How Fellows can get involved

Education is a core policy area for the RSE and is largely driven by its standing Education Committee, convened by Dr Janet Brown FRSE. The committee takes a forward-looking perspective on the future of Scotland’s education system. It promotes the value of multiple learning pathways to build a robust net-zero economy and improve life chances for all of Scotland’s young people. From artificial intelligence to growing interdisciplinarity, the model of education as we know it is rapidly changing – an idea that has been further investigated by RSE’s ‘blue skies’ Tertiary Education Futures project.

In the rapidly evolving education policy field, the Committee is a regular contributor to major policy developments, offering expert advice through advice papers and briefings (to inquiries such as the Hayward review, or the national discussion on education). Regularly engaging with a range of stakeholders across the field, it also facilitates discussion of topical education themes through different events, including roundtables, workshops or conferences.

The Education Committee holds fringe events at major Scottish political party conferences to stimulate debate and discussion on the national reform agenda. Over the coming year and beyond, the committee will integrate this lobbying activity with conversations with the teaching community, learners, parents, and the wider public to develop a holistic and inclusive vision for Scotland’s education system.

Opportunities for Fellows:

• Contribute to advice papers or other working groups which centre on education
• Join the Education Committee (refreshes yearly, a call for expressions of interest is issued to all fellows in due course)
• Contribute as chair/speaker/attendee to education-focused events and activities

To get involved, contact our team at publicpolicy@theRSE.org.uk

Scotland’s governmental and societal priorities cannot be considered apart from developments at a global level. The RSE’s work in these fields will include comparative experience and learning, and the impact of global forces on economic, social, cultural, and environmental matters.

The RSE has a strong international reach and presence, playing a vital role in facilitating and supporting international collaborations between Scotland and other countries. Through the RSE strategic partnerships with prominent academies around the world and working with our Fellows (including our Corresponding Fellows), we can raise awareness overseas of the world-class research and innovation being undertaken in Scotland.

I am sadly all too familiar with the human rights violations that come close to home. Academics, alongside journalists, are often the first to be targeted. There is much to concern us, but also much that an academy can do. Making sure we are intelligent, thoughtful, and not overly hasty in our responses is a critical and distinctive role for our work.

Professor Alison Phipps FRSE, RSE International Committee

We have been working hard to redevelop some of our core activities at the RSE and globally with partners. Development work continues with our Africa Working Group as the RSE partners with the African Academy of Sciences, supporting activity with Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Norway, Taiwan, and various international networks. The RSE, at any one time, has a global footprint across 28 countries through its various activities or funding, and we deliver on our aims through:

• Building links and strategic partnerships with academies and learned societies across the world;
• Facilitating and participating in joint workshops and projects with partners overseas;
• Funding an international exchange programme and enabling international collaborations;
• Harnessing the knowledge and international networks of our Fellows both in Scotland and overseas.

Opportunities for Fellows:

Short-term opportunities:

• International workshop lead or speaker
• International focused roundtable participation

Longer-term opportunities:

• Apply for RSE funding to support international collaboration through workshops, networks and joint projects
• Host incoming delegation visits RSE advisor on the UK Academies Human Rights Committee
• Join active working groups on a range of topics including Scotland Europe Steering Group and Africa Working Group.
• Membership of the International Committee

To get involved, contact our team at international@theRSE.org.uk

As the most prestigious prizes awarded by the RSE, the RSE’s Medals are nominated by Fellows only and awarded to individuals and groups to recognise their truly exceptional contributions and achievements to their field.

The medals programme was revised in 2022 to pay tribute to eminent women for their input across all academic disciplines in Scotland and recognise previously unrepresented sectors. The RSE awards five subject-specific categories to outstanding senior and early-career researchers following the relaunch:

• Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
• Business, Public Service and Public Engagement
• Earth and Environmental Sciences Life Sciences
• Physical, Engineering and Informatic Sciences

Additionally, as part of the relaunch of the RSE Medals, the Mary Somerville Medal celebrates outstanding achievements in teamwork and collaborative endeavour nationally and internationally.

The RSE welcomes and encourages Fellows to nominate talented individuals and teams from all fields of study during the yearly nomination period in the autumn.

Opportunities for Fellows:

• Making nominations for RSE Medals, which include early career and senior medals and the royal medals (the RSE’s highest accolade)

To get involved, contact our team at medals@theRSE.org.uk

The RSE’s reputation for trustworthy policy advice is thanks to its multidisciplinary Fellowship. In partnership with the RSE Policy team, Fellows regularly come together to discuss live and emerging policy issues to grow our catalogue of resources for both decision-makers and the public. Our engagement is twofold – responding to current developments as well as proactively shaping the national policy agenda.

We regularly respond to government consultations and calls for evidence at the Scottish and UK level. We engage directly with parliamentary committees and regularly submit briefings to elected officials. The RSE is also regularly provide oral evidence for governmental and parliamentary committees’ inquiries at the Scottish and UK level.

Fellows can also propose projects and inquiries into issues of contemporary importance to Scotland, such as the Constitutional Futures initiative or the inquiry into public support for tree planting and forestry. Through these activities, the RSE provides neutral ground to unpack complex policy challenges and develop evidence-based recommendations for the benefit of wider society.

There are also standing committees on education and economy and enterprise, as well as newly founded communities of interest on the environment and health and well-being. While committees have been operating for a while now, the communities of interest initiatives are in the early stages of development and there is scope for interested fellows to join these projects at a stage where their remit and objectives are defined.

Guided by RSE’s commitment to impartiality, the RSE regularly organises fringe events at all Scottish party conferences throughout the year, facilitating diverse discussions on a specific topic.

Fellows have the opportunity to contribute to a wide range of policy-focused activities, such as sharing their expertise for written expert advice (e.g. policy advice papers, reports or briefings) or contributing to events (including discussion panels, roundtables and workshops). There are also opportunities for chairing working groups on specific topics to facilitate the provision of expert advice, or preparing public-facing outputs (e.g. blogs, articles, podcasts, talking heads).

Opportunities for Fellows:

Short-term opportunities:

• Contribute to advice papers and other working groups
• Provide oral evidence to parliamentary committees when invited
• Participate in policy-related discussions and events
• Identify new or evolving issues and topics to which the RSE could add value through expert advice

Longer-term opportunities:

• Contribute to inquiries and longer-term areas of work
• Expand and strengthen the RSE’s relationships with academia, business, and other sectors
• Join a standing RSE committee or community of interest

To get involved, contact our team at publicpolicy@theRSE.org.uk

Public engagement is intrinsic to all the RSE’s programmes and activities. As an independent organisation with a reputation for intellectual rigour and a Fellowship of diverse experience and expertise, the RSE is well placed to engage the public and provide an impartial platform for debate.

The RSE’s public engagement strategy builds on the experience and learning from prior years and aims to engage the people of Scotland with four guiding principles:

• Inclusive, inter-generational and for the whole of Scotland
• Multi-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary
• High quality and high impact
• Listening to communities.

The work of the RSE’s Public Engagement Committee utilises different approaches to engage with the public, including: expert talks; panel discussions; group discussions; family days; blogs; interactive exhibitions, and workshops. Our annual summer events programme, Curious, celebrates extraordinary people discussing contemporary issues and big ideas. These multi- and cross-disciplinary activities attract a cross-generational audience and take place in the RSE building, online and in locations throughout Scotland.

We have a young people’s programme which includes the delivery of RSE schools talks, free educational events for schools throughout Scotland. Providing young people in Scotland with a unique opportunity to engage with experts on a wide range of subjects.

Engaging with the public about their expectations of academia is hugely rewarding and a wonderful way of communicating the value of research and developing its societal impact.

Professor Jeremy Smith FRSE

To help us deliver our programme, we seek input from RSE Fellows and other experts. We also work with a range of partner organisations and collaborators to deliver activities and engage with individuals and communities. Looking ahead, we will be continuing to focus on embedding equality, diversity and inclusion throughout the programme, ensuring that our activities are as accessible to all.

Opportunities for Fellows:

Short-term opportunities:

• Contribute to our Scotland-wide series of Schools Talks which run throughout the school year
• Submit an idea for an activity for Curious, the RSE’s summer programme or offer to chair one of the events.

Longer-term opportunities:

• Membership of the Public Engagement Committee
• Provide input and help shape upcoming activities
• Submit an idea for an event or activity for the 2024/25 public engagement programme

To get involved, contact our team at public_engagement@theRSE.org.uk

RSE research promotes innovation and entrepreneurship and supports leading research that benefits Scotland’s cultural, economic and social wellbeing.

The RSE commits substantial resources to its research awards programme, providing types and amounts of funding unavailable from UKRI or other sources. These small-scale awards are critical for early career researchers, prior to attracting larger funding from UK, European and international sources. The RSE also supports and promotes related Scottish Government research programmes and emphasises inclusion and the importance of early career researchers.

Importantly, these support researchers from all academic disciplines; at any career stage; facilitate international and multidisciplinary collaboration; and fund research making a difference in the real world. Surveys confirm that our awards significantly impact supporting career development, facilitating collaborations, leveraging additional funding, and enabling knowledge exchange.

Opportunities for Fellows:

Short-term opportunities:

• Use academic and business contacts to promote the Research Awards
• Suggest how RSE can continue to contribute productively and cost effectively to the benefit of the Scottish economy and add value by collaborating with others

Longer-term opportunities:

• Membership of the Research Committee
• Volunteering to serve on our selection committees

To get involved, contact our team at awards@theRSE.org.uk

The RSE Young Academy of Scotland (YAS) brings together young professionals from all sectors to work together on projects that benefit Scotland and the world. By sharing its members’ expertise and research, YAS investigates pressing social issues, informs public debate, amplifies marginalised voices, and drives transformational change. YAS was set up by the RSE in 2011, as part of an international movement which is seeing national academies worldwide setting up young academies, to engage a younger generation of researchers and professionals in their public benefit work. YAS has around 155 members, all of whom are in their early to mid career.

YAS delivers member-led projects, around three grand challenges, which are set out in its strategic plan, including:

A pairing scheme which brings together Scotland’s policymakers and YAS members for reciprocal workplace shadowing visits to build bridges for future evidenced-based policy collaboration.

Creating a teaching and learning resource for secondary school students on our Charter for Responsible debate.

An interactive online exhibition, coastal knoweldge, highlighting communities on the coast of Scotland.

Visit youngacademyofscotland.org.uk

Opportunities for Fellows:

Short-term opportunities

• Join the monthly YAS and RSE poetry group, which meets online monthly to read and discuss poems that its members select around loose theme
• Volunteer to act as a mentor for a YAS member (all members are offered the opportunity for mentoring, if they wish it)

Long-term opportunities

• Membership of YAS advisory board
• Engage with specific YAS projects as these develop
• Act as a reviewer for YAS membership applications (the next recruitment round will open in January 2024)

To get involved, contact Marie Montondo, mmontondo@therse.org.uk