Three Heriot-Watt University academics are among the new cohort selected to join the Royal Society of Edinburgh's Young Academy of Scotland (YAS).
Representing a range of sciences the candidates have been selected based upon evidence of their interdisciplinary work as well as their commitment to contributing to the public good.
Heriot-Watt YAS members
The successful Heriot-Watt YAS members are:
- Professor Guy Walker, Associate Professor, Institute for Infrastructure and Environment, School of the Built Environment
- Dr Verena Teresa Rieser, Lecturer in Computer Sciences, School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences
- Dr Gavin Buckingham, Lecturer in Psychology, School of Life Sciences.
The 43 new members were chosen from over a hundred quality applications after a rigorous review by a combination of Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) Fellows and current YAS members. Made up of 20 women and 23 men, with an average age of 37, this new cohort will bring a range of new and diverse skills from across Scotland to the YAS membership.
The range of interests is extraordinary, as is the commitment of YAS members to the public good of Scotland
Neil McLennan, YAS co-chair, commented, "What stood out most within the applications was the drive and enthusiasm for contributing to the public good. The applicants have clearly recognised the opportunities that come with YAS membership, not least for being part of an organisation looking to benefit society. I am hugely excited to welcome new members from such diverse and varied backgrounds that will bring their knowledge and expertise to assist in widening YAS's impact."
Professor Alan Alexander, General Secretary of the RSE, added, "The YAS brings together the finest young minds and talents in Scotland and the hardest thing about the selection process is having fewer places than the competition merits. The range of interests is extraordinary, as is the commitment of YAS members to the public good of Scotland. On behalf of the RSE, I congratulate the new members on their appointment and I look forward to working with them and to admiring their progress."