College of Arts & Humanities

Three member of the College of Arts are part of 11 people from the University community to be made Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE).

In total, 91 Fellows were elected to the RSE this year, joining a total Fellowship of around 1,800 of the greatest thinkers, researchers and practitioners working in or with Scotland.

Those members of the College of Arts community elected as Fellows of the RSE this year are Professor Deirdre Heddon, Professor Catherine Steel and Professor Louise Welsh.

Professor Heddon, James Arnott Professor in Drama, School of Culture & Creative Arts, said: "I am honoured to be elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and look forward to collaborating with other Fellows from across our vibrant and dynamic disciplines, sectors and communities, recognising that it is through interdisciplinary and multi-perspectival ventures that we are best placed to address significant global challenges." 

Professor Steel, Professor of Classics, School of Humanities | Sgoil nan Daonnachdan, said: "I am honoured to be part of the RSE’s 2023 intake into its Fellowship and I look forward to be able to contribute to its work." 

Professor Welsh, Professor of Creative Writing, School of Critical Studies, said: "I am honoured to be elected a Fellow of The Royal Society of Edinburgh. The scope and quality of the knowledge and research the RSE represents is staggering. I hope to be able to work with Fellows across a range of disciplines and contribute to the furtherance of arts, education and equalities in Scotland.”

Welcoming the news, Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University, said: “I’d like to offer my congratulations to the members of the University community who have been honoured by the Royal Society of Edinburgh by being elected as Fellows this year. 

“To be recognised in this way is a notable honour and to have 11 people elected as Fellows this year is testament to the pioneering work being undertaken across the University.  We are proud of all our colleagues who have been nominated as Fellows and it is right that they are recognised for the valuable contribution they make through their work.”

Professor Sir John Ball, President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 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.”

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Royal Society of Edinburgh Fellows

The RSE, using the expertise of its Fellows, creates a unique impact by:

• Inspiring and supporting talent through a wide-ranging programme of research grants and awards.
• Engaging the public across Scotland on key contemporary issues through its outreach programmes and a wide-ranging programme of public events.
• Providing impartial advice and expertise to inform policy and practice through in-depth examination of major issues and providing expert comment on topical matters.
• Promoting Scotland’s interests overseas through building relationships with sister academies across the world and facilitating research collaborations.

 

First published: 21 March 2023