7 March 2006

Outstanding New Fellows will Strengthen Society's Public-Benefit Capacity

Three academics at the University of Dundee are among the latest group of people elected as Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Paul Crocker, Professor in Glycoimmunology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Andrew Morris, Professor of Diabetic Medicine, School of Medicine and Paul Boyle, Honorary Professor in the School of Nursing and Midwifery and Founding Director of the Social Dimensions of Health Institute (a joint project with the University of St Andrews, where he is Professor of Human Geography) have all been elected Ordinary Fellows of the Society.

The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) recognises the outstanding achievements of more than sixty individuals by electing them to its Fellowship. Chosen in recognition of extremely significant contributions to their fields and achievement in public service, a broad spectrum of expertise is represented in the new list of Fellows. Twice Pulitzer Prize-winner, Bernard Bailyn; Nobel Prize-winner, Peter Doherty; the former Head of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Lord Kerr; and the Former President of the Royal Society of London, Lord May of Oxford, are among the top achievers who join the Fellowship of the RSE.

An independent, educational charity, one of the key strengths of the Society is its multidisciplinary make-up, with 1400 experts of national and international standing representing excellence across the subject disciplines. The RSE's Fellowship is further strengthened by the election of: one of India's most distinguished living historian, Romila Thapar; leading architect, Richard Murphy; Paul Madden, Director of the Centre for Science at Extreme Conditions; internationally-renowned Chemical Engineer, Raffaella Ocone; a world authority on marine predators, Sarah Wanless, and the distinguished Health Economist, Mandy Ryan. This year's cohort of newly-elected Fellows includes: Andrew Porter, one of the outstanding innovators of our time; John Peacock, an international figure in Astronomy; Actuarial Scientist and Mathematician, Angus Macdonald; pioneer in the chemistry-biology interface, Tom Simpson; distinguished Economist and Government Advisor, Donald Anderson, and the Auditor General for Scotland, Robert Black.

RSE President, Sir Michael Atiyah commented:

"I am delighted to be able to welcome such an outstanding array of new Fellows to the Society. Conferring the accolade of Fellowship on individuals recognised as amongst the best minds in Scotland and around the world, is the beginning, not the end, of the Society's purpose. The collective expertise and experience of the Fellowship enables the RSE to uphold its Royal Charter of 1783 for the "advancement of learning and useful knowledge" and deliver meaningful, public-benefit activities in today's Scotland."

The full list of New Fellows follows:

HONORARY FELLOWS (*1)

BAILYN, Bernard, CorrFBA. Adams University Emeritus Professor and James Duncan Phillips Emeritus Professor of Early American History, Harvard University.

DOHERTY, Peter Charles, AC, FAA, FRS, Nobel Prize Physiology or Medicine 1996. University of Melbourne Laureate Professor; Michael F Tamer Chair, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis.

KERR, John Olav, GCMG. Member, House of Lords; Trustee, National Gallery; Member Rhodes Trust, Fulbright Commission; Chairman of the Court and Council of Imperial College London. Former: Ambassador to the United States; UK Permanent Representative to the European Union; Permanent Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; Head of the Diplomatic Service; Secretary-General of the European Convention.

MAY, Robert McCredie, OM AC Kt FRS. Professor of Zoology, University of Oxford and Imperial College London. Former: President, Royal Society of London; Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government; Head of the Office of Science and Technology.

CORRESPONDING FELLOWS (*2)

BAIER (Paul) Walter, FIEEE. Professor of Electrical Communications, Director of Research Group for RF Communications, University of Kaiserslautern.

DUNCAN, Ian David. Professor of Neurology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin - Madison.

SZECHI, Daniel. Professor of History, Auburn University.

THAPAR, Romila, CorrFBA. Emeritus Professor of Ancient History, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

ORDINARY FELLOWS (*3)

ADDISON, Paul. Hon Fellow, Centre for the Study of the Two World Wars, University of Edinburgh.

ANDERSON, Donald (Robertson), OBE. International Trade and Economic Affairs Consultant. Former: Director of Communications and Economics, Courtaulds plc; Chair of the CBI Trade Policy Committee; Chair of the Society of Business Economists.

ATTFIELD, (John) Paul. Chair of Materials Science at Extreme Conditions, University of Edinburgh.

AULD, (Alan) Graeme. Professor of Hebrew Bible, Principal of New College, University of Edinburgh

BHATTACHARYA, Shomi S. Professor of Experimental Ophthalmology and Head, Division of Molecular Genetics, University College London.

BLACK, Robert William. Auditor General for Scotland.

BOYLE, Paul Joseph. Professor of Human Geography, University of St Andrews; Director of the Longitudinal Studies Centre, Scotland.

BURTON, (Anthony) Michael. Professor of Psychology, University of Glasgow.

CAMPBELL, Harry. Professor of Genetic Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Edinburgh; Hon Consultant in Public Health Medicine, Lothian Health.

CAMPO, (Maria) Saveria. Professor of Viral Oncology, Cancer Research UK Fellow, University of Glasgow.

CAREY MILLER, David Lancelot. Professor of Property Law, Head of the School of Law, University of Aberdeen.

CARSTEN, Janet. Professor of Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Edinburgh.

CROCKER, Paul Richard. Professor in Glycoimmunology, University of Dundee.

DUFF, Iain Spencer. CCLRC Senior Fellow and Group Leader of Numerical Analysis, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory; Visiting Professor of Mathematics, University of Strathclyde.

FORDE, Michael Christopher, FREng. Carillion Chair of Civil Engineering Construction, Head of Research Institute for Infrastructure and Environment, University of Edinburgh.

GIBSON, Gavin Jarvis. Professor of Statistics, Deputy Head of School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, Heriot-Watt University.

GRANT, Adrian Maxwell. Professor and Director, Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen.

GULLIVER, Stuart. Professor of City Development, University of Glasgow.

HAGAN, Paul. Professor of Parasitology and Dean, Faculty of Biomedical & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow.

HIGHAM, Desmond John. Professor of Mathematics, University of Strathclyde.

ILLIUS, Andrew Warwick. Professor of Animal Ecology, Head of the School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh.

JASPER, David. Professor of Literature and Theology, Head of School of Divinity and Associate Dean for Postgraduates (Arts), University of Glasgow.

KOLCH, Walter. Professor of Molecular Cell Biology and Group Leader, The Beatson Institute for Cancer Research.

LANG, Brian. Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of St Andrews.

LEE, Stephen Leslie. Professor of Magnetism, Head of School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews.

LEIGH BROWN, Andrew James. Professor of Evolutionary Genetics, Head of Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh.

MACDONALD, Angus Smith. Professor of Actuarial Mathematics, Heriot-Watt University; Hon Librarian, Faculty of Actuaries; Director, Maxwell Institute for Mathematical Sciences.

MACRAE, Donald James Renwick. Strategy and Finance Director, Lloyds TSB Scotland; Visiting Professor, University of Abertay; Board Member, Scottish Enterprise; Member: Scottish Executive Economic Statistics and Scottish Executive Economists Advisory Groups.

MADDEN, Paul Anthony, FRS. Professor of Physical Chemistry, Director of Centre for Science at Extreme Conditions, University of Edinburgh.

METCALFE, Neil Benedict. Professor of Behavioural Ecology, University of Glasgow.

MILNE, Ronald. Acting Director of Oxford University Library Services and Bodley's Librarian.

MORRIS, Andrew David. Professor of Diabetic Medicine, University of Dundee.

MULLINS, John James. Professorial Fellow/ Wellcome Trust Principal Research Fellow, University of Edinburgh.

MURPHY, Richard John. Principal, Richard Murphy Architects.

OCONE, Raffaella. Professor and Academic Head of Chemical Engineering, Heriot-Watt University.

ODDS, Frank Christopher. Professor of Medical Mycology,University of Aberdeen.

PEACOCK, John Andrew. Professor of Cosmology, University of Edinburgh.

PORTER, Andrew Justin Radcliffe. Professor of Biotechnology and Deputy Director, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen; CSO, Haptogen Ltd.

RALSTON, Ian Beith McLaren. Professor of Later European Prehistory, University of Edinburgh; Visiting Professor, University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee

REESE, Jason Meredith. Weir Chair of Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics,University of Strathclyde.

ROBINSON, Olivia Fiona. Douglas Professor Emeritus of Roman Law,University of Glasgow.

ROSNER, Guenther. Cargill Chair of Natural Philosophy, University of Glasgow.

RYAN, Mandy Elaine. Professor of Health Economics, University of Aberdeen.

SIBBALD, David James. Chairman and CEO, Sumerian Networks Ltd.

SIMPSON, Thomas James, FRS. Alfred Capper Pass Professor of Chemistry, Head of Organic and Biological Chemistry, University of Bristol.

SMITH, Jeremy John. Professor of English Philology, Head of Department of English Language, University of Glasgow.

STAFFORD, Fiona. Fellow of Somerville College, Reader in English, University of Oxford.

STRACHAN, Tom. Director, Institute of Human Genetics and Centre for Stem Cell Biology & Developmental Genetics, University of Newcastle,

SVENTEK, Joseph S. Professor of Communication Systems, University of Glasgow.

TAIT, Elizabeth Joyce, CBE. Professorial Fellow and Director, INNOGEN, University of Edinburgh.

TAYLOR, Andrew Dawson, OBE. Director of the ISIS, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and a Director of CCLRC.

TODD, Adrian C. Professor of Petroleum Engineering, Heriot-Watt University.

WANLESS, Sarah. Research Ecologist, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Banchory; Hon Professor, University of Glasgow.

WARLOW, Charles Picton. Professor of Medical Neurology, Western General Hospital.

WITHERS, Charles William John. Professor of Historical Geography, University of Edinburgh.

Key to Criteria for Fellowship:

(*1) Honorary Fellows: of exceptional distinction in their own fields and many are widely known outside their own specialisms. Are internationally renowned, may be of any country or domicile and do not need to have a link with Scotland.
(2*) Corresponding Fellows: of significant international distinction within their own subject or profession. Must be domiciled overseas.
(3*) Ordinary Fellows: of national and international standing, based on quality of innovative contributions to their field, or professional standing and achievement in public service. Must have a connection with Scotland.

Notes for News & Features Editors & Pictures Desks:

1. Election to Fellowship of The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE)

Election to Fellowship of the Society honours outstanding achievement across all academic subjects, the professions, the arts, commerce, industry and public life. But conferring the accolade of Fellowship on people recognised as amongst the best minds in Scotland is the beginning, not the end, of the Society's purpose. The collective expertise and experience of the Fellowship is the underpinning foundation of all the other goals of the Society.

2. The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE)

The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) is an educational charity, registered in Scotland. Independent and non-party-political, we are working to provide public benefit throughout Scotland and by means of a growing international programme. The RSE has a peer-elected, multidisciplinary Fellowship of 1400 men and women who are experts within their fields.

The RSE was created in 1783 by Royal Charter for "the advancement of learning and useful knowledge". We seek to provide public benefit in today's Scotland by:

• Organising lectures, debates and conferences on topical issues of lasting importance, many of which are free and open to all
• Conducting independent inquiries on matters of national and international importance
• Providing educational activities for primary and secondary school students throughout Scotland
• Distributing over £1.7 million to top researchers and entrepreneurs working in Scotland
• Showcasing the best of Scotland's research and development capabilities to the rest of the World
• Facilitating two-way international exchange to enhance Scotland's international collaboration in research and enterprise
• Emphasising the value of educational effort and achievement by encouraging, recognising and rewarding it with scholarships, financial and other support, prizes and medals
• Providing expert information on Scientific issues to MSPs & Researchers through the Scottish Parliament Science Information Service.

Further information about the RSE can be found on its website at: http://www.royalsoced.org.uk

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