ISSUE 50 SPRING 2016

rThee Newslettersourc of Scotland’s Nationale Academy

Supercluster and Galaxies at the Crawick Multiverse. Photo by Charles Jencks, Crawick Artland Trust. More inside .....

Also featured in this issue: RSE Enterprise Fellowships Enlightening the European Debate Quiz-a-Whiz resource SPRING 2016 The Crawick Multiverse

Crawick Multiverse is a major land restoration and art project in Dumfries & Galloway, utilising landscape art to transform a former open cast coal mine into an outdoor space which can be enjoyed by future generations. Privately funded by the Duke of Buccleuch and designed by globally-renowned landscape artist Charles Jencks, (both RSE Fellows), Crawick Multiverse is a stunning representation of exciting discoveries and theories of the Universe. This world-class landscape art design links the themes of space, astronomy and cosmology, creating a truly inspiring landmark which will appeal to everyone from art enthusiasts and scientists to the wider community. Here, Charles Jencks gives some insight into what inspired his creation ....

Panoramic view (above) by Charles Jencks, Crawick Artland Trust Land art has had a long connection with cosmology and science, which is particularly evident in the Scottish stone circles of Orkney and Aberdeenshire. The ancient builders of these beautiful works would not have called them art, cosmology or science, but they were motivated by aesthetic ideas, and their shaped boulders marked the seasons and the path of the Sun and Moon. In 2005, I was asked by the Duke of Buccleuch to transform an abandoned coal mine in an area of Scotland, Upper Nithsdale, which was in need of economic regeneration. The 55-acre site appeared a wasteland, a desert of rubble and slag. Only on second view, when we climbed high along a heap of spoil, did I see the extraordinary potential. We were atop a steep ridge which had a 360-degree view of the far sculpted hills, at the centre of a cosmic bowl, reminiscent of the one on the Orkneys Andromeda view north (above) that has recently dominated archaeological news. How could and Milkyway (below) by Charles Jencks I pull in this far landscape and design something that might help stimulate the local economy? Necessity forced me to reassess the negative aspects. Why not preserve the desert, and contrast it with the available top soil? Make something of the adjacent gorge, and what the coal diggers had discarded – this high ridge could become a sculpted walkway. I noticed there was a dump of maybe 200 boulders. Use them to create the most basic cosmic mark – a north–south line that would bisect the site. This would force the view, and movement, due north to the extraordinary view at the topmost point. Here we might build a small mound as an eye-catcher, a Belvedere, something to bring in the distant horizon, to capture this cosmic view worthy of ancient land art. 2 resource SPRING 2016

(Above) Charles Jencks (left) pictured with the Duke of Buccleuch by David Cheskin and (right) view to the Sun Amphitheatre by Charles Jencks.

Of course, our science and technology are quite different from those of the past, and these set the programme. Our talented contractor had three diggers and dumpers on site, and he was so experienced with his ‘bucket and grab’ that he could move rocks and material around like an Action Painter. So, moving fast and economically, we used the boulders to sculpt the north–south line, dug up two lagoons, used the spoil to shape the ‘Sun Amphitheatre’ for 5,000 people, and started building two, twenty-metre Galaxy Mounds. All my landscape work is symbolically-driven, based on contemporary scientific insights, and in search of new formal patterns to express emergent concepts. Previously, I had built galactic formations, but I was now fascinated by the prediction that our Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies will coalesce in four billion years. Each galaxy has a black hole at its centre and when they first merge, the two spirals will go right through each other and perform a wonderful dance, stripping each other of stars and material until they finally Panoramic view looking south from Amphitheatre by Charles Jencks unite. What a spectacular programme for design! As work progressed, more boulders emerged and I realised they must be used. The largest structures in the Universe – the superclusters of galaxies – became an obvious step up from the two galaxies. I adapted a metaphor from scientists to show how they formed ‘rivers of gravity’ which pull superclusters together, and do so along the scaffolding built by ‘Dark Matter,’ another metaphor which marks an invisible but potent force. The Universe itself was the next largest structure on the route upwards, and by this time we had unearthed another four hundred boulders. So, adopting a previous idea, modelled at the Garden of

Cosmic Speculation just north of Dumfries, I decided to construct the Multiverse landform, representing the ensemble of many People walking on one of the Galaxy mounds by David Cheskin universes that may exist and have given birth to ours. This spiral of a hundred ‘failed’ and ‘successful’ universes is based on a deep That is why the Crawick Multiverse was unveiled in 2015 on speculation of our time. Whatever its final truth turns out to be, it the Summer Solstice – and this year on the Summer Solstice leads me to sculpt the meanings on some of these boulders, so that we will follow this up with another impressive performance. visitors can understand that we do know how incredibly fine-tuned This June, from the 24th to the 26th, there will be talks our Universe is for life, and culture. This is the culminating rock of on the arts and sciences – which Jocelyn Bell Burnell will the Multiverse spiral. be leading – and celebrations in the landscape with the For me, land art parallels an agenda of science, to understand local townships (more information will be available soon). the complexity of our Universe. Beyond this, art dramatises For further information about Crawick, such as opening hours our relationship to nature, and the fundamental agents of the and directions, and for more details about events, including those cosmos: the galaxy, black hole, life, the atom, gravity and the in June 2016, visit the website: www.crawickmultiverse.co.uk Sun. Such agents are performative and affect us every day. 3 resource SPRING 2016

The RSE has recently awarded 11 new Impressively, respondents reported Enterprise Fellowships run for a year; Enterprise Fellowships, representing having attracted over £63.5M follow-on however, the legacy of the training and the biggest intake in the history of investment, exemplifying the importance learning has a longer-lasting impact. the scheme. to Scotland’s economic development of The RSE keeps in touch with former encouraging academics to consider participants, inviting them to champion Enterprise Fellowships are granted to commercialisation. the scheme and join networks such as individuals seeking to commercialise the Entrepreneurs’ Club, which their research or technology. The The range of businesses also illustrates encourages the sharing of former initiative aims to support an innovator’s the suitability of Scotland’s current participants’ knowledge and experience. transition into a successful entrepreneur environment for new technology The programme is also carefully with a viable commercial company. companies. designed to put Enterprise Fellows in The scheme has two intake dates a Recent successes of former Enterprise touch with those with expertise in year and, with support from Scottish Fellows include: technology-based businesses. Enterprise, BBSRC and STFC, the scheme • Last month, Barry Johnson, Founder There has never been a better time allows awardees to focus solely on and Company Director of Orkney-based to start-up or spin-out a company in developing their businesses. Awardees tidal energy firm Scotrenewables, Scotland. With such a strong record receive one year’s salary, expert training received a €10M boost from the European of success, the Enterprise Fellowship in entrepreneurship, business Commission’s Horizon2020 programme. scheme grows in popularity, allowing development funding, and access to aspiring entrepreneurs to take those mentorship from the RSE’s business • In January of this year, David Hunter, important first steps toward building Fellows and other successful individuals Chief Executive of Shot Scope, a company a thriving business, whilst also in the commercial community. specialising in golf wearable technology, launched his company’s first products in supporting the growth of Scotland’s Over the 19 years that the Enterprise America. They currently have pre-orders economy and the nation’s history of Fellowship scheme has been in from 14 countries worldwide for their nurturing innovation. operation, it has supported over 200 Shot Scope wristband. fellowships and more than 140 high- • Abesh Thakur, CEO of Two Big Ears, On facing page, read the case history technology businesses have been formed a company which designs immersive of one recent Scottish Enterprise across the UK; ranging from real-time 3D and interactive audio applications, Fellow, Alex Ward, pictured (right) audio technology to drug-free malaria was an Enterprise Fellow last year. with his colleague, Jack Barraclough, treatment, heritage barley cultivation to His company has since worked with in front of their new facilities at the sustainable skis for the free-ride market. musicians – with Björk on the 360º Royal Observatory Edinburgh A recent survey which engaged former virtual reality video for ‘Stonemilker' For more information on the Enterprise Fellows showed that 80% and with Massive Attack on their iOS of the companies created following a app, ‘Fantom’ – gaming companies Enterprise Fellowship scheme, Fellowship have been highly successful and film makers. A couple of the films please visit: and are either still trading or have been they have worked on were showcased bit.ly/RSE-Ent-Fellowships acquired by larger organisations. at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. 4 resource SPRING 2016 Alex Ward – Razorbill Instruments Ltd

A rocky start Alex Ward and his colleague, Jack Barraclough, are the two founders of Razorbill Instruments Ltd, a young Scottish technology company. The company was founded to turn a new concept for a precise piezoelectric motor into a physical product, bringing it within reach of a broad range of users – from academic researchers to microchip manufacturers. Though both Alex and Jack have a technical background, from day one they decided on a clear separation of their responsibilities; Jack being responsible for the technical development – engineering being his true forte – and Alex for the business side of things; the marketing, the financials and the sales. Moving into the final months of their PhDs in condensed matter physics, Alex and Jack had to contend, not just with the mad scramble to finish experiments and write The future of Razorbill up intelligible theses, but also with the pressures of getting a brand new company off The enormous success of Cryostrain has the ground. This involved: submitting business plans to Converge Challenge (which meant that Alex and Jack have been able they entered in 2013 and 2014); ‘schmoozing’ investors; and, for Alex, pitching to the to hire staff and move into new facilities RSE for a Scottish Enterprise-funded Enterprise Fellowship. Things started to come in the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh. together in September 2014. While taking a well-earned holiday after bashing out This allows the founders to really focus on his PhD Thesis in a hairy two months, Alex found out he was one of the final six in growing their product range by developing Converge Challenge and would be pitching to a Dragons-Den-style panel just three their other technologies – they’ve been days after flying back from Italy – the same day that the RSE Fellowship commenced. given breathing space that they would The frantic pitch practising in those short days must have paid off, because Razorbill never have had, had they not benefited Instruments was placed third, earning a cash prize and a significant chunk of business from the hard-nosed business advice support. A few days later, they got the news that Scottish Enterprise had approved their provided by the RSE Fellowship. Alex even £100,000 grant to develop their technology. Finally, Razorbill Instruments seemed like hints the team have another technology an actual company, rather than a nebulous concept, and it was time for Alex and Jack in the pipeline: “During our intensive year to knuckle down and deliver on their promises. of R&D we (and our collaborators) ended up building a proof-of-concept nanofabricated position sensor completely A sensible change of course unrelated to our other technologies. The RSE Fellowship became extremely important over the next This flexible, high-performance position 12 months. Referring to the training, Alex stated “the fundamental, sensor has the straight-talking business training was absolutely invaluable to potential to provide understanding the challenges of surviving in the business world”. detailed position When this training started to sink in, Razorbill Instruments realised feedback data to that they were going to need to undergo a change of direction. the wide range of “…we were pretty naïve when we set the company up. Our original robotic tools and product could easily have taken twice as long and cost three times limbs required in as much as the money we had available. Through the training modern precision received from the RSE Fellowship, we analysed the business case manufacturing, for a much simpler minimum-viable product, which we could get allowing more out the door in a fraction of the time, generating enough early precisely revenue to sustain us and to get us going”. This minimum-viable manufactured product, named Cryostrain, rather than being a motor, is a components to be research tool which uses similar piezoelectric technology to apply made more cheaply controlled stresses and strains to scientific samples at temperatures and reliably”. close to absolute zero (-271°C). Talking about the product, Alex Hopefully, we’ll see said “This technology is used to push the boundaries of Razorbill Instruments superconductivity research, and we’re proud to have had orders go from strength to from prestigious institutions across the US and Europe. It’s really strength in the coming pleasing that producing Cryostrain made sound business sense, years as Alex and but also provided a tool for researchers at the cutting edge of Jack continue to solid state physics”. grow the business. 5 resource SPRING 2016

Monday 4 April 2016 Thursday 7 April 2016, Monday 9 May 2016 at 6 pm 5.30 pm–7 pm in the at 6 pm LORD KELVIN PRIZE Main Hall, Summerhall SIR JAMES BLACK LECTURE DISCUSSION PRIZE LECTURE Best of Both Worlds? Science Education: Why Cures and Curiosities in How Scale Affects Do We Need It? Arthritis – Towards a Science and Engineering Chaired by: Ross Martin, Brighter Future? Chief Executive, SCDI Professor Iain McInnes FRSE for Society Speakers: Dame Julia Higgins FRS; Professor Jason M Reese FRSE Professor Sally Brown OBE FRSE; Muirhead Professor of Medicine & Regius Professor of Engineering, Professor Martin Hendry MBE ARUK Professor of Rheumatology, University of Edinburgh FRSE; Adrian Allan (teacher) University of Glasgow

Matter is made of atoms, crowds are Is education simply a supply system for formed of people, and financial markets future scientists, or should it provide us Inflammatory arthropathies, including comprise transactions. To understand how with a scientifically adept society, one rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, affect each of these behave, we can only get so ready to understand, critique and mould up to 2% of the population and lead to far by thinking at the top-most level in terms the future of research? Science education significant loss of quality of life and of the material itself, the crowd, and the and experiences should be accessible to disability, and increased mortality. In the market. The individual components are everyone and form part of a broad last decade, there has been a treatment critical, and how they interact with each curriculum; but what about beyond that? revolution driven by two key innovations, other often determines the overall How can education inspire and nurture namely improved management strategies behaviour. Predicting how these types curiosity; how can it equip citizens with and better immune targeting drugs. We of multi-scale systems function is a grand the knowledge and skills to address the now seek a refined approach whereby challenge in science and engineering for challenges of the future? Join the panel therapies are selected for specific the 21st Century. This lecture will show how as they discuss the role of science subgroups of patients to optimise research on the flow of gases and liquids education in shaping society’s future. outcomes – so called ‘precision medicine'. at micro and nano scales has parallels with In this lecture, I shall discuss the critical phenomena as diverse as the spread of Standard Ticket: £8.50 interface between clinical medicine disease and stock market returns. Concessions: £6.50 and drug discovery which, appropriately #SciPals/students: £4.25 Professor Reese will be presented with the harnessed, can transform the lives of RSE/Lord Kelvin Prize for his outstanding Book online at: http://ow.ly/Zuh9Y people with these debilitating diseases. contribution to the field of Engineering or phone the EISF box office on: This lecture forms part of an RSE Ordinary both within the UK and Internationally, 0844 557 2686 Meeting and so will be preceded by Society business, such as Fellows signing and for his commitment to the public This is a joint event with the Royal the Roll. engagement of Science. Society, London, and part of the Places available in overspill only. Edinburgh International Science Festival. Places available in overspill only. 6 resource SPRING 2016

Wednesday 8 June 2016 Monday 27 June 2016 2 pm–4.30 pm at 6 pm ExHIBITIONS & LECTURE WORKSHOPS An Audience with The Ticking Time Bomb Professor Muhammad of Antimicrobial Resistance: Yunus What can we do and where Professor Muhammad Yunus should we go next? Chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University This half-day event highlights the important issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and will be run with the the Young Academy of Scotland and the Society of Chemical Industry (SCI) Regional Group. The programme offers a series of exhibitions introducing the challenges of AMR and showcases the latest technologies and research within Scotland. Session workshops run by the Research the Headlines group of the Young Academy, as well as an Expert Panel Debate chaired by Young Academy member, Dr Francisca Mutapi, will also be on offer throughout the afternoon. This event will act as a prelude to the SCI Lister Memorial Lecture, delivered by Dame Sally Davies at 5 pm.

Wednesday 8 June 2016 at 5 pm Professor Yunus is a world-renowned entrepreneur who was awarded the LISTER MEMORIAL Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for founding the Grameen Bank. He is regarded by LECTURE individuals such as Bill Clinton and Sir Richard Branson as an inspirational AMR – The Global leader. He will deliver this keynote Problem speech at the RSE and then take questions. Dame Sally Davies FRS Chief Medical Officer for England and Chief Medical Advisor to the UK Government

AMR is a complex issue, requiring a complex global solution. Dame Sally will discuss Professor the problem of AMR, set out why it is such a problem now and the challenges which Yunus’ mean there is no easy solution. She will look at the international achievements to images by Nasir Ali date and look ahead to the action needed. Mamun This lecture is organised in partnership with the SCI. Places available in overspill only. Places available in overspill only

RSE Events are open to all and normally free to attend, but registration is required. To register, please contact the Events Team – 0131 240 2780 – [email protected] or go online at: www.royalsoced.org.uk Some events may carry a charge – please check individual details. Many RSE events run to full capacity. If you book a place at any event but are unable to attend, it would be appreciated if you could inform the Events Team so that your place can be reallocated.

7 resource SPRING 2016 Glasgow Science Festival

Glasgow Science Festival family events

2016 marks the tenth anniversary of Glasgow Science Festival (GSF), which takes place in venues across the city every June.

One of the chief aims of the Festival, which reached over 48,000 people last year, is to make STEM subjects accessible to as wide an audience as possible. Many events are free and bring science to unusual places, from pubs and cafes to comedy clubs and community centres. “The dialogue created was superb, By working with researchers, the Festival with experts on crochet and sewing connects audiences with people at the and experts in microbes talking to cutting edge of science, from astronomy each other and explaining their to zoology. areas of expertise. The mother of one four-year-old told us that her Crafty Critter – Craft and pathology are perhaps an Malaria daughter had taken her E.coli to unlikely combination, but in 2014, GSF nursery for show and tell!” worked with RSE Innovator’s Public Engagement Prizewinner, Dr Mhairi The Festival strives to foster long-term Stewart, to pair crochet with relationships with researchers such as parasitology for ‘Crafty Critters’ Mhairi, drawing on the enthusiasm workshops which allowed participants of some remarkable individuals. Over talks about gravitational wave research, to create ‘cuddly’ microbes, parasitic the past ten years, GSF has worked inflatable planetarium activities and a worms and insects, under the guidance with astronomer Professor Martin multitude of school events, Martin has of real-life researchers. The project was Hendry, whose achievements in partnered on a huge range of outreach a hit with science and craft enthusiasts research, teaching and public projects, sharing his passion for physics of all ages, with young children working understanding of science were and astronomy with hundreds of people. alongside more seasoned knitters. recognised by his election as a Fellow The latest scientific breakthrough in Scientists also valued the opportunity of the Royal Society in 2011. From an Martin’s area of research – gravitational to talk about their research in an all-night public celebration of the waves – offers further opportunities to informal setting, as explained by Mhairi: Transit of Venus to Star Wars-inspired inspire the public about science. 8 resource SPRING 2016

Particle physicist and RSE Makdougall Brisbane Medal award winner Dr Aidan Robson is another long-standing GSF contributor. Over the past five years, Aidan has run a competition for Scottish schools, sending over 50 pupils and nine teachers to CERN. Last year, Aidan partnered with GSF to deliver ‘Maxwell’s Birthday Ceilidh’, a traditional Scottish dance held in tribute to a past Fellow of the RSE, James Clerk Maxwell. The event included a specially choreographed dance, ‘Maxwell’s Waves’, and raised awareness of Maxwell’s legacy as ‘Scotland’s forgotten Einstein’, 150 years after his world-changing paper on the electromagnetic nature of light. This year, Aidan has teamed up with GSF for ‘Cosmic Cabaret’, a space-themed variety night which will pair physicists with local poets, comedians and musicians for a unique form of public engagement.

Physiology and sport science event at Kelvingrove Museum

Science of Zombies event in Glasgow pub

Outside of the main Festival period in June, GSF’s focus is on community-led public engagement projects, bringing ‘pop up’ science to hard-to-reach audiences. Most recently, ‘A Shedload of Science’, funded by the Royal Society of Chemistry, paired artists with scientists to deliver free science–art activities to underserved communities in North Glasgow, over the course of six months. By blending science with art and working with local community groups, ‘A Shedload of Science’ reached over 13,000 of people who would Glasgow Science Festival family event in shopping centre not usually engage with science. Glasgow Science Festival GSF would like to thank the many people who have helped build the 9–19 June 2016 Festival into what it is today. From 9–19th June 2016, join the biggest Full details about the Festival science-themed birthday party in town. This year’s bumper birthday and individual events at: programme is entitled ‘Glasgow Innovates’, with a plethora of www.glasgowsciencefestival.org.uk activities to educate, enlighten and inspire the ‘weegie’ masses. 9 resource SPRING 2016 Article first published in Friends Happiness & Wellbeing of the Scotsman – 14 January 2016 supporting the transition from adolescence to adulthood Shakespeare's “All the world's a stage” speech in As You Like It, defines the many parts we play in our journey through life, from mewling and puking infant to second childishness and finally to mere oblivion. What is not expressed is that the manner in which we move from one stage to the next will have profound effects on our well- being for the rest of our lives. Success in early tran- sitions from perinatal life to childhood and on to early adulthood, are of particular importance, both to individuals and to society as a whole. In the early years of our lives we depend on a Another team, led by Dr Kathryn great deal of support from both family and state. Skivington (above) of the Social and Failure to complete this stage successfully is Public Health Services Unit, University largely attributed to environmental and societal factors whose mitigation rightly at- of Glasgow, is tasked with the review tracts considerable attention and resources. However, in the next transition, from on individual interventions and hopes childhood to early adulthood, the individual is passing through puberty, with its “to identify evidence on what works in own complexities, possibly moving on from full-time education, and is thus improving the mental health and wellbeing of adolescents who face the biggest becoming less dependent on family and state support and more reliant on their challenges in their transition to adulthood”. own desires and capabilities. Their transition to adulthood will be determined by an interplay between personal characteristics, such as behavioural and educational These reviews will be assessed in mid- attributes, and influence of their family, society and physical environment. 2016 by the expert advisory group in the hope that their findings, in addition to Understanding the role of these factors in this transition and how they may be their intrinsic value, will trigger a second modified to favour success and reduce the likelihood of a negative impact on stage in the initiative. This, too, is mental and physical health and wellbeing is of particular relevance to young intended to be awarded competitively, people, communities and institutions in Scotland today. and may involve community as well as academic participation. To quote These considerations prompted the RSE Scotland Foundation, a charitable body Professor Marie Johnston FRSE, one of connected to the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE), to award grants to fund two the expert advisers, “This exciting new interdisciplinary research projects within the area of Health, Happiness and programme tackles a question of Wellbeing. Focus was provided by consulting specialists in health, social sciences, importance to individuals and society; economics, arts and government, with further definition coming from an expert are there interventions that can enable advisory group formed of RSE Fellows. This group recommended a tightly young people to become happier, delineated, three-stage study of factors affecting the transition from youth to healthier adults? The phase 1 grants successful adulthood in Scotland. The ultimate goal would be to devise and conduct will find and then integrate available novel interventions during the transition to adulthood which would improve but scattered evidence. Later phases wellbeing during and beyond this period into independent living. will build on this to develop and evaluate interventions that might be The first stage of the study will review what effective in improving the future lives interventions have been tried in other times of young people in Scotland”. and places, which have or have not been beneficial, We began with Shakespeare, let’s finish and what lessons these hold for the future. The with Burns and his Epistle to a young RSE Scotland Foundation invited applications for friend, where he talks about living a full grants to produce two systematic evaluations of and independent life. “To catch Dame work in this field: one review to cover interventions Fortune’s golden smile, assiduous wait in the target population as a whole, the other to upon her, and gather gear by ev’ry wile, evaluate interventions aimed at individuals what’s justified by honour: Not for to deemed to be at risk of adverse outcomes during hide it in a hedge, nor for a train the transition. The successful applicant to produce attendant; But for the glorious privilege the review of population interventions is a of being independent.” consortium from four Scottish universities, led Article author, Sir Kenneth Calman FRSE (top by Dr Joanne McLean (above) of the Mental Health Foundation, which intends to work left), is former Chief Medical Officer of Scotland. with a panel of adolescents to ensure that they “take account of outcomes that He is a member of the Health, Happiness indicate successful transition from the perspectives of young people in Scotland today”. and Wellbeing expert advisory group.

10 Enlighteningresourc e SPRING 2016 the European Debate

The UK has long had an uneasy relationship with Europe and will, on 23 June 2016, The second event in the series was have a Referendum, in an effort to resolve the matter. Citizens will be asked whether held at the University of Aberdeen they wish the UK to remain a member of the European Union, or to leave. on 22 March 2016 under the title, The UK in Europe. In or Out? To inform this, the RSE, in partnership with the Centre on Constitutional Change and the Economic and Social Research Council, is holding a series of events aimed at At this event, matters discussed enlightening this European Debate. These events will examine the implications for the included: UK of either decision and consider the key issues, including: fiscal matters and trade; ● The impact of the EU on the freedom of movement; social Europe; the environment; and the impact on devolved economy and jobs; areas such as Scotland. ● Immigration; The series was launched on 16 February 2016, with a conference entitled, Understanding European Challenges, which examined the overall landscape. The ● European and national security; Conference, chaired by Sir Muir Russell FRSE, aired questions such as the problems ● The political implications of Europe; of the Euro, the refugee crisis and turbulence in its neighboured; it examined issues in the relationship between the UK and Europe, and the way they are seen in the ● National sovereignty; nations and regions, as well as looking at the alternatives to EU membership, ● Impact on the Northeast of should the UK decide that it wishes to withdraw. Scotland region. The Keynote speaker, Brigid Laffan MRIA, Director and Professor at the Robert Also addressed was the Government’s Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies and Director of the Global Governance negotiations, the EU response and what Programme, European University Institute (EUI), Florence, spoke on Challenges that might mean for the UK’s future. to Europe. Chair: Professor Margaret Ross Professor Anand Menon, King’s, , Director of The UK in (Vice-Principal, University of Aberdeen) a Changing Europe, spoke on Issues for the UK and Professor John Erik Fossum, University of Oslo and Ewen Stewart, Director, Global Britain, addressed Speakers: Alternatives to the EU. Professor Michael Keating FRSE, Views from different parts of the UK were discussed by a panel (pictured below), University of Aberdeen, comprising: Professor Andrew Scott, University of Edinburgh (left); Dr Joanne Hunt, Chair in Scottish Politics; Cardiff University, Senior Fellow, The UK in a Changing Europe; and Dr Paul Gillespie, Professor Justin Greenwood, Irish Times and University College Dublin (right). Chair, Sir Muir is pictured second Robert Gordon University, from left. Chair in European Public Policy; Professor Paul Beaumont FRSE, University of Aberdeen, Chair in EU and Private International Law; Professor Claire Wallace, University of Aberdeen, Chair in Sociology.

Summary reports of all the events will be on our website in due course, at: http://ow.ly/Zu46h

11 resource SPRING 2016 The Politicians and the Professionals

Throughout January and February 2016, fuel age passes, Scotland has critical slipping down the global league, a series of events was held at the RSE choices to make. The transition to a the need for a liberal, progressive under the banner The Politicians and post-carbon economy has much to offer, alternative has never been more the Professionals. The events involved but only if we abandon the delusion urgent in Scotland. With just five each of the leaders of the five parties of returning to business-as-usual, MSPs in Holyrood, Mr Rennie represented in the Scottish Parliament and embrace the change that’s coming. suggested that the party has punched delivering a lecture and then answering He also said that it is essential that well above its weight – citing issues questions from the audience, with a the Governments, both at Scottish such as the many problems of Police particular look towards this year’s and UK levels, take action against those Scotland his party has pursued. He Scottish Parliament’s election. individuals and corporations which do continued that, with more MSPs, the not pay their fair share of taxation. party could punch even harder. The lead organisation for the series was the David Hume Institute (DHI). MSP Ruth Davidson’s talk, Time for a Concluding the series was the First Partners supporting were the RSE, the Scottish Alternative, indicated that she Minister of Scotland and Leader of the Young Academy of Scotland, The believes that Labour has not done an SNP, The Rt. Hon. Nicola Sturgeon MSP, Faculty of Advocates, The Institutue effective job in challenging the current on the theme Transforming Scotland – of Chartered Accountants of Scotland Scottish Government and that if, as seems opportunities for the next Parliament. (ICAS), the Law Society of Scotland likely, the SNP is returned to Government, The First Minister arrived fresh from and the Institute & Faculty of Actuaries. then the Scottish Conservatives would a discussion with the Chancellor of the provide a more effective main opposition. The series was opened by Kezia Dugdale Exchequer, which had resulted in the She outlined how the Scottish Conservatives MSP, leader of the Scottish Labour Party. UK and Scottish Governments reaching plan to use the Parliament’s new powers Ms Dugdale expressed her disappointment agreement on the fiscal framework to boost economic growth, improve that, despite ever-increasing powers, which will underpin the new powers public services and see Scotland thrive the Scottish Parliament and Government of devolution under the Scotland Act. within the UK. seem to be growing more cautious The agreement will cover the period to rather than more radical. She dedicated Ms Davidson also focused on the new 2022, from which point it is hoped that a large section of her speech to two tax-raising powers coming to the Scottish a long-term framework can be agreed. main themes: the need to encourage Parliament and discussed how best they The First Minister argued that tax powers and support science and innovation, could be used to deliver a stronger must be used for Scotland’s long-term to enable Scotland to develop a new economy and ensure public services can social and economic benefit. Ms Sturgeon economy fit for the challenges of the prosper. She also set out what she sees outlined how the Scottish Government 21st Century; and the need to introduce as the ground rules for how taxes should has used existing tax powers to good measures aimed at reducing the attainment be levied in the future. effect. The Small Business Bonus Scheme gap between young people from the Willie Rennie MSP, of the Scottish Liberal has helped support small businesses in least and the most affluent backgrounds. Democrats, set out his vision of A bright, tough financial times; Land and Building In the second event, chaired by RSE liberal, green Scotland – fit for the future’. Transactions Tax has made the property President Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, He suggested that, with a casual market more progressive; and Landfill Tax Patrick Harvie MSP, Co-Convener of the disregard for our civil liberties, ‘tokenism’ is being increased to encourage recycling. Scottish Greens, discussed Scotland’s on the environment, a health service Ms Sturgeon also discussed how the Future in a Post-Carbon Economy. under extraordinary pressure and the proposed new tax powers could be used Mr Harvie proposed that, as the fossil once-proud Scottish education system to complement the existing powers. 12 resource SPRING 2016 Kezia Dugdale MSP (left) pictured at Science and the Parliament in November 2015. Patrick Harvie MSP (right)

Ruth Davidson MSP (below, second from left) with Young Academy members (l-r): Dr Edward Duncan; Professor Ineke De Moortel FRSE; Dr Stella Chan; and Neil McLennan.

Willie Rennie MSP (right) Each event was well attended and enthusiastically received (below)

Nicola Sturgeon MSP

13 resource SPRING 2016 RSE Young Academy of Scotland FIRST LEGO League For the second year running, the Young Academy of Scotland’s Computing in Schools Working Group has collaborated with non-profit education company Lamdba Jam to bring the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) to Scotland. The 2015–2016 season of this programme reached over 1,000 students aged 9–16 from across Scotland. FLL is an international robotics programme which helps young people develop engineering, robotics, computing and design skills. By challenging students to build and programme an autonomous LEGO robot, they are encouraged to use problem-solving skills and creativity. Under the mentorship of professional engineers and university academics, teams of students spent months researching and constructing robots capable of tackling a variety of set ‘missions’. The 2015–2016 missions were centred on the theme TRASH TREK℠, and asked participants to think about the world’s problem of waste. In addition to creating the robots, the teams were set the challenge of identifying a specific problem with the way people make or dispose of rubbish. They presented innovative solutions in response to this challenge. This aspect of the programme was designed to help participants realise the potential they have to change their communities and improve the lives of others. This season saw five FLL tournaments held across the country; teams from schools nationwide travelled to compete in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, St Andrews and Aberdeen. In February, the winners of each of these tournaments attended the UK national finals hosted by the Institution of Engineering and Technology, and this was won by the Edinburgh tournament champions, the West Linton Wasps. The Wasps will now travel to St. Louis, USA, to represent the UK in the World FLL Championships. Dr Fiona McNeil, chair of YAS’s Computing in Schools Working Group, said, “At the Young Academy of Scotland, we are really focused on helping kids to access the amazing possibilities in technology and engineering – industries which are crying out for enthusiastic people and which see thousands of jobs go unfilled. FLL is fantastic for helping kids see how exciting and creative engineering and programming can be.”

The Young Academy’s Computing in Schools Working Group has now begun fundraising for the 2016–2017 season of FLL. For more information about FLL Scotland, visit: www.youngacademyofscotland.org.uk or http://lambdajam.org

Photos top right and left are from the Glasgow tournament held at Glasgow Science Centre in December 2015. Pictured right are the UK Champions, from West Linton Primary School in the Scottish Borders, posing with the Lego Trophy. 14 resource SPRING 2016

The Young Academy of Scotland’s Research the Headlines Working Group has announced Rewrite the Headlines the winners of Rewrite the Headlines, The winning primary class, from St Roch’s Primary and Hearing Impaired School, its national competition to engage school Glasgow, turned the recent headline ‘Processed meats do cause cancer – WHO’, into children and undergraduate students in ‘Eating processed meat slightly increases risk of cancer.’ The research story was one critical evaluation of media stories. which had generated a lot of interest and confusion when originally released and the judges were impressed with how the class explained their new headline.

The competition, which ran through The winning undergraduate entry was from Abbey Wrathall, a student at the Autumn 2015, asked participants to University of Edinburgh. In her blog entry entitled ‘So, should you wait until Monday examine the research behind popular to take your child to news stories. In addition to encouraging hospital?’, Abbey explored critical evaluation of the news, the recent media coverage programme helped young people better about whether weekend understand what research is, how it versus weekday hospital gets translated from specialised areas to admissions might be popular media, and then how they associated with poorer might translate it back. outcomes. The judges recognised the importance of careful reporting around this topic, given that it might directly affect the choices which people make.

The winners and other commended entrants were honoured at a prize-giving ceremony at Our Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh on 28 January, which featured a performance by science educator and entertainer Doctor Bunhead (left). The class from St Roch’s Primary School was also given a special VIP tour of Our Dynamic Earth before the ceremony (above). A list of all winners, commendations and special subject prizes may be found at: www.researchtheheadlines.org All winning undergraduate entries have also been published on this blog. The Young Academy is currently recruiting for new members. For more information, please visit: www.youngacademyofscotland.org.uk

15 resource SPRING 2016 New RSE Fellows 2016

The names of the new Fellows, elected by ballot to the Fellowship in January this year, were announced on 7 March 2016. These Fellows will be formally welcomed to the RSE at an Induction Day and Admission Ceremony on Monday 16 May. RSE President, Jocelyn Bell Burnell DBE, said, “I am delighted to welcome these 56 distinguished individuals as new Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. The RSE is committed to ensuring that the Fellowship is representative of the society in which we work, so I am very pleased to see such a spread of outstanding new Fellows, covering the creative arts, the professions, business, physical and life sciences, social sciences and humanities.”

HONORARY FELLOWS BOYD, Sir Michael LORD TREES OF THE ROSS IN PERTH AND KINROSS, Freelance Theatre Director Alexander John LORD SMITH OF KELVIN, Robert Haldane Emeritus Professor, University of Liverpool Chairman, Green Investment Bank WITTEN, Edward Charles Simonyi Professor, Institute for Advanced Study

CORRESPONDING FELLOWS BIRKS, Harry John Betteley PARKER, Noel Geoffrey Professor Emeritus, University of Bergen Andreas Dorpalen Professor of European History, Ohio State University CALL, Josep Director, Wolfgang Köhler Primate Research Center PARKIN, Stuart Stephen Papworth CASSELL, Justine Director, Associate Dean for Technology Strategy and Impact, Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics School of Computer Science, Carnegie-Mellon University ROSS, Seamus JONES, Anthony Edward Professor, Faculty of Information, The Nerman Family President, Kansas City Art Institute University of Toronto

FELLOWS ALEXANDER, Wendy BEVERIDGE, Crawford Vice-Principal (International), Chair, Council of Economic Advisers, University of Dundee Scottish Government ANSARI, Ali Massoud BIRCH, Paul Robert James Professor of Iranian History, Professor of Plant Pathology and Deputy Head, University of St Andrews Division of Plant Sciences, University of Dundee (at the James Hutton Institute) ARGYLE, David John Head of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, BIRCH, Sarah University of Edinburgh Professor of Comparative Politics, University of Glasgow ASHBROOK, Sharon Elizabeth Marie BOYLE, James Professor in Physical Chemistry, Chairman of Trustees, National Library of Scotland University of St Andrews BURNSIDE, John BEAMISH, Sally Professor of Creative Writing, Composer University of St Andrews BEBBINGTON, David William CAIRNS, Andrew John George Professor of History, Professor of Financial Mathematics, University of Stirling Heriot-Watt University 16 resource SPRING 2016

CHRISTIE, John Mackie LAMING, Richard Ian Professor of Photobiology and Deputy Head of the Director, mLED Ltd and Netthings Ltd Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, MACPHEE, Cait Elizabeth University of Glasgow Professor of Biological Physics, COCHRANE, Keith Robertson University of Edinburgh Chief Executive, Weir Group plc MALCOLM, Graeme Peter Alexander FERGUSON, Annette Mairi Nelson Chief Executive Officer, M Squared Lasers Ltd Professor of Observational Astrophysics, University of Edinburgh MARSACK, Robyn Louise Director, Scottish Poetry Library FORBES, Stuart John Professor of Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, MOWAT, Allan Mcintosh University of Edinburgh Professor of Mucosal Immunology , University of Glasgow; Consultant Immunologist, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde GAIMSTER, David Director of the Hunterian, MURRAY, Diana Mary University of Glasgow Senior Executive, Historic Environment Scotland GARDNER, Caroline Jane OBERLANDER, Jon Reid Auditor General for Scotland, Audit Scotland Professor of Informatics, University of Edinburgh HAWLEY, Katherine Jane Professor of Philosophy, RICHARDS, Anne Helen University of St Andrews Chief Investment Officer and Executive Director, HEALD, David Albert Aberdeen Asset Management Professor of Public Sector Accounting, RITCHIE, Sir Lewis Duthie University of Glasgow James Mackenzie Professor of General Practice, HEISLER, Lora Katherine University of Aberdeen Professor of Human Nutrition, RODGER, Albert Alexander University of Aberdeen Board Member & Chair of Research & Knowledge HOPKINS, Andrew Lee Exchange Committee, Professor of Medicinal Informatics and SULSA Research Scottish Funding Council Professor of Translational Biology, RUDAN, Igor University of Dundee Joint Director, Centre for Global Health Research, JAMIESON, Lynn Helen Ann University of Edinburgh Professor of Sociology of Families and Relationships, RYAN, Kevin Martin University of Edinburgh Professor of Molecular Cell Biology, JOHNSTON, David Eric Lothian Beatson Institute for Cancer Research Queen’s Counsel, Faculty of Advocates; SHIPTON, Zoe Scottish Law Commissioner, Scottish Law Commission Professor of Geological Engineering, KAY, Jackie University of Strathclyde Professor of Creative Writing, Newcastle University and Chancellor, University of Salford TANNAHILL, Carol Elizabeth Director, Glasgow Centre for Population Health KITNEY, Richard Ian Professor of Biomedical Systems Engineering and TOKATLIDIS, Konstantinos Chairman of the Institute of Systems Biology, Cathcart Professor and SULSA Professor of Biochemistry, University of Glasgow LABIB, Karim Paul Mahmoud TYACK, Peter Lloyd Professor of Genome Integrity, Professor of Marine Mammal Biology, University of Dundee University of St Andrews LAMBIN, Xavier YOUNGER, Paul Lawrence Professor of Ecology, Rankine Professor of Engineering, University of Aberdeen University of Glasgow 17 resource SPRING 2016 Congratulations to RSE Fellows honoured in Her Majesty The Queen’s New Year Honours List 2016:

Order of the British Empire: Commander (CBE) Mr John Baxter, Group Head of Engineering, BP International; Professor Paul Boyle, President and Vice-Chancellor, ; Professor Stephen Chapman, President and Vice-Chancellor, Edith Cowan University; Professor David Lane, Professor of Autonomous Systems Engineering, Heriot-Watt University; Professor Cait MacPhee, Professor of Biological Physics, University of Edinburgh; Professor David Ulph, Professor of Economics, University of St Andrews; Professor Joanna Wardlaw, Professor of Applied Neuroimaging, University of Edinburgh. Order of the British Empire: Officer (OBE) Professor Jill Belch, Professor of Vascular Medicine, University of Dundee; Professor Susan McVie, Professor of Quantitative Criminology, University of Edinburgh; Professor Kathleen Elizabeth Tanner, Professor of Biomedical Materials (Biomedical Engineering), University of Glasgow.

RSE Fellow appointed National Poet for Scotland

The RSE would also like to congratulate Jackie Kay, one of this year’s new Fellows, on her appointment as Scotland’s Makar, the National Poet for Scotland. She is taking over this role from Liz Lochhead, who was elected an Honorary Fellow of the RSE in 2014.

FRIENDS OF THE SOCIETY CORPORATE PARTNERS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH

If you would like to know more about the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Friends of the Society initiative, or if your organisation may be interested in joining the scheme, please contact: Gordon Adam, Director of Business Development and Communications – 0131 240 2781 – [email protected]

18 resource SPRING 2016 Young People RSE @ Young People’s Discussion Forum 2016 – If you ran the news ......

If you ran the news… took place on Tuesday 9 February at Kilwinning Academy, Kilwinning, North Ayrshire, and involved 140 S3 pupils. Kilwinning Academy is one of the schools taking part in the RSE’s Talk Science @ Irvine Bay Outreach Programme. Now in its second year, Talk Science comprises a programme of free educational activities and lectures for schools and the public in the Irvine Bay region of North Ayrshire. The activities and events focus on areas closely aligned with the regeneration of Irvine Bay, helping to build interest in engineering and science. This event focused on the future of human genetics, animal genetics (with a sub-focus on conservation and Scottish Wildcats) and the way these topics are represented in the popular media. It was run in collaboration with the RSE Young Academy of Scotland (YAS), Research the Headlines, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), Napier University and Edinburgh University.

The day started with brief introductions In the second part, the students In the final Workshop, the students to issues and controversies surrounding created a short news item for prepared videos for the RSE’s new these topics, and various career paths 9 February 2084, based on their YouTube series, Quiz a Whiz, that the students could pursue in earlier speculations in the context conducting interviews with the genetics and/or media were described. of the genetic engineering speakers on topics related to genetics The participants were encouraged to revolution. and media. Their videos will be made think about how research on genetics Workshop 2 concentrated on the available on YouTube, so that other is discussed and portrayed in the media, changing face of media. YAS member students can watch them, and engage and how this might influence the general and Channel 4 reporter, James Blake, with these issues. public’s perception of it. asked the students to discuss the The final section of the day involved The next section of the day was a future of the media with TV revolution, a general discussion on media and practical session, with students divided video streaming, holograms, virtual genetics, with students having the into four groups. All pupils attended two reality and wearable technology opportunity to ask the speakers practical workshops; one related to in mind. further questions. This stimulated media and one related to genetics. In Workshop 3, led by Blair Cockburn of an interesting and engaging debate. Workshop 1 was run by Dr Sasha RZSS, the pupils had the opportunity to Participants agreed that it is important Kagansky from the MRC Human Genetics find out how genetic science plays a vital for popular media to try to represent Unit, University of Edinburgh, and YAS role within the conservation of the Scottish scientific research in an accurate member. It involved students Wildcat, both in captivity and in the wild. fashion, and a number of students brainstorming the possibilities for genetic They then created their own news, to expressed an interest in pursuing modification in the distant future. engage fully with this conservation issue. careers in journalism.

19 resource SPRING 2016 The RSE on YouTube

In December 2015, the RSE launched a new digital project for school pupils called Quiz-a-Whiz. School pupils are invited to submit questions to quiz 'whizzes', who are RSE Fellows, YAS members, RSE event speakers and other experts. The responses of the ‘whizzes’ are filmed and uploaded to YouTube. The series already features interviews with several Fellows, including: author Ian Rankin; forensic anthropologist Professor Sue Black; theoretical physicist and Nobel Laureate Professor Peter Higgs; astrophycisist Professor Martin Hendry; Honorary Fellow, broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough; and, of course, RSE President and astrophyicist Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell.

Others interviewed include: YouTube sensation Stampy Cat (aka Joseph Garrett); molecular biologist Dr Mhairi Stewart; physicist and broadcaster Professor Jim Al-Khalili; psychologist Professor Nicky Clayton; artist Clive Wilkins; and astrophysicist and planetary scientist Dr Claire Cousins. The collection of interviews is constantly expanding and new videos are added to the Quiz-a-Whiz channel every Friday. The channel’s popularity keeps growing, with over 4000 individual views to date.

Future whizzes, and calls for questions are regularly announced on the RSE website at: www.royalsoced.org.uk/1189_QuizaWhiz.html and we are also on twitter – @royalsoced – #quizawhiz. It is the intention to continue building up the bank of questions and answers, and our hope is that this resource will serve to inspire school pupils, as well as helping them with their studies. Pictured are pupils from Kilwinning Academy preparing their own Quiz-a-Whiz video, interviewing journalist and reporter James Blake, as part of the Young People’s Discussion Forum in February (see page 19).

COPY ADDRESS INFORMATION Please send any copy to the Editor (Jenny Liddell) 22–26 GEORGE STREET website: www.royalsoced.org.uk at the Society – [email protected] EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND www.rsescotlandfoundation.org.uk ReSourcE: ISSN No 1473-7841 EH2 2PQ e-mail: [email protected] The Royal Society of Edinburgh, Scotland’s National Academy, is Scottish Charity No. SC000470 Tel: 0131 240 5000 The RSE Scotland Foundation is a connected charity, registered in Scotland as Scottish Charity No. SC024636 Fax: 0131 240 5024 The RSE Scotland SCIO is a connected charity, registered in Scotland as Scottish Charity No. SC043194 Events ticketline: 0131 240 2780