Edinburgh Napier University

Professor Mark Huxham from the University’s School of Applied Science is one of 64 new Fellows appointed to the prestigious society.

The latest intake joins the current roll of around 1,600, representing the full range of physical and life sciences, arts, humanities, social sciences, education, professions, industry, business and public life. The list is comprised of leading experts and thinkers from Scotland and around the world whose work has a significant impact on our nation.

Professor Huxham is a professor of teaching and research in Environmental Biology at Edinburgh Napier. He has spent nearly two decades working with local communities dependent on mangrove resources to understand their ecosystems better and to use this science to help restore their environments and bring community development benefits.

Professor Huxham said: “I am delighted and honoured to be elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. By promoting the Enlightenment ideals of open discussion, respect for the truth and education for all, the RSE works for a better Scotland and a better World. I will relish the chance to work with other fellows, drawn from the sciences, the arts, business and public life, in supporting this work.”

Professor Huxham has been a key driver of an award-winning conservation project in Kenya.

Mikoko Pamoja – ‘Mangroves Together’ in Swahili - involves Edinburgh-based scientists working with local villagers and researchers to protect threatened mangrove forests and fund community development.

The project in Kenya’s Gazi Bay, 50km south of Mombasa, was named as a winner of the 2017 Equator Prize by the United Nations Development Programme. It was also awarded $50,000 in funding from the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation. His latest research focuses on the future of Blue Carbon science.

Joining Professor Huxham as a new Fellow is Talat Yaqoob. Talat is director of Equate Scotland – the national expert in gender equality throughout the STEM sectors and of which Edinburgh Napier hosts at its Craiglockhart campus. Since 2016, Talat has been leading working to change cultures in organisations and academia to encourage more women into male-dominated fields.

She said: “It is an honour to be elected as a Fellow and have the opportunity to be part of such an esteemed network. I admire the work of The Royal Society of Edinburgh and look forward to playing my role in its aims to engage a diverse range of people, to create a fairer society and to make Scotland a global leader in tackling social and economic challenges.”