Review 2013 the Royal Society of Edinburgh

Home , Alison Elliot, Augustine United Church, Beer in Edinburgh, Charles Rees, Fiona Macpherson, Geoff Palmer (scientist)

cover:review2012 24/05/2013 15:04 Page 1 The Royal Society of Edinburgh The Royal Society ofEdinburgh Review 2013 Review 2013

Printed in Great Britain by Henry Ling Limited, Dorchester, DT1 1HD

ISSN 1476-4342 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH

REVIEW OF THE SESSION 2011-2012

PUBLISHED BY THE RSE SCOTLAND FOUNDATION ISSN 1476-4342 The Royal Society of Edinburgh 22-26 George Street Edinburgh, EH2 2PQ

Telephone : 0131 240 5000 Fax : 0131 240 5024 email : [email protected] Scottish Charity No SC000470

Printed in Great Britain by Henry Ling Limited, Dorchester, DT1 1HD THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH

REVIEW OF THE SESSION 2011-2012

PUBLISHED BY THE RSE SCOTLAND FOUNDATION ISSN 1476-4342 The Royal Society of Edinburgh 22-26 George Street Edinburgh, EH2 2PQ

Telephone : 0131 240 5000 Fax : 0131 240 5024 email : [email protected] Scottish Charity No SC000470

Printed in Great Britain by Henry Ling Limited, Dorchester, DT1 1HD CONTENTS

ACTIVITIES – SESSION 2011-2012 Proceedings of the Ordinary Meetings ...... 3 Proceedings of the Statutory General Meeting ...... 5 Prize Lectures ...... 41 Lectures ...... 51 Conferences, Workshops, Symposia, Seminars and Discussion Forums ...... 133 Publications ...... 151 Policy Advice ...... 153 Events for Young People ...... 157 Research and Enterprise Awards ...... 159 Medals, Prizes and Prize Lectureships ...... 165 Grants Committee ...... 167 International Programme ...... 169 Fellows’ Social Events ...... 175 Grants, Sponsorship and Donations ...... 177 Schedule of Investments...... 179 Friends of the Society ...... 183 Changes in Fellowship during the Session ...... 185 Staff ...... 187

OBITUARY NOTICES ...... 189

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND ACCOUNTS TO 31 MARCH 2012 ..341 Trustees Report ...... 341 Auditors’ Report ...... 361 Accounts ...... 363

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ORDINARY MEETINGS Thursday, 1 December 2011 Lecture Chairman Terry Hill CBE, Chairman, Arup Sir John Arbuthnott MRIA PRSE Group Trusts. Infrastructure Costs Too Much, And It Needn’t Formal Admission to Fellowship Professor James Ironside CBE, Monday, 11 June 2012 Professor of Clinical Neuropathol- Chairman ogy at the University of Edinburgh Sir John Arbuthnott MRIA PRSE and Director of the MRC Network Lecture of UK Brain Banks Professor David Cameron FRSE, Ballot Clinical Director, Director of Sir David Carter and Professor Cancer Services, NHS Lothian; Hector McQueen will act as Professor of Oncology, University Scrutineers for the ballot to elect of Edinburgh; Associate Director, New Fellows in 2012, the out- NIHR Cancer Research Network. come of which will be revealed at Conducting Clinical Cancer the Ordinary meeting in March Research in the NHS Benefits 2012 Everyone? Lecture Ballot Professor Yasir Suleiman CBE FRSE Dr Alison Elliot and Professor His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Gavin Gibson were announced as Said Professor of Modern Arabic Scrutineers for the ballot for the Studies and Director of Alwaleed election of new RSE Council and Centre of Islamic Studies at the Office-Bearers. The outcome will University of Cambridge. The Arab be announced at the Annual Spring: Tropes and Discourses Statutory Meeting on 1 October Wednesday, 7 March 2012 2012. Chairman Laws Change Sir John Arbuthnott MRIA PRSE The proposed Laws changes to create a Vice-President (Interna- Ballot tional) were announced, to be Sir David Carter and Professor voted upon at the ASM. Hector MacQueen acted as Scrutineers for the postal ballot Monday 3 September 2012 for the election of new RSE The September Ordinary Meeting Fellows for 2012. They reported took place as part of the Research that 48% of the Fellowship had Awards Reception. There was no returned papers for the ballot, formal business. and that the names on the list had been elected by an ‘overwhelming majority’.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE STATUTORY GENERAL MEETING Minutes of the Statutory General Meeting held on 1 October 2012, ending the 229th Session

The Annual Statutory Meeting took place in the Society’s Wolfson Theatre on Monday 1 October 2012 at 6 pm. Sir John Arbuthnott MRIA, President, took the Chair. Sir John explained that prior to the formal business of the ASM, Professor Mary McAleese would be admitted as an Honorary Fellow of the Society, and that a presentation would be made to Professor Peter Higgs FRS FRSE. A. GENERAL BUSINESS 1. Admission of Professor Mary McAleese to Honorary Fellowship 2. Presentation to Professor Peter Higgs FRS FRSE B. FORMAL BUSINESS – RSE FELLOWS ONLY IN ATTENDANCE 1. Minute of the ASM held on Monday, 3 October 2011 2. Matters Arising 3. Report on Activities during Session 2011/12 4. Office Bearers’ Reports – for approval a) General Secretary’s Report b) Treasurer’s Report c) Fellowship Secretary’s Report 5. Strategic Framework – for discussion 6. Laws Changes – for approval 7. Election of Council and other Office-Bearers for Session 2012/13 8. Alternative Voting System for Election of Fellows and Council 9. Any Other Business

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A. GENERAL BUSINESS 1. ADMISSION OF PROFESSOR MARY MCALEESE TO HONORARY FELLOWSHIP The President invited Sir David Edward KCMG QC PC FRSE, International Convener, to read the citation for Professor Mary McAleese: President - It is my very great privilege to present Professor Mary McAleese for admission to Fellowship of The Royal Society of Edin- burgh. “She is known to us here primarily as a lady who served with immense distinction as President of Ireland for 14 years from 1997 to 2011 and who dazzled us all by her gracious welcome to the Queen on her historic visit to Ireland last year. That was only one outstanding event in a truly remarkable career devoted to peace and reconciliation amongst the people of Ireland, north and south, of all faiths and none. “Mary McAleese was born and brought up in the Ardoyne district of Belfast. She and her family experienced at first hand the many ways in which sectarian enmity impinged upon the everyday life of peaceful and peace-loving people. She graduated in law at Queen’s University Belfast and was, in 1974, one of the very few women to be called to the Bar of Northern Ireland. Very soon after, she was called to Trinity College, Dublin, as Reid Professor of Criminal Law, Criminology and Penology. With a break of two years as a journalist and presenter with RTE, she held that Chair for 12 years. “She then moved back to Belfast as Director of the Institute of Profes- sional Legal Studies at Queen’s University Belfast. There I witnessed at first hand the directness and warmth of her relationship with her students, and I saw it again this morning when she spent almost one- and-a-half hours in a Question & Answer session with students and staff at Old College. “As well as Director of the Institute, she served as Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University for three years until 1997, when she was elected President of Ireland – the first person from the Province of Ulster to be elected to that office. “Her election to the Presidency did not put an end to her academic career. Whilst President, she completed a Master’s course in Canon Law, and earlier this year she completed her Licentiate at the Gregorian University in Rome. She returns there tomorrow to study for a further two years to complete her Doctorate on the canon laws relating to children.

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“Meanwhile, today sees the publication of her new book Quo Vadis?: Collegiality in the Code of Canon Law – a study of the problems of governance in the Roman Catholic Church. She confidently expects, and indeed (I suspect) hopes, that this will cause anxious flutterings in the doocots of the Roman Curia. “Mary McAleese is an LL.D. of many Universities, including the Universi- ty of Edinburgh. It is not generally known, even amongst those who hold that degree, that its abbreviation is “double-L D” because it means Doctor of Both Laws – civil law and canon law. So today we welcome amongst us a scholar who will soon have earned that distinction in its fullest sense. “President, before inviting you to admit Professor McAleese to Fellow- ship, I must add a few words about other, and equally important, aspects of her work. “In Dublin she was a member of the Council of Social Welfare, the Executive Committee of Focus Point for Homeless Young People, and the Campaign for Homosexual Law Reform; and in Belfast, she was a founder member of Belfast Women’s Aid and Honorary President of the Northern Ireland Housing Rights Association. “One of her earlier books was entitled Love in Chaos: Spiritual Growth and the Search for Peace in Northern Ireland. What could therefore have been more fitting than that, as President of Ireland, she was one of the signatories of the Good Friday, or Belfast, Agreement? “President – it is our good fortune, from time to time, to meet a person whose public charisma and gaiety of spirit is the outward reflection of a warm, dedicated and intensely human heart. So it is a great honour for all of us to welcome her to our Fellowship.” Professor McAleese was then invited by the President to sign the Fellows Roll and was admitted as an Honorary Fellow of the Society. Professor McAleese thanked Sir John for the welcome, kindness and honour she had been bestowed by the Society. She explained that one of the joys for her over the last 14 years has been to see the re-calibra- tion of relationships between Ireland and this island. She felt that neighbours are much better off being good neighbours, and she saw this invitation to her as an act of a good neighbour, and was pleased to see so many old friends in attendance. Professor McAleese explained that she is looking forward to the continuing and fruitful work between the RSE and the Royal Irish

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Academy, and pledged to support that however she could, and to play an active role and a happy role as an Honorary Fellow of the RSE. She thanked the Society for the extraordinary work that is done it its name, and the generosity of its members, who give that little bit extra not for themselves but for the cause of their country, and the cause of knowledge. 2. PRESENTATION TO PROFESSOR PETER HIGGS FRS FRSE The President invited Professor Alan Miller, Fellowship Secretary, to read the citation for Professor Peter Higgs: “Peter Higgs’ academic career began with a first class honours degree in Physics at King’s College, University of London, followed by an MSc and PhD. Higgs moved to the University of Edinburgh in 1954 as a postdoctoral student and in 1955 become a Senior Research Fellow. After returning to London in 1956 as an ICI Research Fellow at University College and then Imperial College, he came back to the University of Edinburgh in 1960, when he was appointed a Lecturer in the Tait Institute of Mathematical Physics. “In 1974 Peter Higgs’ academic achievements were recognised when he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and in 1980 he was appointed Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Edinburgh. In 1983 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of London. “Peter Higgs has received many prizes including the Hughes Medal of the Royal Society (1981), the Rutherford Medal (1984) and the Paul Dirac Medal (1997) of the Institute of Physics, the High Energy and Particle Physics Prize of EPS (1997), the Wolf Prize in Physics (2004), the Oskar Klein Medal of the Stockholm Academy of Sciences (2004) and the J J Sakurai Prize of the American Physical Society (2010). “He has received honorary degrees from the Universities of Bristol, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Swansea, and also from King’s College London and University College London. “In July 2000, Professor Higgs was awarded one of the very first Royal Society of Edinburgh Royal Medals by Her Majesty The Queen. This top accolade was presented to Professor Higgs for the enormous impact he has had on the world of physics. His work has provided a key to the problem of the origin of the mass of the fundamental particles. He has proposed a mechanism for the generation of these masses in relativistic field theories with a local symmetry, with the consequence of the Higgs

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boson. His work has been a crucial step towards a unified theory of the electromagnetic and weak forces, and this single idea has had a huge impact on Man’s understanding of Nature at the most fundamental level. “The Society, in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh’s School of Physics and Astronomy, has created an exhibition that celebrates the recent discovery at CERN of a new particle consistent with the Higgs boson. The exhibition, “From Maxwell to Higgs”, emphasises and celebrates the important role that Peter Higgs has played, whilst also highlighting the historic discoveries and theories that have contributed to current thinking about the particles and forces of Nature and the existence of such a particle. “It is in recognition of Professor Peter Higgs’ outstanding work leading to the recent announcement by CERN of the discovery of a Higgs-like boson that the RSE makes this presentation.” The President then presented Professor Higgs with a one-off medal in recognition of his work. Professor Higgs thanked the Society for honouring him in this way, something that he did not anticipate. He thought that after receiving the Royal Medal he had already been sufficiently honoured by the Society, but he was deeply grateful to the RSE for being awarded this unique medal. Before the formal business of the ASM, the President asked any non- Fellows who were in attendance for the admission of Professor McAleese and the presentation to Professor Higgs to leave the room. B. FORMAL BUSINESS 1. MINUTES The Minutes of the Annual Statutory Meeting held on Monday 3 October 2011 were taken as read, approved by those Fellows present and signed by the President as a correct record. 2. MATTERS ARISING There were no matters arising. 3. REPORT ON ACTIVITIES FOR SESSION 2011/12 The meeting noted the Report on Activities for Session 2011/12 distributed to Fellows in advance (Appendix I). The President suggested that any discussion of the report should take place after the Office Bearers’ Reports had been delivered.

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4. OFFICE BEARERS’ REPORTS a) General Secretary’s Report Professor Alice Brown gave the following report: We report our performance during our fiscal year, which runs from April to March, in two ways. Firstly, as required by charity law, through our Annual Trustees’ Report and Accounts. The Report and Accounts for 2011–2012 was approved by Council in its capacity as the Society’s Trustees and is available to any Fellow via our website, or in printed format on request. Secondly, we report through our illustrated Annual Review, which summarises the main activities described in the Trustees’ Report, highlights the key impacts of these activities, and includes an approved summary of Accounts. You should have received a paper or electronic copy of this illustrated review with your papers for this evening. Unfortunately, the Treasur- er is not able to be with us today, but he has provided a Report, which was included with your papers, which provides further information on the Society’s financial position. My report this evening is my first as General Secretary and covers activities during the Society’s annual Session, which began on 2nd October 2011 and ends today. Your papers included a report of the full and varied programme of activities the Society delivered during the session. These contributed to the public benefit outcomes which were set out in the Society’s Strategic Framework for 2007–2012, namely: · Enhancing the capacity of world-class science and culture researchers working in Scotland · Increasing Scotland’s research and development connections internationally · Improving connections between business and academia · Enhancing the capacity of school-age children to adopt science as a career · Enhancing the public’s understanding of science and culture issues · Informing and influencing public policy decisions · Sustaining and utilising our multi-disciplinary Fellowship and recognising outstanding achievement and excellence · Establishing the RSE Young Academy of Scotland

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As a new General Secretary I have been struck and impressed with the diversity of the Society’s activities – in terms of the multi-disciplinary topics covered; the audiences with whom we engage; and the reach of our activities both locally and internationally. I have been impressed too with the quality of the activities, e.g. the lectures, the outreach work with schools and communities and so on. It is impressive too that this has been possible in spite of the difficult economic circumstances in which we find ourselves and the decrease in our funding from the Scottish Government. However, I am pleased to report that following last year’s moratorium on making Scottish Government Personal Research Fellowships, we were able to make three new awards this year thanks to financial help from the host universities involved. I do not propose to report in detail on each and every one of the activities outlined in the report and will let them speak for themselves, but I would like to select a few highlights. Let me start with the: Young Academy I am delighted to report on the success in establishing and launching of the RSE’s Young Academy of Scotland. It is worth reminding Fellows that Scotland has led the way in the UK in creating a Young Academy. Our call for applications attracted 336 people last year, 68 of whom were appointed. It was a hard choice as the quality of applications was so high; what was also encouraging was that they represented a wide range of backgrounds (academics, entrepreneurs, artists and people from the professions industry as well as the public and voluntary sectors) and 40% of the applications were from women. The YA was formally launched at the end of November last year and since then they have had a number of meetings and gone through the process of appointing four members and a Treasurer to act as a Facilitating Group to oversee the strategic direction and activities of the YA and to liaise with the RSE. The Young Academy is keen to make a distinctive contribution to the future of Scotland. They have already established a number of Working Groups looking at a range of topics, including Scottish Constitutional Reform; Curriculum for Excellence, Health & Wellbeing, Tapping all our Talents; Open Data; and Careers Information for Secondary Pupils. They have liaised with the RSE

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and have attended meetings of the Executive Board and RSE Committees such as the Education Committee. The YA is also making its presence known in the wider Young Academy network – They participated in the Global Young Academy meeting in South Africa and have engaged with other European Young Academies. Last but not least, in discussion with the YA, we have set up a RSE Fellows Mentoring Scheme whereby members of the YA will be matched with mentors drawn from the RSE Fellowship. In turn, members of the YA are keen to mentor more junior colleagues. We are now in the second cycle of recruitment and have recently put out a call for new applications. Please encourage any young people who you think should apply – young for these purposes is between late 20’s and early 40’s! You can find more information on the RSE website as well as the Young Academy website. Tapping All our Talents As Fellows are aware, the RSE is very active in informing and influencing public policy debates. To this end, our Policy Advice Unit has published Briefing Papers, Advice Papers and provided written and oral evidence to Scottish Parliamentary Committees. The subjects are wide-ranging and include very topical issues such as the Scottish Government’s Spending Review and Draft Budget, as well as Fiscal Sustainability and Demographic Change. A major initiative last year was the study carried out by a Working Group, chaired by Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, into the position of Women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths). What the research shows us is that 73% of women who graduate in STEM subjects are lost to the sector after graduation; also for those that remain, they are much less likely to hold senior positions in academic life and business and industry. We looked at the various explanations for the high attrition rate of women in this sector. The main focus of the report, however, was to consider the practical actions that need to be taken in order to address this serious loss of talent – especially at a time when many companies in Scotland are experiencing shortage of skills in these areas.

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In April of this year, the Society launched the report from the Working Group entitled Tapping all our Talents. Women in STEM: a Strategy for Scotland in which we called for the creation of a co- ordinated strategy to increase the proportion of women in the workplace qualified in STEM subjects and to increase the number who rise to senior positions in universities, research institutes, government, business and industry. The recommendations made in the Report were not just addressed at the government in Scotland, but included all the stakeholders and partners that could influence change – the universities, funding bodies, industry, employers and, of course, learned societies. There is much that we can do to ensure that we nominate more women to the Fellowship and that they in turn can help encourage other women to become involved. In this regard, I think we can take a lead from the Young Academy, which has 40% representation of women. We have not stopped at publishing the report, but with the help of financial support from the Scottish Government, we have been busy disseminating the results of the study at events in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh; also by speaking at different events in the Scottish Parliament, the Department for Business Innovation & Skills and the Research Councils. Finally, let me say something about: Scotland and the UK It is undoubtedly true that the constitutional debate in Scotland and the result of the referendum in 2014 will have a profound impact on all aspects of Scottish life. As an independent organisation with no party-political agenda or position, it is not for the RSE to support one constitutional position over another. However, we do have an important role to play in providing a forum for expert analysis of different constitutional options and to encourage rich and informed debate on all aspects of this hugely important topic. In this connection, earlier this year the RSE worked in partnership with the British Academy and we held two events, in London and in Edinburgh, to examine the position of Scotland and the UK. The London event focused on examining and explaining the different constitutional options and some of the related issues, e.g. consequences for membership of the European Commission; while the Edinburgh event looked at the political and economic

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implications of the different positions – Independence, Devolu- tion Max, Status Quo. These were highly successful events which brought new voices to the debate. A Report of the conferences was launched last week, which is available on the RSE website or in hard-copy. In the spirit of the New Enlightenment, we intend to take forward the debate over the next year or so and to examine, in more detail, the questions that arise in relation to fiscal and monetary policy; defence; welfare spending; and so on. We wish to look also at topics such as the future of higher education and research under different constitutional options. I hope you will be interested in attending such events. To conclude, it is evident that during the year the Society has, once again, advanced learning and useful knowledge through a wide range of public benefit activities, which have reached many people and places across Scotland and beyond. This would not have been possible without the willing and voluntary contribution of Fellows, the support of the Society’s hard working staff, or the voluntary input of others. On behalf of the Society, I would like to thank all of them for their contributions. Finally, I would like to conclude my report by mentioning the Office Bearers and Trustees who see their terms of office ending today. Namely: · Vice-President, Professor Jean Beggs · Treasurer, Mr Ewan Brown · Council Members, Professor Cairns Craig and Professor Susan Manning · Curator, Professor Duncan Macmillan · Programme Convener, Professor John Richardson · Education Committee Convener, Lord Sutherland of Hound- wood On behalf of the Society I would like to thank all of them for the valuable contributions they have made to the Society’s work, whilst at the same time fulfilling many other demands on their time. Sir David Edward’s term as International Convener also ends today and our sincere thanks go to him also for the significant contribu-

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tion he has made to the Society’s international activities and profile. He is not, however, disappearing completely and will continue to contribute to the Society’s work as a Trustee, serving on Council for the next year. Finally, Professor Anna Dominiczak’s term as a Council Trustee ends today, but not her continuing involvement with the RSE Council as she will be succeeding Professor Jean Beggs as Vice- President Life Sciences. That concludes my report. I will hand over to the Fellowship Secretary now, and after that am happy to take any questions which you may have on any of our activities during the Session. b) Treasurer’s Report Mr Ewan Brown was not able to attend the meeting, but his report had been circulated with the papers in advance (Appendix II) and the Director of Finance, Kate Ellis, was available to answer any questions. c) Fellowship Secretary’s Report Professor Alan Miller gave the following report: I’m very pleased to have this opportunity, my first since taking over as Fellowship Secretary, to provide you with some information on the Fellowship. I will update you on the distribution of the current Fellowship; where we are within the current election cycle to elect new Fellows to the Society; and the steps we are taking to ensure that the Fellowship is balanced and broadly representative of the society in which we are based. Looking at the current Fellowship, we have 1550 Fellows in total, including Honorary and Corresponding. The Fellowship is divided by discipline in to four main sectors. Within this we have 14 sectional groups which cover the full range of subjects. This year we elected 40 new Fellows, as has been standard since the 2007 review of our election process, together with four Correspond- ing Fellows and two Honorary Fellows. And I am delighted that one of our new Honorary Fellows, Mary McAleese, is able to join us today. Over 70% of our Fellows sit within the Life and Physical Sciences; this broadly reflects the situation within Scottish academia as a whole. However there are areas of Business and the Arts that are underrepresented, and we will be continuing to work over the coming year to tackle this.

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In recent years, we have been particularly keen to build up Sector D, which includes those from Social Sciences, Education, Business and the Public Service, and although numbers in this area are increasing, there are still gaps, and the lack of business practitioners is one area in particular that we will be tackling. We have crossed a significant threshold in that now over 10% of the Fellowship is female; an increase from 9.3% last year to 10.3% this year, but more needs to be done to increase the number of nominations of female candidates. This is especially important following the publication of our Women in STEM report, as we want to be seen to be setting an example and acting on our own advice. This year we did see a marked increase in high-quality female candidates, resulting in almost half of these nominations, i.e. 14, being successful. An important message which we try to make every year is that the problem for the gender balance of the Fellowship is not the process once the candidate’s name is put forward, but it is having reasonable numbers of female candidates being put forward in the first place. We must do everything we can to encourage the nomination of female candidates, and with this in mind we have altered the restrictions on nominations. Normally a Fellow can propose and assess only two new nominations for Fellowship a year, however in an effort to increase the number of female candidates, we have changed this rule so nominations of female candidates are exempt from this restriction. Looking at the age distribution of the Fellowship, we have Fellows aged from 37 to 99, with an average age of around 67. As in previous years, there are very few Fellows in the 30–39 age group. Again this year, we were pleased to have so many people able to attend the New Fellows’ Induction in May, which gave the new Fellows an opportunity to hear about the Society, meet the staff, and sign the Fellows Roll. Turning now to the current, 2012/13 election cycle, we have 177 candidates for consideration, 165 for Fellowship, four for Honorary Fellowship and eight for Corresponding Fellowship. Of the 165 for Fellowship, 81 of these are new candidates, down slightly from 90 last year. The distribution of these nominations is slightly different this year, with the largest numbers falling within Sector B, physical sciences, rather than Sector A, life sciences, as has been the case for the past few years.

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The number of women being considered for nomination has remained more or less steady at 33 this year, compared to 34 last year. This means that around 20% of the candidates for consideration are female, which some might argue is closer to representing the communities that we are drawing from. This is an improvement on former years, when females more typically made up around 12% of candidates, but there is still room for improvement. It is interesting to note that 40% of the Young Academy membership is female, which may bode well for the future. The election process involves five stages, the first of which is the Sectional Committee meetings, which will be completed this week. Following this, the top candidates from each of the Sectional Committees will then move to the next stage to be considered and prioritised by the Sector Groups. The prioritised candidates from the Sector Group meetings then go for consideration by the Fellowship Committee and finally approval by Council. Then in December there is a ballot to the whole Fellowship. The allocation of places for Fellowship is always an important issue for Council and there are various factors taken into account when we draw up these numbers. Every year since the review in 2007 the recommendation has been that we should hold it at 40 new Fellows a year, and this has again been agreed by Council. Group A = 13; Group B = 12; Group C = 5; Group D = 6. This totals 36 with the remaining four giving flexibility to allocate these additional places to the Groups and strong cross-Sectoral candidates that fall between the main disciplines groups. It is hoped this year that, subject to approval at this ASM, we will be able to use an electronic voting system for the election of Fellows. As well as the obvious cost reductions of this method, it is hoped that this will increase the accessibility of the process, and will encourage more Fellows to become actively involved in the ballot process. Further information on this proposal will be provided later in this meeting. I am pleased that we are getting such excellent candidates and such excellent Fellows elected. As already indicated, we wish to be pro- active on issues of underrepresented groups in the Fellowship, and at the beginning of this Session I wrote to Principals of all HEIs in Scotland, specialist institutions and research institutes to encourage

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more nominations from those underrepresented groups, namely females, business people and arts practitioners. Although these letters had some effect, we need to do more, and this is a long-term project. As such, the Fellowship Committee has agreed to establish a Nominations Group to look at this issue further. The group will look at what additional steps we can take, to encourage more nominations of outstanding female candidates, and candidates from business and the creative arts from outside of academia. To finish, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Fellows involved in the nomination process, especially those on the various Sectional Committees. Nearly 200 Fellows are actively involved in the process on these Sectional Committees and we are very grateful to them for their dedication and hard work in contributing to this process. d) Questions The President invited questions on the Office Bearers’ reports. The following were raised: Professor Andy Walker – Have we seen an increase in the number of nominations of female candidates now that these have been removed from the restriction of only be allowed to be associated with two nominations? We suspect that this has had an influenced on a few nominations this year, but not many at this stage. However this is likely to be a gradual process, and we hope it will have more of an impact in subsequent years. Professor Andrew Miller – It is disappointing that the Scottish Government grant to the Society has been cut. Is there something we can do? Should we be more vocal about our displeasure? And what RSE activities are at risk from this cut? Firstly, we see it as a very positive move by Ministers that responsibility for our funding was moved this year from the Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser (OCSA) to the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) as we are much more closely related to the universities, which SFC also funds, than the science centres, which OCSA is responsible for. But the total amount of funding available to us has not increased with this move. Fellows can be assured that we’re actively working on this, and have been incredibly vocal already over the last six months in order to try to reverse this decision.

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In terms of what’s at risk from this cut in our grant, it is our postdoctoral Fellowships. These are high profile and high quality, and although the universities have many fellowships, the association with the RSE is appreciated and highly valued by universities and the individual researchers. With the help of the universities, this year we’ve been able to award three Fellowships (as opposed to none last year) and are working on a plan for next year. It has been a tough year, but one of the positives is that it has forced us to think about our priorities. It has highlighted that we need to draw to people’s attention the added value of the RSE, not least to the government’s own work, and the risks of losing that. We are uniquely placed to draw on the expertise of the Fellowship and provide expert analysis, but we can’t do this with no resources. Professor Stuart Monro – As a former member of SSAC which, during my time, found a close working relationship with the RSE very beneficial, I would like to know more about the RSE’s current relationship with the SSAC? We do have a relationship with the advisory council, not least because many of the SSAC members are Fellows. But I think you’re absolutely right and partnerships are crucial, especially during times of financial difficulty, and we need to draw expertise together. In the coming year we will continue to work with not only the SSAC, but also the British Academy, as has already been mentioned, and a wide range of other organisations in Scotland and further afield. Dr John Francis – Science and the Parliament has in the past been a great opportunity for prize-givings to young people. Is there an opportunity to also encourage the participation of the Young Academy in this? I agree this is an excellent idea, and will feed this back to the Young Academy. The YA is already giving some thought to what it can give back to Scotland, and especially in terms of schools engagement and providing benefit to young people, so this may fit well. 5. STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK The President presented the Strategic Framework, which had also been circulated with the papers for the meeting, and invited comments or ideas for future years.

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6. LAWS CHANGES The President presented the Laws Change paper, which had been circulated with the papers. The changes were due to the upgrading of the International Convener to Vice-President rank, and to designate the Education Convener as an Office-Bearer of the Society. The Laws changes were approved without any amendments. See Appendix III. 7. ELECTION OF COUNCIL AND OTHER OFFICE-BEARERS FOR THE 230TH SESSION The President explained that all Fellows entitled to vote had been sent a ballot paper for the election of Council and other Office-Bearers. The returned papers had been examined by the scrutineers, Dr Alison Elliot and Professor Gavin Gibson. There were 633 returns - this equates to 41% of the Fellowship. The Scrutineers were content that all those proposed were elected unanimously or by ‘an overwhelming majority’. The President noted that since taking up post, he now recognises the great contribution that Office-Bearers make, and took the opportunity to offer his congratulations to those re-elected, as well as those elected as follows:

COUNCIL President Fellowship Secretary Sir John Arbuthnott Professor Alan Miller Vice-Presidents Ordinary Members Professor Graham Caie Professor Alan Alexander Professor Anna Dominiczak Professor Robert Cormack Professor Tariq Durrani Professor Sir David Edward Mr Ian Ritchie Professor Sheila Rowan Professor Wilson Sibbett Sir Muir Russell General Secretary Observer Professor Alice Brown Sir Brian Ivory Treasurer Mr Gerald Wilson

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EXECUTIVE BOARD General Secretary Education Convener Professor Alice Brown Professor Sally Brown Treasurer Chairman of the RSE Scot- Mr Gerald Wilson land Foundation Curator Professor Donald Ritchie Dr Iain Gordon Brown Observer Vice-President International (RSE Scotland SCIO Chairman) Professor Tariq Durrani Professor Peter Holmes Programme Convener Chief Executive Sir Andrew Cubie Dr William Duncan Research Awards Convener Director of Finance Professor Steve Beaumont Miss Kate Ellis Young People’s Programme Convener Dr Chris Van Der Kuyl

8. ALTERNATIVE VOTING SYSTEM FOR ELECTION OF FELLOWS AND COUNCIL The President presented the Alternative Voting System paper, which had been circulated with the papers. The proposal to allow electronic ballots for the election of Fellows and Office-Bearers was approved by those Fellows present. 9. ANY OTHER BUSINESS There was no other formal business. The President thanked all those who had attended the meeting and had contributed to the reports and discussions.

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Appendix I Report on Activities for the Annual Session 2011/12 (4 October 2011 – 1 October 2012)

The Fellowship of the RSE contin- to place special emphasis on areas ued to deliver a wide-ranging of research key to the well-being programme of activities, support- of Scotland; for example energy, ed by staff of the Society and environment and biosciences, and others. These activities contribut- complements similar programmes ed to the public benefit outcomes available on a UK-wide basis from set out in the Society’s Strategic the Royal Society, the Royal Framework for 2007–2012. Academy of Engineering, Research This report records the various Councils and major research activities; how these fit within our charities. It is through partner- public benefit outcomes. It also ships with key bodies such as BP, reports how our activities contin- the Scottish Government and the ued to sustain and utilise our European Commission that we multi-disciplinary Fellowship; how were able to provide these awards we recognise outstanding and we offer our sincere thanks to achievement and excellence; and each of these valued partners, for the establishment of the RSE their continuing support. Young Academy of Scotland, a The following awards in science significant development during were made during the Session: the Session. · One CRF Personal Research Enhancing the capacity of Fellowship in Biomedical world-class science and culture Sciences researchers working in Scotland · Ten CRF European Visiting Our Research Awards programme Research Fellowships in Arts, supports some of the most Humanities & Social Sciences outstanding young scientists and · Three Scottish Government innovators working in Scotland Personal Research Fellowships today. It creates conditions that attract those with outstanding · One BP Trust Research Fellow- potential conducive to becoming ship research leaders, to establish their · Cormack awards: one Under- career in Scotland and make long- graduate Prize, two term contributions to the Science, Postgraduate Prizes and five Technology, Engineering and Vacation Research Scholarships Mathematics base and its applica- · Seven Lessells Travel Scholar- tion in Scotland. It provides scope ships

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The Scottish Government-funded · Six Research Workshops Personal Research Fellowship · Fifteen Small Research Grants scheme is the largest fellowship scheme administered by the RSE Four existing Research Networks for postdoctoral researchers and and two Major Research Grants the research fellowships lever were supported in their second benefits for Scottish research – year of a two-year and three-year since 2003 £6.1m of support grant respectively. provided for fellowships has This programme enables individu- enabled more than £46.8m of als to develop links with people further research funding to be and organisations that they would obtained by research fellows. not otherwise have easily been Following last year’s moratorium able to work with, and, since its on making new awards, because inception in Febuary 2007, of Scottish Government funding seventy-nine individuals have reductions, we were pleased this benefited from this scheme. year to be able to make three It is clear from early evidence that awards. We are grateful to the the objective of improving host universities for their help in understanding of human culture, enabling us to do so. In addition, past and present, is being met by we have continued during the this programme, which sets in session to support 16 existing motion long-term dialogue, both Personal Research Fellows. interdisciplinary and inter- The RSE has been successful in institutional, across Scotland and securing funding from the EU beyond, involving artists, curators, Marie-Curie COFUND scheme to art historians, librarians, archivists, internationalise our Scottish scientists and research students. Government-funded Research The Arts and Humanities awards Fellowships, and this funding has programme was independently supported ten Research Fellows reviewed during this Session by a over the past year and enabled group Chaired by Sir John them to work in Iceland, the USA Enderby CBE FRS. Sir John’s report and Canada and to make short was presented to Council in visits to Germany and Eire. October 2011. It was very positive In addition to these science and highlighted the impact these activities, the Scottish Government awards have made to the research grant has continued to support community and to Scotland. The our Arts & Humanities pro- review played an important part in gramme, through the awarding of making the case for continued the following: funding for this scheme and how

23 Review of the Session 2011-2012

these awards support the Scottish Society has developed strong links Government National Outcomes. internationally. Based on the For a number of years now, the good relationships developed, the Society has partnered with other Bilateral and Open exchange Scottish universities to support schemes support researcher the “Scottish Crucible” training exchanges that lead to collabora- scheme. This scheme, based on tive projects and frequently allow the highly successful Crucible the researchers to lever further, training scheme developed by the and often significant, funding National Endowment for Science, from sources here and abroad. A Technology and the Arts, is particularly strong part of the funded by NESTA and the Scottish programme, which cements Funding Council, with additional relationships and collaborations, support coming from Universities are the joint research projects run Scotland. This programme over two years between the RSE enabled 31talented researchers and the National Natural Science from across Scotland to come Foundation of China (NSFC), together to explore and expand supporting longer-term collabora- their capacity and problem solving tions and levering further through a series of intensive two- funding. day workshops, and the Society is During the Session 29 Bilateral grateful to the various funders for and 20 Open Exchange Scheme continuing to support this grants were awarded, which worthwhile scheme. amounted to 167 person-weeks Increasing Scotland’s research of researcher support for visits and development connections between Scotland and over 23 internationally countries worldwide. Seven new joint projects with the NSFC were Our International Programme, awarded for two years from funded by the Scottish Govern- Spring 2012 in the area of Image ment since 2003, helps to create Processing, and 13 existing joint and support international collabo- projects in Information Science, rations, raises Scotland’s Management Science, Engineer- reputation as a centre of academic ing and Public Policy, and excellence, and promotes the Biological Sciences were support- exchange of early-career researched in their first and second years. ers. Through formal Memoranda Funding also continued for the of Understanding with 12 second year of a collaboration overseas sister Academies, as well between the University of Stirling as informal links with other and the Institute of Automation, Academies and organisations, the The Chinese Academy of Sciences,

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to support a Scotland–China academic institutions into spin- Higher Education Research out companies. Partnership for PhD Studies in the The Enterprise Fellows selected area of Telecommunications and demonstrate the entrepreneurial Information Technologies. spirit needed to create a thriving In partnership with the French business from a research idea. Embassy in London, and following The fellowships offer support to the successful events held last year develop business skills through in partnership with the University intensive business training and of Edinburgh and the College de mentoring, as well as introduc- France, a further two workshops tions to potential collaborators, and related public lectures were investors and other specialists that held in the Franco– Scottish are able to help get the business Science Seminar Series in February up and running. and March 2012. The purpose of The RSE/SE Enterprise Fellowships the Series is to bring together programme, which aims to leaders in their fields and early- appoint sixty Fellowships over five career scientists from Scotland years, has appointed 37 over the and France, in areas of science first four years. The seventh round where there is excellence in both took place in spring 2011 from France and Scotland, to stimulate which three Fellows were appoint- Franco–Scottish collaboration in ed and took up post in October science. 2011. The eighth round took Improving connections between place in Autumn 2011 - four business and academia fellows were appointed and took The RSE administers three Enter- up post in Spring 2012. This prise Fellowship schemes, which Fellowship scheme has created 66 are designed to help create (80% survival rate) companies sustainable companies with high- which have employed more than value jobs that make a positive 230 people. The £5.5m invested contribution to the economy in in the programme facilitated in the long term. The three schemes, excess of £53.5 million follow-on funded separately by Scottish investment over the past six years Enterprise (SE), the Science and – £42.4m of that from the private Technology Facilities Council sector (STFC) and the Biotechnology and During the Session 14 former SE Biological Sciences Research Enterprise Fellows attracted public Council (BBSRC), encourage the funding totalling £1.1m and commercialisation of technology- recruited 22 new employees. They based business ideas from also won nine new contracts

25 Review of the Session 2011-2012

worth £6.2m, launched seven on the Forum’s findings to date new products and secured private will shortly be submitted to the finance of £1.4m. Scottish Government and distrib- Both of the Research Council uted to other key figures in schemes operate on a UK -wide Government and the private basis, with the purpose of sector. During the Session, John supporting the commercialisation McClelland stepped down as of research previously funded by Convener of the Forum. He was BBSRC and STFC. Following the succeeded in this role, and as selection processes for these Vice- President, by Ian Ritchie. schemes, two BBSRC Enterprise The RSE’s corporate engagement Fellows took up post in October initiative “Friends of the Society” 2011 and one in Spring 2012. No (Corporate Partners of the Royal STFC Enterprise Fellowships were Society of Edinburgh) continues to awarded this session. grow since its launch in April One RSE Entrepreneurs’ Club 2009. By September 2012, dinner took place during the membership stood at 16 organi- session. This was held at the RSE sations, up three from the on 3 April, when three after- previous year. The current mem- dinner speakers spoke on what bers are Aberdeen Asset investors are looking for in new Management, Arup, BP, FES Ltd, start-up businesses. Fifty-five The Herald, Institution of Civil guests attended the event, Engineers, Lloyds Banking Group, including current and former MacRoberts, Optos, Oracle, RBS, Enterprise Fellows, Fellows of the SCDI, Shell, Standard Life, Toshiba RSE, mentors to the Enterprise and The Wood Group. Fellowship programme and Saltire Enhancing the capacity of Foundation Fellows. school-age children to adopt The RSE Business Innovation science as a career Forum met four times over the RSE Fellows and other experts year. Its two main areas of focus recognise the importance of were on investigating the financ- engaging with school-age ing of business innovation in children, and as such continue to Scotland, and on examining ways share their knowledge and to expand the Society’s activities in understanding of science and relation to its Enterprise Fellow- culture, with a particular focus on ship programmes. A group of enthusing those already “en- senior figures in the finance sector gaged”, and reaching those who were brought together to inform are more geographically removed the work of the Forum. A report from Scottish universities and

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Science Centres, and who there- · A number of school talks have fore have more limited taken place as part of the opportunity to participate and Orkney Science Festival meet with experts. In addition to core activities, the Following the highly successful RSE also supported a number of pilot RSE@ project in Arbroath other activities. The final events and the year-long, locally-tailored for the ‘Twit-Test’, a take on the RSE@ Dumfries and Galloway Turing test using the micro- project, this year has seen the blogging site Twitter, took place in development of the next RSE@ April. The RSE hosted the national project, in Lochaber. The project finals of the ESU Schools Debating was launched on 17 September in competition and the RSE/Bright Fort William with a ‘Question Green Placement Programme Time’-style event with Professor National Final. Tom Devine, the winner of the RSE The YP programme underwent a Beltane Senior Prize for Public major consultation with several Engagement, chaired by the Rt hundred secondary school Hon Charles Kennedy MP. students across the country. The Other core activities which also conclusions from this are helping took place this year were: to form a series of fresh and · 16 interactive Start-up Science relevant events for the coming Masterclasses for S1 and S2 years, with a focus on issues pupils in university venues important to students, thereby around Scotland giving them a ‘voice’ through the RSE. · The annual RSE Discussion Forum, featuring a day of Enhancing the public’s under- learning and debate between standing of science and culture S5 and S6 pupils from schools issues from Arbroath Academy. The Once again this year we planned discussion focused on enhance- and organised the delivery and ments in disability sport. A promotion of a multidisciplinary resource pack was developed programme of events aimed at a after the event and these are wide variety of audiences. We available to schools throughout delivered a total of 33 events, Scotland in hardcopy or via the comprising 17 Lectures, four RSE website, and shortly Discussion Forums, three Confer- through GLOW. ences, four Workshops, one Reception, one Networking Event and threeDissemination Events.

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Lectures · Fragments of a Lost Past or · Communicating Science as Evidence of a Connected Culture History: the Role of Islamic Art in the Museum Context · The Arab Spring: Tropes and Discourses · Location, Location – Film Locations in Lochaber (RSE@ · RSE Christmas Lecture 2011: To Lochaber) the Ends of the Earth: Scotland’s Global Diaspora Discussion Forums · ECRR Peter Wilson lecture: · Science as a Public Enterprise: Appliance of Science in the Why and How Should Science Rural Sector of Scotland. be Open? This was a joint Discussion Forum with the Royal · Extreme Light – a New Paradigm Society, London and the ESRC for Fundamental Physics Genomics Policy and Research · A Celebration of Women in Forum Astronomy · An Evening with Diarmaid · Infrastructure Costs too Much, MacCulloch and it Needn’t · Humanising the Workplace · Experimental and Theoretical · Scottish History in Question: An approaches to Conscious Evening with Tom Devine (RSE@ Processing Lochaber) · Extreme Engineering Conferences · An evening with Tim Flannery · Scotland and the United · Alan Turing: Legacy of a Code Kingdom (London) Breaker · Scotland and the United · Is Doing Cancer Research Good Kingdom (Edinburgh) for the NHS? · Celebrating 100 Years Since the · BBC Reith lecture: The Rule of Birth of Alan Turing Law and its Enemies Workshop · Love’s Labours Lost: why Society · Emerging Directions in Image is Straitjacketing its Profession- Processing and Understanding. als and How we Might Release Them · Facing up to Climate Change: the Future of Land Use in · The Large Hadron Collider, the Scotland Higgs Boson and Other Ques- tions About the Universe (RSE@ · A New Paradigm of Science Locahber) Driven by Ultrafast Lasers

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· Systems and Molecular Neuro- grateful to those Fellows who science have been involved in testing this Networking Event / Reception technology. We hope to have this go live within the next few · Renewable Energy networking months. We also continue to use event. social networks such as Twitter, · Best of Scottish Science recep- Facebook and Linkedin as a means tion of communicating the RSE to the outside world. Dissemination Event Media briefings and press releases · Women in STEM dissemination were provided for most major event – Aberdeen events and launches, and there · Women in STEM dissemination was appreciable media coverage event – Dundee of many of the significant activi- · Women in STEM dissemination ties in the RSE programme. event – Edinburgh Four issues of ReSourcE, the RSE The Society also continued to newsletter were published and enhance people’s appreciation distributed to a mailing list of over and understanding through other 2,000, including the Fellowship, modes of communication, and is business leaders, journalists, increasingly doing this electroni- research institutes, schools, MPs, cally. MSPs and interested individuals. The newsletter is now also The newly-launched RSE website available on the RSE website and was updated regularly throughout many of the Fellowship and the Session and provided informa- others, chose to view it in that tion for the public and for Fellows. format. We continued to provide audio and video recordings of RSE Fellows received a monthly e- events to ensure as many people bulletin, which enabled them to as possible can access these, as keep up to date with and, if well as the 22 written summary appropriate, disseminate informa- reports of activities in the public tion on the RSE and its work. In events and schools programme addition, two public e-bulletins that were published on the site were sent out during the Session after the event. We have been to advertise various events and developing an on-line services schools activities. section of our new website, to One issue of Science Scotland allow Fellows to update their entitled Knowledge Transfer in details, register for events and Engineering and Informatics was sign up to mailing lists, and are published during the year and a

29 Review of the Session 2011-2012

follow-on issue entitled Knowl- Proceedings B – volumes edge Transfer in Software will be 61(1941)–104 – live (abstracts, published shortly. Science Scot- not full articles); land continues to increase Proceedings – volumes 1–60 – not people’s awareness of cutting- yet live; edge science and technology activities in Scotland. Transactions: Earth Sciences – volume 71(1980) onwards – live; Through the RSE Scotland Foundation we continued to Transactions – volumes 1–70 – not publish two journals, Earth and yet live. Environmental Science Transac- The archive is now on public sale, tions of the Royal Society of making the RSE’s highly regarded Edinburgh and Proceedings A: journal archive more easily Mathematics. Copies of the accessible to a world-wide journals were sent to 350 Univer- audience. A healthy number of sity Libraries, Academies and sales have already been achieved. Institutions world wide, as part of In 2011 the RSE’s share of the the Society’s exchange pro- surplus revenue (50%) was as gramme. The journals are highly follows: Proceedings £31,365.70, regarded by academics as publica- Transactions £19,201.67. Further tion vehicles for their research, sales of the digital archive will be and they both maintained a confirmed before the end of respectably high impact factor in 2012. comparison with similar journals Informing and influencing public in their fields. policy decisions Six issues of Proceedings A and Key outputs of our Policy Advice two issues of Transactions were unit were: published during the session. · Two briefing papers, on the The digitisation of the RSE’s Scottish Government’s Spend- archive journals – Transactions ing Review and Draft Budget (1783–1979), Transactions:Earth and Broadband Infrastructure in Sciences (1980–2000) Proceed- Scotland. ings (1832–1940), Proceedings A (1941–1999) and Proceedings B · 12 Advice papers, nine to the (1941–1996) was progressed by Scottish Parliament and/or the Cambridge University Press during Scottish Government, on a the Session. The current status is range of topics including: as follows: alcohol minimum pricing, biodiversity, post-16 education, Proceedings A – volumes commercialisation of research, 61(1941)–current – all live

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renewable energy targets, fiscal The report launch in April includ- sustainability, and the referen- ed presentations by Professor dum on independence. Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, who Oral evidence to Scottish Parlia- had chaired the Working Group, mentary Committees was by the Permanent Secretary of the provided on a range of subjects Scottish Government Sir Peter including: Housden and by Professor Muffy Calder, who had recently become · Scottish Government’s Spend- Chief Scientific Advisor for ing Review and Draft Budget Scotland. Subsequently the · Broadband infrastructure in recommendations of the report Scotland were disseminated at public meetings across Scotland and to · Fiscal sustainability and demo- key policy-making bodies such as graphic change the Scottish Government, the A Science and the Parliament Scottish Funding Council, the event was held in partnership with Department for Business Innova- the Royal Society of Chemistry, tion & Skills and the Research which attracted 35 exhibitors, and Councils. more than 300 delegates, includ- Our Education Committee ing MSPs. Amongst the keynote members contributed to the speakers, on the topic of Science development of policy in relation and the Economy, were: John to helping 21st-century education Swinney MSP, and RSE Fellows in Scotland, most specifically in Professor Anne Glover, Professor relation to improving science, Lesley Yellowlees, Ian Ritchie and computing and history education Professor Alice Brown. in schools. In April the Society launched a In partnership with the British Report on: Tapping all our talents. Computer Society, we undertook a Women in STEM: a Strategy for computing science exemplification Scotland. This project, with teaching and recommended creating a strategy learning materials being devel- to increase the proportion of oped by Mr Jeremy Scott, the women in the workplace qualified Head Teacher of Computing at in STEM subjects, and to increase George Heriot’s School, Edin- the number who rise to senior burgh. Mr Scott has been positions in universities, research seconded on a part-time basis. institutes, government, business The project has received financial and industry. The Report was support from a wide range of produced by an expert Working supporters, including Education Group mainly of Fellows. Scotland. The materials exemplify

31 Review of the Session 2011-2012

computing science concepts in the Science Education and the Curriculum for Excellence and Scottish Schools Education introduce learners to computa- Research Centre. While the tional thinking. member organisations are The project has garnered consider- individually active in this area, it is able wider interest, and a variety likely that more can be achieved of media enquiries and references by a formal collaborative grouping including in the Times Education that identifies, discusses and takes Supplement (Scotland), The Herald action on common issues. A and Holyrood News. Mr Scott was launch event, attended by more invited to present at the AppIn- than 80 people, was held at the ventor Summit – a conference on RSE in May. mobile app development in Sustaining and utilising our education – at the Massachusetts multi-disciplinary Fellowship Institute of Technology (MIT) in and recognising outstanding July. achievement and excellence The project has secured funding We continued to sustain and to extend Mr Scott’s secondment utilise our multi-disciplinary for a further year, with him being Fellowship and to recognise employed by the RSE for two days outstanding achievement and per week. The next phase of the excellence. project will focus on exemplifying In March 2012, we announced aspects of the recently published the election of two new Honorary National 4 and 5 qualifications for Fellow, four Corresponding Computing Science. Fellows and 40 new Fellows. This We also facilitate the recently followed the scrutiny of 164 established Learned Societies’ candidates through a four-stage Group on Scottish Science committee process, culminating in Education. This standing group the postal ballot in December to has arisen due to concerns about, the entire Fellowship. and a need to contribute to, the The addition of new Fellows major reforms in the delivery of brought the numbers in the science education in Scottish Fellowship up to 1582 - 66 schools. Currently, the group Honorary Fellows; 64 Correspond- comprises representatives from ing Fellows and 1452 Ordinary the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Fellows. Institute of Physics, the Society of Biology, the British Computer The discipline balance of the Society, the Royal Society of Fellowship is broadly represented Edinburgh, the Association of by four cognate sectors. In the Fellowship (excluding Honorary

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and Corresponding) the current programme; serving on Inquiry balance of these sectors is 35.8% Committees and Editorial Boards; (Life Sciences – Sector A), 36.1% and providing evidence and advice (Physical Engineering and Infor- to inform responses to policy and matic Sciences – Sector B), 14.3% decision makers. (Humanities and Creative Arts – A major highlight of the Session Sector C) and 13.6% (Social was the presentation of the RSE Sciences, Education and Public Royal Medals, presented by His Service – Sector D). 10.3% of the Royal Highness The Duke of Fellowship is female, an increase Edinburgh at the Society in from 9.3% in 2011. September 2012. Medals were The annual New Fellows Induction awarded to: Day took place in May and was · Dr David Milne OBE FREng FRSE, attended by 41 new Fellows. They founder and former Chief were given an introduction to the Executive, Wolfson Microelec- Society by the President and met tronics, for his outstanding Council members and staff, contribution to business and before being formally admitted commerce in Scotland. into the Fellowship. · Professor Sir Edwin Southern Fellows were once again, in FRS HonFRSE, Founder and CSO, various capacities, pivotal to the Oxford Gene Technology and Society’s delivery of public benefit Emeritus Professor of Biochem- activities. The many Committees istry, University of Oxford, for his which oversee these activities are outstanding contribution to comprised overwhelmingly of molecular biology which led to Fellows of the Society. These the invention of technologies Committees cover governance, that are still in worldwide use operational and management today. matters. Amongst other activities, Fellows freely gave of their time His Royal Highness also presented and their expertise in the selection the IEEE/ RSE/ Wolfson/ James of Research and Enterprise Clerk Maxwell Award for 2012 to Fellowship awardees; the award- Professor Gerhard Sessler, Darm- ing of International Exchange stadt University of Technology, for grants, various medals, grants and pioneering contributions to prizes; participating in the electroacoustic transducers, the planning of lectures, conferences development of silicon micro- and discussion forums; contribut- phone technology, and seminal ing to the Young People’s work on electroactive materials.

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Establishing the RSE Young In addition, the Facilitating Group Academy of Scotland has managed to secure extra The RSE received 336 applications financial support from the for membership of the RSE Young Scottish universities which will Academy and appointed 68 allow the YAS membership to fully members. Of these, over 40% are participate in its activities. female, 80% are from the aca- The work of the Young Academy demic sector and 20% from is conducted in a number of business and the professions. This working groups. Each sets its own first cohort were formally appoint- agenda of activities and works ed on the day of the launch of the towards responding to some of Young Academy at the RSE on the most interesting and pressing 29th November 2011. Speakers challenges facing Scotland today. at the launch included Shami Their current activities are focused Chakrabarti and Steve Jones, and on the following topics: the discussion was facilitated by · Scottish Constitutional Reform Kenneth Roy. Sir John Arbuthnott presented the new Young Acade- · Curriculum for Excellence my members with Certificates to · Health and Wellbeing mark their admission into the · Tapping all our Talent Academy. · Open Data The first formal meeting of the Young Academy of Scotland (YAS) · Careers Information for Second- was held at the RSE on 14 ary Pupils December. This was followed by a Some of these projects are still at meeting in February 2012, at the earliest stages, but the Young which Professor Martin Wilmking, Academy is committed to making chair of the German Die Jünge an impact through its developing Akademie, outlined how the portfolio of activities. Members German Academy operates. produced a response to the In March 2012, the YAS held an Scottish Government’s consulta- election of its membership to tion paper Your Scotland, Your appoint four core members and a Referendum and will continue to Treasurer to act as a Facilitating investigate the issues surrounding Group to oversee the strategic proposed reforms to the Scottish direction of the Academy and to Constitution. The sharing of liaise with the RSE. This Facilitat- scientific research also came under ing Group meets regularly and is scrutiny in a Young Academy responsible for setting the agenda response to the Royal Society’s of the four annual plenary Call for Evidence Science as a meetings of the Young Academy. Public Enterprise. Some members

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of the Young Academy are Africa, and has engaged with identifying practical ways to other European Young Acade- capitalise on the recommenda- mies. In addition, two members tions from the recent Tapping all of the Facilitating Group are our talents RSE report to widen attending the October conference participation by women and other in Amsterdam hosted by the underrepresented groups in Dutch Jonge Akademie on STEM, and members from the Shaping the Future of Young various sectors represented in the Academies. Young Academy have been A two-day Annual Business coming together to consider meeting of the Young Academy proposals under a Health and was held in September in Aber- Wellbeing theme. The Curriculum deen, supported jointly by the for Excellence group has decided University of Aberdeen and to focus on interdisciplinarity in Aberdeen City Council. Future YAS secondary teaching, and held a events planned are Networking Call for Evidence in early July and Influencing Policy in Decem- 2012. ber at the RSE, and a plenary in The Young Academy of Scotland March at the University of St has also participated in the Global Andrews. Young Academy meeting in South Appendix II Treasurer’s Report to the ASM on 1 October 2012 Much has changed since I took on income and expenditure over over as Treasurer in 2008. The the three years of the Spending consolidated funds were £11.5 Review, with expenditure in this million and the investments area expected to rise from totaled £6.1 million. My predeces- £700,000 to £2 million”. sor’s review of future prospects Forward four years and the included the following: consolidated funds have more “The RSE continues to work to than doubled to £24.1 million strengthen its financial base... with investments increasing to there was success in the Govern- £19.1 million. This has been ment Spending Review, where the achieved principally by the very RSE was awarded funding to welcome receipt of three major support the implementation of legacies amounting to £3.9 the recommendations of the million and the transfer of £6.3 review of Research Fellowships million funds to the RSE from the carried out by Sir John Enderby. Caledonian Research Foundation. This will have a significant impact However, my review of future

35 Review of the Session 2011-2012

prospects has a very much more which it funds; but it is presently negative tone: influenced by the short term “The Scottish Government has cut expediency of budget savings. We the RSE’s grant for 2012/13 with will continue to press for these indicative levels of future grant highly prestigious Scottish being further reduced. These awards, which carry the RSE stamp substantial cuts greatly reduce the of excellence, to be funded by scale of the research fellowships Government as a priority. and grant activities that the RSE The summary consolidated runs on behalf of the Scottish financial results for the year ended Government, despite compelling 31 March 2012 are set out in the evidence of the value to Scotland Annual Review. They show a of the Science research fellow- surplus of £1.77 million — but ships and the Arts & Humanities after adjusting for major legacy research awards. The RSE’s receipts and other one-off items, updated Strategic Framework and there was a small underlying its future priorities will seek to operating deficit of £21,000. mitigate the effects of public The RSE’s updated Strategic sector funding uncertainties.” Framework and its future priori- We have seen this coming. In my ties, will seek to mitigate the report to the 2011 Annual effects of public sector funding Statutory Meeting, I bemoaned uncertainties. The focus will the fact that the Scottish Govern- remain on the successful delivery ment seemed to find it easier to of the RSE’s varied programme of salami-slice everyone’s budget activities with public benefit rather than prioritise for the outcomes. common good. Although we The Council continues to develop initially welcomed the transfer of partnerships with the corporate responsibility for our budget from sector through the Friends of the the Office of the Chief Scientist to Society, and seeks to increase its the Scottish Funding Council and internal resources, to improve the to a more flexible form of annual level of income that the RSE grant, the decision to apply receives from non-governmental substantial cuts is very disappoint- sources. The aim of building the ing. Development Fund as an internal There is an anomaly. The Scottish resource continues, although this Government acknowledges and is of necessity a long-term plan. values the well-evidenced and Nevertheless, the RSE is deter- substantial medium and long mined to strengthen and enhance term benefits to Scotland of the its contribution to the wider research fellowships and awards society of which it is part.

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APPENDIX III Laws Changes The previous decision of Council The opportunity should also be to upgrade the status of the taken to designate the Education International Convener to Vice- Convener as an Office-Bearer of President rank requires various the Society, and a member of the changes to the RSE Laws. This Executive Board. Since the role paper sets out below the specific was first established, the Conven- changes involved, which have er has been invited to the been approved by Council, and Executive Board. Presently there is are now presented at the ASM for no reference to this important role final approval. in the Society’s Laws. The process for any changes to Introducing this change can be the RSE Laws is defined by the done simply, by replacing the Royal Charter and set out in Law present Law 22, which refers to 52. Fellows were previously the now-defunct role of Interna- notified of the intention to create tional Convener, with a new Law the new role of Vice-President for 22 that refers to the Education International and the need for Convener. consequential Law changes. No This year, the Education Convener objections to this were received. role was included in the ballot for Indeed, the ballot for the election election to Council and Office of Council next Session specifically Bearers. referred to the new Vice-President International role. Revised Laws (3a, 9, 12 and 22) are shown overleaf.

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Original Revised

3. THE COUNCIL 3. THE COUNCIL a) The Society shall be governed a) The Society shall be governed by a Council, the members of by a Council, the members of which are its Trustees or which are its Trustees or Stewards. This shall consist of Stewards. This shall consist of the following Office-Bearers, the following Office-Bearers, namely, a President, four Vice- namely, a President, five Vice- Presidents, a General Secretary, Presidents, a General Secretary, a Treasurer, a Fellowship a Treasurer, a Fellowship Secretary and in addition to Secretary and in addition to these Office-Bearers, Ordinary these Office-Bearers, Ordinary Members of Council. The Members of Council. The total number of such Office- total number of such Office- Bearers and Ordinary Bearers and Ordinary Members of Council shall not Members of Council shall not exceed thirteen. exceed fourteen.

9. OTHER OFFICE-BEARERS 9. OTHER OFFICE-BEARERS In addition to the Office- In addition to the Office- Bearers enumerated in Law 3, Bearers enumerated in Law 3, there shall be elected in there shall be elected in accordance with Law 4, other accordance with Law 4, other Office-Bearers who shall not Office-Bearers who shall not be Trustees of the Society, be Trustees of the Society, namely, an International namely, an Education Conven- Convener, a Programme er, a Programme Convener, a Convener, a Research Awards Research Awards Convener, a Convener, a Young People’s Young People’s Programme Programme Convener and a Convener, and a Curator. Any Curator. Any or all of such or all of such Office-Bearers Office-Bearers shall be able to shall be able to attend attend meetings of Council meetings of Council but not but not to vote, when there is to vote, when there is business business at Council relevant to at Council relevant to the the responsibilities of such responsibilities of such Office- Office-Bearers. Bearers.

38 Proceedings of the Annual Statutory Meeting

Original Revised

12. DUTIES OF THE VICE-PRESI- 12. DUTIES OF THE VICE-PRESI- DENTS DENTS The duties of the Vice- a) As per original Law 12 Presidents shall be to discharge the duties of the b) (New) The Council shall President in his or her absence designate one of the Vice- and to undertake such other Presidents to be responsible to duties as the President or Council for matters relating to Council may from time to time the International activities of decide. They shall be able to the Society. He or she will admit Fellows to the Fellow- work in collaboration with the ship in accordance with Law other Office Bearers whose 36. responsibilities contribute to the international programme and standing of the Society.

22. DUTIES OF THE INTERNATION- 22. DUTIES OF THE EDUCATION AL CONVENER CONVENER The International Convener The Education Convener shall, shall be responsible to the ex officio, be Convener of the Council for matters relating to Education Committee and the international activities of shall be responsible to Council the Society. He or she shall be for matters relating to the Convener ex-officio of the work of the Education Com- International Committee and, mittee. with the Programme Conven- er, shall be responsible for recommending to Council the arrangements for conjoint meetings with overseas Academies and learned Societies.

PRIZE LECTURES

Reflections on Hong Kong and China...... 42 Communicating Science as Culture...... 46

41 Review of the Session 2011-2012

Lord Wilson of Tillyorn KT, GCMG, KStJ President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 3 October 2011 Reflections on Hong Kong and China Presidential Address Sovereignty over the once-British to learn each day. In the after- territory of Hong Kong was noons, he would go into the hills transferred back to China in 1997. to do his homework while looking Lord Wilson of Tillyorn, a former out over the Pearl River Delta. HK Governor of the Colony and at that time was a wonderful place President of the Royal Society of to be a student. Edinburgh for the past three China was also a very different years, said he wanted to reflect place. “Everything was grey,” he from a personal perspective on said. “On the first evening there the changes over the ensuing in 1963 I cycled around Peking at years and the impact they had had around 9 pm and everything was on Hong Kong and China. dead. It was almost an agricultural Lord Wilson said it is now 14 years city that kept agricultural time. since the transfer of sovereignty, The markets were empty and there but it was apparent that funda- was very little food. Everything mental changes were in motion seemed concealed behind walls.” long before the actual hand-over. Foreigners were not allowed more When, over 50 years ago, he first than 20 kilometres from the arrived in HK to study at the centre of Peking. Other cities were university there as a young man, it out of bounds. When he asked to was the “old-fashioned” way, by climb the western hills outside liner via Saigon. HK was suffering Peking, an area rich with temples, from an influx of refugees from he was told politely but firmly that mainland China. It was a colonial if he wanted to climb a hill he backwater, in stark contrast to should try the Coal Hill, near the what it is now. The New Territories Forbidden City. It was an artificial were still very rural and the mound only 75 metres high! university was not one of the great learning institutions of the In 1927 it was known in govern- world. The population was just ment circles that there were only three million, with half under the some 50 years left to run on the age of 25. In two years of study, lease of HK to Britain. It was in the he said he had worked for three pending tray, but diplomats had to four hours in the mornings, realised, as the deadline got with some 30 Chinese characters closer, that the hand-over really

42 Prize and Bequest Lectures

did have to be addressed. Howev- The legal system would remain er, no-one really knew what would independent and based on happen. English common law. Remarkably, The situation changed in 1976 all this was laid down in the when Chairman Mao died. The Declaration 13 years before it was Gang of Four, which took over in due to come into effect. China, was disgraced later that Lord Wilson served as the penulti- year, Deng made a comeback and mate Governor of Hong Kong. He the complexion of HK affairs explained that although many began to alter. The then Governor people at that time were very of Hong Kong, Sir Murray Mac doubtful about trusting the Lehose, visited Peking in 1979 Chinese, they had, in fact, a good and raised with Deng the issue of record of sticking to international 1997. Diplomats knew that this agreements. “My own belief was issue had to be tackled because that they would stick to the sovereignty belonged to China in Declaration and to all intents and the long term and the status quo purposes they have,” he added. could not remain. UK Government So what did transpire? HK was hit asked for individual land leases in badly by the Asian financial crisis the New Territories to be extended in late 1997, but that was not a beyond 1997, but the Chinese consequence of the handover. The would not consider it. They said actual transfer was remarkably “no” in no uncertain terms, so smooth, despite continuous rows negotiations had to begin. in the years immediately before it, Lord Wilson himself had been between the HK government and involved in the summer of 1984, the Chinese. What the UK was negotiating for “two long trying to achieve, continuity of months” in Peking the text of administration, happened. Senior what became the Joint Declaration positions, such as Chief Secretary on the Future of Hong Kong, one and Financial Secretary, were taken of the most remarkable docu- over by Hong Kong Chinese, while ments in modern diplomatic a number of the more junior relations. It set down what would administrative positions remained happen for the half century after in the hands of expatriates. There 1997. HK was to be governed by were few visible changes either. the Hong Kong people and not When India gained independence, directly from the mainland; it street names were changed and would keep its own currency, the statues removed; that didn’t HK dollar; education would stay happen in Hong Kong. The Prince under the control of the HK of Wales Barracks was taken over government, as would aviation. by the People’s Liberation Army

43 Review of the Session 2011-2012

and the signage removed a few only to the US. It is no longer years later, but the shadowy enveloped in gloomy poverty. It outlines of the original letters can has also encouraged huge still be seen. One of the major numbers of students to go fears was that the PLA would abroad, including 95,000 to the march in and take over, but they UK. Domestically, the number of have stayed in their barracks as university students has expanded planned. According to Lord exponentially, with a great Wilson, it has all added up to a emphasis on engineering. remarkably successful transition. It started out on this path with The education system has also very large areas of poverty in the developed in an extraordinary way. Chinese interior; 200 million HK University now ranks as the migrant workers have moved in to best in China, above Peking and the cities to make new lives. Shanghai. It is now in the top However, there are huge problems world rankings, showing how building up. China’s one-child important education is to the HK policy means 30 per cent of the Chinese. population are now over 60. The economy is also doing One of the greatest changes has extremely well – because of China. been in the freedom to travel. The dynamism of the Chinese Between 1949 and 1973, just economy has spilled over and HK 280,000 Chinese were allowed to has flourished as a result. The leave the country. In 2010, the population is now seven million. It figure was 57.4 million and this has the busiest cargo airport in year it is expected to be 66 the world and the second busiest million. What this symbolises is passenger airport. It is a major the strength of Chinese develop- financial centre, the world’s 11th ment and the extension of largest trading centre and ranked Chinese power abroad. There is as one of the best places to do massive investment in Africa, business. Australia, and South America, What about the changes in from where China is seeking raw mainland China? Over the last 30 materials to fuel its continuing years, economic growth has growth. It is Brazil’s biggest averaged 10% a year and it has trading partner. now overtaken Japan as the Some countries are now worried world’s second largest economy. It about the possibility of Chinese has 160 cities with populations of domination, but the essential more than one million people and motivation of what China is now 115 dollar billionaires, second doing is to have access to the raw

44 Prize and Bequest Lectures

materials it needs to maintain its Chinese growth and we cannot own growth. Chinese eyes are expect that they will find it easy or currently on the Malacca Straits, desirable to join the western because of oil and the needs to “club.” What the West should do develop ports to get oil into is prepare to adjust to allow China China. There is now a Chinese to participate with engagement naval presence off Somalia, the on all levels, government, educa- first time it has had this outside its tional and personal. own neighbouring waters since Scotland may be a tiny player in all the Ming Dynasty. Territorial issues this, but what the country does is have developed in the South still important, Lord Wilson said. China Sea and India, in particular, What is encouraging is the is concerned about growing number of Scottish schoolchildren Chinese military power. There is now being exposed to the economic power too on a global Chinese language. From this will front. The US economy is propped hopefully flow personal and up by 17 trillion dollars of bond intellectual engagement. debt held by China. In all this, the future of HK must This raises the issue of how to not be forgotten. Two “bad” react to China as an emerging statistics have emerged, which world power. It is already being reveal the trends. The former brought into significant global colony now has two mobile issues that often it doesn’t want phones per head of population, to be involved in. What we need so the cacophony is unbelievable. to do, Lord Wilson argued, is to Secondly, property prices are encourage China to be involved astronomical, with prices per on issues such as the threat from square foot more than twice those North Korea and the global commanded in central London. financial crisis, perhaps through Despite this, Lord Wilson conclud- the International Monetary Fund ed, it remains a place of enormous (IMF). The main world institutions opportunity and a wonderful were designed before the era of place to visit or in which to work.

45 Review of the Session 2011-2012

Beltane Prize Lecture Communicating Science as Culture Professor Aubrey Manning OBE FRSE, Emeritus Professor of Natural History, Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh 7 November 2011

Delivering the first Beltane Prize Lecture for Public Engagement, renowned zoologist, author and broadcaster Aubrey Manning spoke of the beauty and elegance of science, and said that it was very much part of culture – like a poem, or a piece of music. What’s more, he said, science and scientists gain from engaging with the public – and society benefits too.

At the birth of the Scottish Not that the public isn’t interested Parliament, when policy makers in science. His own field – animal were debating a national cultural behaviour – is an attractive subject strategy, all sorts of things were from the “nursery to the Universi- mentioned. Performing and the ty of the Third Age”. But while it’s visual arts, design, film, architec- beautiful and often fun, it can ture and broadcasting were on mislead. People may often think the list, but there was one striking they understand and empathise omission – science. “I went with animal behaviour – and to an through their glossy booklet and extent they may – but there are there wasn’t a single occurrence risks in making judgments on of ‘science’”, he said. “I thought superficial appearance, when in that was pretty dreadful.” reality the situation is more Science is a part of culture, he complex. It means that animal said, and should be regarded as behaviour can illustrate well the such. The work of scientists can be scientific approach to the natural truly creative and involve the world... emotions as well as the intellect. Public engagement can be Scientists themselves have a enjoyable for scientists, and the responsibility to engage with the public require more joined-up public and to express what it feels science than they are given credit like to do science, as a process, for, he said. It’s now seen as a not just showing what has been good thing for scientists to discovered. In this way they can communicate what they are promote a better general under- doing, but this wasn’t always the standing of what science is and case. One of the pioneers in means. public engagement was Magnus

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Pyke, who became such a celebrity said: “I grew up to be indifferent that in the 1970s, if people were to the distinction between asked to name scientists they literature and science, which in my knew, then Newton, Einstein and terms were simply two languages Magnus Pyke were the top three! for experience which I learned Frequently on television, he had a together.” The division persists, distinguished scientific back- and is encouraged in schools, ground, yet was attacked by where still children essentially fellow scientists for apparently choose between art and science at demeaning his subject and the age of 12 or 13. This perpetu- dumbing it down. “He was a very ates the idea of the “nerdy” nice man, with a love of science scientists as opposed to the “free- and explaining it,” said Professor spirited” students of the arts. Manning. It was the likes of Pyke Part of the problem is that the and David Bellamy who made media and science work in science popular by bringing out different ways. While scientists the beauty of the subject and of work with the idea of probability – the natural world. with theories based on evidence Professor Manning described his and with shades of grey – the “good fortune” to be picked up media wants to know the an- by the BBC to present Earth Story, swers; and it wants those answers the 1998 series which was to be black and white, with no essentially a voyage of discovery to room for uncertainty. “The idea of find out what our planet is probability is difficult for the actually like. It was a wonderful media.” experience, he said, being out in Professor Manning believes, the field with earth scientists and however, that engagement with seeing the world through their science helps people to become eyes. He talked in particular of the better judges – and to recognise formation of particular mud pool the difference between opinion rock patterns in Southern Africa as based on evidence, and belief. giving clues to where life might Opinions may elide into belief, he have started. “Science was said, which can make it very exploring a kind of beauty difficult for a scientist whose work equivalent to a poem or a piece of flies in the face of convention, or music.” what has previously been thought It’s important to promote the to be a scientific “truth”. He cited creative side of science, but the the case of former Edinburgh impression exists that scientists University biochemist Peter are different kinds of people. He Mitchell, whose chemiosmotic quoted Jacob Bronowski, who hypothesis (relating to energy

47 Review of the Session 2011-2012

transfer in cells) won him the Professor Manning believes – Nobel Prize for Chemistry. The along with Magnus Pyke – that all hypothesis was at first considered science can be communicated so to be heretical, but gradually grew that the public has some under- to be accepted by most British standing of what’s happening, scientists. There remained one however much they might be group working in Kings College standing at the edge. He freely London which still dissented. admits that when it comes to Mitchell and his colleague, mathematics he is no expert, but Jennifer Moyle, had invited the that doesn’t prevent his being lead KCL dissenter to their fascinated with the subject. laboratory in Cornwall and, “Mathematics is a beautiful working together, thought they landscape – viewing it from the had convinced her – but when she edge, it looks beautiful to me,” he returned to London she continued said, adding that he loves reading to ignore the theory. “But there, about it and the “extraordinary scientists aren’t the most rational human beings” involved. people,” Mitchell had concluded. He concluded by telling a little of The idea of the scientist as the the story of Fermat’s Last Theorem cool, collected creature without – perhaps more accurately called human feelings couldn’t be ‘Fermat’s Conjecture’ – and the further from the truth, with struggle of Andrew Wiles to find a jealousies and competition a proof. He described Wiles’ eureka common part of the game. As moment when, sitting at his desk Francis Crick said, when comment- he recalls a sudden “incredible ing on a 1987 BBC film Life Story, revelation”. “It was so indescriba- “The film gets over the obvious bly beautiful; it was so simple and fact that scientific research is elegant.” performed by human beings, with The struggles and the journey of no trace of the stereotyped the mathematician show that you emotionless scientist.” Indeed, don’t have to banish emotion to when DNA pioneer Crick and his do science – and that it can be a colleague Watson heard that their beautiful and elegant process. The US rival Linus Pauling had taken a scientist has a similar function to route they were sure was wrong, the artist: he or she shows us the they celebrated. Incidentally, when world – and our place in it – in a Crick and Watson showed their way that we haven’t seen before. model of the double helix to X-ray “At the bottom of most of our crystallographer Rosalind Franklin, problems is that we don’t see her reaction was that it had to be ourselves properly in the world right as it was so “beautiful”. around us,” he said. And it

48 Prize and Bequest Lectures

doesn’t take an expert to under- means taking pleasure in them.” stand. Again quoting Bronowski, Communicating that pleasure is he added; “To me, being an an essential part of engaging with intellectual doesn’t mean know- the public. ing about intellectual issues; it

LECTURES The Arab Spring: Tropes and Discourses ...... 52 To the Ends of the Earth: Scotland’s Global Diaspora ...... 58 The Appliance of Science in the Rural Sector of Scotland Science connecting land and people ...... 61 A Celebration of Women in Astronomy ...... 65 Infrastructure Costs Too Much, And It Needn’t ...... 69 Extreme Engineering ...... 74 An Evening with Tim Flannery: ...... 85 An Evening with Diarmaid MacCulloch ...... 96 Alan Turing: Legacy of a Code Breaker ...... 98 Conducting Clinical Cancer Research in the NHS Benefits Everyone? .. 102 The Rule of Law and its Enemies: Civil and Uncivil Society ...... 106 Love’s Labours Lost: Why Society is Straitjacketing its Professionals and How We Might Release Them ...... 111 Scottish History in Question: An Evening with Professor Tom Devine .. 115 The Large Hadron Collider, the Higgs Boson and Other Questions about the Universe ...... 121 Fragments of a Lost Past or Evidence of a Connected History: The Role and Concepts of Islamic Art in the Museum Context ...... 124 Location, Location, Location: Lochaber (and Scotland) in Cinema ...... 128

51 Review of the Session 2011-2012

Professor Yasir Suleiman His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Professor of Modern Arabic Studies and Director of Alwaleed Centre of Islamic Studies at the University of Cambridge 1 December 2011 The Arab Spring: Tropes and Discourses

It may seem strange to invoke the the economy and the justice name of the illustrious economist system. In Jordan, teachers had John Maynard Keynes at the mounted campaigns to form a beginning of a lecture on the professional association. Arab Spring but, as Professor Yet when it happened, no-one Suleiman made clear, he was could have predicted the speed going to be less than complimen- and intensity with which the first tary about economic explanations wave of Arab Spring uprisings of the ongoing phenomenon. unfolded and spread. And, Keynes, at least, was smart Suleiman suggested, it was enough to recognise the limits of complacency that allowed western predictive modelling, and another intelligence agencies to fail to see economist, John Kay, has recently it coming. They believed Arab reinforced this point, noting that peoples lacked “agency” or the most predictive models deal with stamina to bring about funda- uncertainty by extrapolating from mental change, that they were just the past. As a result, they reveal “letting off steam” and would nothing so much as the limits of soon be put in their place by the imagination of the person brutal regimes. The Arab youth, in who constructs them. Perhaps particular, were considered a “lost this, Suleiman suggested, is why generation”, more interested in scholars, policy makers and internet communications and intelligence analysts have failed to gadgets than in real politics. predict the Arab Spring. Above all, there was a feeling that But did the Spring emerge out of a love of autocracy, rather than the void? No, it did not, Suleiman democracy, was an Arab character argued, contending that pre- trait. Spring there were strikes in In spite of this, the Arab Spring Tunisia and Egypt and small-scale has taken root and continues to protests against the Mubarak act as a catalyst for real change. regime by the Muslim Brother- But, Suleiman asked, what are hood in Egypt, demanding an end some of the most important to dynastic rule and to state features of the emerging political corruption in the areas of politics, terrain in the Arab Middle East?

52 Lectures

Among them is what he calls “a ing tools because they resonate fearless attack on fear.” with the Egyptian public and the During recent months, he has ways in which it seeks to imagine attended many talks on the Arab and define the wider public good. Spring and he has been consist- “Public good” has never been ently struck by how the words absent from Arab societies, even “freedom, “dignity” and “jus- under authoritarian rule. A visitor tice” are never invoked. Yet trade from Scotland would never have and economy are not the first had to wait long before hearing things mentioned by Egyptians, the claim “fi aman hon” (there is Tunisians and other Arabs when safety here). This roughly trans- talking about the Arab Spring. lates as “although we do not have Freedom, justice and dignity are what you have in the West, our the front-line concepts, which streets are safe to walk in at show that the Spring is an attack night.” on fear, a call for freedom, Interestingly, Suleiman said, this political participation and free was the first claim thrown back in speech. the faces of the new regime in This even shows up in the names Egypt by a lone man carrying a of political parties in Egypt, double-sided placard in Tal’At especially those of an Islamist Harb Square, close to Tahrir orientation. The Muslim Brother- Square in central Cairo in Novem- hood have established a new ber. Addressed to the Chief of the party called the Freedom and Supreme Council of the Armed Justice Party, because they know Forces, it read “Where is the the resonance the words have in security and safety of Egyptian Egyptian society. One of the streets, Minister of Interior?” It centrist parties is Al Ghad (Tomor- went on to mention other value- row), which in Arabic means the laden words such as “freedom” hope of a bright new day. This and “justice” and referred to refers to a rosy economic future, Egyptians as people of the Nile but this is unlikely to gain prece- “whose blood is not cheap.” dence over freedom, dignity and It is this type of sentiment that justice in terms of popular priority. was at the heart of publicity Although the names of these materials for the Egyptian parlia- parties – whether of Islamist, pan- mentary elections that began in nationalist or liberal leanings – November. Income levels, standard suggest that values are important of living, unemployment and marketing tools, they are not just other economic factors were not slogans, Suleiman contended. in the front line of the lexicon in They are effective political market- local narrations of the Arab

53 Review of the Session 2011-2012

Spring. The words used refer to individual and collective “agency” human universal values, so or moral authority. Agency here materialist explanations that was nothing if not an attack on invoke economic factors do not the political modality of fear. This do justice to what is actually attack has struck fear into the happening. heart of a political elite which had The second side of the placard thought that agency rested with talked about freedom and its high them and them alone. Traditional- price. Interestingly, Suleiman ly in Arab states, fear operated argued, this is not seen as a gift to from the top down. Now a new be bestowed by external liberators situation is emerging in which but as something to be achieved fear is operating from the bottom internally through a process of up. If sustained, it could bring a self mastery. Freedom is a moral transformation of individuals from achievement, won by overcoming “subjects” to “citizens” and the the forces that keep people birth of a genuine emancipation bound. Only then can it be valued. movement. So why, Suleiman asked, do many That Arab blood has been shed academic explanations of the Arab suggests that the fight against Spring avoid value-laden concepts tyranny is not driven by economics in favour of economic analysis? Is but by the basic desire for dignity, it that the standards of evaluation freedom and justice, Suleiman and validation applied in academ- argued. The uprisings in Tunisia ic discourse militate against the and Egypt have gone beyond use of “soft categories” of removing the head of state, analysis – concepts of dignity, drilling down to deeper levels of freedom and justice – in explain- political order, suggesting an ing social political phenomena of awareness of the power of this type? But ignoring these “agency” and the readiness to native narratives is similar to the exercise it. The Arabs have a complacency shown by the CIA, saying: “Don’t put your head MI6 and Mossad in ignoring the above the parapet because it will views of ordinary people prior to be cut off.” That Arabs are now the Arab Spring. The approach to repeatedly ignoring this shows academic analysis must now be re- that the yearning to be a citizen is examined to take account of this. not a passing phase. What has now also become clear, Suleiman Suleiman insisted that the Arab said, is that seemingly impregna- Spring was not just an assertion ble Arab regimes and rulers are in of universal moral values but also fact brittle and vulnerable to a courageous act in an authoritari- peaceful mass action, which has an climate and an affirmation of proved to be more effective than

54 Lectures

violence in challenging the tendency to think of Middle East brutality of the established orders. politics solely in terms of state- But what do Arab citizens want in based ideologies, such as place of the regimes they are pan-Arab nationalism or pan- toppling? Do they still want Islamism. Now issues such as “charismatic” leaders? Opinion political freedoms, constitutional polls in Egypt suggest that for the reforms, social justice, equality post of President the people still before the law and public ac- want a strong and experienced countability have in the leader but one who has respect ascendancy. It is this character that for the people, can take on vested has given the Arab Spring its interests, weed out corruption, appeal and resilience, Suleiman stand up to the military, dismantle said. the coercive element of the But this is not to argue that security apparatus of the state, Arabism – as a political idea – is and also fight Egypt’s corner on dead. Rather, Suleiman said, the the regional and international affirmations of dignity and justice stage. Polls suggest that the have given it new life, creating a urbane Amr Moussa, former new form of cross-state Arab general secretary of the Arab solidarity. The Arab League would League and Mubarak’s Foreign not have acted in the manner it Minister, is currently ahead of his did towards Libya and Syria if it main rival, who has Islamist had not been for this solidarity. credentials. So, Suleiman argued, Arabism is This chimes with the broad no longer just a shared history, message of the Arab Spring in language and culture, but also a that it shows that neither charis- shared aspiration for future matic leadership nor organised democracy and justice. More parties or trades unions are evidence is available in the essential in this new vision of cadence of slogans reverberating political leadership. This is a step currently through Arab cities, change away from the post- demanding the fall of regimes. In colonial worlds in which addition, from the Atlantic coast Nasser-like “strongmen” were to the Arabian Gulf, Arabic- considered essential in nationalist speaking audiences have been struggles. glued to their TV sets, watching And as Arab states move away and debating the same stories, from charismatic leaderships, attesting to the existence of a Suleiman insisted, issues-based shared Arab public sphere and politics will become more promi- diaspora. This shows that it is nent. Previously, there has been a important not to conceptualise

55 Review of the Session 2011-2012

the Arab Spring in Islamic terms “unlearn” all the thinking that but, first and foremost, as an they have previously applied to Arab-inflected Spring. foreign policy in relation the Arab It is not an Islamic Spring but a world. From now on, actions have genuinely indigenous movement, to speak louder than words, a Suleiman claimed. In spite of all reversal of the previous position. kinds of regime-generated The NATO interventions in Libya conspiracy theories, the Spring have been, in Suleiman’s opinion, was home-grown and embedded beneficial in addressing this in an Arab solidarity with the confidence benefit. Normally, such potential to modulate and actions would have been greeted challenge the trenchant narratives by mass demonstrations and of Islamism. The trick now will be popular condemnation in the transform this Spring from a Arab world. That this did not seemingly freak but welcome happen suggests that, on this “weather condition” into an occasion, the West has done the enduring aspect of the Middle right thing. On the other hand, East climate. In this respect, the Russia and China have lost biggest dangers are cynicism and credibility with their pro-Gaddhafi impatience, leading to nostalgia stance and their support for for previous regimes, a view which Bashar Al Assad in Syria. A further Suleiman said, he had heard expression of the West’s readiness expressed as recently as November to tackle the deficit further would in Cairo. be in dealing with the Israeli– Looking forward, the role of the Palestinian conflict. West is also an important factor, Another way would be to support Suleiman suggested. It is well the democratic order in the known that that the Arab Middle Middle East when and if it East is strategically important to emerges and a key issue will be global powers because of its how to engage with democratical- economic interests. As a result, ly-elected Islamists. As Suleiman Western powers have traditionally suggested, the Islamists are favoured stability over democracy. treated as the West’s biggest However, the successful function- “bugbears” when it comes to ing of economies is not just about framing new policies towards the economics but also about trust. By emerging political order. But, such political trading in the past, wherever they surface, Suleiman Western powers have – from the said, democratically-elected Arab side – run up a deficit of Islamists must be considered an confidence that they now need to expression of free political will. eliminate. To do this, they need to Any other stance would be

56 Lectures

counter-productive, as coercively work hard to address the continu- excluding Islamists would only ing confidence deficit. In addition, give them more legitimacy and the the West needs to think different- opportunity to recruit disaffected ly about how it thinks about the segments of the population. That Middle East and to recognise that is a luxury they should not be when it acts in accordance with its given, Suleiman warned. In declared values of freedom and essence, however, the West does democracy, as it did in Libya, it not know as yet how much gains respect. support Islamist parties of Having said that, at this historic different types could command or moment, the Arab Middle East what types of Islamism might also has a responsibility to protect prevail. and nurture its hard-won What the world has to deal with freedoms. Not because it matters at present is uncertainty, excite- to the West but because, as the ment, volatility and hope, man with the placard said, the Suleiman concluded. Scholars price of freedom is known only to need to take the Spring seriously those who know the value of their as a locus of human aspirations own blood. and Western governments have to

57 Review of the Session 2011-2012

Professor Tom Devine OBE FBA FRSE University of Edinburgh

12 December 2011

To the Ends of the Earth: Scotland’s Global Diaspora RSE Christmas Lecture 2011 at the Glasgow Science Centre Treating history as “an intriguing answers. To solve the puzzle is to detective story,” Professor Tom go on a journey with many false Devine sought to solve the trails and deadends, but his conundrum of mass emigration research has come up with a from Scotland – revealing some number of theories which may amazing facts and puncturing bring us close to the truth. some myths along the way... Even today, the pattern of comings History can sometimes be a and goings presents a conun- fascinating puzzle, said Devine at drum, with the population the start of his lecture, and the gradually starting to climb over scale of emigration from Scotland, the last seven years, with recent from medieval times until the new incomers including approximately millennium, is not as easy to 400,000 people from England explain as many people may and 70–80,000 Poles. believe. Until the current decade, Scotland From 1815 to 1939, a total of 2.3 has been “losing” people since million people left Scotland (and the 13th Century, Devine ex- the UK) for ever. Another plained. And what is so distinctive 600,000 moved south to Eng- about emigration from Scotland is land. Considering that Scotland’s that it has always been on a large population during the period scale and has taken place over a varied between three and 4.5 long period of time. million, reaching just over five From the 1850s till the 1930s, million today, this was a signifi- Scotland was third in Europe’s cant proportion, helping to emigrant league table, after establish Scotland as “the Ireland and Norway, yet conditions emigrant capital of Europe.” And in Scotland were totally different. after the Second World War, the Part of the conundrum, said pattern continued, with another Devine, is that as Scots left, others 800,000 departing. arrived – including Poles, Italians, So why did this exodus happen Lithuanians and Jews. In the early on such a huge scale? According 20th Century, 220,000 people to Devine, there are no obvious from Ireland settled in Scotland,

58 Lectures

“decanting their traditional people leaving the Highlands in enmities and sectarian tensions.” the first half of the 19th Century, One reason for this traffic in the including a third of the popula- opposite direction is that Scotland tion of the Hebrides between at one time was the second- 1841 and 1861, and although richest society in the world, after much of this emigration was England. Scotland also experi- “landlord-induced,” this is only enced rapid urbanisation as the part of the national picture. From Industrial Revolution gathered the 1860s until 1939, he revealed, momentum. Before then, ten per emigration from the Lowlands cent lived in cities and towns, and compared to the Highlands was by the 1870s, this had soared to 17 times greater. “Emigration 65 per cent. Wages in Scotland was overwhelmingly Lowland,” he were higher than in Ireland and said. “It was not from the archaic most other countries in Europe, fringe, not from the most primi- where people left not just for jobs tive areas but from the most but simply to survive. For exam- modern areas, and from the ple, famine in Ireland led to one towns and cities, not just the million deaths and 1.25 million depressed areas.” emigrants during the 1840s and Devine then presented four 1850s. hypotheses to explain the scale of One major factor which makes mass emigration from Scotland, Scotland different is that unlike starting with the concept of a other countries, where emigration “culture of mobility.” Most parts tended to come from particular of Scotland sent people to zones, in Scotland there was no England and also throughout the such pattern – emigrants left from Empire, but since the 13th all over the country. Century, Scots had moved to The story of mass emigration has countries all over Europe, includ- attracted its fair share of myths. To ing Lithuania and Poland, the illustrate this, Devine discussed a Netherlands and northern France. survey carried out in 1998 which From the 18th Century onwards, revealed that 67 per cent of more people crossed the Atlantic, fourth-year school students in to settle in North America and the Scotland believed that the chief Caribbean, as well as in Australa- reason for emigration was the sia, South Africa and the Far East, Highland Clearances – images of but what makes the Scots distinc- which still “haunt Scotland” tive is that emigration has always today. But this is a myth, he been “part of the culture.” explained. Although famine and Because Scots had been on the destitution contributed to many move for many generations, this

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“reduced the fear factor and the said, emigration would clearly risk factor” of venturing to increase. For example, during the foreign lands. 1920s, 360,000 people left The second theory concerned the Scotland out of a total population fact that large numbers of people of only four million. The poet in Scotland have always moved Edwin Muir described this soon around from town to town and after, saying that the country had county to county. Because Scots been emptied of intellect and were so “systematically mobile” at talent – as well as of many of its home, it was natural for them to most enterprising people. “Some be mobile abroad – on an epic effect must take place,” he had scale enabled by technologies added. such as the steamship, railways Devine’s fourth theory focused on and the telegraph. For many the idea that most emigration was Scottish emigrants, because of “opportunity-led,” with people these advances in communica- simply seeking advancement. The tions, the world became a truly Scots were relatively literate and global village. For example, aware of opportunities abroad, Devine said, skilled workers were but even though the country was able to compare wages in the US richer than most, Scotland was a with the wages back home, as very “uneven society” and many easily as in the past they had emigrants believed they had to checked pay in other locations in leave to “get on” and improve Scotland. Most of them bought their standard of living. In the US, return tickets but never returned. for example, skilled workers The third explanation was that the earned three to four times as Scottish economy has always been much, and Scotland produced “fickle” – dependent on key more semi-skilled, highly-skilled industries such as coal mining and and professional workers than shipbuilding which were vulnera- most other emigrant countries. At ble to the ebb and flow of the one time, Scotland was at the global economy. At one time, one cutting edge of technology in in five of the world’s commercial industry and agriculture, and with vessels and warships were built on so many raw materials and so the Clyde – but now the yards much virign territory in foreign (outside the Science Centre) are lands, Scots were in high demand silent. In periods of short-term – and also highly successful. and long-term depression, Devine

60 Lectures

Professor Iain Gordon FRSE CEO and Director of the James Hutton Institute 13 February 2012 The Appliance of Science in the Rural Sector of Scotland Science Connecting Land and People ECRR Peter Wilson Lecture

Professor Gordon recently 2050. The consequent 50% returned from Australia to increase in demand for food become CEO of the newly-formed would require an additional 120m James Hutton Institute. His ha of land in developing countries lecture, which was chaired by RSE for crop production alone. This President Sir John Arbuthnott, was aside from the pressures addressed the contribution the generated by a massive surge in Institute can make to the future of the need for energy and fresh agriculture and society at home water. Professor Gordon said: and overseas. It also looked at the “This is all happening at the same importance of close co-operation time as we are trying to reduce the between scientists and the wider damage to our natural capital, community, in order to provide through soil erosion, biodiversity the best possible future in a world loss and climate change.” Climate faced by climate change and rapid change, he added, is leading to population growth. extremes in terms of flooding, fire Professor Gordon began by and drought. paying tribute to Peter Wilson as a The James Hutton Institute was dedicated agricultural researcher formed in April 2011 by a merger with a tremendous ability to bring between Aberdeen’s Macaulay others together in pursuit of Land Use Research Institute and common goals. At the same time Dundee’s Scottish Crop Research he was someone who was keen to Institute. It brings together skills see science applied for the good and expertise from a range of of the world, recognising that backgrounds to foster research agriculture does not sit in isola- into new products, ideas and tion, but exists in a context of innovation for the rural sector. It changing needs, huge demands was named after Scottish Enlight- and high expectations. enment polymath and Founding This year saw the world’s popula- Fellow of the Royal Society of tion reach seven billion. Current Edinburgh, James Hutton (1726– predictions suggest this will rise 97), who is regarded as the father to 9–10 billion between 2030 and of modern geology and who was the first to regard the Earth as a

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dynamic system. He also had a These are of immense importance farm in the Borders where he used to the future prosperity and his skills and observation to survival of the human species. improve animal and crop produc- Soils and biodiversity are rapidly tion. being lost; new energy crops are In addition to the main sites in required as fossil fuels run out, Aberdeen and Dundee, the better water management is Institute also has research sta- essential to cut demand and tions, and runs projects, across pollution; and innovative ways are the UK and worldwide. With 450 needed to control pests and crop scientists, 150 support staff and disease. 120 PhD students, it is among the The emphasis is on practical biggest organisations of its type science and, increasingly, on in Europe. It spans five main areas knowledge exchange rather than of science: simply knowledge transfer. This - Cell and molecular; means the scientists working with others in order to achieve the - Environmental and biochemical; most beneficial results. An - Ecological; example of what can be achieved is in the success the SCRI has had - Social, economic and geograph- in developing new crop varieties. ical; and An economic impact study - Information and computational. calculated that its cereals, brassi- According to Professor Gordon, cas, soft fruit and other products one of the defining features is generate £225m a year for the UK that: “we don’t do research in economy – with every £1 of public isolation, we do it with the people investment yielding £17. who are going to use it on the Marketed through the Institute’s ground … we deliver our knowl- commercial subsidiary, Mylnefield edge and innovation to stimulate Research Services, the Lady Balfour economic growth and support potatoes are the UK’s top organic people’s livelihoods and wellbe- variety, while its Glen Lyon ing.” raspberries are the industry The institute’s core areas of activity standard in Spain, with Glen are around: Ample holding the same position in the UK. The James Hutton - Food security; Institute’s crop species help - Water security; farmers address serious challenges, such as how to produce highly - Energy security; and marketable crops with less water - Safeguarding natural capital. and fertiliser, and generate less

62 Lectures

waste without creating phospho- contains less than 3% carbon in rous and nitrogen imbalances. the soil, and a third exhibits The Institute is also dedicated to conditions that restrict the growth developing sustainable farming of roots. The professor said: practices and ones that meet “many of the agricultural practices consumer demands for healthier that have happened in the past and safer foods. It is helping are now limiting the amount of develop agricultural systems crops that can be produced on based on an ‘ecosystem ap- these farms”. proach’. This sees crops as part of One project where the Institute the wider environment rather than hopes to work closely with as a separate issue. One aspect of farmers is in the development of this is to take an integrated the Land Capability Assessment approach to pest control. This (LCA), which shows the potential replaces pesticides with a combi- uses of land across Scotland. This nation of biological and chemical should soon appear on the methods to achieve sustainable internet, offering farmers a ‘ready production. reckoner’ for planning their The Centre for Sustainable activities. Of even more immediate Cropping at Balruddery, near value is an iPhone application that Dundee, is of especial value. It is will allow farmers to get an the focus of a 24-year experiment instant assessment of the carbon allowing the farm-scale develop- content of their soil. ment of sustainable cropping The Institute is working with systems to enhance biodiversity, estate owners in upland areas to reduce greenhouse gas emissions help them in a variety of ways, and improve soil quality while such as effective deer manage- maintaining productivity. It covers ment. Tackling issues such as this, everything from pest and weed as well as grazing and grouse forecasting to crop and productiv- management, is vital in enabling ity monitoring. landowners to develop land use At an even larger scale, the strategies which reconcile compet- Institute is involved in detailed ing interests; for example between assessment of Scotland’s arable neighbours or between public farms. This involves monitoring 50 and private use. farms, and 100 fields – organic, Whole communities and catch- integrated and conventional. One ment areas are now benefiting area of research is the level of from the Institute’s research into carbon in the soil. Results from coping with flood risk. It is the monitored land show that half making data freely available,

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which is of great value to help “Science has to play a major part mitigate the effects of higher in providing the information rainfall and the increase in required by society to make a extreme weather events that will difference to the life we lead,” result from climate change. It is said Professor Gordon. working in the Dee catchment Looking to the future, the profes- area to identify potential flood sor said it is important for the hotspots. One of the outcomes Institute to build closer links with has been a successful campaign to universities at home and world- raise awareness of good septic wide. It also needs to improve its tank management, to reduce the knowledge- exchange processes level of bacteriological infections – and strengthen its ties to the such as E. coli – which get washed consultant network, especially in into the groundwater. the agricultural sector. The Professor Gordon said the Institute will be doing more to Institute is dedicated to getting harness the power of social media the public involved in dialogue by and the internet to communicate creating forums to express views with the wider public and demon- about the future of agriculture strate the value of its research. and land use. One way it does this There is also a need to work more is with a ‘virtual landscape theatre’ closely with stakeholders, such as where images can be projected on businesses, to develop products in to a screen to show the impact of collaboration with them. changes – for example the Absolutely vital for the future is presence of wind turbines. the ability to work in a trans- Of huge potential importance are disciplinary way in an applied the development of new centres context. The Institute is able to do of expertise, which make use of this because of the excellence of the knowledge held by the the training it provides to its 120 Institute, the other main research PhD students. These, said Profes- providers and the country’s sor Gordon, are the “lifeblood” universities. These are supported for the future of the research by government and deliver community in Scotland and objective, integrated and authori- internationally, as they are future tative advice to policy makers, and scientists that are fit for purpose industry, on water, climate change for the 21st Century. and animal disease outbreaks.

64 Lectures

Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell DBE FRS FRSE Visiting Professor of Astrophysics, University of Oxford 20 February 2012 A Celebration of Women in Astronomy Part of the Edinburgh Lecture Series: Extraordinary Feats, Extraordinary People

This year’s series of Edinburgh Caroline Herschel was born in Lectures is on the theme of Germany in 1750. Being “neither extraordinary feats and extraordi- rich nor beautiful”, her lot in life nary people. The first was was to be housekeeper to one of delivered by Professor Dame her brothers. She was denied the Jocelyn Bell Burnell, the astrono- chance to learn to read and write, mer who discovered radio pulsars. and was only allowed to learn In a lively and provocative talk, she dressmaking provided she made celebrated the extraordinary clothes solely for her brother. achievements of women in Fortunately another brother, astronomy from the 18th Century William, who had moved to to the present day. She also England, asked if she could be discussed the current position of housekeeper for him (this was women in astronomy, and science agreed, provided William paid for more generally, reflecting on how a maid to take her place). William existing imbalances could be Herschel was a musician who then rectified. turned to astronomy and, from a There is a rich history of women telescope in his back garden in who, despite many setbacks and Bath, discovered Uranus – always difficulties, have made their mark working with the assistance of his in the field of astronomy. Profes- sister. George III offered him the sor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell position of Astronomer to the opened her talk by describing four Court, so the Herschels moved to such women, from an 18th- Slough, where William built a Century German denied an large telescope. Because it takes education, to a 20th Century time for eyes to adapt to darkness astronomer and poet. But al- – and light is needed to take though life may have improved for notes – William would observe the woman wishing to make a while his sister would note what career in astronomy or in science, he saw. Her nights therefore technology and engineering involved sitting out of doors in all generally, Dame Jocelyn made it weather – once she complained clear that equality is years away. the ink was frozen – and, over breakfast, teaching herself

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geometry and calculus, managing science education and went up to the household all the while. Newnham College, Cambridge, in Although she reflected any praise 1919 to study botany. Chance back to William, it was clear that attendance at a lecture by Sir she knew her stuff, and could give Arthur Stanley Eddington, the expert demonstrations to visitors, astronomer who had led an including royal parties. In what expedition to observe a solar little spare time she had, she eclipse and thus provide confirma- made use of the telescope to hunt tion for Einstein’s theory of comets – of which she found relativity, was to change her world. eight, a remarkable number; she She was so impressed by what she certainly knew the night sky. “She heard that she did not sleep for pretended it was all William, but it three nights and had “something was clear she knew what was very like a nervous breakdown”. what,” said Dame Jocelyn. She fought to change from biology to read physics, getting to Caroline Herschel was awarded know Eddington well. It was he the Royal Astronomical Society who advised her to go to the US, Medal at the age of 78, the Irish so she went to Harvard to study equivalent aged 87, then the King for her PhD. Here she discovered of Prussia Gold Medal when she something very unusual – so was 96 years old. She was written unexpected that she did not back into history, said Dame actually believe what she was Jocelyn. “It was just as well she seeing: looking at the spectrum of lived a long time.” the sun she saw it was nearly all Cecilia Payne Gaposchkin was hydrogen. Although she present- born in the UK in 1900. Her father ed her work she said “it must be was an Oxford don who, as was wrong” and she was not believed. customary at the time, had had to A number of years later, however, give up his fellowship on mar- the director of the institute riage. Cecilia Payne had an aunt published the same results – who was keen on botany, and she without acknowledging Caroline herself became interested in the Payne Gaposchkin’s work. subject. “It was acceptable for Vera Rubin, born in 1928 and still women to do nature study, and living, is known for establishing botany was ‘jumped up nature the presence of dark matter in study’,” said Dame Jocelyn. Cecilia galaxies. This is important because Payne was a talented musician – it has helped explain why galaxies her teacher (Gustav Holst) thought like our own do not – as would be she should take it up profession- expected – fly apart, but instead ally. She, however, fought for a stay bound together. The solution

66 Lectures

is dark matter, the source of the “To weigh us down. additional gravity needed to keep To stop the universe the galaxy intact. Likewise, clusters From rushing on and on of galaxies stay together, bound, Into its own beyond like the galaxies themselves, in a Till it exhausts itself and lies down halo or ball of dark matter. cold, Vera Rubin hadn’t had it easy – Its last star going out.” she had applied to Princeton to Now, however, we know there study astronomy, only to be told isn’t enough dark matter to that as they didn’t admit women, prevent perpetual expansion – the she wouldn’t even be sent a outlook for the universe is bleak, brochure – but she persevered said Dame Jocelyn. and built a remarkable career. Her Turning to the issue of women in calculations of the speed at which astronomy today, Dame Jocelyn galaxies travel showed that they demonstrated that there is must contain much, much more definite gender imbalance. mass that could be accounted for Examining membership of the by stars. “She was not believed – I umbrella organisation, the think a man would have been International Astronomical Union, believed,” said Dame Jocelyn, but she said that an average 15% of now is recognised for her achieve- members are women. This ranges ments. from 37% in Argentina, to 6% in Rebecca Elson, who was born in Japan. The UK and US have below 1960, but died from cancer in average female representation, at 1999, studied the evolution of 12%. Italy (25%), France (24%) stars; she was also a poet, and and Spain (18%) are far ahead of wrote poetry about astronomy. Sweden (13%), the Netherlands She spoke of the isolation she (12%) and Germany (10%). experienced as a female astrono- The low numbers of women could mer, saying it “felt like accidentally be because membership is for walking into the men’s bath- tenured astronomers, so larger room”. Dame Jocelyn read a poem numbers of younger women which Rebecca Elson wrote about aren’t counted, said Dame Jocelyn. dark matter, called Let There In addition, women may be Always Be Light (searching for overlooked because members dark matter) which described have to be nominated by their looking for signs of “unseen country’s astronomical society – things”: which tends to involve the “white male establishment”, she said. “The reasons must be cultural –

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it’s nothing to do with women’s Shouldn’t science move towards brains,” she added. women as well as women move The situation with astronomy is towards science? similar to that in science, technol- Long term, the climate of science ogy, engineering and mathematics must change – we must move to (STEM) more generally. Although fix the system, rather than “fix the the numbers are growing, there is women”. What we call science has still a great imbalance, and any been named and developed – and improvement is happening slowly. interpreted – by men, mostly There are, she said, more women white men; no wonder people in STEM subjects at undergradu- from different backgrounds find ate and postgraduate level, but aspects of it odd. this falls away the higher you go In the US, programmes encourag- up the career ladder. ing a better gender balance have There are issues to be addressed changed focus and are now such as work–life balance and the offering grants for institutional demands of combining a career change. There are also positive with family life. But there are also developments in the UK, such as more subtle issues around the Athena SWAN charter and workplace climate. Women are awards, which essentially recog- like canaries, Dame Jocelyn said – nise universities and departments they are more sensitive to the for being women-friendly. Dame friendliness (or otherwise) in a Jocelyn herself is working on a department. report for the RSE on how these The disparity could be because issues can be addressed in STEM. there are too few women entering Much good work is going on science and too many leaving, or locally, she said, but a proper because those who stay don’t get strategy is needed to bring about promoted as quickly as their male change. “Watch this space in the colleagues. Or most likely because near future”. Until this “Nirvana” of all of the above. arrives, however, she recommends that women save up and recount A number of initiatives have been their “stories”, and that manage- introduced to encourage women ment should be improved – to study scientific subjects and to women benefit from good take up careers in science, but management and suffer from success has been limited at best. poor management to a greater Why, indeed, asked Dame Jocelyn, extent than men. And, she should women do all the chang- concluded, it should be remem- ing? Why should it be assumed bered that well-behaved women that the male norm is “normal”? rarely make history.

68 Lectures

Terry Hill CBE Chairman, Arup Group Trusts 7 March 2012 Infrastructure Costs Too Much, And It Needn’t

The lecture began with Terry Hill £250bn of projects over the next spelling out his abiding philoso- five years – double the amount in phies. For civil engineers, he the previous five years – involving explained, the greatest gift they transport, energy, waste, water could wish for society is having and telecommunications projects. the ability to change people’s The NIP says that what is needed lives. But ranking alongside that is in the UK is a revolution in bringing in projects “on time and transformational infrastructure on budget,” which is not the investment of the kind that rarity sometimes supposed. helped bring the 2012 Olympics What he wanted to talk about, to London by making sure that however, was why it costs more to HS1 runs to the main venues in build infrastructure in the UK than London. it does in other comparable The NIP addresses several key countries. Why is it – as he had themes, Hill said, that acknowl- told government ministers – the edge problems in improving the High Speed 2 (HS2) project in UK’s infrastructure. One is obso- England would cost 55% more in lescence. As the UK was one of this country than it would have the first countries to have an done in any other country in Industrial Revolution, the infra- Western Europe? As a result, structure built then and still in use ministers in the last Labour is “knackered” and crying out for government had set up Infrastruc- renewal. Yet because of today’s ture UK and the work had carried global nature of infrastructure on under the present Coalition investment, the UK has to make administration, which “gets it” sure that the right investment just as much. This had given rise environment is available, or face to the National Infrastructure Plan the prospect of that investment (NIP) 2011, agreed by the industry going elsewhere. and the Treasury, aimed at Demand is also a key considera- improving the planning of tion, but there is no doubt that, infrastructure in the UK. Its despite the recession, demand is contents, said Hill, were “stun- holding up in this country. The ning,” containing as it did demand for rail, for example, is at

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its highest since the end of WW2. to spend £250bn in the next five Then there is inter-dependency of years are to be realised then the infrastructure projects, which has UK has to get private sector not always been fully thought financing back, Hill insisted. through. One example of good The first step is to have a plan – a practice in this area is a recent vision – worth investing in. Hill picture of an electricity sub-station said he has spent much of his surrounded by flood water, which working life getting ministers is only being kept at bay by interested in infrastructure, but strongly-built dykes. Without politicians often do not think those dykes, the power to the beyond the electoral short term. whole of the West Country could They ask what is in it for them in have been knocked out. It shows sanctioning the spending of huge that infrastructure projects have to sums of money on projects that mesh. won’t come to fruition while they Given the complexity of infrastruc- are in office. To help overcome ture systems, Hill asked, how is it this, a firm grip of costs is neces- possible to attract both public and sary. Data from Europe show that private sector funds into investing UK projects are around 15% more in it? The big pension funds see it expensive to build than in France, as a risky investment area but, Hill Spain or Germany, whether they argued, “actually, in the long are tunnels, roads, railways or term, it isn’t.” Even though there wind farms. But why, Hill asked? may be risks in the early years of a Some reasons were obvious. project – which is what pension Britain is a densely-crowded island funds get nervous about – there with an ageing infrastructure are ways of making it more which is “sweated more,” so palatable. The UK started building replacement projects tend to be projects using the Private Finance more expensive. There is also Initiative (PFI) and, in general, this evidence that more money is put has worked well, with many into upfront capital costs, as success stories. There are other opposed to whole-of-life costs. financing models too, such as the But capital costs are higher in the Scottish Futures Trust. But how UK than in most other Western should the UK continue to get European countries. The UK private sector funding into planning system is also too slow projects such as the new Forth and too long; Heathrow Terminal Road Bridge or the £30bn HS2? Five was seven years in the The financial figures reveal that planning process but is it seven spending on infrastructure in the years better for it, Hill asked? UK dropped away at the turn of the 20th Century, but if the plans

70 Lectures

But there are also other factors at set budget, rather than lowest play in driving up costs. The cost. If the budget contains industry could not properly plan ‘contingencies,’ then this tends to ahead without a proper invest- be viewed as available budget. If a ment “pipeline” of projects. contractor knows that the budget CrossRail in London was only fully is, for example, £100m, but there funded three months before it is £50m for contingencies, then started, which was hardly ideal, the project will be built for Hill said. Then there is poor £150m. “That happens time and governance, a lack of knowledge time again,” Hill said. by clients of what they want to get The stringent way in which out of a project, poor incentives to environmental and safety regula- keep costs low, and poor informa- tions are applied in the UK is also tion about the extent and partly to blame. It is “fantastic,” condition of assets. There are also Hill said, that the UK has the cases of costly over-specification, safest industry in Europe, but Hill argued. The Jubilee Line in could the same outcomes be London looks stunning but it cost delivered more efficiently and at twice as much as the Madrid less cost? Metro, so choices have to be made. Additionally, procurement Hill said he believes they could procedures in the UK are overly and outlined five main areas for conservative and risk- averse and improvements. The first is to there are supply chain difficulties. create that highly-visible project In Germany, for example, only one “pipeline” – “have a plan and company is usually working on a stick to it” – which would reduce project, which is very different to the costs of finance. That had the UK where 80% of the work is been done through the NIP. contracted out. Second is delivering good governance, which means, on any There is also the “stop-start” project, being clear who the nature of investment in the UK, clients are, where the money is demonstrating a lack of public coming from and who is going to sector planning.The water deliver it. At all levels, people with industry, governed by Ofwat, experience in delivering multi- works in five-year funding cycles, billion-pound projects are leading to three-year investment needed. years with two “dead” years in between. The UK lost its rolling Thirdly, greater discipline is stock industry because there was a needed in the public sector in the seven-year hiatus in which there commissioning of projects and were no orders. And many large programmes, particularly during a projects are now managed on a recession. There has to be a

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national database of costs and a Arsenal FC without fuss, on time reduction of the overlapping and on budget. The decision had standards, which drive costs up. been made by an intelligent and An investigation has found that knowledgeable client, which the UK rail network has seven sets chose the team that it knew could of overlapping standards and the deliver the project. There is a tendency, when there are two tendency in the UK to commission dealing with the same subject, is the company that has simply put to choose the most expensive, just in the lowest cost bid, without to be safe, which has the effect of looking at the bigger picture, and unnecessarily driving up costs. that is where things could go When London Underground badly wrong. There is a lesson to management investigated, it be learned from French civil found it had 2,900 standards servants, who prefer to work with relating to infrastructure projects. companies with whom they have a They have now been reduced to long-term relationship and who 400 without compromising areas they know are competent to such as durability and safety. deliver. Another challenge is to ensure Government has a part to play that projects are designed before here, Hill suggested, as one they are built. Hill recalled a problem is the commercial Permanent Secretary to the capabilities of public sector Treasury who responded with procurement officials. The incredulity when he learned that government is now looking at construction sometimes started developing a cadre of top-level before the design was finalised. people with this kind of experi- Yet the industry is now capable of ence who can move from one big building quickly. What is needed project to the next. If costs are to is a permanent system of design be reduced, the public sector has and plan long, followed by build to be as good as it can be in fast. commissioning projects, Hill said. The fourth area of improvement Finally, he suggested, if the first identified by Hill is in developing four challenges could successfully smarter ways of using competition be tackled then the fifth would to lower costs. The commissioning fall into place. That would involve of the new Olympic Stadium is a an industry that is more confident good example, he said, even in the way forward and able to though Arup had lost out. Arup respond by investing in efficiency, realised fairly early in the process training and innovation. Overall that the client wanted the team costs would be lowered again. that built the Emirates Stadium for

72 Lectures

So where does the industry stand Terry is an excellent communicator at the moment? Many improve- who has clearly delivered a ments are already being made. A complex message peppered with construction pipeline has been useful facts such as the £250bn to published, an industry standards be spent in the next five years. He group has been established and also mentions that construction in project ‘banks’ have been set up the UK is more expensive than in to overcome the problem of SMEs benchmark European nations and (small and medium-sized enter- that the industry has 250,000 prises) not being paid. In addition, companies, an average of seven an Industry Charter has been staff each. That is staggering. created so the industry can work The essence of Terry’s talk is about together, a public procurement how a “pipeline” of projects toolkit has been developed and encouraged investment, how benchmarking data have been there is limited experience in this made available. country in the governance, commissioning and delivery of The mantra continues to be “On projects and how we need to time and on budget,” but now develop a more competitive the aim is to deliver even more industry. Part of that pipeline is infrastructure for the same money. the National Telford Institute, “You can’t beat that, can you,” which sponsored this lecture, and Hill concluded. which is an initiative in universities Vote of Thanks to work together on research into the supply and delivery of infra- The vote of thanks was given by structure.” Gareth Pender, Professor of Environmental Engineering at Professor Pender added that he Heriot-Watt University, who was due to meet a group of described Terry Hill as a man at the young people considering taking top of his profession. “Terry has university courses in the construc- identified the problem and tion industry and it would be prescribed actions to make a reassuring for them to hear the difference in future, the very commitment outlined in the essence of civil engineering. National Infrastructure Plan for £250bn of spending, as they might be playing their part in delivering it.

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Ivor S Tiefenbrun MBE Founder and Chairman of Linn Products Ltd 22 March 2012 Extreme Engineering The Royal Academy of Engineering / Royal Society of Edinburgh Joint Lecture 2012 Thank you very much for the wasn’t influenced adversely by the introduction and for the invitation loudspeakers. One thing led to and opportunity to deliver The another and, with the assistance Royal Society of Edinburgh and of my father, who designed a very The Royal Academy of Engineer- quiet-running central bearing, ing Annual Joint Lecture. and my very supportive skilled I love music. Forty-three years ago colleagues, I succeeded in making when I got married I purchased an LP record playing turntable that the very best hi-fi system available was immune to acoustic feedback but I found it uninvolving. Even from the loudspeakers. It was changing all the individual also precision engineered to very components in the system didn’t high standards to enable more yield any fundamental improve- music information to be extracted ment. I started to explore why it from the record groove. In a hi- fi was so unsatisfactory and discov- system the music playing source ered that the turntable was being product comes first and no influenced adversely by the amplifier or loudspeaker can changes in sound pressure from improve on its input signal quality. the loudspeakers. I established My turntable could improve the this fact by simply putting the sound of any system and my turntable outside my living room company Linn Products was and listening with the signal leads founded to make this revolution- to my system passing underneath ary product. the door. It sounded much better My turntable excited and thrilled and much more musically accurate those who listened to it but news and involving than when the about its revelatory performance turntable was located in the same also aroused great scepticism room. This experiment only took a among those who thought they few moments to set up, followed understood all there was to know by a quick listen. about hi-fi. Claims that a turnta- At that time I was working for my ble could improve the sound of a late father’s engineering company, system were initially dismissed by so I set out to use that wonderful some hi-fi experts as being resource to make a turntable that unbelievable. Some hi-fi retailers

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would not even listen to my a record groove is smaller than the turntable to determine if there wavelength of light, and the was any truth to my claims, even smallest electrical signals generat- although it would only have taken ed comprised only a handful of them a few minutes to discover electrons. However, the record- for themselves. Conventional playback process had great scope wisdom was that the loudspeak- for loss and I was aware that it ers were the most important was impossible to ensure a perfect components in a hi-fi system result. So I designed my turntable because that is where the sound in a modular way, doing the best I comes from. I was told that the could at the time, but also so that turntable just goes round and all the key elements could be round. I replied that loudspeakers developed and that improved only go in and out! Experts can be parts were then retro-fittable. Our wrong. The fact that I knew very existing as well as new customers little about hi-fi had led me to could benefit as our knowledge examine all the relevant issues and capability improved. A with an open mind and so I modular, upgradeable and embarked on a learning journey expandable system architecture which led to the development of fostered sustainable long-term transformational products. relationships with our customers, The turntable I made, which I but above all it encouraged and eventually named the Linn Sondek facilitated learning and so LP12, looked the same as most enabled Linn to give our products other turntables but almost every the longest possible competitive component had a different model life. Customers built our purpose. I had optimised the business so we look after them. suspension for acoustic isolation We still make the Linn Sondek instead of shock resistance. LP12 turntable, and although Similarly, every other component every part has been improved we in the product also had an can still service and support past alternative focus. In combination customers using current parts. they operated to allow more of Not only does this reduce the the precious musical information need to stock obsolete spares, but in the groove of an LP to be after a service, repair or an recovered and then converted into upgrade the performance of the the delicate electrical signal that customer’s system can be im- could be amplified to drive the proved. loudspeakers. The integrity of the I also devised a single-stage recording process meant that the manufacturing process to replace smallest information it captured in the conventional production line

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so that instead one responsible been done. But the second notion person performed an entire if it had been true would have intelligible task from start to meant that nothing better could finish. To conceive and test this ever be achieved. And as for concept took only 30 minutes, knowing nothing about loud- and to engineer this radical speakers, that was almost true but operational reform and change to I knew that in two years’ time the single-stage build methodolo- either I would know more or less gy we still deploy at Linn took only everything about loudspeakers a few weeks. If one person can and would have failed, or I would assemble a complete product then have succeeded but still not know another can service it, and so enough about loudspeakers. again we benefited from the fact In the event, I came up with a that in life one good thing often novel concept which enabled us leads to other good things. Our to achieve our objective surpris- strategy of selling by comparative ingly quickly. In fact it took less demonstration meant that we had than a week to conceive a worka- to outperform our competition. ble idea and prove it had potential To achieve this we needed to use with a prototype. So the impossi- our people at the highest possible ble didn’t take very long. Just level. So we gave them responsi- trying to do something that had bility and used open standard not been done before appeared interfaces that exposed us to to make it almost certain that a competition. All this incentivised way could be found. In fact all I us to keep on learning and had to do really was think differ- maintain an enthusiastic interest ently. Most good ideas are in our work. obvious in retrospect, while in I soon found that we needed prospect they seemed counter- better loudspeakers to demon- intuitive or impossible. Just strate our turntable. I wanted to examining the alternatives to make a Linn loudspeaker that perceived wisdom is one way of could more accurately reproduce acquiring new understanding and very low frequencies but when I achieving unprecedented success. expressed this intention I was told There are an infinite number of it was impossible, for two reasons. undiscovered useful possibilities First, I knew nothing about in our universe and our short loudspeakers and so could not engineering journey has only possibly achieve something so exposed a tiny number. Today our ambitious; and second, some- company applies the same thing so obviously desirable, if it principles that we applied to were possible, would have already analogue sound components to

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get more information from a In pursuit of integration and digital data stream, and we have flexibility we work together in a improved every component in the learning company, with a flat audio reproduction chain with egalitarian organisational struc- original performance-led designs ture using a team approach to that sell very successfully around achieve more by working together the world. than we could as isolated individ- An innovative idea occurs in the uals. Our goal is always to mind of a single individual, but maximise individual understand- interaction with others and with ing and achievement. problems and challenges and the For Linn to be successful at what things that surround us never fails we care about most, which is to stimulate or improve new ideas. giving people pleasure from pitch- In fact, all imaginative thought accurate sound reproduction, requires interaction, within almost everything we make is ourselves, with others and with generated in-house. We devise or our surroundings. control every aspect of our design A new idea, like a new product, and manufacturing processes. We starts off like a new baby, having a manufacture all our key compo- separate and distinct identity, and nents, from machined metal parts even if its body, personality and to electronic circuit boards, and character are still unformed it can we write or control every line of exhibit great potential. For these code in our software. We deal reasons fairly rudimentary and with mechanical, electrical, even crude experiments, proto- acoustic, recording and industrial types and products can be engineering, analogue and digital revolutionary in their impact, yet electronics, embedded and user not too difficult to develop, interface software, production deliver or sell using existing and test engineering, ergonomics, resources. So the barrier to entry is product styling, and a whole wide less than normally imagined, and variety of other related disciplines. can be minimal. Indeed, no matter We write our own product test how complex or advanced a new software and even all our own technology is or becomes, new website and business systems start-ups can and do appear and software in-house. We do all this new innovations, including even ourselves to ensure that a Linn the most radical, always emerge, sound system is a transformation- as ever, from the inspired individual purchase that will change and al mind of a single curious and improve our customers’ lives. Our motivated human being. products are Clyde-built to last,

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and are also designed to evolve jitter performance. You would and develop. imagine after so much time, effort Engineering is about making and passion with this kind of things to a standard. It is about extreme engineering that we must shaping our world and behaviour, be delivering perfection, but that not just objects. As imaginative is far from the case. Not only are tool-wielding animals we have we working to ever-higher evolved, from vulnerable creatures standards and making bigger that would break nuts or bones improvements than ever, with with a piece of rock to feed or to every sign that this rate of defend ourselves, to the creators progress is accelerating rather of all kinds of tools, ideas and than slowing down, but any things that were not dreamt of difference we do make, no matter only a generation or so ago. Yet how small, can be clearly detected despite such amazing progress we by a discerning listener, such are still cannot imagine what life the amazing powers that all could be like for our children’s hearing human beings possess generation let alone further ahead and share. in the future. I want you to participate in a short Even with all our progress at Linn demonstration. I am going to ask there is still a vast gap, although it you in a moment to do something has narrowed considerably, for me. I am going to ask you to between real natural performed touch your neighbour, but I want live music and how accurately it you to preferably touch someone can be recorded and reproduced. you didn’t come here with, so All this is despite the fact that in please if possible pick someone our Linn DS digital streaming sitting close beside you that you sources, which have replaced CD do not know. Please do so now. players, the clock generator As you all just experienced and devices have timing variations demonstrated, we are hesitant to called jitter in the region of only touch someone we do not know. seven picoseconds. A picosecond In the situation that I have created is a million millionth of a second, what people do is that they and by comparison light can travel normally touch the back of the only two millimetres in seven stranger’s hand. They quickly picoseconds. These devices also make contact and then they hold have some sensitivity to acoustic that position. We do this because pressure, so we have to shield the we become conscious of some- components and avoid exposing thing we don’t usually consider them to sound and vibration to and that is that touch can be a avoid any degradation in their communication that might give

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rise to embarrassment or confu- wave form that we can feel sion. For that reason we make directly, for example by physically contact quickly and then hold the applying pressure on to, say, our position. We realise that in the forearm, we also respond in the brief instant of the transition same identical way to the same period as we actually make the emotional vocabulary communi- contact, a touch has the capacity cated by the same micro rhythms. to express and transmit our We all experience the same feelings. In fact, the briefest touch emotions when they are commu- can communicate a diverse range nicated by the same shape of of feelings and emotions. Music is signal because the language of a universal language of human feeling and emotion that we call feeling and emotion. It is sung, music transcends all boundaries written and performed by people of race, culture, age, intelligence, for people. Music is the song of education and so on; indeed it our species. It is in our DNA. We extends across the barriers of time all respond to music in the same so that when we listen to music by fundamental way. Human beings Mozart or Beethoven being played all around the world, irrespective we can experience the emotions of culture, can experience the that the composer intended us to same kind of elemental emotion feel and that the performing and feeling from a piece of music. musicians are able to communi- No one confuses a happy tune cate. Our ears are directly coupled with a sad one. We all share a to our brains. When we are musical vocabulary covering the transported by the pure sound of universal and basic human natural live instruments playing emotions of excitement, love, music, without the distorting hate, fear, lust, passion, anger, influence of a PA system with its remorse, anguish and so on. microphones, amplifiers, loud- These feelings can be communi- speakers and so on, the cated by short phrases contained mechanism that transports us is within music that we call micro the fact that it is perfectly easy to rhythms. They are of very short simultaneously reproduce every duration, typically between five sound we hear as it happens and and 15 microseconds. A sound so we can transfer that sound to frequency we can hear reflects its our own brain without any rate of change of pressure. If, conscious effort. Indeed people instead of being exposed as a with sufficient skill can actually listener to the frequency wave- experience the sound of a piece of form that we hear, we are exposed music by simply reading the score to the corresponding pressure and consciously generating the

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sound of the music in their own same time. These beautifully head. The generated electrical engineered and highly evolved signal in their brain can be devices have been designed, detected. The sound they gener- crafted and developed to give us ate corresponds to the sound that as rich and complex a tone as we would all recognise as being possible and to amplify the level the sound of the live music sufficiently to travel long distances performed from the same score. or fill large spaces. We are all familiar with the If, when we reproduce music, any concept of perceived colour being of the frequencies generated are a combination of different shifted or if any of their ampli- frequencies of different ampli- tudes are altered inconsistently, tudes. By mixing separate colours then the net resultant pitch will in different quantities we change also change. So if a hi-fi system the net result. We know white is a has the ability to change the value combination of all the colours of of any frequency or its amplitude the rainbow stimulating our eyes in a non-linear way it will then in the correct proportion. If we differentially change the pitch of change the frequency (in other every sound being reproduced words the colour) or the amount and that is why we have to go to of any these components (in other such extreme lengths to engineer words the amplitude of any one pitch-accurate equipment that can of the frequency components), we begin to do justice to the unique will change what we see. The communicative power of music. same scenario applies to sound. Changing the pitch of the notes A note in music is not like laser even ever so slightly means you light, a single frequency with a are changing or even destroying single amplitude. Like most of the the tune and its meaning. colours we see, music is made up Such is the sensitivity, resolution from many different frequency and power of human hearing, of components comprising the our ear/ brain combination, that fundamental generated by the we can detect the smallest instrument and its various differences by listening actively. harmonics, each with its own Active listening is a deliberate, amplitude. Together they com- conscious, mental process where bine to produce a net resultant we try to mimic every sound we sound effect which we perceive as hear. If you are concentrating and the pitch of the particular sound listening attentively to me speak- or note or chord in question, and ing, then you are repeating every of course we often listen to many word I say simultaneously but musical instruments playing at the silently in your head. Listening is

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defined as silent repetition. All of small two-inch long wormlike us have an expectation of what creature, whose fossilised remains music is. All of us have an internal were discovered in the Burgess music reference. All of us can spot Shale in Western Canada over 100 a mistake or a wrong note. This years ago. The circumstances internal reference makes our pertaining in the Cambrian period hearing unlike our vision or taste starting around 550 million years or other senses because it is fast, ago facilitated an amazing accurate, consistent and universal. explosion of life, in a vast array of If, when we try to follow repro- diverse forms, and some of these duced music, we find we cannot soft-tissue creatures were fossil- easily do so, it is usually because ised and preserved. The before we can locate one element conditions existing at that time of the sound something else has that gave rise to this particular occurred, and no subsequent tone worm had also led to a great or note is certain or correct many other varieties of new life enough for us to speedily locate forms, in all kinds of strange and and mimic. The smallest inconsist- unfamiliar shapes and arrange- encies and pitch errors matter ments. All the unfamiliar forms greatly to us because they disrupt then perished over time in a our ability to continuously follow process of mass extinction. This and so respond to music. Extreme evolutionary process has eliminat- engineering precision is required ed developments of almost all the to do justice to the challenge of varieties of life that were included reproducing recorded music in the examples we have of all convincingly. With better, more those frozen in time in the pitch-accurate reproduced sound Burgess Shale. that more closely resembles real That wormlike creature, an live music we can readily locate example of the predecessor of the and follow more of the notes, vertebrates, that was found there instruments and elements of the and which survived the process of music more of the time in the mass extinction we call natural same natural way that we do with selection, went on to develop into live music. We can do this because all the vertebrates that remain on it more closely matches and our planet today. Consider what conforms to the internal music senses our earliest known ances- reference we all have embedded tor might have possessed. It had in our DNA. no eyes so it could not see. It had The earliest known example of a no hands or fingers it could use to precursor to human beings and touch. It had no nose so could not indeed to all the vertebrates, is a smell and without a tongue it

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could not taste. It had no ears so some derivative language, but a could not hear, but we are Romanian cannot understand an compelled to believe the one Argentinean. But, because music sense it must have had was is the song of our species, the pressure sensitivity. Without underlying language of music is a pressure sensitivity it is not constant and remains universal. possible to maintain a position Music would be just a stream of against gravity, current, or wind, in noise except for the fact that we water or on land or in the air. can package it into meaningful Without pressure sensitivity we elements like notes, which cannot balance or move, we according to their perceived pitch cannot feed, seize prey or move occupy a position in a scale of away from our effluent; we cannot frequencies we recognise and avoid a predator, swim, shoal with order across our hearing range. our brethren or mate and repro- Tiny micro rhythms allow us to duce. So pressure sensitivity is a locate, discriminate and respond most fundamental sense. That to each element. Spoken lan- wormlike creature still exists. Our guages have evolved from music, ancestor lives on inside every one and like music they are also just a of us as our spinal column and stream of noise. If you listen to an the primitive limbic core of our unfamiliar foreign language being brain. Just like a tadpole develops spoken it certainly sounds like a arms and legs to become a frog, stream of noise. our wormlike ancestor which To learn to understand otherwise, emerged in the Cambrian period we have to laboriously memorise did the same.. In that sense we several hundred common words have all evolved from pond life like mummy, daddy, cat, dog, etc, and are creatures of the sea. and learn their meaning. What As our senses and capabilities we are really learning, however, is evolved we began to communi- how to recognise and identify the cate by singing to each other in leading edge waveforms of each the same way that whales, word. If I say, “would you like a dolphins, chimpanzees and birds glass of beer?”, you probably sing to communicate. Our spoken recognise and can anticipate each natural languages have evolved word before I have pronounced it from song, and as they grow apart fully by recognising its characteris- they diverge to separate us into tic leading edge waveform and language groups. Two thousand anticipating what might follow. five hundred years ago probably Once we can separate the sound less than a thousand people of a foreign language into the spoke Latin. Today a billion speak meaningful packages we call

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words, we can then compare them communication and cooperation. with our own internal reference, Music is consistent with a three- our own individual language dimensional navigation system dictionary, to see if we recognise and it goes perfectly with move- them or not, and then enquire ment whether it is swimming, about and learn the meaning of running, cycling or dancing. And those words that are unfamiliar. this internal and external motion When a skilled pianist or violinist is the imperative for feeling, or flautist plays music, the feelings creativity, imagination and love. and emotions they seek to express Each and every one of us exists can be communicated in every because a single tadpole-like touch of each key, in every breath sperm from our father’s ejaculate they take, in the leading edge survived the swim through the waveforms of the sounds made by saline solutions of our mother’s every string or bow they pluck, birth canal to fertilise an egg, and in every micro rhythm they which then developed into a express within the music. This is foetus floating and swimming in all communicated through the air the salty water ocean of our for us to receive, and we then mother’s womb. The first sense we experience and feel the same develop is our sense of hearing by emotions as those that were 14 weeks, and the first sounds expressed. Difficult as that may be that we hear are the sounds of to believe, what it makes clear is our mother’s heart beating, then that music is touching at a the outside world and the rushing distance. Considering this of blood, and eventually identify- capability confirms the under- ing our own heartbeat and standing that we are creating our own sense of identity. fundamentally pressure-sensitive All of us are creatures of the sea. creatures. Pressure sensitivity All of us are shaped, formed and shaped our evolution, formed our born as pressure-sensitive crea- identity and determined our tures. All of us have experienced capacity to survive. Pressure the entire evolutionary journey of sensitivity gave us the power to our species. Pressure sensitivity is move and informed us whether embodied into each and every we were swimming up or down individual cell in our body which and indeed created the possibility all vibrate and respond to changes for that choice. The power to in pressure. We are all pressure- choose in turn compels us to sensitive organisms responding to think and to learn, and thinking the complex pressures and and learning and action lead to rhythms of life and the universe. knowledge, understanding,

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Pressure is applied force, action to originate and innovate in every causes reaction, and the capability set of circumstances and so to to apply force through a distance shape, improve and indeed to gives us the energy to perform engineer every aspect of our lives work, to act and cause action and for the better. make things happen. Being By engineering improved individu- pressure-sensitive, interactive and al and group productivity we applying forces by singing and create and increase wealth for dancing, or pushing and pulling is ourselves and our species. So I at the heart of our nature and our would ask you to reflect upon the evolution, and is the source of our fact that if there were any single tool- wielding ability and our discipline, practice or activity capacity to think and shape our without which we could not existence and shape our world. imagine sustaining our rich life, it The forces applied and that we are would undoubtedly be engineer- learning to apply range from the ing. Nothing has greater smallest to the largest. Pressure importance or is more fundamen- sensitivity, from the individual tal to what we are and our future. cellular level to across our com- To discover the art of engineering plete body, and the development is to live and shape your life to the of our ability to respond to and full with intelligent productive shape our world makes all actions and to shape and touch productive life engineering. Every the lives of others. field of human endeavour allows infinite scope to understand more, explore further, push forward beyond established limits, find opportunity to improve, and

The Royal Academy of Engineering/The Royal Society of Edinburgh Joint Lecture 2012 ISBN No 1-903496-85-3

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Tim Flannery Mammalogist. Palaeontologist, Environmentalist and Global Warming Activist 4 April 2012 An Evening with Tim Flannery: Tim Flannery in conversation with Scott Donaldson Part of the Oxygen series run by The Royal Commonwealth Society in partnership with Creative Scotland

RSE President, Sir John Arbuth- Donaldson began by introducing nott, welcomed everyone and Professor Tim Flannery, who was introduced the Director of named Australian of the Year in Development at Creative Scotland, 2007, with some of the many Venu Dhupa. Ms Dhupa spoke of titles he is given: palaeontologist, the organisation’s role and mammalogist, zoologist, environ- projects, and contextualised the mentalist, explorer and writer, and evening as part their extensive asked what set him off on these programme of international career paths. partnerships and internships. The It was between the age of six and learning from a diverse array of twelve, Tim Flannery related, fields, she explained, is then fed growing up outside Melbourne back into the cultural and creative amidst a patchwork of undevel- sector to create ‘churn’ and open oped bush and farm land in up new perspectives for talent Southern Australia, that he development. became aware of rapid urban Creative Scotland’s Scott Donald- sprawl going unchecked. There son who, it became apparent, is was no regard for biodiversity and well versed in the writings of the young Flannery had strong Professor Tim Flannery, was then feelings about the disappearance invited to join Flannery on the of parrots and frogs and the stage to play a ‘chat show host environment change. This urbani- role’ in the evening’s ‘conversa- sation Flannery’s mother then tion’, with apposite questions to characterised to him as encourage the speaker’s flow. A “progress”, something he knew question and answer session with then that he didn’t want to be the 150-or-so audience members, part of. His imagination was also chaired by Sir John Arbuthnott, captured whilst diving in nearby followed the ‘conversation’ and Port Phillip Bay. There he found a Professor Flannery’s responses are special place where ten million- incorporated into the account year-old sub-sea rocks were home which follows. to fossils of creatures from a more

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ancient bay, including sharks’ tradition of going to the Pacific teeth and the metre-long sections Islands to study. of jaw bones of extinct whales. His post entailed 15 years of This insight and ability to imagine climbing every mountain in New was a very formative influence, Guinea and finding many new instilling in him a romantic species. Covered in rainforest, this connection between the progress island is exceptionally biodiverse, of nature and the evolution of life Flannery related, with more bird and left Flannery, at a young age, and mammal species than with a strong sense that “the past Australia, albeit only one tenth of was a hell of a lot more exciting its size. At that time, there were than the present!” parts of the island which were By his own reckoning, Flannery home to tribes who had never was a bad school student and not before set eyes on Europeans. It diligent enough to get in to study was amazing for Flannery to science. He trained instead as a experience being the first white high school teacher, studying man to walk into a village, but it English and History, which he was his discovery of new species reflected was very valuable in that was of such significance to teaching him to write. A timely his work. Flannery discovered four minerals boom and lack of new species of tree kangaroo geologists in Australia soon which, he explained, fill an enabled him to return to science ecological position akin to and undertake a Masters in Earth monkeys; a metre-long rat Sciences and a PhD in Biological unknown to science; and new Sciences after which, and then bats and many marsupials. This with a three-week-old baby, found was at a time when there was little himself “spat out the other end”, or no fossil record of the Ice Age self-deprecatingly joking: “Oh, and Flannery and his team I’ve got a PhD on the evolution of documented seven large-to- kangaroos, I’m sure someone will gigantic, unknown, extinct employ me, not quite!”. He felt marsupials, defining the work that incredibly lucky only months later was to shape his future career. to land the one job in Australia he Scott Donaldson then pointed out would have “killed for”, the that the 19th Century evolutionist Curator of Mammals at the Alfred Russel Wallace, looms large Australian Museum in Sydney, in many of Flannery’s works and where he could study mammals, quoted Wallace: both living and fossil, and travel, thanks to the museum’s long We live in a zoologically impoverished world, from which all the hugest and fiercest and strangest

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forms have recently ing three tonnes and an “unimag- disappeared…yet it is surely inable animal” even to Flannery. a marvellous fact, and one that Kangaroos give birth to offspring has hardly been sufficiently dwelt only the size of a fingernail, so, he upon, this sudden dying out of so wondered, how could a baby many large mammalian, not in Diprododon oplatum manage to one place only, but over half the travel across the vast expanse of land surface of the globe. fur to reach its mother’s pouch? Donaldson asked Flannery to offer This animal had a one-metre skull a picture of what went missing composed mostly of air, with a from the Americas, Australasia brain smaller than a fist. “With all and Siberia around the time of that space for sinuses, imagine its Man’s arrival. The first humans to terrible sinusitis!” quipped land in Australia 45,000 years ago Flannery. A light head would have did so after making a great ocean been a useful design feature, he crossing from SE Asia in sophisti- explained, enabling the animal to cated open-water craft. Flannery travel long distances and conserve invited us to imagine (as he did energy. Kangaroos hop because with the fossils in Port Phillip Bay), it’s the most effective way of what those who first set foot on a getting from A to B devised by any beach in northern Australia would mammal anywhere on Earth. Like have experienced. Because the being on a pogo stick, the energy coastal flora and marine life from each bounce is stored, would have been similar in SE essential in a vast land of poor soil Asia, they would have thought quality like Australia, where the “it’s just like the place we left”, kangaroo has to travel great related Flannery, but upon pulling distances for food due to limited back the dense curtain of foliage vegetation and the scarcity of just fifty metres inland, they water. Today there are 70 species would have opened up a remarka- of kangaroo; but the first humans ble scene which we can only begin would have witnessed 150 to imagine today by thinking of different species, including 17 the Serengeti plain. But instead of kinds of tree kangaroo and some lions and elephants, the first that were carnivores and others people in Australia would have that browsed from shrubs. witnessed a host of fantastical- We know from 45,000 year-old seeming creatures, which Flannery life-size cave paintings that went on to describe. Aboriginal people saw the They would have seen herds of leopard-sized marsupial lion, a Diprododon oplatum, the largest relative of the koala turned marsupial that ever lived, weigh- carnivore. We don’t fully know

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why kangaroos and koalas would do the ecology good. We became carnivorous, Flannery said, know that Scotland would have but the continent has many had mammoth, musk ox, reindeer, herbivores that became flesh bison and giant elk, Flannery eaters. reflected, but we are just starting Now extinct from Australia, there to explore the extent of the was Palorchestes azael, the biodiversity that was lost when equivalent of the ground sloth in people first came to the ‘Austral- the Americas. No one knows ian Serengeti’. exactly what they looked like, but Tim Flannery was interested in they were the size of a bull, and Scott Donaldson’s question of had a trunk and very powerful what would have happened as a forelimbs that probably tore trees result of the extinctions and apart. There were giant lizards, wondered rhetorically what the including the largest goanna – result would be if we exterminat- five metres long and half a tonne ed everything bigger than a in weight, the bones of which Gemsbok antelope on the have been discovered across Serengeti. He believes that northern Australia. Forty five massive wild fires (of the sort he thousand years ago, there was has witnessed raging across a also the komodo dragon, which million hectares of bush in now only lives on a few small Australia) would break out islands in Indonesia, the last place because the grass would keep on Earth that it survives. It used to growing with nothing to graze on live throughout northern Australia it. The result of the charred and the islands to the north. It remains would be a simplification survived In Indonesia because the of biodiversity. This would have an presence of the ‘Hobbit’, (a impact on climate because diminutive early human species – transpiration by plants is impor- Homo floresiensis), pre-adapted tant in creating rainfall, he the komodo to how dangerous continued. the presence of the bi-pedal The extinction of large mammals carnivore, apes, can be; so when is more significant for productivity humans arrived, they knew to be in some climates than others. afraid. In Australia, there were no Professor Flannery began his ‘Hobbits’ and the gigantic iguana explanation of this by ‘boiling became extinct. “I’m one of the down’ the ecological function of a few people enthusiastic about re- mammal as being “a large vat of introducing the Komodo dragon microbes that feeds plant matter into Australia”, laughed Flannery, in one end and produces compost a development which he thinks out of the other”. In a rich

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environment which is humid, the example of this is their rarely microbes are still there, even if you initiating all of their own people get rid of the animals, he went on, to create an ‘in’-group, which is so the cycle of plant material the norm with societies around dying, decaying and recycling still the World, but rather initiating occurs. In a dry continent such as people from other geographical Australia or Africa, the microbes aborigine groups with the aim of don’t thrive as well outside a creating links. This is essential in a mammal, as fire often beats them country where drought can strike to the dead plants, and in cold for a decade at a time and when environments, permafrost sees off links with other fragile groups is the microbes, so that the recycling essential in the sharing of scarce process of nutrients that keeps resources. Flannery deems this ecosystems fertile is stopped. way of being as an incredible Twenty-five years ago, Flannery achievement that allows aborigi- wrote a book postulating the nes to survive. contentious hypothesis that What, Scott Donaldson probed, is modern-day Australia’s landscape the evidence that it was always and climate were created by the humans who did this damage in over hunting of giant animals by causing extinctions? aboriginal peoples. A week before That has been contentious since his appearance at the RSE, a paper the time of Wallace and Darwin, published in the journal Science Flannery replied, with claims that went some way, Flannery shared, laid the blame on humans or to suggest that his hypothesis is climate or other factors. Only in valid, and Flannery thinks it may the past 10–15 years have dating have become a theory, which, he techniques allowed us to say reflected “is a wonderful thing for when the extinctions happened in any scientist”. One of the ques- Australia. Regardless of whether tions that has been ‘bubbling climate in different regions of the under’ in Flannery’s head for some planet was warming, cooling or time is what happened for the stable at the time that the mega aboriginal peoples to move from fauna died out, it was when causing the extinction of the humans arrived that the big mega fauna 45,000 years ago, to animals disappeared. The sugges- living in such an adaptive way in tion that the earliest aboriginal recent centuries. He believes that, peoples caused this is so contro- contrary to any view that they are versial, Flannery replied to primitive or backward, aboriginal Donaldson’s question, because in peoples are one of the most recent years Australia has had a specialised in the way they live. An legal revolution, with the recogni-

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tion in Australia of native title Mars or Venus that doesn’t rights to land for aboriginal support life. peoples. The courts have ruled Donaldson recalled that in his that if unbroken since pre- most recent book Here on Earth, European times to the present Flannery distinguishes between day, aboriginal people can make two opposing views, that of claims on land; but, importantly, a Alfred Russel Wallace and James key factor centres around custodi- Lovelock on the one hand and anship of the land. When a Darwin and Dawkins on the other, scientist says that the ancestors of and asked him to explain why he the aborigines who arrived believes that it is so important 45,000 years ago caused great that the Wallacean view is more environmental damage, it has widely understood. Flannery legal implications. Flannery began by pointing out that there volunteered that this is a problem were two founders of the theory and is contentious, particularly of evolution by natural selection, given colonial history, but that as Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel a scientist, his duty is to state Wallace, who were extremely where he thinks the scientific facts different people with very differ- point. ent perspectives on the planet. Donaldson asked why we should Darwin was the most careful value biodiversity as more than reductionist scientist, whose life just “a nice thing to have”, at was spent understanding the which Flannery expounded the effect of natural selection on all view that our living planet is and living things, whilst Russel has been from the beginning Wallace was interested in what itself shaped by life, even the evolution had created. Wallace continents themselves three was not a trained scientist, had billion years ago. The fact that we not gone to university, left school can breathe the atmosphere and at a young age and his flashes of that water is clean is due to the genius on the theory of evolution influence of life on rocks and came about through an attack of oceans and the drawing down of malaria in Indonesia. When the Sun’s energy, which is six times Darwin received Russel Wallace’s that of the total human energy letter he was astonished, believing budget. If we chip away at that had Wallace had Darwin’s biodiversity, he cautioned, we notebooks, he couldn’t have tinker detrimentally with “the summarised the theory as well. great engine that keeps the planet Darwin published On the Origin habitable” and so threaten to of Species in 1859, setting out the return Earth to being a planet like evidence for evolution in detail. A

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decade later, Herbert Spencer view, rather than the reductionist suggested that the book be best one that Flannery believes has summarised by calling it “survival prevailed in universities, has of the fittest”. Darwin’s sub-title become more possible in recent for the book, The Preservation of years with technologies that Favoured Races led the theory to enable us to monitor the planet. be hijacked to defend social The conversation then turned to inequalities and the power of the climate change, with Flannery, English nobility, whose imperialist who is Australia’s Climate Change dominance stretched around the Commissioner, stating that the globe. Wallace never bought into basic message from climate that and questioned how survival scientists hasn’t altered for 20 of the fittest could create such a years. Carbon dioxide lies at the co-operative, natural world. heart of the Earth’s thermostat Wallace remained fascinated by and the burning of fossil fuels in evolution’s having created every the past 200 years has released part of a civilisation, such as carbon into the atmosphere, ordering the three trillion cells creating warming. This is causing that make up the human body. He extreme weather events and recognised that there are thou- acidification of the oceans, sands of species and not just impacting on food security and “me”, Flannery said, offering that biodiversity. The tree kangaroos in even 10% of what he personally New Guinea that Flannery spoke calls “me” is made up of other of at the start of the discourse, for species: the bugs in his gut, the example, are unlikely to survive in mites living on his eyebrows, the next few hundred years as laughing, “I do wash, but they’re their habitats disappear, he all there!” Russel Wallace was predicted. In Australia, he also right, stated Flannery, that the fears for the Alpine environments ‘survival of the fittest’ and ‘selfish and diversely floristic areas in the genes’ do not accurately describe south of the continent. our world which has been forged by co-operation from the level of The concentration of CO2 in the our bodies to the planetary entity, atmosphere is now 30% above Lovelock’s Gaia, which self what it was two centuries ago, regulates to an extent. Flannery and the rate of emissions is emphasised that it is fundamental increasing year on year. “The to understand that evolution is on message we are getting from the “our side when it comes to trying climate scientists”, stated Flan- to live sustainably”. The ability to nery, “…is that this is the critical take a more holistic, Wallacean decade. If action isn’t taken this decade, it’s going to be extremely

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difficult for the world to slow the five years writing a book, The warming trend before we hit the Weather Makers, to explain this to dangerous threshold of two the general public. It used the degrees of warming”. In fact, same data as the IPCC, but Flannery went on to say, it’s Flannery qualified that, unlike probably just one degree more them, he was not “hobbled” with than the current situation, as the a review process that had to climate change scientists’ thresh- please different countries and old is two degrees above the express the situation in the most pre-industrial average (prior to basic English. He was able to write 1800) and we are already a degree a more passionate book which above that. The fear of going became a bestseller, published in beyond that is that positive 26 languages. Professor Flannery feedback loops will take over, happened to arrive in Denmark beyond which we cannot reverse the week the Danes learned they the Earth’s warming. The melting were to host the 2009 UN Climate of the Arctic ice is an example of a Change Conference, COP15. positive feedback loop. On a Flannery recognised the impor- bright Summer’s day, it will reflect tance of the event and the Danes away approximately 90% of the were receptive to establishing energy of the Sun’s rays, so has a collaboratively the Copenhagen cooling effect; but when the ice Climate Council which got the melts, the dark ocean beneath is backing of big business. Six revealed and instead absorbs months before COP15, Flannery’s 90% of the energy rather than team convened the World Busi- reflecting it back into Space, ness Summit on Climate Change, causes warming and brings about which was the largest-ever a cycle that drives the temperature meeting of businesses coming up. James Lovelock takes a more together to discuss the subject. conservative view about the Out of COP15, they achieved the

quantity of CO2 required to take Copenhagen Accord. Flannery us above the critical level, but described himself as having been Flannery defers to the view of the disappointed on the day he left Inter-governmental Panel on Copenhagen, but that he is less Climate Change (IPCC) which so now. There is hope, he offered, involves most of the World’s as things are slowly changing. The climatological experts. Copenhagen Accord allowed It was in the late ‘90s when countries to pledge voluntary Flannery himself realised that action to deal with climate change climate change was a major and with nations, as individuals problem and so spent the next don’t like to fail on objectives they

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set for themselves, he postulated. change. “When I go round Lord Stern has calculated that if regional Australia I meet lots of you add up the commitments, coal miners. They’re invariably they reach about half the emis- decent people. They come from an sions reductions we need to avoid industry with a strong tradition, a dangerous climate change. We are very proud tradition, and when still some way off achieving a they hear people say…’the global treaty on climate change, burning of coal is part of the Flannery reflected, but the area problem’, it’s almost an existential that gives him the greatest hope, threat in a way; it threatens not is technology. Solar panels halved just their business, it threatens in price last year; new technolo- their self respect and you have to gies are being deployed in the be very careful…dealing with all wind sector; and there are novel of that”, Flannery said. On top of distribution technologies for that there is a “crazy fringe” and electricity generation. It is going belief that discussion of climate to be “a close run thing”, Flan- change is an attempt by the UN to nery said, but there is still hope of set up a global government and avoiding dangerous climate deprive people of their liberty and, change. lamented Flannery, people have The role of the Australian Climate even brought guns to climate Change Commission is to raise change events in Australia. the level of understanding If he knew the answer to what amongst the Australian public of scientists could do better to ‘carry climate science, the economics people with them’, Flannery said, around it and what’s happening he’d be retired and on the beach internationally. In a democracy, somewhere! Scientific messages Flannery contended, you won’t can be complex, such as for get the longer-term outcomes you climate, the explanation of CO2 in need in complex issues unless the atmosphere is not simple, there’s a level of public under- whereas the sceptics’ message is – standing. So contentious an issue “it’s not happening”, or “that in Australia is it, however, that person is not reliable as a source when the Commission goes out of information”. The northern to speak to the public, they need hemisphere has been collecting police protection. Flannery says weather data since the 18th that people need to understand Century, and with a high density that Australia is the largest of weather stations, whereas exporter of coal globally, and that Australia does not have that same those with vested interests in history and coverage of meteoro- fossil fuels can be resistant to logical data with which to

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compare current extreme weather systems and our dependence on events and so point to the human them, and will this ultimately be cause of climate change. The role our downfall? of culture and media in the arena Flannery fears, he confessed, that of climate change Flannery sees as we are becoming less imaginative. “huge”, noting that some of the If we understand the abyss of time most effective rebuttals of the to which Playfair referred, we can climate change deniers have been comprehend that this process over articulated through satire. The time has taken a little bit of the biggest concern for him, teaching Earth’s crust consisting of complex science and science communica- pre-life type molecules and tion at university, is the reluctance created humans, and that every of young people, to get involved living thing is just animated in these subjects, and there is little fragments of the Earth’s crust. We respect for the expert, with the all share a common origin and public not wanting to know. One have grown interdependent of the things Flannery finds most through the evolutionary force frustrating is the lack of interdisci- that Wallace and Darwin identi- plinarity in universities, and he fied. This gives Flannery hope, and attempts to bring people together he rejects the theory that humans more, teaching Arts and Sciences are too selfish and greedy to live students jointly, where he admits sustainably in the world. He that finding a common language believes that every command and can be problematic. control system is selfish, citing the Donaldson then quoted an early human brain, which weighs only Fellow of the Royal Society of 2% of our body mass, but takes a Edinburgh, John Playfair, who highly disproportionate 20% of wrote in his book about James the energy from the food we eat Hutton (another Fellow): every day and will cut off energy “The mind seemed to go giddy by to other organs if under duress looking so far into the abyss of before depriving itself. But the time and we became sensible how one thing the brain can never do much further reason may go is to destroy the body upon which than imagination can venture to it relies, just as we cannot destroy follow.” the planet upon which we depend. Donaldson asked Flannery whether it is this failure of Flannery claimed that we are in an imagination that prevents us from incredibly privileged position grasping the geological times- because “we are Gaia’s intelli- cales, the complexities of Earth’s gence, we are Gaia’s brain”. People are important because our

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intelligence allows us to organise This is a critical point in history, he matter at a fundamental planetary said and “to throw it all away level, he believes. We have the because we can’t shift from opportunity to organise a more burning coal to using wind and sophisticated Gaian system than solar, seems to me ridiculous”. currently exists – a nervous system Humans are extraordinary, he said, for the planet. “Ultimately that “the most important amazing and Gaia will reproduce, when we marvellous thing in the entire send life to another planet to universe and certainly the most colonise that planet with life. At complex….so let’s hope we never the speed we can move through let our imagination fail to see our the universe, even today, it would own greatness and power, only take five million years for because if we do that, we will do humanity to colonise the entire stupid things.” Galaxy…information systems will be organising matter at the Galactic level”, asserted Flannery.

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Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch Professor of the History of the Church at Oxford

02 May 2012 An Evening with Diarmaid MacCulloch Part of the Gifford Lecture Series supported by the Gifford Trust

The event provided an opportuni- evidence. In history, it takes close ty to meet Diarmaid MacCulloch, familiarity with a period to notice Professor of the History of the where the silences fall – to sense Church at Oxford University, what is missing. author of A History of Christianity: Some silences are because the the first three thousand years and Church is deliberately forgetting presenter of the subsequent TV its past. The 11th-Century series. The Professor was part way conversion of Iceland closely through delivering The Gifford involved three Armenian bishops Lectures at the University of of the Orthodox tradition. By the Edinburgh. The title for the 12th Century, their identities were lectures, and the starting point for written out of the record, and a the RSE discussion, was Silence in century later the bishops had Christian History: the witness of vanished altogether. By this time Holmes’s Dog. Iceland was in the Western, Latin, Professor MacCulloch was Catholic orbit – so the bishops welcomed by the Rev. Prof. John were no longer valued as part of Richardson, who said that the the narrative. There were many lecture series title brought to more discreditable silences – over mind how often the Church takes slavery of African Americans, child the passage from Ecclesiastes 3:7 abuse and anti-Semitism. ‘a time to keep silence, and a time Silence is about more than to speak’, but frequently forgets Christianity and concerns more which is which. than omissions. Hinduism and Before inviting questions, Profes- Buddhism have many observa- sor MacCulloch summarised his tions on silence and on the lecture series, and recalled Conan practice of silence; Christianity has Doyle’s story Silver Blaze, in which borrowed from them. Citing Sherlock Holmes recognised that Cruden, though, MacCulloch the clue to who committed the added that in the Old Testament murder was that the dog did not tradition silence was often a bark in the night. This, he said, negative, associated with death highlights the fact that silence is and defeat. Yet there was a as important as any other sort of

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minority view, exemplified by the Century. The triumph of silence Second Isaiah, where the messian- came in the 3rd and 4th Centu- ic figure of the suffering servant is ries, when monasticism and dumb; something which became asceticism emerged strongly and hugely important for “that established their own momentum. deviant group of Jews called In the West, silence became Christians”. associated with text and monastic Silence became increasingly life, which demanded literacy. This significant; “it seemed quite basic approach to silence was chal- to Jesus’ Ministry”. The church of lenged by the Reformation, which Paul, though, was noisy and the Professor characterised as enthusiastic and had no notion of “the noisiest period in Christian monasticism, which probably history”, with the emphasis on arrived from Syria in the 2nd preaching and song.

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Professor Jim Al-Khalili Professor of Physics, University of Surrey 16 May 2012 Alan Turing: Legacy of a Code Breaker Joint lecture with the University of Edinburgh, School of Informatics and supported by the Gifford Trust

“You deserved so much better.” Born in India in 1912 and sent to Why did British Prime Minister school in England, Turing’s genius Gordon Brown say “sorry” to the was clear from a very young age, mathematical genius and war but his headmaster wrote to his hero Alan Turing, who killed parents: “If he is to stay at public himself in 1954? Jim Al-Khalili school, he must aim at becoming told the story of Turing’s extraordi- educated. If he is to be solely a nary and ultimately tragic life in a Scientific Specialist, he is wasting lecture to commemorate the his time at a public school.» centenary of his birth – and Despite this warning, Turing explain the thinking of a man who breezed through university at helped create the world’s first King’s College, Cambridge, thinking machines... gaining a first-class degree in mathematics in 1934 and a PhD at As well as focusing on Turing’s Princeton four years later. stellar achievements in computer science and cryptography, Al- What characterised Turing’s early Khalili also showed the human years, Al-Khalili explained, was his side of Turing as a colourful desire to tackle the “big prob- character who chained his tea lems” in maths. He was also mug to a radiator so no-one could fascinated with intelligence and steal it and wore a gas mask to how the brain works, and won- protect himself from pollen. The dered if it would be possible for awkward-looking Turing was also machines to mimic the brain and an accomplished long-distance solve the same problems that runner who could possibly have humans can solve. This even represented Britain at the 1948 extended to the concept of Olympics. Turing also showed the “mathematising biology” and the classic signs of Asperger’s Syn- first attempts to develop what we drome, but even in the midst of now call artificial intelligence. Britain’s scientific elite at Bletchley Could maths express the biologi- Park during the Second World cal world? Was there a War, helping to decipher German mathematical basis to human codes, he was known as “the intelligence? Prof.”

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Turing was moved to pose contribution to the war effort, questions like these by the death helping to save many thousands of his “first love”, Christopher of lives. In the late 1930s, he Morcom, in 1930, while the pair worked part-time as a cryptogra- were still at public school at pher for the government, and the Sherborne. Al-Khalili suggested day after war was declared on that Turing was so disturbed by September 4, 1939, he was sent the death of his friend that he to Bletchley Park to focus on tried to “put his grief in a scientif- cracking the codes used by U- ic context” and also turned away boats. In the process, Turing was from religion, adopting a reduc- part of a team that built a series of tionist view, even though he still electro-mechanical machines believed that there was “some- known as “bombes” – machines thing about consciousness that helped to speed up calcula- separate from the machine.” tions to decipher the codes. As time went by, the challenge for Al-Khalili compared the pressure Turing was to build a machine of this top-secret project to that could run algorithms – “solving the world’s hardest basically, a series of commands – sudoku puzzle or thousands of in order to “do the thinking” for lives would be lost.” humans. Another big problem After the war, whilst working at was ‘decidability’ and the difficulty the National Physical Laboratory, of finding “a proof that proof Turing focused on developing a exists.” While grappling with machine that could think, and these issues throughout the developed the blueprint for a 1930s, Turing also concluded that computer that could store the “halting problem” could not programs – the Automatic be decided – in other words, it Computing Engine. Al-Khalili said was impossible to know if a that Turing was not just interested machine would ever stop comput- in engineering, but also in the ing, once a program was started. challenge of creating a machine During the 1930s, Turing went on that could think just like a human to develop the Universal Turing brain – “the most complex system Machine which “laid the founda- in the universe.” tion” of modern computing, with Al-Khalili described how the ones and zeroes as the software American pathologist Thomas and the device that “reads” them Harvey had cut up Albert Einstein’s as the hardware. brain to investigate what made it Turing’s legacy is not restricted to special, and explained that the pure science of computing, Turing’s challenge was to mimic however. He also made a major the ordinary brain, not the brain of an Einstein. 99 Review of the Session 2011-2012

Turing’s paper on Computing result (e.g. the different parts of machinery and intelligence human beings such as organs, “kicked off” the science of limbs and brain, etc.). Can maths artificial intelligence (AI), said Al- express how life began? Once life Khalili, by asking: “Can machines begins, cells reproduce and think?” In his paper, Turing evolution kicks in, but how do we developed a scenario which asked explain the transition from what would happen if a human inanimate to animate things? was replaced by a machine, In addition, Turing wondered how concluding it was hard for the patterns emerge – e.g. the machine to behave exactly like a different shapes and colours in an human but that it may be just as individual animal. He worked out clever. The machine may get the algorithms to produce cow-like answer right, but not necessarily patterns and showed them to by thinking the same as a human. people, asking “Does this look The ‘Turing test’ still intrigues like a cow?” How does a leopard computer scientists today – can get its spots? The zebra its we tell the difference between a stripes? The individual cells may computer and a human being? be blind to the “bigger picture” Scientists who favour a ‘strong AI’ which produces complex patterns, view of computers believe there is but somehow via simple steps no reason why machines should they interact and “learn” from not be able to think just like feedback. humans. “Our brains are com- Said Al-Khalili: “Turing was plex,” said Al-Khalili, “but they convinced that mathematics could are still just biological machines.” be used to describe biological We may feel happy or sad, but just processes and intelligence itself.” as we know that our feelings And these ideas led to what we don’t come from the heart, so now call chaos theory (e.g. the machines may have the “comput- unpredictability of weather), as ability” to mimic human well as to the concept of “self- characteristics such as intuition, organisation” (e.g. how individual etc. grains of sand form shapely sand Turing, said Al-Khalili, was also dunes). fascinated by the chemical basis of “Things went wrong” in Turing’s morphogenesis – essentially the life in the early 1950s, said Al- fact that simple cells (e.g. in Khalili, when he was convicted of embryos) which start off more or an act of gross indecency and less identical and are not capable given a choice of imprisonment or of thinking, interact with each chemical castration via hormone other to produce a highly complex therapy to “cure” his homosexu-

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ality – illegal in those days. His those who live freely thanks to security clearance was also Alan’s work, I am very proud to removed. And in 1954, he killed say: we’re sorry. You deserved so himself, apparently by eating an much better.” apple laced with cyanide. Al-Khalili summed up Turing’s In 2009, PM Gordon Brown legacy by describing him not only issued an official apology, saying: as the “founding father of “It is thanks to men and women computer science” but also a hero who were totally committed to who had served his country under fighting fascism, people like Alan great pressure and saved many Turing, that the horrors of the lives – a genius who is finally Holocaust and of total war are getting the recognition he part of Europe’s history and not deserves, “up there with the Europe’s present. So on behalf of greatest mathematicians of them the British Government, and all all.”

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Professor David Cameron FRSE, Clinical Director, Director of Cancer Services, NHS Lothian, Professor of Oncology, University of Edinburgh, Associate Director, National Institute for Health Research Cancer Research Network 11 June 2012 Conducting Clinical Cancer Research in the NHS Benefits Everyone? in association with the Scottish Cancer Foundation and supported by the Cruden Foundation

More than one in five cancer been growing so that we have patients in the UK will now be more evidence about what works, recruited to a clinical trial, a vast or, as Professor Cameron puts it, increase in the last decade. In a that tells us “we should do this, persuasive and fascinating lecture, and not that”. And much of that Professor David Cameron argued research has been going on in that while clinical trials might Scotland and the rest of the UK. benefit some of those who take Indeed, the UK has the highest part, a research-active environ- recruitment to clinical trials in the ment is certainly good for the world, with one in every five overall health service and for the people newly diagnosed with patient population as a whole. cancer being placed in a study. People diagnosed with cancer in This is a huge increase over just a Scotland today will have a much decade; before the National better outcome than would have Cancer Research Network (NCRN) been the case just 30 years ago; started in 2001, just 3.75 % of this is good news, but what is patients would have been recruit- making the difference? Earlier ed to a trial in the UK, compared diagnosis and better diagnosis to 22.8 % in 2011/12. techniques, better local treat- There are various types of study: ments (such as surgery and academic, including randomised radiotherapy) and new drug and non-randomised trials; therapies are all influencing commercial, that is, testing new survival for the better; even in drugs before approval (and cases where cancer isn’t ‘cured’, meeting the ever-more stringent there are therapies which mean demands of regulators); observa- people can be supported to live tional; and models of care, for longer with the disease. example, seeing how the treat- But research plays a part too: over ment works in ‘real life’ outside a that time the research base has

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trial setting when the drug is in the actual treatment being tried is actual use. better than they would have been Professor Cameron said that receiving otherwise; the placebo although there was some public effect might mean they do better; disquiet about pharmaceutical taking part in trials – the participa- companies and their research tion effect – can mean doing activities, in his experience, they better, possibly because there’s were very well regulated and, in more attention from staff, the vast majority of cases, people possibly because of inclusion taking part in trials will be testing criteria – fitter patients tend to a drug that has already been take part in trials, so possibly shown to be safe. Even phase-one they’d do better in any case. But trials (which test the safety of a trial participants might not be the drug) involve treatments that have main beneficiaries. He quoted been tested and found to be safe several studies which showed no in animals. In any case, trials are consistent evidence of benefit for very well regulated by the Medi- individuals who took part in trials; cine and Healthcare Regulatory undoubtedly some would benefit Agency and others (including from specific treatments, but with ethics committees) which have small numbers, this wouldn’t alter strong lay membership. the population statistics. Especially in these financially- There is, however, more convinc- austere times, however, there are ing evidence that research-active those who question whether the healthcare systems (i.e., hospitals NHS should be doing clinical which do clinical trials) deliver trials: arguments include the better healthcare. He cited several potential saving of money by European and US studies which getting rid of research nurses, for show that patients do better in example. But Professor Cameron hospitals where trials are taking argued strongly that clinical trials place. This effect isn’t limited to are of benefit, possibly to the cancer – similar results have been patients taking part, but certainly seen for cardiology research. to the wider patient population of So why should this be? Centres all patients treated in the hospi- taking part in trials are more likely tals conducting research. to adhere strictly to guidance, Professor Cameron examined the which means that care will be evidence of the impact of clinical more consistent; this covers all trials, both on those taking part, stages of care, from the treatment and on the sites undertaking the patients receive in hospital to the research. Why should patients do discharge medication and lifestyle better in trials? It could be that advice they are given. Healthcare

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staff are also affected by being in Radiotherapy trials can be more a research-active environment – if difficult – and the UK is behind people are aware that they are many EU countries in its take-up being evaluated, it’s human of new techniques – because of nature to conform to standards of the cost of equipment. In Eng- treatment and quality. Professor land, however, the Cameron cited one research trial implementation of the new where patients could only take radiotherapy techniques needed part in the drugs element if their for the trials is nationally surgery had been performed well co-ordinated, which, of a necessi- – so the surgeons were being ty, ensures standardised influenced to do their best! implementation of new tech- Similarly, staff in research-active niques. There is no such national settings – who feel they are really co-ordination in Scotland yet. making a difference to care now Professor Cameron touched on and in the future – are motivated the economic benefit of clinical and encouraged, which in turn research, saying that the pharma- helps recruitment and retention. ceutical sector is a big player in Professor Cameron’s strong – and the economy and an important evidence-based – conviction is contributor to GDP. This is the that research benefits patients, case in traditionally ‘low value’ not often at an individual level, research areas such as mental although there are obvious health, as well as in higher value exceptions if the trial treatment areas such as cardiovascular works, but that certainly there is disease. evidence that the quality and There is much less evidence, efficacy of therapy in an institu- however, for how we actually tion is improved by being involved spend money on cancer – what’s in research activity. We don’t know the rationale behind why we yet whether there is a dose spend as we do? Although the response, that is, the more you cancer drugs bill is high profile do, the better you are. and gets a lot of media attention, There is currently work taking the UK actually spends less on this place to evaluate what the first ten than do other countries, such as years of the NCRN have delivered. France. Indeed, the drugs bill, What we do know is that in the accounting for around 12 % of UK, every hospital which treats spend, pales next to expenditure cancer patients with drugs and/or on salaries and on the actual radiotherapy recruits to trials, as systems or health services. does almost every clinical oncolo- Conversely, around 80 % of gist. research spend goes on drugs

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trials, with much less going to actual decisions on who should research in radiotherapy, surgery, deliver care – should it be consult- observational and qualitative ants, nurse specialists, GPs? The research. There is very little biggest area of healthcare spend research into models of health is least served by research, and service care – yet this is what we decisions, or practice ‘drift’, tend actually spend most money on. to be made in crisis mode, rather But there is actually evidence that than underpinned by evidence. changing the way we deliver care The benefits of taking part in can improve outcomes. Multi- research are not just confined to disciplinary team (MDT) meetings the developed world, he said, were introduced (ahead of citing screening trials in India, for evidence) into cancer care in the example, which have shown last two decades and 95 % of positive outcomes. Nor, he argues, cases are now discussed in this should the quest for evidence be way. Professor Cameron is sure confined to health and healthcare. they make a difference – and this Education, for example, is the view is backed by a British Medical subject of much debate, but how Journal paper in 2012, which many schools, teachers and pupils shows MDTs mean better out- are involved in research to comes for breast cancer patients – improve the way we educate even in the oldest patients, and people? Could a systematic, the poorest patients, who would evidence-based approach be more be expected to do less well effective than the current way we generally. do things? Although the MDT approach has Professor Cameron concluded now been validated by research, that clinical trials improve the Professor Cameron cautioned overall health service, that they are against making wholesale sometimes good for individual changes to healthcare delivery patients, and that they are good models without the benefit of for the wider patient population. research. For example, he said The challenge for the future is to there were no data to show that embed research even further into the current health reforms the health service – and to look planned in England were the right purposefully at its possible thing to do; likewise, on changes application to other disciplines to junior doctor training, and such as education.

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Professor Niall Ferguson Laurence A. Tisch Professor of History at Harvard University, USA 28 June 2012 The Rule of Law and its Enemies: Civil and Uncivil Society 2012 BBC Reith Lectures

As Ken MacQuarrie, the Controller Then, Ferguson said, it had of BBC Scotland, said in his happened. He asked for volun- introduction of this year’s Reith teers in exchange for lunch and lecturer, Professor Niall Ferguson they achieved modest success. is an academic whose work The real breakthrough came when encompasses the “great sweep” he made contact with the local of history. But it was to a small Lions Club, a charitable organisa- and less historic part of the Welsh tion of which he had never heard coastline that Ferguson took his but which he found out dedicated audience for the starting point of itself to good causes. It brought his exploration of “civil and uncivil organisation and, as a result, the societies.” shoreline was transformed. That Ferguson explained that a decade had taught him the value of ago he had purchased a house on spontaneous community action. A the coast of South Wales in a dumping ground had been rugged, windswept area that turned into a beauty spot again. reminded him of his native How many other places could be Ayrshire. He had chosen the transformed like this, he thought? location because it was beside the His series of lectures, he contin- sea but there was a catch. The ued, was aimed at opening up once pristine beach in front of the “black boxes” and tonight’s was property was “hideously” strewn labelled “civil society.” Properly with rubbish. Thousands of plastic understood, civil society is the bottles littered the sand and rocks realm of voluntary associations and plastic bags fluttered in the and institutions established by wind. Drinks cans lay rusting in citizens with a non-profit objec- the dunes. Dismayed, he had tive. These could range from asked locals who was responsible schools to clubs dedicated to the for cleaning it up and the reply whole range of human activities. had been the council. On realising The RSE, for example, exemplified that was unlikely to happen, he civil society at its best, as it was had set out, with black bin bags, independent societies such as the to clean up the beach himself. RSE that played a large part in the However, it was too big a job for Scientific Revolution and the one man. 106 Lectures

Enlightenment. At an individual secular and religious organisa- level, there was a time when the tions is the cause of widening average Briton or American was a inequality in the US today. member of a large number of And if there is a decline in the US, societies, but this is no longer the Ferguson asked, what hope for case. But, Ferguson asked, how Europe? The facts speak for can the nation flourish without a themselves. The final Citizenship vibrant civil society? Without civil Survey for England in 2009/10 society, society becomes uncivil, makes for “truly dismal” reading. with antisocial behaviour becom- Only one in four people were ing a problem for the State. And found to be doing formal volun- Ferguson added that he wanted tary activity once a month - and to cast doubt on the notion that that was usually a sponsored the new social networks of the activity. The percentage of those Internet were in any way a people who informally volun- substitute for the type of commu- teered at least once a month – to, nity network that helped to clear for example, help an elderly his beach. neighbour – was down from 35% The French writer Alexis de to 29%. Charitable giving is also Tocqueville declared that nowhere in decline. had the principle of association So what is happening? Putnam been more successfully applied puts it down to the growth of than in America. But even there, technology – first TV and then the Ferguson argued, associational Internet – sucking the life out of vitality is in steep decline. His traditional associational life. But Harvard colleague, Robert Tocqueville believed it was not Putnam, has studied decline technology but the State, with its between the 1960s and the seductive promises of “cradle to 1990s, finding that attendance at grave” care, that was the real public meetings on town or enemy of civil society. school affairs was down 35%, service as an officer of a club or But can the growing omnipres- organisation was down 39 %, ence of social media have any membership of parent–teacher effect on nurturing a civil society? associations was down 61% and Ferguson thinks its effectiveness is membership of bowling leagues exaggerated. Facebook, for down 73%. In fact, most organi- example, allows people to share sations which had once brought opinions on whatever they like. people together in the US are in But take its role in the Arab decline. And there is a wider Spring. Colonel Gaddafi was not effect, with some academics overthrown in Libya because he arguing that the decline in both

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was “unfriended”on Facebook, doubt that over the last 100 years Ferguson said. If he had “poked” or so, the expansion of public his Facebook friends about his sector schools has been a good beach, would it have been cleared thing. They have produced a in the same way that contact with literate, numerate and more a network of effective strangers productive workforce. But there is allowed? He doubts it. a need to recognise the limits of To see how right the “wise old public monopolies in education. Frenchman” was, Ferguson It is private schools that are now challenged his audience to count setting and raising standards the number of clubs they are across the world. That does not involved in. He said he is involved mean, Ferguson said, that he is in three, gives to two charities, is advocating either independent the member of a gym and sup- schools or state schools – there is ports a football club. He is most room for both – only that a mix of active, however, as an alumnus of the two would provide meaning- the educational institutions in ful competition. Would Harvard which he was taught in his youth be Harvard if it were nationalised? – Glasgow Academy and The answer is emphatically no, he Magdalen College, Oxford. He insisted. also gives time to the places In the UK, the opposite has where his children are being happened, with the universities educated and the university in essentially reduced to agencies of which he teaches. the National Higher Education And why is he so partial towards Service. But, Ferguson argued, the these independent educational UK’s universities still charge less institutions? In his opinion, the than they should, even with the best institutions in the UK today recent increase in tuition fees. The are its independent schools, and result? Most UK universities are in the one educational policy he a permanent state of financial would like to see adopted crisis. Only seven made it into the throughout the country is be a recent Times league table of the significant increase in private top 50 world universities, yet the educational institutions, along UK boasts some of the finest with an attendant increase in the secondary schools on the planet. bursaries that allow children from This is because mediocre “free” poorer backgrounds to attend State schooling has incentivised them. the emergence of a really good private system. This is not to say there is no need for State schools. There is no Change is taking place, but predominantly at present in

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England, where, ironically, the independently run – providing policies are being pursued by a choice in education to around two Scotsman. Conservative Educa- million people in some of the tion Secretary Michael Gove has poorest areas. They do better, picked up ideas from a former Ferguson said, because they are “Fettes lad”, Labour Prime both accountable and autono- Minister Tony Blair, which involve mous. turning failing schools into self- Despite the advances made in governing academies. Numbers England, Ferguson argued, there have gone from 200 to approach- are still further steps to be taken, ing half of all secondary schools, even by Michael Gove. They would with some showing what can be be to increase the number of done when the “dead hand” of schools that are truly independent the local council is removed. Even in terms of funding, and truly free, more promising, Ferguson in terms of being able to select contended, is the new breed of pupils by ability. There are no “Free schools” being set up by such inhibitions on private parents, teachers and others. Not education elsewhere – in coun- selective, they remain State- tries such as Sweden and Brazil, or funded, but they have introduced India and parts of Africa. The higher standards of discipline and problem in the UK is not that learning. In Scotland, they are there are too many private schools conspicuous by their absence, yet but too few, and if their charitable they are part of a global trend in status is removed there will be which “smart” countries are even fewer. At present, only 7 % jettisoning state education of British teenagers are privately monopolies and allowing civil educated, about the same as in society back into education. the US. The reason why Asian Ferguson argued that many other pupils are excelling internationally, countries – even some regarded as Ferguson maintained, is because bastions of welfare state provision 25 % of pupils in Macau, Hong - are much further forward in their Kong, South Korea, Taiwan and recognition of the value of Japan are privately educated. Yet independent schools. Numbers it has been demonstrated that a have soared in Scandinavian 10 % increase in private school countries such as Sweden and enrolment brings a corresponding Denmark. In Holland, two-thirds increase in attainment. of students now attended And more private education independent schools. Today in means better education for the US, there are 2000 “Charter” everyone, especially as many schools – publicly funded but private schools are expanding

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bursary provision. The 20th- governing ourselves, fighting Century educational revolution crime, educating our children; in was in providing education for other words, clearing the beach everyone. The 21st-Century ourselves. revolution would be in making In conclusion, Ferguson said it is better education available to more probably clear that he believes in students. “If you are against that, the benefits of independent then you are for keeping too action rather than reliance on the many students in lousy schools,” State. “If that is a conservative Ferguson said. position, then so be it,” he added. The bigger picture, Ferguson Once, not least in Scotland, it was insisted, using education as an considered to be the essence of example, is that over the last 50 true liberalism. His argument is years, government has encroached that the country is living through far too much on the realm of civil a “profound crisis” of the society. Yet, like Tocqueville, institutions that were once the key Ferguson believes that spontane- to our success as a civilisation; ous action by citizens is better that our once vibrant civil society than central State action. True is in a state of decay, not because citizenship is not just about voting of technology but because of the and earning and staying on the “excessive pretensions” of the right side of the law, but about State. It is now time to “clear up participating in the wider troupe, the beach.”

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Dr Iona Heath, President of the Royal College of General Practitioners 10 September 2012 Love’s Labours Lost: Why Society is Straitjacketing its Professionals and How We Might Release Them Michael Shea Memorial Lecture Organised in partnership with the International Futures Forum

The human touch has always been Dr Heath painted a picture of a an important part of being a Britain where professionals aren’t professional – yet this is being put what they once were: they have at risk by an increasingly mecha- been transformed into ‘units’, nistic and target-driven world. Dr expected to behave in a standard- Iona Heath, a leading GP thinker, ised way, and the same goes for believes something extremely the members of the public they important has been lost. are there to serve. Professionals have traditionally Talking of ‘love’ (as in the title of been trusted to do their best for the lecture), Dr Heath explained individuals, responding to their that she meant it in the sense of humanity, and making judgments the Greek word ‘agape’, which based on experience and trust. Yet she defined as the “disinterested today’s world wants them to work but unconditional commitment in a far more standardised way, displayed by professionals”. driven by targets, protocols and Clinicians must be able to ‘love’ the needs of a generalised their patients as well as the population. This is bad for populations they work with – professionals, and bad for those comprehending the world in they serve, said Dr Iona Heath. emotional as well as epidemiolog- Having been a GP for more than ical terms, she said. In other 30 years, Dr Heath acknowledges words, they must be able to see that when she talks about and empathise with individuals, as ‘professionals’, her knowledge is well as looking at what’s best for mainly of those working in health the population as a whole. care. When talking about how She quoted John Berger, author of society is ‘straitjacketing’ profes- A Fortunate Man – which she sionals, however, what she has to called “the best book written say applies equally to teachers and about general practice” – who, social workers and, indeed, to any describing a country GP, wrote: group previously described as “his satisfaction comes from the ‘public servants’. cases where he faces forces which

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no previous explanation will fit, professionals could be knights, because they depend upon the but recipients could be queens – history of a patient’s particular once altruism wasn’t recognised it personality.” Writing almost 30 began to disappear”. years later, however, Berger said What was also lost in the Thatcher he had come to “mistrust most years was the sense that profes- doctors because they no longer sionals were working along the really love people”. frontiers of the future, and that So what changed? In Dr Heath’s mistakes were inevitable however view, what came in between, in hard one tries. There is little sense the government of Margaret that politicians understand what it Thatcher, was a nadir for the means to be a professional, she politics of hope, inclusiveness and said, nor do they understand the social solidarity. sheer scale of the work that those The economist Julian Le Grand, in the health service do. All the who was Health Advisor to Tony trends have led to a crude reduc- Blair, has written extensively on tionism in science and economics: social policy. He compares a both deal in false certainty, and ‘central economy’ – in which both fail to recognise subjectivity, professionals are seen as either in professionals or the ‘knights’, acting altruistically, recipients of services. Reduction- while those receiving services are ism treats the body as a machine, ‘pawns’, passively grateful for the disconnected from human services they get – to a ‘market suffering, and doesn’t acknowl- economy’ – in which pawns edge that there are actually no become ‘queens’ because the easy answers, and that you can’t customer is always right, and reduce everything to an algorithm. professionals are recast as The illusion of certainty – the idea ‘knaves’, seen as acting in their that there are always right own interests unless constrained answers – becomes the basis for by regulation. control and coercion, she said. She quoted Nobel physicist “When I embarked on my career Wiener Heisenberg, who pointed in 1974, to be a public servant out that scientific knowledge only was to be doing something covers a tiny part of reality, and good,” said Dr Heath. “By the end that “the other part that has not of the 1980s the same role had yet been understood is infinite”. become, through a painful and demoralising process, somehow False certainty closes down despicable. What had disap- curiosity and constrains the reach peared”, she said, “was any idea of our minds, Dr Heath added. of a ‘gift economy’, where Professional power is waning, and

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has been replaced not by patient But if it also wipes out the best, is empowerment, (which has also this really the way we want to go? been diminished), but by corpo- There are clear dangers in the rate power. It is in the interests of rigid application of protocols corporate power to replace both based on general populations to patients and doctors with replace- individuals – it’s a way of eroding able ‘units’, one of which needs sensitivity, flexibility and innova- healthcare, while the other tion in the way that care is provides it. This is leading to a delivered. Surely we shouldn’t be move to a system of care driven by stifling creativity in professionals paper and computers, rather than or in patients? by touch. It also, incidentally, leads to lots of profits for corporations. “We’re too busy ‘doing’ so there’s This is in the interests of global no time to think”, she said, capital because standardised quoting the philosopher Mary patients and professionals mean Midgley. Yet it’s only because we markets are maximised; it’s also don’t understand anything, and good for politicians because it’s can’t control the future, that it’s easier for them to control. possible to live. The exercise of power always Dr Heath then turned to the case breeds resistance, however, and of Harold Shipman, the GP results in the Hobbesian situation convicted of murdering patients. in which rational beings try to find The view seemed to be, she said, ingenious ways to avoid comply- that because something dreadful ing, which can mean had happened, everything must manipulation of the system, which change. She said she didn’t in turn can scupper political believe the Shipman case had intentions. As part of control, Dr affected the trust between herself Heath added, the rhetoric of ‘risk’ and her patients. Patients still and ‘safety’ has become very went to see their doctors the day powerful, and now trumps other after the Shipman verdicts aspirations such as allowing because they needed someone to children to explore and learn from trust and to care for them. Two their own experience. We’re wrongs don’t make a right: the encouraged to avoid risk, and lead first wrong was the Shipman ever-more regulated lives, “devoid murders, but this would not be of fun and thrills”. Standardisa- wiped out by “the increasing tion of professionals is seen as a surveillance and coercion of good way of managing risk and doctors”. “The idea that trust can improving safety because it be secured by regulation is at best eliminates the worst of practice. questionable,” she added.

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An obsession with measurement Patients and doctors must be free is trying to define, demonise and from coercion. While politicians coerce ‘deviant’ behaviour among put the needs of the population doctors and patients. But statistics above those of the individual, can be used to mask real priori- clinicians cannot do the same if ties. For example, we’re told we they are to retain the trust of have a pandemic of depression, patients; they must remain but depression is actually a sensitive to individual need. reaction to a complex set of Population-based public health factors. To focus on depression as initiatives damage and detract a mental illness, and to fail to from individual patient care, address social injustices such as replacing individuals with some- inadequate housing and lack of thing more abstract. opportunity, is to fail those on the Doctors need several types of losing side of society. literacy: medical, physical, emo- Our view of humans as essentially tional and cultural. But all of these unknowable is further obscured must take place in a context of by an obsession with numbers. moral literacy. “Because making But we should value ‘difference’ professional judgements in the and individuality in our patients, face of uncertainty requires great and in professionals. Professional courage,” Dr Heath concluded, judgment should not be sub- “we must do everything possible sumed to numbers and not to lose the commitment, the measurements. Medicine must courage or the openness that always balance the technical and makes up the love in our profes- the moral, but professional sional labours.” judgment is being crushed between government regulation on the one side and the market forces of competition on the other.

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Professor Tom Devine OBE HonMRIA FBA FRSE University of Edinburgh 17 September 2012 Scottish History in Question: An Evening with Professor Tom Devine Part of the RSE @ Lochaber Programme Nevis Range, Fort William

Scottish history has never been them readable and accessible and more popular or relevant. At this makes you think. This is what launch event for the new RSE @ Scots need to do over the next Lochaber Programme 2012/13, couple of years – think about the best-selling historian, Profes- where we are going and look at sor Tom Devine, spoke briefly on where we’ve come from to assist the new interest in Scottish us in this”. History and answered questions Professor Devine noted that the from the audience on key and union of Scotland and England controversial issues of the nation’s over the last three hundred years past and their relationship to the has had a major impact all over present and future. The event was the world. His discipline, Scottish chaired by the Rt Hon Charles History, focuses not only on the Kennedy MP. history of the nation itself, but Charles Kennedy, introducing also on the effect that the nation Professor Devine, commented on and its people, including engi- the modern-day fascination with neers, medics, professors and twenty-four-hour news, bringing merchants, have had globally. with it declining standards and Professor Devine considers that bitter competition for stories one of the most fascinating and amongst the media providers, rewarding aspects of his career noting that much of this results in has been his involvement in a “speculative nonsense filling up subject area that has moved from broadcast hours and column the periphery of Scottish educa- inches but not actually getting tion and interest to centrality. He you much further with the story”. remarked on the extraordinary He suggested that for journalists changes in the study of Scottish looking to predict the future their History since he became a univer- best guide is to look to the past sity teacher in 1969. Many Scots and “see what got us to where we did not receive an education are today”. Charles Kennedy about their own country until remarked that the “genius of recently. Indeed, Professor Devine people like Tom Devine, is that he “gave up” on history at school. takes complex issues and makes

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Today, however, there has been an narrative, i.e. what happened and amazing transformation in how when, becomes boring and could the subject is taught in school and be better described as antiquari- university. “Scottish history has anism. He believes that history is now come of age and can hold its “why things happen and their head high among the internation- consequences”. al areas of historical study”. In the Professor Devine suggested that current climate of semi-tension the essence of the study of history between Scotland and England, is to try to discover the absolute Professor Devine pointed out that truth, which is largely impossible. he was taught at university In the absence of this endeavour, overwhelmingly by English society loses its collective memory historians who, with the huge and myth floods in. Today, society expansion of Scottish universities, is more sophisticated and the brought with them cutting-edge sense of mythology is not some- international research methodolo- thing to be traduced and gies and objectives. He dismantled, but an aspect of commented that the English culture to be understood, asking dynamic was central, and whilst questions about why people most of his former teachers are no believe the way they do. Professor longer alive, their students are Devine described one of the great now playing a pivotal role in the glories of speaking to a public developing dynamic of Scottish audience as “seeing the scales historical study, and he would falling from their eyes”, coupled never like to see a situation where with the response of ‘I didn’t the role of those English scholars know it was like that’. He believes is forgotten. the whole point of studying Does Scottish history have any history is the need to try and relevance in the 21st Century? – search for the truth and, in turn, Can you justify Scottish history? “occasionally that truth can Professor Devine considers the fashion how people think in the study of Scottish History to be the modern period and how they vote “Queen of all disciplines”. In an and how they act. It is no coinci- academic sense, history is a dence that totalitarian regimes try principal mode of study; all the to introduce a kind of state- modern social sciences, including sponsored history, an sociology, anthropology and understanding of the past that economics, are dependent upon suits their regime. The historian evidence and evidence is histori- has got to be left to be totally cal. Professor Devine commented liberated and to fear no one!” that history as description and

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Professor Devine stated that the 18th Century and the possibility current debate on Scottish history, of a deracinated Scotland, as a particularly in schools, can lead consequence of it going through potentially to the ‘Burns Supper’ the most rapid process of industri- school of Scottish history and alisation and urbanisation in the enduring introspection. He western world. England’s great suggested that the teaching of leap forward was evolutionary; history in Scottish schools should Scotland’s was radically transfor- have a ‘spinal cord’ of the national mational. There was a huge and local aspects, but with an nostalgic urge in society to lean equally important inclusion of the back to earlier times and to look British, European and global at societies in Scotland that were dynamic. distinctively non- Anglo – “where So much of Scottish history and better than the Highlands for the iconic images of Scotland have this?” their origins in the Highlands – Professor Devine described how much of this is due to Walter Highland history as extraordinarily Scott and Romanticism? seductive. “Everything is there in Professor Devine stated that the the Highlands, the decay of origin of ‘Highlandism’ is an clanship, tribalism, famine, mass extraordinary phenomenon and emigration. In the Lowlands, that this is a highly complex issue. clearance took place a hundred In the 1851 Census, Scotland had years earlier and the physical more males employed in industry remains of that great transforma- per head of population than tion no longer exist. When, as an England, which made it the most historian, you go into an area industrialised nation in the world, littered with remains of one of the and yet it was presenting to the great transformations of history, it world not only a rural face but a is no wonder that it is possible to Highland face. Walter Scott was be seduced, especially since these no doubt influential, but more remains are in areas of aching interesting is why his writings had natural beauty”. such an effect. “One possible Discussion of the role of the explanation, amongst others, is Churches throughout Scottish that from the late 18th Century History. onwards there was a striving for a Charles Kennedy commented that continued Scottish identity within one of the interesting features in the Union, but without compro- current Scottish politics and civic mising the Union and its life is the role of the Churches. He prosperity. Highlandism is based asked Professor Devine to com- on notions developing in the late

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ment on their definitive role inspirational developments of the throughout history. 1960s and 70s within the subject, One of the most extraordinary which have encouraged an events of Professor Devine’s career interest in ‘Scottishness’ and was the invitation to speak at Scottish identity. Glasgow Cathedral on the How prevalent is archaeology in anniversary of the Reformation in Scottish History today? 2011. He used the event to stress Archaeological science is abso- the importance of the Presbyterian lutely fundamental to historians. It tradition to the development of is where science and history come the Scottish nation. In the past, together – the study of material discussion of Presbyterianism has remains and the partial documen- focused on its negative issues tation of the period. Professor relating to fanaticism and mental Devine quoted the recent work control; however, today it is undertaken at the Culloden agreed by most scholars that battlefield site, whereby archaeo- Scottish Calvinism was at the logical endeavour showed that heart of the Scottish Enlighten- the documentary records were ment of the 18th Century and, as inaccurate. Additionally, archaeo- such, the Kirk has had a huge logical work at the crofting effect on Scottish life and history. township of Shiaba on the Ross of However, Professor Devine noted Mull recognises that archaeology that when the media are seeking does not only belong to the dark comment on various issues, they ages but also the pre-improve- most often look to the Scottish ment era. Catholic hierarchy, not the Church of Scotland, to give this, as they One of the intriguing aspects of can be certain of getting views the current constitutional debate which even the Catholic congre- is that there was a school of gation would sometimes find thought 20–30 years ago that controversial. devolution ‘would kill Scottish Nationalism stone dead’. Can you Why is Scottish history poorly see why that argument might researched and taught? have applied? Professor Devine considers this to All the current data in terms of no longer be the case. There has opinion polls suggest that the been a major change in the vast majority of the Scottish teaching of Scottish history in population at the moment wants schools and universities. This is further devolution, but not not just to do with the excellence necessarily independence. of the discipline, but also to the Professor Devine stated that “you

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could argue that devolution and ing abundance of evidence; devolution max are a further however for the mediaevalist there demonstration of the extraordi- is a scarcity of it. Professor Devine nary flexibility of the stated, however, that if the Anglo–Scottish Union”. In the evidence was fit for purpose then 19th and early 20th Centuries his trade would not exist – the there was a condition of semi- challenge is to try to interpret the independence in Scotland, evidence, to select it and try to whereby although the Westmin- understand it. ster Parliament was sovereign, Do you think that the widespread most of the day-to-day Scottish emigration of the 18th and 19th decisions were dealt with ‘in- Centuries contributed solely to the house’ by Burgh Councils, local deprivation of the region, or were organisations, the Kirk and other there reasons other than clear- voluntary organisations. In the ance? second half of the 20th Century, and particularly since the 1980s, The impact of emigration varies there was more interventionism according to region, social group from the Westminster government and over time. Scots have been on a scale which had not been emigrating in significant numbers seen since the Jacobite rebellions since the 13th Century. Between of the 1740s. This ‘interference’ 1750 and the famine of the meant that the balance of the 1840s, the Highland region did Union was adversely affected, contribute disproportionately to leading to the current situation. the numbers leaving Scotland Professor Devine commented that and, in addition to opportunity- it is therefore possible to argue led emigration, there was that devolution and devolution undoubtedly coercive activity max are a sign of the organic happening. However, Professor response of the Union to threat. Devine stated that it is interesting to note that at any given point Is Mediaeval Scottish History still a from 1861 to World War II, no somewhat neglected period? more than one in 17 Scottish Professor Devine does not see any emigrants were from the High- sign of decline in the study of lands. “The Scots tended to Mediaeval Scottish History. He ‘punch above their weight’ in the stated that his mediaevalist colonies of settlement, many of colleagues have been very success- them were semi-skilled or skilled, ful in attracting large-scale and a small minority were even funding for major projects. The university graduates. There is difficulty with studying post-1700 nothing genetic in the Scottish Scottish History is the overwhelm- DNA which meant they were

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going to have such a huge effect; emigration from the late 19th it was because, unlike the illiterate Century to the present, you can peasants of other parts of Europe, not forget modern migration – they were coming from one of the between 1945 and 1981, most advanced economies in the 760,000 Scots left Scotland world. The regions to which they forever, and only since the mid migrated had huge potential in 1990s has there been a positive terms of raw material, land and balance between emigration and cheap labour – the one thing they migration. lacked was effective technical And finally, do you have a favour- labour, which Scotland could ite historian? provide”. “That would have to be Eric Professor Devine commented that Hobsbawm”. when trying to explain Scottish

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Professor Peter Clarke FRSE University of Edinburgh 20 September 2012 The Large Hadron Collider, the Higgs Boson and Other Questions about the Universe Part of the RSE @ Lochaber Programme Kilchoan Learning Centre

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) galaxies move very differently to has been in and out of the news how we would expect if they were since it started operation in comprised of only conventional 2008. Most recently, the LHC matter which we can see – leading made a long-awaited announce- to the need for dark matter. ment of the discovery of a particle Indeed, it is not really understood widely thought to be the Higgs why there is actually any matter boson. This is the first of many still in existence in the Universe unanswered questions about the since, originally, there would have Universe which the LHC is striving been equal quantities of matter to answer. This public talk ex- and anti-matter created that plored what the LHC is and how it should then have collided and works, illustrating some of the annihilated each other, leaving feats of engineering required to nothing but photons. Another make it possible. It described major unknown is the fundamen- some of the large tal origin of mass, and this is what experiments operating there to the Higgs boson is all about. see how they observe new Notwithstanding that there is so particles and discussed what the much we don’t know and under- Higgs boson is and why it pro- stand, what we do know is duced so much excitement in the understood in significant detail. physics community. Indeed, 99% of the matter we Introducing the topic, Professor know about comprises protons Clarke cited the adage that as we and neutrons. These are essential- delve deeper into a topic, then ly formed of ‘quarks’ of which often we realise that there is even there are two main types – ‘up more that we don’t actually know. quarks’ and ‘down quarks’. With regard to the makeup of the Additionally there are also Universe, we don’t know what ‘neutrinos’, of which there are 95% of it is made of, though thousands travelling through us believe this comprises around all the time. 25% dark matter and 70% dark energy. As an example, stars and

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The Large Hadron Collider makes has no electrical resistance when new particles. This is achieved by very cold. taking protons, accelerating, and At several points around the then colliding them. The resulting tunnel the beams are brought annihilation effectively produces together to collide. This results in energy, from which anything can thousands of particles being be created. Following the principle created. At those points large 2 of E=mc , the heavier the mass of ‘experiments’ detect which the particle, the more energy is particles are produced, take required. Consequently, to create measurements such as their and detect heavier particles such momentum, and track where they as the ‘Higgs boson’, larger go. Essentially, the information accelerators are required to from the detectors can be used to produce both high energy and a reconstruct and explain what has very high collision rate. happened in the collision process. CERN is the European Centre for At CERN, there are four major Nuclear Research. The site strad- detectors which run continuously dles the French/ Swiss border close 24 hours every day for many to Geneva and has become the months. This creates enormous most important site in the world amounts of data, of the order of for particle physics. After starting 20 petabytes a year (one petabyte with a small circular accelerator, equals one million gigabytes). The the size has increased to the point analysis requires around a million where the current tunnel is now programs to be run each day, 27km in circumference and is which requires the use of 300,000 located at a depth of 100 metres. computers all around the world. Around the circuit there are four main access points where the A principal question being detectors are located. considered by the research at the LHC is why there is any matter and Within the tunnels, there are two antimatter left. The approach beams of protons orbiting being taken is to examine how separately in opposite directions. matter behaves differently to The protons are guided around antimatter, as there must have the ring using superconducting been such an imbalance in the magnets which produce a very early universe. The LHCb experi- large vertical magnetic field. ment is specifically designed for Superconducting magnets use this purpose and measures these liquid helium cooling to operate differences precisely to character- at minus 271 degrees Centigrade, ise and search for new sources of and carry a huge electrical current this phenomenon. using superconducting wire which

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Other research being conducted requires everything to have no at LHC is the search for ‘dark fundamental mass, which clearly is matter’. Dark matter candidates wrong. A ‘fix’ was suggested by are associated with a theory of theoreticians including Higgs, ‘super symmetry’ which proposes Brout and Englert, which is known that for all the particles we know as the ‘Higgs mechanism’. about, there is a set of partner Essentially it proposes that what particles that differ by one half was believed to be empty space is unit of ‘spin’. It is one of these not actually empty space but is partner particles that could filled with the ‘Higgs field’, which account for some dark matter. attaches itself to particles and in Since particles decay and in doing doing so gives them mass. so transmute into other particles, To help explain this, Professor the objective is to measure the Clarke used the analogy of a entire decay chain and determine balloon moving through air or if there is energy that missed the treacle. Whereas the balloon detectors and was unaccounted would accelerate easily through for. This could be the signature of the air, it would accelerate much dark matter; however none has more slowly through the treacle, ever been found as yet. Professor making it feel heavier. Of course, Clarke believes if we are lucky this in this case, this is just viscous could be the next big discovery. drag, but the Higgs field effect is It is a current discovery, however, not dissimilar to the treacle that has been attracting the whereby, as opposed to the attention of both the scientific nothing of being empty, the community and the general media interaction of a particle of matter and relates to the ‘discovery’ of with the Higgs field around it the Higgs boson. We have a very gives the particle its mass. The precise theory of particle interac- field itself cannot be seen; tions – it seems to work however even in the absence of exceedingly well. For example, in particles passing through, there is the behaviour of electromagnet- still apparent activity because the ism, a certain quantity can be field can have its own particles – predicted and validated down to Higgs bosons – which have now 12 decimal places. However, the been finally detected. theory has a flaw in that it

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Dr Stefan Weber Director of the Museum of Islamic Art at the Pergamon Museum Berlin 27 September 2012 Fragments of a Lost Past or Evidence of a Connected History: The Role and Concepts of Islamic Art in the Museum Context joint event with the Alwaleed Centre, University of Edinburgh, and the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany

Dr Weber presented the first of creased presence of Muslims in four lectures being organised by our own countries. Edinburgh University’s Alwaleed Globalised culture and the closer Centre for the study of Islam in connections between the Islamic the contemporary world. He was and Western worlds present introduced by Professor Robert museums with new challenges Hillenbrand as someone with a and the need to address different profound knowledge of Islamic issues. Dr Weber said: “A hundred art, conservation and museum years ago we were talking about practice. His lecture revealed the societies that were far away, behind-the-scenes thinking which maybe colonial grocery shops out governed the way Islamic art has of which we could get some been presented to the public in specialist items, but not part of the past and how this is changing the daily environment.” for the future. Dr Weber also explored the approach being Dr Weber said that the concept of taken by his own museum, which Islamic art was developed by is being redesigned to meet the Western academics to describe the needs of a rapidly-growing objects they regarded as being of number of visitors. high quality and with importance to a particular place or period. It The events of recent years have can incorporate items from many increased Western interest in the social spheres. He showed painted Islamic world. There is an aware- interiors of Ottoman houses in ness that we know little about Syria, items created for the Middle Eastern cultures beyond pleasure of courtiers and objects the headlines of violence and of religious significance. It is a crisis. Visitors are heading for highly complex field, as it endeav- museums in search of a greater ours to understand the cultural understanding of the histories expression from many dynasties, and cultures of Islamic people. Dr geographies and eras. Weber added that interest has also risen because of the in- Museums take different approaches to Islamic art. The Freer

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Gallery of Art in Washington oriental carpets into “style concentrates on masterpieces. A rooms”, being part of the aesthet- small number of items are ic experience at Renaissance displayed, presented as monu- palaces. ments, and explained with text Bode was determined to open up beside them. Others, such as the the museum world to different Turkish and Islamic Art Museum in artistic legacies – establishing the Istanbul, are focused on the first museum of Islamic art in the histories of particular spaces. West. He used objects to break These gather items from mosques, down borders and show cultural palaces and other places and connections and continuities. A present them by theme. Different prime example was an ornate again are those which tell the section of stone façade from story of specific sites – such as Jordan’s Mshatta desert castle Cordoba’s Mardinat al-Zahra which could not be dated with Museum. This reveals the history confidence (though it is now of a key archaeological site from thought to be from a caliphal one of the cultural high points of palace of the 740s CE). Despite Islamic Spain. In each case, uncertainty over its origin, the decisions are being made about façade was used as the entry point what the objects stand for and the for a gallery of Islamic art because, story they tell. Islamic or not, it represented the According to Dr Weber, it is same cultural landscape. important to recognise that A further step forward was taken museums are cultural creations in in 1927, with the decision to themselves and reflect the ideas move the Mshatta façade into the and values of their creators. Pergamon Museum (opened in Before the emergence of the idea 1932). Here it was positioned of Islamic art, Western academia alongside objects from Late looked at the Middle East in terms Antiquity from the Roman and of ethnology – attempting to Greek Middle East. At the same systematise how people lived. time, there was a growing Events such as the World Fair of recognition of the importance of 1851 changed ideas, and people chronology and that museum began wanting to see objects collections should show how art because of their technical and developed over time. Quite design merits. By the end of the revolutionary was the idea that art 19th Century, the emphasis was history could only be understood shifting again as interest grew in by showing how, for example, trying to integrate Islam into a early Islamic art flowed from pre- world history. The museum Islamic cultures. designer Bode began to gather

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By the 1950s and ‘60s, galleries the meaning of the space it came and museums were heavily under from – and that it may be of the influence of modernist ideas beauty in its own right, be and there was a movement to technically brilliant or of an simply present objects as objects. extraordinary aesthetic quality, but This saw a reduction in explana- has even more to offer when it is tion and contextualisation, leaving understood in context. The big the visitor to be alone with their question is how to connect the own response to the art. The objects in a collection with the development had started already great traditions which gave rise to with the famous 1910 exhibition them. of München in the light of the The Pergamon Museum is Neue Sachlichkeit, and was an planning for major changes in important step in recognising 2019. This will allow it to create a pieces of Islamic art as art objects better cultural narrative in which in their own right. Almost all the Mshatta façade will stand Islamic art galleries in the last alongside the Ishtar Gate, from decades followed this trend and Babylon, and objects from the led to a strikingly uniform interna- Hellenistic and Roman Middle tional gallery style. This, according East. Pre-Islamic and Byzantine to Dr Weber, presented difficulties elements will be incorporated in for people who went to museums order to provide an overview of and galleries to find out more the region’s history. about a subject. While the curators understood why objects One of the big issues confronting were placed together, visitors did the museum is how to represent not. the sheer complexity of Islamic history to a huge audience, which Since the turn of the Millennium, has grown by 50% during the last there has been a shift away from three years. Decisions have to be galleries as neutral spaces. Design made about which objects to is now used to enhance the display and the stories to tell. impact of the objects on display. Museums, argued Dr Weber, are In some cases it is the exhibition places where scholarly knowledge space and design that the visitor is is transmitted to a general exposed to first, and the art population that may have little objects second. background in the subject. It is of Scholars and curators are currently critical importance that ideas can reappraising how museums be expressed clearly and easily should be organised. Dr Weber absorbed. Advances in technolo- said he believes that one of the gy, such as multi-media meanings of an object is linked to presentations and smartphone

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apps, now provide a range of will also be arranged to reflect options – and some objects are so spheres of life, including homes, powerful they need little explana- gardens and places of religion. tion. Each will be infused with the Currently the museum is organ- atmosphere of these types of ised by dynasty but, according to a spaces. survey, visitors only remember the Underlying the redesign are names of 1.5 dynasties after they concepts of vertical and horizontal leave (multiple choice question). connections. The vertical involves Dr Weber said: “That means that showing where objects stand as the 50 or so students and profes- part of a tradition. Dr Weber said: sionals of Islamic art in Germany “Islamic art doesn’t start with the can work with our system but the Qur’an … but develops out of the 730,000 visitors of last year common heritage of the Mediter- cannot – and the museum is not ranean, Mesopotamia and the for us scholars but for the public.” Iranian world.” The horizontal The museum will retain a very shows how people, places and strong, but simplified, chronology. objects are linked at any given It will not only be organised by time, such as the excavated time, but each area will have a pottery from the Abbasid capital sense of place, period and topic. of Samarra which uses ancient According to Dr Weber, a sense of Middle Eastern blue pigments to structure and a strong narrative synthesise Chinese decorative are essential. Unlike the scholar, styles with cheaper local pottery. the general public will be lost if The blue and white from ninth- they are abandoned in a free Century Iraq is, in turn, linked to floating space, as they do not the later Delftware which achieved have the established knowledge such popularity in the UK. In to create links between the closing, Dr Weber said such objects on display. One approach narratives are of tremendous value being taken in the redesigned as they allow visitors to relate Pergamon Museum will be to other cultures to their own, provide orientation rooms where making them easier to understand people can learn about chronolo- and appreciate. gies and cultures. The museum

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Dr Jonathan Murray Edinburgh College of Art 28 September 2012 Location, Location, Location: Lochaber (and Scotland) in Cinema Part of the RSE @ Lochaber Programme Kinlochleven High School

From Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 stops being simply a location and Steps (1935) to forthcoming becomes somewhere to which Hollywood blockbusters such as people attach emotion. In this way World War Z, Scotland’s natural unremarkable places can become and urban landscapes have important parts of our national inspired generations of filmmak- cultural heritage”. ers from home and abroad. While The relationship between cinema some movies shot in Scotland use and place has a local relevance, the country simply as a breathtak- with a long list of very well known ing backdrop, many others have films having been filmed either much to tell us about global views wholly or partly in Lochaber; for of the nation’s history, culture and example, the Harry Potter films identity. Focusing on a diverse utilising landmarks such as the range of films, including some Glenfinnan Viaduct. Dr Murray shot in and around the Lochaber noted that cinema allows us to area, this talk identified and travel widely and instantaneously, explored some of the key themes regardless of age, health and within Scotland’s long (and wealth. For millions of people sometimes fraught) relationship around the globe, their knowl- with the moving image. Dr Murray edge of many places derives introduced the talk by comment- initially from the films they watch. ing on the recent announcement Dr Murray considered the reasons of the proposed demolition of a behind why so many films have seemingly unremarkable, 1970s- been set and shot in Scotland. His constructed high school building first suggestion revolved around at Abronhill, near Glasgow. This the fact that Scotland is a beauti- provoked a public outcry, as for ful, scenic country. Agencies many people this wasn’t just a charged with promoting Scotland school but the location for the to industry and visitors are not shy fondly-remembered Scottish film about reflecting this fact in their Gregory’s Girl, directed by Bill promotional text. Visit Scotland Forsyth. “When a place is repre- emphasises the ‘stunning land- sented on a big screen and the scape, rolling hills, rugged film finds a large audience, it mountains, castles, sprawling

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beaches; providing the perfect Dr Murray suggested that many backdrop for the world of cine- cinematic presentations of ma’. Dr Murray stated that many Scotland are an amalgam of the prominent filmmakers agree with real and illusory, of the natural this portrayal and gave the and the constructed. Depictions of example of Bill Forsyth’s film, Local the country are real and unreal at Hero. The beaches used in this the same time, and this runs film, which are located in Lochab- throughout the history of Scot- er, were chosen due to their tish- based film. This idea that unspoiled nature; the plot of the Scotland’s beauty is too good to film revolves around the idea that be true started with the 1954 film people can be profoundly Brigadoon, directed by Arthur changed for the better by the Freed. Freed visited Scotland in beauty and power of nature. 1953 to search for locations to Scotland is undoubtedly beautiful, film the musical but, although he but Dr Murray asked “why is this travelled widely within the and why do people think it so”. country, he couldn’t find any- One possibility is that it is beauti- where in Scotland that lived up to ful because it is largely unspoiled his preconceived impression of by human hand; or at least it is the country, its people and presented in this way to the landscape. Freed had “visited outside world. ‘Creative Scotland’ Scotland many times in his head, promotional material emphasises based on his cinema experience”. Scotland’s small population and Due to his inability to find empty terrain, suggesting it has ‘Scotland’ he literally physically more space and wilderness than constructed the film set for practically all other European Brigadoon from his imagination. countries. Dr Murray commented Dr Murray suggested that Briga- that this sense of Scotland being doon is a difficult film to talk beautiful because it is untouched about in contemporary times as it is seen in many films. The 1996 is easily scoffed at by younger Danish film Breaking the Waves is audiences. “They think it ridicu- unusual because it is punctuated lous and don’t take it seriously at by periods of up to a minute all. They cannot believe that showing solely a Highland vista; people were so naïve as to be asking the audience to confront entertained by such sentimental the beauty of the location and to ‘tosh’. Audiences today think they consider how this affects the are far more sophisticated and region’s culture and the people would never be taken in by films who live within it. which portray Scotland as a saccharine never-never land”.

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However, there is an argument to stranded in the Highlands and say that these audiences are cannot relate to the landscape. It perhaps not that dissimilar to is somewhat ironic that, whilst earlier times. Dr Murray cited the foreigners finds themselves at examples of the animated films home in a strange country, here a The Illusionist (Sylvain Chomet, group of natives find themselves 2010) and Brave (Pixar, 2012). alienated by an image which Both films portray a hyper-real, seems surreal to them. magical image of Scotland and are Dr Murray remarked on recurring based on an authentic but not themes in Scottish-based cinema. accurate vision of Scotland and Namely, that there is an emphasis are still, therefore, in Brigadoon on the idea that Scotland is a territory. Today’s filmmakers are place that is not simply visited, but simply recreating the ‘stereotypi- also discovered; that there is a cal’ images of Scotland on preferred vision of Scotland as an computers, rather than in the essentially natural rather than studio back lots used by Freed and man-made landscape and loca- his contemporaries. tion; and that many Scottish films “Movies work like maps; they depict a ‘halfway house’ between orientate us and give us a feeling an illusion that tricks us on the of knowledge and control over a one hand while still remaining place we have yet to physically very clearly unreal on the other. visit. There are many places we Within many Scottish films, the know and understand, but we story often involves the central never actually physically visit. character taking a physical journey Landscapes and people are not to the country and an act of only discovered by people; they border crossing. Additionally, can also be created by artists. there is a focus upon a clash of There is an argument that every- two different cultures, whereby where is just a creation of the cultures and their values and someone’s imagination”. For views of the world are personified domestic viewers, however, setting by the mobile, incoming individu- films in places that they live can al on the one hand and the stable alienate people; they recognise it local community on the other. to be fabricated in order to cater Dr Murray also noted that Scot- to the needs of the cinema land is frequently imagined as an audience. Dr Murray cited the island, whether literally or meta- example of the famous sequence phorically; somewhere that is from Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting, miraculously and magically in which a group of Edinburgh separate from other places, an drug addicts find themselves example of which is The Wicker

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Man. Frequently, films set in images of Scotland is that of a Scotland ‘say’ to the viewer ‘we place and culture that is pre- and/ are going somewhere else’; to an or anti-modern. This can be both ‘other-worldly’ place. The 1946 a positive representation of film I Know Where I’m Going Scotland as unspoiled, or negative focuses on the journey to Scot- in terms of the country appearing land and is an intensely uncivilised. Dr Murray asked romanticised view of Scotland. Dr “should we be bothered by this Murray considers that the viewer unreal portrayal of Scotland?” knows it is depicting a highly Contemporary domestic audienc- constructed image, and indeed es are much more comfortable the film itself is fully aware of this, with these stereotypical, fantasti- yet somehow it still ‘moves’ the cal images of Scotland than they audience. were 30 to 40 years ago, when Within many of these Scottish they were seen as being culturally films, the Scottish border rarely problematic, creating an image of simply signifies something ourselves which was outdated. geographical; the journey is also Today, commentators try to see metaphysical and the films self- both sides of the argument; whilst consciously transport audiences to this portrayal celebrates myth, it a magical version of Scotland. This also has an economic importance device emphasises the extent to to the country. Regarding the which characters are changed by economic imperative, the land- the landscape and country. For scape needs to be rendered example, in Local Hero, a material- financially productive, and the istic Texan business man is sent to romantic representation of the Highlands to buy up land, he landscape and place in cinema is arrives in the country and is one way of doing this, both in distracted and transformed into a terms of the domestic film more humane and attractive industry and also tourism. To person. quote Local Hero, after all, “you In conclusion, one of the most can’t eat scenery”. popular and enduring cinematic

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CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS, SYMPOSIA, SEMINARS AND DISCUSSION FORUMS

Science as a public enterprise; why and how should science be open?...... 134 Extreme Light: A New Paradigm For Fundamental Physics...... 135 Scotland and the United Kingdom ...... 138 Experimental and Theoretical Approaches to Conscious Processing ...... 142 Celebrating 100 years since the birth of Alan Turing ...... 146 Humanising the Workplace...... 147

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Discussion Forum Science as a Public Enterprise; Why and How Should Science be Open? Joint event with the Royal Society, London and the ESRC Genomics Policy and Research Forum 21 November 2011

Is there a need for a revolution in grappling with these issues in an the way that science is done? ongoing study: Science as a Public Science thrives on the open Enterprise. Professor Geoffrey exchange of ideas and data, but Boulton FRS FRSE road tested the needs to revisit how these group’s emerging conclusions in a principles apply in the digital age discussion at the RSE. The panel and against the rising expectation also included Sir Ken Calman KCB of transparency and increased FRSE, Professor Steve Yearley FRSE access to scientists’ work from and Professor Graeme Laurie colleagues and the public. What FMedSci FRSE. The discussion was should the principle of openness chaired by Professor Wilson be? The Royal Society, London is Sibbett CBE FRS FRSE.

134 Conferences, Workshops, Symposia and Discussion Forums

Franco–Scottish Seminar

Extreme Light: A New Paradigm For Fundamental Physics Joint event by the RSE and the French Embassy, London 16 February 2012

Laser Englighnment nothingness – or reveal that there The laser is just over 50 years old is ‘something’ in the vacuum after and Professor Gerard Mourou of all. the Institut de Lumière Extrême, The concept of the vacuum has ENSTA, traced its development evolved over thousands of years. from the early 1960s up to the Plato and Aristotle asked “how present, revealing how much it’s could nothing be something?” progressed through the years – and concluded that a vacuum was and some of the mind-boggling impossible. In developing his research the laser is helping to theory of universal gravitation, drive, including breakthroughs Newton thought that the refrac- which could help to illuminate the tion of light in space could only mysteries of fundamental high- be explained by the existence of energy physics... “aether,” while Maxwell said that Just when you think you know if this was correct, then aether what a vacuum is (and understand must be “hard as rock.” Einstein’s quantum physics), along comes theory of relativity suggested that Professor Mourou, a pioneer in aether was not needed at all to lasers, to enlighten you further. explain the passage of light Thanks to remarkable advances in through space, but Lorentz and technology over the last 50 years, quantum physicists later suggest- the laser is now on the brink of a ed that something like aether may new era of discovery, not just exist after all. “The laws of physics helping physicists study the are encoded in a vacuum struc- nature of matter but also, con- ture,” said Mourou. And if we can firming the existence of observe the “bending” of lasers mysterious things such as dark inside a vacuum, by firing a single, matter and dark energy, by very powerful pulse, it would tend shining lasers into a vacuum to to suggest that there is indeed observe the effects. After helping more than meets the eye in a scientists study the structure of vacuum, since if the vacuum was solid materials (e.g. quartz), lasers empty, the lasers would go in a will soon be used to study perfectly straight line.

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“We will now do the same with non first observed with lasers in lasers in a vacuum as we once did 1961 that could ultimately lead to with quartz,” said Mourou. “And a better understanding of the when we do the experiment, if we structure of matter and the laws observe deviations (i.e. a non- of physics. As Mourou said, “We linear effect in large all come from a vacuum – the electromagnetic fields), we will mother of all things”. The name need to explain them.” of the game, he said, is how to The evolution of lasers make real particles from virtual ones, using peak-power lasers, Mourou’s talk focused on the with IZEST (the International evolution of lasers and the kind of Center of Zetta-Exawatt Science research made possible since and Technology) leading the way lasers first appeared in 1960. At in a new area of study called that time, laser photon energy ‘ultra-relativistic optics’. In the had the power of just one 20th Century, physicists focused electronvolts (eV), compared to on particles with mass and charge. nowadays, when scientists are The 21st Century will be ‘the aiming to develop lasers capable photon century’, focusing on of producing radiation in the KeV massless and chargeless particles, and MeV regime and particles in using ultra-short, ultra-fast pulses the evt and even the ENP (teraelec- of radiation from very large-scale tronvolts and petaelectronvolts) lasers to produce very large fields range – a million million or a and induce very large disturbance billion million electronvolts. in atoms and nuclei, and finally Laser research has also gone in observing the effects in vacuum. two different directions. It was As a measure of progress in the used at first to slow down or cool near future, lasers will increase in atoms, looking at phenomena power, climbing the curve from such as cold atoms, as well as what is possible today (1022 eV) atomic, molecular and optical to what is called ‘extreme light’ physics; then it was to accelerate (1022 eV and beyond), when particles to very high energy levels, electrons and protons get excited challenging the speed of light. and start to polarise the vacuum. Mourou described these two fields as “30 orders of magnitude Mourou then talked about apart,” from FeV (10-15 eV ) to chirped pulse amplification and GeV (109) and, in the not so how scientists have stretched the remote future, ENP ((10 )15). short pulse a million times over the last 20 years – in other words, Mourou then traced the history the power of the laser is intensi- of ‘non-linear optics’, a phenome- fied by amplifying (a billion times)

136 Conferences, Workshops, Symposia and Discussion Forums and then compressing (a million accelerator that would have times) the light. To get peak girdled the earth would now be power, Mourou said, “you must only 1 km long. IZEST, he added, decrease the pulse duration (to plans to reach 100GeV in a the maximise intensity), and to near future, as an intermediary decrease the pulse, you first must step towards one TeV – and the amplify, to increase the intensity.” prospect of looking at dark energy At this point you can produce and dark matter, thanks to laser- nonlinearity in the medium that based high-energy physics which will result in shortening the laser will be able to produce short pulse. The pulse will be so strong bursts of protons, neutrinos and that it will accelerate the electron gamma rays, inside a vacuum. One forwards at almost the speed of ENP may be “a tall order”, said light, also dragging the ions Mourou, but one day will be behind. possible. And if we can use lasers According to Mourou, the to make holes in a membrane, technology has advanced so much why not in a vacuum? that a laser-plasma accelerator “If we don’t find what we expect producing GeV (gigaelectronvolt to find”, added Mourou, during or a trillion electronvolts) electrons the Q & A session which followed, can now be fitted in the palm of “then dark matter may explain the hand. Based on the technolo- things”. gy available in 1954, an

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Conference Scotland and the United Kingdom Joint conference Royal Society of Edinburgh / British Academy 28 February 2012 - British Academy, London 27 April 2012 - Royal Society of Edinburgh, Edinburgh

The issue of Scottish independ- Professor Jim Gallagher CB FRSE, ence is one of the biggest Professor of Government, Univer- constitutional issues facing the UK sity of Glasgow at the moment, with far-reaching Professor Charlie Jeffery FRSE, consequences for all UK citizens. Professor of Politics; Co-Director The British Academy and the Royal of the Institute of Governance, Society of Edinburgh organised a University of Edinburgh pair of conferences to discuss Professor Michael J Keating FBA Scotland’s past, present and FRSE, Professor of Politics, Univer- future relationship with the rest of sity of Aberdeen the United Kingdom. The events brought together academics and Professor Iain McLean FBA FRSE, policy experts in the fields of Professor of Politics, Nuffield constitutional law, politics and College, University of Oxford government, economics, interna- Professor Neil Walker FBA FRSE, tional relations and history. It Regius Professor of Public Law provided a platform for a frank and the Law of Nature and and informed discussion on this Nations, University of Edinburgh topic, including complex issues The following is an extract from such as tax and spending, the the comprehensive report pre- English response and relations pared by the conference Steering with the European Union. Committee. The organisation of the confer- In 2011, the results of Scottish ences and the production of this parliamentary elections created report were overseen by the the most significant challenge in following Steering Committee: recent times to the very existence Rev Canon Professor John of the United Kingdom. The Richardson FRSE, Programme Scottish National Party (SNP) Convener, The Royal Society of became the first party to win an Edinburgh (Chair) outright majority since the Professor Alice Brown CBE FRSE, modern Scottish Parliament was General Secretary, The Royal established in 1999. As the party’s Society of Edinburgh primary platform is the campaign

138 Conferences, Workshops, Symposia and Discussion Forums for Scotland’s independence from and Holyrood. A variety of the rest of the UK, this result has academic and policy experts – posed serious questions for the from economists to political historic union of nations on which theorists – presented their the UK rests. The SNP’s Manifesto evidence and views on the contained a promise to hold an political and economic future of independence referendum; Scotland and the UK. It should be although there are legal doubts noted that this report is a record about the Scottish Parliament’s of the views expressed by speakers powers in this respect, the UK and attendees at these two events Government agrees that an and does not represent an independence referendum should established position on the part take place. On 10th January 2012, of the British Academy or The the Scottish Government an- Royal Society of Edinburgh. nounced their proposal that it This report is a distillation of the should be held in Autumn 2014. contributions made by the The outcomes of the debate that speakers and other contributors at has begun in Scotland may have the conference. It aims to provide significant implications, both for an accessible summary of the the constitution of the UK and discussions which took place. It internationally. They will define will begin by setting out evidence future relationships between presented on the constitutional England and the devolved parts of options which may face the the UK; they will raise questions Scottish people. It will then about our country’s economy, address the constitutional governance and international questions these options raise relations; and they will challenge about the practical implications of those seeking to preserve the either greater devolution or full United Kingdom to present an independence and the effects they account of what it means to be a might have on the UK as a whole. UK citizen today. Finally, it looks at the changing In this context, the British Acade- meaning of the unions which my and The Royal Society of have historically bound the United Edinburgh convened a conference Kingdom together. intended to bring academic It could be argued that, until very analysis to bear on these vital recently, devolution was viewed issues. The conference was held from Westminster as more of an over two days – one in London event than a process. It was hoped and one in Edinburgh – to unite that the establishment of distinct the often separate discussions administrations for Scotland, taking place around Westminster Wales and Northern Ireland would

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put an end to some of the be the future status of the arguments about identity, citizen- Westminster Parliament in an ship and the appropriate increasingly devolved UK? How distribution of political powers will the English, whose political which have defined the history of and economic voice remains such the British Isles – or, in the words a dominant part of the UK, of then-Shadow Secretary of State respond to greater political power for Scotland, Lord Robertson, and strengthening nationalism in would “kill nationalism stone the devolved nations? There are dead”. However, this has clearly no obvious answers but, regard- not been the case. It has taken the less of the referendum outcome in possibility of Scottish independ- 2014, these are the debates which ence – and the consequent will define the economic, political break-up of the United Kingdom and constitutional future of the as we know it – to remind West- UK. minster of the continuing salience Finally, the conference considered of these questions across the the current ‘state of the Union’. country. The referendum that will take This conference provided a timely place in 2014 represents the re-assessment of the most United Kingdom’s most significant important choices currently facing existential threat for nearly a Scotland, and their implications century. Speakers highlighted a for the UK as a whole. Speakers rapidly changing economic and outlined the three broad options political context over the last thirty which may be put to the Scottish years. This includes an economy people: ‘devolution more’ (repre- less focused on the manufactur- sented by the current Scotland ing centres of Scotland, Wales and Act), ‘devolution max’ and full the North of England and increas- independence. ingly oriented towards London There was also an opportunity to and the Southeast, as well as new explore the numerous questions attitudes towards the welfare that these options raise: their state and a declining sense of likely effect on the standing of shared responsibility for welfare Scotland and the UK internation- provision. These developments ally, the relationships between the have placed the unspoken ties UK’s home nations and the that have long united British economic choices which greater citizens under increasing strain. devolution or full independence Whatever decision people in would necessitate. How should Scotland make, this debate will current inequities in UK public remain relevant well into the spending be resolved? What will future. As this conference high-

140 Conferences, Workshops, Symposia and Discussion Forums lighted, the discussion is certainly governance and national loyalties not confined to Scotland, and that has defined the history of the developments in Wales, Northern British Isles and its peoples. As Ireland and, particularly, in Scotland seeks to enhance its England will shape the future status and purpose as a nation in path of the devolved settlement. rapidly-changing economic and The process of devolution will political circumstances, this is a continue to form part of an process and a discussion that can ongoing debate on citizenship, only take on greater significance.

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Franco–Scottish Seminar Experimental and Theoretical Approaches to Conscious Processing jointly funded by the RSE and the French Embassy, London 22 March 2012

Professor Jean-Pierre Changeux, Stanislas Dehaene, for several of the Laboratoire de Neurobiol- decades, but there are still many ogie Moleculaire, Institut Pasteur, questions to answer. was welcomed by RSE Vice- The Professor presented a model President, Professor Jean Beggs, of the behaviour of the mental as a scientist who is well known process which has been devel- for his research in several fields of oped on the basis of a minimalist, biology, from the structure, yet realistic, representation of the function and regulation of brain’s neural architecture and the proteins to the early development activity patterns which mobilise of the nervous system. His career this architecture. Such a model has combined theoretical model- makes it possible to “establish a ling and biochemical, structural causal relationship between the and physiological experimentation specific behaviour of the subjec- to unravel the mechanism of tive mental process and objective signal transduction mediated by neural measurements”. The aim is allosteric proteins. His studies to be able to test the model have received many awards and experimentally from the molecular have had a profound effect on to the cognitive level. science from chemistry, molecular biology and pharmacology to Professor Changeux then provid- cognitive neuroscience. ed a brief overview of the human brain, which he said was a The lecture threw light on the necessary precursor to addressing processes of access to conscious- the issue of consciousness. There ness in the human brain. Not all are several levels of organisation information is processed con- within the brain, from the molecu- sciously – which raises the lar to the cognitive and social. This question of how certain pieces of is the consequence of Darwinian data gain access to the brain’s evolution. A swift and crucial conscious processing system. period of our genetic develop- Professor Changeux said the ment has taken place over the last theories he was proposing have few million years – taking us from been under development by him Homo habilis to Homo sapiens. In and his colleagues, especially

142 Conferences, Workshops, Symposia and Discussion Forums this time, major changes have viewers only see the man or the taken place in the organisation woman, not both. Access to and adult connectivity of the consciousness is, therefore, on an brain. all-or-nothing basis. The Professor said it takes around Having said this, the brain is good 15 years for a human brain to at pulling data together. It has a achieve full connectivity – to be “global workspace” where fully formed. At the time when different stimuli such as the light, Homo sapiens first appeared in temperature and dimensions of Africa, life expectancy was around whatever space we are in are 30. “It is interesting to note that synthesised. All this data is Darwinian evolution has selected analysed with reference to a species that spends half its life memories, rules and conventions. developing its brain,” he added. The results provide us with the On top of this, there has been the information we need to function development of thought and of as social beings. Despite our synaptic efficacies, plus social and ability to handle all this informa- cultural evolution. Ultimately, the tion, very little of it is dealt with brain can be seen as a series of consciously. When members of an “multiply nested Darwinian audience listen to a speaker, they processes” at the genetic and will be conscious of what is being non-genetic level. said rather than of information According to Professor Changeux, about the speed of their heart- the brain should not be seen as a beat. Conscious and unconscious ‘black box’ processor with inputs processing takes place in parallel. and outputs, but as something Next, Professor Changeux turned which works projectively – this to the issue of sleep versus allows us to follow external wakefulness, which he said was activity and to anticipate events. under the control of ascending However, it is also limited and reticular neurons which are specific about what it holds at a present in the brain stem. This is conscious level. A slide was put up illustrated by the fact that if showing Salvador Dali’s L’image general anaesthetic is injected Disparait, which can be seen as into the brain stem, then the showing either the image of a entire brain is anaesthetised. man’s bearded face or a full Returning to conscious access, the length depiction of a woman Professor said that as far back as reading. According to the Profes- Descartes, there was a recognition sor, the human brain can only that the brain only has limited process one set of information at capacity. Philosophers and a time on a conscious level – so scientists have gradually devel-

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oped fuller and more refined proposition that there are two understandings of what those computational spaces – one with limitations are in terms of how specialised processors for things much data the brain can hold at a such as perception and attention; conscious level. Science has also these are non-conscious. As well made great advances in our as this, there is the global neuron- knowledge of how the brain al workspace, which can broadcast works. outwards to different areas of the Professor Changeux’s team has brain, as well as receive informa- built on these understandings to tion back in. This provides the propose a model of conscious subjective experience of being access based on the anatomy of conscious and allows us to do the brain. They want to know how things such as plan future action. a global workspace could be It also provides the basis for made. The easiest way would be reportability – thanks to con- to have interconnections between sciousness we can communicate the regions of the brain that carry events and ideas. out particular functions. This The Professor described experi- raises the issue of how this could ments to test the theory of two be done when these regions are distinct computational spaces. at a distance from one another. One involved showing subjects a The solution is through neurons rapid succession of slides, some with long-range access. This gave with words on them and others rise to the concept of the “neuro- with complex figures or masks. nal global workspace”. Such Depending on the type of slide neurons with long-range aons and the timing of their succession, have now been identified in the the subjects reported having brain, and their long axons form either seen the words (conscious what is known as ‘white matter’. processing) or not (non-conscious Long-range neurons are more processing). When the words were prevalent in the prefrontal areas consciously perceived, brain of the brain. A major difference imaging showed a great deal of between humans and other activity in the prefrontal cortex species is our abundance of white and connected areas; when they matter, and also the relative size of weren’t, the activity was less. the prefrontal cortex. This, argued Other experiments have confirmed the Professor, suggests the greater activity in prefrontal areas importance of the evolutionary consistent with the Professor’s expansion of the global neuronal theory of when conscious percep- workspace. The evolutionary tion of various kinds is taking evidence is consistent with the place – auditory as well as visual or motor.

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The experimental evidence also This, he conjectured, suggests an suggests that there is feedback altered neuronal workspace. processing taking place during Work has also taken place which conscious perception, as well as shows that mid-teenagers feed-forward processing. This top- undergo a period of altered down aspect of brain function is a activation of their neuronal critical element of the Professor’s workspaces, which the Professor model for access to consciousness linked to the “problems” associ- and his theory about the all-or- ated with adolescence. He nothing nature of consciousness. suggested that this should inform Evidence that tends to support his us about the way that adolescents ideas includes experimental should be taken care of by society findings which show that general and by officialdom. anaesthetics produce a dramatic reduction in the activity of the It has also been possible to cerebral cortex, but not of the sub identify slight anatomical differ- cortical areas – indicating that the ences in the brains of people with activity of the cerebral cortex is autism or Asperger’s syndrome, in critical to whether conscious that they have more long-range access is switched on or off. EEG connections than people without, electroencephalography) has also which may lead to differences in shown that the feedback process- conscious processing. There is es of the brain are greater than also emerging evidence that the feed- forward. As a species, smoking damages the global this means our brains are predom- neuronal workspace and makes inantly projective. the brain’s top-down control less efficient; and there is stronger Professor Changeux went on to evidence that other drugs, such as describe an experiment carried out cocaine, cause similar damage, in which Mooney pictures (two accompanied by what is referred identical images representing a to as “loss of control” of drug human face, but one is upside intake. down and is not recognised) were successively shown to patients Professor Changeux concluded by with and without a diagnosis of saying that not all aspects of schizophrenia. Those with a access to consciousness have been diagnosis could not see that the explored and added that there is a inverted picture was a face, and great deal of work to do before EEG results showed that there was we fully understand the nature of little activity in the areas associat- consciousness itself, in particular ed with conscious processing. self-consciousness.

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Conference Celebrating 100 years Since the Birth of Alan Turing Joint conference with the University of Edinburgh School of Informatics, organised in partnership with SICSA and supported by Cambridge University Press 11 May 2012

This research symposium reflected brain, and Morphogenesis. The on four key themes in Turing’s last topic made links to colleagues work, representing the diversity of in biological sciences and chemis- Turing’s legacy, in Informatics and try, as Turing explored the beyond. The four themes were chemical basis of morphogenesis Artificial Intelligence, Computabil- (how the zebra got its stripes) and ity and Algorithms, Computer predicted oscillating chemical Hardware and modelling the reactions (the biochemical clock).

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Panel Discussion Humanising the Workplace part of the Festival of Politics 2012 Organised by The Royal Society of Edinburgh in conjuction with British Council Scotland, The Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (University of Edinburgh), Royal Society of Arts Scotland, Museums and Galleries Scotland, UNESCO UKNC Scotland Committee 17 August 2012

The New Lanark mills led the good housing and workplace world in creating a workplace that conditions for the hands. In 1800 respected the needs of employees; he was joined by Robert Owen yet despite many advances the who, for the next 25 years, took a office builders of today rarely radical approach to the organisa- show the pioneering zeal of tion of the working community. Robert Owen for pushing back Owen created a model industrial the boundaries. Writer and community at New Lanark. This broadcaster Sheena McDonald was the moment when Britain was chaired a session in which Lorna undergoing an accelerating shift Davidson looked back at the from an agricultural to an indus- ideals that shaped New Lanark trial society, with large numbers of while Richard Murphy explored workers being drawn into mills – contemporary architectural issues. which were the first factories. Lorna Davidson (Director of the Women and children formed the New Lanark Trust) majority of the workforce due to New Lanark was built at the end their nimble fingers and low cost of the 18th Century close to the in doing relatively unskilled jobs. Falls of Clyde, where the gorge Exploitation was rife as investors provided the sandstone and water and owners “wanted their power to build and drive the factories and machines to be in cotton mills. Ms Davidson used full production for as many hours the development of this great of the day as was humanly enterprise of the Scottish Industri- possible – in some cases very al Revolution to provide an inhumanly possible”. Owen was historical context for the humani- determined to create something sation of the workplace. better after seeing some of the The mills’ founder David Dale, worst aspects of factory working came from humble beginnings, while in Manchester, where no and ensured that profits from his attention was paid to the social, success were used to provide housing, health or family needs of mill hands.

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As New Lanark was away from any Where others might have placed a existing settlement, the workforce church, the non-religious Owen, needed to live on site. Dale and provided encouragement to study, Owen invested in high quality question, dance and sing. Half a housing. A village stores was set century before the abolition of up, very different from the often child labour, all under tens were in notorious company shops fulltime education. In the evening elsewhere, which used New there were classes and cultural Lanark’s bulk buying power to get activities for adults. Workers also quality goods and sell them at enjoyed sick pay and free health- subsidised prices to the 2,000- care. Looking ahead to the next strong population. The profits millennium, Owen said he hoped were reinvested in the community, it would be a time when society helping to pay for the school. faced no crime, no poverty, with Owen was convinced that educa- better health, little misery and tion was the key to building a with “intelligence and happiness better and fairer society. Each child increased a hundred-fold”. He was given a liberal education. He demonstrated at New Lanark that wrote: “Every child of man should businesses which invested in be from his birth as well trained providing a healthy and happy and educated as his original working environment could still organs, faculties and powers can be very profitable. Today, New admit.” Lanark is inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, and recog- At a time when 14–16 hour days nised as a site of Outstanding were not uncommon, he insisted Universal Value. that eight hours was sufficient to earn a reasonable wage and that Richard Murphy OBE FRSE for the rest of their time, people (Richard Murphy Architects) were entitled to rest, recreation The Medici family were the and education. At the heart of the originators of the purpose built New Lanark village he built his office: the Uffizi in Florence which Institute for the Formation of is now a world-famous gallery. Character, which was dedicated to And while most of us think we learning and recreation. The know what an office is, Mr rooms were spacious and airy, and Murphy said the concept has full of natural light. This included undergone many changes. a dedicated area for children’s Architects first began to influence play, possibly the world’s first their design, through people like school playground; from 1816 Frank Lloyd Wright inventor of the there was also the first workplace office atrium, in the early 20th crèche. Century.

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By contrast, architects have had series of buildings stacked on top less impact on factories, though of each other,” said Mr Murphy. In exceptions include the elegant the Commerzbank HQ, Frankfurt, 1970s former Cummins Engine he employed a triangular design Company in Shotts. Mr Murphy with an upward spiralling winter said he is concerned about garden, so only two sides of any whether we are currently going floor were bank offices. forwards or backwards in work- By contrast most offices are about place design. Post-industrial “shapism” where the architect workplaces have replaced the works to a prescription and then danger and stench of factories tries to enfold everything within with the “battery chicken world” an unusual-looking exterior. The of offices such as call centres. “For problem is that the nature of me, this is going to the core of the office design is dominated by a subject today … of the inhumani- caste of “high priests” who “set ty of the workplace … it would all the rules about what the office drive me bonkers within a week,” should be. It’s all about you he said. having a 1.5m grid … you’ve got According to Mr Murphy, the heights from floor to floor”. modern city was shaped by the Despite this, he said there is office block and has since been progress in areas such as the undermined by movements out of services and environmental town. The arrival of the car meant efficiency of workplaces. “But the people could live away from their actual spatial experience most work, business parks were then people have of an office is space shifted from the centre to the with no hierarchy, a series of fringes, and finally shops were spaces sometimes with columns, removed to malls and retail parks. sometimes without, where people The office itself has often become just turn up with the furniture and sterile as a form, says Mr Murphy, say ‘where do you want me to put because those who finance them this?’ insist they conform to specific sets The reality is that you probably of rules and practices which can won’t get financed unless you prevent innovation. Certain follow the rules. This militates people such as Norman Foster against the real needs of business, have, though, been successful in which are for ever-greater work- challenging convention. Foster’s force creativity. As Google has great contribution has been to recognised with its “bean bag” create hierarchy and change environment, creativity comes within tall buildings so not all from incidental meeting and floors are the same. “It becomes a mixing – something which

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building design can promote or Despite the conservatism of the inhibit. One of the most interest- Foreign Office, the firm was given ing examples in Scotland is the the opportunity to create an Edinburgh University Informatics imaginative structure in which all building which mixes cellular the employees were able to work office units with “hang out near a garden, and making use of spaces”. lots of water. The design, which is Mr Murphy said his firm had put single storey and surrounds a forward one proposal which series of courtyards, took inspira- replaced the concept of “the most tion from the work of Geoffrey efficient building” with the idea Bawa, the country’s most influen- of “what would be the nicest tial architect. “I would never be place to work”. It didn’t go ahead, allowed to get away with anything but one that did was the British like that in a commercial office in Embassy in Sri Lanka. this country,” said Mr Murphy.

150 PUBLICATIONS Proceedings A: Mathematics Policy Advice Six issues were published: Parts Tapping all our Talents. Women in 141.5 & 141.6 (2011) and 142.1, STEM: a Strategy for Scotland - 142.2, 142.3, 142.4 (2012) RSE Committee of Inquiry Report Earth and Environmental (Apr 2011). Science Transactions ISBN: 978 0 902198 66 1 Two issues were published: Parts Lecture/Conference Reports 102.2 and 102.3 (2011) RAE/RSE Joint Lecture, March ReSourcE - the RSE’s Newsletter: 2011 Issues 33, 34, 35 and 36 The Twin Towers: Ten Years – Ten RSE Directory 2011/12 Lesons on Sustainable Infrastruc- ture. Professor Jose Torero FREng, RSE Annual Review 2012 (April FRSE. 2011-March 2012) ISBN: 978 0 902198 56 2 Science Scotland YP Discussion Forum 2012 One issue was published: No. 12 Knowledge Transfer in Enhancements in Disability Sport. Engineering and Informatics Teachers’ Resource Pack.

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POLICY ADVICE INQUIRIES represents a serious loss of Tapping All our Talents: Women potential for Scotland. in science, technology, engi- Attracting and retaining more neering and mathematics: a women in the STEM workforce to strategy for Scotland boost economic growth is a public During the 2011/12 Session, the policy challenge which demands Society published the Report of public, private and third sector its Inquiry into the under- solutions. The Royal Society of representation of women in Edinburgh, with the involvement science, technology, engineering of the Chief Scientific Adviser for and mathematics (STEM). This is Scotland, has established a of particular concern when the Working Group to develop a strategic importance of this field cohesive and comprehensive is considered: economic growth strategy for Scotland to increase relies heavily on innovation and both the proportion of women in knowledge, especially in science the STEM workforce, and the and technology. It has been number who rise to senior estimated that increasing the positions in universities, institutes participation of women in the UK and business. labour market could be worth The report provided practical between £15 billion and £23 advice on what can be done by billion (1.3-2.0% GDP), with those who have a key interest in STEM accounting for at least £2 STEM to harness the full potential billion. of women in science. Although recent years have seen Key Recommendations significant increases in the Scottish Government should: number of female STEM gradu- take the lead in committing itself ates and postgraduates, the to a national strategy for Scotland numbers who proceed to take up – an Action Plan – aimed at senior positions in universities, retaining and promoting women research, business and industry in STEM and led by a Cabinet remain proportionately much Secretary; reaffirms its commit- smaller than in the case of their ment to close the gender pay gap; male counterparts. In a straitened and expect university STEM economy where education is free, departments to achieve the the failure to provide a workplace minimum standards for an Athena where skilled individuals – SWAN Silver award, or equivalent. whether male or female – can Initiatives should be monitored progress and thrive is a wasted and evaluated. investment in human capital and

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UK Government should: extend SUBMISSIONS existing parental leave legislation During the Session, the Society to recognise the equal responsi- produced the following to the bility of mothers and fathers for Scottish Parliament and/or the parenting. Scottish Government. Businesses and industry should: Advice and Briefing Papers address the issue of job design and introduce quality part-time October 2011 employment at all levels for men BP 11-05. Scottish Government and women; national STEM Spending Review 2011 and Draft Industry Advisory Boards should Budget 2012-13 develop gender equity strategies. November 2011 Funders of universities and of AP 11-15. Scotland’s Broadband research should: link funding to Infrastructure gender equality and seek to encourage a level of performance December 2011 equivalent to an Athena SWAN AP 11-16. Alcohol (Minimum Silver award across all Scottish Pricing) (Scotland) Bill: a response university STEM departments. to the Scottish Parliament Health Universities and research and Sport Committee institutes should: obtain the AP 11-17. Putting Learners at the minimum standard of an Athena Centre: Post-16 Education in SWAN Silver award (or equivalent) Scotland for their STEM departments. February 2012 Academies, and learned and professional bodies should: set AP 12-01. ‘Bridging the Valley of standards that help to change the Death’: Research Commercialisa- culture; lead by example – ensur- tion ing that appropriate data is being BP 12-01. Scottish Parliament collected, analysed and reported Debate: Scotland’s Next Genera- regularly, and trends examined. tion Broadband Infrastructure AP 12-02. Further Education Governance in Scotland AP 12-03. The Scottish Govern- ment’s Renewable Energy Targets for 2020

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March 2012 August 2012 AP 12-04. A Referendum on AP 12-07. Fiscal Sustainability: Scottish Independence Demographic Change and Ageing April 2012 Population AP 12-05. Introducing a Statutory AP 12-08. Draft Scottish Budget Register of Lobbyists 2013-14 May 2012 September 2012 AP12-06. Response to the AP 12-09. The 2020 Challenge for Commission on School Reform Scotland’s Biodiversity

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EVENTS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE Christmas Lecture December Jane Egan, who gave students a 2011 fascinating and inspiring intro- On the 12th December 2011, duction to the various Professor Tom Devine delivered enhancements in disability sport – the prestigious RSE Christmas such as drugs and physical Lecture, where he explored the enhancements. She also discussed puzzles of Scottish migration in other issues facing athletes, such the Victorian era. The lecture was as the current classification system attended by students and teachers within her sport, the costs from ten senior schools across involved in taking part and the Scotland and was webcast ‘live’ by impact that coaching can have. BBC Scotland to a worldwide Following their own research into audience. these matters, the students took part in a series of debates on the Masterclasses October 2011 key questions raised. It was and May 2012 extremely successful and was run In October and November 2011 again in November 2012 at the RSE ran 20 masterclasses Lochaber High School. across five universities (Dundee, RSE @ School Talks Heriot-Watt, Aberdeen, Glasgow and St Andrews) In May/June English/Scottish literature. Dr 2012 the RSE ran another 16 Pauline McKay. Auchmuty High masterclasses over four universi- School ties (Aberdeen did not participate Physics. Professor Bruce Sinclair. in this round.) Dunning Primary School Discussion Forum June 2012 Accounting. Mrs Sheryl Vickery. The latest event focused on issues Larbert High School around enhancements in disability ICT. Mr Ross Tsakas, RSE Business sport, and was kindly supported Enterprise Fellow. Larbert High by the Darwin Trust for Edinburgh. School Arbroath Academy hosted the Business. Paul Adderley, RSE Discussion Forum in June as part Business Enterprise Fellow. Larbert of their 50th Anniversary, and High School Olympic Week. The RSE was delighted to get the opportunity ICT. Jochen L. Leidner, RSE Busi- to go back to school again, after ness Fellow. Larbert High School some successful past events as Physics. Alison McLure. St part of RSE@ Arbroath. George’s School for Girls The discussion was led by the Astrophysics. Professor Martin World Champion Para-triathlete, Hendry. Sir E. Scott Secondary

157 Review of the Session 2011-2012

School, Tarbert; Portree High ICT Critical Thinking. Dr Chris School; Sgoil Lionacleit, Benbecu- Speed. Kilgraston School la; Tiree High School; Tobermory Medicine. Dr Elizabeth Hennessey. High School, Islay High School; Ellon Academy Nicholson Institute, Lewis

158 RESEARCH AND ENTERPRISE AWARDS The following awards were made in Session 2011/2012

RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS

BP Dr Berit Sandnes. Place-names in Dr Stuart Robertson. Avenues of the former Viking Areas. University Application for Co-operative of Lund Bimetallics. University of Strath- CRF European Visiting clyde (Outgoing) CRF European Visiting Dr Maud Anne Bracke. Women (Incoming) and the re-invention of the Professor Igor Dukhan. Utopia of political: the Italian feminist Fraternity: Interactions and movement in an international Migrations in the 1920s European perspective (1966–1983). and Russian avant-gardes. State University of Glasgow University of Belarus Dr Bernadette O’Rourke. New Dr Sándor Hites. Credit, Fiction, Speakers of Galician. Heriot-Watt Nation-building. Hungarian University Academy of Sciences Professor Stephen Partridge. Professor Máire Ní Annracháin. Video Art in Italy 1968–1994. Figurative Language in Scottish University of Dundee, Duncan of Gaelic Song. University College Jordanstone College of Art and Dublin Design Dr Alexander Pavlenko. A Study Dr Myrto Tsakatika. The weakest into the Toponyms of the Scottish link: changing patterns of party Origins in the Former Russian competition and the politics of Empire. Taganrog Institute of protest in Southern Europe. Management and Economics, University of Glasgow Russia CRF Personal Dr Sigrid Rieuwerts. The moorings Dr Christine Démoré. Ultrasound of the Minstrelsy of the Scottish Biomedical Microscanning: New Border in Scott’s life and corre- capabilities in tissue characterisa- spondence. Johannes Gutenberg tion. University of Dundee Universitat Mainz

159 Scottish Government Personal Dr Grant Hill. An accurate Dr Angela Bradshaw. A novel theoretical protocol for homoge- approach to ameliorating vascular nous transition metal catalysis. pathologies driven by transform- University of Glasgow ing growth factor-beta (TGFß). Dr Sarah McKim. Molecular University of Glasgow characterisation of spike development in barley University of Dundee

ENTERPRISE FELLOWSHIPS

BBSRC Dr Paolo Di Prodi. EMMA - Elderly Dr Neil Gibbs. Curapel Ltd - Mobility Monitoring Assistant. developing safe and effective University of Glasgow therapies for chronic skin condi- Dr Elias Ekonomou. Vitalmeda: tions. University of Manchester The Personal Health Data Manag- Dr Lisa Mohamet. Commercialisa- er. Edinburgh Napier University tion of a Novel, Single-step Eleanore Irvine. biogelX: Cell Method for the Enrichment of Matched Matrices for 3D Cell Stem Cell-Derived Neural Progeni- Culture. University of Strathclyde tor Cells. University of Manchester STFC Scottish Enterprise Mohammed Belal. Chirped Laser Dr Lee Baker. Chi-Squared Innova- Dispersion Spectroscopy (CLaDS). tions Limited - discovering, STFC, Rutherford Appleton developing and delivering an Laboratory innovative portfolio of automated Oliver Hardick. Nanofibres for statistical analysis tools. University High Productivity Bioseparations. of Dundee University College London Kanika Bansal. IV Prev - Preventing Infections from IV Drip. University of Edinburgh Research and Enterprise Awards

ARTS AND HUMANITIES

Research Workshops Prof Andrew Patrizio. The ARTIST Dr Claudia Glatz. The Prehistoric ROOMS Research Workshop Black Sea. University of Glasgow Programme. University of Edin- burgh (ECA), Edinburgh College of Dr Seán Molloy. The Indispensable Art Theory? The Theory and Practice of Realism from the Scottish Professor Alan Riach. Vision and Enlightenment to the Present. Language: Alasdair Gray’s Visual University of Edinburgh and Literary Archive. University of Glasgow Dr Marina Moskowitz. Hand- knitted Textiles and the Economies Dr Graeme Small. Tapestry in the of Craft in Scotland. University of Round: Interdisciplinary Cross- Glasgow sector Research in Textile History. University of Glasgow

Small Grants Dr Philip Drake. Building ‘reputa- Dr Ross Birrell. Rodeo: Artist Films tional capital’: examining film on R.B. Cunninghame Graham. industry creativity, reputation and Glasgow School of Art authorship. University of Stirling Dr Kate Britton. Analysis of human Dr Christine Ferguson. Race and remains from St. Nicholas Kirk, Spiritualism in Nineteenth-Century Aberdeen: Diet, health and New Orleans: Séance Records mobility in a Medieval maritime from the Henri Louis Rey Circle, society. University of Aberdeen 1858-1876. University of Glas- gow, Dr Barbara Burns. Ageing and self-awareness in the literary Dr Jacqueline Jenkinson. Shop works of Laure Wyss. University of keeping among general practi- Glasgow tioners in Scotland, c. 1858–1911 - a way for poor doctors to aid David Cowley. In with the new, out poor patients? University of with the old? Integrating new Stirling technologies and traditional archaeological skills in the world Dr Chris Jones. Edwin Morgan of virtual archaeology. The Royal and Old English. University of St Commission on the Ancient and Andrews Historical Monuments of Scotland

161 Review of the Session 2011-2012

Dr Rebecca H Jones. Presentation Dr Jane Wilson Mallinson. Choral and dissemination of research Societies in Nineteenth-Century into Roman Scotland and Roman Scotland. University of Glasgow Frontiers at the XXII International Dr Karen Milek. Material Culture Limes (Roman Frontiers) Congress and Power Politics in Viking Age in Ruse, Bulgaria (6th–11th Iceland. University of Aberdeen September 2012). Royal Commis- sion on the Ancient and Historical Professor Peter van Dommelen. Monuments of Scotland Ancient Interactions: Crafts, Technology and Knowledge Dr Hilary Macartney. The First Exchange in the Ancient Mediter- Photographically Illustrated Book ranean. University of Glasgow on Art: William Stirling Maxwell’s Annals of the Artists of Spain Diane Watters. Scottish Historic (1848). University of Glasgow School Architecture (pre-1880): Contextual Research & Survey of Dr Fraser MacDonald. From Space Northern England’s Historic Urban Exploration to Scotland’s Cold School Architecture. Royal War: testing and contesting the Commission on the Ancient & world’s first nuclear missile. Historical Monuments of Scotland University of Edinburgh

162 Research and Enterprise Awards

RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIPS AND PRIZES

Carnegie Caledonian Scholar- Lessells Travel Scholarships ships Liliana Acosta Alvarez. Microfluidic Piotr Jacobsson. Dating Scottish Platform for Cell Trapping and Crannogs. University of Glasgow Separation to Generate Artificial Jonathan Simpson. Investigating Tissues for Biomedical Applica- Sugar Biosensing with Surface tions. University of Glasgow Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Pamela Anderson. The Orbital (SERS). University of Strathclyde Dynamics of Advanced Planetary Cormack Postgraduate Prize Observation Systems. University of Strathclyde David Brown. Are falling planets spinning up their host stars? James Calvey. IntelliBike: monitor- University of St Andrews ing the condition of cycling infrastructure. Edinburgh Napier Cormack Vacation Scholarships University David Edwards. Investigating non- Helen Cope. Optimising Biological standard cosmological models Recovery of Phosphorus from with gravitational wave standard Waste-streams. University of sirens. University of Glasgow Edinburgh Alistair Hodson. Are core collapse Kyle Crombie. Investigating the supernovae powered by scalar effect of pryolysis production gravitational waves? University of conditions on the stability of Aberdeen biochar. University of Edinburgh Samuel Irvine. Assessing Habita- Ian McNally. The Orbital Motion of bility in Large Exoplanet Datasets Large Solar Power Satellites in using Simple Climate Models. Space. University of Glasgow University of Edinburgh Konstantinos Margaris. Study of Aron Krausz. Resolving Stellar physiological fluid flow in the Populations in Two Nearby lymphatic system using experi- Starburst Galaxies. University of mental and mathematical Edinburgh methods. University of Strathclyde Juraj Sabol. A Non-Linear Force- Free Field model of the Quiet Sun Corona. University of St Andrews

163 Review of the Session 2011-2012

SCOTTISH CRUCIBLE

Dr Adam Barker. University of St Dr Jonathan Mendel. University of Andrews Dundee Dr Rebecca Barr. University of Dr Wendy Moncur. University of Aberdeen Dundee Dr Helen Bridle. University of Dr Erik Monsen. University of Edinburgh Strathclyde Dr Maria Ana Cataluna. University Dr Colin Moran. University of of Dundee Stirling Dr Alasdair Clark. University of Dr Alasdair Mort. University of Glasgow Aberdeen Dr Joanna Cloy. Scottish Agricul- Dr Cristina Persano. University of tural College Glasgow Dr Geoff Cooper. University of Dr Anita Quye. University of Glasgow Glasgow Dr Sylvie Coupaud. University of Dr Susan Rasmussen. University of Glasgow Strathclyde Dr Andrew Davie. University of Dr Colin Rickman. Heriot-Watt Stirling University Dr Michaela Dewar. University of Dr Verena Rieser. Heriot-Watt Edinburgh University Dr Johannes Kiefer. University of Dr Craig Roberts. University of Aberdeen Stirling Dr Joanneke Kruijsen. Robert Dr Tamsin Saxton. University of Gordon University Abertay Dundee Dr David Loudon. Glasgow School Dr Kiril Sharapov. Glasgow of Art Caledonian University Dr W. Gordon Mackay. University Dr Narakorn Srinil. University of of the West of Scotland Strathclyde Dr Frankie McCarthy. University of Dr Chris White. University of Glasgow Glasgow Dr Alistair McGowan. University of Glasgow

164 MEDALS, PRIZES AND PRIZE LECTURESHIPS

Royal Medals Patrick Neill Prize 2012 Professor A D Milne Dr N Stanley-Wall Sir Edwin Southern Lord Kelvin Prize 2012 Sir James Black Prize 2012 Professor C R McInnes Professor G M Gadd Beltane Public Engagement Sir Thomas Makdougall Bris- Senior Prize 2012 bane Prize 2012 Professor T M Devine Dr S Ashbrook Beltane Public Engagement Dr R Jenkins Innovators Prize 2012 Sir Walter Scott Prize 2012 Dr N Stanley-Wall Professor T M Devine

165

GRANTS COMMITTEE The Grants Committee considered 19 applications and a sum of £12171 was awarded. Approximately 88% of this sum was awarded as travel assistance.

Travel Assistance *Mr Chris O’Sullivan. For travel to * Young Academy Members the Netherlands. £500 Professor L Barron. For travel to Professor R Paxton. For travel to China. £950 Wales. £300 Professor E Clarkson. For travel to Professor J A Sherratt. For travel to Germany. £464 Hong Kong. £916 Professor M Cusack. For travel to Professor I Stewart. For travel to Canada. £950 USA. £925 Professor J H Dickson. For travel to Dr N Tausch. For travel to Austral- Canada. £950 ia. £950 (unable to travel - *Professor I Docherty. For travel to refunded) Australia. £866 Professor B Upton. For travel to Dr Alan Gow. For travel to South Denmark. £500 Africa. £950 Members of Young Academy for Professor Simon Harley. For travel travel to Ireland. £500. (This grant to India. £950 was not taken up) *Dr Rob Jenkins. For travel to Support for Meetings South Africa. £950 Professor R Bauckham. Scripture *Dr Caroline Nichol. For travel to and Theology: Paul’s Epistle to the USA. £870 (unable to travel - Galatians. £750 refunded) Professor J Wardlaw. Standards for Professor Raffaella Ocone. For determining the vascular contribu- travel to New Zealand. £950 tion to neurodegeneration. £750

167

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME 20-21 October 2011 6-7 February 2012 A joint workshop with the A workshop supported by the RSE National Natural Science Founda- and the National Science Council tion of China (NSFC) took place in Taiwan took place at the University Beijing. The two-day workshop of Edinburgh on “Electronic on “Emerging Directions in Image Materials and Nanomaterials”, Processing and Understanding” bringing together researchers involved speakers from Scotland from across Scotland and Taiwan. and China, with the purpose of 16 February 2012 establishing collaborations to then be supported through the The second in a series of Franco- RSE-NSFC Joint Project scheme. Scottish Science Seminars took place, bringing together early- 28 October 2011 career researchers in the area of A delegation from the Bureau of photonics from France and International Cooperation, the Scotland, to present their work. Chinese Academy of Sceinces, The seminar was followed by a visited the RSE to discuss their public lecture given by Professor communication strategy, specifi- Gérard Mourou, Directeur, Institut cally in relation to their website. de Lumière Extrême, Ecole The RSE was able to provide Nationale Superieure de Tech- advice following its recent website niques Avancees. upgrade, and bring together 22 March 2012 expertise in Scotland with web experts from China. The third seminar in the Franco- Scottish Science Seminar, on the 29 November 2011 subject of Systems Neuroscience, Three representatives from the took place. Professor Jean-Pierre Center for Administrative Services, Changeux, Laboratoire de the National Natural Science Neurobiologie Moleculaire, Foundation of China visited the Institut Pasteur presented his work RSE to discuss issues including at a public lecture, and early-career energy saving, waste control and researchers from Scotland and health and safety. The RSE was France presented their work and able to facilitate meetings be- discussed mutual interests and tween the NSFC and the Scottish opportunities for collaboration. Government.

169 Review of the Session 2011-2012

2-4 June 2012 10 September 2012 A delegation from the Chinese The President of the Royal Society Academy of Sciences, lead by their of New Zealand, Professor Sir President Professor Chunli BAI, David Skegg, and Chief Executive, visited the RSE and other organi- Dr Di McCarthy, visited the RSE on sations with connections to the 10 September. They met with China. The delegation was RSE President Sir John Arbuthott particularly interested in the RSE’s and Chief Executive Dr William Enterprise Fellowships scheme, Duncan to discuss possible joint and the recent establishment of activities that could be run by the the RSE Young Academy. RSE and the RSNZ. 19-21 June 2012 17 Sep 2012 A delegation, lead by the Vice- A delegation from the Chinese President of the National Natural Academy of Sciences visited the Science Foundation of China, Prof. RSE to learn how the RSE pro- Wang Jie, visited Edinburgh. motes scientific research, During the visit the delegation focussing on the RSE’s research met with the Scottish Funding fellowships, scholarships and Council, and heard about the enterprise fellowships along with strong and long-standing links the Scottish Crucible programme. between Scotland and China held 2 October 2012 by the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Edinburgh Zoo. The RSE, together with the French Consulate General in Edinburgh 17 August 2012 held a Franco-Scottish Seminar The RSE, together with the British round-table meeting for academ- Council, University of Edinburgh, ics and policy practitioners from RSA and Museums Galleries Scotland and from France, to Scotland held a discussion forum exchange ideas on policy innova- as part of the Festival of Politics. tion and on youth employment The event entitled “Humanising and training policies. Participants the Workplace” brought together included academics from Scotland a range of speakers with views on and France, public servants and how the working environment civil society representatives. affects the wellbeing of workers.

170 International

Exchanges Awarded during the Session

CZECH REPUBLIC INDIA Incoming Incoming Dr Atanas Christev. Heriot-Watt Professor John H Davies. University University. Dr Sergey Slobodyan, of Glasgow. Professor Chandan CERGE-EI Kumar Sarkar, Jadavpur University Dr Derek Alan Wann. University of Professor Andrew Hursthouse. Edinburgh. Dr Drahomir Hnyk, University of the West of Scotland. Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Dr Anurag Garg, Centre for Academy of Sciences of the Czech Environmental Science and Republic Engineering, Indian Insititute of Technology Bombay Outgoing Professor Dino Anthony Jaroszyn- Dr Trevor Fenning. Forestry ski. University of Strathclyde. Dr Research. Professor Jana Krajnako- Devki Nandan Gupta, University of va, Mendel University Delhi HUNGARY Professor Dong-sheng Jeng. Incoming University of Dundee. Dr Ashish Prof John Henry. University of Arora, Punjab Technical University Edinburgh. Dr Tamas Demeter, Professor Pavel Kocovsky. Universi- Institute for Philosophy, Hungari- ty of Glasgow. Dr Arun Kumar an Academy of Sciences Shaw, Central Drug Research Dr Pauline Phemister. University of Institute Edinburgh. Dr Sandor Hites, Professor Ping Lin. University of Institute for Literary Studies, Dundee. Associate Professor Hungarian Academy of Sciences Singh Swarn, University of Delhi Professor Daniel Marinus Ferdi- Professor Ian Graham Main. nand Van Aalten. University of University of Edinburgh, Professor Dundee. Dr Tamas Nagy, University Satybir Singh Teotia, Kurukshetra of Pecs University Outgoing Dr Tapas Mallick. Heriot-Watt Dr Amy Bryzgel. University of University. Dr Subarna Maiti, Aberdeen. Dr Laszlo Beke, Insti- Central Salt and Marine Chemicals tute of Art History, Hungarian Research Institute, CSRI Academy of Sciences Professor Simon Tett. University of Edinburgh. Dr Saon Banerjee, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidya- laya

171 Review of the Session 2011-2012

Outgoing Professor Peter Smith. University Dr David Miller. University of of Aberdeen. Professor Raffaele Glasgow. Rohini M. Godbole, Casa, Universita’ della Tuscia Indian Institute of Science, Dr Jianguo Zhang. University of Bangalore Dundee. Dr Carlos Travieso- Mr Gerard Porter. University of Gonzalez, University of Las Palmas Edinburgh. Dr Amar Jesani, Centre de Gran Canaria for Study in Ethics and Rights Outgoing (CSER) Dr Adam Bock. University of OPEN PROGRAMME Edinburgh. Professor Philip Kim, Incoming University of Wisconsin Madison Professor Robert Mark Ellam. Dr Alan J S Cuthbertson. Heriot- Scottish Universities Environmen- Watt University. Dr Janek Laanearu tal Research Centre. Professor / Professor Peter Lundberg, Tallinn Cong-Qiang Liu, Institute of University of Technology / Stock- Geochemistry, Chinese Academy holm University of Sciences Dr Richard Fu. University of the Professor Callum Hill. Edinburgh West of Scotland. Professor Liping Napier University. Dr Carmen- Wang, Lanzhou Institute of Mihaela Popescu, “Petru Poni” Chemical Physics, Chinese Acade- Institute of Macromolecular my of Sciences Chemistry, Romanian Academy of Rob Jenkins. University of Glas- Sciences gow. Professor Helmut Leder, Dr Julia Hussein. University of University of Vienna Aberdeen. Professor Rosa Maria Dr Kenneth Mackenzie. University Urquiza, National Institute of of Aberdeen. Dr Cecile Reed, Public Health University of Cape Town Dr Maria Kashtalyan. University of Professor James Hamish Mair. Aberdeen. Dr Romana Piat, Heriot-Watt University. Dr Mohd Karlsruhe Institute of Technology Lokman Husain, Universiti Malay- Dr Gregory Kenicer. Royal Botanic sia Terengganu Garden Edinburgh. Assistant Dr Veronica Morales. University of Professor Petr Smykal, Palacky Abertay Dundee. Professor Tammo University Steenhuis & Professor Anthony Professor Fiona Macpherson. Hay, Cornell University University of Glasgow. Dr Derek Professor Wilfred Otten. University Brown, Brandon University of Abertay Dundee. Dr Thilo Eickhorst, University of Bremen

172 International

Dr Francisco Jose Perez-Reche. SLOVAKIA University of Abertay Dundee. Dr Outgoing Eduard Vives, Universitat de Dr Amy Bryzgel. University of Barcelona Aberdeen. Dr Zuzana Bartosova, Dr Tamara Rathcke. University of Institute of Art History, Slovak Glasgow. Professor Frans Academy of Sciences Gregersen, University of Copenha- SLOVENIA gen Incoming Dr Vincent Rinterknecht. University of St Andrews. Dr Andreas Borner, Dr Vivian Blok. The James Hutton LUNG, Regional Administration Institute. Dr Sasa Sirca, Agricultur- for the Environment, Nature al Institute of Slovenia Protection, and Geology Outgoing Dr Andrew Spiers. University of Dr David McArdle. University of Abertay Dundee. Dr Olena Stirling. Dr Simona Kustec Lipicer, Moshynets, Institute of Molecular University of Ljubljana Biology and Genetics, National TAIWAN Academy of Science of Ukraine Incoming Dr Arjunan Subramanian. Univer- Professor John Paul Attfield. sity of Glasgow. Professor Gopal University of Edinburgh. Professor Naik, Indian Institute of Manage- Ikai Lo, National Sun Yat-Sen ment, Bangalore University POLAND Outgoing Incoming Dr Ali Ahmadinia. Glasgow Professor Douglas Cairns. Univer- Caledonian University. Professor sity of Edinburgh. Assistant Chia-Lin Yang, National Taiwan Professor Robert Zaborowski, University Institute of History of Science, Dr Mark Hughes. Royal Botanic Polish Academy of Sciences Garden Edinburgh. Dr Ching-I Dr David Kilpatrick. Scottish Peng, Academia Sinica National Blood Transfusion Dr Amir Hussain. University of Service. Dr Anna Swierzko & Dr Stirling. Professor Jane Hsu, Maciej Cedzynski, Institute of National Taiwan University Medical Biology, The Polish Academy of Sciences Dr David Colin Worthington. University of the Highlands and Islands. Dr Anna Kalinowska, Institute of History, Polish Acade- my of Sciences

173 Review of the Session 2011-2012

NNSFC JOINT PROJECTS Professor Stephen Marshall. Professor Sir Alfred Cuschieri. University of Strathclyde. Dr Sun University of Dundee. Professor Meijun, Tianjin University. Learn- Chengli Song, University of ing and modelling of art styles of Shanghai for Science and Technol- Chinese ink paintings using ogy. Lesion localization and hyperspectral imaging . navigation for minimal access Dr Erfu Yang. University of Stirling. robotically-assisted laparoscopic Dr Jun Wang, Beihang University. surgery. Next-generation Neurobiologically Professor Alan Greenaway. Heriot- inspired Autonomous Visual Watt University. Dr Yuntao He, Surveillance Systems. Beijing University of Aeronautics Dr Jianguo Zhang. University of and Astronautics. Dundee. Dr Wei-Shi Zheng, Sun Dr Amir Hussain. University of Yat-sen University. Learning from Stirling. Dr Bin Luo, Anhui imperfect annotations with University. Vision-based Coordi- applications in medical image nated Control of Multiple analysis. Autonomous Vehicles. Dr Zhenhong Li. University of Glasgow. Professor Peijun Du, Nanjing University. Polarimetric synthetic aperture radar image processing for rapid assessment of earthquake hazard damage.

174 FELLOWS’ SOCIAL EVENTS New Fellows’ Induction Day 7th February 2012. Materials A New Fellows' Induction Day is Science for Enhanced Energy held annually, shortly after the Storage and Conversion. Dr. Job election and New Fellows are Thijssen encouraged to attend this to be 6th March 2012. Science, formally admitted to the Society Wisdom and Faith. Professor and sign the Roll. David A. S. Fergusson FRSE New Fellows not able to attend The Royal Society Dining Club then, and existing Fellows, may The Club was established on 3 make arrangements to be formally January 1820, with the view of admitted at Ordinary Meetings of promoting the objectives of the the Society. In certain circumstanc- Royal Society of Edinburgh. In es, special arrangements may be Session 2011/2012 meetings made for Honorary and Corre- were held as follows: sponding Fellows who cannot attend an Ordinary Meeting. 857th Dinner - 10 October 2011 Praeses: Sir John Cadogan The 2012 Induction Day was held Croupier: Professor Olivia Robin- on 14 May 2012. son Fellows’ Coffee Meetings 858th Dinner. 5 December 2011 Weekly Coffee Meetings were Praeses: Professor David Baird held through the Winter and Croupier: Lord Ross Spring months, as follows: 859th Dinner. 2 April 2012 11th October 2011. Practical Praeses: Lord Balfour of Burleigh Skills and Model Engineering. Croupier: Professor John Coggins Professor Malcolm B Wilkins FRSE 860th Dinner - 6 June 2012 8th November 2011. The Role of Praeses: Dr Malcolm Fluendy the Exhibition Centre in the Croupier: Professor John Mavor promotion of learning and useful Fellows’ Golf knowledge today. Professor Stuart K.Monro OBE, FRSE Stewart Cup 6th December 2011. Reflections The 2012 Fellows’ Golf Challenge on the development of Scotland’s at the Lansdowne Golf Course, public services. The President, Sir Blairgowrie, was won by Professor John Arbuthnott MRIA Alan Hood 10th January 2012. Why Roman Sector Group Match Law? Professor Olivia Robinson The Golf House Club, Elie. 17 May FRSE. 2012. The overall team winner was Sector B - the individual winner was Sean McKee

175

GRANTS, SPONSORSHIP AND DONATIONS The Society is grateful to the following organisations for their continuing support during the Session:

BBSRC Lloyds TSB Foundation for BP Research Fellowship Trust Scotland Caledonian Research Fund Scottish Enterprise EU FP7 Marie Curie Cofund Scottish Government Lessells Trust STFC

and also to the following for their support for specific events and activities during the financial year 2011–12

Arts & Humanties Research Royal Academy of Engineering Council Scotland IS Ltd Brightsolid Online Innovation Ltd Scotland Cancer Foundation Chartered Institute for IT (CAS) Scottish Funding Council Edinburgh Consortium for Rural Scottish Information & Computer Research Science Alliance Edinburgh Napier University Society of Biology Education Scotland University of Edinburgh French Embassy University of Glasgow Heriot-Watt University University of the West of Scotland James Weir Foundation WMD Awareness Group Microsoft Research Wolfson Microelectronics plc National Telford Institute Ove Arup & Partners Scotland Ltd

177

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

7 516 ,818 279,041 Value 106,908 360 134,701 96,32 398,535 118,300

288,561 134,672 151,044 156,4 46 377,191 307, 409,530 147,657 104,738 ------Market Closing

(59) 2,425 4,745 8,205 3,837 16,445 14,595 10,571 18,163 50,618 35,579 13,367 (16,908) (24,407) (13,259) (10,676)

459 1,056 (1,949) - (3,031) - 20,557 ------(41,475) (28,525) - (45,569) (38,272) Cost Proceeds on Sale for Year Market 70,000 - 48,600 - 268,478 - (289,035) 0 105,633 - (103,684) 8,550 63,525 37,376 - - 20,500 67,470 37,013 - - 20,900 82,688 52,072 - - 90,000 80,760 10,822 - - 91,000 58,553 84,154 - - 83,300 271,937 - - - No. 109,500 - 344,373 - - 124,000 100,114 34,176 - - 130,000 107,717 35,122 - - 328,000 349,724 46,521 134,300 297,988 117,455 - - 219,000 298,540 60,372 - - 135,690 54,988 90,360 - - Closing Opening Purchase Sales Gain/(Loss) Revaluation Value ££££ £ £ Investment Current Holdings Current Other Fixed Interest Fixed Other Scotland7.387%2010/49R B of Sarasin Investment Funds Int Equity IncSarasinInvestment Int Equity Funds 265,500 122,650 169,650 - - Herald Investment Trust Ord £0.25 Ord Trust Investment Herald Trust Investment Keystone European InvestmentBank 4.125% 17 260,000 346,085 32,755 (105,334) European Inv't Bank 4.75% 2018 Treasury 2.5% Index-Linked 2024 Index-Linked 2.5% Treasury DunedinInvTrust GrowthIncome IncomeTrustHendersonEastFar Tesco 5.5% Nts 13/12/19TescoNts 5.5% ScottishSouthern 5.875% 22/9/22 & 130,000 102,345 43,530 - - Provident Financial 7.5% 30/09/16 7.5% Financial Provident Treasury2.5%2020Index-Linked Treasury2.5%2016Index-Linked

Royal Society of Edinburgh Schedule of Investments- movements at valuation. Year Ended 31 March 2012 31 March Ended Year at valuation. movements Schedule of Investments- of Edinburgh Society Royal Blackrockinc Trust Com Aberforth Geared Cap & Inc Trust Inc & Cap Geared Aberforth Aberforth GearedInc Trust Trust Co Smaller Aberforth Vodafone5.625% Group4/12/25 Investment & Unit Trusts Aberdeen Asian IncomeFund Gilts

179 Review of the Session 2011-2012 452 Value 153, 79,074 198,231 291,018 125,985 43,722 126,799 220,868 241,756 221,760 62,577 227,906 142,424 262,053 94,716 75,705 30,663 ------Market Closing

2,646 7,614 (8,758) 11,570 17,111 (2,231) (1,577) (4,300) 42,481 15,942 (8,042) 33,136 (39,744) (21,192) (10,751) (13,699) (11,430)

763 (534) 3,760 - 2,532 1,738 (82,888) (36,277) (35,206) (18,330) (99,939) Cost Proceeds on Sale for Year Market 0 79,128 - 6,900 52,800 14,704 - - 8,400 36,811 45,299 5,125 94,479 55,987 - - 22,700 - 162,210 - - 86,300 93,060 88,060 - - 22,700 54,000 69,339 - - 17,550 68,949 62,150 - - 37,10067,200 53,850 182,499 49,845 79,005 - - 18,765 194,662 66,930 14,70011,713 133,313 161,747 45,074 64,067 - - - - 41,079 136,398 112,700 - - 26,600 58,286 15,042 - - 12,900 42,093 - - - 49,000 166,474 22,106 169000 160,615 132,634 - - No. Closing Opening Purchase Sales Gain/(Loss) Revaluation Value ££££ £ £ Investment Current Holdings Current Vodafone Group $ Ord Teleommunications Group Broadcasting Sky British Royal Society of Edinburgh Schedule of Investments- movements at valuation. Year Ended 31 March 2012 31 March Ended Year at valuation. movements Schedule of Investments- of Edinburgh Society Royal Financials Barclays

HSBCOrd0.50 Holdings US$ Greggs£0.20 Ord Elsevier Reed Stagecoach Group Tesco5p Ord Prudential Consumer Diageo UnileverOrd 1.4p Standard Life Standard PropertyInvestmentTrustTr Land Securities Group Securities Land Ord Financial Provident Pharmaceuticals Astrazeneca Glaxo25p Smith KlineOrd Services Firstgroup£0.50Ord

180 Schedule of Investments 7,941,063 Value 94,360 225,523 134,479 355,219 222,255 167,268 86,058 182,246 273,110 ------0 - Market Closing

(0) 373 8,063 8,093 90,543 17,722 (6,473) 13,709 (36,800) (19,029) (17,133)

12 3,763 - 5,727 5,126 0 (52,289) (24,410) Cost Proceeds on Sale for Year Market 48,526 - 111,542 72,859 - - 180,243 22,074 (207,443) 4,000 53,940 22,698 - - 7,070 189,814 72,509 - - 7,050 81,180 72,328 - - 4,200 57,618 14,731 - - 20550 176,540 88,477 - - 48,050 117,586 104,296 - - 16,150 280,240 81,452 - - 57,600 90,433 108,147 15900 No. Closing Opening Purchase Sales Gain/(Loss) Revaluation 2,948,542 6,064,793 1,780,000 Value ££££ £ £ Investment Current Holdings Current TotalSA Cash TOTALS Royal 25p Shell Ord Dutch Johnson Matthey Ord £1 Ord Matthey Johnson

BHP Billiton PLCBHP USD Billiton .50 Royal Society of Edinburgh Schedule of Investments- movements at valuation. Year Ended 31 March 2012 31 March Ended Year at valuation. movements Schedule of Investments- of Edinburgh Society Royal Utilities Centrica Resources BP US$0.25 Ord National11p Ord Grid ScottishSouthern Energy£ 0.5 & Industrials 25p Ord G4S Rotork Ord £0.05 Ord Rotork Smiths Group plcSmiths Group

181

FRIENDS OF THE SOCIETY In 2009 the RSE launched Friends of the Society, a corporate engagement scheme established with the purpose of developing the RSE’s relationship with Scotland’s business sector. The initiative provides an opportunity for the “Friends” to find out more about the RSE and the important work it carries out. It also presents the RSE and its corporate partners with a platform to explore areas of mutual interest and develop joint projects. Members of the scheme also receive a number of tangible benefits in return for a modest annual fee.

During the financial year 2011–12 the members were:

Aberdeen Asset Management SCDI BP Scottish Resources Group FES Shell The Herald Standard Life Lloyds Banking Group Toshiba Arup Wood Group RBS

183

CHANGES IN FELLOWSHIP DURING THE SESSION DEATHS REPORTED TO THE SOCIETY Fellows

John Russell Anderson Douglas Mathon Gent Lloyd Viscount (John Campbell) Arbuth- George Innes Lumsden nott Sir Donald Murdo McCallum Charles Malcolm Brown John Lennox Monteith John Grant Buchanan Eric Cyril Raynold Reeve Robert Davidson Tom Ridley James Andrew Eddison Sir Thomas Neilson Risk William Norrie Everitt Gary Francis Roach Alexander Fenton William Shepherd Robertson Raymond Michael Gaze Forbes William Robertson William Morrison Gordon Walter George Siller Sir James Arnot Hamilton George Andrew Sim Robert Mount Hill Andrew Stewart Skinner George Melvyn Howe Hamilton Smith John Mackintosh Howie Hugh Brown Sutherland Ainsley Iggo Derick Smith Thomson John Maxwell Irvine David Prestwich Tunstall Sir David Jack Christopher David Wicks Wilkin- Derrick Norman Lawley son

Corresponding Fellows Bhadriraju Krishnamurti Ralph M Steinman

Honorary Fellows

Sir William Hawthorne Har Gobind Khorana Friedrich Ernst Peter Hirzebruch John McCarthy Sir Andrew Fielding Huxley

185 Review of the Session 2011-2012

ELECTIONS Fellows Polly Louise Arnold Loeske Elizabeth Beatrice Kruuk John Franz Bachtler Kenneth William David Led- Sheila Macdonald Bird ingham David William Brown Gareth Leng Verity Joy Brown Leonid Libkin David Allan Cameron Joachim Loos Sara Lindsey Carter Iain Sinclair McLean Rebecca Cheung David Muir Wood Sarah Cleaveland Steven Patrick Nolan Iain Cameron Conn Gian-Luca Oppo Michael John Cowling Graeme Douglas Ruxton Hilary Octavia Dawn Critchley George Peacock Copland Sal- mond Heather Ann Cubie Owen James Sansom Jane Elizabeth Anne Dawson Naveed Amjid Sattar Paul Garside Joanne Scott Iain James Gordon Alexander Stoddart Celso Grebogi Kate Gillian Storey Christopher John Hawkesworth Jason Reese Swedlow Robert Allan Houston Caroline Mary Wilkinson John Peter Iredale Lesley Jane Yellowlees Simon Michael Kirby

Corresponding Fellows

David Andrew Barry Evan Rutherford Simpson Ibrahim Abdel Razag Eltayeb Kevin Thompson

Honorary Fellows

Mary Patricia McAleese Edwin Mellor Southern

186 STAFF CHANGES DURING THE SESSION Arrivals Mr Robert Lachlan, Accounts Ms Kate Kennedy, Lochaber Officer Project Officer Ms Becki Mann, Admin Recep- Ms Julie Steele, Executive Officer tionist. Dr Caroline Wallace, Policy Officer Departures Dr Avril Davidson, Young Academy Mrs Doreen Waterland, PA to Manager Chief Executive and Officers Mrs Isabel Hastie, Admin/Recep- tionist

Other Staff in post throughout the Session

Mr Gordon Adam, Director of Miss Kate Ellis, Director of Finance Business Development and Mrs Anne Fraser, Research Awards Communications and International Manager Ms Christel Baudère, HR Officer Mrs Jean Geoghegan, Finance Mrs Catriona Blair, Events Officer Officer Mrs Róisín Calvert-Elliott, Business Mrs Vicki Hammond, Journals and Development and Events Manager Archive Officer Ms Jennifer Cameron, Office Mr William Hardie, Consultations Services and IT Support Manager Officer Dr Lesley Campbell, Fellowship, Mr Graeme Herbert, Director of Manager (to May 2012) Corporate Services and Deputy Dr Lesley Campbell, Young Chief Executive Academy Manager (from May Ms Martina Hlinkova, Front of 2012) House Manager Ms Oonagh Carroll, Events Officer Mr Robert Hunter, Evening Ms Morven Chisholm, Interna- Caretaker tional Relations Officer (to May Mrs Susan Lennox, Consultations 2012) Officer Ms Morven Chisholm, Fellowship Mrs Jenny Liddell, Communica- Services Manager (from May tions Officer 2012) Mr Bristow Muldoon, Head of Mr Andy Curran, Property Services Press, Policy and Parliamentary Officer Affairs Dr William Duncan, Chief Execu- Ms Angela Nicholson, Records tive Management Officer

187 Review of the Session 2011-2012

Mrs Karen O’Neill, Admin Recep- Mr Jeremy Scott, Computing & tionist Information Science Exemplifica- Mr George Pendleton, Conference tion Project Officer (Secondment) Centre Assistant Ms Maggie Twomey, Events Ms Tracy Rickard, Research Awards Officer Co-ordinator Mrs Sheryl Vickery, Finance Officer Mr Brian Scott, Technical Support Assistant

188 OBITUARY NOTICES John Russell Anderson ...... 190 Keith Boddy ...... 193 Frank Featherstone Bonsall ...... 199 Charles Malcolm Brown ...... 202 Brian Capon ...... 205 Elizabeth Graham Cutter ...... 207 Peter Brian Denyer ...... 210 Robert Balson Dingle ...... 214 Michael Stephen Patrick Eastham ...... 217 David Patrick Frisby ...... 218 Francis John Gillingham ...... 222 Sir Norman Graham ...... 227 Richard Langton Gregory ...... 232 Alan Vernon Holden ...... 236 Sir Andrew Huxley ...... 239 Ainsley Iggo ...... 243 Sir David Jack ...... 250 William Fleming Hoggan Jarrett ...... 253 Hector Laing (Lord Laing of Dunphail) ...... 260 Derrick Norman Lawley ...... 263 George Innes Lumsden ...... 265 Douglas Maurice MacDowell ...... 270 Alasdair Duncan McIntyre ...... 273 John Lennox Monteith ...... 277 Brenda Elizabeth Moon ...... 280 Kenneth Murray ...... 284 Noreen Elizabeth Murray ...... 287 Eric Cyril Raynold Reeve ...... 292 Geoffrey Edwin Rickman ...... 297 Thomas Neilson Risk ...... 302 Gary Francis Roach ...... 305 Forbes William Robertson ...... 309 Walter George Siller ...... 315 Douglas Walter Noble Stibbs ...... 317 John Arthur Swaffield ...... 322 Charles James Taylor ...... 326 David Prestwich Tunstall ...... 330 Patrick (Peter) Gerard Walsh ...... 332 Thomas Summers West ...... 335 Christopher David Wicks Wilkinson ...... 339

189 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

John Russell Anderson 31 May 1918–30 October 2011

Always known by his colleagues anaemia; JRA pursued research in as JRA, he was born on 31st May this area, pursuing research on 1918 in Middlesborough, the son haemolytic mechanisms in an of a Glasgow-trained general experimental rabbit model. As a practitioner. He entered St. promising scientist he was Andrew’s University with an open awarded a prestigious Rockefeller scholarship in 1936, proceeded to Travelling Fellowship to the a BSc in Anatomy in 1939 and University of Rochester, New York, then graduated MB with Com- which he held in 1953–1954, mendation in 1942. After house working with George Hoyt jobs in Dundee, he spent a year in Whipple of the eponymous laboratory medicine, six months of disease, who had shared the which were with Professor Daniel Nobel Prize for Medicine or F Cappell in pathology. There Physiology of 1934. JRA returned followed three years of National to Glasgow in 1954 as a Senior Service in Ghana, Libya (where he Lecturer in Pathology and met, fell first learned to sail) and Egypt as a in love with and in 1956 married pathologist with the rank of Audrey Wilson, one of his stu- Captain in the Royal Army Medical dents. They remained together Corps. In 1947 he was recruited happily for 55 years and she was to Glasgow as Lecturer in Patholo- totally supportive of him in all his gy by Cappell, then Professor at activities. the Western Infirmary. In 1955 he was awarded the The Institute of Pathology at the degree of MD with Honours and Western Infirmary was inaugurat- the St. Andrews’ University Gold ed in 1896. The first two Medal for his thesis on Immune professors, Joseph Coates and Sir Antibodies in Haemolytic Anae- Robert Muir, built up the depart- mia: An Experimental Study. A ment to be one of the logical progression was to extend pre-eminent centres of research these experimental studies from and teaching in pathology in the disorders of blood to autoim- English-speaking world with a mune disorders of solid organs in particular emphasis in the devel- which the immune system attacks oping discipline of immunology. the patient’s own tissues. Collabo- Cappell continued immunological rating with Professors Robert research in particular into aspects Goudie, Watson Buchanan and Dr of autoimmune haemolytic Kathleen Gray, they were the first

190 Obituary Notices

to demonstrate circulating three people in his parents’ autoantibodies against the marriage: John, Audrey and adrenal gland in Addison’s ‘Muir’. He was elected to Fellow- disease. Similarly, they found a ship of the Royal Society of range of autoantibodies in thyroid Edinburgh in 1968. Despite his diseases and in various connective eminence, he was an invariably diseases. Together with Doniach modest man. In all his activities he and Roitt’s group in the Middlesex was scrupulously honest, even- Hospital in London, this work was handed and of total integrity. at the forefront of the investiga- On election to the Council of the tion of immunological diseases Royal College of Pathologists, he globally. quickly made his mark and He was a founder member of the proceeded to the Presidency in British Society for Immunology. 1978. Travel from Glasgow to His national and international London added to the burden of reputation now firmly established, the office but it was alleged he he was appointed to the George spent more time in the College Holt Chair in Pathology at the than any of his predecessors. He University of Liverpool in 1965, inspired the greatest respect and returning to Glasgow as the affection in those who came into Professor of Pathology and Head contact with him. He served on of Department in 1967. He numerous Department of Health continued and directed research, committees and also on the newly and furthered a policy of encour- and largely autonomous Educa- aging the next generation of tion Committee of the General pathologists to sub-specialise in Medical Council. His tact and diagnostic pathology; this fairness were invaluable in anticipated the subsequent highlighting shortages of re- widespread international trend of source in the laboratory such subspecialisation. disciplines to the Department of Muir’s Textbook of Pathology was Health and Local Health Authori- first published in 1924, and ties, and he promoted the quickly became a major interna- formalisation of training pro- tional undergraduate and grammes, in some ways postgraduate text. Firstly with anticipating ‘Modernising Medical Cappell and subsequently alone Careers’. Anderson was responsible for Conscious of the stresses that had editing four editions of ‘Muir’. In become manifest at the founding his eulogy, JRA’s son commented of the College of Pathologists in that during these periods of 1962, he sought to heal real and intense editorial work there were potential divisions in the various

191 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

laboratory disciplines and other hill-walking and, perhaps his professional associations. To this favourite pastime, yachting. With end he visited all the NHS regions a crew of retired friends, he sailed in the UK to discuss the problems extensively off the west of Scot- confronting the College nationally land, including a visit to the and locally. remote archipelago of St. Kilda. His contributions were recognised John Anderson was in some ways by the award of a CBE in 1980 idiosyncratic. With a shock of and an Honorary Doctorate of unruly hair he was not noted for Laws by the University of Dundee sartorial elegance, on occasion in 1981. After the end of his term wearing trousers at half-mast to as President, he returned to full- reveal an unmatched pair of socks, time work in Glasgow, retiring in which did, however match a 1984. This was to leave him with similar pair at home! His body 27 years of happy retirement. This language was characterised by a was well-filled by entirely non- quizzical and mischievous side- medical interests, notably within ways glance and a restless twitch his local community, serving the of the shoulders. He seemed to be Baldernock Community Council in unaffected by cold; in his room in protecting the village’s rural the College the ambient tempera- character. He was early to recog- ture was maintained at a balmy 55 nise ‘green’ issues and with degrees Fahrenheit, to the dismay Audrey collected innumerable of a less hardy College staff. acorns and beechnuts and hand- Following hill walks, he would reared thousands of saplings, cool off by immersing himself, which they planted with the fully clothed in a burn. permission of landlords locally John Anderson passed away on and furth of Glasgow. His manual 30 October 2011. He is survived labour complemented Audrey’s by his wife Audrey, daughter Lois, refined gardening skills and the sons Kenneth and Russell, seven market garden produce was sold grandchildren and one great in a local charity shop. Always a granddaughter keen sportsman, retirement allowed him to develop once Professor Sir Roderick again, skiing, racket sports, golf, MacSween

Professor John Russell Anderson, MRCP, FRCPG, HonFRCP, CBE. Born 31 May 1918. Elected FRSE 1968. Died 30 October 2011.

192 Obituary Notices

Keith Boddy 1 November 1937–19 September 2010

Keith Boddy was an exceptional His mandate from the Northern medical physicist: his achieve- Regional Health Authority was to ments ranged widely, but above develop medical physics services all, he was a personality who was across the whole region (and for most people; once met, never thereby help redress the relative forgotten. His career started in underfunding at that time of the radiation safety, an interest that NHS in northern England). He continued for the rest of his life, made ambitious plans and set but his work developed over many about implementing them with other areas. By the time he retired determination. From a department he was a celebrity within medical on just two hospital sites in physics, recognised internationally Newcastle, making visits to a few as a very significant leader. With others, he transformed the his passing, from cancer at age organisation into a truly regional, 72, Medical Physics lost a great comprehensive medical physics leader, a colourful personality and service, extending into almost a true statesman. every branch of medicine and Probably the most significant step including scientific, clinical and in his career came in April 1978 technical work, and teaching and when he returned to his native R&D. northeast of England (which he Growth was initially fairly rapid, always called “God’s chosen and then continued throughout country” ) to become the second the 20 years of his term, resulting head of the Regional Medical in a ten-fold increase in size, and Physics Department (RMPD) and clinical services running at thirteen Professor of Medical Physics at the different hospitals throughout the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, region which extended from the following the retirement of Prof FT Scottish border to Teesside and Farmer. Cumbria. This enabled services This appeared to some people to such as radiotherapy and nuclear be an unusual appointment, as he medicine to be delivered at had never previously worked in a national standard levels of hospital nor in a medical physics provision. department, although he had for Achieving all this was a substan- many years worked with clinicians tial feat. He attracted high calibre and accumulated an impressive staff who enhanced the reputa- record of multidisciplinary tion of RMPD and, of critical research.

193 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

importance, maintained the The regional organisation of required flow of new funding as RMPD was often cited as a model the NHS went through almost for its scientific and clinical work continual reorganisations. These, and innovation by its staff, which and the many changes in senior ranged from novel methods for NHS personnel involved at assessing blood supply to the skin regional level, resulted in the very (important in plastic surgery) to existence of RMPD being ques- the risks from exposure to light, tioned several times. the efficacy of sunscreens, and the From a later perspective, his establishment of a regional achievements seem yet more technical aids service to provide impressive, as maintaining a bespoke assistive technology consistent direction of develop- which became a service delivery ment in a changing environment model that others would copy. has proven very difficult. Earlier in After just a few years in Newcastle his career he had shown evidence there had been very significant of important qualities, including progress, which gave him consid- the ability to attract funding for erable authority on the national projects, and to engage in spirited scene. He was elected President of dialogue with fellow scientists. the Hospital Physicists’ Associa- Now he had a clear and consistent tion and the Institute of Physical vision of where he wanted to take Sciences in Medicine in 1986. At RMPD and was a compelling this time there was concern about speaker about the role of physics the future of the profession, and engineering in medicine and arising from some medical its importance to clinical services radiation over-exposure incidents, and innovation. He was a serious and low salaries resulting in and tough negotiator but used difficulties in recruiting new humour often, and a series of graduates of sufficient calibre. colourful expressions and homely Working with colleagues national- analogies to make his points, and ly and with those in parallel usually won any argument. professions, he set about raising Perceptive of those confronting the profile of medical physics with him, he provided solutions rather the government, getting to know than problems, and was a skilled senior figures and ministers, advocate in gaining their accept- inviting them to visit his own ance. He exuded confidence, department, emphasising that his inspired it in those he dealt with, staff were working on the clinical and in those he led. frontline, or as he put it ‘at the coalface’ of medicine, and were not just backroom staff. He

194 Obituary Notices

generated a sense of momentum, question the existence of the and within a few years there was a IUPESM. He attacked the problem, new NHS grading scheme for meeting key personnel, personally clinical scientists, providing for lobbying and making a fresh career progression, and a new application. The goal was graduate training scheme which achieved at the ICSU General at last made the profession Assembly in September, 1999 - attractive to new entrants. one of his proudest moments. He was elected President of the Without his efforts and leader- International Organisation for ship, this would never have Medical Physics (IOMP) in 1994. happened. Under his planning and leader- Keith Boddy was born in Stock- ship, IOMP initiated its Regional ton-on-Tees. He excelled as a Organizations programme, sportsman at school, also playing provided support and encourage- under-15 Rugby for Durham ment to the officers of new IOMP County and cricket for the local member countries and secured town. From Grangefield Grammar financial help for projects, School in Stockton he went to aggressively pursued designation Liverpool University from which he of Medical Physics as a profession graduated in 1959 with a BSc in recognized by the International chemistry. He was then appointed Labour Organisation of the UN in as a Radiation Protection Officer its International Standard Classifi- and later Head of the Health cation of Occupations, and Physics Section at Associated increased national society mem- Electrical Industries Research bership in the IOMP by about Laboratory at Aldermaston Court. 20%. While there he completed an MSc In 1997 he became President of in Radiation Physics at St Bar- the International Union for tholomew’s Hospital Medical Physical and Engineering Sciences College, London University. in Medicine (IUPESM), a body set In 1963 he moved to the Scottish up some years earlier to combine Universities Research and Reactor medical physics with bioengineer- Centre at East Kilbride where he ing (IFMBE) so that both developed his own research professions could become programme, for which he was members of the world-wide awarded a PhD from Glasgow scientific community, the Interna- University in 1967 and a DSc from tional Council of Scientific Unions Strathclyde University ten years (ICSU). An earlier application by later. He designed and built high IUPESM to become a full member sensitivity whole-body radioactivi- had been rejected, calling into ty monitors for use in clinical

195 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

studies for body composition and hypertension and arthritis and metabolism and for radiation other conditions. protection. Study of human He also had an interest in environ- metabolism using radioactive mental radioactivity, beginning in tracers was an established method his first post when he established which he applied to vitamin B12, the first environmental survey among other topics, collaborating programme and off-site emergen- with Glasgow clinicians. cy scheme outside the UKAEA and Assessing body elemental compo- was the first to report radioactivity sition by irradiation with neutrons in rainfall following atmospheric to activate elements so that they Soviet nuclear weapons testing in could be measured using the 1961. In 1986 the fire at the radiation emitted was a new Chernobyl nuclear reactor re- concept at that time. First he used leased radioactivity over much of a neutron beam from the centre’s Europe. In the UK, those hospitals nuclear reactor to assess iodine in that had suitably sensitive radioac- the thyroid gland, and later tivity monitors were able to make studied the use of radioactive assessments of affected people, neutron sources (Cf-252). but there was no overall picture of However, assessment of whole the risk to the general population. body composition was potentially Keith obtained government more useful. He realised that 14 funding to build a whole body MeV neutrons from D-T generator monitor in a large van (a repeat of tubes, then recently available and an undertaking at East Kilbride), developed primarily for cancer and send it around England and treatment, would enable a greater Wales to establish the pattern of number of elements to be human uptake of radioactive activated than was possible with caesium (Cs-137). radioactive neutron sources, as He had numerous other activities used in the only competing centre within the radiation protection at Brookhaven in the USA. A field. He served on several govern- concrete block shield surrounding ment committees - the Radioactive two generator tubes with be- Waste Management Advisory tween them a moving couch for Committee, the Committee on the the subject were built and, with Medical Aspects of Radiation in an adjacent whole-body monitor, the Environment (COMARE), and enabled measurement of whole- the Ionising Radiations Advisory body Ca, P, N, Na, Cl and O, in Committee of the HSC and addition to K from natural chaired a working group of the radioactivity. This facility was used Watt Committee on Energy. in studies of renal disease,

196 Obituary Notices

He was a consultant on whole- vening the site authorisation. The body monitoring to the inspectorate then prosecuted the International Atomic Energy NHS health authority responsible Agency and advised the World for the premises. Since the Health Organisation. incident was a technicality with no On the Sellafield Local Liaison consequence for safety or health, Committee, he chaired the Keith persuaded the authority to Environmental Health Sub- fight, and appeared as a defence Committee, where his abilities witness. The result was a token both to get to the core of a fine and costs to be paid by the problem, and to express scientific prosecutor. It was noted that after information about nuclear this event, there seemed to be a radiation and risks in terms much more moderate approach accessible to the layman, were taken by the inspectorate to particularly valuable. similar incidents. On COMARE, he worked on He received many honours reports on cancer in the locality of including the OBE in 1989, CBE in Sellafield and of Greenham 1998, the Institute of Physics Common. This work continued Glazebrook Medal (for leadership after his formal retirement, latterly in physics) in 1992, an honorary involving investigation of radioac- DSc. from De Montfort University, tive particles found on the and the IUPESM Award of Merit in beaches near the Dounreay 2000. nuclear site. He chaired the He was elected Fellow of the Royal Dounreay Particles Advisory Society of Edinburgh in 1981 and Group, liaising with the Scottish was also a Fellow of the Institute Environmental Protection Agency, of Physics, an honorary member of and was still working on this until the British Nuclear Medicine shortly before he died. Society, the Royal College of Despite all his work with govern- Radiologists and the British ment agencies, he was also willing Institute of Radiology, and an to take on the establishment in honorary Fellow of the Institute of the interest of fairness and Physics and Engineering in commonsense. Medicine and of the Society for Radiological Protection. Thus in 1992, one of his staff reported to the Environment He gave the Annual Lecture to the Department details of disposal of British Nuclear Medicine Society, a small amount of radioactive the Walker Lecture to the Royal waste material, which their College of Physicians and Sur- inspector then viewed as contra- geons in Glasgow, the Association Lecture to the Hospital Physicists’

197 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

Association and the first Jack in 1960 and had two sons, Meredith Memorial Lecture of the Christopher and Graham. We and Institute of Physics. many friends and colleagues His wife Sylvia was a fellow pupil extend our deepest sympathy to at the same school as Keith in his family. Stockton and also went to Iain Chambers, Roger Harrison, Liverpool University. They married David Williams

This obituary was also published in SCOPE, the magazine of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine. Keith Boddy, Medical Physicist, born 1 November 1937. Elected FRSE 1981. Died 19 September 2010.

198 Obituary Notices

Frank Featherstone Bonsall 31 March 1920–22 February 2011

Frank Bonsall made an enormous ending up with the rank of Major impact on mathematics in North- and spending his last two years of ern Britain, especially in research war service in India, testing and graduate education. Quietly equipment for jungle conditions. and self-effacingly, he influenced Returning to Oxford, he complet- a generation of young mathemati- ed his BA in Mathematics in 1947 cians with the elegance and and, that summer, married Gillian lucidity of his written and oral (Jill) Patrick, a fellow Honours expositions, both of his own graduate in mathematics from research and that of others. The Sommerville College, Oxford. Jill quality of his caring and thorough was to become a very successful research supervision was reflected secondary school teacher of in his many PhD students who mathematics both in Newcastle continued in research. upon Tyne and in Edinburgh. His forebears came from Derby- Frank was offered the chance to shire and Yorkshire, but he was stay on at Oxford as a graduate born at Crouch End in London, his student, but decided instead to father being an accountant who accept a one-year temporary became the Secretary of an lectureship at the University of import-export firm. The family Edinburgh. During that year, a moved to Welwyn Garden City in seminar visit by Professor W.W. 1923. Frank attended Fretherne Rogosinski led to an appointment House Preparatory School and at King’s College, Newcastle (then Bishops Stortford College, where part of the University of Durham), he excelled academically – win- first as a Lecturer, then Reader and ning most of the available prizes. finally Professor. During his years He went up to Merton College in Newcastle, he became a leading Oxford in 1938, later recalling figure in functional analysis and how much he enjoyed the attracted a growing number of freedom of university life during research students, amongst whom that first year at Oxford, as well as he was affectionately known as his first encounters with rigorous FFB. In Session 1962–63, he was analysis – the area of mathematics supervising no less than nine PhD that was to become his speciality. students, seeing each student for He completed two years of study one hour every week. He returned at Oxford before the war inter- to Edinburgh in 1965 to the vened. He served from 1940 to newly-created Colin McLaurin 1946 with the Royal Engineers, Chair of Mathematics, with the

199 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

flow of research students continu- He authored 67 research papers, ing unabated. Not long after collaborating with no fewer than returning to Edinburgh, he was to sixteen different mathematicians. play a key role in founding the He co-authored three research North British Functional Analysis monographs and a chapter of one Seminar, one of the first inter- other. It is difficult to convey the university seminars in technical details of his research mathematics and a model for work to a non-mathematical many others. audience. What can be said, He regarded his main research though, is that his work is marked work as having begun while he by its aesthetic simplicity. This can and Jill were spending an academ- be illustrated with one example: ic year at Oklahoma State In the early 1960s, the graduate University. The year was 1950, at analysis seminar in Newcastle was which time Senator Joseph struggling through a long McCarthy was beginning his witch complicated proof of a theorem of hunts against those whom he Choquet about the extreme regarded as having left-wing or points of compact convex sets in liberal sympathies. University staff, general spaces. Frank reduced the as state employees, were required whole proof to one simple to sign documents avowing application of the Hahn–Banach loyalty to the United States. Frank Theorem (“With what difficulty is refused to sign on principle; his that simplicity attained”). When salary was duly cut off and the he expounded the proof at the Bonsalls had to live on savings for British Mathematical Colloquium, the remainder of their stay. Frank the lecture hall was filled to spent four months at the Tata overflowing, and even included Institute of Fundamental Research many statisticians. in Bombay in 1961, and a year as In common with many scholars Visiting Professor at Yale Universi- who served in World War II, Frank ty (1966–67). had by-passed the PhD degree, Frank’s research interests were but he was awarded a DSc from wide ranging. The scope of his Oxford in 1964; jokingly he work may be seen in the six main remarked that he had waited until themes where he saw his research his offprints achieved an agreed lying: (i) Banach algebra theory; (ii) weight on the kitchen scales. operators mapping a cone into Throughout his career he main- itself; (iii) semi-algebras of tained extensive correspondence continuous functions; (iv) the with mathematicians around the numerical ranges of operators; (v) world, and gave service to the Hankel operators on Hilbert space; leading mathematical societies in and (vi) atomic decompositions Britain. Frank’s honours included and sums of Poisson kernels. 200 Obituary Notices

the Senior Berwick Prize of the small seminar at the University of London Mathematical Society in York. In his acceptance speech for 1966, FRSE in 1966, FRS in 1970 the Honorary Doctorate which was and an honorary doctorate from awarded to him by York, he spoke York in 1990. about the dangers of over- He never rushed into print, and it dependence on computer models is a pleasure to re-read some of in science. his carefully crafted research Frank loved gardening. The fruits papers. His own mathematical of the large garden in Edinburgh Apologia was expressed in an were widely shared, whilst the intriguing essay, A down-to-earth garden in Harrogate was a view of mathematics, written in veritable wonder to behold, 1982 for the American Mathemat- consisting of three different ical Monthly (the most widely gardens: flowering trees and circulated mathematical journal). shrubs; rose gardens and herba- One of his own most challenging ceous borders; and (his passion) standards was to refuse to quote vegetables and fruit bushes. There a theorem in any of his own work were also exotic flowers in the sun unless he had completely con- parlour and on the patio. He vinced himself of its validity. probably grew some of the best He saw this as necessary to fruit and vegetables obtainable in maintain the integrity of mathe- Harrogate. He also recorded matics. He also had a extensive weather data for down-to-earth view of life. He and Harrogate. He and Jill were also Jill were enthusiastic hill walkers enthusiastic solvers of the Xi- and, true to character, he assisted menes crossword puzzle in the a colleague at Edinburgh to climb Observer, and their names were many of the more inaccessible listed as winners on more than Munros and himself achieved the one occasion. full set. His two articles on the Frank Bonsall was the epitome of definition of a Munro for the a scholar and a gentleman and Scottish Mountaineering Club will be remembered by former Journal influenced subsequent students and colleagues with reformulation of the list of respect and affection in equal Munros. measure. He is survived by his wife Following retirement in 1984, he Jill, their happy marriage extend- and Jill moved to Harrogate, ing over 64 years, and also by his where Frank remained active in older brother Arthur. research, travelling weekly to a John Duncan, Alastair Gillespie

Frank Featherstone Bonsall BA, DSc(Oxon), DUniv(York). Born 31 March 1920, elected FRSE 1966, elected FRS 1970. Died 22 February 2011.

201 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

Charles Malcolm Brown 21 September 1941–11 October 2011

Professor Charles Malcolm Brown, Fellow from 1966 to 1967 in the one of Scotland’s most innovative laboratory of Professor A H Rose, thinkers in the field of microbial who was Head of the Department science and technology, sadly of Microbiology at the University passed away on 11th October of Newcastle. 2011 at home in Balerno, Edin- Charlie was aware that the values burgh. The eldest of three sons, in university education were Professor Brown, better known as changing from non-vocational st Charlie Brown, was born on 21 education to a wider concept of September 1941 in Gilsland, a university education where, in the small village near Hadrian’s Wall. biological sciences, multiple He often joked that had his expertise was required to develop mother been evacuated a few a profitable biotechnological miles further north during the industry. His university career war, he would have been born on began at the University of Newcas- the ‘right side of the border’. His tle, where he was a lecturer in father was a blacksmith and was a Microbiology from 1967 to1973. soldier during the Second World He moved to the University of War. After the War, his parents Dundee in 1973 to become a settled in Durham, where Charlie’s senior lecturer, and in 1979 he education began. was appointed Professor of He transferred from the local Microbiology at Heriot-Watt primary school to Houghton-le- University. At that time, microbiol- Spring Grammar School in ogy was part of the Department of Durham in 1953. In 1960 he won Brewing and Biological Sciences, a Brewers’ Society Scholarship to lead by Professor D J Manners. In read Biochemistry at Birmingham 1988, the Department was University. After graduating with a restructured as the Department of BSc in 1963, he developed a close Biological Sciences and the research relationship with the International Centre for Brewing well-known microbiologist and Distilling (ICBD), and Charlie Professor J S Hough, at Birming- became the first Head of the ham University, and completed his Department of Biological Sciences PhD on Metabolic studies of yeast and the Founding Director of the in continuous cultures in 1966 ICBD. ICBD graduates work under his supervision. To pursue successfully in malting, brewing his research interest in microbiol- and distilling companies world- ogy, Charlie worked as a Research wide.

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During his university career Editor-in-Chief of the Journal Charlie published over one Microbiological Sciences, Chair- hundred scientific papers, for man of the Advisory Board and which he was awarded a Doctor of Editor of Process Biochemistry and Science Degree from Birmingham was on the Editorial Board of the University in 1981. The title of his Journal of Applied Bacteriology, DSc Thesis was Continuous the Journal of the Institute of culture in microbial physiology Brewing and the Journal of and ecology. Charlie made a General Microbiology. significant contribution to the Charlie did not shy away from commercial rewards of linking administrative responsibilities microbial science with fermenta- and, on top of his research and tion technology. In addition to educational activities, he served as having a significant teaching load, Dean of the Faculty of Science at he took a keen interest in the Heriot-Watt University from 1993 research work of his post-gradu- to 1995 and was Vice-Principal/ ate students, served on over Assistant Principal (Resources) twenty university committees and from 1995 to 1999. He retired officiated as external examiner from the latter post in 2001 and and assessor of a similar number became an Executive Director of of institutions of higher educa- the Edinburgh Business School, a tion. Despite these commitments, position he held until he retired in Charlie found time to establish 2006. and develop Fermentech Ltd (1981) and BioScot Ltd (1984) as Charlie gained many awards over leading biotechnological compa- the years and was proud to be a nies. Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (1983), the Institute of Charlie had extensive research and Biology and the Institute of educational links with Scottish Brewing. Enterprise, Research Councils, the Scotch Whisky Association, Professor Charlie Brown was not brewing and malting companies, only a distinguished academic and biotechnical companies, PuriTech technologist, but also a devoted Ltd, the Scottish Marine Biological husband to Diane his wife, whom Association, the Ministry of he met during his time as an Defence and the Research Board undergraduate student at Bir- of the Agricultural and Food mingham University. She was his Research Council, and was Deputy constant support. He was equally Chair of the Department of the devoted to his three children, Environment Radioactive Waste Sara, Ann and Elizabeth, and to Management Advisory Commit- his grandchildren, Duncan, tee. He was also Founding Robert, Elspeth, Carrie, Douglas

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and Zoe. Although Charlie had a beyond what can be conveyed well-deserved international fully in a short summary of his reputation for his scientific work, career. Although he would simply he once thanked me for a written say that he did his best, he will be recommendation but was self- sadly missed and fondly remem- effacing enough to add, jokingly, bered not only by his family but that ‘the fiction’ was appreciated. also by his friends, colleagues, Professor Charlie Brown’s contri- staff and students whose lives are bution to Scottish education, richer because of his life and science and technology goes work. Geoff Palmer

Charles Malcolm Brown BSc, PhD, DSc(Birm). Born 21 September 1941. Elected FRSE 1983. Died 11 October 2011.

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Brian Capon 7 November 1930–20th May 2010

Brian was born in Southampton decade there until his final and educated at Taunton’s School. retirement in 1991. He gained a First-class Honours Brian was a distinguished physical external University of London BSc organic chemist. His early work Degree from University College was concentrated in the areas of Southampton in 1952, and a PhD inter- and intramolecular catalysis, from the University of Southamp- including enzyme catalysis. He was ton in 1955. He spent two years the first person to demonstrate as a research chemist in the intramolecular catalysis in the Semiconductor Group of the hydrolysis of glycosides and General Electric Company in acetals, and he also pioneered the Wembley, before choosing an investigation of the intermolecular academic career and becoming an catalysis of the reactions of these Assistant Lecturer in Chemistry at species. Birkbeck College in 1957. In 1965 he moved to the University of His most important achievement Leicester, eventually becoming a was the discovery of methods for Senior Lecturer. His stay at Leices- the generation and detection in ter was relatively short and in solution of unstable reaction 1968 he migrated north to the intermediates and other unstable University of Glasgow, where he molecules. Postulated reaction remained for the next fourteen mechanisms often involved years. He progressed rapidly hypothetical intermediates that through the ranks and was were never detected, but Brian awarded a personal Chair in showed, by the use of suitable 1974. He was elected to Fellow- precursors, that it was possible to ship of the Royal Society of generate these species in solution, Edinburgh in 1977. In 1982 he detect them and investigate their took early retirement from properties by NMR and UV Glasgow and spent a year as a spectroscopy. Initially, he exam- member of the scientific staff at ined the tetrahedral intermediates the Beilstein Institute in Frankfurt, of O,O-acyl transfer reactions and before taking up the Chair of was able to demonstrate their Chemistry at the University of existence, a major advance in Hong Kong, where he became mechanistic organic chemistry. Head of Department. He found a Simple enols had long been new enthusiasm for his research regarded as “incapable of and spent a happy and productive

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independent existence”, but Brian called CLOR (Capon’s List of Opera showed they could be prepared in Recordings), and includes details solution. In particular, he was able of all recordings that have been to make vinyl alcohol in solution, commercially available at any time, characterise it by NMR spectrosco- both of complete operas and of py and observe its slow extended excerpts from operas transformation into acetaldehyde. lasting longer than twenty Brian also used his approach to minutes. The database contains generate and investigate unstable information on over 12,000 tautomers of heterocyclic com- recordings. Its compilation was a pounds in solution. mammoth task and occupied Brian published over 130 scientific almost twenty years of Brian’s life; articles and reviews. He was he was still working on it when he particularly associated with the died. Along with his important well-known series Organic scientific contributions, CLOR is Reaction Mechanisms, which he his legacy. edited for several years with Although quiet by nature, Brian Professor Charles Rees and to was a stimulating friend, col- which he made many contribu- league and neighbour for many tions. years. I shall always remember him Retirement left Brian without a with great affection. He died th laboratory and colleagues, and peacefully at home on 20 May, thus unable to pursue scientific 2010. He is survived by his research. He turned his attention younger daughter Julie. Sadly, to his other great interest – opera since his death, both his wife Ruth – and decided to create an and his older daughter Claire have operatic database. The database is passed away. J D Connolly

Brian Capon, BSc, PhD. Born 7 November 1930. Elected FRSE 1977. Died 20th May 2010.

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Elizabeth Graham Cutter 9 August 1929–23 October 2010

Emeritus Professor Elizabeth boat to the Sudan, where Roy was Graham Cutter, who died of a judge in the colonial civil service. cancer aged 81, had an interna- Until her parents returned from tional reputation for her the Sudan in 1936, Elizabeth lived extraordinarily precise microsurgi- with three maiden aunts in cal approach to studies of the Edinburgh before going to anatomy and development of Rothesay House, a girl’s boarding lower and higher plants. She school, where she eventually employed this approach to became Head Girl. This school was understand how various types of evacuated to Paxton House near plant cells and organs originate, Coldstream during the Second are modified, and function. For World War, but even there the example, in one important paper, pupils regularly had to shelter in Lewis Feldman and Elizabeth the basement as German planes described how an aquatic plant, passed directly overhead. Subse- Hydrocharis morsus-ranae quently, Elizabeth obtained a First (Frogbit) formed root hairs. In this Class Honours B.Sc in Botany from differentiation process a certain the University of St Andrew’s type of cell in the root tip divides (1951) and a Ph.D in Botany from unequally to form larger and the University of Manchester smaller daughter cells. The larger (1954). Professor Claude Wardlaw cell type differentiates to form was her Ph.D supervisor and their diploid epidermal cells that research relationship led to a life- eventually cover and protect the long friendship. Indeed, when surface of the root, and the Elizabeth returned to Manchester smaller cell type differentiates into in 1972 she bought a house in root hairs. In the first part of this Bramhall (Stockport) very close to process the chromosomes and where Wardlaw had retired. cytoplasm of the smaller cell However, despite their forty-year undergo successive duplications friendship, Elizabeth always without the nucleus or the cell referred to him as “Prof”, never as dividing. This results in the Claude. Within ten years of production of a large, vacuolated, obtaining her PhD, Elizabeth was octoploid cell that then differenti- awarded a DSc by the University of ates into a root hair. St. Andrew’s. Elizabeth was the only daughter After a period (1955–1964) in the of Roy and Alix Cutter, who first Department of Botany in Man- met in 1928 whilst travelling by chester, Elizabeth was, in the

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modern idiom, ‘head-hunted’ by Unfortunately, various factors the University of California at made this task difficult. In particu- Davis to replace Katherine Esau, lar, the drastic reduction in an eminent plant anatomist, who university funding that followed was a recipient of America’s the election of the Conservative National Medal of Science. Four Government in 1979 meant that years later Elizabeth was promot- she was unable to reinvigorate the ed to a full Professorship. Department by recruiting new Elizabeth’s reputation was further staff. In 1986, following a long enhanced by the publication in period of anxiety and uncertainty, 1969 and 1971 of a two-volume Botany and ten other Depart- work on Plant Anatomy that was ments in Science and Medicine widely adopted as an undergradu- merged to form Manchester’s ate text in the UK and North School of Biological Sciences America. One reviewer wrote, ‘At containing more than 125 last, a first-rate comprehensive academics. Because of her physiological-developmental plant integrity and the confidence that anatomy book’. staff had in her, Elizabeth was able In order to care for her mother in to successfully guide the Botanists the UK, she resigned her Davis through this difficult period. In Professorship in 1972 and moved doing so she worked hard to to a Senior Lectureship in Man- ensure that Plant Sciences estab- chester, where seven years later lished a secure position in the she was promoted to the George new School. Characteristically, Harrison Chair of Botany. At the despite her justified concern that time Manchester (including the the re-organisation might disad- Faculty of Technology) had well vantage Botany, she loyally over 225 Professors, but only six supported those leading the were women. Perhaps this was the School. Indeed, she led a root and reason that when Elizabeth arrived branch revision of the undergrad- in her office as the new professor uate curriculum, which eventually the cleaner greeted her with resulted in the foundation of “Good morning, sir”. Thus, eighteen, modular-based BSc although in the 1970s it was very degrees in biological sciences. difficult for a woman to reach the Thus, although the creation of the topmost rung of UK academia, School had been driven primarily Elizabeth achieved this feat. by the wish of the University to improve research, Elizabeth’s On becoming Head of Botany in leadership ensured that its first 1979 Elizabeth knew that a great benefits were improved under- deal of work needed to be done if graduate provision and increased the Department was to regain its student choice. Indeed Elizabeth former reputation for research. 208 Obituary Notices

was an excellent teacher and field (often travelling to the Isle of Skye) botanist. As a Lecturer she had led and photography (she was as an undergraduate field courses and Associate Member of the Royal she continued to participate in Photographic Society). These are them in Manchester even after activities that require the kind of becoming Head of Department. patience and attention to detail Elizabeth published over fifty that she had always displayed as papers and her research reputa- an academic. She embarked on tion was a magnet for graduate many botanical and photographic students from around the world, expeditions to Europe, Australia eight of whom subsequently rose and Southern Africa and particu- to the rank of full Professor in the larly enjoyed her annual trips with USA, Canada and New Zealand. friends to the alpine meadows Her graduate students included around Wengen in Switzerland. Patrick von Aderkas, Kevin Gould Although Elizabeth Cutter had no and Les Nyman in Manchester, living relative, she has a devoted and John Caruso, Jack Fisher and ‘family’ of former graduate Larry Peterson in the University of students and colleagues. This California at Davis. Elizabeth was ‘family’ will miss her delightful an enthusiastic supervisor of ‘Twelve days of Christmas’ cards: research students, encouraging how did she find a new design innovation and gaining loyalty. each year? Elizabeth will be She became a Fellow of the Royal remembered for her science, for Society of Edinburgh in 1971 and her integrity, for her loyalty, and was an office holder in several above all for her great kindness. Learned Societies, including the She had a great influence on the Botanical Society of America, the lives and careers of many Bota- Linnean Society of London, the nists. International Society of Plant Acknowledgements: I am grateful Morphologists, and the Society to Margaret Smith, Daphne Peirse- for Experimental Biology. In Duncombe (Elizabeth’s friends), retirement, Elizabeth became Judy Jernstedt, Lewis Feldman President of the Botanical Society (University of California), Ron of Scotland. Buter, Bob Callow, Alan Charlton Elizabeth retired to Gattonside in and Harry Epton (University of the Scottish Borders and pursued Manchester) for their help in her lifelong hobbies of angling writing this obituary. Anthony P J Trinci Elizabeth Graham Cutter BSc (St Andrews), PhD (Manchester), DSc (St Andrews). Born 9 August 1929. Elected FRSE 1971. Died 23 October 2010.

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Peter Brian Denyer 27 April 1953–22 April 2010

Peter Denyer was a unique In 1980, Peter was a Lecturer at combination of electronics Edinburgh University, and his first engineer, distinguished academic, research project was to invent a inventor, company CEO and method of bit-serial silicon multiple entrepreneur. He pio- compilation, which grew rapidly neered CMOS image sensor chips into a six-man research activity. for many applications including, During this period he took up two most famously, mobile phones. He Fellowships – one with Sir Clive was the first academic to bring a Sinclair and then one in informa- Scottish University spin-out tion technology. He also held company to PLC (London Stock extensive consultancies, including Exchange). To his students and with BT, BP,Thorn-EMI, ESA, close colleagues, he was an Shlumberger and, with col- inspirational teacher and dynamic leagues, gave short courses to leader, a supportive and generous industry. His next step was to friend. secure funding for the Silicon Peter studied Electrical Engineer- Architectures Research Initiative, a ing at Loughborough University, 30-man joint programme be- where he graduated with First tween the University and seven Class Honours in 1975. He supporting companies, which he worked for a short time at GCHQ led. and then moved to Edinburgh, His promotion from Reader to designing LSI Circuits for Ferranti Professor set a record – on Defence Systems and later at October 1st 1986 he was appoint- Wolfson Microelectronics, ed Reader, but the very next day including a digital micrometer and he was appointed to the Advent CCD signal processing arrays for Chair of Integrated Electronics sonar pulse compression. At the (Venture Capital), becoming the same time, he studied part-time youngest Professor at the Univer- for a PhD at Edinburgh University. sity of Edinburgh. Through the Peter excelled as both an under- venture capitalist Advent, this post graduate and a PhD student. He carried consultancy links with showed early interest in company many other companies. start-ups, working for a year as co- At this time, Carver Mead, one of founder and Director of the LSI the key figures in VLSI research design house Denyer-Walmsley gave this assessment of Peter: Microelectronics Ltd.

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“… He is certainly one of a with University and Venture handful of most creative and Capital support. The significance innovative workers in the VLSI of this step should not be under- field. …” [His work ] “illustrates a stated. At that time, a time of range ... and breadth of interest economic difficulty, the produc- …” and “is truly inspiring … There tion of CCD imagers had largely are, world-wide, perhaps two or ceased in Europe and nobody else three people of any age that believed that the infant CMOS combine a comparable depth of imagers could compete. In fact, scientific understanding, with a some industrialists and academics demonstrated capability to subject were convinced they were not their ideas to real, experimental even possible. The success of the verification …” VVL imager, together with timely Carver Mead tried to persuade scaling of CMOS processes, meant Peter to join him at Caltech. It is that this was a revolution with largely thanks to Peter’s Glasgow- great potential. For several years, born wife Fiona Reoch, whom he VVL held an unchallenged lead, met at GCHQ and moved with to accompanied by intense interna- Edinburgh, and who wanted to tional scrutiny. During this period, educate her family in Scotland, Peter was very pro-active in the that Peter developed his career in invention of new products and Scotland and not in the USA. generous in giving them to others to develop. But he also spent time Whilst leading the Silicon Archi- on the stressful and difficult tectures Research Initiative, Peter detailed de-bugging and thrived devised innovative projects for his on solving difficult problems in final-year and PhD students. This the face of adversity. included a finger-print recognition system which attracted around VVL grew from one employee to £0.5M of funding from De La Rue. around one hundred. It grew from The shortcomings of the then an unknown University spinout commercially available imaging company into the first Scottish systems provoked Peter to University Company to become a conduct design experiments into PLC and be placed on the London making imager chips. In 1989, Stock Exchange. A relentless this culminated in the world’s first problem was that of raising funds single-chip CMOS (complementa- to continue the work. This was a ry metal-oxide semiconductor) really daunting task: every six video camera. Peter quickly took months or so, a new and much the opportunity to develop this larger round of funding was technology commercially by needed. In addition to all the setting up VLSI Vision Ltd (VVL) other demands, technical and managerial, Peter had an extraor-

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dinary skill convincing Bankers in which he did not hold an and Venture Capitalists to invest official position but which in the growing Company. Indeed, benefited from his inspiration, in 1998, as part of the next round advice and assistance. of raising capital, the only viable Peter’s publications include three option was for the company to be text books and around 100 co- taken over. It became the Imaging authored academic papers, Division of ST Microelectronics including three best paper (with a head office in Geneva) awards. He supervised around 30 which, from having no imaging PhD students and at least an capability, has become a world equal number of Research leader in camera chips for mobile Associates. In VVL ,many of his key phones. Many years on, this R & D employees learned a great deal Division is still based in Edinburgh from him informally and quite a and has strong links to the few, inspired by his example, left University of Edinburgh School of to form their own companies. All Engineering. of these people are indebted to Granted leave of absence from his Peter in many ways. As an entre- Chair at the University from 1992 preneur at VVL, he created jobs to 1998, he resigned from it after and many other subcontract jobs the sell-off of VVL. After acting as both in Scotland and internation- consultant and advisor to ST ally (US, Europe, Far East). This was Microelectronics during the one of the achievements of which transition, Peter re-directed his he was most proud at the time. energies towards encouraging In 1997 Peter obtained a Queen’s young academics to commercialise Award to Industry for VVL. In their ideas, sharing his experience 1998 he was awarded the Royal and helping their start-up compa- Academy of Engineering’s Silver nies to attract investment. He Medal and was appointed a acted as Chairman for the Scottish Fellow of the Royal Society of Microelectronics Centre, for Edinburgh. In 2008, the work on MicroEmissive Displays and for CMOS camera chips was awarded Rhetorical Systems. In 2001 he of one of the Rank Optoelectron- was appointed Honorary Professor ics Prizes. at the University of Edinburgh and was an advisor to their Commer- Peter was an inspiration to a cialisation Unit. He also chaired generation of students, young ATEEDA, QFT and Pufferfish, academics and aspiring entrepre- advised Dexela, and was a board neurs. He was very inventive, member of the ERA Foundation. dynamic and exciting to work There are many other companies, with. He was full of energy and enthusiasm and thrived on

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adversity. But underneath it all he Scotland and in the Mediterrane- was just a very nice guy. His death an. This is a sport of sufficient is a great loss to Scotland and the challenge at multiple levels to UK. His skills, advice and assist- hold his interest. Peter’s sudden ance in finding customers and and untimely death from cancer investors for many high-tech SMEs was a tragic loss for his col- over the last decade will be sorely leagues, friends and especially for missed. his family: wife Fiona, daughters In the last few years, Peter took up Kate and Kirsty, as well as his sailing and progressed from father and mother and two novice to skipper in two years. He brothers. became a passionate yachtsman, David Renshaw sailing off the west coast of

Peter Brian Denyer BSc (Loughborough), PhD (Edinburgh), FIET, FIoN, FREng. Born 27 April 1953. Elected FRSE 1998. Died 22 April 2010.

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Robert Balson Dingle 26 March 1926–2 March, 2010

Robert (‘Bob’) Dingle was born on conductivity of thin wires, and March 26, 1926 in Manchester. liquid helium II. Some of this work He studied at Cambridge Universi- is remembered eponymously: the ty (Tripos Part I 1945, Part II 1946) Dingle temperature, Dingle- and began research in theoretical Holstein resonance, and the physics under the supervision of D Dingle factor. R Hartree, earning a PhD from During this work, he encountered Cambridge in 1952 after spend- deep mathematical difficulties, ing the year 1947–1948 visiting associated with the approximate Bristol under the supervision of evaluation of integrals and the Professors Mott and Fröhlich. solution of differential equations, Following research positions in leading to infinite series (‘asymp- Delft in the Netherlands and totic expansions’) that were Ottawa in Canada, he was usually divergent. Dingle realised appointed to a Readership at the that existing techniques for University of Western Australia. In making sense of such series, and June 1960 he arrived in St getting useful results from them, Andrews as the first occupant of were often crude and ill-founded, the Chair of Theoretical Physics. and he devoted the remainder of He was elected to the Royal his research to mathematical Society of Edinburgh in 1961. asymptotics. It was in this area After a sabbatical period in that he made his most profound Canada, California and Western and lasting contributions, de- Australia, he remained in St scribed in twenty papers and Andrews until his early retirement culminating in his definitive and through ill-health in 1987. magisterial exposition Asymptotic His original field of research was expansions: their derivation and theoretical condensed-matter interpretation (Academic Press physics, in which he made major 1973). original contributions in several Before Dingle, almost every areas, described in nearly forty scientist who encountered a scientific papers. The topics divergent series regarded it as included quantum and statistical meaningful only up to an inherent physics, magnetic properties and vagueness, usually associated with surface reflectivity of metals, the remainder after discarding the anomalous skin effect, scattering divergent tail of the series. Much theory in semiconductors, the effort by mathematicians was

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devoted to establishing precise announced at conference after limits (‘error bounds’) on this conference. Rather, he was vagueness. Dingle’s approach was oblivious to what Ramón y Cajal startlingly different: building on called “the sour flattery of nineteenth-century insights by celebrity”. And although he Stokes, and avoiding what he enjoyed several collaborations, he regarded as a too-limited ap- worked mostly alone, rarely proach by Poincaré, he regarded a travelled to conferences, and by divergent series as an exact coding modern standards of physical of the function it represents. science his papers were ‘few, but Decoding (‘interpreting’) such ripe’. series is exact in principle, and in He was a committed and some- practice can lead to vastly im- times provocative teacher, proved approximations. By remembered for his dry and often identifying common patterns in mischievous wit and the generous the divergent series commonly hospitality provided by him and arising in physics and applied his wife Helen. As a research mathematics, he was able to supervisor, his advice was eco- establish systematic interpretive nomical, but always helpful and rules, now recognised as provid- perfectly to the point. ing a solid foundation for On the administrative side, he asymptotics and the first funda- chaired the Governing Committee mental advance in the subject for of the NATO Scottish Summer nearly a century. In subsequent Schools in Physics for several decades, several other scientists years, as well as being the Director arrived independently at similar of the 1962 and 1967 Schools. He concepts, but priority was un- was responsible for remodelling doubtedly Dingle’s, his methods the first-year mathematics teach- were more effective, and he ing at St Andrews; he was developed the techniques in much convenor of the Project Commit- greater detail. tee for the construction of the Recognition was not immediate. Student Union building, oversee- In large measure this was the ing the project from start to finish; result of Dingle’s style as a and he represented the university scientist. He did not rush to Senate on the Union Governing publish each incremental advance Board. as a separate paper, breathlessly

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Outside science, he enjoyed music ing research and an unusual and (his family was musically accom- detailed map of old St Andrews. plished). And his enjoyment of He died on March 2, 2010, in St fine wine and good food was Andrews, and is survived by his perfectly complemented by wife and their daughters Judith Helen’s legendary skills as a cook. and Susie. His keen interest in local history Michael Berry, John Cornwell and architecture led to painstak-

Robert Balson Dingle. Tripos I & II, PhD (Cantab). Born 26 March 1926. Elected FRSE 1 March 1961, died 2 March, 2010.

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Michael Stephen Patrick Eastham 2 December 1937–27 October 2012

Professor Michael Stephen Patrick and then King’s Colleges, being Eastham, FRSE, who was elected promoted to Professor in 1980. to a Fellowship of the Royal He received the Keith Prize of the Society of Edinburgh in 1982, Royal Society of Edinburgh in died on 27 October 2012, aged 1978. 74. From 1988 until 1991 he was Malcolm Brown and Desmond Professor of Mathematics in Evans write: Michael Eastham will Bahrain and was Honorary be remembered as a leading Research Professor at Cardiff mathematical analyst who University School of Computer contributed extensively to the Science and Informatics from theory of ordinary differential 1995. equations. Michael was a widely acknowl- Michael was born in London on 2 edged authority on the spectral December 1937. After attending theory of differential equations, Manchester Grammar School, he and was particularly well-known entered Merton College, Oxford for his analytical skills. He made in 1956 and graduated in 1959 many significant contributions to with double first class honours in such topics as the asymptotics of Mathematics. solutions of linear differential He then was a research student of systems, the deficiency index the eminent analyst Professor E.C problem, periodic problems, Titchmarsh and obtained his DPhil spectral concentration and in 1962; during 1959-61, he was resonances. He was the author of a Domus Senior Scholar at Merton 124 research publications and five College. books. He was admitted to the Degree of Michael is survived by his widow, Doctor of Science of Oxford Heather, two sons and four University in 1974. After lecture- granddaughters. He was a dear ships in Reading (1962–65) and friend and will be greatly missed Southampton (1965–69), he by all who knew him. spent the years 1969– 88 in the B M Brown W D Evans University of London, at Chelsea

Michael Stephen Patrick Eastham. Born 2 December 1937. Elected FRSE 1982. Died 27 October 2012.

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David Patrick Frisby 26 March 1944–20 November 2010

David Frisby’s clear, intelligent, and career; teaching and researching persuasive voice will be missed at Heidelberg, Konstanz, Prince- across many fields of scholarly ton, San Diego and Yale. endeavour. As the only son of a David’s wanderlust matched his coppersmith and his wife, David intellectual restlessness, which was born into modest circum- constantly pushed him in new and stances in Sheffield in 1944. An demanding directions. His PhD, outstanding grammar school awarded by the University of career led to employment as a Glasgow in 1978, was on the management trainee for the origins of the sociology of National Coal Board, which in knowledge, and addressed in turn led to a Coal Board-funded particular the work of Max Scheler, scholarship to study sociology at Georg Lukács and Karl Mannheim. the LSE. Although destined for a This dissertation already con- starry academic career, David at no firmed David’s high-level skills in point lost his attachment to his the German language, which roots, and happily recounted tales enabled him to work on the of a series of improbable summer Mannheim Papers in Heidelberg jobs, which saw him painting coal University, where the text was trucks black and learning the completed. It was subsequently tricks of bus conducting from old published by Heinemann in 1983 hands in the Chesterfield depot. under the title The Alienated Judging the right moment to ring Mind: the Sociology of Knowl- the start bell just as the sprinting edge in Germany 1918–1933, passenger was about to leap on and republished in an extended board was, by all accounts, one of form in 1992 by Routledge in its the finer skills. International Library of Sociology. More serious employment soon Introducing this text, David followed, with a five-year sojourn defined in one characteristically at the University of Kent, followed clear and simple sentence the in 1975 by a move to the Universi- conviction that drove much of his ty of Glasgow, where David was a subsequent work, namely that “… leading light in the Department of the reflections that we associate Sociology for thirty years, before with the sociology of knowledge taking up a chair at the LSE in emerge out of a theory of culture, 2005. Although firmly and usually a critique of contemporary productively settled in Glasgow, culture that is seen to be in a state he travelled widely throughout his of crisis.”

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Georg Simmel was the lens consumption and circulation”. through which David focused his The formation of society, the initial investigations, and in the sociology of culture, modernity same year that his doctorate was and its implications were recurring awarded he published (together themes in Simmel’s own writings, with Tom Bottomore) a pioneering and formed the armature for translation into English of David’s scholarly explorations, for Simmel’s Philosophy of Money. A which the metropolis, the great string of further works on Simmel city or Großstadt, was the inescap- followed, which included: Georg able context. Simmel (1984), Simmel on Culture With the sociological background (1997), Sociological Impression- so comprehensively covered, ism: a Reassessment of Georg David’s thoughts in the 1990s Simmel’s Social Theory (1992), turned increasingly towards the Simmel and Since (1992) and fabric of the metropolis, its George Simmel: Critical Assess- planning and its architecture. ments (1994). David also worked Vienna around 1900 was the city with German colleagues in of choice and the initial focus was situating Simmel within the the architect and designer of the broader context of German General Regulation Plan for sociology, most notably in his Vienna, Otto Wagner. The result- essay on Simmel, Ferdinand ing text, Metropolitan Tönnies and Max Weber, pub- Architecture and Modernity: Otto lished in 1988 in Ottheim Wagner in Context, was awarded Rammstedt (ed.), Simmel und die an MArch by the Mackintosh frühen Soziologen, and in School of Architecture in the Fragments of Modernity: Theories Glasgow School of Art in 1998. It of Modernity in the Work of was contracted for publication by Simmel, Kracauer and Benjamin University of Minnesota Press but (1985), which introduced twenti- remains, sadly, unpublished. eth-century German social theory to successive generations of The connection formed by David undergraduates across the world between the disciplines of and elegantly delineated the sociology and architectural and febrile and precarious nature of urban history was to prove modernity. Simmel was born in enormously fruitful, as it mirrored Berlin on the corner of Leipziger- the intellectual constellation that strasse and Friedrichstrasse – a informed much of the theoretical junction, as David pointed out, discussion of the city in the first that “was to become the point of six decades of the century. Moral intersection of the social circles of consensus, social solidarity, individual identity within the

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larger community, and the need ally at the city as the purlieu of the for shared meanings in a secular detective and, in particular, at culture were issues of vital Dashiell Hammett and his one- importance both to the sociolo- time employer, the Pinkerton gist and to the architect and city Detective Agency, famous for its planner over this period. The motto: “We never sleep”. The attempts to shift the balance same restless energy marked between what Simmel termed David’s pursuit of detective novels, “subjective” and “objective” which sat in their hundreds, culture in the modern metropolis double-banked on his book- in favour of the former; the desire shelves. By happy coincidence, to shape a genuine individuality in Alan Pinkerton, who set up the periods of excessive individualism eponymous Agency in Chicago in (Durkheim); the search for a 1850, had been born in Glasgow positive urban way of life in the in 1819. face of increasing social differenti- A further essay from this period ation (Wirth, Geddes); the longing investigated the great Viennese for a re-enchantment of the world debate of the 1890s on the despite the forces of disenchant- competing charms and meaning ment (Weber); the parameters of a of straight versus crooked streets viable ‘asphalt culture’ (Sombart); (in: Iain Boyd Whyte, ed., Moder- and the filling in of ‘empty’ spaces nity and the Spirit of the City, (Bloch) by a new spirituality that 2003). Very typically, David did not embraced utopianism – all found simply content himself with a tangible forms or resonant echoes straightforward account of the in contemporary architectural Otto Wagner versus Camillo Sitte practice and debate. dispute, but used it to test Michel In 1998–2000, David was award- de Certeau’s proposition that the ed a senior Senior Scholar Grant activities of the planners and by the Getty Grant Program, Los architects and the everyday Angeles, together with Iain Boyd practices of the urban population Whyte, which enabled them to are divergent, with the planners advance their research on these producing panoramic visions that themes more fully. Among the are inaccessible to those who live outcomes were David’s Simmel in “below the thresholds at which Wien (2000), and the collection of visibility begins.” his essays brought together in A sojourn at the Davis Center for Cityscapes of Modernity (2001). Historical Studies at Princeton Whilst primarily focused on University in 2004–05 saw more Vienna and Berlin, one of the texts work on the German-speaking in this volume looks more gener- metropolis, and the gestation of

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an anthology of texts on Berlin in could be employed in many the late nineteenth and early different national and historical twentieth centuries (with Iain contexts.” Boyd Whyte). The manuscript had As David’s final publication, it will already been submitted before the be a worthy monument to a onset of David’s final illness, and brilliant career. found a very positive resonance with the external readers of the Academic brilliance, however, is commissioning publishers, the rarely so happily combined as it University of California Press, one was in David’s case with a charm- of whom noted: ing modesty, great intellectual generosity, and a sincere desire to “Its major contribution is to support the work of others. His reconstitute the built environment marriage of almost thirty years to of Berlin during the period of its Tanya Ticktin was an enormous classical modernity by the selec- source of strength, and Tanya’s tion and juxtaposition of texts vigour, anarchic scepticism and from fields including architecture, vivacious humour were the perfect urban planning, sociology, complement for David’s own political theory, cultural criticism, quieter and more reflective wit. literature, and journalism. Few cities in the world have had this David Frisby will be sorely missed type of comprehensive multidisci- by all who had the good fortune plinary treatment. Publication of to know him: he was a wonderful the book will be an extremely colleague and friend, who left life important event in spatial cultural as he had lived it: quietly, uncom- studies, for it will set the standard plainingly and with great dignity. for a methodological model that Ian Boyd Whyte

David Patrick Frisby BSc (LSE), MArch (Glasgow School of Art), PhD (Glas- gow), DSSc (Queen’s University, Belfast). Born 26 March 1944. Elected FRSE 2001. Died 20 November 2010.

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Francis John Gillingham 15 March 1916–3 January 2010

Born in Dorchester, England, on ‘Tamil Tigers’. The operation was 15 March 1916, Francis John carried out in Edinburgh and Gillingham, or John as he pre- prolonged the leader’s life. In ferred, was educated at The 1962 Gillingham became Reader Thomas Hardye School, Dorches- and in 1963 Professor of Surgical ter, Dorset and studied medicine Neurology at the University of at London University and Edinburgh and was elected a St.Barthomolomew’s Hospital, Fellow of the Royal Society of where he won prizes in surgery Edinburgh in 1970. In 1980 he and obstetrics. After graduation, became President of the Royal he joined the Royal Army Medical College of Surgeons of Edin- Corp and was deployed for 18 burgh, where he vigorously months in Sir Hugh Cairns’ ‘crash pursued and established Fellow- course’ in all aspects of neurologi- ships in surgical sub-specialities. cal trauma. Gillingham later Education was a primary interest became commanding officer of and he supported the use of the number 4 Neurological tutorials, television and other Surgical Unit in the Middle East audiovisual aids. and Italy – the ‘Nomadic Sur- Gillingham’s experiences during geons’. the Second World War gave him After the war he returned to an understanding of, and a Oxford and in 1950 was appoint- lasting interest in, head injuries. ed Senior Lecturer in Surgical He was working with the fully- Neurology at the University of equipped mobile neurosurgical Edinburgh. Gillingham spent 12 units, the brain child of Sir Hugh years working alongside the Cairns, officer in charge of the Edinburgh University Professor ‘crash course’ in military head Norman McOmish Dott, one of injuries. To quote Gillingham: “He the great triumvirate of neurosur- was the boss of us and greatly geons that also included Hugh liked and was a friend of Judy and Cairns in Oxford and Sir Geoffrey myself. Ours was the number 4 Jefferson in Manchester. In 1961, mobile surgical unit, we chased as an expert in Parkinson’s after the 8th Army in the desert disease, Gillingham was chosen to for some two months during the operate on the politician S. J. V. huge battle for El Alamein and Chelanayakam, leader of the Sri then to Sicily [The Nomadic Lankan Tamil United Front – the Surgeons]. Ken Eden our OC from

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UCH in London was our CO; detailed recording of every married with three young chil- operation I did, writing in cap- dren, he died from tured Italian bookkeeping books, polioencephalitis early in the which were sadly lost in a flood. It Italian Campaign. I was recovering was important to record the from poliomyelitis which left me direction of the missile in three with a paralysed jaw, eating slops dimensions, unless it was a for three months; however I ‘through-and-through’.” ‘cheeked’ my way back to com- Gillingham correlated these mand the unit”. injuries with any abnormal central 1300 missile injuries were treated nervous system (CNS) signs or in the North African Desert and behavioural and emotional nearly 5000 in Italy – Gillingham aberrations, and superimposed kept meticulous notes on how scattergrams of a similar type and bullets entered, traversed and looked for the appropriate often exited soldiers’ brains: function of the injured part. He “One day a young soldier came made diagrams of these injuries, into the pre-op tent, apparently describing an area now known as well but for a headache and the the reticular activating system. suggestion of neck stiffness. He Missiles in this area always had been blown up by a mine and resulted in total loss or serious had felt a blow to the right right loss of consciousness – nowhere side of his head. Looking with a else did this occur with missile mirror he saw a wound. I took the injuries. This Gillingham regarded opportunity to look at the same as the seat of the conscious mind, spot on the left side and found a an analogy being the central two-millimetre hole. There was processing unit (CPU) of a compu- nothing on X-ray and we assumed ter. In recognition of this work he the fragment had passed right was awarded the Medal of the through, missing every important Society of British Neurological structure. We did nothing and the Surgeons (in May 2009). soldier returned to full fighting When his colleague in Edinburgh, duties after a week – lucky chap! Professor David Whitteridge, These tiny missiles were just what described the use of microelec- was required for our endeavour to trodes in distinguishing between map the grey matter and its small grey and white matter, Gillingham and large masses. Others had immediately saw its usefulness in done some mapping of the cortex distinguishing deep brain struc- in World War I and here was a tures. From these first new opportunity. ....I resolved microelectrode recording studies, therefore to face the discipline of fundamental insights were gained to improve lesion accuracy, 223 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

including the observation that Gillingham’s interest in the nature spontaneous rhythmical discharge of memory and evolution never from the thalamus was synchro- diminished. One day, discussing nous with tremor. Marcel Proust’s In Remembrance However, the main emphasis of of Times Past, he remarked that his work in Edinburgh was on Proust was possibly a temporal stereotaxis as an aid to localising lobe epileptic, and pointed out brain lesions. He was introduced that temporal lobectomy on the to stereotactic surgery by Gérard left side had to be carefully done Guiot, who had visited Edinburgh lest damage to the superior to learn aneurysmal surgery from temporal gyrus caused loss of Professor Norman McOmish Dott cognitative memory, adding that and Gillingham. Several days were certainly the hippocampus, spent with Guiot, performing amygdala and the wider functions freehand pallidotomies under of the temporal lobe are much local anaesthesia using a subfron- concerned with memory, both tal approach to the anterior long- and short-term. Further time perforated substance. and studies will reveal the cortical areas dealing with specific Gillingham’s wealth of experience functions such as music, calcula- in aneurysmal surgery led him to tion, language and adapt Guiot’s stereotactic method computerisation, which may need to an occipitoparietal approach to the access of the short-term avoid striate arteries. Over the memory. years he refined this apparatus, introducing a motorised drive and In 2008, John Gillingham suffered extensions, targeting the cerebel- and survived major cardiac lum, brain stem and cervical spine surgery; he was successfully in chronic pain and dystonias. operated on by surgeons in Results from 60 patients showed London, for whom he had great that electrocoagulation lesions of praise. His room was sparse – a the globus pallidus, internal chair a table, a floor cover – but capsule and thalamus, either was spotlessly clean. In December separately or in combination, 2008 he wrote “I am now stabi- reduced tremor and rigidity in lised on cardiac drugs and 88% of cases. In this era predat- prednisolone, 18 milligrams a day, ing MRI scans, stereotactic for giant cell arteritis. How are neurosurgery proved to be one of you? Have you had giant cell the most important developments arteritis? A horrid thing! Also I in 20th-Century brain surgery. have been confined to a wheel- chair with a weak shoulder. I do wonder about its pathology,a

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worn out adrenal cortex. Not bad Hugh Cairns, a brilliant adminis- for 93 eh!”. trator, arranged their wedding In retirement he enjoyed debating locally in Oxford, followed by a evolution and creationism. He reception in his house. After the agreed with both Darwin and war they settled in a splendid David Attenborough about the house overlooking the Forth, anatomy of descent and basic where Judy was a sparkling functions, but argued that our hostess entertaining guests with brains have evolved to such a tales of their many tours abroad. degree beyond the apes that In retirement, Gillingham went as perhaps we should look to a Professor of Neurosurgery to the missing link for our intellectual King Khalid University Hospital at functions; but felt that we have Riyadh – at that time a veritable lost ground to the apes, greed nest of distinguished medicos. and other things having set us Gillingham’s services were in back. Darwin and Attenborough demand during the planning for a have emphasised an anatomical new medical school and I remem- approach but the evolution of ber his insistence for the necessity consciousness remains an enigma. of a helicopter pad. He at once set To quote Gillingham: “We have about with great gusto, improving learned from rehabilitation training and skills in the neurosur- studies that most of us die gery section which soon began to without having exploited more flourish. He was helped along by a than 50% of our brain potential. fortuitous first case. A young male There are areas of the brain where Saudi had suffered severely from even grey matter substations have epilepsy which was refractory to not yet been allocated a function. treatment despite the efforts of Systems within the brain, if clinics in Paris. Gillingham interrupted in their connections, diagnosed a cerebral aneurysm can, with skilled rehabilitation, be and operated with success. It is persuaded to initiate alternate apocryphal that outside the door connections within the brain and of the theatre during the opera- spinal cord. This plasticity is tion there stood a faithful family noteworthy in the CNS, which so retainer wielding a sword! far has not been persuaded to His modesty and kindliness were regenerate”. apparent throughout his life; all His wife Judy was a constant who met him remained to admire support. He married Judy (Irene him. Once, walking through the Jude) in 1945 and they had four main corridor of the King Khalid children and many grandchildren, Hospital in the company of a Syrian Surgeon who had studied

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in Tubingen, we encountered man? I would never tell him so John, advancing towards us with but I would do anything for him!” his entourage. As they passed by, Nihil tetigit quod non ornavit the Syrian doctor lent to my ear and whispered ‘Do you see that Angus E Stuart

Francis John Gillingham CBE, MBE (Mil), MBBS(London), Hon MD Thessalo- niki), FRCS, FRCSE, FRCPE, Hon FRACS, Hon FRCS Ireland, Hon FRCPS Glasgow, Hon FSACS, Hon FCS Sri Lanka. Born 15 March 1916. Elected FRSE 1970. Died 3 January 2010.

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Sir Norman Graham 11 October 1913–26 February 2010

Norman Graham was born in departments and was posted to 1913 in Dundee, but his roots the Department of Health for were very firmly in the West End of Scotland in October 1936. Glasgow, where he was raised and The stamina and abilities of the educated. His father had moved small cadre of very able young civil from Dumfriesshire to Glasgow to servants then in the Edinburgh train as a marine engineer and departments were to be stretched worked at sea for several years. to the limit over the next few years During the Great War, his ships as intense preparations were operated under naval direction; made to protect and succour the one was torpedoed off the Scillies civilian population from the while another served at Gallipoli. effects of the aerial warfare which After the war, Norman’s father by then looked unavoidable. became a partner in a firm of Norman was involved in planning engineers in Glasgow. the provision of health facilities, Norman enjoyed a stable and including emergency hospitals, happy home life which left him over much of Scotland. During with a lifelong commitment to the this time he was still living at church, a love of golf and an home in the West with time for enduring affection for the west golf and rugby but he also took coast, initially Arran and the Firth on a commitment to help the of Clyde but later Arisaig, Coigach Reverend George MacLeod (then and Colonsay. He was usually top of Govan Old Parish Church, of the class at Hyndland Primary founder of the Iona Community, School and delighted his fellow- later Lord MacLeod of Fiunary) and pupils by confounding an his talented team of young overbearing headmaster by ministers to run the boys’ clubs at successfully spelling ‘onomato- the Pearce Institute in Govan. poeic’ both forwards and Soon after the outbreak of war backwards. He was joint Dux at Norman was sent to London as the High School of Glasgow and private secretary to the Scottish entered Glasgow University in Office permanent secretary Sir 1931, taking first class Honours in Horace Hamilton. He expected to History in 1935 and in Classics in be released to join the Navy but 1936. He then competed success- instead was posted to the new fully for the Home Civil Service, Ministry of Aircraft Production opted for one of the Edinburgh where he experienced a huge

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range of work - running Lord self-standing entities as in Beaverbrook’s Spitfire Fund, England and Wales; this was to purchasing strategic materials make for much better overall covertly from unfriendly neutral management of hospital provision countries, planning the establish- over the first decades of the NHS. ment of a college of aeronautics The Scottish Act was passed in which would later become 1947 and came into effect in become Cranfield University and 1948. considering how to deal with the After a spell in charge of one of V-weapons the Germans were the housing divisions during the known to be developing. In his critical period of expansion in the spare time he served in the Home early 1950s, Norman succeeded Guard and latterly as a special Douglas Haddow as health under- constable. Finally in 1944 he secretary in 1956, a post he would became principal private secretary hold for over seven years. Thanks to the minister, Sir Stafford Cripps, to an improving economic whom he found to be the ideal situation it was possible to plan boss, pleasant, considerate and and begin to implement a amusing as well as incisive. comprehensive hospital building After the war Norman was posted programme, including the new back to the Department of Health Dundee teaching hospital at for Scotland (DHS) in Edinburgh. Ninewells and a series of district On promotion to assistant general hospitals; Norman set in secretary in charge of the hospi- hand important original work on tals division, his great ward design, based on innovative contribution to public services in study of working practices. These Scotland could begin in earnest. years saw an effective campaign to The new Labour government were improve children’s dental health, pushing ahead with the establish- the mass radiography campaign ment of the National Health to eradicate tuberculosis and a Service. DHS had to devise and radical revision of Scottish mental negotiate solutions appropriate to health legislation, a particular the Scottish situation where, for concern of his. His work for the example, the general hospital Health Service was recognised by service depended wholly on his appointment as CB in 1961. voluntary hospitals. One impor- At the start of 1964, however, tant difference the DHS team were Norman’s nearly 20 years of able to achieve was to make the involvement with health came to teaching hospitals the responsibil- an end with his promotion to be ity of the new Regional Hospital Secretary of the Scottish Education Boards instead of leaving them as Department (SED). SED was the

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oldest of the Scottish departments in 1964 under the former teacher (being set up by an Act of 1872) Willie Ross had strong views and had traditionally kept itself a about education and would not bit apart from the others. It had necessarily be willing to rubber- only come fully into the Scottish stamp whatever ideas the Office ‘family’ in 1945 and had in department put to them. Nor- the past drawn many of its senior man’s solution was to establish a administrators (including Nor- more open and consensual man’s predecessor, Sir William approach to curricular develop- Arbuckle) from the ranks of HM ment, involving teachers as well as Inspectorate of Schools. Norman’s the Inspectorate, under the arrival came as a breath of fresh oversight of what became the air, not to say a mighty whirlwind! Scottish Consultative Committee Norman found his new depart- on the Curriculum which he ment immersed in a great ferment himself chaired in its early years. of activity, largely led by the Norman’s concept of a national Inspectorate, which was aimed at system of curricular advice based modernising and re-appraising on wide consultation and consen- the school curriculum; there was sus has served Scotland well for also the ticking time-bomb of the over 40 years, and has certainly commitment to raise the school protected our schools from the leaving age to 16, with all that over-prescription and frequent that implied in terms of resources changes of direction experienced – accommodation, teachers and in England. curriculum. He could see the Norman’s years at the SED were immense advantage Scotland full of change and challenge. possessed in having a single Labour ministers were determined national approach to the curricu- to change the structure of Scottish lum and examinations (in contrast secondary education and pushed with the situation at that time in through a wholesale changeover England, where there were several to comprehensive schools examining bodies with different throughout the country; they also curricula and there was no abolished the right of local tradition of central leadership) authorities to charge fees in and he valued the quality of the certain of their schools including Inspectorate’s work. He believed Norman’s Glasgow High School, however that more should be and withdrew government done to involve the teaching funding from the then grant- profession and the wider public. aided schools. In some areas this He quickly saw that the Labour resulted in quite dramatic changes ministers who came to power later which were nevertheless success-

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fully negotiated and implement- university and especially in the ed. Meanwhile, far more than the process which resulted in the expected 30% of pupils were establishment of a completely succeeding in the Ordinary Grade new university at Stirling. In SCE examinations (introduced recognition of the role he played, only in 1959) and many more both Heriot-Watt and Stirling gave than previously were proceeding him honorary doctorates and he to gain enough Highers to go into later served on the Court at higher education. The big expan- Stirling. sion in teacher training provision Looking back at Norman’s years at planned by Norman’s predeces- the administrative helm of the sors was at last enabling teacher NHS in Scotland and in charge of shortages to be overcome and a SED, one can see that it was a properly planned school building period of relative political calm programme was underway, and financial optimism in which including provision for the raising ministers and their professional of the school leaving age. One and administrative staff felt able element of the programme which to take a long view of prospects Norman was particularly proud of and plan the ‘big picture’ with was to provide decent hostel some confidence. Norman’s accommodation for senior pupils inspiring, magisterial leadership from remote islands and mainland and flair for identifying and areas who would have to leave empowering talented individuals home for some or all of their made sure that good use was secondary education. made of this period of opportuni- Another area of major change was ty for the benefit of health and higher education, where the education. number of universities in Scotland Throughout his career Norman doubled from foure to eight Graham displayed the highest following the publication of the commitment to public service and Robbins Report (1964). Strath- brought energy, directness and clyde was formed from the Royal imagination to the work for which College and the Scottish College he was responsible. He was of Commerce in Glasgow and trusted by ministers and highly Heriot-Watt College was upgrad- respected by his colleagues and is ed; all three colleges had gratefully remembered by many of previously been under SED’s those who served under him and tutelage. Norman was also were inspired by him. His distin- involved, as assessor to the guished public service was University Grants Committee, in recognised by his appointment as Dundee’s erection into a separate Knight Bachelor in 1971.

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Some time after his return to work the task he most enjoyed was to in Edinburgh after the war, serve for ten years as the Secretary Norman met and fell in love with of State’s nominee and first Kitty (Catherine Mary Strathie), Chairman of the St Andrews Links whom he married in February Trust, which was set up in 1974 to 1949. They were to enjoy over 61 run the golf courses in St An- years together, nearly 58 of them drews. The Trust was highly in Longniddry, where they had a successful and he found the work new house built in 1952 as soon absorbing and exhilarating; what as post-war restrictions eased. is more, when he retired after ten There he could indulge his delight years he was given the right to in gardening and golf, play his play free on any of the courses for part in the life of the parish life. He and Kitty also took the church (he served as an elder for opportunity to travel more widely over 50 years) and the wider in Europe, North America and community, and bring up his Australasia and to spend time children John (who was to follow with their children and their seven his father into the Scottish Office), grandchildren. Norman remained Alastair and Catherine. physically well into his nineties After his retirement in 1973 and intellectually vigorous to the Norman served on the Council on end. He is survived by Kitty, his Tribunals, the BBC Advisory three children, seven grandchil- Committee and the Broadcasting dren and one great-grandson. Council for Scotland. But perhaps Russell Hillhouse

Norman William Graham, CB, Kt, MA (Glasgow), DLitt (Heriot-Watt), DUniv (Stirling). Born 11 October 1913. Elected FRSE 1972. Died 26 February 2010. Vice-President 1977-1980

231 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

Richard Langton Gregory 24 July 1923–17 May 2010

Richard Langton Gregory was talent for explaining science to the descended from a long line of public had already been spotted academic Gregories. The first was by the Air Ministry, and in the the illustrious James Gregory of summer of 1945 he was posted to Aberdeen (1638-1675), who a very popular exhibition at the invented the Gregorian reflecting John Lewis bomb site in London, telescope and developed the where he had the job of showing calculus. Richard’s father, Christo- factory workers and other visitors pher Clive Langton Gregory, was how military devices worked. Director of the University of He won an RAF scholarship to London Observatory at Mill Hill, study philosophy and experimen- and Richard retained the family tal psychology at Downing interest in astronomy. College, Cambridge (1947–50). It is, of course, not enough to After a period of research at the inherit good blood - one must MRC Applied Psychology Unit also show achievements in one’s (1950–53) he became a lecturer in own lifetime. This Richard Gregory the Psychology Department of certainly did, making significant Cambridge University (1953–67), contributions over such diverse and a Fellow of Corpus Christi fields as the philosophy and College (1962–67). He was also psychology of perception, the the Director of the Special Senses design of instruments, and the Laboratory, and it was at this stage popularisation of science for the that I became his research assist- general public. He was perhaps ant on a US Air Force grant in one of the last great Gentlemen 1961. The Special Senses was (as I of Science. soon discovered) a historical term Richard showed his inventive for the well-known five senses of talents from an early age. As a boy Vision, Hearing, Taste, Smell and he went to the King Alfred School Touch — as opposed to the in London, where he received general or common sense and every encouragement to explore - other less understood senses. The and accidentally reinvented title in no way restricted his Pythagoras’ theorem. He served in enterprises: at this period he was the RAF (Signals) during the working on the interaction Second World War, which provid- between vision and the vestibular ed further training in radio sense; weight perception; the communications and radar. His visual system of the copepod

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Copilia; a general theory of the said Yes. One eventually learned visual illusions; the development that ‘Yes’ meant ‘No’, ‘Yes, yes’ of a scanning electron microscope meant ‘Perhaps’, and ‘Yes, yes, yes’ and a telescope camera that really did mean ‘Yes’. This behav- removed atmospheric turbulence; iour produced some interesting and on his first major book Eye social situations. Richard used to and Brain (1966), which went into take his research team to confer- five editions. His laboratory ences, and introduce us to other contained a large parallel swing, a psychologists at receptions; each motorised sled on railway lines, person we met would suggest and a plethora of fascinating that we should eat together later objects. It was a golden age. At that evening, and Richard would this time Richard was married to agree to three or four such his first wife, Margaret Muir commitments before finally (divorced 1966). They had two leaving with another group. bright children, Mark and Romilly. Richard could get away with They were a very hospitable behaviour, and with research couple, often entertaining strategies, that less talented students and colleagues in their people cannot – so he was not an home. ideal role model for aspiring Richard believed that life should academics. Nevertheless he was be fun, and that research should very concerned to promote the be fun. Why spend time on boring careers of all those who worked research, when there were so with him, and he inspired many many interesting topics to people to follow up his ideas. One investigate. Richard was happiest of his most successful research with phenomena that could be assistants and co-inventors was demonstrated in an afternoon, Stephen Salter, an engineer who and he did not want to get later became famous for his involved in lengthy experiments nodding ducks – an early version and statistical analyses. This of wave power technology. caused difficulties for some of his Richard revered many earlier students and research assistants, scientists, but had a special regard including myself. We needed to for Hermann von Helmholtz. He conduct publishable experiments expounded Helmholtz’ idea that to establish our careers, and could much of perception was like an not afford to change tack along ‘unconscious inference’, and he with his shifting enthusiasms. maintained that ‘perceptions are There was also the problem of hypotheses’. He explained certain interpreting his wishes. Richard geometrical illusions as automatic never liked to say No, so he always ‘bottom-up’ processes that were

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nevertheless similar to ‘top-down’ again they were very hospitable in distance-scaling processes. This their beautiful New Town flat. was not a new idea, but Richard However, Richard did not enjoy had the gift of publicising it. He Edinburgh. The weather was bad, gave these illusions a new lease of the city was lacking in buzz, and it life, with many researchers was a long way to London and conducting experiments and Cambridge. But much worse were entering the controversy. Richard the difficulties of the new depart- also admired Kenneth Craik, the ment. The three founding first director of the MRC Applied professors were all brilliant Psychology Unit in Cambridge, scientists, but prima donnas. They who died tragically young. Craik could not sort out a common developed the idea of a cerebral direction for their research, and model, or inner representation of they did not get on with each the world, which allows us to other. The group broke up when perceive and interact with the Richard left for Bristol in 1970, world. Richard followed this idea and Longuet-Higgins for Sussex in with enthusiasm, and believed 1974. Nevertheless, their work that computers and robotics could had laid the foundation for give us insight into the workings modern artifical intelligence (AI) of the brain. research. The infamous Lighthill Richard was always a little larger Report of 1973 caused the than life, and inevitably his Science Research Council to laboratory began to run out of restrict funding for AI in the UK space. In 1967 he followed the for a decade, though work ancestral call and went to Edin- continued elsewhere. Richard burgh University as one of the himself had an ambivalent three founding professors of the attitude to computers. He did not Department of Machine Intelli- like using them to conduct gence and Perception, the other perceptual experiments, preferring two being Donald Michie and the clever and elegant pieces of Christopher Longuet-Higgins. It apparatus that he designed was the first of its kind in Europe, himself. But he remained enthusi- and he helped to develop the astic about robotics and AI, and pioneering robot ‘Freddie’. He was was deeply disappointed by the elected a Fellow of the Royal Lighthill Report. Society of Edinburgh in 1969. I Richard moved to Bristol in 1970 caught up with him again in 1969 to become Professor of Neuropsy- when I moved to Stirling Universi- chology and Director of the Brain ty. By this time he was married to and Perception Laboratory. This Freja Balchin (divorced 1977), and was perhaps the most fruitful

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period of his life. He founded the Richard presented a brand that he international journal Perception pronounced No Can Do – an (1972), published several books example of one his appalling including The Intelligent Eye puns, and quite inappropriate. If (1970), edited The Oxford Com- anyone ever had a Can Do panion to the Mind (1985, revised approach, it was Richard. edition 2004), established a People like Richard Gregory never hands-on science centre in Bristol truly retire. As an Emeritus called ‘The Exploratory’ (later to Professor he established the become ‘Explore@Bristol’), and Perceptual Systems Research continued to give many radio and Centre in Bristol University television broadcasts. He officially Psychology Department. He retired from his Personal Chair in worked with the Engineering 1988, and was made a CBE in Department on a snooker-playing 1989. He was elected an FRS in robot, and retained his childlike 1992 for the Improving of Natural enthusiasm for new inventions. In Knowledge. He was showered his later years he lived with his with honorary degrees – DUniv long-term partner and collabora- from the Open University, Stirling tor, Priscilla Heard. He began to and York; DSc. from Bristol, Exeter, slow down after he suffered a East Anglia, UMIST, Keele and minor stroke in 2008, and he died Edinburgh; and an LLD from a few days after a massive stroke Bristol. He was awarded countless in May 2010. other honours, prizes and fellowships. He will be remembered as an inventor and communicator; as an Richard continued to find time for inspirer of ideas; as a generous travel and fun. He often visited and forgiving man, lacking in Scotland for meetings of the malice and guile; and as the little society for Scotch Perspectives in boy who never grew up. the History of Perception – an irregular society that requires He is survived by his two previous aspiring members to submit a wives, his long-term partner bottle of malt whisky that no Priscilla Heard, his children, and other members have submitted. two grandchildren. Helen E Ross

Richard Langton Gregory CBE, MA (Cantab), DSc, LlD (Brist), FRS, FRSA,FBPsS; Born 24 July 1923. Elected FRSE 1969. Died 17 May 2010.

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Alan Vernon Holden 12 July 1922–1 August 2011

Alan Vernon Holden was born in 1950, Alan was appointed as a Cambridge on 12 July, 1922 and Scientific Officer and Senior died in Ninewells Hospital, Chemist there. He spent the rest Dundee on 1 August, 2011, aged of his working life at Faskally and, 89. With his passing, science in on the retirement in 1974 of Scotland has lost one of the Kenneth Pyefinch, FRSE, the pioneers of freshwater chemistry laboratory’s first Officer-in-Charge, in Europe but his legacy lives on Alan was appointed as his through his many publications. successor as a Senior Principal Alan’s parents, Arthur and Ruby Scientific Officer. He remained in Holden, encouraged Alan in his charge there until his own education and were pleased when retirement in 1982. he opted to go to university. During three decades of research Unfortunately, Alan’s father died at Faskally, Alan initiated a at the young age of 41. Alan number of major projects relating attended Milton Road Elementary to the chemistry of rivers and School and then Cambridge and lochs in Scotland and its relevance County High School for Boys to fish ecology, especially the where he won a Scholarship to biology of Brown Trout and Trinity College, Cambridge. At Atlantic Salmon. One of the university he studied chemistry, earliest of these studies was the physics, mathematics and mineral- experimental chemical fertilisation ogy. Because of World War 2, the of freshwater lochs, aimed at normal course was reduced from improving their productivity and three to two years and Alan soon ultimately that of their native graduated with an Honours BA in stocks of Brown Trout. Initially, 1943. four lochs in Perthshire were From 1943 to 1945 Alan was selected for a fertilisation experi- employed by the Ministry of ment in 1952, following Supply. He then joined the staff of preliminary monitoring of their the Kodak Research laboratory, chemistry. Calcium and phosphate where he remained until 1950. A were the two chemicals used for year or so earlier, the Brown Trout enrichment. In 1954, the experi- Research Laboratory (now the ment was extended to six lochs in Freshwater Fisheries Laboratory) Sutherland, followed in 1957 to had been established at Faskally, two lochs on Islay and a further near Pitlochry, and on 1 August, two in Perthshire. Much useful information was obtained from

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these experiments, a notable of ‘Cymag’) became readily feature of which was the quick available. The salmon poaching uptake of phosphate within the fraternity in Scotland quickly systems concerned. This lead to recognised its potential and fish valuable experimental work on the kills from this source became fairly role of loch sediments and the common in Scottish rivers. Again, uptake there by the sediments Alan’s team were called on to and by aquatic plants of phos- develop suitable methods for the phates. Some of these detection of cyanide in fish tissues experiments involved the use of and, in many cases were subse- radiophorphorus. quently able to provide the In the 1960s and 1970s, there necessary scientific evidence to was considerable concern among convict offenders. ecologists about the extensive use In the 1970s, the chemical quality of pesticides such as DDT and of rain became an important Dieldrin and their subsequent international issue and a major effects on wildlife and the programme of research on this environment in general, including topic was initiated by Alan and his human health. A programme to colleagues. Alan had already investigate this topic was initiated created a firm foundation for such by Alan at Faskally which pro- work by his studies in the 1950s duced results so important that which showed that the influence some industrial procedures were of airborne sea water on the changed to stop further damage chemistry of west coast lochs is to the environment. A good important in the general supply of example of this was at Loch Leven, nutrients to these waters. As well where the woollen mill at Kinross as showing further that significant stopped the use of Dieldrin as a amounts of sea salts were being mothproofing agent directly as a deposited inland in Scotland’s result of the evidence of organo- lochs and rivers during storms, the chlorine residues in the tissues of results of the new research fish in the loch. The programme provided a major contribution to on pesticides was subsequently our knowledge of the impact of expanded to include studies on acid rain on native fish stocks. The mercury. As with the research on strong collaborative approach loch fertilisation, new analytical between the chemists and fish methods had to be developed in biologists at Faskally showed that the laboratory by Alan and his co- a significant number of fish stocks workers. in Scottish lochs had become After the War, some poisons, such extinct as a consequence of as cyanide (under the trade name acidification.

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Alan and his team published Secretary of the Pitlochry Abbey- many important scientific papers field Society. In addition to these on the above topics over the years contributions to society, Alan and he became a major contribu- continued his professional tor to various committees, interest in fisheries as a member seminars and conferences, both in of the Institute of Fisheries the United Kingdom and interna- Management and he was ap- tionally. He chaired several groups, pointed Chairman of the Scottish including one within the Europe- Branch in 1982. In recognition of an Inland Fisheries Advisory his services to the Institute he was Commission dealing with prob- subsequently elected a Fellow and lems of water quality. He was also an Honorary Vice-President. chair of an OECD working group Alan had a long and happy family on Wildlife Sampling and Analysis life in his home in the village of and of an Intergovernmental Moulin with his wife Dolly (Dolina) Oceanographic Commission and their daughter Fiona. Eventu- Working Group on Pollution of ally Alan and Dolly became the the Ocean. He was elected as a proud grandparents of Lynsey and Fellow of the Royal Society of Michael who became an increas- Edinburgh in 1973. ingly important part of their lives. After his retiral in 1982, Alan Sadly, Dolly died a few years devoted his activities to a number before Alan. A memorial service of important local organisations. for Alan was held in Pitlochry on He was a long-serving Rotarian 10 August, 2011 and attended by and a member of the Pitlochry his many friends and former Probus Club. At various times he scientific colleagues. He was later was Chairman of the Pitlochry laid to rest at Fonab Cemetery Community Council, a representa- beside his beloved Dolly. tive for Moulin on the local I thank Gordon Struthers, Ross Neighbourhood Watch, a member Gardiner and Fiona Bell for their of the local Crime Panel and, for advice in preparing this obituary. 20 years, the hard-working Peter S Maitland

Alan Vernon Holden. BA (Cantab), FIFM, FSB. Born 12 July 1922. Elected FRSE 1973. Died 1 August 2011.

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Sir Andrew Huxley 22 November 1917–30 May 2012

Professor Sir Andrew Huxley, fibre and the beginning of the widely regarded as one of Britain’s next. most eminent scientists and great The scientists began experiments university administrators, the on the very large nerve fibres former master of Trinity College, (diameter about 0.5mm) pos- Cambridge, shared the Nobel sessed by squids. Their first task Prize in Physiology or Medicine in was to measure the viscosity of 1963 with Sir Alan Hodgkin, a the interior of the fibre by sus- lifelong friend and collaborator, pending it vertically and dropping and with Australian scientist Sir droplets of mercury down it. This John Eccles, who was cited for failed because the mercury research on synapses. They droplets stopped as they entered received the prize for unravelling the fibre, showing that its interior the biophysical mechanism of was a solid, not a viscous liquid as nerve impulses which control supposed. Instead, they pushed muscle action. an electrode down inside, in order Huxley and Hodgkin began to measure directly the potential collaborating on the nature of difference between inside and nerve impulses in August 1939, outside – and obtained a direct when Hodgkin invited him down recording of the voltages across to the Plymouth Marine Laborato- the nerve membrane, the first time ry, following his return from that this had been done. America. While there, he had The consensus of the time was successfully demonstrated the that the interior of a fibre at rest mechanism by which electrical was up to one-tenth of a volt impulses activate the next seg- negative relative to the external ment of a nerve fibre, and had solution, but rose to equality with begun to work with the recently the external potential at the peak discovered nerve fibre of the giant of a nerve impulse. The pair squid. At the time, there was confirmed this as regards the controversy about the way in resting state, but the internal which neural signals were gener- potential at the peak of the ated and transmitted along fibres impulse was substantially positive. and across synapses – the con- They published a short paper in necting junctions where there are the journal Nature, announcing gaps between the ends of one their achievement of recording

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action potentials from inside a they diffuse inwards, carrying their nerve fibre. positive charge. However, their work was suspend- Within six years, Huxley and ed with the outbreak of the Hodgkin had laid the detailed Second World War, during which foundations of the modern time Huxley was involved in a understanding of the transmis- number of projects. Initially a sion of nerve impulses. Their clinical student in London, due to model, which was developed well the Blitz teaching was suspended, before the advent of electron and Huxley spent the rest of the microscopes or computer simula- war on operational research in tions, was able to give scientists a gunnery, first for Anti-Aircraft basic understanding of how nerve Command and later for the cells work without having a Admiralty, working in a team detailed understanding of how under Patrick (later Lord) Blackett. the membrane of a nerve cell Hodgkin worked in radar research looked. with the Air Ministry. They demonstrated that these In spite of the war and their travel, not along the core of the involvement in widely separated fibre, but along the outer mem- and often secret activities, the two brane as a product of successive men remained in touch and even cascades of two types of ion. The swapped advice on particular finding and the detailed mathe- problems. One such occasion saw matical theory that accompanied Huxley design and produce, using the work, completed in 1952 in a a lathe, a new type of gun sight series of five papers, was ground- during the development of breaking and resulted in their airborne radar. share of the Nobel Prize. Soon after the war, in 1946, they Born in Hampstead in 1917, returned to neurological research Andrew Fielding Huxley came at Cambridge. Their work necessi- from a celebrated family. His tated the development of grandfather was Thomas Huxley, specialist equipment which in the 19th century biologist and many cases was not only designed staunch supporter of Charles by Huxley, but also built by him. Darwin; his two half-brothers They began discussing how the were Julian Huxley, also a biolo- squid membrane becomes gist, and Aldous Huxley, author of specifically permeable to sodium the novel Brave New World. ions. These are about ten times Surrounded by a plethora of more concentrated in the external books of all persuasions, Huxley solution than inside the fibre, so became interested in science and

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practical engineering, learning muscle fibres. He also developed a how to make microscopes and microtome for electron micro- other scientific instruments. He scope sections, and a was encouraged by his mother, micromanipulator. who was good with her hands, In 1984, Huxley succeeded and at the age of 14 he received a Hodgkin as master of Trinity, metal-turning lathe. It proved a Cambridge, breaking the tradition revelation. With it he produced whereby the mastership alternates many items including a 6cc two- between a scientist and an arts stroke internal combustion man. Huxley relished the opportu- engine. This skill was to prove nity and took on the role with his invaluable in later life, enabling strong yet gentle and peaceful him to design much of the personality. He was carefully but equipment he used in his experi- sharply outspoken on issues of ments. scientific structure, the university Huxley attended University role and the need for long-term College School before transferring stability in the national research to Westminster School with a base. King’s Scholarship. In 1935, he Already a research fellow at Trinity won a scholarship to read natural College in the late 1940s, Huxley sciences at Trinity College, became Director of Studies (1952- Cambridge. Initially, aiming to 60), and was Jodrell Professor of specialise in physics, a friend Physiology at University College suggested physiology to Huxley London (1960–69). As a Fellow of because “it was a most vital the Royal Society (1955), he served subject” and he “would be on its Council (1960–62) and held learning things that were still a Royal Society Research Professor- controversial,” which appealed to ship at UCL (1969–83). Huxley was his sense of curiosity. an editor of the Journal of During his research with Hodgkin, Physiology (1950–57), and also an Huxley also worked with the Swiss editor of the Journal of Molecular physiologist Robert Stämpfli on Biology. He received many nation- myelinated nerve fibres. Together, al and international honours. in 1951, they evidenced the *** existence of saltatory conduction in myelinated nerve fibres. To my knowledge, writes Tam Thereafter, Huxley turned to Dalyell, Andrew Huxley took many muscle contraction and its causes, initiatives to help scientists at the and developed an interference beginning of their careers and microscope for studying the those facing adversity. striation pattern in isolated

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Allow me a personal experience. those who claim to be substantial In 1981, I sabotaged in the House financial donors to the Labour of Commons Standing Committee Party. How am I to reply?” Michael a Private Members Bill by the Foot summoned me. “I love cats,” Wellingborough MP, Peter Fry, he said. which would have had the effect Unprompted, hearing of my of inhibiting scientific research in plight, Andrew Huxley, as Presi- Britain on animals. My Party dent of the Royal Society, broke leaders, Jim Callaghan and precedent and wrote to Callaghan Michael Foot, were deluged with and Foot saying that the Fry Bill over 500 seemingly independent, would injure medical research. My but incandescent letters complain- bacon was saved. ing that “so wicked a man as Dalyell” could be endorsed as a Huxley’s contribution to the Labour MP. What were they going Research Defence Society was to do to arrange my deselection as extremely significant. For a quarter a Labour candidate in the 1983 of a century after 1981, I would General Election? Callaghan, who phone him from time to time was well disposed towards me, about the content of my weekly summoned me to his office. column for New Scientist. No man “What have you been up to? It’s was less conscious of his eminent not only the anti-vivisectionists positions. that have written, but a number of Martin Childs, Tam Dalyell

Sir Andrew Huxley OM PPRS HonFREng HonFRSE. Born 22 November 1917. Elected HonFRSE 1983. Died 30 May 2012.

Sir Andrew Huxley, OM PPRS HonFREng HonFRSE Eminent scientist whose pioneering work earned him a Nobel Prize in 1963 Huxley often designed and built the new specialist equipment that his scientific work necessitated First published in The Independent, 6 June 2012 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/sir-andrew-huxley-eminent- scientist-whose-pioneering-work-earned-him-a-nobel-prize-in-1963-7817934.html reproduced by permission of The Independent

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Ainsley Iggo 2 August 1924–25 March 2012

Ainsley Iggo, born in Napier, New Society of Neuroscience website, Zealand on the 2nd of August Ainsley gives a fascinating and 1924 died at his home in Edin- highly readable account of his life burgh on the 25th of March 2012 and career. He begins by describ- aged 87. As an electrophysiologist ing his rather humble beginnings ,Ainsley pioneered the study of in an impoverished New Zealand; sensory cutaneous receptors and first in Greymouth on the west afferents, the organisation of the coast of the South Island and later dorsal horn and the physiology of in Invercargill where he attended the ascending tracts within the secondary school at Southland spinal cord. In particular he was Technology College. This was the amongst the first to classify C start of a series of interlinked fibres and mechanoreceptors and events orchestrated by a number discovered themoreceptors in the of outstanding mentors, K. E. skin. His most cited paper is a McKinnon in Invercargill, M. M. classic with Alan Muir, outlining Burns in Lincoln College, Canter- the morphological and physiolog- bury, J.C. Eccles in the University of ical characteristics for Otago, A. T. Phillipson in the distinguishing a unique cutane- Rowett Research Institute in ous receptor type from all others, Aberdeen and David Whitteridge in this case the Merkel receptor. in Edinburgh. One of the many Interestingly, his next most cited charms of the autobiography is paper dates from 1955, describ- the ease with which Ainsley ing his early work in Edinburgh highlights the contribution made which completed his studies for by his mentors, colleagues and his PhD in the Rowett Research collaborators. Institute in Aberdeen, on tension Ainsley’s first encounter with an receptors in the stomach and electrophysiologist was when urinary bladder. At this time he passing through Dunedin he also established the mandatory phoned J. C. Eccles to ask for a requirements for the identification temporary job. Ainsley had won a of action potentials recorded from Travelling Scholarship while a single fibre using the collision working for his masters degree in technique. Canterbury Agricultural College In his autobiography, published in which would only become the series The History of Neuro- available two years later, and he science in Autobiography on the needed an interim job. With the

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financial help of a cousin and later sheep and this combination of an assistant lectureship he was viscera and recording from able to study physiology under peripheral nerves was to dominate Eccles, Archie McIntyre and others his early publications. This early and take part in a research project need to build his own equipment recording extracellular potentials was the stimulus for the superb, from excised superior cervical and highly enviable, electronic and the cilary ganglia with Eccles’ mechanical workshops he estab- daughter, Rose Eccles. The project lished in the Department of was a flop and Ainsley turned Veterinary Physiology on the Dick down the opportunity to work for Vet campus at Summerhall. a PhD in Otago. It is not clear why In 1952 Ainsley joined David J.C.Eccles suggested isolating the Whitteridge’s Department of ganglia. In his 1935 papers Physiology in Edinburgh and describing his work in Oxford spent many months building an Eccles emphasised the need to integrated electrophysiological preserve the blood supply to the recording unit under the supervi- ganglion “care being taken not to sion of Jock Austin. At endanger its blood supply”. Whitteridge’s suggestion he With the blessing of Eccles, he set began by recording from the out for the UK and at the age of pelvic visceral nerves as they 26 began work for his PhD in the entered the spinal cord and Rowett Research Institute in identifying tension receptors in Aberdeen. The focus of his new the bladder and flow detectors in mentor, Phillipson, was on the the wall of the urethra. Once he reflex regulation of ruminant mastered this technique he gastric movements in sheep and returned to the stomach recording Ainsley worked on the isolation of from identifiable single units of ciliated protozoa from the rumen slowly conducting Aä and C fibres of sheep while he tried to put an of the vagus nerve. Not only did electrophysiology laboratory he find in-series tension receptors together using a manual pub- similar to those in the bladder but lished by C. J. Dickinson and the more superficially in the mucosa help of a local marine engineer. he isolated pH sensitive receptors. Although the quality of his Having mastered the technique of electrophysiological recordings recording from single unmyelinat- were a disappointment, over a ed fibres Ainsley felt sufficient two-year period he developed a confidence to explore the role of preparation for the analysis of the C fibre afferents from the hairy central control of the movement skin of cats which were easily of the reticulum and rumen of excited by innocuous stimuli.

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Contrary to the perceived wisdom A visit to Hensel and Zotterman’s based on work in man Ainsley laboratory in Marburg, which was showed several categories of C exceptionally well equipped, to fibres could be activated by test temperature sensitivity, mechanical, thermal and chemical allowed Ainsley to test his stimuli. Importantly, many C fibre specificity hypothesis i.e., that skin mechanoreceptors were highly thermoreceptors were specific and and specifically sensitive to should be distinguishable from innocuous tactile stimulation at tactile receptors. The work was thresholds only slightly higher highly successful and identified than Aä fibre receptors. As cold receptors with a peak mentioned earlier he classified the sensitivity of 25°C and warm receptors served by C fibres and receptors with a maximal sensitivi- assigned putative nociceptor roles ty at 42°C. Importantly the to both Aä and C fibres and drew temperature receptors were attention to the similarity of the insensitive to mechanical stimuli. activation thresholds for both In 1959 Ainsley departed on heat and pain receptors. Ainsley sabbatical leave to the Australian concluded that his results were National University in Canberra consistent with the “specificity” where Eccles had built up an concept of sensation rather than exceptionally well equipped and the more fashionable hypotheses staffed laboratory. As others have developed by Weddell, Wall and done, Ainsley described the work others. Weddell argued that the required to obtain satisfactory anatomical arrangement of the results as long and gruelling. nerve fibres in the nerve trunks Although Ainsley describes the was significant to the understand- outcome as equivocal his attempt ing of the mechanism of to quantify recurrent inhibition of cutaneous sensibility. Wall was motoneurones by firing impulses most insistent that sensation was along the ventral roots while critically dependent on the recording intracellularly from excitability of the second order Renshaw cells would still be neurones in the spinal cord and considered ambitious today. added insult to injury by writing “Of the unmyelinated C fibres, When he returned to Edinburgh, Iggo had reported [only] a few Ainsley continued his pursuit of nociceptors (1960). It seemed the controversy surrounding the possible, however, that these modality specific hypothesis, now might have been damaged by his funded by a Locke Research dissection method”. Fellowship. This led to work in primates and the extension of his interests from viscera and skin to

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muscle systems. He also made an at Summerhall that allowed him attempt to look at the ability of to build state-of-the-art laborato- certain chemicals, chemalgogens ries and workshops. Funding from such as acetylcholine, histamine the Agricultural Research Council and 5-hydroxytryptamine, to prompted a return to work on stimulate cutaneous afferents. ruminant digestion. By recordings Most importantly he identified from the afferent and efferent mechanoreceptors innervated by axons in the vagus Ainsley and myelinated fibres, by their adap- Barry Leek showed that the tion rate. The study on Merkel pattern of discharge in the cells mentioned in the introduc- preganglionic afferents had a tion was extended with Alan temporal relationship to the Brown to look at the effects of reticuloruminal contractions. Tonic axon degeneration and regrowth. afferent inflows from the in-series Critically the normal slowly receptors during inactive phases adapting response only reap- of the digestive cycle initiate a peared when the regrowth of the reflex drive from the medullary axon was complete. Later in the gastric centres and the resultant 1990s on a visit to Monash muscle movement. This work was University, Ainsley working with extended with David Cottrell to Uwe Proske, followed up the work look at the duodenum. As in the on regenerating axons and stomach the sensory receptors suggested that substances adapted slowly to mechanical transported down the axon and probing. Bolus injections of accumulated at the growing tip gastrointestinal polypeptides are required to give mechanical evoked contractions and activated sensitivity. Only in the last two tension receptors. years has the role for one such A new phase of work on somato- protein, Piezo, been established. sensory mechanisms began when Touch spot afferents were subse- Alan Brown rejoined the laborato- quently classified into slowly ry. The sensory innervation of the adapting mechanoreceptors type I rabbit ear was shown to differ and II (SAI and SAII) and the idea from the general body skin; Type that the cutaneous sensibility was D and G hair follicle units were served by a variety of distinctive present whereas SAI and SAII and receptors confirmed. type T hair units were absent. This In 1962 Ainsley was appointed to went some way to explain the the newly created Chair of different approach of Graham Veterinary Physiology in the Weddell and Simon Miller who Edinburgh Veterinary College and had championed the temporospa- moved into recently vacated space tial pattern hypothesis of

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sensation. With Alan Brown, sophisticated techniques, includ- Ainsley embarked on a rigorous ing electrical stimulation of the sampling exercise using time- locus coeruleus and the raphe locked mechanical stimuli and magnus nuclei. Both had inhibito- established the characteristics of ry actions on dorsal horn various classes of mechanorecep- neurones. In 1982, Sue Fleet- tors, hair follicle types T, G or D wood-Walker joined the group and SAI or SAII. In a parallel study and established that the major with Margaret Chambers the action of the descending catecho- nerve endings associated with SAII lamine pathways was through receptors were shown histologi- alpha2-adrenergic receptors. cally to be spindle-shaped and Following his trip to Heidelberg, orientated parallel to the surface Ainsley’s major interest switched of the skin i.e., typical Ruffini to the neurones in the most endings. A detailed study of superficial layer of the dorsal horn whiskers and sinus hairs on the (Rexed’s Lamina 1). With Fernando toes of cats with K-M Gottschaldt Cervero and Hisashi Ogawa, characterised receptors in terms of Ainsley was able to show that the their rate of adaption. large Waldeyer neurones in An opportunity to look at the lamina 1 included nociceptive actions of the various types of neurones sensitive to a number of cutaneous receptors on segmental different inputs. However, the spinal cells arose when Ainsley zone included other cells driven by was invited to work with Manfred light tactile stimuli. Importantly Zimmerman and Hermann the firing of these cells by light Handwerker in Heidelberg. This touch provoked a powerful led to the beginning of a classifi- inhibition of the nociceptive cation of dorsal horn neurones as discharges in other cells. The Class 1, driven by sensitive inhibition remained when the mechanoreceptors and Class 2 by spinal cord was cold blocked noxious thermal and mechanical rostrally. Later, working with stimuli. Although prominent in Wilma Steedman and Vince spinal animals the Class 2 cells Molony, intracellular recordings were often absent in intact were made from substantia preparations, suggestive evidence gelatinosa neurones, some of of potent supraspinal modulation which were shown, with some of nociceptive cells. Class 3 cells difficulty, to have short and long excited only by noxious stimuli range projections in Lissauer’s were recorded from lamina 1. tract. These early studies of nociception In an adjacent laboratory, Alan were extended using ever more Brown had shown the spinocervi-

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cal tract to be an important measuring the activity of calcium pathway from hair follicle affer- channels in Merkel cells. ents. Ainsley, with Vince Molony Working first with Ulf Lindblom in and others, mentioned earlier Stockholm and Gisele Guilbaud in confirmed that the centrally Paris, and later with Danny projecting spinocervical tract cells McQueen and Blair Grubb in of lamina III could be affected by Edinburgh, Ainsley’s interest noxious inputs, but were on only turned to a rat model of rheuma- one occasion excited exclusively by toid arthritis and the action of a nociceptive input. Thus it was aspirin. In inflamed joints, the not possible to describe the tract normally silent joint receptors as a nociceptive system. This work discharge continuously and are formed the basis of a series of excited by innocuous stimuli. The reviews in Brain and symposia application of soluble aspirin or organised by the Royal Society paracetamol reverses the en- and a NATO Advanced Science hanced excitability. This action was Institute. attributed to the prevention of the With Hisahi Ogawa, Ainsley formation of prostaglandins. continued to use a combination Prostaglandins were shown to of electrophysiological and enhance the ability of bradykinin electron-microscopical techniques to excite joint nociceptors. to explore cutaneous receptors in Specifically, PGI2 was shown to the cat’s footpad. An attempt to sensitise joint receptors in both resolve the role of Merkel cells normal and arthritic rats suggest- failed. However, in 1991, Ainsley ing that in arthritis it is the accepted an invitation to visit formation of PGI2 that leads to the Okazaki in Japan and work with enhanced excitability of nocicep- Haru Ohmori, who had developed tors. a technique for enzymatically In a final series of overseas visits isolating cochlear hair cells, with to Monash University, Ainsley, the hope that he could isolate working with Uwe Proske, Merkel cells. Although the identified unique electroreceptors intention to measure changes in concentrated on the tip of the bill calcium ion concentrations in the of the platypus and the tip of the isolated cells failed, the work was snout of the echidna or spiny continued in Edinburgh during a anteater. Unlike the electrorecep- sabbatical by Masakazu Tazaki. tor of fish, the electroreceptors in Although the main objective these species is a structurally again failed, since his return to specialised afferent nerve ending Japan, Masakazu has succeeded in rather than a separate cell.

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In this account of his life I have prove his initial hypothesis that focused on the details of Ainsley’s skin sensation including pain research and the contributions of originated in an array of specific his colleagues. Ainsley’s aspira- receptors associated with the tions and work ethic were forged afferent nerves and pathways. In very early in his career before he Scotland he was fortunate to find left New Zealand. Likewise the equally dedicated colleagues with central thread of his day to day a similar vision. research crystallised not long after Professor Iggo served on the he built his first electrophysiologi- Council of the Royal Society of cal rig and from then on he rarely Edinburgh from 1990 to 1996, departed far from his quest to including three years as Research Awards Convener from 1993 to 1996. Submitted by Professor J S Kelly

Ainsley Iggo, FRS, FRSE, FRCPE. Born 2 August 1924. Elected FRSE 1963. Died 25 March 2012.

249 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

Sir David Jack 22 February 1924–18 November 2011

Distinguished pharmacologist most other asthmatics to live a who developed drugs that have normal symptom free life. The saved the lives of thousands of citation awarding him the Fellow- asthma sufferers around the ship of the Royal Society of world. Edinburgh in 1978 named him Drug discovery today is a highly one of the world’s most successful technical process involving inventors of significant new computerised screening of medicines. libraries of chemical compounds David Jack was born in Markinch, for their ability to react with Fife, the sixth and youngest child preparations containing possible of a coal miner. After secondary drug targets, and selecting those education at Buckhaven High which respond positively for School, he became an apprentice further development. But it was pharmacist with Boots the not always thus. Most of the Chemists in Cupar, eschewing the medicines we use today for opportunity to study mathematics treating common diseases such as at Edinburgh University. His asthma, angina pectoris and ambitions at that time were to peptic ulcer were discovered in a work in retail pharmacy but, different manner by small teams having completed his apprentice- of chemists, experimental pharma- ship, in 1944 he entered the BSc cologists and clinicians, often led course in Chemistry and Pharmacy by a visionary scientist whose at the Royal Technical College in understanding of drug develop- Glasgow where he won every ment and the nature of the undergraduate prize open to him underlying disease process were and graduated with first class the key to successful drug discov- honours. David became an ery. Assistant Lecturer in experimental David Jack, who died in November pharmacology in the University of 2011, was such a visionary. It is Glasgow , having turned down an due to his grasp of the complexity offer to study for a PhD Increas- of how the lungs respond to ingly uncomfortable with chemicals in both a beneficial and experimental animal work, he adverse manner that he and a joined Glaxo Laboratories as a small team were able to invent a pharmacist where his main role series of medicines which have was to formulate new products saved the lives of countless and supervise their transfer to asthma sufferers and allowed production. But he found this

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work repetitive and unfulfilling and other chronic lung diseases. and in 1953 moved to Smith Kline He appreciated the importance of and French as Senior Development delivering asthma treatments Pharmacist while at the same time directly to the lungs by an inhala- studying for an external PhD at tion device to produce a more Chelsea College under the rapid effect and to have fewer side supervision of Professor Arnold effects than drugs given by Beckett. His exceptional research mouth. Working with Roy Brittain potential was easily recognised he invented salbutamol (Ventolin), and in 1961 he was invited to the first selective beta 2 receptor become Director of Research and agonist which opens the airways Development at Allen and and rapidly relieves asthma Hanburys, whose parent company symptoms. Salbutamol was a was Glaxo. There, he created the major success and remains the unusually productive team which most widely used asthma drug in he deemed necessary to achieve the world today.. But its duration his ambitions of inventing of action is short and patients had medicines to treat important to use it frequently. This led David human diseases, a venture new to and his team to develop the first the Glaxo group at that time. long lasting beta 2 receptor It is interesting to note that in the agonist, salmeterol. same small corner of West Fife in Allen and Hanbury already had a 1924, two clinical scientists were steroid skin cream and it was born who invented medicines argued that that similar steroids which have had an overwhelming could benefit asthma sufferers by influence on world health. Their damping down inflammation in career paths were different but the lungs. Moreover, if given by the end results were equally inhalation they could avoid impressive. David Jack was producing the troublesome responsible for inventing drugs to adverse effects of oral steroids. treat asthma and to prevent it This led Jack’s team to develop the (salbutamol salmeterol, beclame- first inhaled steroid beclametha- thasone, fluticasone), while James sone dipropionate (Becotide) Black invented drugs to treat which was launched in 1972. angina and hypertension (pro- Inhaled steroids have literally pranolol) and peptic ulcer revolutionised the therapy of (cimetidine). Both were giants of asthma, cutting down asthma drug discovery to whom society attacks, preventing hospital owes a great debt. admissions and reduced the death David Jack is best known for the rate from asthma which in UK was discovery of some of the most one of the highest in the world. important drugs to treat asthma 251 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

But David Jack also discovered and he was given honorary other important drugs. His friend degrees by seven universities. James Black had invented a new David Jack was passionate about treatment for peptic ulcer, cimeti- science and was the catalyst for dine, which acted by blocking the work of many others both in histamine receptors in the industry and academia. His logical stomach. David improved on approach to drug development cimetidine to develop ranitidine and to solving the difficult (Zantac) which had fewer side problems of invention have been effects and was to become the the inspiration to a generation of biggest selling drug in the world. basic and clinical scientists. This is Other discoveries followed - one of his most important sumatriptan (Imigram) for the memorials. His enthusiasm for treatment of migraine, ondanset- science, which was evident long ron (Zofran) for the treatment of into retirement, was coupled with nausea following chemotherapy great kindness; especially to junior and fluticasone (Flixotide) a more colleagues, who remember him potent inhaled steroid than with great affection as well as beclamethasone. This succession great respect. The high standards of drug discoveries made Glaxo that he espoused and his unwill- one of the most successful ingness to accept anything less pharmaceutical companies in the have left an indelible mark. world. In all this, David was ably support- Not surprisingly, many honours ed by a strong and stable family came his way. Knighted for his life. Lydia, his wife whom he met services to the British Pharmaceu- as pharmacy students in Glasgow, tical Industry in 1993, having gave him the support he needed previously been awarded the CBE, when negotiating the caprices of he was made FRS in 1992 and the pharmaceutical industry and awarded its Mullard Medal the she survives him with their two same year. Scotland had recog- daughters. nised his achievements by electing him FRSE in 1978. The British A wide circle will mourn the Pharmacological Society, the Royal passing of David Jack, of whom it Pharmaceutical Society and the can truly be said that he made a Royal Society of Chemistry all real contribution to the health bestowed their highest awards and wellbeing of society.

Sir David Jack, BSc(Glas), PhD(Lond). Born 22 February 1924. Elected FRSE 1978. Died 8 November 2011 This obituary first appeared in The Times on 18 November 2011 Reproduced by permission of The Times

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William Fleming Hoggan Jarrett 2 January 1928–27 August 2011

Bill Jarrett was among the most animal pathology at the College eminent experimental patholo- and in human pathology with Dan gists of his generation. His Cappell, Professor of Pathology at contributions to veterinary and the Medical School. Consequently, human medicine were immense: he had a wide understanding of in the course of his own research animal and human diseases which he discovered several viruses, laid the foundation for his future defined the pathogenesis of research in comparative medicine. important animal diseases and During this period, the College helped develop vaccines for their became incorporated into the control; in addition, he had a University of Glasgow as the major influenpce on research on Veterinary School and its first viruses of great importance in Director, William Weipers, was humans. His work was carried out able to recruit a remarkable group in Glasgow over a period of 40 of talented staff, including Bill. years, apart from interludes in Bill’s PhD studies had defined the Kenya in the 1960s and at the US types of pneumonia in cattle in National Cancer Institute (NCI) in the west of Scotland and led to the 1980s. He was Professor of his involvement as the pathologist Veterinary Pathology at the in a multidisciplinary team in the University of Glasgow from 1968 School, investigating parasitic until he retired in 1990. bronchitis in cattle caused by the Bill was born in 1928 in Glasgow. nematode Dictyocaulus viviparus, His father, though a joiner and then a major scourge of local cabinetmaker, came from a farming communities. This hugely farming background and moved successful collaboration estab- his family shortly afterwards to an lished the epidemiology of the agricultural smallholding near condition and defined in detail Cumbernauld. Their early life the processes in the pathogenesis there no doubt influenced Bill, his of the disease. The group found elder brother Tom and younger also that recovered calves were brother Oswald to study veterinary immune to reinfection, suggest- medicine. Bill graduated from ing that vaccination might be Glasgow Veterinary College with feasible. This discovery led to the honours in 1947 and then, production of the first, and still already attracted to research, only, commercial vaccine against a studied for a PhD, training in nematode parasite, which helped

253 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

bring the disease under control. Cappell, he had become interest- This innovative vaccine comprised ed in human leukaemia and the infective larval stage of the lymphoma. Now he initiated parasite, attenuated by X-irradia- studies in animals that were to tion, which produced immunity have remarkable consequences. without damaging the host. The He began a large abattoir survey vaccine was lauded in 1960 as to define the types of lymphosar- ‘one of the major medical advanc- coma in cattle that were prevalent es of the century’ by Sir Harold in the UK. Influenced by a form, Himsworth, then Secretary of the enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL), Medical Research Council (MRC). that occurred in many continental As a result, major research and European countries and in North funding and royalty income were America, and had the characteris- attracted, and Parasitology tics of a transmissible disease, he developed as a major component and his colleagues, including Bill in the research profile of the Martin (FRSE), attempted to School, which continues to this transmit the condition in cattle day. and identify a virus, but without In 1963, Bill spent a period in success. This outcome was Kenya as part of the Glasgow explained by their concomitant contribution to an international extensive epidemiological and team to establish the Veterinary pathological studies that showed School of the University of East that EBL did not in fact occur in Africa in Nairobi. His major the UK. When the causative agent, research there, which he often bovine leukaemia virus, was claimed was among his most isolated subsequently from satisfying pieces of work, was the enzootic cases in the USA in 1970 quantification of the kinetics of and diagnostic tests for the virus replication of the protozoan were applied to British cattle, their Theileria parva, the cause of East conclusion proved to be correct. Coast Fever in cattle. This work By contrast, their search for a virus formed the basis of subsequent in lymphoma in the cat was vaccine development in Africa. spectacularly successful. In his When the new Veterinary Hospital diagnostic pathology work at opened at the Garscube campus Garscube, Bill noted a very much Bill was appointed head of higher prevalence of lymphoma in pathology and his post mortem cats than in man. When a local room became established as a veterinary practitioner drew to his focus for much subsequent attention to a household of cats legendary research and teaching. in which a large number of cases During his earlier studies with had occurred in a short period of

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time, Bill considered that the virus (HTLV-1), and later human reason might be that the disease immunodeficiency virus (HIV). was infectious, like the condition With substantial funding from in domestic poultry and laboratory cancer charities, Bill then recruited mice. He set up transmission a team which investigated the experiments in cats using material biology of FeLV in depth, together from one of these cases. In 1963, with collaborators throughout the after an incubation period of over world. The virus was shown to be a year, the disease was transmitted a common infection of cats, and a virus was demonstrated in particularly affecting animals kept the resulting tumours. This was in groups, in which the virus was subsequently shown to be a novel transmitted very efficiently. Many retrovirus, feline leukaemia virus animals recovered from the (FeLV). infection but some became The discovery of FeLV immediately persistently infected and had a provoked great interest in the very high risk of developing field of oncology, coming at a leukaemia or lymphoma. Diagnos- time in the early 1960s when tic tests were developed which viruses were becoming seriously identified infected animals. By considered as causes of cancer in isolating these cats, spread of the man. It was described as ‘Exhibit virus could be halted. Bill also A’ in an application to the US showed that vaccination was Congress by the NCI for substan- possible and the group collabo- tial funding to set up the Special rated with pharmaceutical Virus Cancer Program in 1968, companies in the development of which established an infrastruc- a variety of commercial vaccines. ture for subsequent virus hunting The application of these methods in human cancers. Subsequently of control has resulted in FeLV the most direct impact of FeLV on infection now being uncommon human medicine was the influ- in many countries and has made a ence of Bill’s work on his friend profound improvement to cat Robert Gallo at NCI. Gallo was welfare. persuaded to explore human T-cell A valuable collaboration of Bill’s leukaemias for viruses after Bill group with Jim Neil (FRSE) and his found that most lymphomas molecular biological colleagues at caused by FeLV in cats were of T- the Beatson Institute for Cancer lymphocyte origin. He established Research on the Garscube campus a way to grow T-cells in long-term provided an opportunity to define culture from which came his the molecular events in the discovery of the first human pathogenesis of lymphoma by retrovirus, human T-lymphotropic FeLV. They discovered that the virus

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activated cellular oncogenes by at Glasgow and attracted substan- several mechanisms of insertional tial funding for new research mutagenesis. When Jim subse- laboratories. In the 1970s and quently moved his group to the 1980s, following observations in Veterinary School and established the 1960s of papillomas in a Laboratory of Molecular Oncolo- association with clusters of vulvo- gy, he began to use this device in cutaneous carcinomas in Friesian other systems to identify novel cattle in the Highlands of Kenya, oncogenes. He also became with Max Murray (FRSE), he involved in defining the molecular investigated the reasons for a events that caused other FeLV- high incidence of alimentary tract related disease. Bill’s detailed carcinoma in cattle in parts of pathological studies of haemat- Scotland. Through a large abattoir opoietic disease in the cat showed survey, he showed that papillomas that FeLV caused several types of were more common and occurred anaemia as well as leukaemia and in greater numbers in animals of lymphoma. FeLV subtypes were all ages on the cancer farms recognised that caused pure red compared to lowland cattle, and cell aplasia (PRCA) and the group that they were caused by a novel showed these viruses to be virus, bovine papillomavirus type 4 mutants of the common form of (BPV-4). In older cattle, he noted the virus, which blocked the that cancers could develop from production of red blood cell at a existing papillomas and proposed specific stage of differentiation. that immunosuppressants and Another offshoot of the expertise carcinogens in bracken were generated by FeLV research was responsible for this malignant the creation of the Leukaemia progression. At this time he Research Fund Human Virus established a productive collabo- Centre with the remit to discover ration with Saveria Campo (FRSE) viruses as causes of human of the Beatson Institute. With Bill, leukaemia and lymphoma. The she and her colleagues investigat- first director was David Onions ed in detail the biology of bovine (FRSE) who had been involved in papillomaviruses, especially BPV-1, defining the pathogenesis of -2 and -4, and developed recom- PRCA in cats. The director is binant vaccines of BPV-4 proteins currently Bill’s daughter, Ruth, a that protected cattle from devel- graduate in medicine who had oping papillomas when been a postgraduate scientist with challenged, and indeed could Robert Gallo. slow the growth of existing tumours. These results laid the In 1968 Bill was appointed conceptual framework for the Professor of Veterinary Pathology

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production of vaccines against the Work on both FeLV and FIV subtypes of human papillomavi- continues at the School in the ruses that cause cervical cancer in Retrovirus Research Laboratory. women, which are now offered The breadth of Bill’s research and routinely to young women in the success of so many of his many countries. projects are astonishing. What After the co-discovery of HIV by was the essence of his achieve- Robert Gallo and Luc Montagnier, ment? Contributing factors were Bill renewed his association with his encyclopaedic knowledge of Gallo and in the late 1980s animal and human pathology and worked with him in Washington great powers of observation, as a Fogarty Scholar on the which underpinned his many nascent field of HIV vaccine discoveries. He had a deep research. Bill was one of a group understanding of how to relate of eminent scientists who success- structure with function, and a fully made the case to the fascination of how things worked; Thatcher government that this and like Lord Kelvin, one of his novel disease was so important icons, recognised the crucial that it required new investment in importance of measurement. In research despite public expendi- the laboratory he was confident, ture cuts. Consequently, he but always prepared to listen; kind became a founder member of the but tough. He had an interdiscipli- AIDS Directed Programme of the nary mind-set, always working MRC. With colleagues in Glasgow, with teams that he enthused. His particularly Jim Neil and his concepts and understanding brother Oswald, he established a ranged from the gene to the host, research group that exploited animal or man. Everything he another newly-discovered retrovi- touched seemed to turn to gold. rus, feline immunodeficiency virus, He was also an inspiring teacher. as a model for HIV vaccination. With Ian McIntyre and colleagues, Perhaps the most telling achieve- he masterminded the Glasgow ment of the group was Veterinary School’s innovative determining the constraints that undergraduate curriculum, which apply to vaccination with this type was influenced by earlier experi- of retrovirus: in particular, the ence in the establishment of the discovery that certain prototypic veterinary school in Nairobi. A vaccines enhanced the virus fourth-year course with a strong infection rather than protecting clinico-pathological basis permit- against it. Unfortunately, this ted the introduction of a outcome was confirmed subse- lecture-free final year devoted to quently by trials of a HIV vaccine. clinical work, a structure that is

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now commonplace in veterinary Bill was a charismatic and highly education. A crucial element of entertaining character, which won this scheme was the post-mortem him his numerous friends and demonstration of clinical cases to research colleagues. His reputa- which fourth and final year tion attracted many students and students had been assigned in collaborators, who have constitut- their clinical work. There, Bill and ed his diaspora and continue to his team of talented pathologists motivate new generations of together with their clinical scientists and leaders, many of colleagues would review the whom are now FRSEs. His physical cases, relating clinical signs to legacy to science in Glasgow is post-mortem findings and recognised by the new infrastruc- considering the underlying ture at the Veterinary School: the pathogenesis and the concluding Henry Wellcome Institute of diagnosis. These sessions were Comparative Medical Sciences and legendary, especially as result of the soon-to-be completed home the vigorous discussions that for the MRC/University of Glas- often ensued, and were a major gow Centre for Virus Research factor in stimulating research which confirms the international programmes, publications and the status of the University in research motivation of students to follow on comparative medicine, virology an academic career. and oncology. His remarkable contribution to In 1953 Bill married Anna Sharp, veterinary pathology and compar- then a Lecturer at the Glasgow ative medicine was recognised and West of Scotland College of during his career by the award of Domestic Science, and a woman many honorary degrees and of great charm and wit. They lifetime achievement awards from eventually established a home in universities and scientific societies the countryside north of Glasgow throughout Europe and North that became a welcoming focus of America. He was elected a Fellow generous hospitality for their of the Royal Society of Edinburgh family and huge circle of close in 1965 and awarded its Makdou- friends, embracing a wide range gall-Brisbane Prize, (1980–82). of talented people from all walks Bill’s family have had a remarkable of life and nationalities. Bill and association with the Society. His Anna had known each other since uncle, broadcaster Harry Hoggan, their school days at Lenzie brother Oswald, and daughter Academy, when they had devel- Ruth were all elected Fellows. He oped a passion for the Scottish became a Fellow of the Royal countryside, especially the Society in 1980. mountains. Over the years they

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engaged in sports that carried a among his favourites). Over the certain frisson: mountaineering, last few years while these activities skiing, motor rallying and particu- were curtailed, he maintained his larly sailing, on the west coast of sense of humour and brilliant Scotland, France and Mallorca. At mind set. Anna and Bill died the same time Bill was a talented almost within a year of each other. musician (he played trumpet, He is succeeded by his daughters guitar and sang with a Scots and Freda and Ruth, both distin- jazz bent), passionate about guished medical graduates, politics, a voracious reader and Freda’s children Amanda and bon viveur (malt whiskies, and Hamish, and his brother Oswald. oysters at the Oyster Bar of the Os Jarrett, Ruth Jarrett, Max Grand Central Station in New York Murray

William Fleming Hoggan Jarrett, FRCVS, FRCPath, FRCPG, FRS. Born 2 January 1928. Elected FRSE 1965. Died 27 August 2011.

259 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

Hector Laing (Lord Laing of Dunphail) 12 May 1923–21 June 2010

Hector Laing was the grandson group who were all successful in of Sir Alexander Grant, Baronet, their post-war careers. Bob Runcie and throughout his life he became Archbishop of Canter- sought to emulate him. Sandy bury, Peter Balfour became Grant was a Moray Loon who chairman of Scottish & Newcastle, learned to bake in McVitie and Andrew Elgin (the Earl of Elgin & Price’s Edinburgh shop, eventual- Kincardine) the Lord High Com- ly buying that business and missioner, and Chips Maclean opening biscuit factories at (Lord Maclean) became the Lord Robertson Avenue and, in time, Chamberlain. in London and Manchester. All remained friends right through He was a friend of Ramsay their lives, and Laing maintained a Macdonald, became a baronet friendship with his tank crew and and as a wealthy man was a found employment for many of generous benefactor. He helped them after the war. to finance the building of the On demobilisation, he joined National Gallery of Scotland and McVitie & Price, then a private made substantial gifts to the company, and was appointed a Palace of Holyroodhouse. director in 1947. In 1948, the He purchased the estates of company merged with Macfarlane Dunphail, Logie and Relugus in Lang & Co to form the public Morayshire and left these to his company United Biscuits. Laing’s three grandchildren, Hector, special skill was in production, Sandy and Robin Laing. and he was soon recognised as an If Hector Laing sought to expert in the automation of emulate his grandfather, it will biscuit production. He became be seen that he did so. Educated managing director in 1964 and at Loretto, after a spell at Jesus chairman in 1972. College, Cambridge, he was United Biscuits made many commissioned, serving with the acquisitions: William Crawford & Armoured 3rd Battalion Scots Son, DS Crawford, Macdonalds, Guards. He was mentioned in Meredith & Drew, Kenyon Sons & dispatches and awarded the Craven and the Keebler Co. American Bronze Star. Keebler was the second-largest The subalterns in the 3rd cookie company in the United Battalion were an interesting States. United Biscuits, through

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these acquisitions and internal generous to his churches, as he growth, became a major producer was in countless other respects. of biscuits and snack foods. As his grandfather had been Laing was early to recognise that generous to the Palace of Holy- the workforce had a stake in the roodhouse, so was Hector Laing, business. He invited representa- donating specially designed tives to attend every annual Knights of the Thistle china to the general meeting, believing that Queen for the Golden Jubilee. As those who gave their working he and his brothers had inherited lives to the company were as fine properties in Morayshire, so important as the shareholders he acquired estates there in order who gave their cash. He was that his three sons, all of whom regularly seen in all the company have had successful careers, plants. would enjoy the Moray country- His vision for business caught the side which had meant so much in eye of Margaret Thatcher. They his life. became close friends, and she Once asked about some compli- regularly holidayed at Dunphail in cated aspect of his Christian faith, Morayshire. Laing responded: “I leave that to In 1973, Laing was appointed a the theologians.” Asked about director of the Bank of England some aspect of Conservative and served until 1991. Knighted policy, his answer was the same: “I in 1978, he was made a life peer leave that to the politicians.” He in 1991. Laing held many public did not claim expertise in these offices and served in numerous and other subjects, but he did food-related organisations. In claim, and rightly so, that he was a 1984, he was named Business- baker. man of the Year, and from 1988 Laing had dreamed since boyhood to 1993 he was treasurer of the of emulating his grandfather’s Conservative Party. career. In the end he was destined In 1950, he married Marion, the to eclipse it. It has been argued daughter of General Sir John that there are few real leaders Laurie, Bt, of Maxwelton. Laing today. learned to fly in his twenties and Laing led from the front in all that retained a pilot’s licence for most he did, and his management and of his life. At Gerard’s Cross, in his workforce realised they were Buckinghamshire, he built a fine working with someone whose garden, as he did at Dumphail. In decision-making and powers of both places, he was a regular communication they respected attendee at church and was

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and responded as people will by his sons, Mark, Robert and when well led. Anthony. He is survived by his wife, Marian, Submitted by Sir Charles Fraser who had been such a support to This obituary also appeared in him during his very busy life, and The Scotsman on 21 June 2010.

Hector Laing, FRSE. Born: 12 May 1923. Elected FRSE 1989. Died 21 June 2010.

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Derrick Norman Lawley 26 March 1915–27 February 2012

Derrick Lawley, one of our most wartime task. During an interview, senior Fellows, died on 27 he was subjected to an IQ test. He February 2012. An outstanding noticed that in front of him was a mathematician, with over 60 Moray House Test that only a few papers to his name, he was a months previously he had spent pioneer in various difficult aspects much time validating and stand- of multivariate statistical infer- ardising! His 1963 book with A E ence. Maxwell (Factor Analysis as a His engineer father had an Statistical Method’ 2nd ed. 1971, inventive streak, and Derrick’s Butterworths) has long been the talents showed early. Years at standard introductory text fpr Charterhouse led to an Open psychometricians. Scholarship to Clare College A Fellow of the Royal Statistical Cambridge, and First-class Society, elected in 1946, Derrick graduation in 1937. was one of the first to bring strict His early employment as a statisti- modern principles of statistical cian with the distinguished estimation into the structure of Scottish School of Educational factor analysis. His 1968 paper Research at Moray House, Edin- (Jöreskog K. G. & Lawley D. N. New burgh, involved him not only in methods in maximum likelihood problems of standardising mental factor analysis. British Journal of tests (The Moray House Test) but Mathematical and Statistical also in the vast topic of factor Psychology 21, 85-95) was a analysis. As a consequence of this major methodological advance in association with the late Sir the period before computer Godfrey Thomson, he became an sophistication produced efficient authority on this field of statistics, numerical procedures for the a status that not only earned him maximisation of a complicated a DSc but also, in 1948, brought likelihood function. him election to Fellowship of the In 1946, Derrick was appointed Royal Society of Edinburgh. Lecturer in Statistics in the He delighted in telling of an University of Aberdeen. Only a incident in about 1940, when he year elapsed before Professor was under consideration for Alexander C. Aitken recalled him applying his mathematical to Edinburgh as Lecturer in expertise to an unspecified Statistics, with diverse responsibil-

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ities, in the University of Edin- Marriage with Ruth Freeman came burgh. in 1948. The couple were enthusi- In 1966, Edinburgh undertook a astic hill and mountain walkers. major expansion in its facilities for He tended the garden of their teaching and consultation in new house meticulously and statistical science. Derrick now made it highly productive, as found himself translated, as fondly remembered by their one Reader, to David Finney’s new daughter. He was a good pianist Department, where he became a and lover of classical music. central pillar in loyal support of Blessed with – or cursed with (?) – his old friend until retirement in perfect pitch, he was a regular 1982. Many newcomers to the attender at concerts in his city. staff later expressed their grati- Derrick left few personal records. I tude to Derrick and his wife for am indebted to Miss Anne Lawley hospitable help around the time and to Professor Colin Aitken for of their arrival. help in confirming much of the detail above. David J Finney

Derrick Norman Lawley, MA(Cantab), DSc(Edin). Born 26 March 1915. Elected FRSE 1948. Died 27 February 2012.

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George Innes Lumsden 27 June 1926–4 September 2012

Innes Lumsden, former Director of appointment as a geologist in the the British Geological Survey died Geological Survey of Great Britain in Oxford on Tuesday 4 September on 12 September 1949 and was 2012 aged 86 after a prolonged posted to Edinburgh. illness. Innes was born on 27 The Geological Survey qualified as June, 1926 in Peterculter, Aber- an acceptable organisation in deenshire, the only child of which he could complete his George Lumsden MM, a police- National Service, but his first two man, and his wife Margaret. His years had to be restricted to work primary education was at schools associated with coal-mining. He in Ballater and Torphins and was given the task of resurveying progressed to secondary educa- the southern half of the Douglas tion at Banchory Academy, where Coalfield in Lanarkshire and soon he became School Captain and became involved in logging and achieved prizes in Science, interpreting cores from boreholes, Mathematics and History. Influ- recording underground sections enced by the Headmaster, in collieries and in advising on Archibald Gullett, he took up a day-to-day geological problems State Scholarship in Pure Physics encountered throughout eastern at Aberdeen University, though he Ayrshire and southern Lanark- had also gained entry to the shire. Innes found that solving Meteorological Office as a trainee. problems and giving geological He completed a BSc degree in advice was extremely rewarding Physics in 1947, but, influenced and, in particular, logging cores by the teaching of Professor T C which were sections that no one Phemister and Dr T S Westoll he had yet encountered. In 1951 he fell under the spell of Geology, was set the task of surveying the won the Lyon Prize in Geology in Carboniferous of the Canonbie 1947 and graduated with First area of Dumfriesshire. The Class Honours in Geology in succession there could not be 1949. Vacation employment with established from surface expo- the Directorate of Opencast Coal sures and he successfully Production convinced Innes that commissioned the sinking of the he wanted to be involved in the Archerbeck Borehole which, at field of applied geology and so he 4604 ft. in depth, was the deepest turned down an invitation from cored borehole in the country at Professor T N George to lecture at the time and established an Glasgow University to take up an

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unbroken sequence of most of application of geology to the the strata of the Lower Carbonifer- benefit of the people of Scotland ous. and also to secure funding for the Innes was also heavily involved in Survey in the applied field. This advisory work, putting his geolog- led to the production of Environ- ical understanding to the benefit mental Geology maps. These were of wider Society. He established a designed to present the geologi- route for the M9 to avoid aban- cal elements of an area as doned oilshale workings and a separate maps, which could also rerouting of the A1 to achieve a be combined to provide summary suitable site for the Torness Power maps related to, for example, Station and also allow the development potential, geological maximum development of hazards or mineral resources. limestone resources in East In 1980 he was appointed Lothian saving many millions of Assistant Director Edinburgh and pounds. Around the same time Senior Officer Scotland. He there was increasing interest in developed the facilities in the the feasibility of underground Survey’s new Murchison House storage, which required a strong site gaining publicity for the cross-disciplinary approach organization and much better involving both geologists and communication with government, hydreogeologists. Innes was in industry and the general public the forefront of this development through Open Days and meetings and travelled to Sweden to learn and discussions with wider what was being done there. stakeholders. This had its ups and In 1970 he was appointed District downs and one difficult function Geologist in charge of South was negotiating with protestors Scotland and moved significantly who were threatening to use towards scientific management. physical means to stop radioactive He created strong links with other waste disposal surveys in the field, disciplines, particularly geochem- but the problems were much istry and geophysics and got reduced by getting the individuals heavily involved in the projects of into Murchison House and the Industrial Minerals Assess- engaging with them in the great ment Unit, surveys for metallic advantages of applying geological mineral resources, and the search principles more generally. for suitable geology for the On the up side he was involved underground storage of radioac- with a number of radical initiatives tive waste. He developed strong which were to prove fundamental links with the Scottish Develop- to BGS’s future programme. In the ment Department to increase the late 70s radical new interpreta-

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tions of the tectonic evolution of system which is now fundamental the Southern Uplands were to all BGS operations. published, this prompted BGS to His role in Scotland was terminat- consider a resurvey of the area. ed abruptly in 1982 when he was Innes felt that the classical appointed Deputy Director at the comprehensive approach was Survey’s new headquarters at inappropriate and, building on Keyworth, Nottingham. His task the work of the Mineral Recon- was to get Keyworth going and he naissance Project at Ballantrae and did, completing the conversion of Girvan, he proposed mapping a the existing buildings and series of across-strike corridors developing new facilities for a using conventional 1:10k map- modern geological survey. He also ping methods with rapid introduced the concept of a correlation between the corridors centralised databank of geological aided by multidisciplinary meth- data which came to fruition as the ods such as remote sensing, National Geosciences Data Centre regional geochemistry and and the Information and Central geophysics. Ultimately the project, Services Division. He was now in cooperation with academia, heavily involved in the day-to-day would lead to a wider under- management of the British standing of the Geological Survey (BGS) with its tectonostratigraphy and deep 800 staff and £35 million per year geology of the area. This ap- income at a time of reductions in proach appealed to Malcolm overall funding. He succeeded in Brown, the then Director, and led preventing the transfer of Hydro- to the establishment of a series of geology out of BGS and the multidisciplinary regional projects closure of the Exeter Office. as the core of the BGS land Survey work. This was a particularly difficult time for BGS. A Visiting Group, In 1981 Innes established a Data which reported in October 1984, Bank project in the Edinburgh was critical of the progress on Office which was designed to Land Survey mapping and in allow computerized retrieval of February 1985 NERC published its Land Survey data held by the Land Corporate Plan. Among other Survey, the Mineral Assessment recommendations the Plan Unit, Hydrogeological, Engineer- proposed the break-up of BGS ing and associated Groups. into five sections with each Although initially resources were section head directly responsible limited this initiative was arguably to a Director of Earth Sciences the beginning of a data delivery based at NERC headquarters in Swindon; the post of Director of

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BGS was to be downgraded and Study Group understood the the responsibilities reduced to detail of the function and respon- management of the Land and sibility of a national Geological Overseas Surveys. These proposals Survey. Because of its informal produced a hostile response from status the BGS Strategic Plan was BGS senior management, staff inadmissible as evidence to Butler side and several senior academics. but Innes presented its main The senior staff were in a difficult points in his Forward Look for position with their line managers 1986 and this was considered by in Swindon, in effect NERC were the committee. Butler finally involved in discussing the future reported in March 1987 and of BGS without BGS having the established the integrity of BGS. opportunity to state its case. This must have been a great relief Nevertheless the BGS senior staff to Innes. However, the post of and staff side set up a working Director of BGS remained subsidi- party to address the situation. An ary to that of the Director of Earth informal Strategic Plan for BGS’s Science (who had been appointed future was prepared. Innes, who in March 1986) and to a passion- was a strong believer in the ate Survey man like Innes this integrity of the Survey was directly must have been a considerable involved in these actions and with disappointment. Massive restruc- the support of the BGS Directo- turing was involved, but he was rate sought the assistance of the successful in stabilising funding Chief Scientist at the Cabinet and managed to revive the annual Office and got an official repri- recruitment of scientists. He mand from NERC for doing so. retired in August 1987. The result of all the activity, A change of direction was however, was the setting up of the indicated on retirement and he Study Group into Geological accepted an appointment to the Surveying chaired by Sir Clifford Civil Service Commission to chair Butler. The group began work in Boards responsible for recruiting the autumn of 1985. Shortly scientists into the Civil Service. In afterwards in October 1985, 1992 he transferred to carrying Malcolm Brown retired as Director out the same function over a and Innes was invited by NERC to wider range of grades and ages in become Director of BGS. As the specialist area of the Defence Director he had no Deputy and Evaluation and Research Agency was responsible for the total of the Ministry of Defence, management of BGS including stepping down from that role in the vast amount of work associat- 1999. ed with ensuring that the Butler

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In the latter part of his BGS career, specialist units complementing Innes was heavily involved in the the field mappers. During his time meetings of Directors of Western in the Directorate, these principles European Geological Surveys were often at variance with those (WEGS) and became Secretary and of his political masters and then Chairman of their Standing funding for the core activities was Group on Geological Information continually under threat. Innes related to the Environment. He played a critical role in defending was finally elected to be the only the role of the Geological Survey Honorary Chairman of that and could view with satisfaction Group! He compiled and edited a that the BGS, the oldest in the book entitled Geology and the world, has survived for 177 years Environment in Western Europe and has evolved to meet the and, in 1996 became the Secretary needs of the modern world. of the Directors’ Forum of Europe- Innes married Sheila Thomson in an Geological Surveys, which 1958 and together they created a facilitates collaboration amongst great spirit of camaraderie among the national organisations of colleagues throughout the more than 40 countries. After Geological Survey. Among the considerable success he retired Geological Surveys of Europe both from that role in September 2002. were deeply respected and their Throughout his career Innes role, together, as ambassadors for maintained a fundamental belief BGS should not be underestimat- in the need for a national geologi- ed. The support and cal survey as a basic requirement encouragement given by Innes to for economic growth and devel- junior staff as they made their way opment. He saw the need to make in their careers was much appreci- the geology understandable to ated and he will be fondly users and to tailor BGS products remembered. He is survived by his to their requirements. To this end wife, Sheila and their three he was an innovator introducing children, Graham, Richard and new methodologies and concepts, Gillian. new attitudes to geological Professor Stuart K Monro surveying and to project comple- Dr Douglas Fettes tion and new styles of end-product. He believed in the integrity of the Survey, with the

George Innes Lumsden, BSC, CGeol, FGS, FRSA. Born 27 June 1926. Elected FRSE 1967. Died 4 September 2012.

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Douglas Maurice MacDowell 8 March 1931–16 January 2010.

Douglas MacDowell occupied the period of basic training, as a Chair of Greek in the University of sergeant in the Royal Army Glasgow from 1971 to his Educational Corps at Chepstow. retirement in 2001, the longest The experience of teaching there, period of office of any Glasgow as he came to acknowledge Professor of Greek since Edmund himself, was not entirely useless Lushington, Tennyson’ s brother- to him later on. in-law, retired in 1877. In 1950 he entered Balliol His paternal grandfather was born College, Oxford, as an Exhibition- in Hillhead, Glasgow, in 1872, er, and gained Firsts in both Mods and his mother’s family came from and Greats. Along the way he Morayshire. Douglas himself was found time to ride on a panto- born in London in 1931 to mime donkey in a production of Maurice Alfred and Dorothy Jean Aristophanes’ The Frogs. After MacDowell, and brought up graduation, his first appointments mainly in that city, except for a few were as a Classics schoolmaster, months in 1939–40 when his first at Allhallows School in father was posted in the RAF to Devon, and then at Merchant Lossiemouth and Leuchars. Taylors’ School in London, where Douglas attended first Elgin he enjoyed teaching the sixth- Academy and then Madras formers but, in his own College, St Andrews. He was later judgement, was less effective as a to declare that he learned more teacher of the younger boys. With English grammar in Elgin than he his move to Manchester University ever learned anywhere else. From in 1958, Douglas properly began 1941 to 1949, he was educated at the academic career in which he Highgate School in London. It was was to become one of the most there that his love for the study of distinguished Classical scholars in Greek began, and where too he Britain and beyond. Starting as an developed what was to become a assistant lecturer, he rapidly lifelong interest in the theatre. His climbed the ladder of promotion, performance in the school’s reaching the rank of Reader in dramatic society as Sir Andrew 1970. At Manchester he pub- Aguecheek in Twelfth Night must lished his first two books, a have been a sight worth seeing. commentary on an important His National Service from 1949 to speech by the Athenian orator 1950 was spent, after a trying Andocides and a lucid study of

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Athenian homicide law. So began from strength to strength, his pioneering revival of the study especially since the amalgamation of Greek law and oratory, which in 1988 of the separate Depart- was to inspire several distin- ments of Greek and Humanity (i.e. guished younger scholars in the Latin) into a single Department of later 20th Century. Classics, offering classes in both His appointment in 1971 to the Greek and Roman Civilisation Chair of Greek at Glasgow came right up to Honours level. Thirdly, at a time when the Department, it was under Douglas’s leadership like most university Greek depart- that the Department began to ments, was facing the problem of attract a greater number of survival – fewer schools were postgraduate students, many of teaching the subject and the them from Greece. supply of students was drying up. He was a devoted teacher and a Douglas was exactly the right very good lecturer, with an person in the right place at the enviable gift for explaining right time. First, he instituted a difficult problems in language first-year class that would teach that his listeners could under- Greek language from scratch, with stand. His lectures on Comedy himself as its teacher – in the fine were generally enlivened by the old Scottish university tradition in funny voices with which he cited which the professor did not leave the lines of the various characters. the elementary teaching to an He cared greatly about his assistant. Secondly, he started a students, and was in the habit of first-year class in Greek Civilisa- leaving his office door open so tion, in which students studied that they, as well as his colleagues, Greek literature, history, philoso- could consult him at any time; phy and art, all without the when the door was closed, that language. Those colleagues who meant that he was teaching. More had some doubts about the than one impoverished postgrad- academic value of reading Greek uate student benefited financially literature only in translation soon from his generosity. As a col- changed their minds, as they league, he was ever helpful and found that students who did not supportive, and the Department have to spend time on the that he led was a happy one. mysteries of the optative mood or Throughout all this, he found the the genitive absolute could time to publish a seemingly produce literary criticism at a endless number of major editions standard at least equal to that of, and books and articles on, produced by their linguistic comedy, as well as on Athenian colleagues. This class has gone oratory and law. Happily, he lived

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to see his latest book, Dem- In the world outside the Universi- osthenes the Orator, in print just ty, he was throughout his life an before his death. In recognition of enthusiastic member of the his achievements, he was elected a Classical Association, and regular- Fellow of the Royal Society of ly attended its Easter Meetings. He Edinburgh in 1991 and a Fellow served as Secretary of the Council of the British Academy in 1993, of University Classical Depart- and in 1992 he received a DLitt ments, as Chairman of the from Oxford. His retirement in Scottish Hellenic Society, and of 2001 was marked by a three-day the Classical Association of conference organised by his Scotland, and also of its Glasgow Glasgow colleagues on ‘Athenian Centre, a body which he himself Law and Life’, with seventeen of revived years after it had become its papers printed in a Festschrift defunct. volume in 2004. He continued all his life to enjoy As an administrator, Douglas was music, opera and the theatre (with highly competent, but it was not frequent visits to London), and his favourite activity. On one holidays in his beloved Rockcliffe occasion, when the headship of on the Solway Firth and Lochinver the Department was due to be in Sutherland. He never married, changed, he and I were inter- and was himself an only child. He viewed simultaneously by the is survived by several cousins. In Dean, and each of us did his best the Classical world, Douglas had a to persuade the Dean that the wide circle of admiring and other should be appointed. affectionate friends, and right up Douglas was more persuasive to the end he was an unfailing than I was (his work on oratory source of information about their served him in good stead), and I movements and activities. They had to undertake the task. will miss him greatly. Alex F Garvie

Douglas Maurice MacDowell, MA, DLitt, FBA. Born 8 March 1931. Elected FRSE 1991. Died 16 January 2010.

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Alasdair Duncan McIntyre 17 November 1926–15 April 2010

Alasdair McIntyre, Scottish marine ies Research and Development for biologist, born in Helensburgh in the United Kingdom in 1986. His 1926, died after a short illness, in retirement in 1987 was far from Aberdeen on 15 April, 2010. In marking journey’s end; new his long and eventful life, Alasdair opportunities presented them- travelled many different roads, selves and not only when Alasdair following his many interests along became Emeritus Professor of pathways that sometimes led to Fisheries and Oceanography at unexpected destinations. The Aberdeen University, a position starting point for his lifelong that he retained until his death. intellectual and scientific interests During his early years at the was the family home in Helens- Marine Laboratory, Alasdair’s burgh. The Hermitage School, his research and his scientific activities first school, was close by as was developed across a broad range of also the rocky sea-shore where interests. Initially, he studied the Alasdair and his brother, Gordon, halibut stocks in the North spent many hours exploring the Atlantic, working from research pools for shrimp and limpets. vessels and also from the commer- Unsurprisingly, both brothers cial long-liners that fished off became biologists, Alasdair Greenland. His abiding interest in graduating from Glasgow the investigation of the fauna on University in 1949 with first class the sea bed led to his efforts to honours in zoology. His dissection improve the efficiency of bottom of the cranial nerves of the sampling gear, the results of dogfish was considered so perfect which in the form of the ‘Smith- that a picture of it was McIntyre grab’ have been used by permanently displayed on the successive generations of marine wall. The next stage of his journey biologists. He was one of the first saw him complete his graduate to recognize the importance of studies, after which he moved the meiofauna that play a critical north to join the staff of the role in transforming the debris Marine Laboratory in Aberdeen in reaching the sea floor into food 1951. There he remained for the for the larger macrofauna. His next four decades, making his way Biological Review article Ecology up the career ladder until his of Marine Meiobenthos (Wiley, appointment as Director of 1969) remains the starting point Fisheries Research for Scotland in for their study. The handbook 1983 and co-ordinator of Fisher- Methods for the study of Marine

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Benthos, first produced in 1971 involved a wide range of indus- with Norman Holme, is now in its tries and research organisations. 3rd edition (2005), co-edited with He was President of The Scottish Anastasios (Tasso) Eleftheriou. Association for Marine Science From the early 1960s Alasdair, and the Alister Hardy Foundation working with a diverse group of for Ocean Science. The award of a researchers, began a decadal CBE in 1994 was recognition for study of a sandy beach at Loch these and many other achieve- Ewe in the west of Scotland. The ments. aim was to demonstrate how the The advancement of marine food web from plankton through science in Scotland was an benthos to fish, determined the important concern. Alasdair annual production of juvenile supported the creation and plaice and its inter-annual variabil- development of the Scottish ity. This was relevant to the Association for Marine Science burgeoning interest in fish (SAMS) as Vice-President and then farming as well as being of basic President. He played a key role in ecological interest, and grew into the marine interests of Scottish a much larger investigation of Natural Heritage. As Emeritus marine ecosystems involving Professor in the Zoology Depart- experts from around the world. ment of Aberdeen University he Alasdair’s time as Director of helped found and develop their Fisheries Research for Scotland MSc courses in marine science. He was a challenging period, not only received honorary doctorates from with the decline in fisheries but Stirling and Edinburgh Napier also with the expanding oil Universities. In these roles, after industry causing many turf issues he retired, he was able to speak concerning the marine environ- openly about the many problems ment. Alasdair became a leading facing the marine environment in authority on the international Scotland. Because of his great aspects of these questions and experience, incisive mind and clear served as chairman of the United expression of the science, he was Nations Joint Group of Experts on often called on in public inquiries Scientific Aspects of Marine and in legal challenges in marine Pollution and as Chairman of the cases. Advisory Committee on Marine Alasdair produced a great number Pollution of the International and variety of scientific papers, Council for the Exploration of the reports and edited volumes. Sea. He was very active in the UK, Generations of marine biologists chairing the Atlantic Frontier received help from Alasdair, Environmental Forum that whether as a teacher of students

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or PhD examiner. His gentle way of symposium/celebration in London speaking and impeccable manners on 4th October 2010. masked a sharp mind. Woe betide In addition to all his scientific any student that tried to pull the achievements, Alasdair will be wool over his eyes. He was Editor- remembered as a very cultured in-Chief of the journal Fisheries man - always extremely well Research from 1987 until his dressed and well mannered, fond death. Over the last decade of good food, a connoisseur of Alasdair was heavily involved in wine, a keen member of the the ten-year global initiative Scotch Malt Whisky Society and a “Census of Marine Life (COML)”, great conversationalist with time helping to set up the European for everybody. He was, in fact – component of this programme that rarity of modern times – a and establish the office at SAMS. true gentleman. To show a During the programme’s last year, broader side of his character, he Alasdair edited the synthesis was a season ticket holder for volume Life in the world’s oceans: Aberdeen Football Club, an diversity, abundance and distribu- activity that must have tested his tion, which brought together the patience in recent, lean years! For work of over 2000 scientists from his friends and acquaintances it 89 nations around the globe. The was a privilege to have known him volume, completed very shortly and he will be sorely missed. before his death and published by Alasdair is survived by his wife Wiley-Blackwell, was launched at Catherine, daughter Alison and COML’s Decade of Discovery grandson Sebastian.

Some lines from Cavafy’s Ithaca provide a fitting description of Alasdair’s long journey from the seashore of Helensburgh. Pray that the road is long. That the summer mornings are many, when, with such pleasure, with such joy you will enter ports seen for the first time; stop at Phoenician markets, and purchase fine merchandise, mother-of-pearl and coral, amber, and ebony, visit many Egyptian cities, to learn and learn from scholars. Always keep Ithaca on your mind. To arrive there is your ultimate goal. But do not hurry the voyage at all.

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It is better to let it last for many years; and to anchor at the island when you are old, rich with all you have gained on the way, not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches. Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage. Without her you would have never set out on the road. She has nothing more to give you. John Steele and Margaret Eleftheriou.

Alasdair Duncan McIntyre, CBE. BSc, DSc (Glasgow), HonDUniv(Stirling), HonDSc (Napier), FIBiol, FRSA. Born 17th November 1926. Elected FRSE 1975. Died 15 April 2010.

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John Lennox Monteith 3 September 1929–20 July 2012

John Lennox Monteith, who has Born in September 1929 in Fairlie, died aged 82, pioneered the Ayrshire, John was the only child application of physical principles of the Reverend John and Marga- in the study of how plants and ret Lennox Monteith and began animals interact with their his schooling at Paisley Grammar immediate environment, or School before the family moved to microclimate. In a career spanning Edinburgh when he was eleven. over half a century, he is perhaps His father, who had suffered from best known for the Penman– multiple sclerosis, died shortly Monteith equation that has afterwards. From a very early age become the basis for guidelines John showed innate scientific for estimating irrigation water curiosity, encouraged by family requirements used by the FAO friends who supplied him with (Food and Agriculture Organiza- electricity and chemistry sets. He tion of the United Nations). He was fond of practical jokes and became one of the youngest ever experimenting with hazardous Fellows of the Royal Society, chemicals acquired from a local London in 1971, and was made a scientific supply shop. Fellow of the Royal Society of A strong all-rounder at George Edinburgh in 1972. In addition, Heriot’s School, Edinburgh, and he was a Fellow (1951) and keen on amateur dramatics and Honorary Fellow (1997) of the music, he was nevertheless Royal Meteorological Society, propelled towards a future in Fellow (1966) of the Institute of either physics or chemistry – Physics, Fellow (1976) of the biology being out of the question Institute of Biology, and served as given his perceived inability to president of the Royal Meteoro- draw specimens. On leaving he logical Society from 1978 to studied Physics at Edinburgh 1980. In 1989 he was awarded an University and particularly enjoyed honorary DSc by the University of lectures by the distinguished Edinburgh. During his career he meteorologist, James Paton. served on many national and Graduating with First Class international scientific committees honours, he sought opportunities and on the editorial boards of in agricultural aspects of meteor- prominent scientific publications. ology, recognising the chance to He also served as Fellowship contribute to the major societal Secretary to this Society from challenges of sustainable food 1997 to 1999.

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production, while also escaping harnessing the analogy of the confines of a laboratory. electrical resistance, John showed Embarking on postgraduate how to account for surface research at Imperial College, conductance of water, and Howard Penman, from the produced the Penman-Monteith Rothamsted Experimental Station equation that more correctly in Harpenden, encouraged him to accounted for wind and surface focus on the science of dew effects. The approach was subse- formation. Dew had been identi- quently adapted to model the fied as a potentially important behaviour of any natural system precursor for plant fungal infec- involving mass or energy ex- tions, but it remained unclear change in fields ranging from what weather conditions were animal energetics to pollutant necessary for dew to form, and deposition. While at Rothamsted, hence it was difficult anticipate John also made, in collaboration when damage was most likely to with Geza Szeicz, some of the occur. His investigations required world’s first measurements of carbon dioxide exchange (CO ) the development of novel and 2 highly sensitive micrometeorologi- between the land surface and the cal instruments for the atmosphere. measurement of dew fall, humidi- In 1967 John was appointed to ty and energy fluxes. Using a the newly-created Chair of method of analysis that would Environmental Physics at the characterise many of his future School of Agriculture, Sutton papers, he recognized that the Bonington, a faculty of the balance of incoming and outgo- University of Nottingham. Al- ing energy at ground level though he had not considered determined the source of the dew teaching, he took very naturally to (i.e. soil or atmosphere) and the the task. Many students, as well as amount that could be formed. colleagues, would find their In 1954, he moved to Rothamsted careers shaped and altered by as a Scientific Officer and began their associations with him, and working under Penman, who was several now hold important concerned how variation in positions in organisations across weather affected soil moisture. the world. The discipline of Penman had developed a method Environmental Physics as a to predict the rate of evaporation defined field of study really from wet surfaces, but it did not became established with the take into account the complicat- publication of Principles of ing effects that vegetation Environmental Physics in 1973, imposed on water loss. By later editions of which were

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written in collaboration with his Hyderabad, India, where he served colleague Mike Unsworth. With until 1991. On his return to funding from the Oversees Edinburgh, he was invited to Development Agency, his growing become Senior Visiting Fellow at team established a unique set of the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology large, microclimatologically at Penicuik. controlled greenhouses which John had a multi-faceted person- allowed realistic field-scale ality and a wide range of interests. assessments of the growth of He was an accomplished organist, crops from the semi-arid tropics and for many years served the under different environmental communities of Sutton Bonington conditions. John became increas- Methodist Church and Mayfield ingly interested in the factors Salisbury Church, Edinburgh, in determining crop growth and this capacity. He had a deep love yield, and eventually spent a six- of the countryside, and of wilder- month sabbatical at NASA in ness areas, particularly the Maryland, USA, developing Scottish Highlands where he approaches to assess crop enjoyed hill-walking. He was also production from space using a keen photographer, and remote sensing. The Nottingham gardener. group continued to develop micrometeorological instruments A devoted husband, father and for measuring physical attributes grandfather, John is survived by of the environment, collaborating his wife, Elsa, his five children, with two major suppliers of state- David, Graham, Donald, Alison of-the-art environmental research and Andrew, and by eleven instrumentation for Britain and grandchildren. Europe, Delta-T Devices, and Submitted and prepared by the Campbell Scientific Ltd, for whom Monteith Family, John was a co-founder. In 1987 with contributions from John’s he became Director of the Re- colleagues, including Dr Dr source Management Program at Gaylon Campbell. the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics in

John Lennox Monteith FRS, FRSE, BSc, DIC, PhD, FInstP, FIBiol Hon. DSc. Born 3 September 1929. Elected FRSE 1972. Died 20 July 2012. This obituary also appeared in The Scotsman on 8 August 2012.

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Brenda Elizabeth Moon 11 April 1931–7 March 2011

Brenda Moon made an outstand- Her first professional post was as

ing contribution to the an assistant librarian at the development of Edinburgh University of Sheffield (1955–62). University Library as its head from While there she compiled for the 1980 until her retirement in 1996, Institute of Classical Studies two she was an efficient Curator of the lists of publications on Mycenae- RSE (2002-05), and her influence an civilisation from 1935 to 1955 on all those who knew her well and from 1956 to 1960 (London, was immense, her diffidence of 1957 and 1961). From Sheffield manner concealing great drive she moved to Hull, at first as Sub- and determination (not for Librarian (1962–67) and then as nothing is Philip Larkin credited Deputy Librarian (1967–79), under with designating her “the steel Philip Larkin, who relied on her a snowdrop”). great deal (for a time, during Born (in Stoke-on-Trent, to be Larkin’s absence on leave, she precise) while her parents, became Acting Librarian). Clement and Mabel Moon, were In particular, it was she who living in Newcastle-under-Lyme, managed the installation of the she spent her early years there. country’s first GEAC automated When she was 11, the family library system. Earlier, she had moved to Birmingham and she become the secretary of the received her secondary education Southeast Asia Library Group, at King Edward’s Grammar School which was founded at an ad-hoc for Girls, Camp Hill, gaining there meeting held at Hull in 1968, and her abiding love for the Classics. subsequently the Editor of its From there she went to St Hilda’s Newsletter (until she left on her College, Oxford, to read Greats appointment as Librarian at (1949–1953), followed by Edinburgh University). Published professional training at the School outcomes from this include a of Librarianship and Archives, Survey of Library Resources (Hull: UCL, 1954-55. She was joint SEALG, 1969, 2nd edn 1973) and winner of the Cowley Prize for a union catalogue, Periodicals for Bibliography in 1955 and became South-East Asian Studies (London: a Fellow of the Library Association Mansell, 1979), as well as a in 1958. Directory of libraries and special collections on Asia and North

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Africa, with R.L. Collison (London: she was also adviser to the Lockwood, 1970). libraries of Lund, Linköping and Brenda Moon was the first Uppsala Universities on library woman to head a Scottish automation. university library (and one of the Equally she insisted that Edin- first in any major UK research burgh University Library as a library). On arrival at Edinburgh whole play its part in co-operative University Library at the beginning networks and enabled members of 1980, she was immediately of her staff to meet specialist involved in the discussions on opposite numbers in other library automation that had just libraries, arranging for exchanges begun and she soon achieved the between Edinburgh staff and their second GEAC installation in the opposite numbers from other UK. Edinburgh University Library libraries, and for librarians from may have been a late entrant to elsewhere to be seconded to the library automation race but, Edinburgh University Library thanks to her vision and the active within their particular fields, support of the University’s which undoubtedly enhanced the computing service, it became the name and reputation of the first major university library in the Library across the world. She UK to tackle the huge issues of clearly foresaw the importance of scale involved in delivering a international collaboration a computer-based service. decade before the internet made Brenda Moon was a strong all libraries global. The interest proponent of collaboration. She she showed in her staff is well herself was a co-founder of the remembered. Consortium of University Research At the same time, she was a Libraries and its Chairman (1992– powerful advocate of the impor- 96), and also secretary and then tance of building special chairman of the SCONUL Advisory collections and archives and Committee on Access to Materials bringing the papers of poets and (1987–93). In the wake of mem- commercial companies to the bership of the Vice-Chancellor’s university; major collections that committee to enquire into library came to the Library during her provision in Oxford (1986–87 – a librarianship, include the BBC heavy commitment involving Press Cuttings, papers of the weekly meetings there for a poets George Mackay Brown, period), she became an active Norman MacCaig and Hugh Assessor to the Curators of the MacDiarmid, the papers of John Bodleian Library on its automation Middleton Murry, the Barry plans (1987); at the same period Bloomfield and A H Campbell

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Collections of editions of W H of Manchester High School for Auden, the Arthur Koestler Girls, by whom she is survived. Collection, and Corson Sir Walter She was also a keen hill walker Scott Collection. She revived the until 2000, when the sudden Friends of the University Library, onset of impaired mobility ruled it encouraging their role in funding out. Another frustration in her last acquisitions. few years was rapidly failing Brenda Moon was also one of the eyesight, limiting her scholarly last of the generation of scholar activities, with the result that her librarians. She had a scholar’s final piece of research was left not interest in the Library’s collections quite complete at her death. and its history, arriving in Edin- Brenda Moon was elected a burgh during the University Fellow of the Society in 1992 and Library’s own 400th anniversary subsequently became its Curator celebrations and shortly before (2002–2005), doing excellent retirement writing a booklet on work in that role and in organis- the history of its Library Commit- ing its library collections. She tee. She gained her MPhil in 1987 retired in 1996 from Edinburgh from Leeds University with a University Library, which had by Thesis on the botanical artist then revived in her honour the Marianne North and later, in older title of Librarian to the 2002, when she was able to University of Edinburgh. resume her research after retire- Her church affiliation always ment, gained her PhD. from the meant a great deal to her University of Hull, with a Thesis on throughout her life. In Edinburgh the founder of the Egypt Explora- she was an active member and tion Society, Amelia Edwards, elder of Augustine United Church, which became the basis for her George IV Bridge, where her book More usefully employed: concern for others and her incisive Amelia B. Edwards, writer, traveller comments and advice at meetings and campaigner for ancient Egypt were as evident as in her profes- (London: Egypt Exploration sional life. It is typical of her Society, 2006). Christian commitment that the She herself had a lifelong interest vast bulk of her significant in botany, at first sketching and personal library was sold at the later photographing wild flowers annual Christian Aid book sale at on the many travels to different St Andrew’s and St George’s part of the globe, from Alaska to Church, Edinburgh, after Edin- Tasmania, often undertaken in burgh and Hull University Libraries company with her younger sister, had selected a certain number of Mary Moon, former headmistress items. Both in the church and in

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the library her hospitality was well excelling as an administrator, she known and many meetings at was also eminently practical. both were rendered more agreea- John Brockington ble by the baking she provided;

Brenda Elizabeth Moon, M.A. (Oxford), M.Phil. (Leeds), Ph.D. (Hull) Born 11 April 1931. Elected FRSE 1992 (and Curator 2002–05). Died 7 March 2011.

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Kenneth Murray 30 December 1930–7 April 2013

Ken Murray was one of the most ham that he met his wife, Noreen, eminent scientists in the United who was to become a close Kingdom and an international scientific collaborator. They were leader of scientific innovation. He married in 1958 and shared many developed the first vaccine against interests, such as hill walking and viral hepatitis B, which has saved camping. They continued to countless lives worldwide. support each other throughout Professor Murray was one of the their lives. earliest workers in genetic Ken continued his research at engineering, which has opened a Stanford University and returned new avenue of scientific research to the UK in 1964 where he and has led to new treatments for worked in the Medical Research diseases and genetic disorders. He Council Laboratory of Molecular was co-founder of the first Biology. He joined the University European based Biotechnology of Edinburgh in 1967 at what was company, Biogen. Most of then the only department of Professor Murray’s commercial molecular biology in the country. income was used to found the He went on to become Biogen Darwin Trust in 1983. The trust Professor of Molecular Biology in has supported the education of 1984. He and his colleagues made many young scientists, and helped the University a leader in the to fund cutting-edge research and molecular biology revolution. Ken improved facilities at the Universi- went on to become Head of ty of Edinburgh. His generosity Molecular Biology from 1976 to also supported activities to inspire 1984. Following his retirement in the next generation of potential 1998, he continued to come to scientists. the laboratory every day, leading Ken was born in Yorkshire and further scientific endeavours. brought up in the Midlands. He Increasingly, he spent more time left school at the age of 16 to on his philanthropic support of become a laboratory technician at others through the Darwin Trust. Boots in Nottingham. After part- Ken received much recognition for time study he obtained a his outstanding work. He was First-class Honours degree in elected to the Royal Society in chemistry and a PhD in microbiol- 1979, received the Willem ogy from the University of Meindart de Hoop Prize in 1983, Birmingham. It was in Birming- and in 1992 was given a Saltire

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Society Scientific Award. He was Professor Murray immediately put awarded a knighthood in 1993 these ideas to a practical task – and a Royal Medal by the Royal how to create a vaccine for a Society of Edinburgh in 2000. In devastating liver disease, hepatitis 2010, Ken and Noreen jointly B. This condition lacked reliable received a lifetime achievement treatment and led to deaths award from Nexus Life Sciences. among the 300 million people Recently the Kenneth and Noreen around the world infected with Murray Library was built at the the virus. Ken found a way to King’s Buildings Science Campus identify the hepatitis B virus and at the University of Edinburgh, then produced a man-made recognising the couple’s distin- vaccine. guished careers and their This was done under very difficult commitment to the advancement conditions, as people were scared of science and engineering. of new genetic engineering Despite the wealth from Ken’s technology, and so he had to vaccine and his various successes, work in secure facilities. By 1978, he remained a very modest and Ken and colleagues had created approachable person. He was an the vaccine and later proved that it inspirational teacher and collabo- was effective in treating hepatitis. rator who was always very He was involved in the establish- supportive of colleagues and ment of Biogen, which friends and quick to praise commercially developed the success. vaccine for use. The vaccine is used around the world. After this Ken’s scientific interests lay in success, Ken continued his methods for sequencing, or molecular biology research activity deciphering, strands of DNA code. at Edinburgh for many years. He developed methods based on new ideas, to isolate specific Ken had suffered from ill health genes, and so began genetic for a number of years, yet re- engineering. Along with Noreen mained very active intellectually and others, he developed recom- and had a wide circle of friends binant DNA technology, or gene around the world. He survived cloning. This represented a Noreen in 2011. Although Ken revolution for scientists in terms and Noreen had no children, they of understanding how cells work, leave behind a large community of how genetics work and how the colleagues and friends whose lives development of organisms is they have touched. This includes controlled and how it can go the students and colleagues with wrong. whom Ken shared his ideas

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willingly, colleagues who were he financed, and the many who able to use his techniques and did not know him but whose lives materials for their own scientific were improved because of his research, those whose education work. He will be sadly missed. Mary Bownes

Professor Sir Kenneth Murray, FRS, FRSE, FRCPath, FSB, FMedSci, BSc, PhD(Birm), Drhc(Edin). Born 30 December 1930. Elected FRSE 1989. Died 7 April 2013.

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Noreen Elizabeth Murray 26 February 1935–12 May 2011

Noreen Murray was recognised Constantine, the much-admired internationally as being one of West Indian cricketer. Noreen said Britain’s most distinguished and that as a child she was a little highly respected molecular tomboy, and she loved climbing geneticists. trees. She also liked to help her In the early 1970s, together with father with gardening, and she her husband Ken and colleague had her own section of their Bill Brammar, she led the develop- garden, which was the beginning ment of recombinant DNA of a life-long love of plants. Her technology, or genetic engineer- father was a strong disciplinarian ing, as it is commonly called. This and she and her older brother had was a seismic event, ultimately a strict but loving upbringing. He affecting all areas of biology and was particularly concerned about making possible much of modern punctuality and, as a result, biotechnology. Their pioneering Noreen said she always tried to be work put the UK at the head of on time. this revolution in research, and Noreen’s brother, Neil, also had a the technology and tools that they strong influence on her. He was a developed have had lasting keen naturalist (he later studied impact. forestry at Edinburgh University) Noreen was born Noreen Eliza- and he encouraged Noreen to beth Parker in Read, near Burnley collect pressed flowers and birds’ in Lancashire. She enjoyed a rural feathers. In her 5th form at upbringing, initially in the village school, Noreen studied physics of Read and, from the age of five, and chemistry, biology not being in Bolton-le-Sands, on the edge of an option available to her at that Morecombe Bay, where her father, stage. However, her brother John Parker, was headmaster of introduced her to the subject, the local school. The family spent teaching her Mendel’s Laws and much of their time outdoors, encouraging her to read biology playing tennis, cycling, swimming books. Thus, at the age of 15, or rowing on Lake Windermere or Noreen changed from thinking of on the canal at the bottom of becoming a domestic science their garden. Their home in Read teacher to studying biology. was close to the cricket ground, Noreen won a number of prizes at and Noreen particularly remem- school and in 1953 was awarded bered watching Learie London Intercollegiate and State

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Scholarships to enter King’s in Birmingham, she was mistaken College, London, to study botany. for a maid going into service. In She developed an interest in Birmingham she met her future microbial genetics and after husband, Kenneth Murray, who graduation moved to the Universi- was studying for a PhD in chemis- ty of Birmingham to work for a try. In addition to their shared PhD under the supervision of passion for laboratory work, they David Catcheside, Head of the enjoyed hill walking, camping and new Department of Microbiology. climbing, especially in the Scottish Noreen was very interested in the Highlands. They married in 1958 nature of the gene and whether and were later to become close genes concerned with a particular scientific collaborators. biochemical pathway were closely After completing their PhDs, linked in eukaryotes, as had been Noreen and Ken took up postdoc- found for some pathways in toral positions at Stanford bacteria. Catcheside used the University. Noreen continued her bread mould Neurospora crassa as studies of Neurospora during five an experimental organism, and happy years in David Perkins’ Noreen decided to investigate the laboratory, describing her time chromosomal distribution of there as being outstanding. She genes needed for synthesis of the found the environment at Stan- amino acid methionine. This ford intellectually stimulating, required isolation and genetic meeting many leading microbial mapping of mutants that could geneticists. It was during this time not grow without methionine, that she first met Frank Stahl, who leading to an interest in the was interested in her studies of mechanism of recombination, the polarised gene conversion and process that ensures that new who later collaborated with combinations of genetic variants Noreen during sabbatical visits to are transmitted from one genera- the UK. tion to the next. Noreen In 1964, she and Ken returned to discovered that recombination the UK, Noreen to work with does not occur uniformly along Harold Whitehouse in the Botany chromosomes, but occurs more School, Cambridge, and Ken to frequently at hotspots from which the MRC Laboratory of Molecular it proceeds preferentially in one Biology. Noreen was shocked that direction. her degrees were not recognised Noreen occasionally recalled with by Cambridge University. It amusement that, when she first seemed that she was expected to arrived with her luggage at the work for a Cambridge PhD and, large house where she was to stay during her 6th year as a postdoc-

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toral researcher, she appeared on clone DNA sequences. Noreen the photograph of the Cambridge used elegant genetic approaches PhD students. to modify the chromosome of In 1968, Noreen took up a phage lambda, reducing the position in Bill Hayes’ MRC Unit of number of restriction enzyme Molecular Genetics in the Univer- cleavage sites, so that it could be sity of Edinburgh, and Ken used as a DNA cloning vector. became a Senior Lecturer in the Noreen, Ken and their close Department of Molecular Biology. colleague, Bill Brammar, used Noreen decided to turn her these modified bacteriophage to research to systems that were clone defined fragments of DNA more accessible to molecular from a variety of organisms. studies. She had become interest- Over the next ten years, Noreen ed in the phenomenon of developed a series of increasingly host-controlled restriction (the sophisticated lambda vectors, in ability of bacterial cells to “re- Edinburgh and at the European strict” foreign DNA) and decided Molecular Biology Laboratory in to study this phenomenon in Heidelberg, where she and Ken Escherichia coli, using bacteri- worked from 1980 to 1982. These ophage lambda and her were rapidly adopted by research- knowledge of bacteriophage ers throughout the world and are genetics learned from Frank Stahl. still widely used today. She also Ken, at the end of his time in Fred realised at an early stage that the Sanger’s laboratory, had begun to protein products of cloned genes determine short DNA sequences could be expressed in bacterial at the ends of the lambda ge- host cells, and her clever use of nome, and they became excited by the quiescent, lysogenic state of the prospect of combining their phage lambda allowed the genetic and molecular skills to expression of proteins that may be identify the DNA sequences that toxic to the bacterium. This are cleaved by DNA restriction facilitated the high level produc- enzymes within the phage lambda tion of proteins in bacteria, genome. including enzymes such as T4 Noreen and Ken were among the DNA ligase, polynucleotide kinase first to realise that the ability to and E. coli DNA polymerase that cut DNA with restriction enzymes were of major importance for the opened up the possibility of new recombinant DNA technolo- joining together different DNA gy. molecules that had been cut in The practical aspects of Noreen’s this way, to produce recombinant work were always supported by DNA molecules, and thereby to scholarly exploration of the

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biochemical and genetic proper- ham, UMIST, Warwick, Lancaster, ties of the systems used, and it is Sheffield and Edinburgh. She was notable that many of her publica- awarded the Gabor Medal of the tions have only one or a few Royal Society, the AstraZeneca authors, because she was general- Award of the Biochemical Society, ly the main instigator and often the Nexxus award (jointly with the sole technical contributor to Ken) and, in 2011, she received a the work. In the collaborative Royal Medal from the Royal work with her husband, Noreen’s Society of Edinburgh. She was contributions were clearly identifi- awarded a CBE for services to able; she being the geneticist, he science in 2002. Despite her the biochemist. eminence as a scientist, Noreen Noreen was generous with her was always very unassuming and time, both with her colleagues quietly spoken. She was also and by serving on many commit- strong minded and very deter- tees, including the Executive mined. Advisory Board of the Scottish Noreen’s achievements came at a Higher Education Funding time when it was not always easy Council, the BBSRC Council, the for women to make a career in Council of the Royal Society, the science and it is a measure of her Cabinet Office Science & Technol- ability, hard work and determina- ogy Honours Committee, as tion that she reached the very top Vice-President of the Royal Society of her profession, despite occa- and President of the Genetical sionally contending with the Society of Great Britain. She was unconscious prejudice of the also a Trustee of the Darwin Trust scientific establishment. Perhaps of Edinburgh, a charitable because of this, Noreen was organisation founded by Ken and particularly attentive to the careers Noreen to support research in the of her female colleagues and natural sciences. delighted in their success. Al- In 1988, Noreen was promoted to though she had no children, a Personal Chair at Edinburgh Noreen thought of her students University, as Professor of Molecu- and postdocs as her family and lar Genetics. Her many she earned their admiration and contributions to science have affection. been honoured by Fellowships of Noreen loved to work at the the Royal Societies of Edinburgh bench and continued to do so and London, Membership of the long after her formal retirement in European Molecular Biology 2001. She was an exceptional Organisation and Honorary DScs mentor to those who worked with from the Universities of Birming- or around her, whether an

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undergraduate, postgraduate burgh New Club. An invitation to student, technician, postdoctoral dine was a real treat. research assistant, sabbatical In 2010 Noreen was diagnosed visitor or academic colleague. She with a form of motor neurone was inspirational both by example disease. She confronted this and through her lectures, which affliction with courage and were delivered with clarity and dignity, more concerned for the confidence despite her finding welfare of those around her than public speaking stressful. She was for herself. By the beginning of extraordinarily hard-working, and 2011 she could no longer speak, held very high standards not only but she continued to come into in her work but also in her her office to deal with corre- personal life. Noreen took spondence and to converse with pleasure in gardening, fine art colleagues via notes. At the and the company of others. The beginning of May she entered the garden at their house in Edin- Marie Curie Hospice in Edinburgh, burgh was her favourite place to where she died with Ken at her escape to and it always looked side. Noreen will be remembered magnificent. Noreen also took a with huge affection and admira- pride in her appearance and tion by so many, and she will be dressed elegantly and stylishly. greatly missed. She is survived by She and Ken were exceptionally her husband, Professor Sir hospitable to friends and col- Kenneth Murray, and her brother, leagues, entertaining them at John Neil Parker, who lives in home, where Noreen was an Australia. excellent cook, or at the Edin- Jean Beggs and David Finnegan

Noreen Elizabeth Murray (née Parker), CBE, FRS, BSc (King’s College Lon- don), PhD (Birmingham). Born 26 February 1935. Elected FRSE 1989. Died 12 May 2011.

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Eric Cyril Raynold Reeve 14 September 1913–14 December 2011

Eric Cyril Raynold Reeve, known to ence. After a vacation crash course his friends as Eric, was born on from Basil in basic topics, he was September 14th 1913, in Liverpool. accepted into the department, His father had been a Church of where his lecturers included E. S. England missionary in Japan from Goodrich, J. Z. Young and E. B. 1907 to 1910, while his mother Ford. In his second year he was the daughter of a vicar, so the entered for the Christopher Welch ambience of his early years was Research Scholarship, open to very much Church of England. He students of Botany, Zoology and was the second of four brothers. Medicine, which covered the fees They lived in a succession of for a four-year DPhil and, to his towns in England as his father surprise, won it, in spite of his very moved from parish to parish. In recent introduction to Zoology. 1915 they moved to Great The previous winner had been Yarmouth and in 1920 to Hock- Peter Medawar, later Nobel ering, Norfolk and later to Laureate. Lowestoft, Suffolk, where he The supervisor for his degree was became a close friend of Benjamin J. Z. Young. He proposed an Britten at the local prep school. excellent project in the application Britten was Head Boy, while Eric of mathematical analysis to became School Captain. Two or differences in growth and form, a three years later he entered development from D’Arcy Thomp- Norwich Grammar School, in the son’s classic studies and Julian Cathedral Close, as a boarder, and Huxley’s more recent theory of spent the rest of his schooldays Heterogony or Allometry. The there. project involved a study of three His elder brother, Basil, who was genera of New World anteaters at the same school, won a History namely Cyclopes (the pygmy Scholarship to Oriel, Oxford, while anteater), Tamandua (a medium- Eric joined St Peter’s Hall (later sized anteater) and College) Oxford, to study mathe- Myrmecophaga (the giant anteat- matics. After completing a year of er) which differ greatly in size, his honours degree he wanted a with correlated increasing length change and, on the advice of of the snout bones compared Basil, who had switched to with cranium length. Eric applied medicine, Eric opted for Zoology, the new statistical methods of which he had no prior experi- devised by R. A. Fisher, at that time

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almost unknown to biologists, to larger in size. On the basis of the relations between snout and these studies, Eric wrote a joint cranium length. This was based article with Julian Huxley for a on a large number of skulls of book, edited by Peter Medawar, to each genus collected and meas- honour D’Arcy Thompson’s ured by many comparative original approach to animal anatomists over more than fifty growth and form. years, including two large samples Having completed his degree, of skulls from Chicago and Eric’s next move was to the samples measured by Eric and statistical department of Roth- others from the Oxford and ampstead Experimental Station. London Museums. This showed There he joined a large team of that while Cyclopes and Tamand- mathematicians, statisticians and ua differed greatly in body size, agronomists, led by Frank Yates, there was little difference between to apply R. A. Fisher’s newly- them in the relative sizes of snout developed statistical methods of and cranium, while analysis to a large body of data Myrmecophaga was clearly relating to the yield of different different. This was published as a crops on farms throughout the study in the application of UK, with or without the applica- quantitative methods to systemat- tion of various artificial fertilisers. ics and was indeed a pioneering The collaborative results were contribution since, in those days, published by Yates in 1941 under the application of mathematic the title Fertiliser Policy in War- analysis to biological data was time. War in Europe now quite unfamiliar to biologists. dominated life. Yates next took on After the anteater study, Eric the comparison of the safety of extended the same sort of analysis different kinds of air-raid shelter, to the study of horses and their for which members of the team, ancestors back to Eohippus, using including Eric, sought the views of samples measured by himself and the public. He was next sent to the P.D.F. Murray from collections in Ministry of Home Security Re- the London Natural History search Group, which had taken Museum. Plotting face length over the Forest Research Station at against cranium length on a log– Princes Risborough, to collect log scale showed clear evidence of information on the effectiveness change in the relative proportion of Allied bombing on German of face to cranium length over a and European cities, although the period of ten million years. results were not published. A Relative length of face apparently team was also set up, including declined as modern horses grew Eric, to examine the effects of

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German bombing on British Russians, so that team members manufacturing centres, such as working on specific aspects often Birmingham and Coventry. Shortly found their data were incomplete after that, Eric joined discussions or located elsewhere. Eric, by with Francis Klingender and the talking to them about their crystallographer J. D. Bernal at problems, was often able to act as Princes Risborough, succeeded by a useful link and reveal gaps that a move to Klingender’s house in could be dealt with. The British London as more convenient for end of this operation was run by their work. Professor Solly Zuckerman. About this time, Eric met Edith By this time Eric was anxious to Simon through Klingender. Edith get back to scientific research, so was a brilliant young author and he consulted Peter Medawar, who also a talented artist, who later informed him that the Agricultural developed the wholly original Research Council (ARC) had technique of scalpel painting decided to set up an organisation which appeared regularly at designed to put British livestock Edinburgh Festival exhibitions and production on a more scientific which always commanded Eric’s basis. It was to have two divisions, enthusiastic support. He never an academically-oriented group doubted that his meeting with under C. H Waddington and a Edith was the most important more practically-oriented group, event of his life. supplied with access to farms for Eric next moved to a branch of the the different kinds of livestock, Foreign Office. When the war in under Professor White. Wadding- Europe ended, the US Govern- ton was pleased to invite Eric to ment amassed a large team, based join his group. The whole organi- at Bad Nauheim, to study the sation was to be known as the effects of American and British National Animal Breeding and bombing on the German war Genetics Research Organisation. effort. Eric was sent as a liaison After much sounding out as to officer, with the rank of Major. whether the University of Sussex This United States Strategic or of Oxford was to be the centre Bombing Survey had many of operations, the University of sections devoted to reactions of Edinburgh came up with an bombed workers, dispersal of vital attractive offer which would see factories, damage to key produc- Waddington translated to the tion, etc. It was a rather chaotic Buchanan Chair of Genetics, situation, since much essential housed in the Institute of Animal information had already been Genetics, at King’s Buildings. taken by the Americans and the

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While these negotiations were mansion on the southern out- afoot, Waddington’s group was skirts of Edinburgh to house temporarily housed in the Hendon Waddington’s scientific staff and Golf Clubhouse. I had also joined their families, since the accommo- Waddington’s group, and Eric and dation included suites suited for I found ourselves sharing a large family occupation as well as single room in the golf club to serve as rooms on the top storey. Wad- laboratory. We got on very well dington entertained the slightly from the beginning. After a good romantic notion of life in a college deal of discussion we decided to atmosphere, with everyone dining collaborate. We had a similar at a long table with himself at the sense of humour and complemen- head. Eric and Edith had a tary scientific backgrounds, while comfortable flat. Although neither of us took ourselves too Mortonhall solved the immediate seriously; essential ingredients for housing problem, in due course, long term collaboration. We communal living, especially under started work with Drosophila the trying conditions of rationing, melanogaster under the most proved a less than tranquil primitive conditions and at the existence in which tensions and height of one of the worst winters stresses originating in the labora- on record, when the power to our tory became entwined with the single incubator was often cut off. domestic scene. As soon as it By 1947, however, we were became feasible, families drifted comfortably installed in the out to their own accommodation Institute of Animal Genetics and in Edinburgh, but not before could embark on our long-term Edith produced her first born, study on the inheritance of body Antonia. The Reeves first moved size in Drosophila, based on the to Rosebery Crescent, where they measurement of thorax length. A stayed for ten years, during which series of joint papers grew out of time Simon and Jessica were experiments on the effects of added to the family. Later they long-term selection, inbreeding, moved to Grosvenor Crescent, not crossing strains, etc., all of which far away, where they spent the rest had a bearing on the interpreta- of their lives. In 1975 Eric was tion of the results of livestock and elected a Fellow of the Royal poultry breeding. These appeared Society of Edinburgh. as successive studies in Quantita- As time passed, Eric’s and my tive Inheritance. interests tended to diverge and he Since housing was scarce and branched into microbial genetics, expensive, the ARC had hired especially of Klebsiella, while I Mortonhall House, a large opted for ecological genetics. An

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important development was the ence, since his aim was to obtain foundation [in 1960] of a new authoritative, lively and readable Genetics Journal, Genetical articles from leading geneticists Research, published by Cam- right across the field. Shortly after bridge University Press. At first, publication, the rights were the Journal of Genetics was the bought by the giant American preferred outlet for our research. firm Taylor and Francis, who paid But this was owned and edited by the editor and contributors all J. B. S. Haldane, who pursued his that they were owed. They had an editorial duties at a glacial pace eye for quality. and was the source of everlasting So much for Eric Reeve’s varied frustration. Hence the drive for a and distinguished scientific career. replacement journal which Eric What of the man? He was a was invited to edit, a task which person of high principle in the he undertook for 36 years with conduct of human affairs. He unremitting care and attention to displayed an unruffled, tolerant clarity and respect for the English attitude and was not easily moved language. Many an author to anger. A devoted husband and benefited from his advice. The father, he enjoyed the company of Journal of Genetics was taken by friends, was a keen tennis player the Haldanes to India [where it is and never happier than in the still co-published by Springer and embellishing of a comic anecdote. the Indian Academy of Sciences]. He was in all respects a very Towards the end of his career, Eric civilized person whose passing is a was invited to organise and edit loss to all who knew him. He is the Encyclopaedia of Genetics, a survived by Antonia, Simon and Nature-sized volume of some 900 Jessica. pages. This was a mammoth Forbes W Robertson undertaking which entailed an immense amount of correspond-

Eric Cyril Raynold Reeve. Born 14 September 1913. Elected FRSE 1975. Died 14 December 2011.

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Geoffrey Edwin Rickman 9 October 1932–8 February 2010

Geoffrey Rickman, Emeritus 1951, where he took a First-class Professor of Roman History at the degree in Literae Humaniores in University of St Andrews, was a Trinity Term 1955. man of great wit and humour. He After his graduation, he did his was also a remarkable scholar, an National Service from 1955 to inspiring teacher, a wise adminis- 1957, most of which was spent in trator, and a major figure in the the Joint Services School for life of two great institutions of Linguists, first at Bodmin and then learning, the University of St at a disused airfield outside the Andrews and the British School at fishing village of Crail in the East Rome. Neuk of Fife. In 1957 he returned Geoffrey Rickman was born on 9 to Oxford, where he studied for October 1932 at Cherât, a hill the Diploma in Classical Archaeol- sanatorium and cantonment, ogy, which he completed in one sixty-five miles from the Khyber year rather than the usual two and Pass and thirty-four miles south which was awarded with distinc- east of Peshawar, in what was tion in 1958. His choice of the then the Naushahra district of the classical archaeology diploma North West Frontier Province of marked a significant change in his British India, now the HQ of the approach to ancient history, and Special Service Group of the one which was to characterise his Pakistan army. He was the third of work from then on. four brothers, the second of Although he had shown himself a whom died in India. When he was skilled practitioner in the style of two years old, the family returned history which was then dominant, to England and settled in Win- especially in Oxford, of scrupulous chester, where his fourth brother, investigation and interpretation of Harry, was born. There he attend- the ancient literary sources, he ed a local primary school and found himself, as a result of his then, after passing the scholarship two years away from the world of examination at the second academic scholarship, dissatisfied attempt, Peter Symonds’ School, a with it as means of discovering voluntary controlled grammar the realities of the ancient world. school for boys in Winchester. Now, and increasingly over the From Winchester, he proceeded rest of his career, he wanted to with a State Scholarship to know not only what the literary Brasenose College Oxford in remains of antiquity could tell us,

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but what actually happened; and help in the preparation of the it was this that directed him publications which emerged from towards the examination of the it. The viva took place in February archaeological record. Thus, after 1963, but by this time Geoffrey his success in the Diploma in and Anna had moved to St Classical Archaeology, he proceed- Andrews on Geoffrey’s appointed to the British School at Rome ment to a Lectureship in Ancient (BSR), aided by the award by the History. This was to be his home Craven Committee of the Henry for the rest of his life. Francis Pelham Studentship in When Geoffrey began teaching at 1958, to work on the granaries St Andrews, he was a one-man (horrea) of the port of Rome at department, a relatively insignifi- Ostia, which was the basis for a cant island, overlooked by the DPhil Thesis, entitled The Design, towering cliffs of Greek and Structure and Organisation of Humanity. Over the next thirty-five Horrea under the Roman Empire, years he effectively created the supervised by Ian Richmond. Department of Ancient History. His year at the BSR was to prove a That is not to say that he began turning point in many ways. “A the department. The first lecturer different non-verbal world of in Ancient History at St Andrews effort and achievement was was Peter Brunt, appointed to St opened up”, as he wrote later in Andrews in 1947 and later the School’s Centenary volume. Camden Professor in Oxford, and Perhaps more importantly still, it he was followed by E. S. Stavely was in this year that Geoffrey, and Ursula Hall, both of whom returning briefly to England, made important contributions to married Anna Wilson, whom he the discipline. Moreover, Brunt had first met nine years earlier collected around him a remarka- when she was a pupil at St ble set of colleagues, some of Swithun’s School in Winchester, whom remained in St Andrews in and they took a honeymoon trip the flourishing and supportive to Greece before returning to the milieu which he established, while BSR. They returned to Oxford later others went on to be equally that year, and Geoffrey held a successful elsewhere. It is no Junior Research Fellowship at The disrespect to any of these, Queen’s College Oxford for the however, to say that Ancient next three years. This enabled him History in St Andrews, and the to complete his DPhil Thesis, esteem with which it is regarded which was examined by Sheppard in the world of classical scholar- Frere and Russell Meiggs, both of ship across the globe, is Geoffrey’s whom were to provide invaluable creation.

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Outwith St Andrews, Geoffrey’s book was widely recognised both best known academic work is for its subject matter and for its contained in two books and a accessibility and it was predicted series of just over a dozen articles. that it would long remain the In terms of sheer bulk, this is a not standard work on the topic. And a large output; but its significance so it has remained. is far greater than its size. His first Nine years later he produced a publication, the book Roman second book, The Corn Supply of Granaries and Store Buildings, Ancient Rome (Oxford: Clarendon (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1980), largely written up Press, 1971), was based on his during a three-month spell at the DPhil Thesis. Such works often BSR during a period of study reveal their origins only too clearly leave. Although this is a very in a worthy if somewhat stilted different book from his first, style, more suitable for examiners covering in a more discursive style than for subsequent readers, and the vast question of the provision- in a relentless concentration on ing of the largest city of antiquity the topic in hand. These fears across half a millennium, its basic were recorded by one reviewer as approach is the same. What he he took up the book he was to attempted to do was “to produce review; however, as he went on to a readable narrative, unclogged by say, “it turned out to be so well too much scholarship but setting written and the author so capable out a large selection of the of drawing out the human evidence available, and drawing implications of the buildings that attention to the problems which it proved, to the present reviewer seem to me particularly important at least, one of the most interest- and worth discussion.” In this he ing books read recently.” (Peter undoubtedly succeeded. It was a Salway, ‘Roman Storehouses’, remarkable and pioneering piece Classical Review n.s. 24, (1974), of work, the first to appear in 116–119, p.117). The reviews at English on its subject, and has the time were not, of course, proved its worth, both in giving uniformly favourable; Geoffrey access to students to the complex- was particularly mortified by the ities of the methods, the politics observation by J. K. Anderson that and the economics of so essential he hoped that the ‘Vale of a part of the life of Rome and the Strathmore’ would not become Roman world, and in promoting standard usage: “‘Strath’ was self- and provoking the studies of explanatory” ( J. K. Anderson, other scholars, which have Classical Philology 68, (1973), become increasingly numerous in 234–235); but the value of the the decades since its publication.

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After his work on the corn supply, been a very lucky man. I have it was perhaps inevitable that loved two institutions and one Geoffrey should turn his attention woman in my life, and it has been to the ports of the Mediterranean. my good fortune to have spent Between 1985 and 2008, he most of my life with all three – the published ten articles on Roman University of St Andrews, the ports, with the original intention British School at Rome, and my of writing a book on the subject. wife Anna.” The importance to As time went by (and as he was him of the BSR has already been increasingly engaged with the noted, but his support and administration of his university) he untiring work for the School went became ever more aware of the far beyond the early years in which immensity of his project and, he found such inspiration there. although he has left copious A regular visitor at the School and notes as well as the typically vivid a continuing encourager of those and astute accounts to be found whom he met there, he became a in his preparatory publications, it member of the BSR’s Faculty of became increasingly unlikely that Archaeology, History and Letters in it would ever be finished. After 1979 and Chairman of the Faculty the onset of the pulmonary from 1983 to 1987. He also fibrosis which led to his death two strongly supported one of the years later, he wrote no more on BSR’s most significant recent the subject. By then he knew archaeological projects, the (though was surprised to know) investigation of the site near the respect in which he was held Fiumicino simply known as Portus, by his colleagues. He had been a the Port, and the network of ports Fellow of the Society of Antiquar- connected to it. Following his ies of London since 1966 and retiral from St Andrews in 1997, twice served on the Council of the he became Chairman of the Society for the Promotion of School’s Council and, with the Roman Studies (in 1970–1972 then Director, Professor Andrew and 1988–1991), but was Wallace-Hadrill, oversaw and genuinely astonished to be enabled the most significant elected a Fellow of the British development of its buildings since Academy in 1989. He was elected the original construction in 1916: to Fellowship of the Royal Society the library extension, a new of Edinburgh in 2001. lecture theatre and internal In 2002, in his speech at his redevelopment and external retirement as Chairman of the improvement, utterly transforming British School at Rome Council, the School. Geoffrey Rickman declared “I have

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At St Andrews, his acute intelli- exploration of the realities of the gence and sense of duty, and ancient world and for communi- above all his integrity, made him cating them to his students, and an outstanding administrator. his love for and practical devotion When the three departments of to the University of St Andrews Greek, Humanity and Ancient and the BSR, give the lie to this History were brought together in oft-repeated misapprehension of a single School in 1990, he was himself. the obvious choice for its first He was cultured in ways that are Head; and two years later, he was not always those of a university appointed to the office of Master professor, with a particular and of the United College, which had abiding love of opera. He swam in earlier years involved the whenever he could (including responsibility for discipline of visits to the elderly Infirmary Street students in the Faculties of Arts baths when visiting Edinburgh as and Science, but which now an external examiner); and he included far wider responsibilities. would regularly take himself As such, he oversaw major down to the West Sands at St changes in the university, includ- Andrews to walk up and down its ing the restructuring of the two-mile length to clear his head teaching structures, and achieved and sort out problems, whether them with his inimitable combina- academic or administrative. He tion of tact, incisiveness and good was a rich and complex man, and humour. an essential part of that complexi- As a scholar (a word he would ty was a simple integrity. have hated), an educator and an I am most grateful to Mrs Anna administrator, Geoffrey Rickman Rickman, Mr Harry Rickman and was outstanding; but that gives Professors Jill Harries and Christo- only a partial picture of the man. pher Smith for their help in Though he always claimed to be preparing this note. inherently lazy, his zest for the

Geoffrey Edwin Rickman, MA, DPhil (Oxon), FSA, FBA. Born 9 October 1932. Elected FRSE 2001. Died 8 February 2010.

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Thomas Neilson Risk 13 September 1922–27 June 2012

At a time when the reputation of antithesis of his surname. He bankers is even lower than that of epitomised the probity and sound politicians, it is appropriate to judgement of the Scottish remember Sir Thomas Risk, financial institutions and particu- Governor of the Bank of Scotland larly, as Chairman of the from 1981 to 1991, as a profes- Edinburgh International Festival sional of impeccable integrity and Endowment Fund, devoted much an acute sense of rectitude. time, energy, and expertise to When I last talked to him, in underpinning the arts. He once March, he was movingly heartbro- told me that if he had a hero, it ken about the behaviour of those might have been Lorenzo de’ now in charge of cherished banks, Medici. and ashamed of their treatment of Thomas Nielson Risk was the son customers who had put their trust of a Glasgow lawyer and an in them. “Part of the trouble is Aberdonian mother. His father that in my day the bank bosses Ralph had won an MC in Flanders had been brought up in good in the First World War, and traditions, many of them starting inculcated into Risk – and his as tellers. Now, too often, the brother John, with whom I decision makers have been worked closely as treasurer of the brought in from backgrounds far group against Scottish devolution from conversant with the ethics of in the late 1970s – that boys banking.” could best serve their country in Professor Sir John Shaw, Governor war by using their brains. of the Bank of Scotland from Like so many of his generation, 1999 to 2001 and deputy for Risk’s career was interrupted by eight years before that, and war. Entering Glasgow University, therefore in a position to know, he joined the University Air recalled to me: “Tom Risk epito- Squadron. An exceptional athlete, mises the end of an era, in the he represented Glasgow at the sense that he carried into his University Athletics Champion- business affairs in every action a ships at Aberdeen in 1941. He sense of responsibility for the finished a close second on the public interest.” track to George Carstairs, later Some surnames are uncannily Professor of Psychiatry at Glasgow, appropriate to the role in life of but ahead of the economist Sir their bearers; Risk emerged as the Alan Peacock.

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Weeks later Risk volunteered for After graduation he became a the RAF, showing such aptitude partner in the highly regarded that he was chosen as a pilot to Glasgow law firm of McClay, train with the US Navy at Pensaco- Murray and Spens, where he la, Florida. “The Americans’ remained a partner until 1981. advantage was that they had There, he became more interested good methods, but at that time in the financial sector and was most of them had little experience appointed a director of Standard of war,” he recalled. Pensacola Life in 1965, serving as chairman gave Risk an easy rapport with the from 1969-77. Only once, during US business and banking leaders many occasions and much fine whom he was to meet later in life. sport in his company, did I see Risk was assigned to the “Big Risk angry. It was when we were Cats”, the Catalina flying boats; passing what used to be the patrolling the North Atlantic in Distillers’ headquarters in Edin- boats of 16-18 hours’ flying time burgh. The Guinness affair, when meant that men based at places a group of the company’s execu- like Macrihanish had a pretty tives attempted to manipulate arduous war. The RAF held on to share prices, still rankled: “to Risk when many were allowed to think that Saunders gossiped go to university, and he served around that I was a ‘patsy’!” with the RAF Volunteer Reserve. Immensely courteous, Risk was no He maintained a lifelong interest patsy. in the welfare of RAF personnel, He had become a director of and was a trustee of the RAF British Linen Bank in 1968, and Museum at Hendon. was one of the driving forces of He returned to Glasgow University the 1971 merger with the Bank of in 1948, graduating Bachelor of Scotland. Six years later he was Law in 1949. He could well have appointed a Deputy-Governor and been lost to the legal profession, in 1981 was the unanimous and perhaps to Scotland, when he choice of his senior colleagues for received a tempting offer to join Governor. Under his chairmanship the newly formed British Overseas the Bank established itself as one Airways Corporation as a pilot. It of the most innovative and must have required an iron successful of the UK banks. determination for a young man of Largely due to Risk’s leadership quality to forsake all the glamour and quality of judicious stubborn- and allure of the world’s develop- ness, the Bank not only ing international air routes for the maintained its independence but hard benches of the Scots law miraculously achieved a smooth classroom at Glasgow University.

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takeover of the significant Barclays thwarted member of the National shareholding. Economic Development Council. A director of Shell from 1982 to As Honorary President of Glas- 1992, crucial years for North Sea gow’s Citizens Theatre, and as an exploration, Risk had an exceed- influence on the affairs of the ingly authoritative finger in many Edinburgh Festival for half a industrial and commercial pies – century, he was strongly support- director at the thriving Howden ed by his wife Suzanne Eiloart, a Engineering Group from 1971 to most spunky lady whom he first 1987, member of the Scottish met as a WAAF officer senior to Industrial Development Board, him in Ceylon during a posting in Chairman of Scottish Financial 1945. Enterprise, director of the Bank of Risk was a man of dry humour. He Wales, and of the Merchants Trust would say wryly, “What a name I (1973–1994). For four difficult have for a central banker!” But years under Mrs Thatcher (1987- with Tom Risk there was no risk. 1991), he was a somewhat Tam Dalyell

Thomas Neilson Risk, BL, LLD(Glas), Drhc(Edin). Born 13 September 1922. Elected FRSE 1988. Died 27 June 2012.

Sir Thomas Risk BL, LLD(Glas), Drhc(Edin) Governer of the Bank of Sotland hailed for his integrity and rectitude First published in The Independent 6 July 2012 Reproduced with permission from The Independent http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/sir-thomas-risk-governer-of- the-bank-of-sotland-hailed-for-his-integrity-and-rectitude-7917856.html

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Gary Francis Roach 8 October 1933–17 March 2012

Gary Francis Roach was born in of British Columbia, where he South Wales on 8th October worked with Robert Adams. 1933. After a short spell in Persia, On returning to the UK, Gary as it then was, the family returned joined the staff of the University to Britain at the outbreak of the of Strathclyde in Glasgow. He was Second World War and settled in promoted to Senior Lecturer in Nottinghamshire, where Gary 1971 and then to Reader in 1972. attended Southwell Minster He was appointed Professor in School. 1979, and in 1982 was awarded After gaining his BSc Honours the prestigious 1825 Chair of degree in Mathematics and Mathematics in succession to Physics from the University of Donald Pack. Wales in 1955, he joined the Gary had a long and distin- Education Branch of the Royal Air guished research career in Applied Force, attaining the rank of Flight Analysis, leading to several books, Lieutenant, before moving on, in many papers and contributions to 1958, to a post as Research conference proceedings and a Mathematician with the British number of patents. His first book, Petroleum Company. While Green’s Functions, was published working for BP, he studied part- in 1970, with a second edition time at Birkbeck College in appearing in 1981, and the book London and was awarded an MSc remains a standard reference in with distinction in 1960. the field to this day. His experience In 1961 he accepted his first full- in industry, both in his early career time academic post as a Lecturer and through subsequent consul- in Mathematics at the University tancy with bodies such as the of Manchester Institute of Science Ministry of Defence, Ferranti, ICI and Technology (UMIST), from and British Gas, led to the study where he gained his PhD in 1964. of many problems of practical His Thesis, entitled Dynamical importance in which applications Theory of Viscous Tides in Close of Functional Analysis and Binary Systems, led to the immedi- Operator Theory played a major ate award of a Fellowship of the role. Much of his consultancy Royal Astronomical Society. In work was not published. 1966–67 he spent a year as a Classical scattering theory was a Visiting Professor at the University major strand of Gary’s research.

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He studied linear and nonlinear to a similar conference organised evolutionary equations, modelling by Jerry Goldstein and colleagues both stationary and time-depend- at Louisiana State University in ent scattering processes involving Baton Rouge the previous year. moving boundaries and time- The University of Strathclyde had a dependent potentials. A major long-standing exchange agree- focus was on inverse problems in ment with the Technical University radar, sonar and ultrasonic of Lodz which Gary embraced with testing. In the course of this enthusiasm. There were regular research he established many visits by staff in both directions, fruitful collaborations, with Ralph while three students came from Kleinman in Delaware, Rolf Leis in Lodz to study for Strathclyde PhDs Bonn, George Dassios in Patras, under Gary’s supervision, most Ioannis Stratis in Athens, and notably Jacek Banasiak. In recog- others. nition of his contributions to the Another of Gary’s research exchange agreement and his interests was multiparameter eminence in the field of Applied spectral theory. Initially inspired by Analysis, Gary was awarded an F V Atkinson’s seminal 1964 paper Honorary Doctorate (ScD) by Lodz and subsequent textbook, in 1993. This was in addition to Multiparameter Eigenvalue the DSc that he was awarded by Problems, he collaborated in this the University of Manchester in area with Patrick Browne and Paul 1991, in recognition of his major Binding in Calgary and Mel research achievements. Faierman in Witwatersrand, as Gary achieved many other distinc- well as leading his own group of tions. He was elected a Fellow of research students at Strathclyde. the Royal Society of Edinburgh in From 1979 until his retirement in 1977. He gained the prestigious 1996, Gary led the Applied award of a Killam Research Analysis group at Strathclyde. He Professorship in Canada, the first instituted a series of annual mathematician to receive this workshops, covering the group’s accolade. He was a Fellow of the various research interests, held in Institute of Mathematics and its the beautiful surroundings of Applications and of the Royal Ross Priory on the shores of Loch Society for Encouragement of Lomond. Proceedings of these Arts, Manufactures and Com- workshops were produced under merce. Gary’s editorship. Another notable Apart from being a prolific author event for the group was hosting a in his own right, Gary was heavily conference on Evolution Equa- involved in the editing of journals. tions in 1994, which was a sequel

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In particular, he was a founding clyde, he was Head of the Depart- managing editor of Mathematical ment of Mathematics from 1980 Methods in the Applied Sciences, to 1982, before being appointed and continued to oversee its the first Dean of the new enlarged development for over 25 years. He Faculty of Science from 1982 to also served on the Editorial Board 1985. He served on both the of Applicable Analysis and on the Senate and the University Court. Advisory Board for the highly- He was convener of the Military regarded Pitman/Longman series Education Committee (joint with of Monographs and Research the University of Glasgow) from Notes. 1992 to 1995. Outwith the On his retirement in 1996, Gary University, he was President of the was appointed Emeritus Professor. Edinburgh Mathematical Society He retained an office in the in Session 1981–82, and served as Mathematics Department at Convener of the Conference of Strathclyde for a number of years, Professors of Applied Mathemat- continuing his research and his ics and of the University and editorships. Books entitled Wave Colleges Admissions Service Scattering by Time Dependent (Scotland) Coordinating Commit- Perturbations: An Introduction tee. and An Introduction to Echo He held office in a range of Analysis: Scattering Theory and charitable organisations. In 1997, Wave Propagation appeared in he was Deacon of the Incorpora- 2007 and 2008, respectively. His tion of Bonnetmakers and Dyers, last book, Mathematical Analysis one of the 14 Incorporated Crafts of Deterministic and Stochastic of the Trades House of Glasgow. Problems in Complex Media In this role he played an active Electromagnetics, jointly authored part in the City’s affairs for that with I. G. Stratis & A. N. Yannaco- year, with an emphasis on charita- poulos, was published in 2012 by ble work and education. From Princeton University Press. Sadly 1996 he was a member of The he never saw the book in print. Trades House of Glasgow School In all, Gary wrote five books, Craft Project Committee, visiting edited eight others, authored over schools and taking a keen interest 150 research papers and super- in what the pupils produced. At vised 20 PhD students. his instigation the Committee introduced an award (The Deacon Gary gave loyal and distinguished Convener’s Achievement Award) service to many bodies at local, to recognise outstanding work. national and international levels. Within the University of Strath- In 1983 Gary joined The Nomads Club. This body, formed in 1895,

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exists as a forum for discussion that ended his rugby career. At and debate, and Gary presented Strathclyde University in the late an Annual Paper to the Club, on a 1960s, he was a member of the matter chosen by the President of Staff Squash Club team that was the year. This gave Gary considera- just pipped for the West of ble pleasure, owing to the subject Scotland Division 1 Champion- usually having absolutely nothing ship. He continued to play squash to do with Science or Mathemat- at a high level until his early 50s. ics! He was President in Session Throughout his life he also had a 1998–99 and was made an passion for hillwalking and Honorary Member in 2010. bagged many Munros. In addition to all these activities, While working for BP, Gary met a Gary pursued various hobbies. young lady from Fife called Isobel After Mathematics, classical music Nicol, and they enjoyed over 50 was perhaps his greatest passion. years of happy marriage. For 44 He was a member of a philatelic years they lived in the Stirlingshire club called The Vikings and village of Fintry which Gary loved specialised in the stamps of the dearly. Faroe Islands. Another interest Gary was proud of his Welsh was radio-controlled model heritage. It was perhaps poignant- planes. At flying displays, he acted ly appropriate that he died in as air traffic control, ensuring that Bannockburn Hospital on 17th no two planes were using the March 2012, having that after- same radio frequency. noon watched his beloved Welsh Gary was an enthusiastic and rugby team defeat France to win talented sportsman. His first love the Grand Slam. was rugby and, as a teenager, he Adam McBride was invited to participate in trials for the Welsh Under-21s. Unfortu- nately, a week before this event, he suffered a serious neck injury

Gary Francis Roach, OStJ, FRAS, FIMA, FRSA. Born 8 October 1933. Elected FRSE 1977. Died 17 March 2012.

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Forbes William Robertson 29 January 1920–1 June 2012

Forbes was born in Vancouver, Forbes went to Aberdeen Universi- Canada. His father, Forbes Proctor ty in 1941, aided by a Macdonald Robertson, was an Aberdonian Bursary and a Carnegie Fellow- and his mother, née Amy Dorothy ship, and received First-class Lancey, of English and German Honours in Zoology in the Natural descent, came from London. After History Department. He was a few years the family moved to taught genetics by Cecil Gordon nearby Seattle, where his father and did an Honours project with was in the retail trade, and he Jimmy Sang. The Professor of began school. However, his Natural History at this time was mother was not at ease in the Lancelot Hogben (who later North America of the l920s and so moved to a Chair at Birmingham when he was aged seven the University), and Forbes was family resettled in Eastbourne, appointed as his assistant and as Sussex, closer to his mother’s a Lecturer in Zoology, whilst also roots. There, he developed his serving with the Worcester Home love of the countryside, eagerly Guard during the latter years of observing flowers and butterflies WW2. He obtained his PhD from on the South Downs. His father Birmingham University in 1945. was, however, dissatisfied with the In 1946, Forbes was appointed to quality of his education, and so the newly-created National Animal when Forbes was 12 the family Breeding and Genetics Research returned to Aberdeen, to St. Organisation (NABGRO), led by Swithin Street, where he and his Professor R. G. White, an agricul- brother, Angus were enrolled in turalist, with C. H. Waddington as Robert Gordon’s College. Forbes Chief Geneticist. It was in NAB- was very successful academically GRO’s temporary offices at and happily developed his many Hendon Golf Course that he met interests, especially in the flower- Eric Reeve, who was to become his ing plants of the Aberdeen area. collaborator for the next 14 years. Living on a Canadian war pension Forbes wanted to study quantita- (his father was invalided out of tive inheritance because, he said, the First World War), life during “it was little understood and the 30s was frugal; however, regarded as impossibly difficult, books, especially poetry, were so I thought this was a proper readily available from the public challenge for long-term research”, library. Already his aim was to be a and Eric Reeve had the mathemat- trained naturalist.

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ical skills to complement Forbes’ tial and similar in different practical experimental ones. populations; high and low Shortly afterwards, NABGRO selected lines did not respond at moved to Edinburgh and the the same rate. Although selection animal geneticists moved into the plateaux were reached, they were University’s Institute of Animal not due to gene fixation because Genetics. Many of the geneticists, reversing the direction of re- including Forbes, for a time lived sponse produced a rapid reversal in an ultimately ill-fated “sort of in response, indicating that commune” in Mortonhall House extreme animals were less fit. (now a Garden Centre). Robertson and Reeve published Robertson and Reeve revelled in 21 papers altogether, with 13 in the freedom given them in a the series Studies in Quantitative dedicated research unit, with an Inheritance. In recognition of this enlightened Director in Wadding- research, Forbes was awarded his ton who let them follow their own DSc from Edinburgh University in research path. At that time, some 1955. evidence for the success of Subsequently, Forbes concentrat- selection had been demonstrated, ed increasingly on the genetics of but there was not much informa- larval growth itself and, in tion either on the range of traits particular, on how it relates to the and species, or on what was the environment, such as diet quality, genetic basis of any response. using lines of Drosophila selected They worked with the fruit fly, for large size or short develop- Drosophila melanogaster, ex- ment time on precisely defined tremely suitable for diets. He showed there is a multi-generation selection specific stage of growth, the experiments, and concentrated on length of which is critically measures of body size such as affected by the diet, but after thorax and wing length. Much of which the duration is tightly the early work was reported by controlled although the diet may Robertson in a landmark Symposi- affect the final size, indicating um held at Cold Spring Harbor in how animals can adapt to their 1955, attended by most of the environment. leading figures in quantitative In the early 1960s, Forbes started genetics. In experiments replicated to broaden his research, first into over different wild-caught ecological genetics and then to founder populations, they biochemical and molecular observed responses subsequently genetics and finally, after his move obtained in many other labs: to Aberdeen in 1970, into human selection responses were substan- and medical genetics. Forbes

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published a series of eight papers have developed enormously since on the ecological genetics of Forbes’ original studies. growth in Drosophila, looking at In the late 1960s, Forbes was also the interaction between nutrition a pioneer in applying the new and selection for body weight, techniques of molecular biology which had relevance to selection to the complex topics that in livestock in field situations; interested him. He was greatly other aspects of this research helped by the presence in the involved different populations Institute of Animal Genetics, in and species of Drosophila relating the late 1960s, of leaders in this to wild populations newly emerging field – Max By 1966, Forbes had become Birnstiel, John Bishop and Ken interested in the biochemical Jones. He collaborated with all analysis of one of the traits he was three labs and published a series working on – growth – and with of six papers, separately with Bob Church, a Canadian visitor to them, ranging from a study of his lab, he started dissecting the transcription in T4 bacteriohage genetic differences in the compo- to a comparison of differences in nents of growth. This widening reiterated DNA sequences by RNA- out to an analysis of the genetic DNA hybridisation. I sense that variation in eye pigments and Forbes at this time (1968–69) again with visiting scientists (first believed that biochemical and N. S. Chauhan in 1966 and then molecular genetics were begin- Ilse Babette Barthelmess in 1969) ning to make a dramatic impact, showed the alterations in the but he could not quite see what metabolic pathways involved, even direction he should go in to take inferring which enzymatic steps advantage of this. might be altered. Forbes also Forbes was also becoming made use of the recently devel- dissatisfied with the situation in oped starch gel electrophoresis Edinburgh; although by then techniques, with his student promoted to Senior Principal Robert Semeonoff, to demon- Scientific Officer, he felt that the strate widespread polymorphism Agricultural Research Council in an esterase in the field vole, were not investing in the future of and to demonstrate that the the Unit (and indeed the ARC polymorphism was ‘balanced’, closed it in 1980), and so he probably due density-dependent started looking for another senior selection. Both of these projects post. By the late 1960s, universi- were very early in applying ties were beginning to expand biochemistry to quantitative and genetics, often to complement population genetics; fields that their medical schools, and

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Aberdeen (where Forbes had been such variation in disease risk, brought up) was one of these. particularly coronary heart disease, After a period of some uncertain- including the use of nuclear ty, during which he considered a families from northeast Scotland move to Canada, he was appoint- to provide estimates of the ed to the Chair and Headship of genetic contribution to variation the new Department in Aberdeen. in individual lipoprotein classes. Forbes was delighted with this, as From 1976 until his retirement in it presented him with the new 1985, he published a series of scientific challenge he was some 15 papers (almost all with looking for – to extend into his colleague Alastair Cumming), another developing area, this time in which they were able to Human Genetics. establish the nature of the Although he immediately set genetics of Apolipoprotein E (Apo about developing new courses for E) polymorphism and evaluate its undergraduates, Forbes said that specific contribution to lipopro- his early days in Aberdeen were tein variation and to the genetic spent looking for a suitable component of the risk to coronary project in medical genetics; heart disease. This involved indeed he published on a number population studies in the north- of topics, such as arthritis, east of Scotland and analysing the chromosomal abnormalities and relationship of genetic variation in joint dislocation, until he settled serum lipoproteins in general and, on the relationship of genetic later, polymorphisms in the variation in serum lipoproteins specific Apo E system. and coronary heart disease. This The importance of lipoprotein was an important topic in the concentration as a major risk Northeast (as it is in all of Scot- factor in coronary heart disease land) and made full use of Forbes’ was confirmed in subjects born in mathematical skills and experience the northeast of Scotland. Family in quantitative genetics, as it studies revealed that some of the became clear that it was not only a variation in lipoprotein concentra- complex character probably tion was inherited; lending affected by many genes but also support to the idea that the one with strong environmental tendency for heart disease to run interactions, including nutrition. in families could be due to The main purpose of the work inheritance of lipid levels. A was to establish robust tech- further population study demon- niques for the study of lipoprotein strated for the first time that one variation in human populations, of the Apoliprotein forms, Apo and to evaluate the importance of E4, constituted a risk factor for

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coronary heart disease and, in each in quantitative, molecular addition, influenced lipoprotein and ecological genetics. Empha- levels in a way which could explain sising the importance if his work the increased disease risk. as a whole, his papers are still During his 15 years in Aberdeen, highly quoted in the literature, as well as his medical genetics nearly 30 years after his retirement research and, keeping up some – a lasting test of their quality and research in Drosophila quantita- relevance. tive genetics, Forbes developed a Forbes retired from his Aberdeen new area of research in the Chair in 1985, although he felt he genetics of rain forest trees, one still had some years’-worth of that foreshadowed his major research in him. He did not, interest in his retirement. The rain however, let retirement stop him. forest project was a collaboration He became active in several public between the University of Aber- organisations, including the Royal deen and the University of Malaya Botanical Garden, Edinburgh, the in Kuala Lumpur, and Forbes spent Caledonian Horticultural Society several months in Malaya as part and the Scottish Rock Garden of the project. He made use of his Club; but most notably the Royal experience in isozymes to study Society of Edinburgh (he was their variation and relationship to elected to the Fellowship in 1974). important traits, especially in the Forbes served the RSE in several reproductive pattern of trees, capacities (including Vice-Presi- important in the management dent and Meetings Convener) and conservation of forest from 1976 to 1993, and he resources. As well as interchange worked hard to increase the of academic staff, the project was credibility of the RSE as a recog- also successful in producing six nised authority in public affairs; PhD students, and it is often he was awarded the RSE’s Bicente- quoted as an early successful nary Medal in 1996. model for collaboration between At home, he resumed his lifelong a UK University and one in the interest in botany, embarking on a developing world. series of studies of Scottish Forbes’ continuing wide interests gardens and gardeners, especially in several areas of genetics of rock gardens, and between indicate a broad range of scholar- 1997 and 2011 he gradually ship that is very unusual today, published three books, some ten with our typical concentration on papers and various reviews. He tightly- focused areas of research; pioneered a new type of garden of his top five quoted papers, two history that focused on the plants are in human genetics and one and the people who grew them.

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He co-authored a Millennium he was very hard working and was publication on Scottish Rock a staunch supporter of egalitarian Gardening in the 20th Century. principles. During his Birmingham His book published in 2000, Early years, for example, he set up the Scottish Gardeners and their Birmingham Branch of the Plants 1650–1750, grew out of Association of Scientific Workers, his curiosity about what was and campaigned for the better growing in Scottish gardens of treatment of lab technicians. A the 17th and 18th centuries. man of unwavering principle, he His last book, Patrick Neil: Doyen was invariably considerate of of Scottish Horticulture, was others. He was known as an published in 2011, in his 91st outstanding mentor to his many year, and also touched on the PhD students and younger Scottish Enlightenment. Forbes colleagues. A devoted husband, practised what he preached and father and grandfather, he was developed fine rock gardens, happiest with his family and successively at his homes in closest friends, in whose company Inverleith Place (Edinburgh), at he explored many, mostly moun- West Cults (Aberdeen) and, tainous, lands near and far, with during his retirement, at Braid plants and plant photography Farm Road, back in Edinburgh. never far from mind. He enjoyed the enduring love and whole- And about the man himself? He hearted support of Katherine, his was gifted with an extraordinary wife for nearly 65 years. He memory and a clear, perceptive touched the lives of all those who and logical mind, spiced with a knew him and will be much ready sense of humour that he missed. He is survived by his wife, retained all his life. Red-headed Katherine, his three children, and moustached in his early Alastair, Colin and Fiona, and six professional years, he could be grandchildren. quite fiery, although he mellowed considerably with age. He was not I would like to thank, A Robert- afraid to ruffle the feathers of the son, W G Hill and A Cumming, for scientific establishment. Like many their help of his scientific contemporaries, Grahame Bulfield

Forbes William Robertson, BSc, PhD, DSc. Born 29 January 1920. Elected FRSE 1974. Died 1 June 2012.

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Walter George Siller 11 November 1924–23 October 2011

Walter’s parents were both deeply interested in pathology. medical doctors, his father an oral Returning to Edinburgh, he surgeon and his mother a physi- obtained a temporary post for cian. Born in Leopoldsdorf, training in poultry diseases at the Vienna, his childhood was spent then Ministry of Agriculture in the country in Asparn (near Veterinary Laboratory, Lasswade, Mistelbach, Lower Austria) for Midlothian, under the direction of primary schooling and in Vienna the late Dr J.E. Wilson FRSE, and in at a boarding school for second- 1952 he resumed his studies at ary education until the age of 14. the Royal (Dick) School of Veteri- In early 1939, as the Second nary Studies (by then a Faculty of World War loomed, he and his Edinburgh University). In 1954 he older brother emigrated with a obtained a BSc (Vet Sci) and an “Kindertransport” from Vienna to MRCVS, gaining medals of Scotland. His mother (who was of distinction in pathology, medicine Jewish descent) came later in and obstetrics. August 1939. His research career in poultry His schooling continued in various pathology started with short schools in Edinburgh and East spells as a Veterinary Inspector Lothian as part of the evacuation with the Ministry of Agriculture, system at the time. He finished Fisheries and Food in Preston, secondary education at the Lancashire, and then as an Friend’s School, Wigton, Cumber- Assistant Veterinary Investigation land. Officer at the West of Scotland College of Agriculture (Auchin- Walter had a lifetime ambition to cruive, Ayr). In 1955 he was be a veterinarian. Before starting offered a permanent appointment his veterinary studies at the Royal to carry out original research as (Dick) Veterinary College, Edin- Head of a Poultry Pathology burgh in 1944, he worked at Department at the newly-formed Edinburgh Zoo for six months. In ARC Poultry Research Centre, 1946 his mother died and in King’s Buildings, Edinburgh, 1947 he broke off from his under the Direction of the late Dr studies and returned to Austria to A.W. Greenwood (Fellow and see his father. He continued to twice Vice-President of the Royal study at the Veterinary College in Society of Edinburgh). Vienna, where he graduated DrMedVet in 1951 and became For the next 30 years he undertook research in poultry

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pathology, specialising in renal, the Scottish countryside, in which circulatory and locomotor systems. he did much caravanning and He published about 100 original hillwalking, especially with his papers and book chapters beloved Labrador dog. He loved connected with his work and was fishing for trout and salmon and invited to give lectures in the UK nurtured bird life. and abroad. In 1962 he was He was passionately fond of awarded a PhD (from Edinburgh classical music, and in his early University) and in 1963 elected a veterinary education years in Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, he was Captain of the Edinburgh. In 1972 he received a University Fencing Club and was Special Merit Promotion to Senior awarded a Blue for fencing. He Principal Scientific Officer. In was also a keen member of the 1976, during the bicentenary Scottish Magic Circle. He was a celebrations of the Vienna member of the RSPB, the WWF Veterinary School, he was made a and the Edinburgh Zoological Freeman of the School in recogni- Society, and supported Green- tion of his contributions to peace. Fittingly, he collapsed and veterinary science. In 1981 he died whilst feeding birds and shared with a collaborator, Dr squirrels in his garden. He was P.A.L. Wight, the Tom Newman bilingual, and for 25 years International Award for the Most translated veterinary text books Conspicuously Meritorious from German into English for the Contribution to Research in Berlin publishing house Paul Poultry Husbandry, related to the Parey. This he continued after discovery of the aetiology and retiring, when he also learned pathogenesis of deep pectoral Italian and Dutch to “keep his myopathy (Oregon Disease) of mind active”. turkeys. He retired in 1984. In 1954 Walter married Henrietta, Walter had countless friends and and their two children, Peter and a great sense of humour and he Wendy, subsequently produced will be remembered as a good four grandchildren, to whom he teller of jokes, even when his was a devoted grandfather. Sadly, health began to deteriorate his wife and son predeceased him, during the last two years of his in 1978 and 1985 respectively. He life. To those suspecting memory is survived by his daughter and by loss he would comfortingly say his grandchildren, Fiona, Michael, “don’t worry, it’s normal, it’s only Richard and Ruth. benign forgetfulness”. He loved Peter Lake Dr Walter George Siller BSc(VetSci), DrMedVet (Vienna), PhD(Edin), MRCVS, FRCPath, Born 11 November 1924. Elected FRSE 1963. Died 23 October 2011. 316 Obituary Notices

Douglas Walter Noble Stibbs 17 February 1919–12 April 2010

Emeritus Professor Douglas ry on Mount Stromlo, Canberra, Walter Noble Stibbs was an during the Second World War, he astronomer and astrophysicist of contributed to some of the international standing, who for earliest optical munitions work thirty years held the Napier Chair undertaken there. He designed a of Astronomy at the University of folded optical system for a gun St Andrews and the associated sight, which went into production post of Director of the University later in the war, as well as a sun Observatory. He was elected a compass for use in desert warfare. Fellow of the Royal Society of In 1942, at the age of twenty Edinburgh in 1961 and served as three, he was appointed assistant a member of Council from 1970 lecturer in the Department of to 1972. Mathematics and Physics at New A native of Australia, but with England University College, three Scottish grandparents, Armidale – later to become the Walter Stibbs was born in Sydney University of New England. This on 17 February 1919. His father period,1942–45, was interspersed died three years later. He wrote: with wartime research work on “with only a limited amount of submarine detection for the Royal suburban street lighting and no Australian Air Force. He was industrial contamination in the elected a Fellow of the Royal atmosphere, I had perfect access Astronomical Society in 1943. to the glorious constellations In 1945 he returned to Mount that surpass by a substantial Stromlo, where he held the margin those in the northern position of Senior Scientific hemisphere. Accordingly, my Officer. Some of his research interest in astronomy began at a papers published at this time have very early age.” Entering the become classics, opening new University of Sydney in 1937, he horizons for stellar physics. In was awarded the Deas-Thomson 1948 he started writing a highly- Scholarship in Physics in 1940, regarded textbook, The Outer graduated BSc with first class Layers of a Star, co-authored with honours and the University Dr (later Sir) Richard Woolley, Medal in Physics in 1942, and which was published in Oxford by MSc in 1943. the Clarendon Press in 1953. This As a research assistant at the dealt mainly with the analysis of Commonwealth Solar Observato- the observable radiation from a

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star, particularly with reference to Astronomy and Meteorology, the formation of the continuum thereby joining the ranks of and the line spectrum. In these distinguished previous recipients early years, Walter Stibbs pro- who included E A Milne and G L duced some of the most Camm. He wrote several papers significant astronomical research and in addition worked on of his time, both observational integral equations with Professor and theoretical. Titchmarsh in the Mathematical In 1949 he married Margaret Institute, and lectured on galactic Calvert, also a science graduate of dynamics at the Oxford University the University of Sydney, and the Observatory. Walter subsequently following year he was awarded worked for four years for the UK the Radcliffe Travelling Fellowship Atomic Energy Authority at in Astronomy by the University of Aldermaston, establishing a Oxford, to carry out observations research group working in at the Radcliffe Observatory in astrophysics in a classified context. Pretoria and to work at the Oxford His two daughters were born University Observatory with during this time in England. Professor Plaskett. In 1951–52, at In 1955, the Napier Chair of the Radcliffe Observatory, he Astronomy at St Andrews Univer- undertook extensive observational sity had fallen vacant following work, using the Radcliffe 74-inch the retirement of Professor telescope, on Cassegrain spectros- Freundlich, and in 1959 the copy of Cepheid variables in the University Court decided to fill the southern hemisphere. All his vacant Chair. Walter was appoint- observations were made in the ed to the Chair and to the days when astronomers had to Directorship of the University wear padded clothing on winter Observatory. Several years of nights, before the days of elec- intense administrative work in the tronic controls inside warm sixties saw the completion of the rooms. 38-inch James Gregory Casseg- A member of New College Oxford rain–Schmidt telescope (named 1952–54, he graduated DPhil in after James Gregory, the first 1954 for his work on Galactic appointee to the Regius Chair of Cepheid Variables and the Mathematics at St Andrews) and rotation of the Galaxy. It was substantial extensions to the mainly for this, as well as for University Observatory, including subsequent work, that in 1956 he the Napier Building with two was awarded Oxford University’s more research telescopes, and a Johnson Memorial Prize and Gold new workshop. The 38-inch Medal for the Advancement of telescope was the largest optical

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telescope in the United Kingdom occasion of his retirement in at the time, and with his research 1989, a colleague wrote: “He students he used it effectively on actually appeared to relish the major observational programmes task of administration, and was on distant galaxies at the fore- quick to seize the opportunities front of research in surface afforded in the sixties, for the photometry. With the help of development of the sciences in Principal (later Sir) Malcolm Knox, particular, to greatly expand the he was also responsible for the activities of the Department of installation and operation of the Astronomy. He was tireless and first-ever computer in St Andrews, successful in his pursuit of, and an IBM Model II system with the advocacy for, the resources to largest magnetic core storage acquire additional staff, premises then available with that system, and equipment. He always kept with three units of disc storage closely in touch with all that was including the monitor, and with going on and maintained a lively high-speed card input and printer. and informed interest in the work It was housed initially at the of his colleagues, whom he was University Observatory and ever ready to encourage and inaugurated in 1964. At that time support. Behind the scenes it was the largest system of its Professor Stibbs showed a deep kind in Europe. concern for the welfare of the He recruited several new staff individual, student, staff or other members and updated the who suffered any misfortune or undergraduate syllabus, as well as needed help.” resuming the training of research Concurrently with his work at the students. He became concerned at University Observatory, as well as the degradation of astronomical service on Faculty, Senate and observing conditions at the numerous committees within St University Observatory by badly- Andrews University, Walter also designed street lights and other made substantial contributions outdoor lighting, and used his organisationally to the wider understanding of light-scattering world of Astronomy. As well as in the atmosphere to suggest membership of the American improvements, which also saved Astronomical Society, in the energy and gave superior lighting seventies he was a member of the on the ground. The St Andrews Council of the Royal Astronomical Town Council adopted these Society and its Vice-President proposals for street lighting. His (1972–73). He was Chairman of own research had to take second the Finance Committee of the place during this time. On the International Astronomical Union

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and prepared and presented three Walter Stibbs was a man of many Triennial Budgets to three General talents. He was an accomplished Assemblies of the IAU. He was organist and a fine sportsman. He also Chairman of the Astronomy played cricket for the Berkshire Policy and Grants Committee of Gentlemen during his early years the former Science Research in England and he took up Council in succession to Sir Fred marathon running at the age of Hoyle, and Chairman of the sixty two, when most people are Science Research Council (SRC) thinking of conserving their Northern Hemisphere Planning energies, taking part in all the Committee in 1972–75. At that major events from Berlin to time he prepared the scientific Boston. Music and photography case and technical specification were his chief recreations. He was for the La Palma Observatory and particularly interested in organ its 4.2-metre William Herschel music, and whether at home or Telescope, during the critical abroad would often seek out phase when British astronomy churches of particular interest. was in a state of flux concerning In 1989 Walter retired from the institutions, personnel and University of St Andrews and in research direction, which the SRC 1990, after an absence of nearly sought to control. During this forty years, and at the age of time, the Anglo–Australian seventy, he returned to live in Telescope was under construction Canberra, where he became a and he was present at its inaugu- Visiting Professor in the Australian ration in Australia by the Prince of National University. For some years Wales in 1974. He was also a he contributed honours courses in member of several other SRC the Mathematical Sciences Committees and a member of the Institute and also worked in the Council itself from 1972 to 1976. Research School of Astronomy He held several visiting Professori- and Astrophysics at the Mount al appointments – at Yale Stromlo Observatory. The disas- University Observatory, the trous bushfire of 2003 destroyed University of Utrecht and the his study at Mount Stromlo, which Collège de France, where he was contained many of his historic and awarded the Médaille du Collège irreplaceable books and papers, in 1976. He was also a member of and in the same year he also the Centre National de la Récher- suffered the tragic loss of his che Scientifique (CNRS) younger daughter. Soon after this Committee, Observatoire de his eyesight began to fail, and Haute Provence, of which he was shortly after his ninety-first the first foreign member.

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birthday he passed away, on 12 beyond St Andrews. It turned out April 2010. a remarkable number of success- A colleague wrote to me after his ful astronomers and some of the death: “During the years that most important and innovative Professor Stibbs was the Napier projects of recent years are led by Professor of Astronomy in the Walter’s former students, who University of St Andrews, the may be found in observatories Department of Astronomy and and universities worldwide.” Astrophysics was relatively small, I have used Walter’s own records but the true measure of its success and I thank Dr T R Carson and Dr is to be found in its work in T Lloyd-Evans for their contribu- teaching and research and the tions to this Notice. impact of these both within and M L C Stibbs

Douglas Walter Noble Stibbs, BSc, MSc (Sydney), DPhil(Oxon), FRAS. Born 17 February 1919. Elected FRSE 1961. Died 12 April 2010.

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John Arthur Swaffield 4 March 1943–21 February 2011

Professor John Swaffield, Profes- Joanna, born in 1969 and 1970 sor Emeritus and Head of the respectively. Having secured his School of the Built Environment at PhD, which focused on pressure Heriot-Watt University between surge propagation in aircraft fuel 2002 and 2008, was an engineer systems, John returned to Bristol, and an academic who firmly this time to Filton, where he led believed in enabling learning the Concorde fuel system test through the application of theory programme with the British and technology. He pioneered the Aircraft Corporation. These years application of engineering and marked a defining stage in John’s science in his chosen field of career and one that he found water conservation and drainage both hugely exciting and reward- engineering, and he established a ing. number of highly successful However, a career in academia Building Services Engineering beckoned, and in 1972 John undergraduate and postgraduate joined the Mechanical Engineer- teaching programmes. Many will ing Department at London’s also know that he held the role, Southbank Polytechnic. There he between 2008 and 2009, of taught fluid mechanics to build- President of the Chartered ing services engineers before Institution of Building Services moving to Brunel University in Engineers (CIBSE). 1974, where he set up the Growing up in Aberystwyth, John Building Services component of soon recognised his talent for the Brunel Degree in Building engineering, his love of aircraft Technology. He also initiated the and his desire to seek a career in a Brunel MSc in Building Services in discipline defined by ‘real-life’ 1976. It was during his time at challenges. He studied Aeronauti- Brunel University that John first cal Engineering at Bristol became involved in the applica- University, graduating in 1965, tion of theory and engineering following which he undertook his principles within the field of water PhD at The City University, Lon- conservation, and he would don. It was during his time at subsequently recall the extensive Bristol, as an undergraduate, that laboratory test rigs housed at he met and married Jean, then a Brunel that he would come to trainee nurse, and together they own as part of his laboratory became proud parents to Toni and equipment at Heriot-Watt Univer-

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sity. John also began to extend his Engineering and Surveying and research, through funding Civil Engineering departments at awarded by the World Bank, to Heriot-Watt and the School of underdeveloped regions world- Planning and Housing from the wide. In addition, it was around Edinburgh College of Art. this time that John first attended Securing continuous funding the annual symposium of the (1989–2011) from UK research CIBW62 Working Group. Run by councils and from government the International Council for and industrial sources, John was Research and Innovation in able to firmly establish a research Building and Construction, profile that became recognised Working Group 62 addresses all worldwide. He pioneered the use aspects of water supply and of both low-flow sanitary appli- drainage for buildings. John soon ances and the application of became a Scientific Committee numerical simulation techniques member for this group and a to assess the performance of stalwart of its annual meetings; building drainage and ventilation indeed, he participated in the systems. Building on the use of latest meeting held in Sydney, the ‘method of characteristics’ Australia in November 2010. technique, previously applied to John joined Heriot-Watt in 1985, large-scale pressure surge prob- taking up the William Watson lems, John developed techniques Chair of Building Engineering. to enable the simulation of Here he also introduced under- pressure transients in building graduate and postgraduate drainage ventilation systems and Building Services Engineering attenuating flows in drainage programmes, and in 1988 became pipework. Subsequent analysis Head of the then Department of allowed the introduction of Building Engineering and Survey- suppression and control strate- ing; a post that he held again gies. Solutions included those from 1995 to 2002. As Dean of developed in response to the Engineering between 1991 and SARS fatalities in Hong Kong in 1993, John also had an impact on 2003 and a drainage and ventila- the wider University and, to many tion solution for the London O2 who worked with him, this Dome, as well as a remote non- cemented the view that when the invasive depleted trap seal University restructured in 2002, detection system. John strongly John was the perfect choice for believed that the support and the role of Head of the School of guidance of industry colleagues the Built Environment - a School was vital to success, and he that combined the Building established and maintained a

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number of long-standing stake- Services Journal. He was delighted holder relationships. He published to be elected CIBSE President his research widely, and was (2007–2008), a time during which recognised internationally as the he championed “sound engineer- expert in water conservation and ing thinking as the basis of all drainage engineering. good solutions”. Given his John was also heavily involved in background in water conserva- organisations outside Heriot- tion, he was also a strong Watt. Particularly noteworthy was supporter of CIBSE’s Society of his significant contribution to Public Health Engineers. Defra’s Water Regulations Adviso- John thoroughly enjoyed living in ry Committee, a Committee he the city of Edinburgh, and took chaired between 1995 and 2003 particular delight in the vibrant and one that was responsible for atmosphere of the city during the legislation introduced in 1999 Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival; and 2001 that led to major water his interest for jazz sitting com- conservation progress. He was fortably alongside that of political also a member of the Building and military history and science Regulations Part H and G Working fiction. His colleagues often Groups and of the 2006 Office of commented in jest that he was an Science and Innovation (OSI) honorary Scot, and he was often Review of Science at the Depart- mistaken by international col- ment of Communities and Local leagues as Scottish. Government (CLG). In addition, he Throughout his academic career, was the CIBSE-nominated mem- John authored a number of ber of the UK’s Research books, many of which became the Assessment Exercise Panel for the ‘bible’ for those working in field. Built Environment in 1996 and In addition, Fluid Mechanics by 2001. Within CIBSE, John partici- Douglas, Gasiorek & Swaffield, pated in many committees, now in its 6th edition, became including the Education, Training hugely popular as an undergradu- and Membership Committee and ate standard. John retired from the Research Committee. He also Heriot-Watt in 2008, but retained chaired the Institution’s Accredita- a part-time research contract, thus tion Panel until 2008 and, from freeing up time to complete 1993 to 2008, the Editorial Panel Transient Airflow in Building of the Building Services Engineer- Drainage Systems, a textbook that ing Research and Technology drew heavily on the work of John’s journal. In addition, between research group and that he had 2002 and 2006, he chaired the long sought to pen. John’s editorial board of the Building retirement also allowed him more

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time to spend with his wife, Jean - out his career, one that saw him time increasingly enjoyed in their supervise 21 PhD students, he was cottage in Old Cambus in the generous in his praise of col- Scottish borders. leagues and never failed to John was, without doubt, a recognise the contribution of pioneer in the field of water those he worked with. He was a conservation and the application man of remarkable knowledge of numerical modelling tech- and integrity and was, without niques to building drainage exception, much respected. problems. This led to him being John is survived by his wife Jean, elected a Fellow of the Royal his daughter Joanna, and his Society of Edinburgh in 2004, and grandchildren Lorenzo and he was appointed Convenor of Isabella. John was predeceased, in the RSE’s Engineering Sectional 2006, by his eldest daughter Toni. Committee from 2008. Through- Garry Pender

John Arthur Swaffield BSc(Bristol), PhD, MPhil(City), MRAeS, MCIBSE, FCIWEM, CEng. Born 4 March 1943. Elected FRSE 2004. Died 21 February 2011.

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Charles James Taylor 3 July 1912–9 January 2010.

After a distinguished career in Charles could, at will, present a forest conservation in West Africa, completely inscrutable face. He Charles Taylor returned in 1954 to spent a further year at Edinburgh the University of Edinburgh, in postgraduate study in Botany, retiring in 1979 as Professor of before going to Hertford College Forestry. Across the world, he will at Oxford on the Colonial Proba- be remembered by hundreds of tioners’ Course. He then joined graduates whom he advised as the Colonial Forest Service in their Director of Studies and 1936, to serve in the Gold Coast welcomed to his home but, (now Ghana). arguably, his lasting legacy is in Whilst an Assistant Conservator of the field of technical education Forests, Charles enlisted in the below university level. He pos- Gold Coast Local Forces, part of sessed great strength of character, the Territorial Army. From 1939 to a man of principle and clarity of 1945 he saw active service with purpose, coupled with wisdom, the 1st Bn Gold Coast Regiment, promptness of action and deci- part of the Royal West African siveness. Frontier Force, against the Italians Charles James Taylor was born in in East Africa, Somaliland and Shanghai, into a family of master Abyssinia, and against the mariners and marine engineers, Japanese in Burma, rising to the and educated at the Shanghai rank of Lt. Colonel. He was Public School for Boys, the multi- awarded the MBE (Military) in racial character of which was to 1941 and the ED. have a lasting influence upon him. Back in the Gold Coast as Conser- Scots influences were strong, and vator of Forests in charge of in the Scottish Company of the research, he began the study of Shanghai Volunteer Corps he was the forest vegetation that led to a piper. On his father’s retirement, the publication of two major the family returned to Britain and works, The Vegetation Zones of Charles entered the University of the Gold Coast, published in Edinburgh, graduating BSc 1952, and Synecology and (Forestry) in 1934. As a student he Silviculture in Ghana (1960), was known as ‘China Taylor’, to which were the basis of his Thesis distinguish him from another of for his PhD Degree at Edinburgh. the same surname. The sobriquet was doubly appropriate because

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Charles left the Colonial Forest spaced and no margins, as was his Service in 1954 and was appoint- wont), and much in his minute ed to a Lectureship in the handwriting. Charles not only Department of Forestry at Edin- undertook the editing of this two- burgh University, when the Chair volume thirteen-hundred-page was held by Professor Mark scholarly work, but also raised the Anderson. He had particularly financial backing for it. In 1976 happy memories of his association Charles was appointed to a with Anderson, whom he held in Personal Chair of Forestry in the the highest regard as a scientist University and in the following and as a man. When Anderson year was awarded the CBE for died suddenly in 1961, Charles services to forestry. He had been became Acting Head of the elected a Fellow of the Royal Department, a position he held Society of Edinburgh in 1963. until December 1963, when a new For twenty years at Edinburgh, Professor was appointed to the Charles Taylor served as the renamed Chair of Forestry and Director of Studies, an appoint- Natural Resources. It was largely ment he greatly enjoyed because due to Charles’ tenacity that the of the opportunity it provided to title retained Forestry. Extraordi- be involved with young people. narily, he was to serve in the same Undergraduates – several hundred acting capacity for two further over those years – were enter- periods in 1971 and 1974. His tained to coffee and sandwiches leadership of the Department in in the family home (his wife, these interregna ensured they Peggie, was an expert baker), were not stagnant inactions but hospitality that meant much to periods of further development. those far from home. The Depart- His management style was active ment was unusually and decisive. Colleagues recall cosmopolitan: on one occasion one Board of Studies convened, the undergraduates and post- business transacted, AOB and graduates comprised over fifty closed, all in four minutes. nationalities, with several Com- In the first interregnum, Charles monwealth countries sending not only led the Department of scholars as they expanded their Forestry, but also undertook the forest services. In such circum- heavy task of editing and bringing stances, the Director of Studies to publication the late Professor was particularly influential and Mark Anderson’s History of Charles’ deep interest in people, Scottish Forestry (Nelson, 1967). coupled with an excellent memory, Anderson had left a mountain of enabled him to maintain links material, some typescript (single- with graduates throughout the

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world over many years, to the by the Forest Colleges at Newton benefit of the University and of Rigg and Inverness. He served as later graduates. For fifteen years President of the Royal Scottish he led the final year students’ Forestry Society from 1973 to visits to the forests of France, 1975. Belgium and Switzerland, tours Charles was also highly effective that many graduates regard as the in raising professional standards highlight of their university at senior levels. He was concerned education. that the existing Society of While his professional work in the Foresters of Great Britain was not Gold Coast was on the ecology functioning at the fully profes- and silviculture of tropical forest, sional level intended by its Charles was deeply involved in founder, Mark Anderson. He furthering the education and influenced the changing of the training of local foresters. His Society to the Institute of Forest- textbook on Tropical Forestry (OUP, ers, serving as its President from 1962) was intended principally for 1977 to 1979, providing the basis forest rangers and, when he for the subsequent granting of returned to Britain, he had similar Chartered status. His important concerns for the professionalism contribution was recognised by and training of foresters of all the award of the Institute’s Medal. grades. He became active in the Gardening was Charles’ principal affairs of the forestry societies and hobby, beginning in West Africa, committees concerned with flowering at Cluny Gardens in education and technical training. Edinburgh and, in failing health For a half-century, the Forestry and failed eyesight, even in the Commission had run schools for patio garden at York. He was their own staff requirements, but always an active member of his there was no equivalent organised church, inducted as an elder in the training for those in the private Church of Scotland in 1956. sector. Charles was the leader in providing nationally organised Above all, however, Charles Taylor forestry education and qualifica- was a family man. He married tion below university level, and Margaret Bark in February 1940 was instrumental in getting and when Peggie died in Decem- established City and Guilds of ber 2009, they were within two London Institute certificates in months of their seventieth Forestry and the Ordinary National wedding anniversary, a glowingly Diploma. Consequently, the successful and devoted partner- Forestry Commission schools ship. There are three sons, closed and their place was taken grandchildren and great-grand-

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children. It was typical of the man further separations. At Peggie’s that, after experiencing many funeral, he said he would soon separations from his family, follow. He died on 9 January 2010 caused by war and later by service in York, aged 97. in the tropics, Charles firmly Colleagues and friends remember rejected the offer of a prestigious a fine man. overseas appointment, solely on the grounds it would have meant William Mutch

Charles James Taylor MBE (Military), ED, CBE. BSc, PhD(Edinburgh). FICFor. Born 3 July 1912. Elected FRSE 1963. Died 9 January 2010.

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David Prestwich Tunstall 15 July 1939–26 August 2012

Dr David Prestwich Tunstall joined His career in St Andrews flour- the University of St Andrews as a ished, and in 1975 he was Lecturer in Physics on 1 January appointed as Senior Lecturer and 1966. Previously he had studied at in 1978 as Reader. the University College of North Despite being firmly anchored in Wales in Bangor, where in 1959 St Andrews, David was an interna- he graduated with a First Class tionalist at heart, and the passing Honours BSc in Physics, being years saw him spending many placed at the top of his year. He periods of research leave abroad, remained at Bangor to do a PhD including as Visiting Associate in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Professor at Cornell University (NMR) and Relaxation in Solids (1973–4), Senior Visiting Lecturer under the supervision of Professor at the Norwegian Technical E. R. Andrew. On graduating in Institute, University of Trondheim April 1963, he first spent a year (1976), and Visiting Fellow at the on a Varian Fellowship in Zurich, University of California Los and then in 1964 went on to the Angeles (1979–80). External University of Grenoble as a recognition was to follow, and in researcher where he continued his 1985 he was elected a Fellow of studies in NMR before coming to the Institute of Physics, in 1990 a St Andrews. St Andrews was to Fellow of the Royal Society of remain his base and NMR was to Edinburgh, and in 1991 a Fellow remain the major theme of his of the Institution of Electrical research throughout the rest of Engineers. Notably, David’s his career. His ability to combine elegant high pressure experiments innovative experimental research on the metal-insulator transition with insightful analysis based on particularly attracted the interest an exceptional mathematical of the future Nobel Prize winner, ability resulted in him becoming Sir Neville Mott, who made several widely acknowledged as a world research visits to St Andrews in authority on NMR and Ultralow the 1980s. Temperature Physics. With Dr F. A. Rushworth, a colleague in the But it was not only through his Department, he co-authored the research that he contributed for book Nuclear Magnetic Reso- he played a full and innovative nance, which was published in role in both teaching and admin- 1973 and which went on to istration. In 1986 he was the became a seminal text in the field. Director of the 31St Scottish

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Universities Summer School in successful final decade of his Physics, and over the years he working life concluded with his participated in the organisation of retirement in September 2004 numerous other key events after close to thirty-nine years of including Summer Schools, service to the University of St Conferences and Royal Society Andrews. Research Colloquia. Apart from Physics David lead a In November 1993 David suffered very full life with his wife Rose- a serious setback to his career and marie and their three children. (To to his life in general when cancer their delight Kate was later to find was diagnosed. But he fought a fame as the singer KT Tunstall.) A valiant and successful battle with keen tennis player and good the disease returning to work in athlete he ran in the Glasgow April 1994, and remarkably Marathon and finished well ahead quickly gained full speed in his of some surprised Physics research research, teaching and administra- students. He loved the Scottish tive capacities. He restructured the and Welsh mountains and even First Year Laboratory in 1994, climbed Mont Blanc at the age of moving away from stand-alone 60. experiments to a modular ap- After his retirement, the family proach where students moved to the south of England, progressed through an integrated finally living in Bath. Despite sequence of experiences encom- suffering from Parkinson’s in his passing demonstrations, last years, David continued to lead hands-on experimentation, an active life, particularly enjoying analysis and critical evaluation of long distance coastal walking. He results, and perspective building died in the early hours of Sunday exercises. In collaboration with the morning on August 26 2012, School of Chemistry and with aged 73. access to the new NMR spectrom- eter based in Chemistry his Professor Peter C Riedi research activities expanded to Professor Malcolm H Dunn encompass superconductors, solid (We wish to thank oxide fuel cells, and batteries for Dr P W F Gribbon for laptop computers. This highly help with this article.)

Dr D P Tunstall, CEng, FIET, CPhys, FinstP, FRSE. Born 15 July 1939. Elected FRSE 1990. Died 26 August 2012.

331 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

Patrick (Peter) Gerard Walsh 16 August 1923–16 January 2013

Peter Walsh, the name by which, Peter won a scholarship to Preston ever since his boyhood, he was Catholic College, where he always known, held the Chair of excelled in both the classroom Humanity (Latin) in the University and sport. Military service fol- of Glasgow from 1972 to his lowed, first in the RAF, in which he retirement in 1993. He was recorded the lowest ever score in elected FRSE in 1983, a relatively practical tests, and then in the early recognition of his significant Intelligence Corps in Italy and contribution to advancing and Palestine. On his return to civilian expanding research in Classics life he entered Liverpool University and particularly in the then rather on a county scholarship, graduat- rare areas of renaissance and early ing with a First in Classics in 1949. modern Latin. He obtained his PhD from Univer- Born and brought up in Accring- sity College Dublin, and remained ton, Lancashire, as one of nine there as a Lecturer in Ancient children in a working-class family, Classics from 1952 to 1959. In his boyhood, as he was to 1953 he married Eileen Quin. describe it later, was chiefly From Dublin he moved to the comprised of two elements: firstly Department of Humanity in the religion; as a result of his experi- University of Edinburgh, where he ences on the Somme Peter’s father was in due course promoted, first had become a devout Catholic, to a Readership, and then to a and three of Peter’s siblings were Personal Chair. In Edinburgh he to become nuns, and two of them pioneered an Honours class in priests. The other element was medieval Latin, taught jointly by backstreet football. For the whole Peter and a colleague from the of his life he remained devoted to English Department, who, both religion and sport (though according to one of his former the football probably ceased to be students, ‘made an incomparable of the backstreet variety). Cricket pair of humane and learned was to bcome his major sporting mentors and installed in us a interest, and in his 80s he contin- lifelong affection for medieval ued to play tennis once or twice a Latin’. week. In 1972 he succeeded C.J. Fordyce At the same time, Peter’s father in the ancient Chair of Humanity was determined that his children in the University of Glasgow, from should have a good education. which he retired in 1993. His

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arrival came at a difficult time for sympathetic, and indeed inspiring University Departments of Greek teacher, and, as both AFG and and Latin. With declining numbers EAM can testify, a congenial and of students coming from schools supportive colleague and friend. in which they had already been Some of EAM’s best memories of trained in the languages, a future him, as one of the then rather rare for study at university level was by newly-appointed (and female) no means assured. Both Douglas lecturers, are of the encourage- MacDowell, who in 1971 had ment and mentoring he provided been appointed to the Chair of for a teacher and researcher who Greek, and Peter, in the Humanity was working almost entirely Department, rapidly set about outside his specialist comfort making the the changes required zone, and with images and to ensure the survival of the objects rather than verbal materi- subjects. In both languages al. She was honoured to be asked, beginners’ courses were created, before the then Greek and as were courses in Classsical Humanity Departments were Civilisation which catered for merged in 1988, to teach outside students who wished to study her own speciality, and contribute Classical literature, history, art, to an honours class on Latin and philosophy, without any poetry – a very early example of knowledge of the languages. Any team teaching, and a rare cross- misgivings which may have been disciplinary use of a lecturer in felt at first about the academic Greek. When, at a much later rigour of such courses were soon stage, EAM became the Dean of dispelled. An increasing number the Faculty herelf, the happily of excellent students were retired Peter would periodically attracted to them, particularly ask how it was going, with a wry when the Greek and Latin ele- smile but an evidently genuine ments became more integrated concern for the well-being of both after the two Departments were the post and its occupant. formally united as a single Classics Department in 1988. Another Throughout his academic career success was Peter’s involvement in and for the whole of his retire- Latin Alive, residential courses in ment Peter was astonishingly Latin for pupils from the local prolific in his publications. He schools. In his term of office as established his international Dean of the Faculty of Arts he was reputation with his first two a vigorous champion of the books, on the Roman historian importance of the Humanities at a Livy and on the Roman novel, time of cuts. He was a gifted, published in 1961 and 1970 respectively, during his period at

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Edinburgh, both of them on by Parkinson’s disease, but subjects which at that time were suffered it patiently and uncom- relatively unfashionable topics for plainingly. He still managed to research. From then on he attend Sunday Mass in his local produced a seemingly endless church, and was still working in stream of editions and transla- his study on the day before he tions of, and other works on, died. On the final day, just before mainstream classical authors, but he was taken away to hospital, also increasingly on medieval and when Eileen told him that he had late Latin, including an important to stay in bed, he replied, ‘But edition of the racy Carmina that’s a waste of time’. And, as he Burana, and, in keeping with his waited for the ambulance to take religious interests, especially on him to hospital, when asked if patristic writers. For much of this there was anything that he would he was a pioneer. His most recent like to be brought to him, he publication was a Harvard anthol- replied, ‘Could you go and find ogy of Latin hymns. At the time of out the cricket score’. his death he was engaged on a Above all Peter was devoted to his massive edition of Augustine’s family, Eileen and their five City of God, and had safely children, Anthony, Patricia, completed Books I-XVI out of XXII. Stephen, John and David, and 18 Not surprisingly he received grandchildren, all of whom survive several invitations to serve as him. Throughout his illness Eileen Visiting Professor in North was almost always by his side, America (including Yale and patiently supporting him. At his Toronto) and Australia. In 1993, in funeral one of his sons said in the view of his services to the Catholic eulogy that he had never heard Church, for example as a governor him say a bad word about anyone. of St Aloysius’ College, he was It was probably not pure coinci- appointed Knight Commander of dence that a Classics teacher was the Order of St Gregory the Great. heard to say after the funeral that In the same year the University of he had never heard anyone say a Edinburgh conferred on him the bad word about Peter. The two go Honorary Degree of DLitt. In all of together. He was an extraordinary this he remained his own modest man who will be greatly missed. self. Alex F. Garvie, In the last two years of his life Elizabeth A. Moignard Peter was increasingly weakened

Patrick (Peter) Gerard Walsh, KCSG, MA(Liv), PhD(NUI), HonDLitt(Edin). Born 16 August 1923. Elected FRSE1983. Died 16 January 2013.

334 Obituary Notices

Thomas Summers West 18 November 1927–9 January 2010

Tom West was one of the most low luminosity flames. Tom’s time brilliant and prolific analytical at Birmingham and Imperial chemists of his generation and College was extraordinarily enjoyed an outstanding interna- productive in terms of publica- tional reputation for the many tions. By the time he left Imperial advances that he made in this College in 1975 he had authored field. Working first at the Universi- or co-authored no less than 350 ty of Birmingham, he pioneered a publications, in addition to wide range of innovative develop- writing a highly regarded text ments in chemical analysis using book entitled “Analytical Chemis- atomic and molecular spectro- try”. Indeed, in one particular scopic techniques. Later at issue of The Analyst, practically Imperial College, he formed and every paper bore T S West’s name. led a team of young and enthusi- Tom West was born in Peterhead astic analytical chemists, some of in 1927, but the family later whom had come with him from moved further north to Portmaho- Birmingham, creating a vibrant mack near Dornoch. He was centre of excellence that was educated at Tain Royal Academy widely recognized as being at the and graduated from Aberdeen leading edge in this area of with a first class honours BSc in science. chemistry in 1949. On enquiring To mention only a few of Tom’s about the possibility of doing achievements: he developed a post-graduate research, Tom was spectrophotometric technique for asked by his professor about his the analysis of fluoride, which is particular area of interest and on still a method of choice; in the being told that it was analytical fields of flame and atomic chemistry was advised that “there absorption spectroscopy and was no future in it”. This rather atomic fluorescence spectroscopy negative response prompted him he introduced innovative method- to join Ronald Belcher’s analytical ologies which massively reduced chemistry group in Birmingham detection limits to sub-parts per which had moved there from billion levels; his research also led Aberdeen in 1948. He graduated to notable developments concern- PhD in Birmingham in 1952 and ing microwave-powered, for the next three years held a electrode-less spectral lamps, DSIR Fellowship, before being atom trapping techniques and appointed to a lectureship in

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1955. His high promise was Analytical Chemistry (SAC) when emphasised by the award of the at Imperial College and went on Meldola Medal from the Royal to serve as President of the SAC Institute of Chemistry for the year from 1969 to1971 and as the 1956. Tom was the first analytical Hon Secretary of the Royal Society chemist for many years to receive of Chemistry from 1971 to 1973. this coveted award for “British He also served as President of the Chemists under the age of 32 Analytical Division of the Interna- who have conducted the most tional Union of Pure and Applied meritorious and promising Chemistry (IUPAC) from 1979 original investigations in chemis- to1981 and became IUPAC try and published the results of Secretary General in 1983. these investigations”. His Bir- In 1975, Tom West was appointed mingham DSc followed in 1962 to the post of Director of the and his colleagues rejoiced with Macaulay Institute for Soil him in his appointment to a Research in Aberdeen. These were Readership in Imperial College in the days when Directors were 1963 and subsequent Chair in expected not only to direct the 1965. overall research programme but Tom’s enthusiasm for analytical also to actively engage in their chemistry attracted a wide circle of own research interests. Part of the equally enthusiastic research attraction of this new post, in students and post docs. Without addition to that of returning to exception, all regarded him as an his native Scotland, must have inspirational and innovative been the high reputation held by leader, although with such a the Institute’s Department of relaxed and quiet attitude that he Spectrochemistry for the analysis was held not only in high esteem of trace elements in plants and but with real affection. He was soils. Tom entered this field with regarded as the perfect PhD relish and in collaboration with supervisor, happy to let his colleagues applied new spectro- students get on with things if they scopic techniques for the had ideas, but always ready to quantitative analysis of essential help if help was needed. Many of and toxic trace elements present his former students went on to in the agro-ecosystem and in the succeed in academia in their own wider environment. These were right, not a few becoming the days too when the heavy hand Professors or even Vice-Chancel- of bureaucracy was scarcely felt in lors. In recognition of his scientific the conduct of scientific research, excellence, Tom was awarded the which to a large extent was left to Gold Medal of the Society of the discretion of the individual

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scientist. Thus, much of Tom’s Institutes within the Agricultural period of office at the Macaulay Research Service was coming into Institute was marked by a light question. For the Macaulay and encouraging touch which Institute, this culminated in the made science so exciting and even publication of a strategy docu- fun to do. While supportive of the ment by the then Department of Institute’s basic and applied Agriculture and Fisheries for research aimed at improving the Scotland (DAFS) which recom- fertility and productivity of mended amalgamation of the Scottish soils, he was perceptive in Institute with the Hill Farming realizing the growing importance Research Organization in Edin- of investigating the environmental burgh, as well as the closure of impacts of agriculture and the Aberdeen site subject to the industry. In particular, he stimulat- outcome of a feasibility study. This ed studies on the fate of heavy recommendation came as much of metals in soils, especially those to a bombshell to Tom as it did to which sewage sludges had been the rest of his staff, but he applied, and on the impact of acid immediately demonstrated true precipitation on terrestrial and leadership qualities by organizing aquatic ecosystems. Tom was a campaign highlighting the instrumental in securing for the advantages of the Aberdeen site. Institute a leading role in the This was successful in that it Surface Water Acidification persuaded DAFS to reverse its Programme sponsored by the initial recommendation with Royal Society, which led directly to regard to the location of the new a change in Government policy in institute. In all other respects, Tom this respect. Tom was also keen to was warmly supportive of the broaden the scope of the Insti- creation of the new institute, tute’s work on the international recognizing its necessity in the stage and was the first member of changed circumstances of the staff to visit China in the early time, but at the same time 1980s. This resulted in the determined to minimize the initiation of collaborative contacts adverse effects on staff careers with Chinese scientists which that might be entailed in the remain fruitful to the present day. rather radical new programme of Times were changing, however, research. These were difficult and with the advent of food times for all concerned and mountains in the EU, as well as unfortunately significant staff the need to cut back on public redundancies and redeployments expenditure within the UK, the became inevitable. Throughout raison d’etre of many of the this period, however, Tom encour-

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aged everyone to work for the Tom married Margaret Lawson, a success of the new institute and fellow student of Aberdeen when he retired in 1987, some six University, in 1952. He died on months after the new Macaulay January 9, 2010 in Lincoln, where Land Use Research Institute he and Margaret had moved so as (MLURI) was formally established, to be closer to their family. he must have felt pleased with the Margaret died the following day. final outcome of all his efforts. They leave a son (Tom), two Tom West was appointed a CBE in daughters (Ann and Ruth) and 1987 and was elected a Fellow of four grandchildren (Alexandre, the Royal Society of Edinburgh in Marianne, Sarah and Catherine). A 1979 and a Fellow of the Royal memorial service to commemorate Society in 1989. He was active in Tom’s and Margaret’s life and retirement serving as President of work was held in Portmahomack IUPAC and as Emeritus Professor (August 6, 2010) where they are of Chemistry at the University of also laid to rest. Aberdeen. He was unfailingly M J Wilson helpful and supportive in the I am greatly indebted to efforts of staff of MLURI to Professors Brian Gowenlock promote international research and Malcolm Cresser for projects or to secure funding for providing information relating visiting research workers from to Tom West’s academic career. abroad.

Thomas Summers West CBE. BSc(Aberdeen), PhD, DSc(Birmingham). CChem, FRSC, FRS. Born 18 November 1927. Elected FRSE 1979. Died 9 January 2010.

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Christopher David Wicks Wilkinson 1 September 1940–23 February 2012

Chris Wilkinson was the father of rapidly became a leading interna- nanotechnology at the University tional force in nanotechnology. In of Glasgow. His great interest in 1987 he was elected a Fellow of ‘making things’ and his insatiable the Royal Society of Edinburgh, curiosity across a broad range of one of many awards bestowed on science led to major advances in him by learned societies. nanoelectronics, cell engineering Whilst his initial successes were in and nanomagnetism. In the high speed electronic devices, process, he became one of the much of Chris’s later work led to a most cited engineers in Scotland. new dimension in cell biology. Born in 1940, Chris studied Working with Adam Curtis, he Physics at Balliol College Oxford, introduced nanofabrication to before moving to Stanford biology as a wholly new tool University, where he obtained a which spread quickly beyond doctorate in applied physics. After Glasgow. He was also instrumen- two years at the English Electric tal in setting up Kelvin Valve Company, he joined the Nanotechnology in 1997, to Electronics and Electrical Engineer- facilitate the commercialisation of ing Department at the University the world-class technology and of Glasgow, where in 1992 he expertise in the Department of was appointed James Watt Electronics and Electrical Engineer- Professor of Electrical Engineering. ing. He was a Director until He held this post with distinction January 2012. until his retirement in 2005. Chris had an inter-disciplinary Chris’s early work involved the approach to research, linking interaction of sound and light, in physics, engineering and biology. particular the way in which light He was an inspiration to those waves could be guided, with a around him and recruited many view to realising an optical talented people to Glasgow over communication system. Such work the years. He cared deeply about required the fabrication of young researchers and techni- structures on a very fine scale, and cians, playing a major role in the Chris developed an interest in University in the development of exploring what limited just how both. His colleagues viewed him small structures could be made. as “challenging but stimulating He introduced electron beam company”, “a man with a glint of lithography to the University and steel and great determination”

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and “glorious when arguing over Beyond the University, Chris led a a point of science as if it were the full and varied life. He enjoyed whole world”. He was someone working on his allotment with his to look up to, but impossible to wife, Judy. Indeed, it was conver- emulate. sations on the allotments with Adam Curtis, who had a plot close Chris always applied his engineer- by, that led to the pioneering ing and practical mind to personal bioengineering research. However, issues. When his first grandchild Chris was at his happiest in the was born with a chromosome 18 mountains, whether in Scotland deletion, he researched it thor- or elsewhere, and he and Judy oughly and then helped form were active members of the John Chromosome 18 Registry and Muir Trust. Research Society Europe, linked to the parent body in the USA. This Chris died on 23 February 2012. organisation now has a network He is survived by his wife, Judy, across Europe, supports research three children, Rona, Kit and and organises conferences for Maggie, and four grandchildren. affected families. John Chapman, Judy Wilkinson and family.

Chris Wilkinson, MA(Oxon), PhD(Stanf). Born 1 September 1940. Elected FRSE 1987. Died 23 February 2012.

340 TRUSTEES’ REPORT TO 31 MARCH 2012 OVERVIEW of delivery and the cost of Fellows’ The RSE is Scotland’s National time, given pro bono, would have Academy. It has made a major amounted to over £0.7m. contribution to Scottish Society The highlights of the year include: since 1783 through Fellows, such • Launch of the RSE Young as Adam Smith, Walter Scott, Academy of Scotland and James Clerk Maxwell and James selection of 68 members Black, whose achievements resonate internationally. It is • Launch of a major Inquiry unique in Britain and distinctive Report on Women in STEM internationally in the breadth of (Science, Technology, Engineer- its fellowship which ranges across ing and Mathematics) the sciences, medicine, engineer- • Award of two RSE Beltane Prizes ing, the social sciences, arts, for Public Engagement humanities, business and public • Live Webcast by the BBC of the service. Schools’ Christmas Lecture by Its purpose is to promote excel- Tom Devine on To the Ends of lence across the whole range of the Earth: Scotland’s Global human understanding and the Diaspora use of that understanding in the • Launch of the first phase of a betterment of the national and Computing Exemplification international society of which it is Materials Project in support of part. the Curriculum for Excellence In recent years, the activities of the • Seven corporate partners joined RSE have both deepened and and six corporate partners diversified in contributing to continued as Friends of the Scotland’s economic, social and Society cultural prosperity. Over the year • Award of a further 12 Enterprise ended 31 March 2012 we Fellowships throughout the UK delivered a wide range of public benefit activities, many in partner- • Two joint events in a series of ship with and/or supported by seminars held in partnership others with common goals in with the French Embassy, mind. In delivering these activities London, for early-career French we drew upon the considerable and Scottish scientists strengths and varied expertise of • RSE@Dumfries & Galloway, an RSE Fellows across a very wide ongoing programme of range of disciplines. These Fellows activities across the Dumfries & played an active role in maintain- Galloway region that concluded ing the highest-quality standards in June 2011

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• Award of the RSE/BP Hutton The underlying financial outcome Prize in Energy innovation to Dr for the year was a deficit of David Wright, a prize awarded £21,000, as follows: on a biennial basis by the RSE £’000 Council to an early-career Total net researcher based in Scotland, incoming resources 1,771 who has shown “a significant Less: individual contribution to Legacy energy innovation through – Dr Shepherd FRSE (1,280) research and knowledge – Dr Lewis FRSE (350) exchange.” Sales of digital archive (50) • A joint workshop with National Surplus of CRF income (106) Natural Science Foundation of Appeal income (6) China on Image Understanding Operating deficit on and Processing recurring activities (21) • Climate Change Inquiry STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE dissemination events. AND MANAGEMENT The consolidated financial result The RSE Council, chaired by the for the year of £1.77m includes President, comprises thirteen several non-recurring items – a Trustees, including four Vice- major legacy, where RSE was the Presidents, the General Secretary, main benificiary from Dr David the Treasurer, the Fellowship Shepherd of £1,280,281, and a Secretary and five ordinary further payment of a legacy from members. Subject to annual re- Dr Gethin Lewis of £350,000. election, Council members serve There was a windfall receipt from for three years, except for the sales of the digitised historical General Secretary and Treasurer, journals of £50,000 and an who may serve for up to four unplanned surplus of £106,000 years. All are unpaid. The Council in restricted funds arising from is responsible for the strategic the early resignation of CRF direction and policies of the RSE, research fellows. and normally meets quarterly. An Executive Board has delegated responsibility from the Council for delivery of the RSE’s activities. It is chaired by the General Secretary, and also has as its elected members, the Treasurer, the Conveners of the main operational committees and the Curator, as well as

342 Trustees’ Report and Accounts to 31 March 2012

the Chair of the RSE Scotland the RSE Scotland Foundation (the Foundation and senior executive Foundation), are included in the staff. The Executive Board normal- consolidated financial statements. ly meets quarterly and reports to The Foundation plays a leading the Council. role in the RSE’s public outreach The Council members and the activities and manages the office-bearers serving on the premises in Edinburgh. The Executive Board are all elected Trustees of the Foundation are annually by the Fellowship in a appointed for three years by the postal ballot. New members of RSE Council. Council and the Executive Board Following a transfer of assets in are given an extensive induction 2009, the Foundation is also through discussions with the responsible for managing the Chief Executive and senior staff. programme of activities in support The Audit & Risk Committee (see of research in Scotland, funded by Risk Management), Fellowship the Caledonian Research Fund. Committee, Investment Commit- The BP Trust was created follow- tee and Prizes & Medals ing a donation of £2m in 1988 Committee report directly to from BP to support a scheme of Council. post-doctoral research fellowships Reporting to the Council through in specified subjects and which the Executive Board are operation- are awarded at the sole discretion al committees, including the of the RSE. The RSE President, Education Committee, Interna- General Secretary and Treasurer tional Committee, the Business are the BP Trustees, ex officiis. Innovation Forum, various Statement of Council’s responsi- Research Awards Committees, the bilities Meetings Committee and the The Council is responsible for Young People’s Committee. These preparing the Annual Report and Committees largely, but not the financial statements in exclusively, comprise Fellows of accordance with applicable law the RSE and are concerned with and United Kingdom Accounting the operational delivery of the Standards (United Kingdom RSE’s varied activities. All Fellows Generally Accepted Accounting are actively encouraged to Practice). Under charities legisla- participate in the RSE’s activities. tion applicable in Scotland, the Two other charitable trusts Council is required to prepare founded by and closely connected accounts for each financial year to the RSE, the BP Research that give a true and fair view of Fellowship Trust (the BP Trust) and the state of affairs of the RSE and of the incoming resources and

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application of resources of the The Council is also responsible for RSE for that period. In preparing the maintenance and integrity of these financial statements, the the charity and financial informa- Council is required to: tion included on the RSE’s • select suitable accounting website. Legislation in the United policies and apply them Kingdom governing the prepara- consistently; tion and dissemination of financial statements may differ • observe the methods and from legislation in other jurisdic- principles of the Charities SORP; tions. • make judgements and estimates RISK MANAGEMENT that are reasonable and prudent; The Audit and Risk Committee, operating on a joint basis with the • state whether applicable Foundation and the BP Trust, accounting standards have reports directly to the Council, the been followed, subject to any Foundation and the BP Trust. Its departures disclosed and Chair, who cannot be a Trustee or explained in the financial other Office Bearer of the RSE, is statements; and invited to attend Council meet- • prepare the financial statements ings as an observer. Its remit on a going concern basis unless includes keeping under review the it is inappropriate to presume effectiveness of internal control that the RSE will continue in and risk management systems of operation. the RSE and its connected chari- The Council is responsible for ties. The Council believes that the keeping accounting records which existing systems and the structure disclose with reasonable accuracy of decision taking and reporting at any time the financial position through senior staff, the Executive of the RSE and which enable it to Board and the Council continue ensure that the financial state- to provide assurance that risks are ments comply with the Charities assessed and carefully managed. and Trustee Investment (Scotland) OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Act 2005, the Charities Accounts Mission and Role (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and RSE’s own Laws. It In keeping with its Royal Charter, is also responsible for safeguard- the mission of the RSE is to ing the assets of the RSE and provide public benefit through hence for taking reasonable steps the continued advancement of for the prevention and detection learning and useful knowledge. of fraud and other irregularities. To fulfil this, it promotes learning and puts the multidisciplinary

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expertise of its Fellows to work for Strategic Priorities the good of Scotland and its The RSE seeks to make a differ- people. Its role is to: ence through its programmes of • promote and recognise excel- Core Public Benefit, Fellowship lence in, and its application to, and Support services. Overarching all areas of learning these are the following strategic • be a source of independent and priorities: expert advice on matters • developing partnerships and affecting the wellbeing of connections Scotland and its people • providing independent advice • advance public discussion on on major issues affecting public matters of national and interna- policy tional importance. • developing arts and humanities The difference the RSE aims to activities and their interface with make science All of the RSE’s activities aim to • broadening public engagement contribute to the following public • diversifying funding sources benefit outcomes: ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE YEAR • enhancing the capacity of world-class science and culture This section describes the achieve- researchers working in Scotland ments of the RSE, the Foundation and the BP Trust, reflecting the • increasing Scotland’s research fact that the Financial Statements and development connections are presented on a consolidated internationally basis for this Group of connected • improving connections between charities. business and academia The performance of the RSE and • enhancing the capacity of its connected charities in the year, school-age children to adopt as compared to the output targets science as a career set in the Operational Plan, is • enhancing the public’s under- reported quarterly to the Executive standing of science and culture Board, and thereafter to RSE issues Council and to the Trustees of the other connected bodies. These • informing and influencing reports have again shown that public policy decisions over 95% of the targets were reached or exceeded. In many areas, additional targets, not in the initial Operational Plan were also delivered.

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The core public benefit pro- September 2012, followed by gramme activities are: plenary sessions in December RSE Young Academy of Scot- (Edinburgh) and March (St land Andrews). The next round of the application process for member- The Young Academy operates ship will begin in autumn 2012. under the auspices of the newly The Young Academy is an excel- constituted RSE Scotland SCIO, a lent example of how the RSE can new form of Scottish charitable contribute to the wellbeing of incorporated organisation to Scotland – through its own deliver activities for public benefit. initiative without having to Launched in 2011, the Young depend on others and by using its Academy aims to broaden the own resources. experience of a group of the best and most vigorous young scien- Enhancing the capacity of tists, scholars and professionals world-class science and culture with the purpose of developing a researchers working in Scotland distinctive, coherent and influen- RSE Research Awards continue to tial voice in Scottish society from support some of the most those who will shape its future. outstanding young scientists and It aims to provide opportunities innovators working in Scotland for interaction between members today. The Research Fellowships across disciplines and professions Awards Programme successfully and with decision makers, opinion enhances the capacity of world- formers and experts, funding class science and culture bodies, national institutions, the researchers working in Scotland; public and the national and and increases Scotland’s research international media. and development connections internationally. Since its launch, the Young Academy has set up Working It creates conditions that attract Groups to address challenging those with outstanding potential issues facing society in Scotland conducive to becoming research and beyond. Activities are coordi- leaders, to establish their careers nated through a peer-elected in Scotland and make long-term ‘Facilitating Group’ of five Young contributions to the STEM base Academy members. Activities to and its application in Scotland. It date have included consultation provides scope to place special responses, local meetings of the emphasis on areas of research key Working Groups and plenary to the well-being of Scotland; for sessions. A two-day AGM is example, energy, environment and scheduled for Aberdeen in biosciences, and complements similar programmes available on a

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UK-wide basis from the Royal moratorium in 2011 and no new Society, the Royal Academy of appointments were made in the Engineering, Research Councils Scottish Government Personal and major Research Charities. Research Fellowship scheme. The It is only through partnerships 17 Research Fellows already in with BP, the Caledonian Research post continued to generate Fund, the Lloyds TSB Foundation substantial benefits for Scottish for Scotland and the Scottish research. Government that the RSE is able Also supported by Scottish to provide these awards. Government grant, the Arts & The following awards in science Humanities programme, although were made during the year: much reduced from 2010–11, supported the award of: • One new BP Personal Research Fellowship awarded from 13 • Six Research Workshops, from applicants 14 applications • One CRF Personal Research • Fifteen Small Research Grants, Fellowship awarded from 18 from 24 applications applicants In addition: • Ten CRF European Visiting • Four Research Networks were Research Fellowships awarded supported in their second year in Arts, Humanities & Social of a two-year grant Sciences • Two Major Research Grants • Cormack awards: one Under- were supported in the continua- graduate Prize, one tion of their grants Postgraduate Prize and six Since its inception in February Vacation Research Scholarships, 2007, the Arts & Humanities plus one Piazzi Smyth Vacation programme has enabled 63 Scholarship individuals to develop new links • John Moyes Lessells Scholar- with people and organisations ship: four travel grants. with whom they would not Due to cuts in Scottish Govern- normally work. ment Grant, the pattern that had An independent review of this existed since 2008 of being able scheme was completed in late to award six, five-year fellowships October and was presented by Sir per year had to be curtailed. With John Enderby FRS, to RSE senior great reluctance, the Council officers and Scottish Government decided that, to safeguard the representatives. The report shows support of existing Research the programme to be highly Fellows, there should be a effective and contributing to many

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of the Scottish Government 2011. The other Medals were National Outcomes. In presenting presented by HRH The Duke of the report to the RSE, Sir John Edinburgh at the RSE in August commented,“I have been im- 2011. pressed by the range and quality The IEEE/ RSE/James Clerk Maxwell of research and connections Award for 2011 was awarded to between academics that has been Marcian Edward (‘Ted’) Hoff – made possible by a relatively Chief Technologist (Retired), limited amount of money… [on] Teklicon, Inc – for developments in projects that will add to the programmable integrated circuitry understanding of Scotland’s for a wide range of applications. cultural richness, both historically This award was also presented in and in the current day.” August 2011 by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, in the presence of the The Royal Medals of the RSE are IEEE President Moshe Kam. its most prestigious award, Increasing Scotland’s research recognising outstanding research and development connections excellence and scholarship. The internationally 2011 medals were awarded, with This programme seeks to increase the approval of Her Majesty The Scotland’s research and develop- Queen, to Professor Noreen ment connections internationally; Murray CBE, FRS, FRSE for her and increase the number of leading role in the development world-class science and culture of gene cloning technology which researchers working in Scotland. It influenced the course of biologi- helps create conditions for cal research worldwide; to talented people to live, learn, visit, Baroness Helena Kennedy of the work and remain in Scotland; and Shaws, for her outstanding supports Scotland’s reputation as contribution to human rights and a distinctive global identity, an civil liberties, access to education, independent-minded and respon- arts and ethics; and to Professor S sible nation at home and abroad Desmond Smith OBE, FRS, FRSE and confident of its place in the for his varied work in physics, world. especially in optoelectronics, spectroscopy and laser technolo- Since 2003, Scottish Government gy, and its application in industry funding has supported the and research technology. Profes- establishment of formal Memo- sor Murray received her Medal randa of Understanding (MoUs) from the President at a ceremony between the RSE and 12 overseas at the University of Edinburgh sister Academies, and also shortly before her death in May supported the development and

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maintenance of relationships and Education Research Partnership activities with other overseas for PhD Studies in the area of Academies. Based on the good Telecommunications and Informa- relationships developed, the tion Technologies.RSE–NSFC Bilateral and Open exchange Workshop, Beijing, China schemes support researcher The RSE and the National Natural exchanges that lead to collabora- Science Foundation of China tive projects and result in further (NSFC) have a formal agreement, research funding from other established to support research sources. A particularly strong part collaborations between Scotland of the programme, which cements and China. Under the terms of relationships and collaborations, this agreement, the RSE and NSFC are the joint research projects run organised a workshop in October over two years between Scottish 2011 in China in the area of and overseas Institutes (currently Image Understanding and Chinese institutes jointly funded Processing. by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [NSFC]), A delegation of six leading supporting longer-term collabora- researchers attended from tions and levering further Scotland to meet with their funding. Chinese counterparts, present their work and explore future During the year, 31 Bilateral and opportunities for collaboration 27 Open Exchange Scheme grants between the participants from were awarded, which amounted Scotland and China. to 196.5 person weeks of researcher support (for visits Franco–Scottish Science Seminar between Scotland and over 20 Series: countries worldwide). Seven new In partnership with the French joint projects with the NSFC were Embassy in London, two joint awarded for two years from workshops and two lecture events Spring 2012 in the area of Image were held in Spring 2012 as the Processing, and ten existing joint second stage of a three-year projects in Information Science, collaboration. The collaboration and Biological Sciences were consists of events run for early- supported in their first and career French and Scottish second years. Funding was also scientists in areas of science where continued for the final year of there is excellence in both France collaboration between the and Scotland. The purpose of the University of Stirling and the seminars is to explore and publicly Institute of Automation, The present areas of science where Chinese Academy of Sciences, to both Scotland and France have support a Scotland–China Higher strengths and to stimulate

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Franco–Scottish collaboration. The thriving business from a research topics chosen were Systems and idea. The fellowship offers Molecular Neuroscience and A support to develop their business New Paradigm of Science Driven skills, plus introductions to by Ultrafast Lasers. mentors, potential collaborators, To further strengthen our Interna- investors and other specialists to tional links, a Consular Corps visit help get their businesses off the to the RSE was organised in June ground. 2011. This event was aimed at The RSE/SE Enterprise Fellowships increasing the level of activities programme, aims to appoint 60 with the Consular Corps, involv- Fellowships over five years. ing them in our international Funding has so far been made activities and running joint events. available by Scottish Enterprise to Over 15 countries were represent- appoint 36 over the first four ed at this meeting, and a direct years. The seventh round took result was an approach by the place in Spring 2011 and three Polish Consulate to organise a Fellows were appointed who took joint event. up post in October 2011. Improving connections between The eighth round took place in business and academia Autumn 2011 and five Fellows The Enterprise Fellowship schemes were appointed who took up post run by the RSE are designed to in Spring 2012. Fourteen former encourage commercialisation of SE Enterprise Fellows responded technology-based business ideas to a recent survey of their success- from academic institutions into es over the past two years. spin-out companies. This activity Between them they have attracted helps create sustainable compa- public funding (e.g. SMART nies with high-value jobs and awards), totaling £1.1m and have contributes to the economy in the recruited 22 new employees. They long term. The RSE administers have won nine new contracts three Enterprise Fellowship worth £6.2m and launched seven Schemes, funded separately by new products. Private finance has Scottish Enterprise (SE), the been secured of £1.4m. Both of Science and Technology Facilities the Research Council schemes Council (STFC) and the Biotech- operate on a UK-wide basis and nology and Biological Sciences encourage the commercialisation Research Council (BBSRC). of research previously funded by BBSRC and STFC. Following a The Enterprise Fellows selected rigorous selection process, one must demonstrate the entrepre- BBSRC Enterprise Fellow took up neurial spirit needed to create a post in April 2011, with another three taking up post in October

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2011. No STFC Enterprise Fellow- Bonnie Dunbar Activity Day 2011 ship was awarded in 2011. – two events; Enhancing the capacity of RSE@ Dumfries and Galloway school-age children to adopt Schools’ Talks – seven events. science as a career A range of follow-on activities The Schools Programme continues arose from the standard pro- to use RSE Fellows and other gramme of events: experts to share their knowledge Additional masterclass school and understanding of science and talks because students had missed culture with pupils, with a out on places on the original particular focus on enthusing Masterclasses those already “engaged”, and reaching those pupils who are not Student work experience at the in close proximity to Scottish RSE Christmas Lecture with the Universities and Science Centres, RSE and BBC Scotland, as a and who therefore have more follow-on from an earlier TV & limited opportunity to participate Film Masterclass; and meet with experts. Teaching Resources based on the The programme comprised: RSE Christmas Lecture; 39 Science Masterclasses for S1 CBBC Programme Little Stargazers and S2 science subjects, hosted at featuring RSE Corresponding five Universities, attended by 852 Fellow Dr Bonnie Dunbar. students from 73 schools; Enhancing the public’s under- 22 Schools’ Talks, where the standing of science and culture content was agreed with teachers issues in line with their curriculum, Events attended by 1085 students from Nine lectures covering diverse 22 schools. topics ranging from Mathematics A range of additional young to the Arab Spring. people’s activities were organised Three annual lectures: throughout the year: RSE Christmas Lecture: Tom Turing 2012 Schools Activity – the Devine on To the Ends of the Twit-test; Earth: Scotland’s Global Diaspora; Scottish Book Trust’s National Beltane Prize Lecture by Professor Non-fiction Day – two talks; Aubrey Manning on Communicat- RSE Beltane Prizes for Public ing Science as Culture; Engagement – one Prize Lecture;

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Edinburgh Lecture Series: Dame Three lectures Jocelyn Bell Burnell on A celebra- Four discussion forums/work- tion of Women in Astronomy. shops. Eight joint lectures in partnership Five events held in association with the following organisations: with: Centre for Ecology and Hydrology Royal Society of Chemistry - Edinburgh; Science and the Parliament; The Institute for Advanced Studies The Confucius Institute –Young in the Humanities and supported China, Young Scotland; by the Journal of Scottish Philoso- phy; Scottish Parliament – Festival of Politics; International FuturesForum; Edinburgh City of Literature – Consulate General of the Republic enLIGHTen; of Poland, supported by Edin- burgh Council and the European Cockburn Association – Doors Commission; Open Day. Edinburgh Consortium for Rural Communications Research and the Society of A new RSE website was launched Biology Scotland; in 2011. It is updated regularly The Royal Academy of Engineer- and provides information for the ing; public and for Fellows. This year, seventeen audio/video recordings Arts and Humanities Research of events were added to the Council and the Scottish Funding website, and 27 written summary Council; reports of activities in the public The Royal Society, London, and events and schools programme the Genomics Policy and Research were published on the site soon Forum. after the events had taken place. Two joint conferences involving Media briefings and press releases partnership with: were provided for most major events and launches, and there Gengage – Your Genes and was appreciable media coverage Clinical Research – Being More of many of the significant activi- than a Guinea Pig. ties in the RSE programme. British Academy–Scotland and the Four issues of ReSourcE, the RSE United Kingdom Newsletter, were published and RSE@ Dumfries & Galloway distributed to the Fellowship and programme: around 3,000 others, including

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business leaders, journalists, in their fields. Six issues of research institutes, schools, MPs, Proceedings A were published MSPs and interested individuals. during the 2011/12 financial year; Fellows also received a monthly e- two issues of Transactions were bulletin, which enabled them to published. keep up to date with and, if The digitisation of the RSE’s appropriate, disseminate informa- archive journals – Transactions tion on the RSE and its work. In (1783–1979), Transactions: Earth addition, seven public e-bulletins Sciences (1980-2000), Proceed- were sent out during the year to ings (1832–1940), Proceedings A advertise various events and (1941–1999) and Proceedings B schools activities. Two issues of (1941–1996) was progressed by Science Scotland entitled The Cambridge University Press during search for new drugs and Knowl- the year and was marketed and edge Transfer in Engineering and made available for sale to the Informatics were published in the public during 2011–12, thus year. Science Scotland continues making the RSE’s highly-regarded to increase people’s awareness of journal archive more easily cutting-edge science and technol- accessible to a world-wide ogy activities in Scotland. Each audience. issue is distributed to over 2,000 Prizes recipients worldwide. The issues are also available on the Science RSE and Edinburgh Beltane Scotland website. launched the RSE Beltane Prizes for Public Engagement in 2011, Journals with the aim of recognising and The RSE, through the Foundation, rewarding the advancement of publishes two journals, Earth and high-quality public engagement Environmental Science Transac- with research. The Senior Prize tions of the Royal Society of was awarded to Professor Aubrey Edinburgh and Proceedings A: Manning OBE FRSE, Institute of Mathematics. Copies of the Evolutionary Biology, University of journals are sent to 350 University Edinburgh; and the Young Libraries, Academies and Institu- Innovator Award for an emerging tions worldwide, as part of the talent to Dr Joanna Brooks, Society’s exchange programme. Human Cognitive Neuroscience, The journals are highly regarded University of Edinburgh. by academics as publication Informing and influencing public vehicles for their research, and policy decisions they both maintained a respectably high impact factor in Using the multi-disciplinery comparison with similar journals knowledge and expertise of its

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Fellows, the RSE provides evi- Chair of an RSE Women in STEM dence-based advice to inform Working Group.) public policy decisions made by RSE Inquiry, Women in STEM Scottish, UK and European Parliaments and Governments. It This Report was produced by an also facilitates discussion between expert Working Group, chaired by Scottish parliamentarians and the distinguished astrophysicist science stakeholders, promotes Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell the contribution and role of Burnell. It aimed to develop a science to these parliamentarians cohesive and comprehensive and aims to improve the Parlia- strategy for Scotland to increase ment’s understanding. both the proportion of women qualified in STEM in the work- Key outputs of the RSE’s Policy place, and the number of women Advice Unit were five in-depth who rise to senior positions in briefing papers and 16 Advice universities, research institutes, papers, nine to the Scottish government, business and Parliament and/or the Scottish industry. Sir John Arbuthnott Government, on a wide range of stated “The recommendations in topics including: Alcohol Mini- the report are directed at Govern- mum Pricing and Proposals for ment in Scotland and the UK, as Referendum on Independence. well as universities and industry, Oral evidence to Scottish Parlia- for the benefit of the whole of mentary Committees was also society”. provided on subjects including: Digital Scotland, school education RSE Digital Scotland and low-carbon economy. In April 2011, the RSE Digital A Science and the Parliament Scotland working group pub- event was held in partnership with lished Ambition for a Digital the Royal Society of Chemistry in Scotland, a call for Scotland’s November 2011. Amongst the political parties to commit to a keynote speakers, on Science and high-speed Scotland, ahead of the the Economy were: John Swinney May election. The RSE worked MSP (Cabinet Secretary for with the Scottish Documentary Finance, Employment and Sustain- Institute and film-makers Pulkka able Growth), Professor Anne to make a short (seven-minute) Glover (the then Chief Scientific film on some of the themes raised Adviser to the Scottish Govern- in the report, including why ment), Ian Ritchie (Co-Chair of the Scotland needs fibre backbone to Scottish Science Advisory Council) connect all its communities. and Professor Alice Brown (Vice- RSE Education Committee

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The RSE Education Committee Scotland, the UK and overseas, members contribute to the and encompasses the full range of development of policy in relation disciplines, including science, to education at all levels. Follow- engineering, social sciences, arts, ing the publication of the Briefing humanities, law, education, Paper on school education issues, business and industry. members of the Education In March 2012, the RSE an- Committee met with the Scottish nounced the election of two new Government’s Learning Directo- Honorary Fellows, four new rate to discuss the issues raised in Corresponding Fellows, and 40 the paper and how the RSE could new Fellows. This followed the continue to provide support and scrutiny in 2011 of 149 candi- constructive challenge to the dates through a four-stage implementation of the Curriculum committee process, culminating in for Excellence. the postal ballot in December of In association with Education the entire Fellowship. The addi- Scotland, the RSE and the British tion of new Fellows in 2012 Computer Society are undertaking brought the numbers in the a joint project to produce exempli- Fellowship up to 1563 (as at 1 fication materials to support the March 2012) – 65 Honorary teaching of Computing Science in Fellows; 64 Corresponding schools under the Curriculum for Fellows; 1434 Fellows. Excellence. The discipline balance of the Following on from the successes Fellowship can be broadly repre- of its Education Committee sented by four cognate sectors. activities, the RSE has established The current balance of these a Learned Societies’ Group on sectors (excluding Honorary & Scottish Science Education. The Corresponding Fellows) is: group comprises representatives • 36% Life Sciences from the Association of Science Education, the Scottish Schools • 36% Physical Engineering and Education Research Centre and Informatic Sciences the Society of Biology. It will • 14% Humanities and Creative engage with and provide advice to Arts policy makers in relation to the • 14% Social Sciences, Education, major reforms underway in Business and Public Service Scottish education. The RSE holds an Induction Day The Fellowship Programme each year for the new Fellows. This The RSE’s Fellowship includes men and women from all parts of

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provides an opportunity for new regard to the existing activities of Fellows to meet with members of the CRF, but that this should not Council, the Executive Board and place any restrictions on the RSE staff, and to be formally purposes for which the assets may admitted to the Society. There be used. During the year, the final were also events primarily for payments were made in respect of Fellows, including the Fellows’ appointments in place at the Summer Reception, the Royal transfer date and the balance of Medals Award Ceremony and the the fund is now unrestricted. Annual Statutory Meeting. One postdoctoral Fellowship and RSE Scotland Foundation two postgraduate studentships In addition to the publication of were awarded during the year. The the RSE Journals, the Foundation Trustees have determined that continued to support education they intend to continue all the and the transfer of useful knowl- existing schemes, but to ensure a edge through letting the balance between the costs of the conference facilities in George schemes and the income earned Street. Income from this activity from the investments. All of the was down from the previous year; activities of the CRF are adminis- although the number of hires was tered on behalf of the greater than 2010/11. The Foundation by the RSE, except the Foundation was also responsible administration of the postgradu- for letting surplus space to ate scholarship scheme, which tenants – Universities Scotland remains with the Carnegie Trust and Lakeland Ltd. The income for the Universities of Scotland. generated from these lettings FINANCIAL REVIEW AND supported public benefit pro- POLICIES grammes. BP Research Fellowship Trust Caledonian Research Fund (CRF) The first BP Hutton Prize in Energy On 11 March 2009, the Founda- Innovation was awarded to Dr tion received a transfer of funds David Wright in 2011 for his from the Caledonian Research research entitled The detection of Foundation. Under the transfer oil and gas from surface-based agreement, the Trustees agreed electromagnetic measurements. firstly to honour the existing He intends to use the funds to financial commitments of the CRF fund up to three student intern- in support of scientific research, ships to enable promising and thereafter to apply the assets students from anywhere in the at their discretion, with the world to come to Edinburgh and proviso that they should have carry out original research within

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his group. These students may be set by the Committee and risk recent BSc, MSc or PhD graduates. environment. The prize is awarded in alternate In the year under review, no years between the years of the compliance issues arose which award of the BP Research Fellow- required to be reported to the ship. There are three ongoing BP Committee. Research Fellows in post. Operating policies – grant Investment powers and policy making The management of the invest- The RSE makes grants to individu- ment funds of the RSE, the als in higher education Foundation and the BP Trust is institutions in support of research carried out by Speirs & Jeffrey & activities in the categories of Co. on a discretionary basis. The postdoctoral Research Fellow- objectives set by the Council are ships, Support Research to ensure a sufficient level of Fellowships, Post-graduate income to meet the target set Studentships, undergraduate annually by the Council, and to Vacation Scholarships, Enterprise invest for real capital growth over Fellowships and international the long term. The Council has exchange grants. Each of these delegated the detailed monitoring categories is specifically funded of performance to an Investment from various sources, including Committee, which includes at the RSE’s restricted funds. The least one ordinary member of basis of eligibility and selection Council and two experienced varies according to the detailed investment professionals and scheme regulations, which are which makes comparisons against published on the RSE’s website a composite benchmark reflecting (www.royalsoced.org.uk). Grants the mix of assets held and the are also made in support of WM Charities Income Constrained research activities of Fellows of the Index. RSE, including support for travel Income Actual Total Benchmark connected with research or Target Income Return scholarship, small-scale specialist £’000 £’000 % % meetings, to assist research 250 306 6.5 4.7 (RSE) visitors to Scotland to undertake 130 123 4.6 4.7 (BP) collaborative research work with a 325 348 6.5 4.7 (FDN) Fellow, to assist a visiting lecturer to come to Scotland, to assist The Investment Committee meets research collaboration between twice annually with the invest- two institutions in Scotland or ment managers to discuss their between universities and industry, compliance with the constraints and to assist in the publication of

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books written by Fellows. These strengthen the RSE’s financial grants are funded by the RSE’s independence by using major designated Grants Fund. The donations and legacies to build Grants Committee is responsible the Development Fund. for making awards in accordance Result for the year with the detailed rules set out by the Council for the disbursement The consolidated surplus for the of the Grants Fund. year was £1,771,000, including two major legacies: £1,280,281 Reserves policy and funds from Dr David Shepherd FRSE and The RSE holds a number of a further payment of a legacy from restricted funds resulting from Dr Gethin Lewis FRSE of bequests for particular purposes, £350,000. The underlying details of which are set out in operating deficit for the year was note 2 to the financial statements. £21,000, compared to a surplus The Council has created designat- of £19,000 in the previous year. ed funds, from its unrestricted Investment gains comprised funds, the purposes of which are £23,800 realised in the year and also set out in note 2 to the £208,000 unrealised at the year financial statements. The General end. The net movement on funds Fund represents the balance of for the year after the FRS17 unrestricted funds arising from actuarial adjustment was past operations. The Council has £1,929,000. examined the requirement to hold unrestricted funds, and concluded Total incoming resources that, whilst the present level of Total incoming resources were reserves gives adequate working £6.75 m (2011– £5.95m), the capital for core costs, it is desira- increase arising mainly from the ble to have a General Fund reserve legacy receipts. Other voluntary in the range of six months’ income, which includes Fellows expenditure on central costs, or subscriptions and continuing approximately £780,000. The contributions from the ‘Friends of current fund balance is £623,000. the Society’– corporate partners of The Council has also reviewed the the RSE, listed in note 26c, purposes and amounts of each of remained similar to previous years. the designated funds, which Investment income of £0.8m comprise allocations for specific increased by 17%, reflecting the purposes of sums that had been addition of income from legacy donated in prior periods, together proceeds, but incoming resources with the Development Fund and from charitable activities de- the Capital Asset Reserve. It is the creased by 17% to £3.8m. Council’s current intention to

358 Trustees’ Report and Accounts to 31 March 2012

The major reason for the fall in payable, due to early resignations incoming resources for charitable of two Research Fellows. Total activities was the 16% cut in expenditure on influencing public Scottish Government grant to policy increased by 9%, due to £2.455m. This resulted in decreas- sustained levels of activity in new es of £79,000 for science research areas. A new area of charitable fellowships and £353,000 for the expenditure was the development Arts & Humanities Research and support of the RSE Young Awards, funded by Scottish Academy of Scotland. Government. Fluctuations in the Governance costs continue to pattern and numbers of Enterprise represent less than 3% of total Fellow appointments also contrib- recurring income.Transfers uted to the decrease in income. between funds, shown in the Resources expended Statement of Financial Activities, On a like-for-like basis, but comprise the recurring transfer excluding the exceptional pension from the Capital Asset Reserve of credit in 2011, total expenditure a total of £101,000 to match the decreased by 15% (£0.88m), as a depreciation of buildings and the result of decreased expenditure capital repayment of the loan to on charitable activities. the Foundation; and a transfer on consolidation from the Founda- Cost of generating funds (note 6) tion restricted fund balance to the includes the cost of the Fellowship General Fund, equivalent to the office, the costs of building net inter-entity income received in management in respect of income the RSE. from letting of surplus space, as well as fundraising costs, both Balance sheet direct and management time in Consolidated net assets have securing funding. increased from £22.18m to Reductions in grants payable in £24.11m; mainly due to the support of research and innova- £1.6m of legacy income. The tion gave rise to the major part of contribution from the unrealised the decrease in expenditure on surplus on investments of £0.2m charitable activities, falling from is offset by a FRS17 pension £4.01m to £3.18m. The largest adjustment of £75,000. For the component of this decrease came second year running, the net from the curtailment of the pension position calculated by the Scottish Government-funded Arts actuary was a surplus, and the & Humanities awards programme. amount recognised in the finan- There was also an unplanned cial statements was restricted so reduction in the CRF grants that no net pension asset was recognised, because it is unlikely

359 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

that such an asset could be search Fellowship and the Arts & realised in the foreseeable future. Humanities Research Awards. Net current assets decreased from Public sector funding is likely to £1.54m to £1.49m, as both continue to be uncertain, but our debtors and creditors have review of the Strategic Framework reduced in line with grant activity. and priorities for the period from Debtors have decreased by 2012, will seek to mitigate the £0.25m, mainly reflecting the effects of these uncertainties. The timing of receipt of Scottish focus will remain on the success- Government grant.Total funds ful delivery of the RSE’s varied increased by £1.93m. In addition programme of activities with to the revenue surplus of public benefit outcomes. £1,771,000, there were realised The Council continues to develop and unrealised investment gains partnerships with the corporate of £232,000, and a negative sector through the Friends of the movement of £75,000 on the Society, and seeks to increase its actuarial pension fund liability. internal resources, to improve the Future plans level of income that the RSE The Scottish Government has cut receives from non-governmental the RSE’s grant by a further 4% sources. The aim of building the for 2012–13 to £2.35m, with Development Fund as an internal indicative levels of grant in 2013 resource continues, although this and 2014 being reduced by a is of necessity a long term plan. further £250,000. The effect of Nevertheless the RSE is deter- these reductions will be a cut of mined to strengthen and enhance 28% by 2013, compared with its contribution to the wider 2010–11. These substantial cuts society of which it is part. greatly reduce the scale of the Signed on behalf of the Council research fellowships and grant Ewan Brown CBE activities that the RSE runs on Treasurer behalf of the Government, despite 3 September 2012 compelling evidence of the value to Scotland of the Science Re-

360 AUDITORS’ REPORT AND ACCOUNTS Independent Auditor’s Report Respective responsibilities of to the Council of the Royal Trustees and auditor Society of Edinburgh As explained more fully in the We have audited the financial Trustees’ Responsibilities State- statements of the Royal Society of ment, the trustees are responsible Edinburgh for the year ended 31 for the preparation of financial March 2012 which comprise the statements which give a true and group statement of financial fair view. activities, the charity statement of We have been appointed as financial activities, the group auditor under section 44(1)(c) of balance sheet, the charity balance Charities and Trustee Investment sheet, the group cashflow (Scotland) Act 2005 and report in statement and the related notes. accordance with regulations made The financial reporting framework under that Act. Our responsibility that has been applied in their is to audit and express an opinion preparation is applicable law and on the financial statements in United Kingdom Accounting accordance with applicable law Standards (United Kingdom and International Standards on Generally Accepted Accounting Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those Practice). standards require us to comply This report is made solely to the with the Auditing Practices charity’s trustees, as a body, in Board’s (APB’s) Ethical Standards accordance with section 44(1)(c) of for Auditors.Scope of the audit of the Charities and Trustee Invest- the financial statements. ment (Scotland) Act 2005 and An audit involves obtaining regulation 10 of the Charities evidence about the amounts and Accounts (Scotland) Regulations disclosures in the financial 2006 (as amended). Our audit statements sufficient to give work has been undertaken so that reasonable assurance that the we might state to the charity’s financial statements are free from trustees, as a body, those matters material misstatement, whether we are required to state to them caused by fraud or error. This in an auditors’ report and for no includes an assessment of: other purpose. To the fullest whether the accounting policies extent permitted by law, we do are appropriate to the charity’s not accept or assume responsibili- circumstances and have been ty to anyone other than the charity consistently applied and ade- and the charity’s trustees as a quately disclosed; the body, for our audit work, for this reasonableness of significant report, or for the opinions we accounting estimates made by the have formed.

361 The Royal Society of Edinburgh

trustees; and the overall presenta- Matters on which we are required tion of the financial statements. In to report by exception: addition, we read all the financial We have nothing to report in and non-financial information in respect of the following matters the Trustees’ Report to identify where the Charity Accounts material inconsistencies with the (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as audited financial statements. If we amended) requires us to report to become aware of any apparent you if, in our opinion: material misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the • the information given in the implications for our report. Trustees’ Annual Report is inconsistent in any material Opinion on financial statements respect with the financial In our opinion the financial statements; or statements: • proper accounting records have • give a true and fair view of the not been kept; or state of the group and the • the financial statements are not charity’s affairs as at 31 March in agreement with the account- 2012 and of the group and ing records and returns; or charity’s incoming resources and application of resources, for the • we have not received all the year then ended; information and explanations we require for our audit. • have been properly prepared in accordance with United King- Henderson Loggie dom Generally Accepted Chartered Accountants and Accounting Practice; and Statutory Auditors (Eligible to act as an auditor in • have been prepared in accord- terms of section 1212 of the ance with the requirements Companies Act 2006) of the Charities and Trustee 3 September 2012 Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and regulation 8 of the Chari- ties Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).

362 ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH

ACCOUNTS

Group statement of ﬁnancial activities (incorporating the income & expenditure account) for year ended 31 March 2012

Note General Designated Restricted Restricted 2012 Total 2011 Total Fund Funds Income Funds ££££ £ £

Income Legacies 1,630,386 1,630,386 _ Voluntary income 4 246,151 23,062 269,213 409,292 Activities for generating income 4 253,273 253,273 253,487 Investment income 4 34,847 207,470 550,032 792,349 675,139

Incoming resources from generated funds 280,998 1,837,856 826,367 2,945,221 1,337,918 Incoming resources from charitable activities 5 89,296 3,392,153 324,580 3,806,029 4,611,679

Total incoming resources 370,294 1,837,856 3,392,153 1,150,947 6,751,250 5,949,597

Expenditure Cost of generating funds 6 (163,066) (25,356) (66,708) (255,130) (281,453) Charitable activities 6 (274,042) (68,602) (3,392,153) (834,548) (4,569,345) (5,421,394) Exceptional FRS 17 pension credit 6,12 240,000 Governance 6 (108,919) (46,451) (155,370) (159,621)

Total resources expended (546,027) (93,958) (3,392,153) (947,707) (4,979,845) (5,622,468)

Net (outgoing)/incoming resources (175,733) 1,743,898 203,240 1,771,405 327,129 before transfers

Transfers between funds 109,557 (101,818) (7,739) –

Other recognised gains/(losses) Gains/(losses) on investment assets Realised gains 406 3,869 19,545 23,820 8,150 Unrealised gains 6,419 61,162 140,699 208,280 515,810

Actuarial (losses)/gain on Lothian Pension Fund (75,000) (75,000) 175,000

Net movement in funds (134,351) 1,707,111 355,745 1,928,505 1,026,089

Balance brought forward at 1 April 2011 758,237 7,698,610 13,724,827 22,181,674 21,155,585

Balance carried forward at 31 March 2012 623,886 9,405,721 14,080,572 24,110,179 22,181,674

363 ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH The Royal Society of Edinburgh

Group balance sheet at 31 March 2012 Note 2012 2012 2011 2011 ££££

Fixed assets Tangible ﬁxed assets 14 3,652,554 3,772,071

Fixed asset investments Investments at market value 15 19,099,992 17,087,892

22,752,546 20,859,963

Current assets

Debtors 16 910,595 1,217,162 Cash at bank and in hand 295,351 130,051 Deposits – Designated funds 96,825 96,343 Deposits – Restricted funds 1,262,255 1,637,362 Deposits – General funds 295,112 29,356

2,860,138 3,110,274

Current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 17 (1,371,625) (1,570,713)

Net current assets 1,488,513 1,539,561

Total assets less current liabilities 24,241,059 22,399,524

Provision for liabilities and charges 18 (130,880) (217,850)

Net assets excluding pension fund 24,110,179 22,181,674

Lothian Pension Fund deﬁned beneﬁt scheme asset/(liability) 23

Net assets after pension fund asset/(liability) 24,110,179 22,181,674

Funds General Fund 623,886 758,237 Add: Pension reserve

19 623,886 758,237 Designated Funds 20 9,405,721 7,698,610 Restricted Funds 21 14,080,572 13,724,827

Total funds 24,110,179 22,181,674

The accounts were approved by the Council on 3 September 2012 and signed on its behalf by:

Ewan Brown, CBE Treasurer

364 ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH Trustees’ Report and Accounts to 31 March 2012

RSE balance sheet at 31 March 2012 Note 2012 2012 2011 2011 ££££

Fixed assets Tangible ﬁxed assets 14 2,058,368 2,115,452

Fixed asset investments Investments at market value 15(a) 7,941,063 6,064,793 Loan to RSE Scotland Foundation 15(b) 1,657,096 1,703,904

11,656,527 9,884,149

Current assets Debtors 16 859,704 1,124,283 Cash at bank and in hand 295,351 109,181 Money Market deposits – Designated funds 96,825 96,343 Money Market deposits – Restricted funds 1,123,166 1,637,362 Money Market deposits – General funds 295,112 29,356

2,670,158 2,996,525

Current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 17 (2,213,133) (2,286,639)

Net current assets 457,025 709,886

Total assets less current liabilities 12,113,552 10,594,035

Provision for liabilities and charges 18 (130,880) (217,850)

Net assets excluding pension fund 11,982,672 10,376,185

Lothian Pension Fund deﬁned beneﬁt scheme asset/(liability) 23

Net assets after pension fund asset/(liability) 11,982,672 10,376,185

Funds General Fund 623,886 758,237 Add: Pension reserve

19 623,886 758,237 Designated Funds 20 9,405,721 7,698,610 Restricted Funds 21 1,953,065 1,919,338

Total funds 11,982,672 10,376,185

The accounts were approved by the Council on 3 September 2012 and signed on its behalf by:

Ewan Brown, CBE Treasurer

365 ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH The Royal Society of Edinburgh

RSE statement of ﬁnancial activities (incorporating the income & expenditure account) for year ended 31 March 2012

Note General Designated Restricted Restricted 2012 Total 2011 Total Fund Funds income funds £££££ £

Income Voluntary income 246,151 1,630,386 11,048 1,887,585 301,470 Investment income 117,441 207,470 78,487 403,398 323,017

Incoming resources from generated funds 363,592 1,837,856 89,535 2,290,983 624,487 Incoming resources from charitable activities 141,799 3,689,372 3,831,171 4,679,622

Total incoming resources 505,391 1,837,856 3,689,372 89,535 6,122,154 5,304,109

Expenditure Cost of generating funds (163,066) (25,356) (188,422) (216,024) Charitable activities (401,400) (68,602) (3,689,372) (80,222) (4,239,596) (4,951,603) Exceptional FRS 17 pension credit 12 240,000 Governance (108,919) (108,919) (117,244)

Total resources expended (673,385) (93,958) (3,689,372) (80,222) (4,536,937) (5,044,871)

Net incoming/(outgoing) resources before transfers (167,994) 1,743,898 9,313 1,585,217 259,238

Transfers between funds 101,818 (101,818) –

Other recognised gains/(losses) Gains /(losses) on investment assets Realised gains 406 3,869 1,452 5,727 44,045 Unrealised gains 6,419 61,162 22,962 90,543 215,611

Actuarial (losses) gains on Lothian Pension Fund 23 (75,000) (75,000) 175,000

Net movement in funds (134,351) 1,707,111 33,727 1,606,487 693,894

Balance brought forward at 1 April 2011 758,237 7,698,610 1,919,338 10,376,185 9,682,291

Balance carried forward at 31 March 2012 623,886 9,405,721 1,953,065 11,982,672 10,376,185

366 ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH Trustees’ Report and Accounts to 31 March 2012

Group cash ﬂow statement for the year ended 31 March 2012

2012 2012 2011 2011 ££ £ £

Cash flow statement Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities 1,028,573 (827,373)

Returns on investments and servicing of ﬁnance: Interest received 14,383 24,097 Dividends received 786,968 642,040

801,351 666,137 Capital expenditure and ﬁnancial investment: Purchase of tangible ﬁxed assets (13,527) Proceeds from sale of investments 4,000,480 2,968,391 Purchases of investments (5,780,480) (3,449,111)

(1,780,000) (494,247)

Net cash ﬂow before ﬁnancing: 49,924 (655,483) Appeal receipts 6,507 6,027

Increase/(Decrease) in cash in the year 56,431 (649,456)

Reconciliation of net cash ﬂow to movement in net funds

Increase/(Decrease) in cash in the year 56,431 (649,456) Net funds at beginning of year 1,893,112 2,542,568

Net funds at end of year (note 27) 1,949,543 1,893,112

Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash outﬂow from operating activities

Net incoming resources before transfers 1,771,405 327,129 Retirement benefit scheme current service cost 117,000 147,000 Retirement benefit scheme contributions (153,000) (144,000) Retirement benefit scheme finance cost (39,000) (243,000) Appeal receipts (6,507) (6,027) Dividends receivable (777,966) (651,042) Interest receivable (14,383) (24,097) Depreciation 119,517 121,945 Decrease/(Increase) in debtors 297,565 (437,368) (Decrease)/Increase in creditors (199,088) 254,229 Movement on provision for liabilities (86,970) (172,142)

Net cash outﬂow from operating activities 1,028,573 (827,373)

367 ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH The Royal Society of Edinburgh

notes to the ﬁnancial statements

1 Accounting basis Capital Asset Reserve Fund – representing liaison. the book cost of the buildings at The accounts have been drawn up to Retailing Seminar Fund – to fund a 22-24 George Street and 26 George Street comply with the provisions of the Charities & programme of seminars on retailing. Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and together with the building project loan to the the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations RSE Scotland Foundation. Edinburgh Drug Absorption Foundation Fund – to fund a series of conferences on the broad 2006 as amended, and follow the Development Appeal Fund to provide theme of ‘Drugs Futures’. recommendations of the Statement of development finance to implement the RSE Recommended Practice for Charities (SORP) Strategic Framework. RSE Scotland Foundation – a trust to advance approved by the Accounting Standards Board the education of the public in Scotland in Programme Fund a fund created to act as in February 2005 and applicable accounting science, engineering and technology, a source of funding for meetings activities. standards. The accounts have been prepared incorporating assets transferred from the under the historical cost accounting rules as C H Kemball Fund – income from this fund is Caledonian Research Fund (CRF). The CRF modified to include the revaluation of used to provide hospitality for distinguished funds remain restricted until investments. The accounts comprise five visitors from other learned societies and pre-existing awards and appointments primary financial statements: the Group and Academies. are concluded. RSE statement of financial activities incorporating the income and expenditure Dr James Heggie Fund – income from this BP Research Fellowship Trust – a trust account, the Group and RSE balance sheet fund supports the RSE’s activities with to fund postdoctoral research fellowships and the Group cash flow statement. young people. in Scotland. On the basis of the RSE’s reserves and Grants Fund – a fund created by contributions cash position and the secured and expected and legacies from Fellows and used to provide 3 Accounting policies incoming resources for the next twelve grants to support research activities Incoming resources to Fellows. months, the Council considers that it is Voluntary income appropriate to prepare the financial Restricted Income Fund – income funds Subscriptions are accounted for on the basis statements on a going concern basis. received for expenditure on current projects. of the subscription year to October 2012 and include income tax recoverable on the The consolidated financial statements include Restricted Funds the financial statements of the RSE and subscriptions paid under Gift Aid. Robert Cormack Bequest – to promote of entities which are under its control: RSE astronomical knowledge and research Revenue grants are credited to income in Scotland Foundation and BP Research in Scotland. the period in which the RSE becomes entitled Fellowship Trust. As the objectives of each to the resources. of these entities are narrower than those Lessells Trust – to fund scholarships abroad for of the RSE, they have been treated as engineers. Donations of a recurring nature from other restricted funds. charitable foundations and one-off gifts and Auber Bequest – to fund research in Scotland legacies included in other income are taken and England by naturalised British citizens over to revenue in the period to which they relate. 2 Funds 60 years of age. Investment income The RSE’s funds are classified in accordance Prizes Fund – to fund various prizes. Interest and dividends are accounted for with the definitions in SORP into Restricted in the year in which they are received. Funds, where there are restrictions placed by Dryerre Fund – to fund postgraduate a donor as to the use of income or capital, scholarships in medical or veterinary Incoming resources for charitable activities Designated Funds where the Society has set physiology. Incoming resources for activities are accounted aside sums from its unrestricted funds for Fleck Bequest Fund – to promote interest, for on an accruals basis. a particular purpose and the General knowledge and appreciation of science and its (unrestricted) Fund. The classifications made applications throughout Scotland. are as follows: Piazzi Smyth Legacy Fund – to fund high General Fund altitude astronomical research. A discretionary Fund available to the Council to meet the ordinary activities of the Society. Sillitto Fund – to promote interest in physics among young people. CASS Fund – to fund academic / industrial Designated Funds

368 ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH Trustees’ Report and Accounts to 31 March 2012 notes to the ﬁnancial statements

Publication income receivable in foreign currencies is converted into sterling at rates Charitable activities of exchange ruling at the date of receipt. Grants payable are recognised as a liability Minor equipment is charged against revenue when the RSE is under an actual or in the year of purchase. Computer and Incoming resources for research fellowships constructive obligation to make a transfer to audio-visual is depreciated on a straight line are accounted for in the period in which the a third party. Where grants are time related basis over 3–20 years. RSE becomes entitled to the resources. to future periods and are to be financed by Income received for specific projects, and specific grants receivable in those future Investments received in advance of the commencement periods, they are treated as liabilities of those Investments are stated at their market value of the project, is deferred. If the project were periods and not as liabilities at balance sheet at the balance sheet date. Gains and losses on not to proceed as planned, the RSE would date. Such grants are disclosed as future disposal and revaluation of investments not be entitled to retain the funds. For commitments. are charged or credited in the statement of performance-related grants, where financial activities and allocated to funds in entitlement to the incoming resource only Governance costs accordance with their proportionate share arises with the performance of the specific Governance costs are those incurred in of the investment portfolio. outputs agreed under the contracts, income is connection with the management of RSE deferred. assets, organisational administration and Pensions compliance with constitutional and statutory The RSE participates in defined benefit Resources expended requirements. pension schemes which are externally funded. Expenditure and support costs The cost of providing pensions is allocated Tangible fixed assets, depreciation All resources expended are included on over employees’ working lives with the RSE and repairs an accruals basis, having regard to any and is included in staff costs. constructive obligations created by The RSE’s principal assets are its buildings in multi-year grant commitments. George Street, Edinburgh. Under FRS15 the Pension fund assets arising from valuations Society depreciates the buildings assuming under FRS 17 are recognised only to the Where directly attributable, resources a 50-year life. It is the policy of the Council to extent that the asset is recoverable in the expended are allocated to the relevant maintain the buildings to a high standard. Any foreseeable future. functional category. Overhead and support permanent diminutions in value are reflected in costs are allocated to functional category the statement of financial activities. Costs of Foreign exchange on the basis of direct staff costs in each repairs and maintenance are charged against Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign area of activity. revenue. currencies are translated at the rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date, Cost of generating funds Expenditure incurred by the RSE Scotland while transactions arising during the year are The cost of generating funds includes Foundation in the improvements to translated at the spot rate prevailing when the expenditure incurred in supporting the 26 George Street is being depreciated from the transaction arises. Exchange gains or losses Fellowship and incurred on fundraising date of completion of the refurbishment over arising in the year are recognised in the and development initiatives. the period of the lease to the RSE Scotland Foundation to 30 June 2047. statement of financial activities.

369 ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH The Royal Society of Edinburgh

notes to the ﬁnancial statements

4 Incoming resources

Current year 2012 Voluntary income Activities for Investment Promotion of Other charitable Total 2012 generating income research and activities innovation ££££££

Fellows 209,416 209,416 Individuals 12,435 18,076 30,511 Legacies 1,630,386 1,630,386 Companies 24,300 34,228 58,528 Charitable trusts 11,048 13,593 23,469 48,110 Scottish Government 1,783,493 671,507 2,455,000 Public sector bodies 899,955 37,128 937,083 Bank interest 14,383 14,383 Dividends 306,420 306,420

RSE 1,887,585 320,803 2,697,041 784,408 5,689,837 BP Research Fellowship Trust dividends and interest 123,214 123,214 RSE Scotland Foundation grants & donations 12,014 12,014 rental income 253,273 253,273 charitable activities 324,580 324,580 dividends and interest 348,332 348,332

1,899,599 253,273 792,349 2,697,041 1,108,988 6,751,250

Voluntary income Activities for Investment Promotion of Other charitable Total 2011 Prior year 2011 generating income research and activities innovation

££££££

Fellows 208,823 208,823 Individuals and legacies 70,148 17,666 87,814 Companies 16,250 75,268 91,518 Charitable trusts 6,249 123,533 54,905 184,687 Scottish Government 2,214,640 680,910 2,895,550 Public sector bodies 1,068,472 21,768 1,090,240 Bank interest 24,097 24,097 Dividends 214,454 214,454

RSE 301,470 238,551 3,406,645 850,517 4,797,183 BP Research Fellowship Trust dividends and interest 122,113 122,113 RSE Scotland Foundation grant re SBF 107,822 107,822 rental income 253,487 253,487 charitable activities 354,517 354,517 dividends and interest 314,475 314,475

409,292 253,487 675,139 3,406,645 1,205,034 5,949,597

370 ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH Trustees’ Report and Accounts to 31 March 2012 notes to the ﬁnancial statements

4 Incoming resources (continued) 4a Voluntary income 2012 2011 ££ Contributions from RSE Fellows Admission fees 11,200 11,200 Annual subscriptions 172,300 167,971 Income tax recoverable under Gift Aid 25,916 29,652 209,416 208,823 Lessells Trust additional receipt 11,048 6,249 Appeal receipts 6,507 6,027 Legacies 1,630,386 62,500 RSE Young Academy 5,100 Friends of the Society corporate partners 24,300 16,250 Other income 828 1,621 1,887,585 301,470

In addition to the donations set out above, the RSE receives donations made speciﬁcally in support of activities which are included in activities income (see note 26(b)).

5 Incoming resources from charitable activities 2012 2011 ££

Scottish Government Grant – research fellowships 1,648,861 1,727,569 Scottish Government Grant arts & humanities awards 134,632 487,071 Marie Curie COFUND 80,030 22,931 Scottish Enterprise 547,114 573,831 BBSRC Enterprise Fellowships 199,554 369,177 STFC Enterprise Fellowships 73,257 99,253 Gannochy Trust 105,000 Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland 12,093 18,533 Scottish Crucible 1,500 3,280

2,697,041 3,406,645 Scottish Government Grant engagement and innovation 354,408 373,624 Scottish Government Grant – International activities 317,099 307,286 Wider outreach activities 15,049 34,367 Meetings 30,135 36,298 Policy and advice income 43,843 70,473 IEEE / RSE / Wolfson James Clerk Maxwell Award 21,106 22,294 Educational activities 5,790 RSE Beltane Prize for Public Engagement 2,500 Sale of sundry publications 268 385

784,408 850,517

RSE Scotland Foundation – Journal publications 195,975 206,070 RSE Scotland Foundation – Conference facilities letting 128,605 128,847 RSE Scotland Foundation Science and society 19,600

324,580 354,517

3,806,029 4,611,679

Further information relating to grants, donations and receipts and their application is set out in note 26.

371 ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH The Royal Society of Edinburgh

notes to the ﬁnancial statements

6 Resources expended 2012 2011

Direct costs Support costs Total 2012 Direct costs Support costs Total 2011 (Note 12) (Note 12) ££££££ Costs of generating funds Fundraising 3,127 94,240 97,367 9,596 117,823 127,419 Fellows’ subscriptions 91,055 91,055 78,760 78,760 Appeal donations 9,845 9,845

3,127 185,295 188,422 9,596 206,428 216,024 Building management 65,768 65,768 65,099 65,099 Investment fees 940 940 330 330

Total costs of generating funds 4,067 251,063 255,130 9,926 271,527 281,453

Charitable activities Enhancing World-Class Research 2,158,498 203,078 2,361,576 2,627,491 277,571 2,905,062 Increasing International Research Connections 207,560 115,881 323,441 195,361 116,626 311,987 Improving Connections Between Business and Academia 712,916 109,374 822,290 1,001,380 102,698 1,104,078 Increasing Numbers Taking Science as a Career 30,601 66,831 97,432 32,349 51,772 84,121 Enhancing Public Appreciation of Science and Culture 84,687 255,486 340,173 126,523 237,657 364,180 Informing and Inﬂuencing Public Policy 55,209 260,094 315,303 73,391 214,781 288,172 RSE Young Academy of Scotland 48,935 21,747 70,682

3,298,406 1,032,491 4,330,897 4,056,495 1,001,105 5,057,600

RSE Scotland Foundation Journal Publications 81,504 44,199 125,703 117,903 40,027 157,930 Science and society 2,573 2,573 1,742 5,710 7,452 SBF 4,932 3,750 8,682 87,582 15,000 102,582 Conference facilities letting 6,000 95,490 101,490 95,830 95,830

95,009 143,439 238,448 207,227 156,567 363,794

Total cost of charitable activities 3,393,415 1,175,930 4,569,345 4,263,722 1,157,672 5,421,394

Exeptional FRS 17 pension credit (240,000) (240,000)

Governance (note 11) RSE 5,908 103,012 108,920 5,216 112,028 117,244 RSE Scotland Foundation 5,058 40,132 45,190 5,139 35,978 41,117 BP Research Fellowship Trust 1,260 1,260 1,260 1,260

Total governance costs 12,226 143,144 155,370 11,615 148,006 159,621

Resources expended 3,409,708 1,570,137 4,979,845 4,285,263 1,337,205 5,622,468

Central support costs as set out in note 12 have been allocated to activities in proportion to the employment cost in each area of activity.

372 ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH Trustees’ Report and Accounts to 31 March 2012 notes to the ﬁnancial statements 7 Grants payable 2012 2011 ££

Promotion of research (note 8) 2,315,558 2,852,670 Prizes and grants (note 8) 46,018 52,392 Promotion of Innovation (Note 9) 822,290 1,104,078

3,183,866 4,009,140

8 Enhancing World-Class Research 2012 2011 ££

Promotion of Research Scottish Government Fellowships 1,526,453 1,601,001 Marie Curie COFUND actions 74,949 23,467 Arts & Humanities Workshop Grants 120,745 460,071 CRF European Fellowships 30,303 18,191 CRF Personal Fellowships 111,458 180,180 Robert Cormack Bequest 6,457 5,640 John Moyes Lessells Scholarship 19,017 29,617 Auber Bequest Awards 3,000 Henry Dryerre Scholarship 20,755 20,333 Other direct costs 4,202

RSE 1,917,339 2,338,500 BP Research Fellowship Trust 123,335 149,274 RSE Scotland Foundation CRF 79,093 95,933

2,119,767 2,583,707

Support costs (note 6) 195,791 268,963

2,315,558 2,852,670

Prizes and Grants 38,731 43,784 Support costs (note 6) 7,287 8,608

46,018 52,392

2,361,576 2,905,062

An analysis of institutions and individual awards made under this expenditure heading is included in the Society’s Review 2011, obtainable from the address on the back cover.

373 ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH The Royal Society of Edinburgh

notes to the ﬁnancial statements

9 Improving connections between business and academia

2012 2011 ££

Scottish Enterprise Fellowships 460,313 506,559 STFC Enterprise Fellowships 65,183 90,095 BBSRC Enterprise Fellowships 175,215 317,780 Gannochy Trust 86,946 Business Innovation Forum 12,205

712,916 1,001,380 Support costs (Note 6) 109,374 102,698

822,290 1,104,078

10 Enhancing public appreciation of science and culture 2012 2011 ££

Meetings 31,801 52,078 Publications 52,886 74,445 84,687 126,523 Support costs (Note 6) 255,486 237,657

340,173 364,180

The RSE Scotland Foundation became publisher of the RSE’s journals and year book with effect from the 1997 volumes. The RSE retains copyright and incurs editorial costs in respect of these publications. The RSE has made a donation to the RSE Scotland Foundation equivalent to its net deﬁcit on publications.

11 Governance 2012 2011 ££

Management and secretariat 103,012 112,028 Audit fee 12,226 11,615 Other professional advice from auditors

115,238 123,643 RSE Scotland Foundation – Management and secretariat 40,132 35,978

155,370 159,621

374 ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH Trustees’ Report and Accounts to 31 March 2012 notes to the ﬁnancial statements

12 Support costs

2012 2011 ££

Staff costs (including secondments) (note 13) 1,119,082 1,065,562 Staff training, agency and recruitment costs 16,098 29,119 Other staff costs 76,320 Non-cash pension cost adjustments (FRS 17) (75,000)

1,136,500 1,094,681 Other costs Establishment expenses 181,699 189,076 Computer and equipment costs 40,079 83,936 Communication, stationery and printing costs 49,165 46,432 Travel and subsistence, hospitality 19,143 21,964 Publicity 9,453 5,820 Miscellaneous 1,644 2,330 Professional fees and subscriptions 12,937 11,021 Depreciation 119,517 121,945

433,637 482,524

Total central costs 1,570,137 1,577,205 Exceptional FRS 17 pension credit (240,000)

1,570,137 1,337,205

Support costs have been allocated to activities in proportion to the employment cost in each area of activity as set out in note 6. The exceptional FRS 17 Pension Credit in 2010 11 was an adjustment to salary costs arising from the calculation of future pension increases being linked to the Consumer Prices Index and not the Retail Prices Index.

13 Employees

2012 Total Secondments RSE Support Funded Funded by RSE Payroll Project costs costs by Foundation 2012 ££ £ £

Wages and salaries 855,286 74,739 (42,423) 887,602 118,114 769,488 Social security costs 60,630 (349) 60,281 7,851 52,430 Other pension costs 171,199 171,199 24,783 146,416

1,087,115 74,739 (42,772) 1,119,052 150,748 968,334

Employees

2011 Total Secondments RSE Support Funded Funded by RSE Payroll Project costs costs by Foundation 2011 ££ £ £

Wages and salaries 839,354 12,395 (10,141) 841,608 112,126 729,482 Social security costs 63,157 (465) 62,692 7,573 55,119 Other pension costs 161,363 (101) 161,262 21,652 139,610

1,063,814 12,395 (10,707) 1,065,562 141,351 924,211

The average number of employees of the RSE including those employed under joint contracts with the RSE Scotland Foundation was 29 (2011:29). One member of staff earned over £60,000 per year and is a member of a deﬁned beneﬁt pension scheme.

375 ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH The Royal Society of Edinburgh

notes to the ﬁnancial statements 14 Tangible ﬁxed assets 22 24 George Street 26 George Street Improvments Computer Total Group Purchase cost Purchase cost Purchase cost & equipment £££££ Cost At 1 April 2011 1,103,038 1,647,468 2,136,070 356,762 5,243,338 Additions Disposals

At 31 March 2012 1,103,038 1,647,468 2,136,070 356,762 5,243,338

Depreciation At 1 April 2011 264,730 395,392 527,172 283,973 1,471,267 On disposals Charge for the year 22,061 32,949 44,467 20,040 119,517

At 31 March 2012 286,791 428,341 571,639 304,013 1,590,784

Net book value At 31 March 2012 816,247 1,219,127 1,564,431 52,749 3,652,554

At 31 March 2011 838,308 1,252,076 1,608,898 72,789 3,772,071

RSE Net book value At 31 March 2012 816,247 1,219,127 22,994 2,058,368

At 31 March 2011 838,308 1,252,076 25,068 2,115,452

15 Fixed asset investments Value at Investments Proceeds on sale Gain / (Loss) Revaluation Market value at 1 April 2011 made at cost of investments 31 March 2012 ££ ££ ££ (a) Fixed asset investments RSE Managed Funds 1,200,638 648,450 (149,253) (4,981) (8,427) 1,686,427 Fixed interest 1,697,160 547,300 (474,116) (6,452) 121,669 1,885,561 UK equities 3,156,824 1,744,723 (556,782) 17,160 (22,699) 4,339,226 Cash deposits 10,171 (1,160,473) 1,180,151 29,849

6,064,793 1,780,000 5,727 90,543 7,941,063 BP Research Fellowship Trust Managed Funds 736,470 148,094 (246,616) 2,282 (1,532) 638,698 Fixed interest 812,634 189,027 (353,715) (45,356) 45,835 648,425 UK equities 1,394,508 393,085 (161,526) 3,724 (8,574) 1,621,217 Cash deposits 2,517 (730,206) 761,857 34,168

2,946,129 (39,350) 35,729 2,942,508 RSESF Caledonian Research Fund Managed Funds 1,558,876 552,227 (361,946) 5,031 (29,026) 1,725,162 Fixed interest 2,418,155 349,303 (977,181) 34,061 126,557 1,950,895 UK equities 4,058,232 1,110,906 (719,345) 18,351 (15,523) 4,452,621 Cash deposits 41,707 (2,012,436) 2,058,472 87,743

8,076,970 57,443 82,008 8,216,421

17,087,892 1,780,000 23,820 208,280 19,099,992 The loss on sale of investments measured against their historical cost was £524,473 (2011: £678,408) The historical cost of investments was £17,125,455 (2011: £14,820,983). (RSE £7,415,150, 2011: £5,465,908). Investments comprising more than 5% of the market value of the portfolio were: European Investment Bank 4.75% (2018).

376 ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH Trustees’ Report and Accounts to 31 March 2012 notes to the ﬁnancial statements 15 Fixed asset investments (continued)

(b) Loan by RSE to RSE Scotland Foundation 2012 2011 ££

Due within one year 46,808 46,808 Due after one year 1,610,288 1,657,096

1,657,096 1,703,904

The loan bears interest at 4% per annum, capped at the amount of rent received by the Foundation and is repayable over the period to 30 June 2047, the expiration of the lease of 26 George Street.

16 Debtors 2012 2011 ££

General debtors 849,852 1,118,998 Prepayments and accrued income 9,852 5,285 Income tax recoverable

RSE 859,704 1,124,283 RSE Scotland Foundation Debtors 35,779 76,374 RSE Scotland Foundation Prepayments 12,488 10,897 BP Research Fellowship Trust 2,624 5,608

Group 910,595 1,217,162

17 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 2012 2011 Group ££

General creditors 594,274 870,246 Accruals 169,830 98,260 VAT payable 55,478 30,873 Deferred income 372,141 433,224 Event income deferred 68,856 51,341 Advance receipts – Publications 111,046 86,769

1,371,625 1,570,713

377 ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH The Royal Society of Edinburgh

notes to the ﬁnancial statements

17 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year (continued) Deferred income and advance receipts analysis At 1 April 2011 Received in year Recognised in year Exchange difference At 31 March 2012 ££ £ £ £

Marie Curie COFUND 409,224 24,805 (74,949) (15,846) 343,234 Friends of the Society 4,000 30,800 (24,300) 10,500 Climate Change Inquiry 20,000 (20,000) Computing Project 42,250 (23,843) 18,407

433,224 97,855 (143,092) (15,846) 372,141

Journal receipts 86,769 220,252 (195,975) 111,046

Event income 51,341 36,665 (19,150) 68,856

RSE 2012 2011 ££

General creditors 667,817 878,836 RSE Scotland Foundation current account accruals 1,104,319 923,238 Deferred income 372,141 433,224 Symposia income deferred 68,856 51,341

2,213,133 2,286,639

18 Provision for liabilities and charges £ Commitments for research fellowships At 1 April 2011 – Group & RSE 217,850 New commitments: Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland Research Fellowships Grants paid in the year (86,970) At 31 March 2012 130,880

The provision represents amounts payable under a constructive obligation in respect of research fellowships and studentships due as follows: 2012 13 £71,362; 2013 14 £21,350; 2014 15 £8,500.

19 General Fund £

At 1 April 2011 758,237

Net movement in funds for the year from statement of ﬁnancial activities (134,351)

At 31 March 2012 623,886

378 ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH Trustees’ Report and Accounts to 31 March 2012 notes to the ﬁnancial statements 20 Designated Funds At 1 April 2011 Investment Other income Expenditure Gains /(Losses) Transfers At 31 March 2012 income

££ ££ ££ £

Capital Asset Reserve 3,794,290 (101,818) 3,692,472 Development Appeal Fund 2,884,737 162,548 1,630,386 (74,291) 50,919 4,654,299 Programme Fund 125,951 5,549 (124) 1,743 133,119 CH Kemball Fund 28,348 1,249 (378) 392 29,611 Grants Fund 632,784 27,880 (15,068) 8,759 654,355 Dr James Heggie Fund 232,500 10,244 (4,097) 3,218 241,865

7,698,610 207,470 1,630,386 (93,958) 65,031 (101,818) 9,405,721

The transfers represent the release from the Capital Asset Reserve of a total of £101,818 to match the depreciation of buildings and the amount of capital repayment of the loan to the Foundation.

21 Restricted Funds

At 1 April 2011 Investment Other income Expenditure Gains /(Losses) Transfers At 31 March 2012 income

££ ££ ££ £

Robert Cormack Bequest 112,288 4,947 (7,700) 1,554 111,089 Lessells Trust 459,521 20,246 11,048 (27,049) 6,361 470,127 Auber Bequest 465,155 20,494 (11,131) 6,439 480,957 Prizes Fund 69,042 3,042 (1,219) 956 71,821 Dryerre Fund 509,089 22,430 (29,654) 7,047 508,912 Fleck 106,074 4,673 (1,854) 1,468 110,361 Piazzi Smyth 14,406 635 (972) 199 14,268 Sillitto 34,216 171 (150) 34,237 Others 28,172 1,241 (492) 390 29,311 Edinburgh Drug Absorption Foundation 121,375 607 121,982 Restricted Income Fund 3,392,153 (3,392,153)

RSE 1,919,338 78,486 3,403,201 (3,472,374) 24,414 1,953,065 RSE Scotland Foundation 8,853,019 348,332 589,867 (731,028) 139,451 (7,739) 9,191,902 BP Research Fellowship Trust 2,952,470 123,214 (136,458) (3,621) 2,935,605

Total 13,724,827 550,032 3,993,068 (4,339,860) 160,244 (7,739) 14,080,572

379 ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH The Royal Society of Edinburgh

notes to the ﬁnancial statements 21 Restricted funds (continued) “Prizes Fund” comprises The Keith Fund, The Neill Fund, The Makdougall-Brisbane Fund, The Gunning-Victoria Fund, The James Scott Prize Fund, the Bruce-Preller Lecture Fund, The Dr DA Berry Fund, The Henry Duncan Prize Lecture Fund and The BP Prize Lecture in the Humanities Fund. “Others” comprise the Retailing Seminars Fund and The CASS Fund. The Restricted Income Fund represents restricted income received and expended in the year. Under the terms of the Lessells Trust the University of Glasgow is entitled to 10% of additional amounts received by the RSE from the Trust. The funds of the RSE Scotland Foundation are treated as restricted in respect of the consolidated accounts and comprise the endowment for the upkeep of the James Clerk Maxwell statue £37,524, the CRF fund of £8,333,150 and the balance of the Foundation general fund of £821,226.

22 Analysis of assets between funds

General Designated Funds Restricted Funds 2012 2011 Group £ £ £ £ £

Fund balances at 31 March 2012 are represented by: Tangible ﬁxed assets 22,994 2,035,374 1,594,186 3,652,554 3,772,071 Investments 493,556 5,616,426 12,990,010 19,099,992 17,087,892 Loan to RSE Scotland Foundation 1,657,096 (1,657,096) Current assets 859,704 50,891 910,595 1,217,162 RSE Scotland Foundation current account (1,104,319) 1,104,319 Deposits 295,112 96,825 1,262,255 1,654,192 1,763,061 Cash 295,351 295,351 130,051 Current liabilities (238,512) (1,133,113) (1,371,625) (1,570,713) Provisions for liabilities and charges (130,880) (130,880) (217,850) Pension fund liability

623,886 9,405,721 14,080,572 24,110,179 22,181,674

General Designated Funds Restricted Funds 2012 2011 RSE £ £ £ £ £

Fund balances at 31 March 2012 are represented by: Tangible ﬁxed assets 22,994 2,035,374 2,058,368 2,115,452 Investments 493,556 5,616,426 1,831,081 7,941,063 6,064,793 Loan to RSE Scotland Foundation 1,657,096 1,657,096 1,703,904 Current assets 859,704 859,704 1,124,283 RSE Scotland Foundation current account (1,104,319) (1,104,319) (923,238) Deposits 295,112 96,825 1,123,166 1,515,103 1,763,061 Cash 295,351 295,351 109,181 Current liabilities (238,512) (870,302) (1,108,814) (1,363,401) Provisions for liabilities and charges (130,880) (130,880) (217,850) Pension fund liability

623,886 9,405,721 1,953,065 11,982,672 10,376,185

380 ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH Trustees’ Report and Accounts to 31 March 2012 notes to the ﬁnancial statements 23 Pension costs

(a) Universities Superannuation Scheme

The RSE participates in the Universities Superannuation Scheme, a defined benefit pension scheme which is externally funded and contracted out of the State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme. The assets of the scheme are held in a separate trustee-administered fund. The fund is valued every three years by a professionally qualified independent actuary using the projected unit method, the rates of contribution payable being determined by the trustee on the advice of the actuaries. In the intervening years the actuaries review the progress of the scheme.

Because of the mutual nature of the scheme, the scheme's assets are not hypothecated to individual institutions and a scheme-wide contribution rate is set. The RSE is therefore exposed to actuarial risks associated with other institutions' employees and is unable to identify its share of the underlying assets and liabilities of the scheme on a consistent and reasonable basis and therefore, as required by FRS 17 "Retirement beneﬁts", accounts for the scheme as if it were a deﬁned contribution scheme. As a result, the amount charged to the income and expenditure account represents the contributions payable to the scheme in respect of the accounting period.

At 31 March 2012, USS had over 145,000 active members and the RSE had two active members participating in the scheme.

The latest actuarial valuation of the scheme was at 31 March 2011. The most signiﬁcant assumptions, those relating to the rate of return on investments and the increase in salary and pensions are as follows:

Past service Future service liabilities liabilities

Investment return 6.1 6.1

Salary increase 4.4 4.4

Pension increase 3.4 3.4

At the valuation date the market value of the scheme’s assets was £32,433.5 million and the value of the scheme’s technical provisions was £35,343.7 million on the scheme’s historical funding basis. The value of the assets represented 92% of the benefits that had accrued to members, after allowing for expected future increases in earnings. As part of this valuation, the trustees have determined, after consultation with the employers, a recovery plan to pay off the shortfall by 31 March 2021. Since the previous valuation as at 31 March 2008, there have been a number of changes to the benefits provided by the scheme, although these became effective from October 2011. These include: change to career revalued benefits for new entrants, normal pension age increase to 65, increase in member contributions and cost sharing, in the ratio 65:35 employers to members, of the excess contribution over 23.5%.The contribution rate payable by the RSE in the year was 16.0% of pensionable salaries. The actuary has confirmed that it is appropriate to take the pension charge to be equal to the actual contribution paid during the year. The total pension cost payable to USS in the year was £17,427.

(b) Lothian Pension Fund

The RSE also participates in the Lothian Pension Fund, a deﬁned beneﬁt pension scheme established under Local Government Pension Fund Regulations. This scheme has determined that it is possible to ascertain the shares of assets and liabilities relating to individual admitted bodies. The assets of the scheme are held in a separate trustee-administered fund.

The fund is valued every three years by a professionally qualiﬁed independent actuary using the projected unit method, the rates of contribution payable being determined by the trustee on the advice of the actuaries. In the intervening years the actuaries review the progress of the scheme.

At the latest valuation date the market value of the scheme’s assets was £2,903 million and the value of past service liabilities was £3,427 million. The value of the assets represented 85% of the beneﬁts that had accrued to members, after allowing for expected future increases in earnings. The contribution rate payable by the RSE was: 22.7%. The actuary has conﬁrmed that it is appropriate to take the pension charge to be equal to the actual contribution paid during the year.

381 ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH The Royal Society of Edinburgh

notes to the ﬁnancial statements 23 Pension costs (continued) Pension fund asset / (liability) The RSE pension fund asset at 31 March and the movements of its component parts comprise:

2012 2011 £’000 £’000

Present value of funded liabilities (deﬁned beneﬁt obligation) (2,209) (2,087) Fair value of employer assets 2,441 2,174

Net asset at 31 March 232 87

In accordance with the accounting policy, this asset is not recognised in the balance sheet as it is not expected to be recoverable in the foreseeable future.

2012 2011 Movement in present value of deﬁned beneﬁt obligation £’000 £’000

At 1 April 2,087 2,299 Current service cost 117 147 Past service costs (222) Interest cost 119 123 Contribution by members 45 46 Actuarial losses/(gains) (137) (299) Beneﬁts paid (22) (7)

At 31 March 2,209 2,087

2012 2011 Movement in fair value of employer assets £’000 £’000

At 1 April 2,174 1,884 Expected return on assets 158 144 Contributions by members 45 46 Contributions by the employer 153 144 Actuarial gains/(losses) (67) (37) Beneﬁts paid (22) (7)

At 31 March 2,441 2,174

2012 2011 The net expense recognised in the statement of ﬁnancial activities after FRS17 adjustments was £’000 £’000

Current service cost 117 147 Interest cost 119 123 Expected return on employer assets (158) (144) Past service cost/(gain) (222)

78 (96)

The total amount recognised in the statement of ﬁnancial activities in respect of actuarial gains and losses is a loss of £75,000 (2011: gain of £175,000). This loss has been calculated to eliminate the net asset to reﬂect the expectations in respect of its recovery at 31 March 2012.

382 ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH Trustees’ Report and Accounts to 31 March 2012 notes to the ﬁnancial statements 23 Pension costs (continued) The fair value of the employer assets at 31 March and the return on them in the year was: Value Return Value Return 2012 2012 2011 2011 £’000 % £’000 % Equities 1,929 6.2 1,718 7.5 Bonds 195 4.0 174 4.9 Property 268 4.4 217 5.5 Cash 49 3.5 65 4.6

2,441 2,174

Actual return on plan assets 48 109

The expected rates of return on plan assets are determined by reference to relevant indices. The overall expected rate of return is calculated by weighting the individual rates in accordance with the anticipated balance in the Plan’s investment portfolio.

Principal actuarial assumptions (expressed as weighted averages) at the year end were as follows: 2012 2011 %% Inﬂation/pension increase rate 2.5 2.8 Salary increase rate 4.8 5.1 Expected return on assets 5.8 7.0 Discount rate 4.8 5.5 The salary increase assumption at 31 March 2012 is 1% per annum for the ﬁrst two years thereafter. The assumptions relating to longevity underlying the pension liabilities at the balance sheet date as based on standard actuarial mortality tables and include an allowance for future improvements in longevity. The assumptions are equivalent to expecting a 65 year old to live for a number of years as follows: Males 2012 Females Males 2011 Females

Current pensioners 20.4 years 22.8 years 20.8 years 24.1 years Future pensioners 22.6 years 25.4 years 22.3 years 25.7 years

The history of the plan for the current and prior 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 periods is as follows: £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000

Present value of defined benefit obligation (2,209) (2,087) (2,299) (1,128) (1,145) (1,298) (1,250) Fair value of employer assets 2,441 2,174 1,884 1,267 1,437 1,347 1,130 Surplus/(deficit) 232 87 (415) 139 292 49 (120) Experience gains and losses on assets and liabilities have been as follows: 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 Experience gains/(losses) on liabilities 180 28 (1) (30) Experience gains/(losses) on assets (67) (37) 374 (396) (140) 8 171

The projected amount to be charged in respect of the Lothian Pension Fund defined benefit scheme in the next financial year is £93,000.

(c) Pension charge The total pension charge for the year, before the FRS17 pension credit, was £171,199 (2011: £161,519 before FRS 17 pensions credit).

383 ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH The Royal Society of Edinburgh

notes to the ﬁnancial statements 24 Transactions with Related parties (a) Council members No member of Council received any payments other than reimbursements of expenditure on travel and subsistence costs actually and necessarily incurred in carrying out their duties as Councillors and Ofﬁcers. The aggregate of such reimbursements to those Council members who charged expenses amounted to £1,185 (2011: £1,538).

b) Other related parties The RSE Director of Finance is also a part-time employee of the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland, which administers postgraduate scholarships on behalf of the Foundation. In 2011 12 the Foundation made payments in support of the studentship scheme amounting to £79,093 (2011 £95,933).

25 Connected charitable trusts (a) RSE Scotland Foundation The RSE Scotland Foundation is a charitable trust, recognised in Scotland as Scottish charity number SCO24636. It was created in March 1996 with the object of advancing the education of the public in Scotland in science and engineering and in so doing to conserve the scientific and cultural heritage of Scotland. The President, General Secretary, Treasurer, Curator and a Vice-President of the RSE are ex officiis Trustees of the Foundation, which draws on the resources of the RSE in carrying out its objects. The Foundation also has five nominated Trustees. The Foundation became publisher of the RSE’s journals under a Publications Rights License effective from 1 January 1997. On 1 July 1997 the RSE granted to the Foundation a 50-year lease over 26 George Street carrying an obligation to refurbish the building within a three-year period. The Council of the RSE agreed to make a loan of up to £2.3 million available to the Foundation in support of the refurbishment. The agreed terms of the loan are as described in note 15.

(b) BP Research Fellowships Trust The BP Research Fellowships Trust funds a scheme of post doctoral research fellowships administered by the RSE.

26 Supplementary information: grants, donations and receipts

(a) Scottish Government Grants Income

2012 2011 ££

Promotion of research 1,648,861 1,727,569 Arts and Humanities Award 134,632 487,071 Generating & Communicating knowledge 317,099 373,624 International activities 354,408 307,286

2,455,000 2,895,550

The funding for 2011 12 was a grant under S23 Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985 in support of the four programmes of activity: Research Fellowships, Arts & Humanities Awards; International grants & relations and Generating & Communicating knowledge.

At 31 March 2012 the financial commitment in respect of Personal and Support Fellowships awarded subject to Scottish Government funding in the years, 2012 13, 2013 14 and 2014 15 amounted to £1,528,422, £1,114,277 and £502,302 respectively. These amounts are treated as obligation of future years to be financed by specific funding expected to be made available from the Scottish Government.

384 ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH Trustees’ Report and Accounts to 31 March 2012 notes to the ﬁnancial statements 26 Supplementary information: grants, donations and receipts (continued) (b) Recurring donations in support of activities

The Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland supports postdoctoral fellowships, postgraduate studentships and lectures and conferences to fund and disseminate research aimed at improving the quality of life for an ageing population.

Scottish Enterprise Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland ££

Income Promotion of research & innovation 547,114

Costs

Promotion of research & innovation 460,313 74,878 RSE @ Dumfries & Galloway Provision for future costs RSE administration and staff costs recovery 86,801 12,092

547,114 86,970

The RSE gratefully acknowledges all those who make donations in support of activities. The companies, trusts and other bodies which made donations of £1,000 or more in support of activities in the year ended 31 March 2012 were as follows:

Anonymous Microsoft Research University of Glasgow Arts & Humananities Research Council National Telford Institute University of the West of Scotland Brightsolid Online Innovation Ltd Ove Arup & Partners Scotland Ltd WMD Awareness Group Chartered Institute for IT (CAS) Royal Academy of Engineering Wolfson Microelectronics plc Edinburgh Consortium for Rural Research Scotland IS Ltd Edinburgh Napier University Scottish Cancer Foundation Education Scotland Scottish Funding Council French Embassy Scottish Information & Computer Science Alliance Heriot-Watt University Society of Biology James Weir Foundation University of Edinburgh

385 ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH The Royal Society of Edinburgh

notes to the ﬁnancial statements 26 Supplementary information: grants, donations and receipts (continued)

(d) Friends of the Society

The Friends of the Society corporate partners of the RSE, during the year ended 31 March 2012 were as follows:

Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Council for Development & Industry Arup Group Shell UK BP plc Standard Life plc FES Ltd The Herald Lloyds Banking Group Toshiba Medical Visualisation Systems Europe Ltd Royal Bank of Scotland plc Wood Group Scottish Resources Group Ltd

27 Analysis of net funds At 31 March 2012 Cash ﬂows At 1 April 2011 £££

Cash at bank 295,351 165,300 130,051 Deposits – general 295,112 265,756 29,356 Deposits – designated funds 96,825 482 96,343 Deposits – restricted funds 1,262,255 (375,107) 1,637,362

1,949,543 56,431 1,893,112

386