I don’t often use this blog to make personal announcements, but given the nature of this one, and the clear link to my work, much of which has been discussed and reported on here, I am making an exception.

Today I have been made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

I am one of three senior staff at the University of Stirling and a former Chair of University Court who have been elected today to the prestigious Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE).

Myself, Professor Rachel Norman, Dean for Research Engagement and Performance; and Ms Cathy Gallagher, Executive Director of Sport, have been made Fellows of Scotland’s National Academy. In addition Dr Alan Simpson OBE, the Lord Lieutenant for Stirling and Falkirk, who served as the University’s Chair of Court for eight years has also been elected.

I am obviously personally delighted by the honour of election to Fellowship of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

The role of place, towns, retailing and communities has been a focus of much of my work at the University of Stirling and through being Chair of Scotland’s Towns Partnership. I hope that my work has made and will continue to make a difference to improving Scotland’s places and communities. I look forward to being able to contribute to the work of the RSE.

The full list of new Fellows can be found on the RSE website.

Professor Sir Gerry McCormac, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Stirling, said: “On behalf of the university community, I send our warmest congratulations to Lord Lieutenant Alan Simpson, Professor Leigh Sparks, Professor Rachel Norman, and Ms Cathy Gallagher on being elected Fellows of The Royal Society of Edinburgh.

“This is prestigious recognition from an internationally-renowned organisation, which celebrates excellence across Scottish society; we are incredibly proud of Alan, Leigh, Rachel and Cathy’s achievements.”

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.”

The RSE – Scotland’s National Academy – was established in 1783 for “the advancement of learning and useful knowledge”, and its mission remains to deploy knowledge for the public good. It has around 1,800 Fellows, who provide independent expert advice to policymakers and inspire the next generation of innovative thinkers.

The Fellows’ knowledge contributes to the social and economic wellbeing of Scotland, its people and the nation’s wider contribution to the global community.

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.