AUTUMN 2008

NEWS FROM THE ROYAL SOCIETY INSIDE SCIENCE

LIFE THROUGH THE LENS Putting a spotlight on science work in Africa

SMART ANSWERS TO BIG QUESTIONS The Summer Science Exhibition 2008 brought cutting-edge UK science to life © CERN UPDATE FROM THE ROYAL SOCIETY

This is the second issue of the Royal Society’s new look As we prepare for our 350th Anniversary magazine, and we have been seeking your feedback in 2010, we are working to achieve five following our launch issue in June. strategic priorities:

Reaction has been good, with very positive comments on the • Invest in future scientific leaders and revised lay out. We will continue to monitor your thoughts and in innovation launch a more detailed evaluation next year. • Influence policymaking with the best scientific advice In this issue we welcome two new colleagues, James Wilsdon, Director of the Royal Society’s International Science Policy Centre • Invigorate science and mathematics and Tracey Elliott, Head of International Policy. Both speak of education their excitement at joining the Royal Society as our efforts build towards our 350th Anniversary • Increase access to the best science in 2010. internationally • Inspire an interest on the joy, wonder A substantial gift to the Royal Society and the National Academy of Sciences in the USA has and excitement of scientific discovery enabled both organisations to establish the Raymond and Beverly Sackler USA-UK Scientific Forum – find out more about this pioneering programme of science events between the two countries. Inside Science is organised to reflect those goals The announcement of the Newton International Fellowships scheme, run by The British Academy, The Royal Academy of Engineering and The Royal Society, aims to attract the best postdoctoral researchers to the UK. We look at the potential opportunities the £13 million scheme could deliver for the world’s top researchers. Did you know? The world’s largest physics experiment at CERN provides students from schools in Birmingham and with the opportunity to work with Royal Society University Research Fellow, Dr Cristina Bees go ’off colour’ when Lazzeroni, who spoke to Inside Science from Switzerland where she is working on the project. they are sickly Bumble-bees go ‘off colour’, and can’t Six Degrees, Mark Lynas’ account of how global warming could change the planet, won the 21st remember which flowers have the most Royal Society Science Books Prize. We feature a report from the awards ceremony, where the nectar when they are feeling under the winner of the Junior Prize, chosen by children across the UK, Africa, and Asia, was also honoured. weather, according to research published

We hope you enjoy this issue and please keep your feedback coming in in the Royal Society journal Letters. to [email protected]

The study showed that, like humans who are ill, bees are often not at their most astute when they feel ill.

The findings of Dr Eamonn Mallon and his team at the University of Leicester Peter Cotgreave, Director of Public Affairs showed that immune stimulated bees took longer to reach flowers that contained sugar water than their New PUBLISHING WEBSITE ‘healthy’ counterparts. Following extensive user testing and of audiences we cater for; authors, readers competitor analysis, Royal Society Publishing and librarians.” identified a need for a major re-design of its The revamped site boasts many enhanced website. The new site is now live, offering features, including an online forum and users a more integrated visitor experience. sophisticated search facilities. It caters Stuart Taylor, Head of Publishing, explains. better for the specific needs of users, with “The previous website suffered from a new designated areas for journals, authors, slightly confusing navigational system. In librarians, cutting-edge news and media the re-design, we paid particular attention coverage. Each journal also has its own to this aspect of the site and have tried to home page. organise it according to the various types publishing.royalsociety.org

2 Inside Science INCREASE

Creative scientific work undertaken in challenging environments was the subject of our ‘Science in Africa’ photographic exhibition, and the winner, runner-up, and shortlisted entries were exhibited at our annual Summer Science Exhibition. Life through The winning photo (shown on the front cover of this issue), entitled simply ‘blood the lens films’ from Professor Mark Taylor at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, shows Cameroonian scientist Dr. Nicholas Tendongfor at work. The films detect filarial worms – part of a field trial showing that antibiotics can cure river blindness – a major problem in west and central Africa. Professor ‘Watering - witchweed control’ by James Logan – Taylor describes the photograph as “capturing part of the ‘Science in Africa’ exhibition the unique experience (and occasional The Royal Society has a long history of frustration) of doing science in Africa.” working in Africa. Many of our Fellows The runner-up, ‘watering- witchweed control’ are involved in interesting and innovative by James Logan from Rothamsted Research, work with African partners in all areas of Putting a shows experiments used to investigate science, and funding through grants schemes the effect of chemicals from the roots of supports collaborations between UK and spotlight on Desmodium plants on a parasitic witchweed, African scientists. Our work with African science work which threatens the staple food of more than Science Academies continues to strengthen 100 million Africans by devastating entire these institutions’ ability to provide evidence in Africa crops such as maize. based advice to governments.

Inspiring past – aspiring future

First impressions of the Royal Society from Tracey Elliott, the new Head of International Policy

“I find myself walking through the I had already worked with some of them of investment in research and skills for esteemed corridors of the Royal Society in my last post – as Head of Emerging sustainable economic development. And with a mixed feeling of awe and pride. Economies at the Government Office for perhaps the most crucial part of our work is Having joined the Society in July, I Science – so am certainly familiar with our in influencing wide-ranging policy through have been absorbing myself in this work in China, India and South Africa. I now bilateral and multilateral partnerships, so that wonderful building, steeped in history find myself reading about MP-scientist pairing the Royal Society is engaged and influential in and tradition, juxtaposed with its schemes in Uganda, environmental research global scientific debate, policy and initiatives. futuristic glass walls and state-of-the- programmes in Malaysia, and meetings I suppose I hadn’t really appreciated how art technology. But perhaps that’s the engaging all of the world’s science academies influential the Royal Society is amongst its thing about the Royal Society: it’s an in their various shapes and forms. international partners, and the leverage exhilarating mix of the inspiring past Our international policy work provides this commands. What we now need is a and the aspiring future. a testing ground for trying out different clearer strategic framework for international For obvious reasons, I have been familiarising methods of researcher networking – such as engagement in which to deploy this to myself with the Society’s international the innovative Frontiers of Science meetings. maximum effect. I very much look forward portfolio and cannot fail to be impressed by It also provides a platform for building to the challenges ahead and to working with the sheer range and variety of our work, and capacity in less developed parts of the colleagues to deliver the Society’s rightly by the enthusiasm of my new colleagues. world – and for articulating the importance ambitious aspirations.”

Inside Science 3 INVEST Support for scientific endeavours

The Presidents and Officers of the Royal Society (UK) and the National Academy of Sciences (USA)

Dr. Raymond Sackler and his wife, Beverly, are international philanthropists with a deep and longstanding commitment to Announcing The Raymond support international scientific research.

and Beverly Sackler USA-UK Raymond Sackler, M.D., is a Scientific Forum founder and Board Member of Purdue Pharma L.P., Stamford, Conn., and a founder and Board A pioneering programme of science will help the scientific leadership of the Member of NAPP Pharmaceutical events between the Royal Society in United Kingdom and the United States forge Group Limited in the UK. the UK and the National Academy of an enduring and productive partnership Individually and through their Sciences (NAS) in the USA will soon on pressing topics of worldwide scientific become a reality – thanks to a generous concern with benefit to all peoples.” foundations, Dr. Sackler and his contribution from the Raymond and wife Beverly have sponsored Martin Rees, President of the Royal Society Beverly Sackler Foundation. medical research at a number of said: “Increasing international scientific links major US academic centres. A substantial gift to each organisation will is an important goal of the Royal Society’s Internationally, the Sacklers endow the Raymond and Beverly Sackler 350th Anniversary Campaign. The Raymond have supported science and the USA-UK Scientific Forum, to be operated and Beverly Sackler USA-UK Scientific Forum jointly with the NAS. Leading scientists from will provide a marvellous ongoing connection arts at Cambridge University’s the UK and the USA inevitably meet regularly between the scientific leadership in America School of Clinical Medicine in a variety of settings and with a variety of and Britain. The Royal Society greatly and its Institute of Astronomy purposes, but the new Forum provides proper appreciates the generosity and vision of the and The British Museum (UK), resources for the acknowledged scientific Foundation in endowing this programme Leiden University’s School of leadership of both countries to convene and we look forward to working closely Medicine, the Observatory, and bespoke groups of high-level delegates. with the National Academy of Sciences into the establishment of an endowed the future.” Chair in the History and Culture Alternating between the United States and of the United States of America the UK, the first meeting will take place in “Science is more and more an international and the Americas (Netherlands), the UK in 2009, with a special meeting in undertaking,” said NAS President Ralph J. the Institut des Hautes Etudes the US in 2010 to coincide with the Royal Cicerone. “Engaging the best scientific minds Scientifiques and The Louvre Society’s 350th Anniversary Year. and research from around the world is key (France), The University of to addressing worldwide challenges such as Toronto (Canada), the Tel Aviv “We understand the importance of agriculture, our energy needs, and climate University Faculty of Medicine supporting scientific endeavours and heritage change. We thank Raymond and Beverly around the world,” said Dr. Raymond Sackler. Sackler for their foresight in opening new and the Faculty of Exact Sciences “Our hope is that the new Raymond and pathways to speed our work.” and the Israel Museum (Israel). Beverly Sackler USA-UK Scientific Forum

4 Inside Science World-class different schemes and that complexity can sometimes be a deterrent to applicants. This potential scheme promises them a clear, visible avenue with credibility and experience, which is The pioneering Newton unique within the UK.” International Fellowships scheme The two year fellowships cover the broad will bring outstanding overseas range of the natural and social sciences, researchers to the UK engineering and the humanities. An innovative alumni engagement programme Research groups looking to build work under their own remits. will support the fellowship scheme by their global standing and establish ensuring that the UK maintains links with Dr Hans Hagen, Senior Manager of meaningful international collaborations international research fellows after they have International Grants, explains: “The scheme can now tap into a new £13 million returned to their country of origin. is a departure for the Royal Society and funding scheme. The Newton indeed potentially for UK research funding “It is an opportunity for UK research groups International Fellowships, launched as a whole. What makes it different is that to attract and establish connections with in June, will fund the most promising it brings those organisations together, the best and the brightest early-career early-stage overseas researchers in which will serve to widen everyone’s scope researchers wherever they are in the world,” postdoctoral positions at UK universities. and experience.” said Stephen Cox, Executive Secretary of the The ground-breaking scheme, funded by Royal Society. “They can have these rising The aim is to make the UK the destination the Government, is the first collaboration stars coming to their labs, they can work with of choice for the world’s top researchers between UK academies of its kind. them, and moreover there is the opportunity and the long-term partner of choice for Administered by the Royal Society in for continued collaboration.” research groups. The new Fellowship is also partnership with the British Academy and a departure from traditional schemes as it More information on the Newton the Royal Academy of Engineering, and provides ‘one-stop funding’. Hans says: “The International Fellowship Scheme can with its own distinct brand and identity, UK funding system is very complex, there are be found on the Fellowships website: the scheme will be delivered by this many organisations and institutions offering www.newtonfellowships.org partnership of organisations that traditionally

This year we celebrate the 25th approximately 300 URFs in post at any time. anniversary of the Royal Society’s Dr Brendan Barker, Impact and Promotions University Research Fellowship (URF) Manager, explains: “The scheme has been scheme. Since 1983 the Scheme has credited with helping to combat the ‘brain supported over nine hundred leading drain’ in the 1980s and 1990s and retains scientists, selected from a pool of over its relevance by continuing to provide an ten thousand applicants. effective vehicle for developing the UK’s ‘future leaders in science’.” Originally introduced to redress a worrying imbalance in the age structure of staff in The scheme continues to enable outstanding British universities, the scheme was designed scientists to develop independent research Happy 25th to award up to 100 fellowships over five careers that lead to permanent tenured years. Its instant popularity meant that positions. With flexibility and freedom at Birthday the initial target of 100 appointments its core, we hope it will flourish for another was exceeded, and there are now 25 years.

“The Royal Society URF scheme is the best fellowship programme I know of in the UK, US or Europe. The opportunities, flexibility and freedom it provides for independent research are without equal. In particular, I believe The Royal Society’s University that the long duration of the fellowship is a significant advantage to an Research Fellowship marks 25 early stage researcher attempting to make their name in a research field.” years of investing in future science Ian Smail, Royal Society University Research Fellow

One of our former URFs, Professor Peter Mumby, at work looking at the threats facing coral reefs 5 INFLUENCE

World of ideas

The Royal Society’s International Science Policy Centre (ISPC) will respond to major challenges facing the world, from climate change to energy to health to international security. Some of these Meet the new Director of the complex scientific and technological Royal Society’s International issues demand urgent action, others reflection, foresight and study. The ISPC Science Policy Centre will enable national and international decision makers to take full account of sense to think about science policy purely in across all sectors of our economy. And we the best scientific advice available. a national context. “National governments need to combine this with a richer account of September saw the arrival in post of the will continue to play a vital role in funding, the social and public value of science.” Centre’s new Director, James Wilsdon. James supporting and regulating science, but a A third priority is to stimulate debate. James comes to the Royal Society from the think growing share of research and innovation says: “The ISPC aims to strengthen the tank Demos, where he led the science and now takes place through global networks reach and impact of all of the Royal Society’s innovation programme. He was also Director and relies on international flows of people, policy activities. I hope it quickly becomes of The Atlas of Ideas project, which looked at ideas and funding. The ISPC can help to a place where scientists, policymakers and the consequences of globalisation for science understand and nurture those networks.” others can come together to engage with and innovation. James sees the ISPC as having three the latest thinking in science policy from James explains: “I’ve spent the past few immediate priorities. He says: “First, we’ve around the world. We need to look at where years mapping developments in science got to map what’s going on. From Shanghai the Society has existing links and strengthen and innovation across Asia, Africa and to São Paulo, Doha to New Delhi, levels of and develop those.” Latin America, and assessing what these investment in science and technology are “For me, this is a hugely exciting time to changes mean for the UK. Globalisation rising fast. We need to make sense of these join the Royal Society,” says James. “The and the ambitions of emerging economies changes, and identify the new opportunities ISPC is able to draw on the energy and are reshaping the landscape for science, that they create for the UK.” momentum that is being generated by the but it can be hard to know how scientists, A second priority is to develop robust ways of 350th Anniversary and use that as a platform policymakers and business leaders should valuing the contribution that science makes for important messages about our policy respond. How do we strike the right balance to society. As James explains: “In the run-up work. And of course the Fellowship will be a between competition and collaboration?” to the next General Election, we need to fantastic resource – I look forward to drawing These questions will inform the ISPC’s show how a strong and healthy science base on many people’s expertise and interests as approach. James says that it no longer makes is vital to innovation, enterprise and creativity we develop a strategy for the Centre.”

6 Inside Science Already associated with local air quality Ground problems, evidence now reveals ground

level ozone (O3) is an important global air pollutant. level Synthetic biology: O is a major component of photochemical the power and 3 ozone in smog, which is formed by sunlight driven potential reactions involving the O precursor gases st 3 the 21 (nitrogen oxides (NOX), carbon monoxide, A Royal Society Discussion non-methane volatile organic compounds, and methane). These gases are emitted century Meeting showcases some of the from sources such as transport and power most exciting research in the field generation.

Published in October, a new Royal Society Synthetic biology is an exciting field study evaluates the future importance of generating much scientific and public ground level O . It assesses the effects of policy interest. By bringing together 3 air pollution controls and climate change engineering and biology, the broad on future concentrations, and the aim [of synthetic biology] is the design consequent impacts. and assembly of biological systems.

Constructed with parts taken from Industrialised countries have introduced or specially designed, these systems programmes to reduce high O3 episodes may lead to applications in areas such over recent decades, with some success. Future trends, impacts and policy as healthcare, energy and environment. But background concentrations have doubled implications of this global air across the northern hemisphere to levels The early development of synthetic biology which are now known to endanger human pollutant and greenhouse gas was led by scientists in the USA, but the health and the environment. Every year UK community is growing. To capture the more than 21,000 people die in Europe due enthusiasm surrounding synthetic biology, to O , and in 2000 global yield losses of The impact to human health is projected to the Royal Society held a Discussion Meeting 3 wheat, rice, maize and soybean were increase because of these changes in urban to showcase some of the most exciting areas, as well as increases in O in rapidly estimated to be (US) $14-26 billion. 3 research in the field. industrialising countries such as India and The study concludes that the worldwide sub-Saharan Africa. The impact on crops Research reported at the Meeting illustrated implementation of emissions controls will be where O increases may have significant the viability, power and potential of synthetic 3 critical for determining future O pollution. implications for food security, and the biology. Participants discussed the building of 3 If current controls are fully implemented, biodiversity implications are potentially biological systems constructed from scratch or projections show that by 2050 global O significant but uncertain. from the re-design of existing systems. Both 3 concentrations could be kept close to 2000 approaches can lead to organisms, networks levels. However in the rapidly industrialising The report concludes that a new international and systems with properties not found in regions, and in many urban areas, O mechanism is needed to coordinate air nature and which may address a range of 3 concentrations will increase due to increases pollution controls globally which addresses problems; work reported at the meeting in regional emissions and the effects of both background and peak concentrations. included microbial ‘factories’ for generating urban NO emission controls on local O Consideration of the rapidly growing but energy and fuel and novel approaches to the X 3 concentrations. poorly regulated emission sources such as development of drugs for tuberculosis and shipping, aviation and biomass burning will sleeping sickness. Climate change will have a small but significant be essential. effect on global ozone concentrations, making The continued development of synthetic it harder to deliver ozone policy targets. At the Greater harmonisation between air pollution biology requires synergy amongst a range local level climate change effects will be more and climate change policies is also needed of disciplines including biology, engineering, significant. This is because an increase in the due to the linkages between ozone chemistry and information technology. number of high pollution episodes is projected concentrations and climate change. Further detail of these issues and more can be to occur over the century due to changes in found in the summary report of the Meeting, Read the full report online at: weather and rainfall patterns. see: royalsociety.org/syntheticbiology royalsociety.org/ozone

7 INVIGORATE

Stimulating people Royal Society under the spotlight: Education team

“It is exciting to be engaged in projects ‘state of the nation’ reports identify and maximising resource, and expanding our that lead to genuine improvements in assess significant trends in data, evaluate combined knowledge base. The availability the quality of young people’s education,” the strength of the evidence base on of a ‘unified voice’ for individuals and says David Montagu, the Education which education policy is being made, and organisations in science and mathematics team’s Assistant Manager. Influencing recommend where new data and research education is also appealing to policymakers policy-making is one way to help ensure are needed, or where existing evidence must who appreciate a reliable source of advice. high-quality education is available to be acknowledged by policymakers. The Royal Society has been instrumental as many young people as possible and in the establishment of the ACME and the Working in partnership with other the advice the Royal Society gives on SCORE (Science Community Representing organisations in the science and education education is independent and captures Education) partnership. communities brings many advantages, the views and expertise of scientists, The Royal Society seeks to support creativity teachers and educationalists in order to Our newest recruit, Policy Officer and excellence in science and mathematics build a persuasive argument. Nicola Berkley, says: “I hope that education in any way it can, as Education That expertise will be boosted by a new the work I do on the ‘state of Officer, Charlotte Thorley explains. “Engaging initiative being developed with the Society’s the nation’ reports, and in other young people with science and mathematics Grants team, as Nick von Behr, Advisory areas, helps the Society to further is not always easy, especially within the Committee on Mathematics Education develop and expand its policies on formal education system. We support (ACME) Manager, explains. “We are planning education.“ Senior Policy Adviser scientists and engineers to engage more to launch an Education Research Fellowships James Graham agrees. “As we closely with schools, through the Summer scheme this Autumn, which will enhance our move towards 2010, the Royal Science Exhibition, a new Education Training impact on evidence-based education policy.” Society’s Education Policy Unit course for Royal Society Research Fellows Good relationships with the Department will build on the fast-developing and our Partnership Grants scheme, so that for Children, Schools and Families and the reputation of the ‘state of the young people can see the value of scientific Department for Innovation, Universities and qualifications and careers.” The Education nation’ report series with a broad Skills as well as key agencies such as the team’s Co-ordinator, Sarah Kennedy points range of policy activities. There Qualifications and Curriculum Authority out: “It’s important to remember that science are lots of challenges ahead for and the Office for Standards in Education, learning isn’t just something that happens in educators – as opening just about Children’s Services and Skills are also vital. school, nor that finishes when formal science any newspaper these days will classes come to an end.“ The Royal Society has just published tell you. So part of the Society’s the second in a series of reports aimed role in education involves close Are we making a difference? Senior at improving the quality of science and collaboration with our press Manager, Ginny Page, believes so. “I have mathematics education in the UK. These team.” been in the Society’s education team for

8 Inside Science “SCORE is a powerful and influential partnership between High energy key players in the science community,” explains SCORE partnership Manager, Rosalind Mist. “The energy and enthusiasm of the Smashing Particles! The world’s SCORE partners demonstrates biggest physics experiment brings their commitment to meeting © CERN the needs of teachers and together pupils from schools in ATLAS detector, CERN learners.” SCORE brings Birmingham and Cambridge together the Association for

Science Education, Biosciences In order to answer the biggest physics the stresses of her ‘day job’: “The kids were Federation, Institute of Biology, questions ever, you need the biggest a real antidote to that stress. Sometimes it Institute of Physics, Royal Society, physics experiment ever, the long- would seem difficult, with a full time job to Royal Society of Chemistry and awaited LHC (Large Hadron Collider) at do, to get to the school, but I always came the Science Council to undertake CERN in Switzerland. Smashing Particles! back with a smile on my face.” projects and influence policy. – Let’s celebrate the Large Hadron The students were unaware until they Collider, is a Royal Society Partnership “ACME aims to speak as one voice presented their findings at Birmingham Grants project involving a collaboration for the mathematics community University that they were engaged in between pupils at Netherhall School and influence Government with undergraduate experiments. Dr Lazzeroni in Cambridge and Yardleys School in a view to improving the outcomes said: “This was a very empowering Birmingham, and their scientist partners of mathematics teaching and experience. All of them decided to continue Dr Deirdre Black from the University of learning in England,” says with their studies and do science A-Levels.” Cambridge and Dr Cristina Lazzeroni from Marie-Claude Dupuis, ACME the University of Birmingham. Officer. “Maths is a crucial skill – “They were also taken with the fact that not all science work goes on in labs – that it’s a building block for many other Together, they have embarked on particle possible to form part of a team anywhere academic subjects in the STEM physics experiments using specially purchased in the world. The fact that I travel made arena and beyond, and pivotal to equipment, in the collaborative spirit of CERN. them look at me in a completely different so many jobs across many walks The students exhibited their work at a Particle way, and helped them understand the role of life,” adds Nick Bowes, ACME Physics Exploration Day at the University of one individual can play in such an enormous Head of Secretariat. “I believe Cambridge, and presented their findings at enterprise as the LHC.” ACME has positively contributed an inter-school conference at Birmingham University. to the many changes in maths as The Partnership Grants scheme is the Royal Society funding scheme for science an academic subject over recent Dr Lazzeroni, who spoke to us from the LHC projects in schools; for more information see years, albeit with many major experiment ALICE at CERN in July, explained royalsociety.org/partnership challenges still to be resolved.” what the project has meant to her. “I have been a Royal Society University Research Fellow for a long time and originally believed almost ten years and over this time have seen that I didn’t have the time to be a successful a significant improvement in Government science communicator – it’s a real skill. Then support for science and mathematics I attended an RS Education Training Course education.” This year’s A-level results showed which changed my outlook.” numbers taking Mathematics and Further Mathematics increasing for the fifth year in With the project underway Dr Lazzeroni and a row, and an upswing in Physics. However Stella Knowles, Science teacher at Yardleys, the education team knows there are still learned how to get the best out of the group. significant issues to be tackled. Recent work “We recognised the importance of building commissioned by the Society exploring the their confidence from the outset and trained relationships between socioeconomic status them extensively to cope; one of the most and participation and attainment in science rewarding aspects of the project was watching education suggests talent is being wasted their behaviour changing as a result.” among young people who have already experienced disadvantage in their life. For Dr Lazzeroni, the project was a break from Students from the Yardleys and Netherhalls schools at Birmingham University 9 INSPIRE Smart answers to big questions

The Summer Science Exhibition 2008 brought UK cutting-edge Looking for new worlds, adventures science to life in nanospace, and black holes collide – this year’s Summer Science Exhibition demonstrated to an audience Here’s just one of the exhibits Dr Jeff Yan from the School of of thousands some of the UK’s most that caught the imagination of Computing Science at Newcastle cutting-edge research. the public and press alike. University said: ”Studies have shown that people find it easier to Providing a fascinating snapshot of the Picturing new pin codes remember images than words or science and engineering research currently Remembering passwords and taking place, the exhibition was more numbers and our system has proven pins, while trying to come up with interactive than ever before. Almost 900 over 1000 times more secure than new ones that won’t be identified students attended the Exhibition, as well as people’s normal passwords.” by thieves is part of modern life – more than 2000 members of the public. This but a very inconvenient one. year more than 60% of students reported they were more interested in a career in Help could soon be at hand. science having attended this year’s Exhibition. Picture passwords moved a step closer to reality at the Exhibition Praised for its “engaging and informative” with the first ever public display format, members of the public found of the latest technology. “friendly and informative people who enjoyed discussing their material.” The A team from Newcastle University enthusiasm of the exhibitors was frequently demonstrated their Background cited by visitors as a reason why they Draw-a-Secret (BDAS) technology particularly enjoyed the Exhibition, and many on a range of gadgets including were impressed that they could take part in i-phones and laptops. It is hoped “very engaging conversations that inspire.” that the technology will soon One student said: “I liked the way there were be available for cash machines, a combination of all types of exhibitors from computers and other applications. different scientific fields. A very well-spent, fun-filled day.”

Hooke hits the stage The Royal Shakespeare Company is to stage a new play in London featuring Robert Hooke as a central character.

The Tragedy of Thomas Hobbes, by Adriano as a new force. The play, described as a scientists led by Hooke. The play will Shaplin, is set in 1658 – just before the ‘dark enlightenment comedy’ and set in a be staged at Wilton’s Music Hall from founding of the Royal Society – and centres London coffee house, pitches the eminent 12 November – 6 December 2008. on the debate on the emergence of science philosopher against an emerging group of

10 Inside Science Art world Chapters in a flap chart change

New archive donation shows well-known artist drafted his work on the back of an envelope

A new donation to the Royal Society’s collection of portraits shows the working methods of artist Allan Gwynne-Jones RA (1892-1982). Three preparatory sketches Mark Lynas’ for larger oil paintings depict important account of how Fellows of the Royal Society from the global warming early 1960s, including a former President, could change the Lord Florey. planet over the next “Six degrees“ century was named winner Alan Gwynne-Jones taught painting at of this year’s Royal Society Science wins the Royal the Slade School of Fine Art during the Books Prize in June. Society Science 1940s. Following a successful portrait of the agronomist Sir George Stapledon FRS, he Six degrees: Our future on a hotter planet Books Prize was commissioned to paint many other charts the consequences that an increase in scientists. The sketches now at the Society temperature could have on our planet and show penicillin pioneer Howard Florey, investigates what science can tell us about The £10,000 prize was presented to Lynas by Cambridge professor of aeronautics Sir Bennett what could happen in an increasingly warm Martin Rees, President of the Royal Society, Melvill Jones, and the well-known mechanical world – from rivers ten times the size of in a ceremony which marked 21 years of the engineer Sir Harry Ricardo. the Amazon gushing off the ice sheet into award for science writing, and honoured the the North Atlantic, to crippling drought in winner of the Junior Science Books Prize. The donation, made in memory of Sir Brinsley Pakistan. But he also highlights that with Ford (1908-1999) opens an amusing window foresight and careful planning, we can Big book of Science things to make and on the working life of the painter. Sketches of choose a different future. do by Rebecca Gilpin and Leonie Pratt and this type show artistic decisions being made illustrated by Josephine Thompson, features and carry the distinctive oil and paint spattering Six degrees triumphed over other strong science projects children can engage in – of the studio. There are even marginal notes contenders in the shortlist, including J. Craig including magic monster heads, oozing slime on colouring and sitting appointments. In Venter’s A Life Decoded and Ian Stewart’s and a soap powered fish. Gwynne-Jones’ case, the drawings also shed Why Beauty is Truth to win one of the major light on his choice of materials. Keith Moore, UK publishing events of the year. Mark Lynas Leonie Pratt said: “It’s fabulous that the Society’s Librarian says: “Alan Gwynne- said: “I am delighted to receive a science something I worked so hard on and enjoyed Jones would mark work for the Oxford and writing prize from one of the most pre- so much has had this recognition. It’s an Cambridge Examination Board, and he’d save eminent scientific institutions in the world. amazing honour for our hard work to be the Board’s manila envelopes for sketching. With climate change such a politicised issue, recognised by the Royal Society and young Designing or writing equations on the back of recognition from the Royal Society is hugely people – the people that will actually read an envelope is the stuff of legend, but this is welcome and a tremendous honour for me.” and hopefully enjoy the book.” the first time I’ve seen a genuine example.”

Professor Jonathan Ashmore, Chair of the The book was chosen from a shortlist The acquisition is timely, as the Society’s Library Judges said: “Lynas gives us a compelling by junior judging panels made up of has recently recruited a new Picture Curator, and gripping view of how climate change almost 1200 young people over 120 school Joanna Hopkins, who will help to re-catalogue could affect our world. It presents a series of and youth groups from across the UK. the portraits collection for publication in 2010. scientifically plausible, worst case scenarios Children in Uganda, Tanzania, Cameroon, without tipping into hysteria. Everyone Thailand and Malaysia also took part in Find out more about the history of science at should read this book.” the judging process. royalsociety.org/library

11 VISIT US

Public events Discussion meetings

14 November 2008 All Royal Society Discussion Meetings are ‘Spider Man’: the Virtuosity of free to attend but pre-registration online Dr Martin Lister, an Early Royal is essential. Society Luminary 24 and 25 November 2008 Anna Marie Roos, Wellcome Unit, New possibilities with aberration Oxford University corrected electron microscopy 21 November 2008 Dr Andrew Bleloch, Professor David Cockayne The Singular Life of Edward FRS, Professor Angus Kirkland and Heron-Allen FRS Dr Peter Nellist Tim McCann, The Heron-Allen Society 8 and 9 December 2008 28 November 2008 Brainstem: neural networks Palmer’s Penguins and the vital for life All events take place at Warming of Antarctica Professor John Nicholls FRS and the Royal Society, Meredith Hooper, author of Professor Julian Paton 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, The Ferocious Summer 19 and 20 January 2009 London SW1Y 5AG 5 December 2008 The Evolution of Society For more information and to register: Water: the Long Road from Professor Tim Clutton-Brock FRS, Web: royalsociety.org/events Aristotelian Element to H2O Professor R A Foley, Professor F L W Ratnieks Email: [email protected] and Professor S West Hasok Chang, University College London Tel: 020 7451 2572

Rewarding excellence

Recognising excellence in science is at the Radio presenter and Cambridge academic Shaw Prize in Mathematical Sciences for heart of the Royal Society Awards, Medals, Dr Chris Smith has won the Royal Society’s widespread and influential contributions to and Prize lectures, which this year were , presented annually for Mathematical Physics. presented to a wide range of individuals from outstanding efforts to engage the public Professor John D. Barrow FRS, established scientists to the new generation with science, for his success in bringing of Cambridge University, has been appointed of top researchers. science to a wider audience. Dr Smith juggles Gresham Professor of Geometry at Gresham his career as a Clinical Lecturer and Specialist Sir Roger Penrose, OM, FRS has been awarded College for 2008-2011. John Barrow was Registrar in at the University with the Royal Society’s – the Gresham Professor of Astronomy from 2003- extensive work as a science communicator world’s oldest prize for scientific achievement 7 and is the only person other than Laurence fronting the Naked Scientist, the UK’s only – for his exceptional contributions to Rooke, in 1657, to hold Gresham chairs in local radio programme devoted to science. geometry and mathematical physics. two different subjects. All of the winners of Lectures, Awards, The next generation of top scientists, Professor David Baulcombe FRS, Medals and Royal Medals for 2008 can awarded for their exceptional endeavours, of Cambridge University, has received be seen on the Royal Society website: includes Dr Simon Fisher, a Royal Society the 2008 Lasker Award for Basic Medical royalsociety.org/news. University Research Fellow who has been Research for the discovery of tiny that awarded the Prize Lecture External awards regulate gene function. for his ground breaking research in human Professor Vladimir Arnold FRS Professor John A Pickett CBE DSc FRS, language. The Francis Crick lecture will take of the Steklov Mathematical Institute of Rothamsted Research, is awarded the place at the Royal Society at 6.30pm on in Moscow, is jointly awarded the 2008 2008 Wolf Foundation Prize in Agriculture. Tuesday 2 December 2008.

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