The Scottish Government has appointed a new chief scientific adviser after the position went vacant for 18 months.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney announced that Professor Sheila Rowan, from Glasgow University, is to take on the role from Monday June 13.
It comes after the university’s Institute for Gravitational Research, which she heads, was part of a global effort which lead to the discovery of gravitational waves, which were first envisaged by Albert Einstein.
Professor Muffy Calder, who held the position previously, left the role in December 2014.
Both Mr Swinney and science minister Shirley-Anne Somerville met Prof Rowan at Glasgow University on Wednesday morning.
Prof Rowan said: “This is an exciting time to join the Scottish Government and I’m looking forward to working with ministers and officials to show the added value that science advice can bring to their work.
“I’m also keen to meet scientists across Scotland so that I can fully appreciate the potential impact of new developments in science, engineering and technology.”
Glasgow University principal and vice-chancellor Professor Anton Muscatelli said: “Professor Sheila Rowan is an outstanding scientist as was shown through the work she and her team contributed to the discovery of gravitational waves – one of the most significant scientific breakthroughs in recent decades.”
Mr Swinney said he was “delighted” to welcome Prof Rowan to the role and added: “The Scottish Government values science and the expert scientific advice provided by our network of specialist science advisers.
“As chief scientific adviser Professor Rowan will help to ensure that science informs the Scottish Government’s work and advise on the impact that new developments in science may have.”
Ms Somerville, minister for further education, higher education and science, said: “Professor Rowan’s work is a fantastic example of our world-leading science base and she is a great advocate of its potential to benefit Scotland’s economy, environment and people.”
Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, president of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, said: “The Royal Society of Edinburgh is strongly of the view that expert scientific advice should be available to the Scottish Government when considering policy issues.
“We therefore welcome the news that Professor Rowan has taken up the crucial chief scientific adviser post and look forward to offering support to her in the future.”
