Scotland's Newest Science Champions
Meet the RSE's 2025 Fellows
A Tradition of Excellence Meets Future Innovation
In an era defined by complex global challenges, from climate change to public health crises, the role of scientific excellence has never been more critical. On March 24, 2025, the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE), Scotland's National Academy, welcomed 44 new Fellows into its prestigious ranks, continuing a tradition that began in 1783 during the Scottish Enlightenment 1 8 . These exceptional minds represent the cutting edge of discovery across fields as diverse as space technology, quantum computing, health economics, and cartoon art.
The newly elected Fellows join a distinguished community of approximately 1,800 experts who embody the RSE's founding commitment to "the advancement of learning and useful knowledge" 7 . What sets this cohort apart is not just their individual accomplishments but their collective potential to drive interdisciplinary solutions to society's most pressing problems. From improving vehicle safety worldwide to creating revolutionary quantum computing systems, their work touches lives across Scotland and beyond.
They represent excellence in their fields and will reinforce our ability to tackle the challenges that Scotland, and indeed the wider world, faces now and in the future. Across a range of disciplines, they have each shown an unshakeable commitment to their research, work or craft.
Meet the Visionaries: Profiles in Excellence
The 2025 cohort includes pioneers whose work has transformed their fields. Their election to the RSE recognizes not only past achievements but also the potential for future impact through the Society's multidisciplinary network.
Professor Asad Madni
Honorary Fellow | Space Technology & Engineering
Developed control system for the Hubble Space Telescope's star selector and the GyroChip used in vehicle safety systems worldwide 3 .
Kate Charlesworth
Science Communication & Art
Bridges art and science through illustrations for New Scientist and LGBTQ+ historical documentation in her graphic novel "Sensible Footwear" 3 .
Professor Elham Kashefi
Quantum Computing
Pioneered the world's first method for secure cloud quantum computing and serves as Chief Scientist at the National Quantum Computing Centre .
Selected 2025 RSE Fellows and Their Contributions
| Name | Field | Key Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| Professor Asad Madni | Space Technology & Engineering | Control system for Hubble Telescope's guidance sensor; GyroChip for vehicle safety 3 |
| Kate Charlesworth | Science Communication & Art | Scientific illustration for New Scientist; LGBTQ+ historical documentation 3 |
| Professor Elham Kashefi | Quantum Computing | Pioneered secure cloud quantum computing; verification methods |
| Professor Qammer Abbasi | Applied Electromagnetics | Sensing technologies for societal benefit 8 |
| Professor Olivia Wu | Health Economics | Health technology assessment; international health policy 8 |
The Nuts and Bolts: How the RSE Selects Its Fellows
The path to becoming an RSE Fellow is rigorous and designed to identify truly exceptional contributors across disciplines. The process follows strict guidelines to ensure that only those with demonstrated excellence join Scotland's National Academy.
The Election Process
Unlike many honorary positions that might accept open applications, RSE Fellows must be nominated by existing members. The process requires one Fellow to initiate the nomination and two others to second it, creating a system of peer endorsement that maintains the Fellowship's quality 7 .
The primary qualification for election is excellence across three dimensions: outstanding achievement, professional standing, and societal contribution 7 . This multifaceted criteria ensures that Fellows are not only accomplished in their technical work but have also used their expertise to benefit society - perfectly aligning with the RSE's historical commitment to "knowledge made useful" 7 .
Fellowship Categories
The RSE recognizes three distinct categories of Fellows, allowing for appropriate recognition across different types of contribution:
Fellowship Distribution
RSE Fellowship by the Numbers
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Fellows | Approximately 1,800 1 |
| New Fellows in 2025 | 44 1 |
| Selection Basis | Peer nomination + seconding by two existing Fellows 7 |
| Key Criteria | Outstanding achievement, professional standing, societal contribution 7 |
| Divisions | Physical and life sciences, arts and humanities, social sciences, professions and industry 7 |
Tools of the Trade: The Scientist's Toolkit
The research conducted by RSE Fellows relies on sophisticated tools and methodologies that push the boundaries of what's scientifically possible. From quantum computers to genetic sequencers, these technologies enable the breakthroughs that define their careers.
Quantum Computing
For Professor Elham Kashefi and others working in advanced computing, the toolkit includes:
- Quantum processing units (QPUs) that perform calculations using quantum mechanical phenomena
- Hybrid quantum-classical algorithms that leverage both traditional and quantum computing strengths
- Quantum error correction protocols essential for maintaining computation integrity in fragile quantum states
Space Technology
Professor Asad Madni's work with the Hubble Space Telescope required equally specialized tools, including:
- Fine Guidance Sensors for precise telescope positioning
- Interferometric measurement systems for unprecedented accuracy
- Radiation-hardened electronics capable of functioning in the harsh environment of space 3
Digital Humanities
For Professor Lorna Hughes, elected for her work in digital humanities, the toolkit includes:
- High-resolution spectral imaging systems for analyzing historical documents
- Computational linguistic tools for text analysis
- 3D modeling software for cultural heritage preservation 8
Interdisciplinary Impact: From Research to Real-World Solutions
The true power of the RSE Fellowship lies in its interdisciplinary nature, bringing together experts from diverse fields to address complex challenges. The 2025 cohort demonstrates how this cross-pollination of ideas leads to innovative solutions.
I look forward to working with the RSE to champion community-generated digital content and cultural heritage infrastructures, contributing to Scotland's knowledge ecosystem through collaborative research that crosses traditional boundaries between technology, humanities, and public engagement.
I look forward to collaborating with Fellows across different disciplines and communities, to develop innovative approaches to tackling complex challenges in society, both nationally and internationally.
Distribution of Fellowship Expertise Areas
| Division | Examples of Disciplines | 2025 Fellow Example |
|---|---|---|
| Physical & Life Sciences | Physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, mathematics | Professor Asad Madni (Space Technology) 3 |
| Arts & Humanities | History, literature, philosophy, languages, creative arts | Kate Charlesworth (Cartoon Art) 3 |
| Social Sciences | Economics, sociology, education, law, policy | Bruce Adamson (Human Rights Law) 8 |
| Professions & Industry | Business, healthcare, public service, engineering | David Field (Zoological Conservation) 3 |
"The RSE plays an essential role in advising the public and policymakers on addressing the diverse challenges confronting our world. I look forward to contributing where I can, to help build a better future for Scotland and our planet."
A Future Built on Knowledge
The election of the 2025 RSE Fellows represents more than individual recognition - it signifies Scotland's continued commitment to excellence across the entire spectrum of knowledge. From the quantum realm to deep space, from the page of a graphic novel to the policies that shape society, these Fellows embody the spirit of inquiry and innovation that drives human progress.
In welcoming these 44 exceptional individuals, the RSE strengthens not only Scotland's intellectual capital but also global capacity to address the complex challenges of the 21st century. Their collective expertise, applied through the Society's interdisciplinary networks, promises to generate the insights and innovations that will shape our future - proving once again that knowledge, made useful, remains humanity's most powerful tool for progress.