James Hutton Institute Chief Executive made RSE Fellow

"To join the RSE, which James Hutton himself had a leading role in establishing, makes this even more significant for me and the Institute"

Professor Colin Campbell, Chief Executive of the James Hutton Institute and current SEFARI Chair, has been made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) has announced 66 new UK and International Fellows, which will help the RSE to continue providing independent and expert advice to policymakers, support aspiring entrepreneurs, develop research capacity and leadership and engage with the public through events. Fellows are elected following a rigorous examination of their achievements in their relevant fields.

On the announcement, Professor Campbell said: “I am delighted with the honour of being elected to the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

“It is a great honour for me personally as well as the Institute and reflects a lot of team work and help I have had from colleagues in both the Institute and university collaborators in the UK and internationally.

“To join the RSE, which James Hutton himself had a leading role in establishing, makes this even more significant for me and the Institute.”

Professor Campbell has 30 years of research experience in soil microbiology and soil science applied to agri-environment issues. His expertise lies in fundamental and applied studies on the effects of pollutants on soil microorganisms and soil health and in understanding how microbial diversity contributes to ecosystem functioning.

He has a keen interest in sustainable development and has developed the vision and mission of the James Hutton Institute around the UN Sustainable Development Goals. He also sits on the Scottish Government’s Forum for Natural Capital and has led research programmes on using the Ecosystem Approach to solve problems around land use decisions.

Current President of the RSE, Professor Jocelyn Bell Burnell DBE, commented: “Each year we welcome a selection of nominated extraordinary individuals into the Fellowship and this year is no exception.

"The diverse range of achievements of these individuals will be an asset to the RSE, and I am sure they will strengthen the RSE’s standing as a national academy committed to providing public benefit to Scottish society.”

The Royal Society of Edinburgh is a leading educational charity which operates on an independent and non-party-political basis to provide public benefit throughout Scotland. Established by Royal Charter in 1783 by key proponents of the Scottish Enlightenment, the RSE now has around 1600 Fellows from a wide range of disciplines. Its work includes awarding research funding, leading on major inquiries, informing public policy and delivering events across Scotland to inspire knowledge and learning.

Besides Professor Campbell, new RSE Fellows include former Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown, and US-based philanthropist and former pianist, Carol Colburn Grigor. For a full list of new RSE Fellows, read the RSE press release.