Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of Glasgow, Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, has been elected as the new President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE).
Anton Muscatelli is expected to assume the role on 1 April 2025, becoming the society’s 48th President. Past presidents have included the likes of the writer Sir Walter Scott, and the University of Glasgow’s own Lord Kelvin.
The Royal Society of Edinburgh is Scotland’s national academy of science and letters, founded in 1783. The RSE encompasses a wide-range of disciplines from literature, including the humanities, medicine, and economics. In the present day it operates as a charity which provides policy advice as well as research grants, with the self-described mission of guiding “the deployment of knowledge for public good”.
In April of this year, it was announced that Anton Muscatelli was to step down after serving as the Principal of the University for 16 years. In September, his replacement: Professor Andy Schofield of the University of Lancaster, was confirmed.
In response to his new appointment, Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli said: “It is an honour to be elected as President of the RSE. I greatly admire the institution and its mission, and the responsibility of leading it is one I take very seriously.
“Whether through its policy advice work or serving as a forum for having vital conversations about difficult subjects, the RSE has a key role to play in the future of Scotland.
“Through helping Scotland’s academic landscape to thrive through ongoing research funding, or its public engagement work with its Curious festival of knowledge, the RSE is ideally placed to be a benefit to all Scots, and I am relishing the opportunity to be a part of that noble endeavour.”
The Chief Executive of the RSE, Professor Sarah Skerrat, also said: “I look forward to working with Sir Anton to ensure a seamless transition for the RSE next year.
“His proven track record as a leader in the Higher Education sector and as a trusted voice on the economic matters will be an invaluable asset to Scotland’s National Academy.”
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