Talent of the future is recognised by Academy

A NEW generation of academics, entrepreneurs, artists and professionals have been chosen for the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s first Young Academy of Scotland.

The RSE, Scotland’s national academy, is the first in the UK to announce such an initiative, joining a growing movement across the world.

This year’s entrants include marine biologist Dr Andrew Mearns Spragg, musician Dr Jane Stanley, a lecturer in music composition and theory at the University of Glasgow, and Dr Lisa DeBruine, a scientist at Aberdeen University whose work explores how human physical appearance affects social decision-making.

The RSE said the aim of the initiative was to stimulate creative ideas and collaborative working that will help address some of the key challenges facing Scotland.

The average age of the first group of members of the Young Academy is 36 and more than 40 per cent are women.

Lord Wilson of Tillyorn, the RSE president, said: “All of the people who have been appointed have demonstrated great ability and potential. I have no doubt that there will be many in this group who will go on the make a significant contribution, both within Scotland and internationally in the years ahead.”

Holyrood education secretary Mike Russell said: “The new Young Academy is supporting the talent of the future, exposing our best young people to the experience and expertise of the RSE Fellowship.”