Becoming a Fellow

As a Fellow of the RSE, you’ll become part of our broad Fellowship comprising experts from all academic disciplines, business, civil society, government and the creative arts who work together to share knowledge and expertise to tackle the most pressing challenges in our society

Jump to: Latest cohorts Categories of Fellowship Disciplines Election process and information

 

Becoming a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh

The Royal Society of Edinburgh was established in 1783 for “the advancement of learning and useful knowledge”. Born out of the Scottish Enlightenment, it remains true to two underpinning principles of the time, which still characterise a Scottish approach to learning:

  • A broad understanding and appreciation of different forms of knowledge within a fellowship that encompasses the breadth of academia along with business, the professions, public service, the arts, heritage and culture.
  • The application of that knowledge for the betterment of society or ‘knowledge made useful’

There are around 1,800 Fellows. The Fellowship is split into four broad Divisions, covering the full range of physical and life sciences, arts, humanities, social sciences, education, professions, industry, business, public service, the arts, heritage and culture. This range of expertise within the Fellowship means that the RSE is well-placed to respond to and provide advice on a wide range of issues.

The over-riding requirement of candidacy for Fellowship is excellence. The Council of the RSE seeks that excellence from across society.

  • Professor Jason Gill FRSE

  • Professor Alison Hulme FRSE and Katherine Grainger FRSE

  • Dr Sabir Zazai FRSE and Professor Alison Phipps FRSE

Latest cohorts

Three categories of Fellowship

  • Ordinary Fellows (FRSE)

    Are active in their area of work and will be able to evidence a contribution across the three dimensions of excellence: outstanding achievement, professional standing and potential contribution to the RSE.

    Are resident in the UK with a clear, continuing connection to Scotland related to their expertise.

    Are requested to pay a joining fee and annual subscriptions. However, RSE does not wish anyone to be excluded from the Fellowship due to financial barriers therefore there is an option for case-by-case support.

    Up to 40 Ordinary Fellows may be elected each year.

     

  • International Fellows (IntFRSE)

    Are resident outside the UK.

    Usually have some demonstrable interest in, or connection to, Scotland.

    Are expected to engage in some way with the RSE – for example, the RSE may approach International Fellows for their views on matters within their expertise to provide an international dimension.

    Election is intended to be honorific, without subscription.

    Are not eligible to hold office or to vote at any meeting of the RSE.

    May take on the rights of a Fellow upon becoming a permanent resident in the UK and subject to RSE Council approval.

    Up to seven International Fellows may be elected each year.

  • Honorary Fellows (HonFRSE)

    Are members of the Royal Family or other individuals of truly exceptional distinction. They should be internationally renowned and are likely to be widely known outside their specialism.

    May be of any nationality or country of residence but should usually have some demonstrable interest in, or connection to, Scotland.

    Election is intended to be honorific, without subscription.

    Are not required to take an active part in the work of the RSE, although they are welcome, and indeed encouraged, to do so.

    Up to three Honorary Fellows may be elected each year, excluding members of the Royal Family.

Fellowship disciplines

The Fellowship is split into four broad Divisions, covering the full range of physical and life sciences, arts, humanities, social sciences, education, professions, industry, business, and public service.

Please note that any candidates who are being put forward for their demonstrable excellence in public engagement will be considered by the division appropriate to their primary area of expertise.

The full list of divisional panels, subdivided by discipline is:

  • Life sciences

    A1: Biomedical and cognitive sciences
    A2: Clinical sciences
    A3: Organismal and environmental biology
    A4: Cell and molecular biology

  • Physical, engineering and informatic sciences

    B1: Physics and astronomy
    B2: Earth sciences and chemistry
    B3: Engineering
    B4: Informatics, mathematics and statistics

  • Arts, humanities and social sciences

    C1: Language, literature and history
    C2: Philosophy, Theology and Law
    C3: History and theory of the creative and performing arts
    C4: Economics and social sciences

  • Business, public service, public engagement and the practice of the creative and performing arts

    D1: Leadership in civil society and the professions
    D2: Leadership in the public sector
    D3: Leadership in the private sector
    D4: Practice of the creative and performing arts

View divisional panel membership

Election to the Fellowship

  • Election process

    Candidates for RSE Ordinary and International Fellowship are peer-nominated by one existing Fellow and seconded by a further two Fellows. The process runs annually and is fully online as described below.

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  • Criteria for election

    The primary qualification for election to Fellowship is excellence, demonstrated by meeting the three criteria: outstanding achievement, professional recognition, and a proposed contribution to the RSE.

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  • Guidance for nomination

    Please review the important guidance before beginning to complete the nomination form and other candidate paperwork.

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