Some of Scotland’s most remarkable academic talent is recognised as the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) reveals its 2017 Prize-winners. These awards are presented annually by the Society to individuals who are showing great potential in the early stages of their occupation as well as those who are at the height of their careers.

Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, President of the RSE, commented, “To this year’s RSE Prize-winners I offer my warmest congratulations. Along with previous recipients, they have made truly outstanding contributions to their different disciplines, and in doing so, they reflect the RSE’s remit to support the advancement of learning and useful knowledge. Hailing from diverse disciplines, the 2017 RSE Prize-winners highlight the vitality and scope of Scotland’s academic and professional sector.”

Professor Daniele Faccio, Professor in Physics, School of Engineering & Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, receives the RSE Senior Public Engagement Prize for his science engagement and outreach talks, videos, television and YouTube presentations on black hole physics and novel imaging technologies.

Dr Sinead Rhodes, Deputy Director of Salvesen Mindroom Centre at The University of Edinburgh, is awarded the RSE Innovator’s Public Engagement Prize for her substantial and innovative work with the RSE Young Academy of Scotland (of which she is a member) on the “Research the Headlines” project.

Professor Polly Arnold FRSE, The Crum Brown Chair, School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, is awarded the RSE/Lord Kelvin Medal, a senior career prize, for her outstanding contribution to the field of synthetic chemistry through her world leading research on the lanthanide and actinide elements which has changed the way scientists think about these elements and particularly the behaviour of uranium’s oxide dication which is a major component of nuclear waste.

Professor Neil Gow FRS FRSE, Professor of Microbiology, MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, receives the RSE/Sir James Black Medal, a senior career prize, for his outstanding contribution to the field of mycology through his ground-breaking research on fungi that are pathogenic to humans.

Professor Robert Bartlett FBA FRSE, Bishop Wardlaw Professor of Medieval History, University of St Andrews, receives a Sir Walter Scott Medal, a senior career prize, for his outstanding work as one of the world’s leading historians and for his rigorous, imaginative and highly original research and ways of communicating this to a mass audience.

Dr Stephen Brusatte, Chancellor’s Fellow in Vertebrate Palaeontology, School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, is awarded the RSE/Makdougall Brisbane Medal, an early career prize, for his outstanding research work in the field of palaeontology and particularly his work on preserving Scotland’s fossil heritage and the impact that is having through his huge public engagement portfolio. Dr Brusatte is also a member of the RSE Young Academy of Scotland.

Dr James Chalmers, Discovery Fellow and Honorary Consultant Physician, Division of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Dundee, receives the RSE/Patrick Neill Medal, an early career prize, for his outstanding research work on respiratory infections and his expertise in bronchiectasis.

Mr Mike Welch OBE, CEO and Founder of Blackcircles.com, Peebles, is awarded the RSE/Henry Duncan Medal, an early career prize, for his outstanding business leadership. He took his start-up company to sales of over £60m and has since sold his company to Michelin in a deal estimated to be worth £100m.

Dr Mirko Canevaro, Chancellor’s Fellow in Classics, School of History, Classics & Archaeology, University of Edinburgh, receives the RSE/Thomas Reid Medal, an early career prize, for his outstanding research work on ancient Greek politics and law. Dr Canevaro is also a member of the RSE Young Academy of Scotland.