Dundee graduate receives surprise Fellowship of the RSA

Published On Tue 11 Dec 2018 by Dominic Glasgow

A University of Dundee graduate has been granted a Fellowship with the Royal Society of Arts (RSA), less than six months after receiving his degree.

Charlie Kleboe-Rogers will join a worldwide group of Fellows, including Stephen Hawking, Dame Judi Dench and Bob Dylan, after being nominated for the prestigious Fellowship.

Charlie, who came to Dundee through a pioneering widening access scheme, said he was so astonished by the anonymous nomination that at first, he thought it was a practical joke.

He said, “I couldn’t believe it. I just didn’t think someone like me would end up becoming a Fellow. I thought it was an honour that other people receive so it really is an amazing privilege to join the RSA and put the letters FRSA after my name.”

Charlie, originally from Catrine in Ayrshire, worked several jobs during his time at university. He also served as Student President at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design during the last two years of his degree in Product Design and also undertook the role of Quality Assurance Agency Student Enhancement Theme Leader working on enhancing Scottish Higher Education. 

Since graduating in June, Charlie has taken up an elected post at Dundee University Students’ Association (DUSA) where he serves as the Vice-President of Academia, helping to make the student experience richer, more inclusive and more enjoyable.

He said, “I am still in complete shock but it has put a lot of things into perspective. It has given me a boost of confidence and it makes me realise that what I’ve been doing for the past few years has made an impact.”

Founded in 1754, the RSA aims to promote creativity across the industry and develop collaborative networks to formulate innovative new ideas and help society flourish. Fellows of the Royal Society are elected by a panel of existing fellows who consider the nominee’s merits, creativity and alignment with the society’s ambitions. Former fellows of the RSA include Karl Marx, Benjamin Franklin and Charles Dickens.

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