Royal Society of Edinburgh announces new Fellows

Congratulation to Professor Martin Evans who will join those recognised as being some of the greatest thinkers, researchers and practitioners working in or with Scotland today.

The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE), Scotland’s National Academy, has announced its 2023 intake of Fellows, with 91 names from the arts, business, public life and academia, from Scotland and beyond. They will be joining the RSE’s current Fellowship of around 1,800 Fellows.

One of those joining the current fellowship is Martin Evans, Professor of Statistical Physics. His research interests focus on the statistical mechanics of non-equilibrium systems. Such systems are all-pervasive in nature since the classical assumptions of thermal equilibrium do not apply to most real-world systems. Professor Evans has contributed to establishing a now vibrant and expanding field by elucidating the properties of simple mathematical models through various analytical and numerical techniques. These models, such as the asymmetric exclusion process and the zero-range process, have demonstrated unexpected non-equilibrium phase transitions and are now used as baseline models for various biophysical systems.  He has also introduced the paradigm of stochastic resetting, which can expedite complex processes by cutting off errant trajectories. His current research initiative is to develop the application of these fundamental models to problems of biophysical transport and to other complex non-equilibrium systems.

Professor Evans commented:

It’s truly an honour to be elected to the Fellowship and join artists and scientists alike in this unique Scottish forum. I would hope to contribute towards the Society’s valuable work, including encouraging widening participation in higher education.
 

The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE)

The Royal Society of Edinburgh, Scotland's National Academy, is an educational charity established in 1783. Unlike similar organisations in the rest of the UK, the RSE’s strength lies in the breadth of disciplines represented by its Fellowship. Its membership stands at approximately 1800 Fellows from across the entire academic spectrum – science and technology, arts, humanities, social sciences, business, and public service. New Fellows are elected to the RSE each year through a rigorous five-stage nomination process.  This range of expertise enables the RSE to take part in a host of activities such as: providing independent and expert advice to Government and Parliament; supporting aspiring entrepreneurs through mentorship; facilitating education programmes for young people, and engaging the general public through educational events.