New Fellows elected to Royal Society of Edinburgh

The Royal Society of Edinburgh, Scotland’s National Academy, has announced that ​Glasgow Caledonian University Professor Ima Jackson and Chair of Court Rob Woodward are among its newest Fellows.

The prestigious society includes Fellows from the sciences, education, the arts, business, and public life. The Fellowship, of around 1,800, are recognised as some of the greatest thinkers, researchers and practitioners working in or with Scotland today.

Ima, who is a Professor of Community Engagement in Social Policy and Infrastructure Development, and Rob, a former CEO of STV Group Plc and founding Trustee of the STV Children’s Appeal, join Olympian and Glasgow Caledonian Honorary Graduate Dame Katherine Grainger, and author Andrew O’Hagan, in this year's cohort of 91.

Professor Jackson said: "I was pleased when the RSE approached me last year to ask if I would accept a nomination to become a Fellow. I think it is helpful to the work that I do to get formal recognition and, of course, lovely for me personally.

“Scotland's National Academy offers important resources and networking potential to focus nationally and internationally on addressing systemic inequity. I am really interested to see what could happen from here."

Rob, who was appointed by the UK Government as Chair of the UK’s Met Office in 2018, said: "I am both honoured and delighted to be made a Fellow of the prestigious and respected Royal Society of Edinburgh. I am deeply aware of the esteemed community I am joining and it will be a privilege to contribute to the Society's great work based on my role with Glasgow Caledonian."

Glasgow Caledonian’s Vice Chancellor and Principal Professor Steve Decent congratulated Professor Jackson and Rob on their election to the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

He said: "On behalf of our University community I would like to congratulate Professor Jackson and our Chair of Court Rob Woodward on their election to the Royal Society of Edinburgh. To be recognised by the Society is an enormous honour.

"For Ima, it is clear recognition of the impact of her work in not only helping systemic processes understand and try to address how racialised health inequity is created and sustained, but also in championing the rights of women and girls.

“For Rob, this recognises his outstanding contribution to not only our University for the Common Good and the wider Higher Education sector in Scotland, but also his contributions to the UK’s Met Office."

Professor Sir John Ball, the Society's President said: "It is a great privilege to welcome our new Fellows – they represent outstanding commitment and achievement at the highest level across a diverse range of sectors. From scientific advancement that changes lives to leading business innovation recognised across the world, the RSE welcomes the best minds to harness their unique insight and make knowledge useful for the greater good.

“Harnessing our Fellows’ talents and ideas allows us to mobilise a wide range of expertise to tackle some of the most complex challenges society faces. In welcoming our new Fellows, I look forward to seeing the positive effect they will have on society in Scotland and beyond."

RSE Fellows help the RSE deliver its mission of ‘Knowledge made Useful’. The Fellowship covers the physical and life sciences, arts, humanities, social sciences, education, professions, industry, business and public life.