news THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH ISSUE 32 SUMMER 2011 RESOURCE THE NEWSLETTER OF SCOTLAND’ S NATIONAL ACADEMY

NEW FELLOWS WELCOMED TO THE SOCIETY New Fellow, Barbara Rae CBE (pictured) is an artist whose work is included in many private collections in Britain, Europe and the USA, as well as in many public and corporate collections. Dr Rae was born in Falkirk and educated in Edinburgh where she now lives and works. Forty-five new Fellows were elected to the Fellowship in March 2011, most of whom attended an Induction Day at the Society in May. Full details of all the new Fellows can be found on our website at www.royalsoced.org.uk and some photographs from the event are reproduced on the back page.

Reconstructing the pastCurrent developments Looking to the future Evidence and Advice

A COMMON STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR EU RESEARCH AND INNOVATION FUNDING In May, the RSE responded to a European Commission consultation on future EU funding for research and innovation. This consultation is part of a process through which the EU aims to bring together and simplify current funding programmes, make participation easier and increase scientific and economic value. An RSE Working Group was set up to prepare the response. Key points emphasised include: • EU research and innovation funding must be carefully targeted on where it can add value, and be seen to add value, to national efforts. There are three characteristics of EU-level funding and activity that are of significant value: mobility; coordination; and solidarity. • Mobility is a natural driver of collaboration, bringing together European research groups involving the highest levels of talent. Coordinating activity through such collaboration and through avoiding duplication is one of the most valuable roles the EU fulfils. • Cohesion policy must be designed to support less competitive regions in building research capacity and driving entrepreneurship and innovation to ensure solidarity. • It is imperative that research in the social sciences and humanities be given equal status to that of other sciences and engineering. In order to address key challenges in areas such as health and climate change we need a deeper understanding of how to influence attitudes and behaviours.

CARLOWAY REVIEW OF THE LAW AND PRACTICE RELATING TO THE DETENTION AND QUESTIONING OF SUSPECTS In June an RSE working group responded to Lord Carloway’s review of the law and practice relating to the detention and questioning of suspects in light of the decision in the recent case of Cadder. This decision held that the right to a fair trial, enshrined in Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights, would generally be breached if the prosecutor made use of evidence obtained from questioning a ‘suspect’ detained in police custody before the individual had had the opportunity to receive legal advice. The working group is concerned that the Carloway Review may not provide the opportunity required for a study in depth of the core principles of criminal law and procedure. Key recommendations set out in the paper are that: • The issues should be considered on a much broader basis, and with the depth that the Scottish Law Commission, or some larger body led by them, could bring to such a study. • More particularly, the decision in Cadder was limited in scope, and the Supreme Court must be expected to develop its own jurisprudence as the cases already referred by the Lord Advocate, and appeals already in hand, are considered and disposed of. • It is impossible at this stage to anticipate the outcome of this process, or to predict the success or otherwise of the emergency legislation already in force in the context of that developing jurisprudence. • A critical question is the point at which the status of ‘suspect’ arises, by requiring the provision of legal advice on his rights in responding to police questioning. The resolution of that issue is by no means clear. • Until one knows the direction likely to be taken by the Supreme Court, and the European Court, the development of a legislative solution is in a real sense premature since it comes before the problem has been fully defined. 2 [email protected]

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

SEPTEMBER 2011

Monday 5 September 2011 at 6 pm LECTURE Radiation and Reason: Straight and Open Thinking About Choosing Nuclear Professor Wade Allison, Emeritus Fellow, Keble College, Oxford For more than 60 years, it has been accepted that radiation, that is nuclear radiation, is quite exceptionally dangerous. In this lecture, this question is re-examined and the answer is shown to be rather unexpected. This will be explained in simple terms using incontrovertible evidence. In the light of such fresh understanding, nuclear technology may be welcomed and used carefully to benefit the environment for the future without fear or excessive cost.

This lecture forms part of an Ordinary Meeting and so shall be preceded by Society business such as Fellows signing the Roll.

Monday 26 September 2011 Climate change will affect us all, for example in energy, food security, population migration and competition for resources. Scotland, given its long history as a major at 6 pm contributor to rising greenhouse gas levels and access to renewable energy resources, has a role to play. The RSE Inquiry Facing up to Climate Change sought evidence from DISCUSSION FORUM a wide variety of people and organisations to highlight the opportunities of a transition to a low-carbon future and the barriers to change. Lord Turner and Professor Sugden Facing up to Climate Change will discuss what the challenges are and what the future may hold.

The Rt Hon Lord Adair Turner Professor David Sugden FRSE, Professor HonFRSE, Chairman of the of Geography, Financial Services Authority and Chair, RSE Climate Change Inquiry

TICKETS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL RSE EVENTS – RSE Lectures and Discussion Forums are open to all and normally free to attend* but registration is required. To register please contact the Events Team. Please note that many RSE events run to full capacity. If you book a place at any event but are unable to attend, please inform the RSE Events Department so that your place can be reallocated. To book tickets go online at: www.royalsoced.org.uk or phone the events ticket line: 0131 240 2780 For further information on all RSE events, visit www.royalsoced.org.uk or contact: [email protected] *some events may carry a charge to attend; please see individual events for registration details

3 Innovation rewarded

RSE ENTREPRENEURS’ CLUB – INNOVATORS, SPIRITS AND DRAGONS!

The RSE’s Entrepreneurs’ Club met on the evening of Thursday 7 April, following a full day of presentations by current Enterprise Fellows, some of whom were mid-year in their Fellowships and others who were completing theirs. The theme of the evening was The challenges of seeking competitive funding. This was attended by 35 people including three past Enterprise Fellows who recounted their experiences of being part of a competitive process in which they had varying degrees of success.

DR JOHN MARCH

John is a former Scottish Enterprise Enterprise The public voted on their favourite individual in different categories: Writing; Fellow and now CEO of BigDNA Ltd, Roslin. Art; Music; Screen; Environment; Business; Sport and Food. The selection BigDNA is a vaccine development company panel shortlisted four finalists in each category and The Scotsman Magazine which commercialises vaccine products to profiled those shortlisted in each of the Awards categories over the next few combat human diseases – www.bigdna.com weeks to allow the public to cast their votes. This was a powerful awareness- raising opportunity for the finalists and John appreciated the press attention his company received as a result. John admitted he was surprised to win (and delighted with the bottle of whisky he received from the sponsors). At the awards ceremony he was in the company of Paolo Nutini, who won the music award, and ‘Dr Who’ actress Karen Gillan, who was nominated in the screen category. It was a glittering occasion and a night when science fact met science fiction!

John was nominated for the Glenfiddich Spirit of Scotland Awards® in the business category. The awards were established by the independent family-owned single malt whisky brand to recognise individuals who lead the way in various Dr March is pictured (left) with John Swinney MSP, who opened the facilities aspects of Scottish culture. at Roslin in May 2009.

4 RALF KLINNERT DR ANDREW ALMOND

Ralf is a former Scottish Enterprise, Enterprise Fellow and now Managing Director of Funky Moves Ltd, Livingston. Funky Moves is an energetic start-up company with a novel approach to, and passion for, physical activity and sport www.funky-moves.co.uk Ralf was recently head hunted to take part in the BBC programme Dragons’ Den. Out of the blue he received a telephone call from BBC Manchester inviting him to take part. This was an opportunity Ralf seized, thinking he had nothing to lose but not expecting to get past the first round.

Following a telephone interview and then Andrew, a former BBSRC Enterprise an audition with BBC representatives in Fellow, is now CEO of Conformetrix Ltd, Manchester, Ralf was told he had reached Manchester. Conformetrix has a vision the final selection. He was invited to make to lead the ligand-based design revolution his pitch to the Dragons and began to in pharmaceutical drug discovery prepare for his fifteen minutes of fame. – www.conformetrix.com Ralf confessed that it wasn’t until he was climbing the famous stairs into the Den that Andrew was nominated for the BBSRC what he was doing suddenly struck him! Innovator of the Year award in 2009 and got through the preliminary rounds, Ralf gave a very professional pitch which was initially followed by quite negative comments. reaching the final where he found himself However, as the interview continued it improved and Ralf regained his confidence. He did up against another former BBSRC what many have failed to do before him and managed to turn a very negative response Enterprise Fellow, Martin Wickham, from into a very positive one. After almost two hours of cross examination he emerged a very the Institute of Food Research in Norwich. happy man. Apart from Duncan Bannatyne, all the Dragons liked Ralf’s pitch and the fact he had been able to provide all the information and figures they had requested. His Andrew was very honoured to be in the ‘Funky Cones’ had gone down well with Theo Paphitas and Peter Jones, who both competition and to reach the final was an agreed to invest in Ralf’s company, Funky Moves Ltd. When they were interviewed later outstanding achievement. This was both dragons admitted to feeling like ‘kids let loose in a sweet shop’ and were very particularly so when this was the first year excited about the prospect of working with Ralf and his product, and could see huge of the award and the competition included potential in it. senior, very experienced academics who had formed spin-outs previously. There However, following Ralf’s appearance on television, the ‘due diligence’ began. This was a was only one winner, Professor Stephen very lengthy process and, eventually, almost a year after appearing on the show, Ralf was Jackson from the University of Cambridge, told that it had thrown up a reason why the dragons would not, after all, be investing in who had achieved business success with his company. Apparently this happens regularly and very few of the people who subject his anti-cancer drugs and had sold his themselves to the dragons’ torment ever receive any investment. Ralf concluded that this is a company to AstraZeneca four years programme about entertaining the public, not about business investment. previously for a multi-million-pound sum. Ralf has no regrets about taking part in the programme: he gained good publicity and The rigorous selection of the winner took learned from the character-building experience. Ralf is renowned for his cheerful character place on the day of the award presentation, and his mauling in the Dragons’ Den briefly wiped the smile from his face – but not for long! so the excitement was heightened with none of the finalists or audience knowing in advance who had won. The following year the competition was changed to allow for different levels of experience and success with the creation of the BBSRC Young Innovator of the Year award. Andrew, although disappointed not to win, found his success as a finalist gained him excellent publicity and added kudos when speaking to potential customers and investors. He has no hesitation in praising the whole experience and the BBSRC for creating the awards and he commends the recognition they bring to early stage companies and individual innovators across the UK. 5 International

INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMME Scottish-based Host: Professor Chris Eilbeck FRSE, Department of One of the main purposes of the RSE International Programme is to award Mathematics, Heriot-Watt University short-term travel grants to enable Scottish researchers to establish links Visitor: Professor Bishwajyoti Dey, with colleagues in other countries with a view to a long-lasting collaboration, University of Pune, India through joint publications and joint applications for longer-term funds. The RSE also supports longer-term collaborations through the Joint Project Scheme with the National Natural Science Foundation of China, which facilitates longer-term international collaboration between researchers based in Scotland and China by providing two years’-worth of funding. Following are excerpts from reports of International Exchange visits supported by the RSE International Programme.

Dr Stefan Hoppler, School of Medical Sciences, Visited: Dr Caroline Beck, University of Otago, New Zealand The adult human body has generally only a limited ability to regenerate damaged tissues and organs. Amphibians have a much greater capacity for regenerating damaged tissues and organs and are therefore a perfect experimental model to investigate how to increase the healing potential for ultimately-therapeutic use in human patients. The host, Professor Dey enjoys his first experience of Dr Caroline Beck has studied lens regeneration in an amphibian biomedical model snow in the Heriot-Watt garden at Riccarton system and found that successful lens regeneration is associated with activation of the The visit was devoted to a study of energy Wnt signalling pathway and in particular enhanced expression of the Wnt6 signal. They transport and energy storage on one- carried out pilot experiments to test whether experimentally activating Wnt signalling dimensional discrete structures. These or inhibiting endogenous Wnt6 function would influence lens development and structures could be, for example, biological regeneration. They also started to establish technology to interfere with gene function molecules such as proteins, or chemical chain during later stages of embryonic development and during regeneration. While the molecules such as polyethylene. Mathematical results of the pilot experiments were not conclusive, the potential for a successful models of these structures may use a classical collaboration has been confirmed. treatment or a quantum-mechanical treatment, Froglet with regenerated lens seen in green and Professors Eilbeck and Dey considered fluorescence. Transgenic frog line with Green examples of both types. In addition, Fluorescent Protein expression in lens tissue consideration was given to cases where the (under the control of the crystalline gene promotor). Lens was removed at late tadpole length of each link of the chain and the angle stages, absence of any remaining lens tissue that each link makes with its neighbours can was confirmed by absence of any green vary depending on the local energy density. fluorescing tissue in the eye. Five days after Professors Eilbeck and Dey also considered lens removal, regeneration of lens tissue was examples where the forces between links monitored by reappearance of green depend not just on neighbouring links but fluorescing tissue in the eye. on more distant links. Such studies have applications in various areas of physics, biology and engineering.

Scottish-based Host: Professor Andrew Waters FRSE, Division of Infection & Immunity, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Visitor: Dr Stephan Hegge, University of Heidelberg Medical School, Germany

Dr Hegge spent a highly productive time challenge was that the speed and type of implementation and adaptation processes. at Glasgow. His aim was to implement motility of the two parasite forms are In addition, he helped optimise the software that he had developed to image different, so that sampling frequency and microscopy techniques pertaining to image a specific life-cycle form of malaria parasites depth of field analysis are quite different. capture of motile cells. He interfaced with (Plasmodium spp) that exits the mosquito The work has been successful and Stephan members of the Brewer group providing vector and adapt it to image a different life has collaborated with different members of training in ‘Toast’ and discussions over cycle form of the same parasite that enters the group in Glasgow (and of other groups) optimal use of tracking software for 4D and infects the mosquito. The technical to both train personnel and to effect the imaging of lymphocytes in vivo.

6 Dr Iain Mackie, School of Biological Sciences, Department of Zoology, University of Aberdeen INTERNATIONAL Visited: Dr Kumthorn Thirakhupt, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand EXCHANGE This international exchange sought to build the foundations of a network of researchers investigating bat-related emerging infectious diseases in South East Asia. These PROGRAMME foundations were cemented through a series of visits to labs and field sites in SE Asia where skills in molecular and ecological techniques were exchanged, discussed and refined Eligibility in order to build a future programme of hypothesis-driven research into emerging infectious diseases. and Deadlines The International Exchange Scottish-based collaborators: Dr Richard Fu, University of the West of Scotland Programme is open to (formerly from Heriot-Watt University) and Professor Gerard Markx, Scottish-based researchers of at Heriot-Watt University least postdoctoral status for visits of up to four weeks – either to Overseas collaborators: Professor Jyh-Shiarn Cherng, Mingchi University of Scotland or to the collaborator’s Technology, and Professor Chang, Chengkung University, Taiwan overseas institution. The exchange visits have been successful Through the Bilateral Exchange and fruitful. Dr Fu and Professor Markx Programme, costs are shared by visited five Universities in Taipei and the RSE and its bilateral partners surrounding counties, giving seven (sister academies with which we invited talks, including two invited have established agreements). presentations in an international symposium on Environment and Energy. Applications are also invited for the Open Exchange Professors Cherng and Chang visited Programme, which is for Heriot-Watt University and gave research exchanges between Scotland seminars. The visits have contributed to and countries not covered by the research career development of both the RSE’s bilateral agreements. sides, building the multidisciplinary Both Exchange Programmes research links, broadening their research are open to Fellows and interest and ideas, and learning practical non-Fellows of the Society. training in specific skills and techniques. Please check the RSE The visits also resulted in a Royal Society website for confirmation Research Grant of £15,000 and a of the deadlines for the Carnegie Trust Grant of £40,000, as well Exchange Programme. as joint publications and discussions on student exchanges and further academic visits. www.royalsoced.org.uk

Dr Fu (left) and Professor Markx (right) are pictured above with Professor Lu at the National Taipei University of Technology

Dr Silvia Gratz, Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen Visited: Dr Richard K Le Leu, Flinders Medical Centre, Australia

Red meat intake is strongly correlated increase or decrease CRC risk. In both with increased risk to develop colorectal humans and rodents, the protective cancer (CRC) and a maximum intake of effects of resistant starch against 500g/week is recommended by the UK damage in the intestinal epithelium Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition caused by red meat and heme are (2011). The research conducted by Dr Gratz studied. Among other methods, Dr at the Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Gratz received training in a specific and Health, University of Aberdeen, explores new technique to measure DNA adducts this link between diet and intestinal cancer in intestinal epithelial tissue, to directly markers in human intervention studies. study the effect of diet on DNA damage in the gut. The combined expertise of She established a collaborative link with Professor Young’s group in intestinal Professor Graeme Young, Head of epithelial biology and Dr Gratz’s Gastroenterology at The Flinders Centre for background in nutrition and colonic Cancer Prevention and Control in Adelaide, Lunch with colleagues. Professor Young (first right), fermentation will be further utilised in Australia. The group conducts world-leading Dr Gratz (second left)] future projects and funding applications. research on dietary components that 7 RSE Young Academy of Scotland

THE RSE YOUNG ACADEMY OF SCOTLAND The RSE launched an exciting new initiative in early May – The RSE Young Academy of Scotland, the first Young Academy in the UK. The RSE Young Academy of Scotland will be part of a growing movement of Young Academies across the world. These organisations have evolved to fill a gap between the influential national academies and their distinguished fellows, and the young, rising stars who represent the future of each nation, providing a platform for the young academy members to have effective interactions with society and politicians. The multidisciplinary Fellowship of the RSE, encompassing excellence in the Sciences, Arts, Humanities, the Professions, Industry and Commerce, makes it unique amongst learned Societies in the UK. We aim to reflect these diverse interests in the membership of the Young Academy. The world’s first Young Academy was established in Germany in 2000. Recognising that nurturing young researchers and scholars was key to rebuilding a strong and competitive scientific environment, the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and the Berlin Brandenburg The RSE is inviting applications for The Academy of Sciences and Humanities established Die Junge Akademie RSE Young Academy of Scotland from (The Young Academy). Their vision was that the Young Academy would outstanding young academics and harness the creativity of younger academics in ways that would fertilise professionals who wish to join this new research areas with new ideas, support career paths as well as invigorate group. We expect that members will older academies by involving the younger community in their work. normally be in the age range from late 20s The German Young Academy has enabled young scientists to work to early 40s. The first cohort will be chosen together across boundaries and to tackle some of the world’s big issues, by the RSE Council from what is hoped to including climate change, environmental degradation, food and energy be a very strong field of applicants. The security, and has established itself as an increasingly effective voice of the closing date for applications is Friday 1 July scientific community exchanging ideas between business, researchers 2011. Full details and the application form and policy-makers. can be downloaded from the RSE website www.rse.org.uk/794_YoungAcademy.html

The future vitality of Scotland will depend in large part on how we support and engage with the most talented and cre- ative members of the rising generation. Through the Young Academy, the inten- tion is that the best and most forward- looking young scientists, scholars and professionals will be able to develop a distinctive, coherent and influential “voice” to address many of the challenging issues facing their own particular areas of activity and also society more widely. It will provide a means of reaching beyond the individual domains in which its members work and provide an opportunity to interact across disciplines and professions. As part of the growing movement of Young Academies, it will also provide the opportunity for its members to interact with their opposite numbers around the world.

Members of the German Young Academy Further information on The RSE Young Academy of Scotland can be obtained Over the past decade, the concept of the Young Academy has spread around the globe, from Dr Avril Davidson, with a number of other countries, including The Netherlands, Egypt, Pakistan, Austria [email protected] and more recently Sweden, following Germany’s lead. The Global Young Academy was 0131 240 5027 established in 2010.

8 Recognising excellence

WORKING WITH THE ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY The RSE was delighted recently to work with the Royal Irish Academy (RIA) in celebrating the achievements of an early joint Fellow, Alexander Nimmo. His Inverness Survey and Journal of 1806, has just been edited by Professor Noel Wilkins, the leading authority on Nimmo, and published by the Royal Irish Academy. This fascinating account of Highland Towns and Villages was launched in Inverness on Wednesday 8 June, at the University of Highlands and Islands, at a ceremony involving Lord Wilson, Professor Wilkins and the Senior Vice- President of the RIA, Professor Attracta Ingram (pictured right). For those unable to travel to Inverness, the launch was relayed live to the RSE in Edinburgh via the UHI’s excellent video conferencing facilities.

ALEXANDER NIMMO FRSE MRIA

This year is the 200th anniversary of IIn addition, between 1815 and 1831, Today, a new spirit of cooperation suffuses Alexander Nimmo's election to the the Irish Ordnance Survey, the Irish the relations between Ireland and the UK, Fellowship of the Royal Society of Edinburgh Fisheries Commission and the Office of as represented by the North–South and the and of his appointment as engineer to the Public Works were important features East–West inter-parliamentary bodies, set Commission for the Bogs of Ireland. of the administrative infrastructure of up under the Good Friday agreement the country that emerged as a result and graced by the recent visit of Her In his subsequent engineering career in mainly of their evidence to Select Majesty The Queen to Ireland. Ireland, he became the most important Committees of the House of Commons. and influential person undertaking famine Many of them were Fellows of the Royal relief works and engineering development Society of Edinburgh and Members of in the western part of the country. His the Royal Irish Academy, joint physical legacy to Ireland includes over recognition of their eminence and 500 miles of roads, 30 documented influence throughout the United bridges, in excess of 53 piers and harbours Kingdom at the time. Nimmo, in particular, and numerous public and private surveys. was held in very high esteem by his contemporaries in England and Scotland. The momentum of their efforts in the 1820s was cruelly extinguished by the great famine in the 1840s and only later in the century was active contact re- established between Scottish and Irish tenant interests, when Michael Davitt Nimmo’s Pier, Galway City Ireland brought the spirit of the Irish Land League to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. This contribution arose in an attempt to address the problem of poverty in Ireland using the example of the Scottish Commission for the Highland Roads and Bridges carried out by Thomas Telford. The Royal Society of Edinburgh and the What Telford, his mentor, was to the Royal Irish Academy have stepped well Highlands, Nimmo would strive to be to along the way to re-energising their the highland parts of Ireland. long-established cooperative approach in the areas of science and technology. Nimmo was the most active of a group of Scottish, or Scottish-trained engineers, The future of Ireland and Scotland, for including William Bald, Telford, the example in the field of sustainable wind Rennies, and the the Stevensons, who and tidal energy, bodes well for both contributed to bringing the industrial countries, representing an area in which revolution to Ireland after the Act of Union they can revitalise and continue the in 1801. While the 'high history' of that engineering vision of those earlier days. time focuses almost exclusively on attempts Alexander Nimmo stands today as a to repeal the Union and achieve Catholic model for such cooperation. emancipation, these engineers on the Professor Noel Wilkins is the leading authority ground engaged in public works aimed at on Nimmo and has published several books on improving the real lives of ordinary people. the man and his work From text by Professor Noel P. Wilkins 9 The RSE @ Dumfries & Galloway

MY GREAT ADVENTURE A beautiful spring morning, accompanied by glorious birdsong, was the setting for the recent ‘My Great Adventure’ primary workshop at Caerlaverock Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Dumfries and Galloway. Twenty-three excited and enthusiastic pupils from Lochside Primary, eager to learn about the amazing journey taken by the Svalbard Barnacle Geese that fly 2,000 miles to winter on the Solway at Caerlaverock every year, were met by Brian Morrell, Learning Manager at the reserve. The morning started with a guided walk around the ‘Peter Scott Centenary Walk’ during which Brian encouraged the children to close their eyes and listen to the many different birdsongs, specifically pointing out the call of the Chiffchaff that had recently made the long journey from Africa and explaining that the main reason for bird migration is the search for food. The children were able to experience bird watching from a hide and were also delighted to be shown the badger sets. Primary Teacher, Miss Baxter commented, “this term we had focused mainly on animals – so hearing all about the barnacle goose migration, whooper and mute swans was very beneficial. We had learned about badgers, so seeing real live badger sets was a big bonus too!” The Reserve has a wide variety of annually resident ducks and swans, including mute; whooper; mallard; widgeon and tufted, which are fed daily by Brian and other staff members. The children enjoyed identifying the different species and hearing about the record-breaking feats of these magnificent birds; the fastest time for a bird to fly back to Iceland (800 miles) is 11 hours 36 minutes; Laetitia at 27 years old is the oldest swan; and one family have raised 46 cygnets!

Brian explained to the children that many of the birds at Caerlaverock are tagged, and records relating to their weight, condition etc. are kept throughout their lifetime. Additionally, a number of the barnacle geese have been tagged with GPS devices which allows their progress to be tracked on their flight back to Spitsbergen, enabling WWT staff to record their speed, height and distance travelled. Indeed, the tagged geese can be tracked to a five-metre radius anywhere in the world. The geese at Caerlaverock are a conservation success. At one point only 3,000 remained; now, thanks to the research work in which the WWT is involved, the population is in the region of 30,000. The pupils had the opportunity to use the biggest binoculars in Scotland to view a flock of around 2,000 barnacle geese and enjoyed taking part in an interactive session, where they got a ‘goose’s eye view’ and were ‘caught’, ringed and had their head and wing spans recorded! The obligatory visit to the Reserve shop rounded off a fantastic day which was enjoyed by all – the local sparrow population were particularly delighted with the picnic lunch!

The RSE @ Dumfries and Galloway was a year-long programme of events across the region, which came to an end in June 2011. The project was part-financed by the Scottish Government and the European Community, LEADER 2007–2013. Other supporters included: The Buccleuch Charitable Foundation, The Holywood Trust, Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland and the James Weir Foundation.

10 SELKIES, KELPIES AND WATERY TALES

There were also plenty of opportunities to explore the wonderful setting of the reserve as Spring unfolded in the hills. Participants were able to follow the ‘Cairnsmore In-bye Nature Walk’ which was linked to the storytelling event through panels detailing excerpts of the stories located at appropriate places along the walk. Alan Steel, the SNH reserve Manager said: “With wild heather moorland stretching up to the Clints of Dromore and the backdrop of the dramatic summit of Cairnsmore of Tales of fairy folk and mythical creatures Fleet, it’s a superb place to get away from it brought the wild landscapes of Galloway to all and really experience the wildness of life recently when, as part of the Dumfries nature. Anne’s tales of mythical and and Galloway Wildlife Festival, visitors to imagined characters inspired by the people Scottish Natural Heritage’s Cairnsmore of and the landscape are a wonderful way to Fleet National Nature Reserve experienced get to know the reserve”. the magic of storytelling. The family event featured renowned storyteller Anne Errington (pictured top right) who enthralled adults and children alike with her tales of folklore and supernatural beings, including water horses (kelpies) and seals that can become humans (selkies). Highlights included; Andrew and Bertha’s Broomstick; The Dragonfly and the Earthworm and the foreboding tale of The Banshees.

IDENTITY: FACIAL RECONSTRUCTION As part of the RSE @ Dumfries & Galloway programme, senior students at Kirkcudbright Academy recently experienced a ‘hands-on’ facial reconstruction workshop. The session was lead by Caroline Erolin, lecturer in medical and forensic art at the University of Dundee. Twenty five students, studying either the sciences or art, were enthralled by the replica (plastic!) skulls that awaited them on the tables of the science room. Caroline explained that the skulls were constructed using computed tomography (CT) data from a living man and that at the end of the day their reconstructions would be compared against of photo of him. The students worked in groups and, using worksheets and focused instruction from Caroline, spent the morning creating the facial muscle structure from modelling clay and applying these to the replica skulls. When Caroline revealed the image of the living man, A number of the participants, who were studying science, commented it was agreed that whilst the reconstructions were that the workshop had given them a better understanding of elements not perfect, there were elements of each that had of human anatomy. During the afternoon session the students added similarities to the man. Caroline reassured that it takes skin, eyes, lips and ears to their skulls. Finally, with much anticipation, many years of practice before a forensic artist can the skulls were ‘lined-up’ for comparison with the photograph. expect to achieve a successful likeness. 11 The RSE @ Dumfries & Galloway

RSE BUSINESS EXPERIENCE In June, Stranraer Academy played host to a ‘Business Experience’ run by the RSE in conjunction with the Bright Business Partnership. During two days of workshops, 81 students from S3 to S6 were encouraged to use examples of industry in Dumfries and Galloway, from the past to the present, to come up with business ideas that would regenerate the economy of the area. “Dumfries and Galloway is an area rich in natural resources, from renewable energy, to land, culture, community and more,” commented Maggie Twomey, Events Officer at the RSE, “and therefore is ideally placed to inspire students and to generate some interesting ideas for the future industry”. The students then presented their ideas to a panel of judges and their peers. Please visit the RSE website for details on the presentations and to find out who the winners were – www.royalsoced.org.uk

LECTURE BY PROFESSOR TOM DEVINE Professor Tom Devine, OBE FBA FRSE, from the University of Edinburgh, delivered a lecture titled The Lowland Clearances and the Transformation of Southwest Scotland on the 26 May. The Clearances are always associated in Scottish traditional song and story with the Highlands. Modern research has challenged that assumption by demonstrating the extent of removals elsewhere in Scotland. The lecture demonstrated the scale of the dispossession of people in one Lowland region, explaining how it transformed the way of life in the southwest forever and suggested why the Highland Clearances are remembered, yet the Lowland Clearances are forgotten. Professor Devine delivered this public lecture at Maxwelltown High School in Dumfries. The RSE Events and Schools Programmes have always been fortunate to have the support of Fellows who give their time so generously, contributing to the successful series of events each year.

OTHER SCHOOLS’ EVENTS AROUND SCOTLAND

RSE START-UP SCIENCE MASTERCLASSES The RSE Start-Up Science Masterclasses have been taking place Masterclass. Led by Professor Monty Priede, students explored over the last few months. In conjunction with Universities across how staff at the Oceanlab study deep-sea animals and how Scotland, these Masterclasses aim to encourage and inspire these animals adapt to their environment. students by showing the practical side of science, along with One of the most interesting classes was held at Heriot-Watt the fun and the downright crazy! Each University runs a series University, where Colin Rickman showed students how to of classes over three or four Saturdays twice a year. extract DNA from fruit and vegetables using materials and The University of Dundee and the apparatus from the supermarket and the kitchen. got the Spring series underway on 30 April. Dr Nick Brewer led At the University of Glasgow, over four weeks, students the class in Dundee, where students explored the Magical and learned How to be an Aeroplane Designer; a Bridge Builder; Mysterious World of Chemistry which included how to make and an Astrophysicist with the final class of the Spring Series coins scream and how to grow your own inorganic crystals! looking at How to be a Rocket Scientist. Over at St Andrews, Biology was the order of the day with a fascinating Masterclass delivered by Dr Rebecca Aspden of the The Masterclasses take place twice a year, in Spring and Autumn, Scottish Oceans Institute at the University. and S1 and S2 students can now register their interest for the Autumn 2011 series. The University of Aberdeen kicked off its series of Saturday classes on 14 May with the intriguing Fish that Glow in the Dark

To find out more about these events or other events in the RSE Schools’ Programme, or to discuss ways in which you can get involved, please contact: Maggie Twomey, RSE Events Officer, [email protected] or 0131 240 5035

12 Friends of the Society

CORPORATE PARTNERS OF THE RSE

In 2009 the RSE created a corporate-engagement initiative – Friends of the Society. A number of prominent organisations were selected to be invited to join the scheme, established with the purpose of developing the RSE’s relationship with Scotland’s business sector. Since then several more companies have accepted the invitation to become ‘Friends’ and the logos of the current partners are highlighted below. At present, the RSE is extending invitations to several other companies and we are looking forward to the expansion of the member group over the coming year. The project provides an opportunity for the Friends of the Society to find out more about the RSE and the important work it carries out. It also furnishes the RSE and its corporate partners with a platform to explore areas of potential mutual interest and it is anticipated that a number of beneficial projects will be developed over time. The partners also receive a number of tangible benefits in return for a modest annual fee. These include the free single hire of a Society function room and access to a number of ‘Friends’ events at which the member organisations can meet with Senior RSE Office-bearers, members of the RSE’s Business Innovation Forum as well as other ‘Friends’, to discuss current business issues. 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: Standing in front of the Friends of the Society plaque in the Society’s Gordon Adam Wolfson Theatre, Professor John Simmons reads the citation for Director of Business Development and Communications Professor Duncan Dowson CBE HonFRSE at the New Fellows 0131 240 2781 or email [email protected] Induction in May 2011.

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

13 New @ the RSE

RSE WEBSITE

The new RSE website went live on 1 June and we hope you will find it easier to navigate and use. Please bear with us while we estabish the new and improved site. The website address remains as www.royalsoced.org.uk Although some new features have not yet been implemented, the new site is the first stage of our plan to provide online services, whereby registered users will be able to log in to: amend their personal details; sign up to receive our newsletters and bulletins; manage events they are attending; and pay subscriptions, as well as accessing other new features.

In addition to developing a new website, we have recently started using Twitter and Facebook. Find us /follow us at www.twitter.com/royalsoced and www.facebook.com/royalsoced. We'd love to hear from you.

SCHOOLS’ WEBPAGE We are keen to encourage school students to follow academic careers and, to that end, would like to ask Fellows to contribute to the schools’ section of the new website by answering a few questions on what they do and how they got into their line of work. We are looking to profile different Fellows each month. If you would be willing to get involved, please contact: Maggie Twomey – [email protected]

The Senior Prize winners should have a New RSE Prizes – Prizes in 2011 Scottish connection but can be based anywhere in the world, and do not need to To recognise achievements across the career spectrum the RSE Prizes Fund will support be Fellows of the RSE. Senior Prize winners eight prizes each year: a Senior Prize and Medal and an Early-career Researcher Medal, in will receive a medal and are required to each of the following four disciplines:- deliver a lecture here in Scotland. This Life Sciences meets with the Society’s strategic objective • Senior Prize – the RSE/Sir James Black Prize of increasing public understanding of • Early Career Prize – the RSE/Patrick Neill Medal science and arts. Physical, Engineering and Informatics Sciences Early-career Researcher Prize winners will • Senior Prize – the RSE/Lord Kelvin Prize receive a medal and this will be presented • Early Career Prize – the RSE/Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane Medal when the Senior Prize winner delivers his/her lecture. The early-career researcher Humanities and Creative Arts will normally be resident in Scotland. • Senior Prize – the RSE/Sir Walter Scott Prize • Early Career Prize – the RSE/Thomas Reid Medal Nominations can only be made by RSE Fellows. Nomination forms are now Social Sciences, Education, Business and Public Service available from the RSE website • Senior Prize – the RSE/Adam Smith Prize and the closing date for completed • Early Career Prize – the RSE/Henry Duncan Medal nominations is: Wednesday 30 November 2011. 14 Fellows’ Notice Board

FELLOWS HONOURED FELLOWS DECEASED

The RSE offers its congratulations to the following Fellows: It is with much regret that we record the deaths of the following Fellows: Professor Robin ALLSHIRE, Professor Doreen CANTRELL, Professor Alun DAVIES and Professor (Arthur) David MILNER OBE have been elected Fellows of the Royal Society. Dr Michael Richmond DROOP Professor Gordon William KIRBY Professor Philip SCHLESINGER, Director of the Centre for Cultural Policy Research Professor Noreen Elizabeth MURRAY CBE at the University of Glasgow, has been re-appointed as Chairman of UK communications regulator Ofcom’s Advisory Committee for Scotland (2011–2014). Dr Harry Callender SUTTON He has also been appointed to a visiting professorship at LUISS Guido Carli University in Rome (Autumn 2011). FELLOWS’ SUMMER RECEPTION 2011 Professor Sir David EDWARD KCMG QC PC (left) RSE International convener, received This highlight of the RSE's social calendar The Scotsman Lifetime Achievement will be held at National Museum of Award at this year’s Scottish Legal Awards. Scotland, Chambers Street Edinburgh, The awards aim to promote and award on Friday 23 September from 6 pm. excellence in the Scottish legal profession. Admission tickets will be available at The panel of judges features prominent £50 per head for Fellows and their guests; individuals from the fields of law, business this covers the actual cost of providing and politics and is chaired by Margo a buffet supper with wine. Fellows will MacDonald MSP. Sir David was honoured receive further details and a booking with the award for his career as a lawyer, form shortly, but may wish to note the academic and former Judge of the Court date meanwhile. We are grateful to of Justice of the European Communities. the Trustees and Director of the NMS for allowing us to hold this event at the newly refurbished Museum. This will be Lord Wilson's final event before the ASM (Monday 3 October 2011) when he will hand over to Sir John Arbuthnott. The following Fellows were honoured in Her Majesty The Queen’s Birthday Honours Lists: GRANTS FOR FELLOWS Knights Bachelor – The next closing date for Fellows’ Grant Professor Harry BURNS; (pictured right) applications is 31 August 2011. Fellows Order of the British Empire: are asked to apply well in advance: Dame (DBE) – applications must now be made four months in advance of any travel or Professor Sally MACINTYRE OBE CBE; meetings taking place and retrospective Commander (CBE) – applications cannot be considered. Professor John Robert BROWN; Professor Paul JOWITT; Grants are available in the following areas: Professor Yasir SULEIMAN; Travel Assistance; Support for Meetings; Research Visitors to Scotland; Visiting Officer (OBE) – Lecturer; Research Liaison within Scotland; Dr Barbara CRAWFORD; Publications; and University/Industry Liaison. Professor Bill MCKELVEY; Professor Mona SIDDIQUI; For full details and application forms contact Anne Fraser – 0131 240 5013 – Member (MBE) – [email protected] or Professor Sheila ROWAN. (pictured right) visit: www.royalsoced.org.uk

FELLOWS’ GOLF STAFF NEWS The Fellows' golf outing for the Stewart We are pleased to welcome Dr Avril Davidson back to the RSE where she previously Cup will be at the Carrick, Loch Lomond held the post of Head of Secretariat of the SSAC. Avril has been seconded, on a on 26 August. Please inform Dr Lesley full-cost recovery basis, by the Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland for Campbell ([email protected]) up to one year to help to establish the RSE Young Academy of Scotland. She will be in the Fellowship Office if you would like working part-time. to take part.

15 New Fellows’ Induction Day 2011

Maggie Cusack, Professor of Biomineralisation at the University of Glasgow, with her husband, Peter and children, Martin and Hilary

Neil Bulleid (left), Professor of Cell Biology, and Douglas Paul, Professor of Semiconductor Devices, both at the University of Glasgow

Corresponding Fellow, Alastair Campbell (centre), Chen Su Lan Centennial Professor in Medical Ethics at the National University of Singapore, with his wife and Larry Hurtado FRSE, Professor of New Testament Language at the University of Edinburgh, who read the citation

Frank Sargent, Professor of Bacterial Physiology joins his wife, Tracy Palmer, Professor of Molecular Microbiology who was welcomed to the Fellowship in 2009. Both are at the University of Dundee

Professer Duncan Dowson CBE was welcomed as an Honorary Fellow. Professor Dowson is Emeritus/Part-time Research Professor in Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds. He is Alexandra Slawin, Professor of Chemical considered to be the Crystallography, with her husband Derek father of the science of RSE Vice-President, Professor Jean Beggs CBE with Dr Javier Woollins, Professor of Synthetic Chemistry, tribology (friction, wear Caceres (left), Senior Scientist, MRC Human Genetics Unit, both of the University of St Andrews. and lubrication) in the UK. and Seth Grant, Senior Scientist, Wellcome Trust Sanger Professor Woollins became a Fellow in 2002 Institute and Professor of Molecular Neuroscience, but took this opportunity to sign the roll University of Edinburgh

COPY ADDRESS INFORMATION Please send any copy to Jenny Liddell at 22–26 GEORGE STREET website: www.royalsoced.org.uk the Society – [email protected] EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND www.rsescotlandfoundation.org.uk ReSourcE: ISSN No 1473-7841 EH2 2PQ e-mail: [email protected] Tel: 0131 240 5000 Any opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of all RSE Fellows Fax: 0131 240 5024 The Royal Society of Edinburgh, Scotland’s National Academy, is Scottish Charity No. SC000470 Events ticketline: 0131 240 2780 The RSE Scotland Foundation is a connected charity, registered in Scotland as Scottish Charity No. SC024636