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.