Resource SUMMER 2016 Facebook Buys Company from Former RSE Enterprise Fellow

Home , Anne Glover (biologist), John Campbell Brown, Lesley Yellowlees

ISSUE 51 SUMMER 2016 resource The Newsletter of Scotland’s National Academy

Abesh Thakur (left) and Varun Nair – co-founders of Two Big Ears, the company recently purchased by Facebook. Read more on page 2. Photograph by Malcolm Cochrane

Also featured in this issue: New Chief Scientiﬁc Adviser for Scotland Is There a Future for Public Service Television? Portrait of RSE President Unveiled resource SUMMER 2016 Facebook buys Company from former RSE Enterprise Fellow

The company of a former Scottish Enterprise-supported RSE Enterprise Fellow has been bought by social media giant Facebook.

Abesh Thakur (pictured right) is the CEO of Two Big Ears, a company which designs immersive and interactive virtual reality (VR) audio applications. He described how the new partnership will allow the software to be made freely available to video developers; enabling Two Big Ears to continue to power immersive audio experiences and scale up its technology at a faster rate. Thakur, who completed his Enterprise Fellowship last year, commented “Our mission is to make VR audio succeed across all devices and platforms and continue to help creators make the best experiences for billions of people across the world.” Speaking about the fellowship, he said, The Enterprise Fellowship scheme was super helpful, as it allowed me to focus on the commercial aspects of the business roposition and investigate key metrics in a highly dynamic and fast evolving market. Two Big Ears was founded in 2013 by University of Edinburgh graduates Abesh Thakur and co-founder, Varun Nair. The pair acknowledged the support they received from the enterprise support ecosystem in Scotland; highlighting initiatives such as LAUNCH.ed, Informatics Ventures, Scottish Enterprise’s SMART award and the RSE’s Enterprise Fellowship programme. A Facebook spokesperson said, Two Big Ears has revolutionised how humans hear sound with software. We’re excited to welcome them to the Facebook team and give even more people access to their incredible work through our platform. In the short time between starting out and joining with Facebook, Two Big Ears has built up an impressive catalogue of work, having collaborated with musicians – Björk on the 360º virtual reality video for Stonemilker and with Massive Attack on their iOS app, Fantom – gaming companies and ﬁlm makers. This recent development sees the company go from strength to strength and the RSE looks forward to following their future progress.

Find out more about the RSE Enterprise Fellowships: Find out more about Two Big Ears: bit.lyRSE-Ent-Fellowships twobigears.com/about.php

2 Science in Scotland resource SUMMER 2016 Scottish Government announces new Chief Scientific Adviser

On 8 June 2016, the Scottish Government announced the new Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) for Scotland as Professor Sheila Rowan MBE FRSE, University of Glasgow, who commenced in the post on 13 June 2016. Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell congratulated Professor Rowan and welcomed the appointment: “The Royal Society of Edinburgh is strongly of the view that expert scientific advice should be available to the Scottish Government when considering policy issues. We therefore welcome the news that Professor Rowan has taken up the crucial Chief Scientific Adviser post and look forward to offering support to her in the future”. John Swinney, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills commented: “ I am delighted to welcome Professor Rowan to the Scottish Government and look forward to working with her as Chief Scientific Adviser. The Scottish Government values science and the expert scientific advice provided by our network of specialist science advisers. As CSA, Professor Rowan will help to ensure that science informs the Scottish Government’s work, and advise on the impact that new developments in science may have”. Professor Rowan is the Director of the University of Glasgow’s Institute for Gravitational Research. The Institute was part of a global effort leading to the discovery of gravitational waves; one of the most significant scientific discoveries of this century. The international team have subsequently been awarded the 2016 Meet the new CSA Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics. Thursday 20 October 2016 at 6pm Professor Rowan was elected a Fellow of the RSE in 2008 and served on RSE Council from 2010 until 2013. at the RSE. Full details to follow. www.sciencescotland.org Issue 18 – Spring 2016 Focus on the RSE Young Academy of Scotland In this edition of Science Scotland, the strengths of the Young Academy of Scotland are illustrated by the wide range of examples of multidisciplinary approaches and collaborations by the YAS members (left). Issue 19 – Summer 2016 Innovation Centres: Connecting the Future In Autumn 2014, Science Scotland Issue 16 introduced the eight newly-created Scottish Innovation Centres. Two years on, this latest Issue Read past copies on the website or email reports on where the eight [email protected] to order a centres are now. (right). hard copy or to go on mailing list for future issues. 3 resource AUTUMN 2015

Science Communication

In April, the Royal Society of Edinburgh convened a working government and other funding streams endeavour to not only group to respond to a call for evidence, put out by the House assist with new projects, but also to aid in the roll out of these of Commons Select Committee on Science and Technology, projects on a larger, sustainable scale if they prove successful. addressing Science Communication. The working group, The Advice Paper highlighted the need for a ‘science chaired by Professor Stuart Monro FRSE, produced an Advice communication champion’ in government to drive forward Paper, making several recommendations on how to improve the entire agenda. The group suggested that this role could science engagement and science communication in the UK potentially be filled by the incoming Chief Scientific Adviser and in Scotland. for Scotland, or by a member of the recently-appointed The RSE stressed the importance of clear and accurate Scottish Science Advisory Council. Irrespective of who takes communication on scientific issues by scientists to government, up this mantle, it is vital that such a champion is identified and the media. There is a need for a well informed public to be and given responsibility as soon as possible. presented with impartial and scientifically accurate information The RSE contended that scientists must become more aware to facilitate genuine discussion around public policy. In of the factors that influence policy makers, as well as previous papers, the RSE has highlighted our strong support policy makers being aware of scientific evidence – it has to for evidence-based policy making in the areas of GM crops be a ‘two-way street’. The RSE continues to strongly support and unconventional gas extraction. evidence-based policy; however, it noted that it is important The paper noted that science is a fundamental part of our to remain mindful of the economic, political and cultural culture and it is vital that it is viewed as such by both the public considerations that are likely to affect decision making. and by policy makers. Furthermore, it must receive the same This being said, the necessity of scientific advisers to status and access to funding as do the arts. The working group policy makers being granted adequate access to those making also strongly endorsed a ‘hands on’ approach to the learning decisions, in order to properly inform them of the scientific of science. It is important that the creative aspects of science evidence, was heavily stressed. Equally important, is that these are highlighted and embraced. advisers have confidence that their advice is being listened to, The RSE noted, with concern, that it is easier to win finance and that it is clear to both the public and the scientific for new and original science communication projects than to community that this expertise is being sought. receive continuing funding for a programme that has proved The full Advice paper can be accessed on the RSE website at: worthwhile. The working group strongly recommended that www.royalsoced.org.uk/cms/files/advice-papers/2016/AP16_11.pdf

4 resource AUTUMN 2015 A Future for Public Service Television

On 13 April, the RSE hosted an event to help inform an Inquiry into A Future for Public Service Television. This event – organised by Goldsmiths, University of London, in conjunction with the University of Stirling – was held to provide a Scottish perspective to the evidence being gathered by the Inquiry. Chaired by Lord Puttnam, presentations were given by several speakers, including: Professor Neil Blain, University of Stirling; Iseabail Mactaggart, MG Alba; Angela Haggerty of Common Space; and broadcaster, Stuart Cosgrove. The RSE was represented by Fellow, and former Controller of BBC Scotland, John McCormick. The RSE submitted written evidence to the Inquiry in advance of the event in the form of an Advice Paper. The paper was drawn together primarily from the response the RSE provided to the These recommendations included that: Department for Culture, Media and • the BBC continues to produce high-quality, universal content, and not be left behind Sport regarding the BBC Charter Review by its commercial rivals in technological advances; in October 2015. John McCormick chaired the working group that produced • the importance of a new funding model for the BBC be actively considered, but that the Advice Paper for DCMS and spoke the principle of allocated public funds being used for the public good remains; primarily to the paper at the event, • a new approach to governance be adopted. The current arrangements are unﬁt for summarising the recommendations the purpose and a new model which provides stronger governance and a greater level RSE had made. of accountability must be implemented; • the BBC should make itself available and accountable to Holyrood for its performance in Scotland; • a culture change across the news directorate is required to provide a more textured and sophisticated approach to domestic policy. The tone of BBC network news remains too ‘London-centric’ and does not adequately cover the devolved administrations and regions; • there should be a stronger news service for Scotland. Integrated international and national television news, edited in Scotland, should be provided. The speakers covered a wide range of topics during the event, both on public service television and on the media landscape in Scotland more broadly. Discontent with the performance of the BBC; news media; the lack of a strong indigenous press; the underrepresentation of Gaelic; and allocation of public service broadcasting resources across the UK were all discussed. The audience were also given the opportunity to question the panel, with queries on the public service broadcasting ecology, commissioning of programming, accountability and the licence fee all being posed and addressed. The relevant RSE Advice Paper can be found on our website at: www.royalsoced.org.uk/cms/ﬁles/advice-papers/2015/AP15_21.pdf

5 resource SUMMER 2016

Thursday 18 August 2016, Friday 19 August 2016, Monday 12 September 4.30pm–6 pm 1.45 pm–3.15 pm 2016, 10.30 am–3.30 pm Scottish Parliament Scottish Parliament Technology & Innovation DISCUSSION FORUM DISCUSSION FORUM Centre, University of Strathclyde Scottish Responses to Frontier Women – the Refugee Crisis Where are all the CONFERENCE In 2016, more people than ever before Women in Science, Minding Scotland’s — over 60 million — are displaced globally from their homes and countries by conflict, Technology, Engineering Money: Economic disaster and destitution. How should Governance for an Scotland respond? Join Chair, the Rt Hon and Mathematics? Sir George Reid and panellists : Dr Alasdair Increasingly Devolved Allan MSP, Minister for International Development and Europe; Iain Gray MSP, Scotland. What Checks? Labour politician and former Oxfam What Balances? Campaign Director; and Gary Christie, Head of Policy and Communications at Our new Scottish Government, in an the Scottish Refugee Council, to explore increasingly devolved Government, Scotland’s solutions and attitudes. includes both a Minister for the Economy and a Finance Minister. Our First Minister has accepted the need to focus both on making the most of the devolved powers to achieve strong economic performance and on the effective management of the public finances. In this major conference at The 2012 report, Tapping all our Talents. Strathclyde University, an exceptionally Women in STEM, highlighted that the strong group of speakers and panellists Chair of majority of women who qualified in STEM will consider the economic and financial Panel subjects do not work in STEM fields and governance of Scotland and how Discussion, that this represents a serious loss to the Government should best be constrained The Rt Hon economy. Join Tom Freeman, Holyrood and challenged, on both economic and Sir George Magazine and our panelists: Professor financial fronts. ‘Minding Scotland’s Reid FRSE Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell PRSE, Chair Money’ matters to us all. of RSE working group and astrophysicist; Morna Simpson, Girl Geek Scotland; Professor Lesley Yellowlees CBE FRSE, Professor of Inorganic Electrochemistry, University of Edinburgh; and Professor Monica Grady CBE, Professor of Planetary These are joint events with the Scottish and Space Science, Open University to Parliament – part of the Festival of Politics. discuss what, if anything, has changed Price for each event: £6 (concessions £4) since 2012, to address this STEM deficit. Tickets for all events can be booked online at: www.festivalofpolitics.org.uk Advance booking is advised to avoid disappointment. An email confirmation will be sent to you when you book. Please bring this confirmation with you. Online tickets will be taken off sale two hours before each event. A limited number of Jointly organised with the University of tickets is available to be booked in person at the Scottish Parliament. Unallocated tickets Strathclyde International Public Policy may be available on the day of the event from the Festival Desk in the Festival Café Bar. Institute and the David Hume Institute. 6 resource SUMMER 2016

Monday 12 September Tuesday 4 October 2016 2016 at 6 pm at 6 pm LECTURE DISCUSSION FORUM Is Cancer Screening Inequality: Good for Your Health? Good for the Rich, Professor Julietta Patnick CBE Bad for the Economy? Director of the NHS Cancer Screening Programmes In recent years, cancer screening has become very controversial. Yet the NHS in the UK continues to provide three large-population programmes for breast, bowel and cervical cancers and research is ongoing into screening for prostate, lung and ovarian cancers. Millions of people are oﬀered and accept screening each year. There is no doubt that thousands of lives are saved, but at what cost? Are cancers being treated that could safely be left alone, or would reducing screening mean avoidable deaths occurring? In association with the Scottish Cancer Foundation and the Cruden Foundation.

What impact does inequality have Monday 19 September 2016 at 6 pm upon a nation’s economic prosperity? Do big disparities in wealth and income LECTURE signal a strong and healthy economy and society, or do they in fact hinder Facing Beethoven: economic growth and sustainability? Join a panel of experts as they discuss Literature, Sculpture these issues. and Identity For further information and to book, contact the British Academy: Dr Nathan Waddell www.britishacademy.ac.uk/debates Assistant Professor, School of English, University of Nottingham Beethoven – celebrated as much as a mythic icon as he is treasured as a man, musician and composer – was often cited by early 20th Century writers in novels and in discussions of art, politics Media Partner: and society. In this lecture, Nathan Waddell will explore how Beethoven’s image, in the forms of life and death masks and portrait busts and statues, has been used by H G Wells, Wyndham Lewis, Dorothy Richardson and Stephen Spender, among others, to ask questions about identity, art’s roles in everyday life and the explanatory force of legend. Joint event with the British Academy

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

7 resource SUMMER 2016 Life in Soil: Does it Matter?

This event, hosted by the RSE in February 2016, completed a trilogy of discussion forums relating to biodiversity, the first two being: Lost at Sea? The Atlantic Salmon’s Ocean Odyssey, in November 2013; and Invasive Species – Friends or Foes? in September 2014. It also concluded Scotland’s participation in the 2015 United Nation’s International Year of Soils, during which Scotland demonstrated its international reputation in soil research and how this knowledge and expertise is being applied in policy and practice. Most people are unaware that soils represent one of the most diverse and important ecosystems on the planet. Soils contain an abundance of species which deliver a wide range of ecosystem services, playing a critically important role in human life and society. The speakers at the event provided an overview of soils and their importance at both a local and global scale. Professor Richard Bardgett FRSNZ, Professor of Ecology at the University of Manchester, discussed the role soil organisms play and the many different functions that soils perform and how they help in building resilience to environmental change. Professor Colin Campbell, Chief Executive of the James Hutton Institute, focused on Scottish soil diversity and demonstrated the importance of the range of strategic research which has been undertaken within Scotland to enhance opportunities and respond to challenges in the management and custodianship of soils. Professor Julie Fitzpatrick OBE FRSE, Scientific Director of the Moredun Research Institute, explained the role that soil has within livestock farming, using Scotland, East Africa and Australia as examples, and discussed the relationships between livestock, pathogens and soils. Susan Davies, FRSB FRSA, Acting Chief Executive, Scottish Natural Heritage, chaired a discussion between the panel and the audience; the questions reflecting both the local and global perspective on soils and raising issues on their economic, environmental, biosecurity and societal–cultural roles. The lively and searching debate reflected the high level of interest and engagement on the topic of life in soil; yes, it really does matter. The event was concluded by Professor Lorna Dawson FRSA, Strategic Research Programme Advisor, who presented an overview of the event, re-emphasising the importance of understanding soil biodiversity. She then announced the result of an audience vote on their favourite soil organism.

8 resource SUMMER 2016

The Questionnaire

Prior to the event, an online questionnaire had The voting proved to be very popular, with over been set up to encourage the audience to think a hundred people taking part. about what the different soil organisms do. The clear winner (with 38% of the vote) was the Participants were asked to vote for their favourite earthworm, followed by fungus (21%) and by soil organism. the mole in third place (14%). Sadly, the mite The list of candidates comprised: received no votes. ● nematodes (naturally-occurring microscopic In an ‘exit poll’, 80% of attendees said that they worms) had found the information presented at the event ● fungus ‘quite’ or ‘extremely’ useful, and 73% were ● bacteria ‘extremely satisfied’ with the event. ● moles The poll revealed that 26% of the audience ● earthworms considered themselves members of the general ● collembola – springtails (small wingless public; 23% were scientists; 12% gardeners; soft-bodied hexapods, often mistaken for mites) 11% soil scientists; 5% farmers; 3% foresters; ● mites and 20% other professionals. ● tipulid – craneflies

Read the summary reports of the three biodiversity discussion events online at: www.royalsoced.org.uk/cms/files/events/reports/2013-2014/Lost_at_Sea_Atlantic_Salmon.pdf www.royalsoced.org.uk/cms/files/events/reports/2013-2014/Invasive-Species_Friends-or-Foes.pdf www.royalsoced.org.uk/cms/files/events/reports/2016/Life-in-Soil.pdf

9 resource SUMMER 2016 RSE Young Academy of Scotland

Over the past two years, the Young Academy of Scotland’s Excellence in Education Working Group has run the #AspirationalAdvice campaign on social media. This campaign asks Twitter and Facebook users to share with young people the best piece of advice they got when they were younger, or the piece of advice they wish they had received – along with the hashtag “#AspirationalAdvice.” This year’s campaign ran from 18 April to 4 May, and its participants included individuals spanning a wide range of sectors, including journalists, academics, athletes, educators and entrepreneurs.

Gillian Hamilton, Chief Executive of the Scottish College for Educational Leadership (SCEL) #AspirationalAdvice

Mike Will MBE, Chairman of YMCA Scotland Dr Anne Schwan, Reader and Head of English at and just recently Edinburgh Napier University and member of the YAS elected President of YMCA Europe

Jennifer Reoch, Presenter at STV

10 resource SUMMER 2016 The Young Academy seeks new recruits

The RSE Young Academy of Scotland (YAS) is in the ﬁnal stages of its fourth recruitment cycle. YAS received 109 membership applications from a diverse range of disciplines. Applications were reviewed by FRSEs and YAS members and the selection panel will appoint around 40 of these applicants. Of the 109 applicants, eight individuals applied through YAS’s new At-Risk Academic and Refugee Recruitment Scheme. This ground-breaking initiative was introduced to recognise the talented young professionals from these communities who have the potential to make outstanding contributions to Scotland’s future prosperity. YAS has reserved four spaces in each of its next three recruitment rounds for these individuals, and has written to all other young and senior Academies in Europe, encouraging them to consider introducing similar initiatives. Some YAS members are pictured at YAS will announce its new members in mid-to-late July and these the Spring Plenary Meeting held in members will be inducted at the RSE on Tuesday 6 September 2016. Dreghorn, Ayrshire, on 21 April 2016

A new publication about the career paths of women in academia has been Women in produced by YAS members Sharon Ashbrook FRSE (Chemistry), Ineke De Moortel FRSE (Mathematics) and Aileen Fyfe (History), all of the University of St Andrews. Academic Women Now: experiences of mid-career academic women in Academia Scotland, features proﬁles and advice from 33 female YAS members. It provides a window into the varied experiences and trajectories of mid-career women across diﬀerent disciplines. The brochure was launched at the RSE on Thursday 9 June, with a keynote speech

from RSE President Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, followed by a discussion/workshop

on reﬂections on the Athena SWAN experience of the STEMM subjects, and the likely eﬀects of its extension to Arts & Humanities and Social Sciences.

For more information about the Young Academy of Scotland and www.youngacademyofscotland.org.uk its activities, visit their website:

11 resource SUMMER 2016 New Fellows Induction 2016

Newly-elected Fellows were welcomed to the RSE on 16 May at the annual Induction Day, attended by 49 of the 56 Fellows elected in March. Following an informative and enjoyable day of introductions to the RSE, its Council, Fellows and staﬀ, there was an oﬃcial Admission Ceremony. The day concluded with a Reception for the new Fellows and their guests. The full list of new Fellows, as well as more of the photographs from the day, can be viewed at: www.royalsoced.org.uk/1200_2016ElectedFellows.html

Members of the Events Team explain their work to new Fellow Sally Beamish, Composer.

Two of the Policy Advice Oﬃcers in conversation with Professor Stuart Monro OBE, RSE Young People’s Convener. Staﬀ members at work.

RSE President, Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, welcoming three of the new Fellows: (l–r) Wendy Alexander, Vice-Principal (International) University of Dundee; Honorary Fellow, Lord Smith of Kelvin CH, Chairman, Green Investment Bank; and Carol Tannahill, Director, Glasgow Centre for Population Health. 12 resource SUMMER 2016

New Fellows enjoyed the Evening Reception with their guests. Top left (on left): new Corresponding Fellow, Professor Justine Cassell, with Professor Bonnie Webber, who nominated her and read the citation. Top right: Professor Igor Rudan with Dr Diana Rudan. Bottom left: Professor Konstantinos Tokatlidis with Dr Maria Economou. Bottom right: Professor Paul Younger with Mrs Emma Louise Younger.

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

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

13 resource SUMMER 2016 RSE Fellows Honoured

The Queen’s Birthday Honours Lists 2016 New President of the Association for Computing Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) Machinery (ACM) Lord Robert Haldane SMITH KT HonFRSE The ACM (the premier association For public service particularly in Scotland. for computing) has just elected Vicki Hanson as its President for Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) the next two years. Sir Ian Clark Wood CBE FRSE Vicki is Distinguished Professor in Leader, UKCS Maximising Recovery Review. the Department of Information For services to the Oil and Gas Industry. Sciences and Technologies at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and Professor and Chair of Order of the British Empire, Dame Commander (DBE) Inclusive Technologies at the Professor Susan Margaret Black OBE FRSE University of Dundee. Director, The Centre for Anatomy and Human Identiﬁcation, University of Dundee. For services to Forensic Anthropology. Professor Anna Felicja Dominiczak OBE FRSE Vice-Principal and Head of College of Medicine, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow. For services to Cardiovascular and Medical Science.

Order of the British Empire, Commander (CBE) Mr Keith Robertson Cochrane FRSE Chief Executive, The Weir Group plc. For services to Business in Scotland. Professor Charles Adrian Jeﬀery FRSE Professor of Politics, University of Edinburgh and lately Visiting Professorship at the Director, Future of the UK and Scotland Research Programme, ESRC. London School of Economic For services to the Social Sciences. and Political Science Dr Brian Andrew Lang FRSE Professor Philip Schlesinger, Chairman, Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Professor in Cultural Policy at the For services to the Arts, Heritage and Education. University of Glasgow and Deputy Director of CREATe, the RCUK Order of the British Empire, Oﬃcer (OBE) Centre for Copyright and New Business Models in the Creative Professor John Campbell Brown FRSE Economy, has been re-appointed Astronomer Royal for Scotland. to a Visiting Professorship in the For services to the Promotion of Astronomy Department of Media and and Science Education. Communications at the London Professor David Alexander Syme Fergusson FBA FRSE School of Economics and Political Professor of Divinity, University of Edinburgh. Science. The appointment will run For services to Education, the Arts and the Church of Scotland. until August 2019. 14 resource SUMMER 2016

These RSE Fellows have been elected as Fellows of the following Academies:

The Academy of Medical Sciences The Royal Society, London Professor Judith Allen, Professor of Professor Sarah Cleaveland OBE, Professor of Immunobiology, University of Manchester Comparative Epidemiology, University of Glasgow Professor Gordon Brown, 6th Century Chair Professor James Dunlop, Professor of Extragalactic in Immunology, University of Aberdeen Astronomy, University of Edinburgh Professor Stuart Forbes, Professor of Professor Dame Anne Glover DBE, Vice-Principal Transplantation & Regenerative Medicine, External Aﬀairs & Dean for Europe, University of Edinburgh University of Aberdeen Professor Laura Machesky, Senior Research Professor Neil Gow, Director of Research and Group Leader, University of Glasgow Commercialisation at College of Life Sciences Dr Iain Mattaj, Director General, European and Medicine, University of Aberdeen Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Professor Russell Morris, Professor of Structural Professor Graeme Milligan, Professor of Molecular and Materials Chemistry, University of St Andrews Pharmacology, Gardiner Professor of Biochemistry Professor James Prosser OBE, Professor of and Dean of Research, University of Glasgow Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Aberdeen Professor Jeﬀrey Pollard, Director, University of The Rt Hon Lord (Jonathan) Turner of Echinswell, Edinburgh MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, Senior Fellow, Institute for New Economic Thinking University of Edinburgh [elected an Honorary Fellow] Professor Naveed Sattar, Professor of Metabolic Medicine, University of Glasgow

The Learned Society of Wales (LSW) For the ﬁrst time in the LSW’s history, two Honorary Fellows have been elected. Sir Michael Atiyah is one of the most inﬂuential mathematicians of his generation, widely recognised as a pioneer in the development of mathematics in the UK and Europe. A highly distinguished researcher, Sir Michael has been widely honoured for his achievements, including being awarded both the highly prestigious Fields Medal and the Abel Prize. He was President of the Royal Society (1990–1995) and President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (2005–2008). Sir Michael Atiyah, said: The LSW embodies the rich cultural history of Wales, with its ancient traditions adapting to the future, and I am delighted to become an Honorary Fellow. The other Honorary Fellow elected was Professor Martin Rees, Lord Rees of Ludlow, also a former President of the Royal Society (2005–2010) and a Sir Michael is pictured in the RSE’s Kelvin Room in Life Peer in the House of Lords. front of his portrait, painted by Juliet Wood in 2007. 15 resource SUMMER 2016 Portrait of RSE President Unveiled

The RSE recently commissioned renowned artist Dr Victoria Crowe OBE FRSE RSA to paint a portrait of the eminent astrophysicist and current President of the RSE, Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell DBE FRS PRSE. The painting was unveiled at the RSE at a special event for Fellows at the end of March 2016. On the evening, a discussion between artist and sitter was facilitated by Scottish art historian and art critic Professor Duncan Macmillan FRSE, which provided a fascinating insight into how Victoria went about capturing Dame Jocelyn and her achievements on canvas. Dame Jocelyn is best known for discovering pulsars, one of the most significant scientific achievements of the 20th Century. She has also been an influential campaigner, championing opportunities to increase the number of women in professional and academic science posts. In 2013, she was listed in the BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour ‘Power List’ of the 100 most influential women in the UK and in 2015 she received the Prudential Women of the Year Award for Lifetime Achievement. The portrait now hangs in the RSE’s Kelvin Room, between the portraits of Sir Michael Atiyah PPRSE (by Juliet Wood) and Professor Peter Higgs CH FRS FRSE (also painted by Victoria Crowe).

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