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THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF ISSUE 8 • WINTER 2003/2004

RESOURCE THE NEWSLETTER OF ’S NATIONAL ACADEMY

RSE Agrees …Science Education Matters The first report of the independent expert group, the Scottish Science Advisory Committee (SSAC), Why Science Education Matters, published in November 2003, identifies a range of measures which seek to make science education in Scottish schools a matter of high priority. The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) welcomes this report and recognises the recruitment crisis faced by school science departments. The Society, with funding from the Scottish Executive, hopes to help contribute, in part, to reversing this problem by offering Scotland’s science and careers teachers Teaching Fellowships. This new scheme offers teachers the chance to undertake exciting projects in business, industry and research and aims to support them in encouraging higher-level science studies. Professor John Coggins, RSE Vice-President and Chair of the SSAC’s working group, said: Scotland is attempting to develop new science-based industries at a time when fewer students are applying to study science. It is vitally important to increase the number of science graduates. This new scheme will help science teachers become more aware of the latest developments in science and of the exciting opportunities for careers in science which they will be able to transmit to their pupils. The RSE believes that working together with other key bodies in Scotland in strategic partnership is the best way forward and actively promotes the education of young people throughout Scotland. Its programme of events for primary and secondary school students is designed to stimulate and develop an early interest in science, society and culture. Events, which demonstrate the relevance of science & technology in our lives; link primary and secondary school science; and explore ethical and environmental issues in new technologies, are free, require minimal time-commitment from classroom teachers, are animated by experts from universities and industry, and are administered by experienced, professional staff.

Royal Medals Awarded Infection and the Threat to Scotland and the Media the Food Chain Programme Convenor has handed the While the Society’s independence must First Words baton over to Professor Ian Stevenson. underpin all of our activities, productive I welcome Ian and all new members of partnerships have been key to the Council who contribute their time and success of many recent initiatives. We expertise freely. shall continue to seek to forge new strategic partnerships with select public Building on the successful formula of and private bodies, in the belief that the Society’s independent report on working together, we can achieve more Foot and Mouth disease, the RSE’s for Scotland. independent expert inquiry into the crisis facing the Scottish fishing To ensure that we continue to interpret industry will report very soon. I am our Royal Charter for the grateful to its chairman, Sir David “advancement of learning and useful Smith, and his committee which has knowledge” in an entirely Though now we are just into February, I consulted widely, and I look forward to contemporary context, the Council has would like to take this opportunity to reading its conclusions. I firmly believe reassessed the 2001 Corporate Plan wish you all a prosperous and healthy that as an independent, non party- and has just produced a revised, New Year. 2003 was a period of political and multidisciplinary body, the refocused Corporate Plan. You will find dynamic development for the Society RSE is ideally placed to use its breadth its Executive Summary in this newsletter. and did much credit to our committed of expertise to instigate and conduct The full text will be posted on the RSE’s Senior Officers and hardworking staff carefully selected independent inquiries website in late February and hard of the Society. So much a team effort, it which will be of benefit to Scotland, copies will be available from the Society is invidious to single individuals out for and to others beyond our borders. upon request. The Society’s website is particular mention, but I would offer currently being upgraded and will As a key part of Scotland’s first ever particular thanks to Professor John appear in a more user-friendly format at science strategy, the Scottish Science Beck, who after many fruitful years as the end of the month. Our IT Manager, Advisory Committee (SSAC), established Jennifer Cameron deserves particular under the auspices of the RSE, has now credit for her perseverance in managing produced a major survey of the The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) is the old site and for overseeing the scientific landscape in Scotland and Scotland’s National Academy of Science development of the new one. I am made recommendations to the Scottish & Letters. It is an independent body confident that with careful Executive. One of the report’s principal with charitable status. The Society management of the Society, we will organises conferences and lectures for proposals is that organisations across continue to achieve our aims and help the specialist and for the general the science base should work more contribute to Scotland’s social, cultural public. It provides a forum for informed collaboratively. debate on issues of national and and economic wellbeing. international importance. Its multidisciplinary fellowship of men and women of international standing Council for the Session 2003-2004 provides independent, expert advice to key decision-making bodies, including The annual election of Council (Society Trustees) was held in October 2003. Trustees Government and Parliament. for the Session are : The Society’s Research Awards programme annually awards well over President - Lord Sutherland of Houndwood, KT £1.5 million to exceptionally talented Vice-Presidents - Professor J R Coggins; Professor R G L McCrone, CB; Professor young academics and potential A C Walker entrepreneurs to promote commercial General Secretary - Professor A Miller, CBE exploitation of inventiveness and boost Treasurer - Sir Laurence Hunter, CBE wealth-generation. Curator - Dr B E Moon The RSE is active in classrooms from the Fellowship Secretary - Professor C C Bird, CBE Borders to the Northern Isles, with a Research Awards Convener - Professor D H Saxon successful programme of lectures and International Convener - Professor R M MacKie, CBE hands-on workshops for primary and Programme Convener - Professor I H Stevenson secondary school pupils. Young People’s Programme Convener - Professor C A Tickle The Royal Society of Edinburgh, Secretaries to Meetings - Professor D J Breeze; Professor C M Duffus working as part of the UK and within a Councillors - Professor R E Asher; Mr E Brown, CBE; Mr E Cunningham, CBE; Professor global context, is committed to the future of Scotland’s social, economic T S Durrani; Professor E B Lane; Sir Alan Langlands; Professor R G M Morris; and cultural well-being. Dr W S Nimmo; Professor P F Sharp; Dr I P Sword, CBE; Lord Wilson of Tillyorn, KT, GCMG, KStJ.

2 The RSE Corporate Plan 2004-2007

Following a critical review of the 2001 Corporate Plan and its achievements; analysis of the Society’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats; and an appraisal of the current context in which it operates, the Society will shortly be publishing an updated corporate plan covering the period 2004-2007. It will build on, and consolidate, the successful delivery and development of the Society’s core activities of the last three years, further define priorities and set steps to achive greater participation and integration within the Society’s programmes.

The Society’s mission is ‘the Strategic Objectives Advancement of Learning and Useful The plan will contain three strategic objectives over 2004-2007. These will be : Knowledge’. To fulfil this it promotes - To continue to deliver a range of ”core” activities, including those covered by learning and puts the multidisciplinary existing arrangements with funders and partners expertise of its Fellows to work for the good of Scotland and its people. It has - Within these activities, to prioritise selected action areas and, where necessary, seek two roles: the resources needed for development - To serve as Scotland’s national - To encourage wider Fellowship and public participation and better integration in the academy of science and letters. delivery of Society programmes

- To support research and innovation Core Activites in Scotland The Society has six core activities, within which there will be actions seen as being of priority importance at the present time : Three features of the Society fundamentally influence the scope of - Providing authoritative, independent advice and making recommendations to policy its work and its ability to achieve its decision takers. objectives. - Supporting and enhancing Scottish research base excellence. Firstly, the Society is a charitable - Supporting the commercialisation of research and innovation. organisation, not a business. This brings with it reputational and financial - Communicating knowledge and understanding. advantages, but also strict rules which - Promoting the international awareness of Scottish research and innovation. apply to charitable bodies. - Sustaining and utilising the expertise of its multidisciplinary Fellowship, and Secondly, as much of the Society’s recognising outstanding achievement and excellence. existing income derives from sources on whose behalf the Society operates for To achieve greater participation and integration, the Society will : specified purposes, it currently has little - Continue to improve its publication, publicity and diffusion efforts, including in the way of discretionary funds to further developing its own web-based provision and exploring possible partnerships allocate to new activities or to expand with major communications or media organisations. existing programmes. - Seek to have a wider impact throughout Scotland, as well as internationally, in line Thirdly, because of this limitation, to with its objectives and befitting its charitable status. meet its objectives, the Society increasingly needs to and will adopt a - Adopt a more thematic approach that better connects its activities - and in particular partnership approach with a range of independent inquiries and the annual programmes of public lectures etc. other bodies. It will continue to do so in ways consistent with its reputation as Achieving the Plan a Scottish Charity working for the The core activities will be achieved through a series of specific outputs, each with public benefit of Scotland. defined targets for achievement. These, together with their associated resource implications, will be set out in the Society’s Management Plan.

The Longer Term The plan will roll forward each year and be subject to annual review which will consider its relevance and the Society’s strengths, capabilities and priorities for forward years.

The Plan will be available to read on the RSE website (www.royalsoced.org.uk) or in printed copy, which can be obtained from Christel Baudere ([email protected]).

3 Awards Royal Medals The Gannochy The achievements of three individuals whose work has brought about public benefits Trust Innovation on a global scale received Royal recognition at a ceremony on 27 October 2003, when HRH The Duke of Edinburgh presented Royal Medals to : Award Sir Michael Atiyah for his profound and beneficial effect on the development of The Society is actively seeking mathematics and science in the UK and Europe. Sir Michael was one of the pioneers in nominations for the next Gannochy the development of K-theory. Knighted in 1983, he received the Order of Merit in Trust Innovation Award of the Royal 1992, was Master of Trinity College Cambridge from 1990 to 1997 and held the Society of Edinburgh - Scotland’s position of President of The Royal Society of London from 1990 to 1995. Sir Michael Premier Innovation Award. was recently President of Pugwash and is Chancellor of the University of Leicester. With a cash prize of £50,000, the Lord Mackay of Clashfern for his outstanding contributions to Scots Law and public Gannochy Trust Innovation Award will service, both within the UK and internationally. Lord Mackay is one of the most be made to an individual working in distinguished Scotsmen of his time. As Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain from Scotland under the age of 45 who has 1987-97, he proposed radical reforms of the legal profession, not all of which were shown an outstanding record of popular but which were designed to improve the profession. He has also held office innovation and achievement. as Sheriff Principal of Renfrew and Argyll, Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, Lord Advocate, a Senator of the College of Justice in Scotland and Lord of Appeal in The Award will be made to an Ordinary. individual and not to a company, although award winners may be Sir Paul Nurse for his outstanding contribution to genetics research, in particular its carrying out their work in, or in relevance to cancer, in which he has become a leading figure nationally and collaboration with, Scottish-based internationally. Knighted in 1999 and awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology and small- to medium-sized enterprises. Medicine in 2001, Sir Paul was Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK following the merger of the Imperial Cancer Research Fund with the Cancer Research Campaign. He Full details of the prize, and how to is now President of Rockefeller University, New York. apply or make a nomination, can be found on the Society’s website. The closing date is 31 March 2004. The first Gannochy Trust Innovation Award was made in June 2003 to Dr Barbara Spruce, a cancer scientist from Ninewells Hospital, , who will give a lecture on her research at the Society on 22 March. See pages 10-11 for further details.

L-R: , Sir Michael Atiyah, Hon FRSE, Lord Mackay of Clashfern, FRSE, Sir Paul Nurse, Hon FRSE.

Nominations The Royal Medals are the Society’s highest accolade. With the approval of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, The Royal Medals capture the spirit of the RSE’s Royal Charter of 1783, “to promote the advancement of learning and useful knowledge”. They reflect the way in which, as a progressive, Scottish Society, working as part of the UK, and within a global context, the RSE is helping to meet the challenges of the Twenty-First Century. Presented for the first time in July 2000, the list of recipients so far reflects the high quality work being carried out in Scotland, for Scotland, or by Scots, in recent years, comprising as it does : Professor Sir Kenneth Murray; Professor Peter Higgs; The Rt Hon The Lord Perry of Walton, OBE; Professor Sir James Black, OM; Professor Tom Devine; Professor Ian Scott; Professor Sir Alfred Cuschieri; Professor John R Mallard OBE; and Professor Sir Alan Peacock DSC, as well as the 2003 winners above. The 2004 award selection process will take place in the Spring. All are encouraged to submit nominations. The closing date is Friday 5 March 2004. Full details and conditions, as well as nomination forms, are available from the RSE Web site.

4 At the Lectern

In addition to our normal programme of lectures this Session, the Society has hosted extra lectures, by key speakers, from the UK and beyond. Full summaries of all Poland and the EU lectures are published in the Review of the Session, which will also appear on the RSE Web Site. European Science in Difficulty Prominent physician, endocrinologist and bio-chemist, Professor Étienne-Émile Baulieu, President of the French Academy of Sciences, since 2002, visited the Society on 27 October 2003 and addressed the Annual Statutory Meeting. Speaking to an invited audience of influential scientists and A further example of the productive decision-makers, Professor Baulieu, compared science partnership between RSE and British funding in Europe to that in the United States, and Council Scotland was the visit by suggested the creation of an independent European Professor Danuta Hübner, Polish Research Council that might address the issues arising Minister for European Affairs, on 19 from the diversity of the European university systems and January. Accompanied by the Polish their links with research in each country, as well as take Ambassador and Consul-General, her steps to enable the ever-widening gap between research in visit culminated in a public lecture - America and Europe to be narrowed. part of the Edinburgh Lecture Series - given at RSE before a capacity audience. Earlier in the day she met First Minister UK Science Policy - What Next? Jack McConnell and attended a civic The UK view on Research Councils was described by Dr (now Sir) John Taylor, OBE, lunch, hosted by the of FRS, Director General, Research Councils, Office of Science and Technology, DTI, when Edinburgh, Lesley Hinds. he visited the Society on 9 December to give a public lecture entitled What Next for UK Professor Hübner explained why many, Science Policy? but not all, in Poland supported accession to the EU. This arose from He reflected on the main drivers and successes during his five years as DGRC in a wide- the historical, political and cultural ranging stimulating presentation given shortly before he retired from this post. He situation in Poland and the desire to felt one of the significant achievements had been the creation of Research Councils take an active part in the democratic UK (RCUK) to improve the co-ordination between the various Research Councils, heart of Europe. There were also especially in areas of overlapping interest. He also outlined the background to the persuasive financial motives, although Foresight process and the way it had evolved. these were not paramount. She He then invited RSE Council member, Professor Richard Morris, FRS, FRSE, to give a acknowledged that enlargement would short presentation about current Foresight projects, especially the Cognitive System also lead to changes within the EU and Programme, of which he is co-ordinator. create obligations on all its members to work for the benefit of the whole. The presentation concluded with a personal view of the challenges facing UK science policy and the Research Councils. The timeliness of Professor Hübner’s visit was demonstrated by her being confirmed, within 24 hours of her lecture, as Polish candidate for EU Commissioner. The National Library of Scotland

The NLS has recently published a draft strategy entitled Breaking through the Walls. This consultation document will guide the development of the Library over the next five years. It deals with how the Library should widen access to its collections, the challenges posed by developing technology and electronic publications. The report is available electronically on the Library’s website: www.nls.uk or in printed form from the Library (0131 226 4531). Comments can be sent direct to the Library by email to [email protected] by 20 February 2004. In view of the longstanding relationship with the Society and the Library, its Librarian, Martyn Wade, will discuss its strategy with the Society’s Council in February.

5 International Stem Cell Research : Opportunites and Challenges 15 October 2003, Brussels. Organised by The Royal Society of Edinburgh in Key issues arising during the debate conjunction with the Scottish Stem Cell Network and Scotland Europa, this was a were: follow-on event to the successsful meetings held during the Scotland in Sweden · The potential benefits arising from programme in 2002. human embryonic stem cell research Bringing together European scientists and other experts in the field of stem cell from a clinical perspective, as well as research with officials of European Institutions and Member States’ Governments, the therapeutic applications in the seminar aimed to help inform the debate about proposed legislation, such as the treatment of cancer and their use in Tissue Directive (Medicine: standards of quality and safety of human tissues and cells) drug discovery. and guidelines for the future EU funding of stem cell research under FP6, and to allow · The objective of European legislation expert views to be heard. in stem cell research should be to The current state of stem cell research from the perspectives of science, clinical reduce variability across countries and application, law and ethics was presented by a delegation representing the field from to provide a consistent system of Scotland, Spain and Sweden. accreditation and licensing. The regulatory framework should be forward looking and enabling. · The need for a constructive engagement with public opinion; the role of the media across Europe will be important in this. Learn from other debates, e.g. GM crops. · The role of industry and commercial ownership of stem cell technology, identified as a key area in the future L-R: Dr Graeme Laurie, Professor Joyce Tait, Professor Bernat Soria, Dr Marc Turner, Professor development of the field. Jan Carlstedt-Duke, Sir David Carter, Professor John Ansell. [Photo by M Moore.] A full report has been published (ISBN No 0 902198 88 2) and is available on the RSE web site in pdf format, or as hard copy from the International Office ([email protected]) Voyages of Discovery SHOWCASING SCOTTISH RESEARCH INTERNATIONALLY

The RSE, as a Voyages of Discovery Scottish knowledge and capabilities.” (China), Chieljedang Corporation project partner along with Scottish Gavin Duncan of AkerKvaerner (South Korea) and Pharmaniaga Development International, Universities “Fantastic insight into the R&D and (Malaysia) visited Edinburgh, Scotland and the British Council, has strategic energy community in Scottish and Dundee for discussions on topics now organised two successful visits. academia. I now know where to go to including cancer, drug discovery and In November 2003, the first group of start a research conversation on almost development, stem cells, bioinformatics five Research Managers from any relevant topic. A first class tour and and post-genomics. multinational energy companies (Statoil a rare chance to learn so much in so “What was striking about this visit to (Norway); AkerKvaerner (Norway); John short a time.” Scotland was the sense of excitement Wood Group (UK); Petrol dd (Slovenia) John Woods of Wood Group generated by the life science and Schlumberger (US)) visited Heriot “I personally learned a lot and found a community - something that makes it a Watt, Edinburgh, Strathclyde, Aberdeen great benefit in being exposed to areas very attractive and appealing place to and Robert Gordon Universities, and of research that are outside my own engage with.” met researchers from NEL in Glasgow specialisation.” Dr Ray Hill of Merck and the Macaulay Institute, Aberdeen. Dr Philip Christie of Schlumberger Where Next Feedback from the participants During January 2004, Research Following these two successful visits, includes, “I have managed to achieve in Managers from Merck (US/UK), the project steering group will conduct three days what I have been meaning to Genzyme (US), Grünenthal (Germany), an evaluation and decide how best to do for the last two years. It has given Organon(US/UK),Diagnostic Product continue showcasing Scottish research me an insight into current research in Corporation (UK), Yuhan Corporation internationally. Scotland, but more importantly into

6 International Exchanges Overseas Visitors The Society has bilateral agreements for exchanges with China, Poland and Taiwan, In recent months the Society has and there is an Open programme (to any country or organisation not governed by a welcomed several foreign delegations. bilateral agreement). Visits may be from one to four weeks and researchers should be During a visit to Edinburgh in Scottish-based, either as hosts and/or applicants. Awards are made by open September 2003 in connection with a competition. Application details and forms may be found on the Society’s website: Darwin Initiative project involving the www.royalsoced.org.uk/international/exchanges. Application deadlines for 2004 are : Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, 29 February, 31 May, 31 August and 30 November. Professor Dr D Bajracharya from the Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Chinese Exchange Programme Technology (RONAST) visited the Society Dr Paul Hallett, Scottish Crops to outline the work of the academy. Research Institute This was followed by a visit from Ms Hsin Wu Lee and Mrs Isabelle Chen The primary purpose of this visit was to from the London office of the National continue ongoing collaboration Science Council of Taiwan (NSC) to examining biophysical processes involved discuss implementation of the RSE’s in the restoration of severely degraded agreement with the NSC. soil with vegetation. The Red Soil Experimental Station offers a unique field During a trip to the UK to discuss site where a range of different plants research collaboration with the used to restore soil can be examined. We University of Edinburgh in November, a currently have collaborative research delegation from the Chinese Academy projects examining (1) fundamental of Forestry visited the Rooms with mechanisms in the restoration of soil Professor Paul Jarvis FRSE to find out physical structure, (2) organic matter/soil A puddling plough, used in waterlogged soils. about possible exchange trips. physical interactions, (3) water transport [Photo by P Hallett] In December, Dr Michael Ryan, in structured soil and (4) the resilience of President of the Royal Irish soil physical and biological properties to Academy, accompanied by the stress. Executive Secretary, Patrick Buckley, spent a day with Officers and staff of As a result of the visit, several papers have been discussed, so far one has been the Society and attended the RSE accepted for publication. Further research collaboration is anticipated. Council meeting. Open Programme Through the University of Strathclyde Dr Martin Judd/Dr Li Yang, University of Strathclyde and Professor David Tedford, a delegation, led by Rektor, Professor The UK’s infrastructure for generating competences is condition monitoring. Jan Krysinski, of the Technical and delivering electrical energy is long- In China, power engineering has a high University of Lodz, one of the most established and therefore incorporates profile because of its strategic prestigious universities in Poland, plant such as transformers, cables and importance in a rapidly developing visited the Society on 9 January 2004. switchgear of considerable age. economy. Maximum benefit from Others visiting were Professor Stanislaw Utilities are under increasing regulatory advanced monitoring techniques will Bielecki, Vice-Rektor for University and competitive pressure to manage be obtained if they are installed at the Development; Professor Andrzej these assets more efficiently. This is a beginning of plant life and experience Napieralski, Vice-Rektor for key driver for research into condition gained of on-site testing and International Affairs; and Dr Stanislaw monitoring that allows engineering monitoring under normal operating Starzak, Director of the Computer managers to anticipate and prevent conditions. Collaborating with Chinese Centre. failure of system components. Universities and manufacturers is likely Consequently, UK researchers have to accelerate the introduction and pioneered novel techniques such as EU R&D general acceptance of such techniques. ultra-high frequeny (UHF) monitoring of In advance of a formal EC proposal, partial discharges (PD) that are allowing We are very keen to build on the links consultation on FP7 will begin shortly. electrical utilities to improve reliability established in China and will seek Views of those currently involved in FP5/FP6 and reduce costs through the use of funding to support our collaborators projects, which may inform thinking on the on-line diagnostics. Strathclyde is the from a range of sources, including UK consultation, are invited and should be only Scottish University with a major EPSRC (Interact Scheme), British Council sent to [email protected] presence in the field of power and the EU. The Society would be grateful if any engineering and one of its core Fellows submitting views would also send a copy to [email protected]

7 Event Report Infection and the Threat to the Food Chain Caledonian Research Foundation International Conference 24-26 September 2003 SUPPORTED BY THE FOOD STANDARDS AGENCY

The CRF International Conference has been a major fixture in the Society’s events programme since 1991, when the Society and the Foundation embarked on a productive programme of joint activity.

The conference was attended by () (the 1996 Perspective by Dr Jeremy Sobel (CDC around eighty delegates, all concerned Central Scotland E.coli O157 outbreak, Atlanta). Deliberate contamination of at a high level with food- or public- 500 cases with 17 deaths) and Dr David food with biological agents has safety. Discussions were vigorous and Smith (University of Aberdeen) (the happened already in the USA. The start high quality. The intention of the 1964 Aberdeen typhoid outbreak). of an outbreak caused this way could organisers (Professor Hugh Pennington Professor Pennington pointed out that either be slow and initially and Sir John Arbuthnott) was to bring the Aberdeen failings (most cases arose unremarkable, or explosive. together a very broad range of experts from cross-contamination) were to categorise old and new threats to replicated in Wishaw in 1996. Lessons Where Are We Now opened with the food chain and propose new had not been learned – or if they had, Campylobacter. Dr John Cowden solutions and assess the success – or not remembered. E.coli O157 and (SCIEH, Glasgow) pointed out that otherwise – of old ones. They did not other VTEC remained a threat – the although a common cause of disappoint. At the Discussion Supper incidence of infection in Scotland, gastrointestinal disease, its source was Trust and the Public Health Baroness whilst low in absolute terms, was still almost always unknown, despite much Onora O’Neill put these topics into the highest in the world. TheLessons epidemiological and microbiological philosophical context. In her view the Learned session concluded with a research. A reliable and generally current audit culture distorts vigorous discussion led by Professor available typing scheme remains accountability and marginalises Michael Lean (University of Glasgow) on elusive, hindering this work. Dr L J professionalism. Medical ethics has possible relationships between Allison (Western General Hospital, swung the balance very much towards nutrition and infection in Scotland. No Edinburgh) considered Verocytotoxin- individual patients and individual clear links emerged. producing E.coli, and emphasised that practitioners. There is now a need to although the food-borne route was anchor public health ethics in political New Threats and Old Ones opened important, so was contact with animals philosophy – issues of truth and justice. with an account by Dr John Wood and their faeces. Professor Tom (NIBSC, Potters Bar) of recent Humphrey (University of Bristol) The wide-ranging programme started experiences with new influenza viruses. completed coverage of the currently with Lessons Learned and a failure, Professor Jennifer Mordue Luntz active triumvirate of zoonotic food- Foot and Mouth disease in 2001. Sir (University of Aberdeen) discussed the borne pathogens by emphasising the Brian Follett reviewed the many recent northward extension of phenotypic and genotypic adaptability scientific lessons it taught, ranging infections with the ruminant virus, of Salmonella. from optimising surveillance to bluetongue, and its Culicoides vector prevention by immunisation - and C.imicola, together with the results of Professor Peter Smith (London School Brigadier Alex Birtwistle inimitably taxonomic research showing the of Hygiene and Tropical Diseases) and described the operational issues he occurrence in the UK of possible vectors Professor James Ironside (University of faced and how they were resolved. related to C.obsoletus and C.pulicans. Edinburgh) considered the current The session closed with a presentation status of the epidemics of BSE and Two classic Scottish outbreaks were on The Threat of a Biological Terrorist vCJD. The Food Standards Agency has covered by Professor T H Pennington Attack on the Food Supply : The CDC assessed that the current control

8 measures in the UK have a cost which is Professor Mark Woolhouse (University Two general presentations came at the now disproportionate to their benefit of Edinburgh) gave four reasons why a end of the Conference, From Control to and some relaxation of controls is wider understanding and acceptance of Commitment by Dr Patrick Wall under consideration. Less than 150 mathematical modelling was important (Member, European Food Safety persons, globally, have been diagnosed in his presentation Computer Models in Authority), and a final overview by with variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease the Real World. Firstly, the more those Professor Douglas Georgala (Chair, (vCJD), but there are many uncertainties with relevant expertise contribute to the ACMSF). Dr Wall said that food safety about the future course of the epidemic model-building process the better the is not rocket science, but improving the because of the long and variable models will be. Secondly, the process safety of food can only been achieved incubation period. The session of model development often indicates when all the stakeholders play their concluded with a lively discussion led which crucial data are missing. Thirdly, part. The solution is simple, sequential by Professor Peter Borriello (HPA, the better the general understanding of incremental risk reduction along the Colindale), who provoked by proposing models the more likely they will be used food chain with communication of any that in general, lessons were not wisely by policy makers. Finally, there is unavoidable residual risk to consumers learned from history. The importance no real alternative if we aspire to the with clear instructions on how to of a robust public health infrastructure evidence-based design of disease manage it. While pathogen specific and regular reviews of policy were control programmes; major disease control programs are required and emphasised by several discussants. outbreaks are singular events and more research and surveillance needed experience and intuition alone will to understand the epidemiology of the Professor Mark Pallen (University of often be poor guides to decision- different agents, simply increasing Birmingham) opened the session making. hygiene standards across the food “Techniques/Ways Forward” by chain will have the effect of reducing illustrating the routes from genome Dr Michael Klass (Illinois) illustrated food-borne disease. sequence to consequence. About a recent applications of an ELISA (Enzyme dozen genome sequences for E.coli and Linked Immunosorbent Assay) format Professor Georgala concluded the Salmonella enteritica have been or are to TSE testing in his presentation Conference. He said that public health close to completion, with two for Testing for TSE : Mad Cows, Scrapie authorities have a key role in Campylobacter jejuni. Professor Sheep and Wasted Deer and Elk. The maintaining and improving surveillance Gordon Dougan (Imperial College, morning concluded with a presentation systems to monitor trends, and to London) considered vaccines. Many by Nick Higham, Arts and Media ensure that the emergence of a ‘new’ cases of food poisoning are never Correspondent of the BBC. He used food pathogen is detected early. Local defined in microbiological terms. Thus, familiar stories to illustrate good enforcement needs to be effective and market drivers for many potential practice and pitfalls, reviewed the consistent. Training of all food vaccines designed to protect the human progress of the Food Standards Agency handlers needs much greater attention. consumer are often not attractive for towards getting the right balance Larger food companies have been commercial development. between simply responding to food successful in adopting the full HACCP Consequently human vaccines against scares and actively promoting good approach. The challenge is to bring the Salmonella gastroenteritis, nutrition and hygiene (good progress HACCP approach to smaller operations, Campylobacter and other food- to date), and emphasised the to catering and fast food outlets, and associated agents are not under active importance of improving to the farming sector. There was development, other than as travellers’ communication between the media, general agreement with his final words vaccines or as components for general scientists and policy makers. “that there is no real alternative.” diarrhoeal vaccines targeting third world populations. Later Professor Geoff Sim (SAC, Edinburgh) moved the emphasis from Potentially the more attractive target is pathogen to host in his presentation This article is a summary of Professor the consumed animal, although even Selective Breeding. After a general Hugh Pennington’s report of the here some of the commercial drivers review he focused on the National conference to the Caledonian Research motivating vaccine development are Scrapie Plan. He concluded that while Foundation. A Full copy of the report is complicated and sometimes disputed. selection for the desired genotype available on the CRF website, If the agent (such as E.coli O157) does looks simple at first sight, there remain www.calres.org.uk and will also be not cause a serious disease in the important unanswered questions, published by the RSE in its review of the animal reservoir, we may have to be including the impact on other traits of Session 2002-2003. inventive in how we encourage vaccine economic importance, the impact on uptake on the supply farms. genetic variability, and optimal Professor Hugh Pennington is Emeritus approaches to breeding for resistance Professor of Bacteriology, University of in populations of different size and Aberdeen. with different PrP allele frequencies.

9 [email protected] TICKETS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL RSE EVENTS. To book tickets online, visit FORTHCOMING EVENTS www.royalsoced.org.uk or contact [email protected] for further information. FEBRUARY 2004

Monday 9 February at 5.30pm FREE PUBLIC LECTURE Refurbishment of the Forth Bridge Mr Duncan Sooman, Regional Engineering Manager, Network Rail. Jointly with the Institution of Civil Engineers East of Scotland. Scotland's Forth Bridge is recognised by the Institution of Civil Engineers and the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of Image Courtesy of Fermilab Photo the engineering wonders of the world and is a marvellous feat of Victorian engineering. Wednesday 4 February at The bridge was recently closed to rail traffic as a part of a multi-million pound 10.30am refurbishment programme. What does this entail and what will the future hold for this PARTICLE PHYSICS WORKSHOP famous Scottish Landmark? Advances in Heavy Quark Physics This is the ninth workshop in the series, which aims to give an overview of developments in an aspect of Particle Physics. This year centres around the Beauty and top quarks and covers the experimental status and prospects at both electron-positron and proton- antiproton colliders plus the theoretical framework. For further information and to register contact the Events Team. Image Courtesy of Network Rail Conference Fee : £30 full; £17 student; £25 RSE Fellow.

MARCH 2004 Tuesday 9 March. 9am - 5pm CONFERENCE Scotland and the Media - A Question of Trust. Alastair Campbell, the former Downing Street Director of Communications is to be part of a line-up of leading journalists, academics, politicians and communications experts, Monday 1 March at 5.30pm taking part in an RSE conference on the Scottish Media. Chaired by Today programme Presenter, James Naughtie, the conference will seek to explore the relationships be- ** FREE PUBLIC LECTURE tween the Scottish media, the Scottish Parliament and the public. Influential Electricity Supply in the New decision-makers and stakeholders, including Editors of Scottish newspapers, Broadcast- Century ing heads, MSPs and Commentators will come together to consider whether or not Dr Malcolm Kennedy CBE FRSE, Former there has been a breakdown of trust where the media is concerned, and if the standards Chairman of PB Power, Former President and the quality of journalism are properly serving the public interest. For further infor- of the Institution of Electrical Engineers. mation and to register contact the Events Team. Conference fee £85 full rate, £55 The privatisation of electricity in Scotland, concessions. England and Wales in the early 1990s has been characterised by ongoing Monday 15 March at 5.30pm mergers and de-mergers ever since. It has FREE PUBLIC LECTURE been affected by the incessant Wind Energy - Powering the Future interventions by Government and Dr Ian Mays, Managing Director, Renewable Energy Systems Ltd. Jointly with The Royal Regulator in an effort to influence price, Academy of Engineering. This event is part of National Science Week 2004 (12-21 service and to improve the environment. March). As public and political concern grows over global warming, governments are Dr Kennedy will explore the lessons increasingly looking to renewable sources of energy to make an increasing contribution learnt from worldwide privatisation and to power supplies, thereby helping their stability and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. regulation, and from the collapse of Wind energy is the most cost-effective renewable technology and its development energy companies like Enron, and will around the world is growing rapidly. This presentation will review the history, technolo- conclude with a look to the future. gy, economics, issues and prospects for wind energy, both onshore and offshore, as a major contributor to future power needs.

10 Monday 22 March at 5.30pm APRIL 2004 FREE PUBLIC LECTURE Monday 5 April at 5.30pm Serendipity and Biology in the **FREE PUBLIC LECTURE Discovery and Delivery of a New Frank Fraser Darling 1903-1979: Ecologist, Conservationist, Prophet Treatment for Cancer Professor Palmer Newbould, Emeritus Professor of Environmental Science, University of Dr Barbara Spruce, winner of the 2003 Ulster. 2003 is the centenary of the birth of Frank Fraser Darling. He was elected a Gannochy Innovation Award, Ninewells Fellow of the RSE in 1934, organised and published a major survey of agriculture, Hospital, Dundee. sociology and ecology, West Highland Survey, in 1955, gave the Reith Lectures in 1969, Oncology in the 21st century will see and was knighted in 1970. He held major advisory roles in conservation and ecological cancer patients treated with therapies consultancy in such countries as Alaska and Kenya. Professor Newbould, an ecologist tailored to the individual genetic and friend of Fraser Darling, will assess his contributions to ecology, nature conservation makeup of their tumours - a vision and environmental quality. made possible by the sequencing of the human genome. The potential Wednesday 21 April at 1pm power of genomic and proteomic CONFERENCE AND LECTURE profiling in defining cancer treatment Fire and Structures: Implications of the World Trade Center Disaster for the future is very clear. What is also The conference will examine our current knowledge of the interaction between fire and becoming clear however is that cancer structures. The dramatic events in New York on September 11 2001 drew attention to cells, whilst indubitably genetically the need for structural engineers to approach fire safety design in a new and more complex, share certain key fundamental way. The issues surrounding this will be explored, and our current vulnerabilities that offer hope for more understanding of building fires and how the structural engineer can use this pragmatic, common approaches to knowledge as part of the structural design process will be reviewed. A Conference fee treatment. will apply. The Conference will be followed, at 6pm, by a free Public Lecture, by Dr This lecture will discuss how a blend of Shyam Sunder, Chief, Materials and Construction Research Division, NIST, who will ideas, surprises and serendipity has examine the issues debated in the earlier conference. brought an existing class of drug to the oncology arena – a drug that exploits Monday 26 April 2004 at 5pm an Achilles’ heel in many tumours, Robert Cormack Bequest Public Lecture causing them to self-destruct whilst FREE PUBLIC LECTURE sparing normal tissues - and look at Focusing on the Sky the hopes and challenges for the Professor Sir Michael Berry FRS, University of Bristol. This public lecture, aimed at both future. specialist and budding astronomers, follows a day-long workshop, for students and post-graduates. MAY 2004 Monday 10 May at 5.30pm Monday 24 May at 5.30pm **FREE PUBLIC LECTURE at RSE Normal cells (left) survive whereas cancer Broadband Access Technologies: Wednesday 26 May at 5.30pm at University of Dundee cells (right) die by apoptosis after exposure Reality and Myth. CRF PRIZE LECTURE to sigma antagonist drugs. [Image courtesy Professor Stephen McLaughlin, University of Dr Spruce.] of Edinburgh. As the demand for Pre-mRNA Splicing: the Tie that multimedia services grows, so also does Binds. the demand for greater and greater by Professor Joan Steitz, Howard Hughes bandwidth to service this. This places an Medical Institute, Yale University. increasing load on the access Premessenger RNA (pre-mRNA) splicing is Thursday 25 March at 1pm infrastructure and has led to a prolifer- an essential step in gene expression in CONFERENCE ation of access technologies. Steve higher cells. The removal of introns from McLaughlin will seek to explore the The Future of Retailing - Transport gene transcripts is orchestrated by the technological and economic factors Supported by Archibald spliceosome, an RNA-based machine that influencing the development and contains five essential RNA-protein Campbell & Harley WS The deployment of access technologies on fifth and final in a series, this complexes called snRNPs, as well as many offer. He will discuss what is the reality conference brings together protein factors. The history of snRNPs will of broadband access and what is myth, be followed by a discussion of some of business leaders and academics to focusing on the key access technologies: discuss ongoing problems in retailing the major surprises concerning the nature Broadband Fixed Wireless Access and development and implications for of the spliceosomes and introns that have Digital Subscriber Line. recently been uncovered. Then, current Scotland. This year’s theme is transport, specifically the impact that congestion challenges, such as how splicing is linked charges are having on the retail sector in on the molecular level to other steps in gene expression, will be discussed. London and how this might apply elsewhere. Conference fee £125. ** These Lectures form part of RSE Ordinary Meetings and may be preceded by Society 11 Business, such as new Fellows signing the Roll, etc. Free, fully organised educational activities for young Young People people throughout Scotland The RSE Christmas Lecture - Black Holes and White Rabbits Start Up Science Masterclasses Hands-on Saturday morning classes. Heriot-Watt University 24 April Chemical Cluedo, by Dr John Parker 1 May DNA Extraction Using Kitchen Chemistry, by Dr Peter Morris 8 May The Mystery of Magnetism, by Dr Peter Barker 22 May Police Car Crash Analysis, by Dr Jonathan Corrney and Dr Bruce Davies. University of St Andrews 24 April Bagpipes and Electrons by Dr Bruce Sinclair Professor John Brown. Photo by Press and Journal. 1 May Chemical Cluedo: a murder The Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Christmas Lecture 2003 was given at Inverness Royal mystery by Dr Chris Badderley Academy by Professor John Brown, Astronomer Royal for Scotland, on 8 December. 8 May It’s a Wonderful Life: Fossils During lectures to local students in the afternoon and to the general public later in the and Their Stories by Dr Ruth day, Professor Brown, a talented magician and gifted communicator, as well as an Robinson expert astronomer and physicist, used his knowledge of magic to demonstrate that 15 May Ships, Stars and Planets by Dr Black holes are the weirdest objects in the universe, with huge gravitational fields Moira Jardine which have bizarre effects on space and time around them - they may even be the University of Glasgow birthplace of new universes! 24 April How to be a Weather Forecaster 1 May How to be a Bridge Designer Talk Science 8 May How to be an Astronomer 15 May How to be a Rocket Scientist Entertaining and informative speaker visits to schools. University of Dundee: 3 March Chemistry, Colour and Magic by Dr Christine Davidson and Ms Allison (titles to be confirmed) Drummond at Stranraer Academy, Dumfries. 8 May DNA Detectives – A Murder 15 March Springburn Academy, Glasgow as part of National Science Week. Mystery, by Dr Hilary-Kay 16 & 17 March From Black Holes to Big Bangs by Dr Alan Heavens at the Science 04 Young Festival in Caithness, as part of National Science Week. There will be 15 May Having the Heart to Get a schools talks at Wick and Thurso High Schools and a talk for the Grip, by Dr Sandy Harper public at Wick High School. 22 May How an Embryo Knows its 28 May Captain Cook and the Cosmic Yardstick by Dr Martin Hendry at Head from its Tail, by Ardnamurchan High School, Strontian. As well as a talk for students, Professor Cheryl Tickle and Dr a public lecture will be held in the evening. Kate Storey 5 June Plants for People, by Dr Neil Patterson and Dr Alistair Hood RSE Roadshow Classes will also be held at the University of Aberdeen/Satrosphere. 15-16 March at Portree High School, Isle of Skye. There will be talks and workshops for primary and secondary students, including: For further information on, or to Weather Forecasting for the New Millennium by BBC Scotland’s Heather Reid; register for, any of the RSE Events for Bridge Building by Professor Miles Padgett FRSE, Glasgow University; Young People, please contact Dr Capturing Colour with Chemistry by Dr Grieg Chisholm, Ciba Speciality Chemicals. Harinee Selvadurai, There will also be a talk for the public. [email protected]

12 Discussion Forum In June 2004 the RSE will be visiting Dumfries to hold a Discussion Forum entitled Energy Crisis – what are the alternatives? S5/6 students from Dumfries and Galloway will hear from the experts and make up their mind as to how Scotland should proceed to ensure that in 2020 the required 40% of energy will be from renewable sources. In addition to electricity, how will we fulfill our future transport and heating energy needs? The students’ proposals will be complied in a report, which will be sent to decision-making bodies, including the Scottish Parliament, so that the views of the young people can be heard. The report of the 2003 Discussion Forum Scotland’s Obesity Epidemic (ISBN No 0 902198 83 1) is available on the RSE Website in pdf format, or in hard copy from the Education Office ([email protected])

Maths Masterclasses Lively Saturday morning maths classes University of Dundee. 1, 8, 15 and 22 May 2004 Recent classes have also been held at Glasgow High School on January 17, 24, 31 and February 7 2004

Desperately Seeking Scientists Enthusing the young about science and options on offer, but that, if true at all, ensuring the future, not only of our the opportunities it holds is a only applies to the central belt. I have scientific tradition, but also of the responsibility that many of us share. had fantastic days at schools in knowledge-led economy upon which Projections from various government Gairloch, Ullapool, Dornoch and our country’s wealth creation depends. organisations indicate that we are Inverness. Their remoteness to facilities *if anyone holds the definitive answer heading for a massive shortfall in the that many more central schools take for to this, please e-mail me on number of scientifically-trained people granted makes for a very appreciative [email protected] leaving our education system. What audience. Miles Padgett FRSE is Professor of can we, as Fellows of the Royal Society Here in the Glasgow University Physics Physics, and Royal Society University of Edinburgh, do to help persuade Department, our own RSE Startup Research Fellow in the Department of young people to opt for careers in Science masterclass series uses the Physics and Astronomy, University of science and engineering? departmental common room, a feel- Glasgow. For a number of years the Society has good attic conversion in the roof space run a vibrant Young People’s of Lord Kelvin’s original lecture theatre. Programme, skilfully facilitated by Dr Topics range from how to forecast the Harinee Selvadurai (the Society’s weather (hosted by BBC Scotland’s Education Officer). Activities range from Heather the Weather), to a Bridge- lively and entertaining talks to schools, building competition, and a morning in provided by working scientists, to a Mr Blobby – our inflatable planetarium. nationwide series of Saturday morning One may think that such involvements masterclasses where groups of 30-40 are all give, with little return. Recently, students (12-14 or 16-17 years old) join after my Christmas lecture one pupil Fellows and colleagues on four asked if a transfer of energy is always consecutive Saturday mornings. accompanied by a transfer of I remember vividly - while driving down momentum. Quite simply the most the side of Loch Maree on a glorious thought-provoking question I’ve been photo supplied by Miles Padgett spring morning, heading to Gairloch to asked in a long time!* Fellows and colleagues wishing to find give my Colder than Cold Talk Science Many of us chose science careers out more about giving talks and Lecture - thinking what an excellent job because of encouragement from workshops for Young People should I had. We may think that schools are others. We now have a similar contact Dr Harinee Selvadurai, spoilt for choice in the extra-curricular opportunity to enthuse our successors, [email protected]

13 Research Awards

The RSE awards over £1.5 million in Research funding every year through a variety of Fellowship and Scholarship programmes. The following Research Awards and Prizes CRF European will be offered in the coming months. Fellowships Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland available in any discipline but CRF European Visiting Fellowships have Fellowships and Studentships preference will be given to topics likely recently been awarded to : closing date 6 February. All projects to enhance technology transfer and Dr Victor Apryschenko from Rostov must be related to improving the wealth creation in Scotland. State University, Russia to University of quality of life of the ageing population. PPARC Enterprise Fellowships Strathclyde to study “The Union of Personal - postdoctoral 3-year Research closing date 25 March. Funded by the 1707 and the Roots of Scottish Fellowships based in a Scottish HEI. Particle Physics and Astronomy Nationalism”. Support - 1-year sabbatical Fellowships Research Council these Fellowships are Dr Ema Jelinkova from Palacky to allow members of academic staff in available to candidates, in any part of University in the Czech Republic to Scottish HEIs to carry out a research the UK, who have held PPARC funding Edinburgh University, studying project. The cost of the replacement in the past. contemporary Scottish prose and current trends in literary criticism, as member of staff is reimbursed. SE Enterprise Fellowships well as furthering her research into Studentships - 3-year PhD studentships closing date 25 March. Funded by Scottish Enterprise these Fellowships Muriel Spark’s devices for embedding available to postgraduates based in the notion of “regulated hatred”into Scottish HEIs. are for one year and provide business training, a year’s salary and support her fiction. Cormack Vacation Scholarships funds to enable awardees to Dr Alexander Panayotov from New closing date 13 February. These commercialise their technology. Bulgarian University, to the School of scholarships are available to young Applicants must be based in a Scottish Divinity at University of St Andrews to astronomy undergraduates who wish HEI. carry out research in the area of New to spend up to six weeks in their Testament and Jewish studies with a vacation period working on a project of J M Lessells Travel Scholarships view to developing new courses in their choice. The Scholarships must be closing date 31 March. These these areas in Bulgarian Universities. Scholarships are for well qualified, held in a Scottish University. Rev Dr Istvan Pasztori-Kupan from young, engineering graduates of the Protestant Theological Institute Cluj BP Research Fellowship Scottish Universities to enable them to (Kolozsvar), Rumania to New College, closing date 5 March. Postdoctoral 3- travel abroad to carry out work which University of Edinburgh, to finalise his year Research Fellowship based in a will benefit their long-term career. All book entitled Theodoret of Cyrus which Scottish HEI. Applicants must be aged forms of engineering are included and is part of a series published by 35 or under on the date of the awardees must return to Scotland Routledge on The Early Church Fathers. appointment, or have between two and at the end of the Scholarship. The six years postdoctoral experience. These Scholarships are for one year but may Professor Niall Whitty from University Fellowships are available in Mechanical be extended to two upon reapplication. of Edinburgh to the Max-Planck-Institut Engineering, Chemical Engineering, fur Auslandisches und Internationales Control Engineering, Solid State Wellcome Research Workshops Privatrecht Hamburg, Germany, to study Sciences, Information Technology, closing date 21 May. Funded by the “The Scots law on obligation for the Geological Sciences and Chemistry Wellcome Trust, Workshops are redress of unjustified enrichment (Scots (non-Biological). available in three areas enrichment law)”. Dr Christopher Whyte from University Scottish Executive Research 1) Biomedical and Behavioural Sciences of Glasgow to Budapest, Hungary Cluj/ Fellowships 2) Veterinary Science Kolozsvar and Tirgu Mures/ closing date 12 March. 3) History of Medicine Marosvasarhely, Romania, to conduct Personal - postdoctoral 3-year Research research under the title “Nationhood as Fellowships. Applicants must be aged The workshops may be specialist or Experience and Projection: The 32 or under on the date of multi-disciplinary and are limited to a Hungarians of Transylvania”. appointment, or have between two and maximum of 40 participants. six years postdoctoral experience. Dr Martin Kirkbride from University of Dundee to Universite de Savoie, France Support - 1-year sabbatical Fellowships and Universita di Milano, Italy. His to allow members of academic staff in Information about all the above research aims to document and explain Scottish HEIs to carry out a research schemes can be found on the RSE changes in surface debris cover on project. The cost of the replacement website www.royalsoced.org.uk or apline glaciers over recent decades. member of staff is reimbursed. obtained from the Research Awards Scottish Executive Fellowships are Office, [email protected]

14 Fellows’ Notice Board FELLOWS DECEASED OBITUARY - PROFESSOR PETER WILSON, CBE It is with much regret that we record GENERAL SECRETARY 1996-2001 the deaths of the following Fellows : Peter Wilson was elected a Fellow of the made an inspiring triumvirate: it was Professor Roy Foster Society in 1987, and by 1992 was business as usual whilst the complex Dr James K Grant serving on Council as Secretary to planning and fundraising to realise the Professor Guan B Ong Meetings. He excelled in this role potential of the new premises took Professor Ian Soutar because his open, warm personality place. It was entirely fitting that Peter was always able to put even the most had a key role in the opening by HRH Professor Peter N Wilson nervous of lecturers at ease. A vote of The Princess Royal in February 1999 of NEW YEAR HONOURS thanks by Peter was always a tour de the enlarged and renovated premises. force, tantalisingly demonstrating his The building work completed, Peter We congratulate the following Fellows eloquent gifts as a public speaker. again took a lead role in helping its then who were honoured in the 2004 New President, Sir William Stewart, reshape Year Honours List But he was also an adept committee man and was therefore a popular the Society, before handing over the Knight Grand Cross (GCMG) choice to succeed Professor Bruce reins as General Secretary in 2001 to Lord Robertson of Port Ellen Proudfoot as General Secretary in 1996. Professor Andrew Miller. Knight Commander (KCMG) This demanding role showed him at his In 2002, Peter was awarded the Society’s Judge David Edward best, and he served for 5 years under Bicentenary Medal, an award reserved Knight Bachelor two Presidents; Professor Malcolm only for those who have given Richard Armstrong Jeeves and Sir William Stewart. The outstanding service to the Society. With Alasdair Muir Breckenridge start of his period as General Secretary almost a decade of unstinting service, ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE was particularly testing, involving the and at a particularly challenging time in challenge of renovating the premises at the Society’s development, it was entirely Commander (CBE) 26 George Street, then recently fitting that the medal was awarded to Frances Anne Cairncross acquired from Commercial Union. him and presented at a Fellows’ meeting. William Edgar Along with the Treasurer, Sir Lewis Officer (OBE) Following a short illness, Peter died on Robertson, Peter and Malcolm Jeeves William George Hill 29 January 2004. AWARDS, APPOINTMENTS AND CITATIONS FELLOWS’ DIRECTORY You should by now have received your Professor Roger Fletcher was recently History and Heritage Award of the copy of the 2004 Directory. If you have elected to the Royal Society. American Society of Civil Engineering, not, please contact Vicki Ingpen for improving the understanding of the Professor Peter Holmes has been ([email protected]) to history of Civil Engineering through appointed to the Council of SHEFC, for obtain a free copy. teaching and publications and as four years from August 2003. Fellows are reminded that it is their Chairman of the Institution of Civil responsibility to let the Society know of Professor Sean McKee has received a Engineers’ Panel for Historic any changes to their contact details and Homenagem from the University of Sao Engineering Works. Paulo, Brazil. are asked to contact Lesley Campbell Lord Robertson of Port Ellen has been ([email protected]), should Professor Roland Paxton, was recently awarded the US Presidential Medal of any of the details shown in the awarded the 2003 Civil Engineering Freedom. directory need amending. Periodically, the Society asks Fellows to DISCUSSION SUPPER FELLOWS’ COFFEE MEETINGS complete a form updating the 3 February 2004 information held about them, and we Thursday 6 May 2004 Rediscovering Pilgrims, Nomads and Tourists : The hope to issue one later in 2004, prior Diversity in Higher Education with Changing Landscape of Faith. to publication of the 2005 Directory. Professor David Ingram OBE FRSE, Master, St Catharine’s College, Lord Sutherland of Houndwood, FELLOWSHIP NOMINATIONS Cambridge, Professor John Mavor FRSE, President Fellows are reminded that the closing Former Principal & Vice-Chancellor, 2 March 2004 date for nominations for Fellowship is Napier University and Professor Don't Count your Chickens... now 31 May annually. Nomination MichaelThorne, Vice-Chancellor, Professor J S Beck forms are available in the Fellows’ only University of East London. Normal Tuesday meetings will continue area of the web site or from Dr Lesley until 30 March 2004, resuming on A £20 participation fee will apply. To Campbell, in the fellowship office. Tuesday 12 October 2004 for the 2004- register, or for further details, contact ([email protected]) 2005 Session. Sarah Gilmore, Events Co-ordinator.

15 Science Matters!

The independent, Scottish Science Advisory Committee (SSAC), established under the auspices of the RSE, published its first comprehensive overview report of science in Why Science Scotland in January 2004. Entitled: Science Matters: Making The Right Connections Education Matters For Scotland, the report makes recommendations to the Scottish Executive on a range of issues relating to the future development of the science base in Scotland. In November 2003, the SSAC published its first report, Why Science Education The Report contains seven key recommendations: Matters: Supporting and Improving 1. The optimisation of the science base should be a principal component in the Science Education in Scottish Schools. development of government policies and strategies in Scotland. The twenty-three recommendations in the report, aimed primarily at the 2. The Scottish Executive should implement with due urgency the recommendations Scottish Executive, called for: presented in the SSAC paper, Why Science Education Matters: Supporting and Improving Science Education in Scottish Schools. § A comprehensive programme of curriculum change; 3. The Scottish Executive should continue to address the issues of short-term viability and the longer-term sustainability of Scotland’s science festivals and science § Investment in state-of-the-art centres such that they become a national network that fulfils identified infrastructure; educational and cultural roles. § Recognition of the importance of 4. The Scottish Executive, SHEFC, SEN, HIE, HEIs, the SEERAD-Sponsored Bodies and technology and technical skills; the Research Councils should act more collectively and creatively to support § The co-ordination and improved exceptional cases for the recruitment, career development, retention and connectivity of science education resourcing of outstanding talent in the science base in Scotland. support activities; 5. There should be a significant reshaping to optimise the science base in Scotland. § Mechanisms to address the This reshaping must focus on globally-competitive areas of science, promote challenge of producing a cohort of strategic cross-sector collaborations and encourage high-risk, high-reward high-quality science teachers for the activities. The Scottish Executive, SHEFC, SEN, HIE and the Research Councils future: and should invite and support proposals for new integrated structures that would § A directed programme of research lead, where appropriate, to the creation of Scottish Centres of Scientific Excellence. in science education. 6. With regard to future planning cycles, the Scottish Executive must ensure that resources are made available for the simultaneous pursuit of excellence in research and the nurturing of knowledge transfer activities. SEERAD, Scottish Enterprise, Professor Wilson Sibbett, SSAC Chairman SHEFC, NHS Scotland, the Research Councils and ITI Scotland should together and Professor John Coggins, Working Group identify and calibrate intellectual property within the science base in Scotland to Chairman at the press launch for Why promote a better understanding of its scale and value. A major objective must be Science Education Matters . [photo by Gary to establish a new culture for the generation of linkages between relevant aspects Doak] of knowledge generation and its subsequent exploitation. 7. The public and policymakers should have improved access to and engagement with the science base in Scotland. The SSAC believes that the Executive, working with organisations such as the BA and the RSE, should provide a means to improve public engagement on key issues arising from current and future scientific research, recognising the need to foster a wider scientific literacy among Scottish citizens.

Both reports can be obtained from the SSAC office (tel 0131 240 5014) or downloaded from the SSAC website, www.scottishscience.org.uk

COPY DATE ADDRESS INFORMATION The copy date for the next issue is 22-26 GEORGE STREET website: www.royalsoced.org.uk 12 April 2004. Please send copy to EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND www.rsescotlandfoundation.org.uk Jennifer Cameron at the Society. EH2 2PQ e-mail: [email protected] [email protected] Any opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of Tel: 0131 240 5000 ReSourcE : ISSN No 1473-7841 all RSE Fellows Fax: 0131 240 5024 replaces RSE News