9 March 2010
RSE honour for Dundee Academics
The election of new Fellows to the Royal Society of Edinburgh has seen three scientists and one artist from the University of Dundee recognised by the esteemed organisation.
The latest Fellows to be elected from the University are:
- Professor Geoffrey Codd, Professor of Microbiology.
- Professor Will Maclean MBE, Emeritus Professor of Visual Art.
- Professor Allan Struthers, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine.
- Professor Daan van Aalten, Professor of Biological Chemistry.
Professors Codd and van Aalten are based within the University’s College of Life Sciences while Professor Struthers is based at the School of Medicine. Professor Maclean holds an Emeritus position within Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, part of the University.
Each new Fellow of the RSE is recognised within his or her peer group as having achieved excellence within their discipline or profession.
Professor Peter Downes, Principal of the University, congratulated the new Fellows, saying, 'it is perhaps no surprise that this year’s crop of new RSE Fellows come from three of the University’s strongest areas - Life Sciences, Medical Sciences and Art and Design - emphasising the breadth of expertise that exists here.
'It is always a pleasure to see our staff recognised for their contributions to the life and work of the University. These most recent awards further enhance our reputation as one of Scotland’s leading academic institutions.'
The four from Dundee join the RSE’s 1500-strong Fellowship of experts in the Sciences, Arts, Humanities, the Professions, Industry and Commerce. The new Fellows were elected after a rigorous four-stage selection process culminating in a ballot of the entire Fellowship.
Once admitted to the RSE, Fellows are encouraged to contribute to the aims and objectives of the Society, including the provision of expert policy advice to Government and Parliament, outreach education programmes for young people, and public engagement events including conferences and discussion forums. The central aim of the Society is the advancement of learning and useful knowledge.
Announcing the election of a total of 48 new Fellows, the RSE President, Lord Wilson of Tillyorn, said, “Each will, I am sure, be a credit to the Society and I look forward to welcoming them at the new Fellows’ induction day in early May.
'I hope, and expect that our new intake of Fellows will contribute actively to the work that the RSE undertakes in contributing to public policy development, engaging with the public and supporting research and innovation. These are key areas in promoting the core objectives of the Society - the advancement of learning and useful knowledge.'
Notes to editors:
The RSE was founded in 1783 by Royal Charter for the 'Advancement of Learning and Useful Knowledge'. It is Scotland’s National Academy of Science and Letters.
Today it has around 1500 Fellows whose expertise encompasses the full spectrum of the sciences, medicine, engineering and technology, education, law, the arts, humanities, social sciences, business, industry, the professions and public service.
This multi-disciplinary perspective makes the RSE unique amongst the United Kingdom’s learned societies. It is funded by a range of carefully selected charitable, public and private bodies. Its mission today is providing public benefit through the advancement of learning and useful knowledge.
www.royalsoced.org.uk/.
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