An Edinburgh Napier academic has been appointed to the RSE Young Academy of Scotland (YAS).
Dr Clare Taylor, senior lecturer in Medical Microbiology within Edinburgh Napier’s School of Applied Sciences, is one of 53 new members elected to the prestigious group.
Founded by the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 2011, YAS provides a platform for young entrepreneurs, professionals and academics to develop a coherent and influential voice, and to address the most challenging issues facing society in Scotland and beyond.
The newly announced group – comprising of 31 women and 22 men in their early-to-mid careers from across Scotland – make up the fifth intake cohort of new members.
Unique among the growing number of young academics worldwide, YAS encourages member applications from individuals in all sectors of society.
Alongside her role as a senior lecturer, Dr Taylor is head of student experience within the School of Applied Sciences as well as chair of the School’s Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Team.
Passionate about engaging people with research in microbiology, especially on topics relating to public health, Dr Taylor has also performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
She said: “I am passionate about science and the contribution it makes to society, and as a public engagement enthusiast, I believe that science will have the greatest impact if it is shared and co-created with the public and policy-makers. Being a member of YAS will provide opportunities to receive mentorship, and contribute to, as well as develop interdisciplinary, innovative projects to benefit Scotland.”
Professor Nasar Meer, YAS co-chair, said: “This is an incredibly talented cohort that brings to YAS a wide variety of expertise which promises to both enrich and expand our wide-ranging activities. We are delighted to welcome them and look forward to working collaboratively in the pursuit of transformative societal change.”
Joining Dr Taylor in the new cohort are Pinar Aksi, admin and development officer at the Maryhill Integration Network, Jonathan Rayner, aviation director at Edinburgh Airport and Catriona Wallace, head of early years at the Scottish Book Trust.
For more information about YAS, please visit
here.