The Royal Society of Edinburgh has announced the 2022 recipients of the RSE Innovator’s Public Engagement Medal and RSE Senior Public Engagement Medal, supported by the James Weir Foundation. These medals recognise exceptional individuals for bringing science to new audiences in a fun and engaging way.
Dr Andrew Wilson
Senior Lecturer, School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Glasgow
Dr Wilson founded the interdisciplinary maths inside photo competition that seeks to spark the mathematical curiosity of the nation and raise awareness of the often-unseen mathematics around us. Attracting thousands of entries and quickly becoming a significant feature of Maths Week Scotland, the initiative provides an accessible and high-quality contest that inspires involvement, creativity, and reflection. In addition, his considerable gifts in the public understanding of science and outreach know no bounds – his Street Maths project brought mathematical topics to new audiences through an interplay between street theatre and mathematical concepts.
Professor Nicola Stanley-Wall FRSE
Professor of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee
Professor Stanley-Wall has had a transformative impact on the culture of Public Engagement within the School of Life Sciences at Dundee University. Professor Stanley-Wall has actively conceived, organised and delivered science communication activities and events, including the biennial “Magnificent Microbes”, which had its seventh event in March 2022. This collaboration with Dundee Science Centre has educated, inspired, and entertained thousands of young people, and families over the last decade. Under her guidance and leadership, resources on microbes were created for Dundee Science Centre’s Home Learning Programme to meet an urgent need for accessible, high-quality resources that reflected the science taking place locally. A genuinely exceptional science communicator who advocates for STEM and has established a legacy of young people who have chosen to continue studying in these disciplines throughout their education, leading to enhanced STEM careers.
Professor Jeremy Smith FRSE Co-Chair of the Public Engagement Advisory Group, Royal Society of Edinburgh said:
It is more important than ever for researchers to step out of their lecture theatres, labs and campuses to engage directly with the public — young and old — and policymakers in really innovative and inspiring ways. I send my warmest congratulations to our two medallists, whose achievements in opening up their disciplines to wider society have been quite remarkable.