Three Heriot-Watt staff have been selected as member of the RSE Young Academy of Scotland. Dr Helen Hastie, Lecturer from the School of Mathematical and Computer Science, Daniele Faccio, Reader in Physics and Dr Will Shu, Lecturer in Microengineering, both from the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, were chosen from more than 300 applicants.
A rigorous selection procedure resulted in 68 young academics, entrepreneurs and professionals being chosen to be the first members in Scotland. The Young Academy will be launched at a ceremony in Edinburgh in November.
The RSE has established the Young Academy as a unique opportunity to bring together some of the most able and innovative young academics, entrepreneurs, artists and professionals in Scotland. Every year a new round of applications will be encouraged bringing in a new cohort of members. The aim of the initiative is to stimulate creative ideas and collaborative working that will help address some of the key challenges facing Scotland and contribute to solving some of the global challenges of the 21st Century.
The Young Academy will provide a platform for the best and most forward-looking people of their generation to develop for themselves a distinctive, coherent and influential "voice" to address many of the challenging issues facing society. It will provide a forum for its members to engage with talented individuals beyond their own discipline or profession.
Lord Wilson of Tillyorn, the RSE President said: "This is an exciting and important initiative. We have created the RSE Young Academy of Scotland because we believe that the future vitality of Scotland will depend on how we support and engage with the most talented and creative members of the rising generation. 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."