaret Lai, University of Miss Sarah Smolkin, Glasgow Edinburgh, Molecular Medicine, University. Edinburgh Mr Martin Torney, Strathclyde Dr J Paterson, Dundee University, University. Molecular & Cellular Pathology. Scottish Enterprise - Enterprise Dr H Wilkinson, Stirling University, Fellowships Applied Social Science. Optoelectronics Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland Support Research Dr Stuart McKay, University of Fellowship Strathclyde, Mechanical Engineer- ing. Dr Malcolm MacLeod, University of St Andrews, Psychology. Microelectronics Dr L Phillips, Aberdeen University, Dr Ben Hounsell, University of Psychology. Edinburgh, Electronic & Electrical Engineering. Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland Research Studentships Dr Andrew Peacock, University of Edinburgh, Electronic & Electrical Miss L Jessiman, Dundee Univer- Engineering. sity, Psychology. Communications Technologies Mr R MacLean, Aberdeen Univer- sity, Psychology. Dr Meurig Sage, University of Glasgow, Computing Science. Dryerre Scholarship Miss Alison Littlejohn, Aberdeen University, Biomedical Sciences.
172 MEDALS, PRIZES AND PRIZE LECTURESHIPS Royal Medals, 3rd Award 2002. tion Dragonflies; Behaviour and Presented by HRH The Princess Ecology of Odonata published by Royal at a ceremony in the Signet Cornell University Press, NY, USA Library on 3 October 2002. and Harley Books, Colchester. This publication makes a major Life Sciences: Professor Sir Alfred contribution to natural history as Cuschieri FRSE, for his outstand- an extraordinary piece of scholar- ing contribution to the practice of ship and biological insight. medicine by pioneering develop- Professor Corbet will give a lecture ments in minimal access surgery. on his subject in 2003. Sir Alfred’s surgical techniques have been adopted world-wide Makdougall-Brisbane Prize and have greatly reduced the time 69th Award 2001 to Dr Dario patients spend in hospital. Alessi FRSE for his many outstand- Humanities and Social Sciences: ing contributions to our Professor Sir Alan Peacock FBA understanding of cell signalling, FRSE, for his outstanding contri- most notably his discovery and butions to Social Science and characterisation of 3-Phosphoi- Public Policy. He has achieved nositide-dependent-protein international distinction on a kinase-1 (PDK1), the “missing range of fiscal issues where he has link” in insulin signal transduc- enhanced our understanding of tion. key problems in both taxation and BP Prize Lectureship in the public expenditure. Humanities Physical and Engineering 7th Award 2002 to Dr Colin Kidd Sciences: Professor John R for his lecture Race and the Mallard OBE FRSE, for his enor- Scottish Nation 1750-1900. mous contribution to medical James Scott Prize Lectureship diagnosis. He has pioneered the development of two of the most 20th Award 2001 to Professor important diagnostic technologies Sir Michael Berry FRS for his of the 20th century, namely lecture The seven wonders of Nuclear Medicine and Nuclear Modern Physics. Magnetic Resonance. CRF Prize Lecture Keith Medal – no award made. 12th Award 2002 to Professor Neill Medal Richard Holmes, Royal Military College of Science, Security 62nd Award 2001 to Professor Studies Institute, Cranfield Philip Corbet FRSE for his publica- University, Swindon.
173
GRANTS COMMITTEE
The Grants Committee considered 22 applications and a sum of £13,366 was awarded to 20 applicants. Approximately 60% of this sum was awarded as travel assistance.
Travel Assistance Research Visitor to Scotland Professor W J Firth, for travel to Professor P Davies, to enable Seattle, USA. £500 Professor Don L Boyer to visit the Department of Civil Engineering Professor T Goodman, for travel to at Dundee University from Arizona Hong Kong. £710 – award not State University, USA. £500 taken up. Professor C Greated, to enable Dr Professor D W L Hukins, for travel Henning Rasmussen to visit the to Poland. £500 University of Edinburgh from Professor A Jeffrey, for travel to Canada. £400 Shanghai and Hong Kong. £856 Professor V van Heyningen, to Professor I Johnston, for travel to enable Louise Bernier to visit the Texas, USA. £700 MRC Human Genetics Unit, Professor P T Landsberg, for travel Edinburgh from Canada. £400 to New Orleans, USA. £900 Professor J Murphy, to enable Professor H MacQueen, for travel Professor Ilhyong Ryu to visit the to USA. £200 Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strath- Professor P Monaghan, for travel clyde from Japan. £900 to China. £900 Professor R Watson, to enable Dr Professor D Rankin, for travel to Li-Peng Geng to visit the National China. £900 Library of Scotland, Edinburgh, Professor E G Rees, for travel to from Canada. £900 China. £600 – award not taken Support for Meetings up. Professor A G R Smith for a Professor P Slater, for travel to meeting entitled “Personal Links, Ecuador. £900 Networks and Solidarities in Professor J Webb, for travel to France and the British Isles”. North Carolina, USA. £550 £450 Professor T Ingold for a meeting entitled “Ninth International Conference on Hunting and Gathering Societies (CHAGS9)”. £600
175 Review of the Session 2001-2002
Support for Publication MacLagan Travel Grants Professor J E L Simmons for the Ms Rachel Atkinson, Stirling publication of the Institute of University, to travel to Portugal. Mechanical Engineers Proceedings £634.42 of the CAPE Conference, held in Dr Stuart Bearhop, Glasgow China in 2001. £1000 University, to travel to Arizona, Auber Bequest Award 2002 USA. £1,470 Professor J H Subak-Sharpe FRSE Visiting Lecturer Grants for travel to Australia to attend None awarded this session. The International Herpes Confer- ence. £2,075. (Professor Subak-Sharpe later declined the award due to personal circum- stances making him unable to travel).
The closing dates for applications to the Grants Committee are 28 February, 31 May, 31 August and 30 November.
176 INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME During the Session the Society and position Scotland in areas signed Memoranda of Under- such as arts, culture, governance, standing with the Chinese science and tourism. The Execu- Academy of Sciences (CAS), The tive commissioned the Society to National Science Council (NSC), organise and implement the Taiwan and the Polish Academy of science pillar of the programme Sciences (PAS). These MoUs will on its behalf. As Scotland’s facilitate scientific co-operation, National Academy of Science, the including researcher exchange Society was pleased to do so. programmes which will begin In partnership with the Karolinska during the 2002-2003 session. In Institute and the Royal Swedish developing and signing the MoUs Academy of Sciences, the Society the Society hosted visits by developed and organised Realis- delegations from the NSC and ing the Potential of Life Sciences & PAS, and Lord Wilson of Tillyorn, Biotechnology - a one-day event then International Convener, led a which focused on stem cell small RSE delegation to China to research and biotechology, ethics meet with CAS and its associated and society. It was held in institutes. Stockholm on 17 October, and The Society also maintained a brought together leading Scottish European focus. In May 2002 it and Swedish scientists, research- hosted, in partnership with ers, commentators and academia; Scotland Europa and the United the Scottish Executive Minister for Kingdom Research Office, Brus- Enterprise & LifeLong Learning; sels, an information-giving and people from the Scottish and seminar on the European Com- Swedish biotechnology sectors. mission’s Sixth Framework The event was the centrepiece of Programme. In the same context, the whole Scotland in Sweden European Research Commissioner, programme and served as a Philippe Busquin, visited the platform for the further develop- Society in October 2002, and ment and strengthening of delivered a public lecture on his scientific collaboration between future vision of Research in both countries. Europe. Alongside all of these activities, In October 2002, the Scottish during the Session the Society Executive also held, in Sweden, a also hosted international visitors, programme of events to promote including delegations from Brazil, Cuba and France.
177
FELLOWS’ SOCIAL EVENTS Fellows’ Reception and Exhibi- around £35,000 was raised for tion. 27 and 28 November 2001. the Appeal. Entertainment was Receptions for Fellows and their provided by The Strathgarry guests, with exhibitions by post- Singers and Abracadaberets. graduate students from Sponsors of the event were Edinburgh College of Art and Candover Investments, plc, Bear entertainment by Stringers’ Stearns International Ltd and UBS Quartet. Warburg. Discussion Suppers Awards Reception 13 November 2001. Farming and The 2002 Awards Reception was the Environment – Will the Next held on 2nd July 2002, when Generation be Farmers or Park around 90 Fellows and guests Keepers? Led by Professor Peter attended. Wilson, with Professor Phil The 2002 RSE prize winners were Thomas, Professor Colin Whitte- announced along with the 2002 more, and Dr John Francis. Research Award winners. (see Chaired by Professor Peter Wilson. pages 167 and 173) 12 February 2002. Charitable The Prize winners who attended Status and Public Benefit. Led by were:- Mr Ivor Guild, Dr Andrew Cubie Professor Dario Alessi - the and Professor John Skorupski. Makdougall-Brisbane Prize Chaired by Professor Bruce Professor Philip Corbet - the Neill Proudfoot. Medal Discussion Dinner Dr Colin Kidd - the BP Prize 4 March 2002. History, Heritage Lectureship in the Humanities and Development. Professor Sir Michael Berry, winner Following the Lecture to the of the James Scott Prize Lecture- Society by Professor Roland ship was unable to attend. Paxton, Mr Jim Stirling and Certificates were also presented to Professor George Fleming, with the following for their exceptional the Rt Hon Lord Ross PC as contributions to the Young Praeses and Sir Peter Hutchison as People’s Programme: Discussant. Professor Patrick Bailey, Professor Classics and Comedy - Fundrais- Murray Campbell, Professor Jack ing Evening Carr, Mrs Teresa Carr, Dr Maureen 21 June 2002. Around 400 Cooper, Dr Moira Jardine, guests attended the immensely Professor Russell Morris, Dr Oliver successful Classics and Comedy Musgrave, Dr John Parker, Profes- Evening at the Royal Museum of sor Miles Padgett, Dr Peter Rowell, Scotland, administered by the RSE Dr Ruth Robinson. Scotland Foundation, when
179 Review of the Session 2001-2002
Jubilee Dinner / Royal Medal 4 December 2001. The Rise, Fall Presentation and Future of Edinburgh’s To mark Her Majesty The Queen’s Railways. Professor A W Hendry. Golden Jubilee, a dinner for 8 January 2002. W S Bruce, The Fellows and distinguished guests Scotia and Argentina. Dr D M was held at the Signet Library on 3 Munro. October 2002, at which HRH The 5 February 2002. A 1952 Convic- Princess Royal presented the 2002 tion and its Constitutional Royal Medals to Professor John R Importance. Dr W E S Mutch. Mallard, Professor Sir Alfred Cuschieri and Professor Sir Alan 5 March 2002. A Citizen’s View of Peacock. Bicentenary Medals for the Role and Remuneration of distinguished service to the Company Executives. Professor J F Society were also presented by the Lamb. Princess Royal to Sir Lewis Robert- 8 October 2002. The Transfusion son and Sir James Armour. of Skills. Mrs J Jones. (Professor Peter Wilson, the third The Royal Society Dining Club Bicentenary Medal Awardee 2002 This Club was established on 3rd was unable to be present.) January 1820, with the view of This dinner replaced the normal promoting the objectives of the Fellows’ Triennial Dinner to mark Royal Society of Edinburgh. In the end of Sir William Stewart’s Session 2001/2002 meetings Presidency. were held as follows : New Fellows’ Dinner 2002 819th dinner - 3 December 2001. The 2002 New Fellows’ Dinner Praeses : Dr M A D Fluendy. was held on Monday 28 October Croupier : Sir Michael Atiyah. and was attended by around 60 820th dinner - 8 April 2002. New Fellows and partners, Praeses : Professor J B Dawson. members of Council and RSE staff. Croupier : Professor P N Wilson. Professor Andrew Miller proposed 821st dinner - 10 June 2002. the toast to the New Fellows, to Praeses : Professor J B I McDonald. which Principal Sir Alan Langlands Croupier : Sir James Armour. responded. 822nd dinner - 7 October 2002. Fellows’ Coffee Meetings Praeses : Professor C C Bird. Weekly Coffee Meetings were Croupier : Professor J D M H Laver. held throughout the winter and Fellows’ Golf Challenge spring months. Speakers at the The Fellows’ Golf Tournament was monthly lecture meetings were : held on Friday 20 September 6 November 2001. Should 2002 at Glenbervie Golf Club, Ministers and Public Servants Larbert. The Stewart Cup was Publish Diaries? Lady Balfour of won by Professor Wilson Sibbett. Burleigh. 180 GRANTS, SPONSORSHIP AND DONATIONS The Society is grateful to the following organisations for their continuing support during the Session :
British Petroleum Scottish Executive Department of Lord Fleck Will Trust Health Lessells Trust Scottish Executive Enterprise & Lifelong Learning Department Lloyds TSB Scottish Executive Environment Morrison Charitable Trust and Rural Affairs PPARC SHEFC Scottish Enterprise Wellcome Trust
and also to the following for their support for specific events :
A & M Hearing Limited Science Year in Scotland Small Archibald Campbell & Harley Grants Scheme British Association Scottish Borders Council Caledonian Research Foundation Scottish Society for the History of Photography Cellpath Ltd Shell UK Exploration & Production Glaxo T S Stevens Executry Institute of Physics Technology Ventures Scotland Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland The Carpet Foundation Oticon Foundation, Denmark University of Durham Pfizer Ltd University of Glasgow
181
CHANGES IN FELLOWSHIP DURING THE SESSION DEATHS
Fellows
George Wishart Anderson Basil Richardson Stanley Megaw John Graham Comrie Anderson Robert Hannay Millar Kathleen Jannette Anderson Rosalind Mary Mitchison John Berry Ian Robert Mackenzie Mowat John Butt Mary Jessie Mcdonald Noble Sir John Clerk of Penicuik Robert Winston Keith Odoni John Erickson Lillian Mary Pickford Douglas Hugh Everett James Henderson Sang Denis Coulthard Graham Norman Willison Simmonds Sir John Gunn Kenneth Jack Standley William Henry Holms Harold Charles Stewart Donald Alexander Low Sir Frederick Stewart Sir Cyril Lucas Dirk Ter Haar William Hepburn Russell Lumsden Ronald Pearson Tripp James Anderson Mcfadzean David Arnold Walker John Patrick Maule Herbert William Whittington
Honorary Fellows Stephen Jay Gould Baron George Porter Max Ferdinand Perutz Dame Sheila Sherlock
ELECTIONS
Honorary Fellows
Sir Gerald Gordon Joanne Kathleen Rowling Sir Paul Nurse Phillip Sharp
Corresponding Fellows Knud Haakonssen David Andrew Barclay Miller Peter Gavin Hall Sydney Ross
183 Review of the Session 2001-2002
Fellows Dario Alessi Malcolm William Kennedy Richard Armstrong Colin Craig Kidd John Willins Arthur Thomas Fraser Krauss Richard Bauckham Sergei Borisevich Kuksin David Nevin Fraser Bell Jonathan Robert Lamb John Julian Blow Sir Alan Langlands Ian Lamont Boyd Robin Christopher Charles Law Sarah Jean Broadie Magnus Duncan Linklater Alice Brown David William McCrone Peter Alexander Burt Ronald MacDonald Richard William Byrne Eileen Alison MacKay Andrew Collier Cameron Richard Michael Maizels John Muir Cochrane Connell Donald Eachann MacDonald Meek Henry John Dargie Thomas Frederick Melham Sergio Della Sala Ilya Molchanov David Douglas Drysdale Peter John Morgan William Charles Earnshaw Bernard Mulgrew Kevin John Edwards Kenneth McKenzie Norrie George Lidderdale Gretton Nigel Berry Pitts Christine Margaret Hallett Jane Ann Plant Andrew Hamnett Susan Rice Andrew Harrison Ian Cleland Ritchie Robert Albert Hart Jonathan Robert Seckl David Forbes Hendry Mark Jerome Steedman Margaret Patricia Henton Alan Edward Vardy Charles Alexander Jencks Stephen Leonard White Derek William Johnston John Derek Woollins
184 STAFF CHANGES DURING THE SESSION Arrivals Mrs Elizabeth Bigelow, Reception- Mr Duncan Welsh, Temporary ist/Telephonist Events Co-ordinator Ms Roísín Calvert, Events Manager Mr Michael White, International Ms Kirsteen Francis, Facilities Co- Officer (seconded from the British ordinator Council) Ms Sarah Gilmore, Events Assist- Departures ant Ms Jennifer Etchells, Facilities and Ms Paulette Hughes, Receptionist/ Conference Co-ordinator Telephonist Ms Elaine Hay, Research Fellow- Mrs Jenny Liddell, Research ships Assistant/Telephonist Awards Co-ordinator Ms Beth Owens, Temporary Mr Colin Nelson, Facilities Assist- Clerical Assistant ant Ms Wendy Saunders, Events Co- Mrs Margaret Tait, Receptionist/ ordinator Telephonist Ms Anna Whitehead, Temporary Events Assistant Other Staff in post throughout the Session Mr Stuart Brown, Public Relations Mr Robert Lachlan, Accounts Officer Officer Ms Jennifer Cameron, Communi- Miss Sandra McDougall, Special cations and IT Support Officer Projects Manager Dr Lesley Campbell, Fellowship Mr David Murray, Accounts Officer Administrator Dr William Duncan, Executive Mr Frank Pullen, Central Services Secretary Manager Miss Kate Ellis, Financial Manager Dr Marc Rands, Research Officer Mrs Anne Ferguson, Research Dr Harinee Selvadurai, Education Awards Manager Officer Mr Graeme Herbert, International Mr Brian Scott, Facilities Assistant Affairs and Policy Seminar Officer Ms Susan Walker, Events Co- (seconded from Scottish Office) ordinator Miss Vicki Ingpen, Journals Mrs Doreen Waterland, PA to Officer/Accounts Assistant Executive Secretary Mrs Sharon Jesson, PA to Presi- Mr Stuart Armstrong, Independ- dent and General Secretary ent Fundraising Advisor
185
INDEX A in the 21st Century, 130; Manag- ing Intellectual Property in Scottish A tale of two towers: Big Ben and Universities, 164; Memory: Pisa, 85 Psychological Processes and A-Z of Oral Cancer : An Holistic Clinical Implications: CRF Interna- Route, 133 tional Conference, 143; The Ageing: Active Involvement of Older Bicentenary of the Birth of David People, 161 Octavius Hil, 139 Anderson, Professor R, 95 Cormack, Robert Bequest: Lecture 96; Vacation Scholarships, 170, Annual Statutory Meeting, 5 172 Auber Bequest Award 2002, 176 Council Responsibilities, 17 Auditor’s Report and Accounts, 29 CRF: Biomedical Research Fellow- Awards Reception, 179 ships, 168; European Visiting Research Fellowships, 168, 171; B International Conference, 143; Balance Sheet, 26, 31 Prize Lecture, 68, 173 Basic Science and the Wealth of Cromarty Arts Trust, 117 Nations, 4, 107 D Bicentenary Medal, 16 Big Ben, 85 Devine, Professor T, 74, 104 Bird, Professor A, 55 Dining Club, 180 Blackmore, Professor S, 112 Discussion Dinners and Suppers, 179 BP: Prize Lectureship, 173; Research Discussion Fora: Reproductive Fellowships, 167, 171 Cloning - Does the End Justify the Burland, Professor J, 85 Means, 127; The Future of Cloning : Young People Decide, Busquin, Philippe , 123 166 C Donofrio, Nicolas, 93 Dryerre Scholarship, 172 Cantley, Professor L, 68 Dunbar, Dr B, 78 Changes in Fellowship, 183; Deaths, 183; Elections, 183 E Chinese Academy of Sciences, 177 Edinburgh Lecture Series, 78 Christmas Lecture, 165 Educating through Inclusive School- Classics and Comedy, 179 ing, 161 Coffee Meetings, 180 Election of Council, 16 Conferences: Innovation in Scotland Election of Fellows, 3, 183
187 Review of the Session 2001-2002
Enterprise Fellowships, 168, 172 H Epidemics of Infectious Diseases in Livestock , 95 Halliday, Professor I, 107 Epigenetics of Disease, 55 How and Why We Age, 4, 98 Evidence, Advice and Comment, 157 Hugh Miller Bicentenary Lecture, 117 F I Fellows Deceased, 183 IEE Manufacturing Enterprise Fellows’ Social Events, 179 Professional Network, 93 Fellows’ Receptions, 179 Immigrant Experience: Scots, Irish Financial Review, 25 and the USA 1850-1950, 104 Fisher Memorial Lecture, 105 Increase in Allergic Disease : Environ- Fleming, Professor G, 89 ment and Susceptibility, 141 Focus v Diversity: The Strategic Industry Links, 163 Dilemma, 94 Infectious Salmon Anaemia Inquiry, Foot and Mouth Disease Inquiry, 160 159 Foresight Seminars, 163 Innovation in Scotland in the 21st From RSS Discovery to Space Shuttle Century: Matching Knowledge Discovery, 78 and Enterprise, 130 Fundraising, 151, 179 Inquiries, 159; Mediation in Medical Negligence Cases, 159, Infectious G Salmon Anaemia, 159; Foot and Mouth Disease, 160 General Secretary's Report: Session International Programme, 177 2001-2002, 5 Investment powers and policy, 17 Golf Challenge, 180 Investment Schedule, 51 Grants Committee, 175; Closing Dates, 176 IOB/ECRR Lecture, 84 Grants, Sponsorship and Donations, Is Evolution Over?, 84 181 J Gregory, Professor R, 79 Griffin, Dr H, 71 Jones, Professor S, 84 Jubilee Dinner, 180
188 Index
K Cloning and Reprogramming in Stem Cell Research, 71, 127 Keith Medal, 173 Lessells Scholarships, 169, 172 King, Professor D, 111 Lloyds TSB Research Fellowships and Kirkwood, Professor T, 98 Studentships, 167, 172 Knowledge for Vision: Vision for Lowenthal, Professor D, 117 Knowledge , 3, 79 M L MacLagan Travel Grants, 176 Lectures: A Tale of Two Towers: Big Makdougall-Brisbane Prize, 173 Ben and Pisa, 85; Basic Science Managing Intellectual Property in and the Wealth of Nations, Scottish Universities, 164 107; Epidemics of Infectious Diseases in Livestock, 95; Focus v Masterclasses for Young People, 165 Diversity: The Strategic Dilemma, Mathewson, Sir George, 94 94; From RSS Discovery to Space Mayo, Professor O, 105 Shuttle Discovery, 78; How and Medawar Lecture, 79 Why We Age, 98; Hugh Miller’s Mediation in Medical Negligence Bicentenary Lecture, 117; Is Cases, 159 Evolution Over, 84; Knowledge for Vision: Vision for Knowledge, Memoranda of Understanding, 177 79; Muslims, Jews and Christians: Mensforth, Sir Eric: International The Quest for Human Solidarity, Gold Medal Lecture, 93 81; Options and Opportunities in Morris, Dr A 75 a Pandemic of Diabetes, 75; Re- Muslims, Jews and Christians : the generation of the Forth & Clyde Quest for Human Solidarity, 81 and Union Canals, 89; Research in Europe, 123; Results From The N Sudbury Neutrino Observatory, 96; Science and the Society, Neill Medal, 173 116; Science, Society and Govern- New Fellows’ Dinner, 180 ment, 111; Scotland and China: New President, 16 Growing Together, 112; Strangers Newton, Professor R, 75 in a Strange Land? Two Centuries of the Irish in Scotland, 74; Tech- O nology Innovation for a New Era, 93; The Immigrant Experience: Operating policies - Grant Making, Scots, Irish and the USA, 104; The 18 Realisation Of Fisher’s Research Options and Opportunities in a Programme, 105; Therapeutic Pandemic of Diabetes, 3, 75
189 Review of the Session 2001-2002
P Roadshow, 166 Royal Medals, 173, 180 Particle Physics Workshop: Particle RSE/Royal Academy of Engineering Physics at the Limit, 135 Lecture, 85 Paxton, Professor R , 89 Polish Academy of Sciences, 177 S PPARC Enterprise Fellowships, 168 SABRI, 95 Preller, Bruce Prize Lecture, 55 Science and The Society, 116 Presidential Address, 116 Science, Society and Government, Proceedings of the Annual Statutory 111 Meeting, 5 Science Summer Camp, 166 Prince El Hassan bin Talal, 81 Schools’ Lectures, 165 Prize Lectures: Bruce Preller, 55; CRF, Scotland and China: Growing 68 Together, 4, 112 Prizes and Medals, 173 Scotland in Sweden, 177 Public Policy Seminars: Educating Scott, James Prize Lectureship, 173 Through Inclusive Schooling, 161; Renewable Energy. 21st Scottish Enterprise: Enterprise Century Challenges, 161; The Fellowships, 168, 172 Active Involvement of Older Scottish Science Advisory Committee, People, 161; Urban Congestion. 153; Members, 155; Science Base A Charging Solution, 161 Working Group, 154; Science Publications, 149 Education Working Party, 154; Sci- ence in Society Working Party, R 154; Staff, 155 SEELLD Research Fellowships and Regeneration of the Forth & Clyde Teaching Fellowships, 167, 171 and Union Canals 89 Staff Changes, 185 Renewable Energy -21st Century Steel, Professor M, 71 Challenges 161 Stewart, Sir William, 116 Research Awards, 167 Stirling, Mr J, 89 Research in Europe, 123 Support for Meetings, 175 Research Visits to Scotland, 175 Support for Publications, 176 Reserves Policy and Funds, 18 Symposia: A-Z of Oral Cancer : An Result for the year, 25 Holistic Route, 133; Retailing, Results From The Sudbury Neutrino 137; The Increase in Allergic Observatory, 96 Disease: Environment and Suscep- Risk management, 19 tibility, 141
190 Index
T V Taiwan. The National Science Visiting Lecturer Grants, 176 Council of Taiwan, 177 Technology Innovation for a New Era, 93 W The Immigrant Experience: Scots, Wark, Professor D, 96 Irish and the USA, 104 Wellcome Trust Research Workshops, The Realisation Of Fisher’s Research 169; Biochip and Functional Programme, 105 Genomics, 138; Maternal, Foetal Tower of Pisa, 85 and Infant Thyroid Hormone Travel Assistance, 175 Metabolism, 146; New Perspec- Treasurer's Report: Session 2001- tives on the Aberdeen Typhoid 2002, 12 Outbreak, 132; Psycho-social and ethical aspects of genetic counsel- Trustees Report for the Financial Year ling, 128 ended 31 March 2002, 17 U Y Young People’s Programme, 165 Urban Congestion - A Charging Solution, 161
191