The Royal Society of Edinburgh has elected one of Scotland’s top economists and educational leaders, Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, as its 48th President.
Sir Anton will take over the role at the RSE on 1 April next year. He currently serves as the Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of Glasgow, a post he has held since 2009. Earlier this year he announced that he would step down as Principal in September 2025.
His research has covered monetary economics, central banking, fiscal policy and international trade and finance. He has been a special adviser to the House of Commons Treasury Select Committee on fiscal and monetary policy, and he is currently the Chair of Trustees of the Royal Economic Society and Academic co-Chair of the International Finance Forum.
Sir Anton is Italian born. He was elected as a Fellow of the RSE in 2003 and is the first Fellow to be elected President to have been born outside the UK. Other notable Italian Fellows of the RSE include Charles Piazzi Smyth, astronomer and pioneer of early photography; geneticist Guido Pontecorvo; Manhattan Project member Enrico Fermi and Alessandro Volta, the inventor of the electric battery – from whom the term “voltage” is derived.
Sir Anton 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 role of President of the RSE is a pivotal one. As Scotland’s National Academy, the RSE supports Scotland’s research and academic community and civic society. This is achieved through public engagement, utilising the expertise of its many Fellows to draw up policy advice papers on various aspects of public life, and awarding funding to a wide range of academic researchers.
As President, Sir Anton will have responsibility for ensuring that the RSE continues to direct its resources towards these aims, as well as being a public voice for the RSE as a whole.
He will take over from the current President of the RSE, Professor Sir John Ball, next April. He follows in the footsteps of the likes of Sir Walter Scott, Lord Kelvin and Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell.
Sir John said: “As my time as RSE President nears its end, it is a pleasure to be handing over the reins to Sir Anton. His reputation for public service and service to Scotland’s education landscape stands for itself, and I am certain that his experience and leadership will prove invaluable to the RSE over the coming years.”
The RSE’s Chief Executive, Professor Sarah Skerratt, added: “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.”
RSE elects new office bearers alongside new RSE President, Anton Muscatelli
Professor Jo Shaw (left) and Dr Janet Brown (right)
There are also several new appointments to RSE Council posts. Professor Jo Shaw, head of Edinburgh Law School, will take over the position of RSE General Secretary from Professor Michael Keating.
Professor Shaw said: “I am honoured to take on this role at the Royal Society of Edinburgh and to commit myself to helping this member-led society achieve its core purpose, to make knowledge useful.”
Education expert Dr Janet Brown has been elected as the new Vice President of Education. She said: “I feel privileged to have been elected to this role by the fellows of the RSE at a time when education and skills agenda is the focus of major reform. I look forward to working with the RSE’s education committee and others within and outwith the Fellowship to bring an informed, independent voice to support these changes.”
Professor James Njuguna (left) and Dr Poonam Malik (right)
Composites and energy engineering specialist Professor James Njuguna has been elected as the new Vice President for International. He said: “I am deeply honoured and excited to step into this role, building on the remarkable contributions of the RSE and my predecessor, Professor Mona Siddiqui.
“I look forward to fostering global collaboration and strengthening the RSE’s framework to further elevate Scotland’s international reputation in research, innovation, and culture.”
Research and innovation leader Dr Poonam Malik has been elected as the new Vice President for Economy and Enterprise. She said: “With immense gratitude to over 1800 Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) for their trust and support, I am honoured to be elected as Vice-President, Business, Economy & Enterprise.
“I look forward to collaborating with the RSE Council, the Executive Team, and our diverse stakeholders to deliver meaningful impact for our communities, championing innovation, enterprise, investment policy and economic resilience across Scotland, the UK and beyond.
Theresa Shearer (left) and Dr David Hare (right)
Theresa Shearer, CEO of ENABLE, has been elected to the RSE Council. She said: “It is an honour to be elected to the Council of the RSE. The work of Scotland’s national academy has never been more important than it is today, as the country and the world seek solutions to societal challenges. I look forward to working with my fellow Council members to deliver on our critical mission of knowledge made useful, and to ensure that the values of diversity, equity and inclusion are a common thread through all our work.”
Actuary Dr David Hare has also been elected as the RSE’s new Treasurer. He said: “The RSE is a national treasure. The fact that over 1800 people want to use their knowledge and experience to help Scotland in so many ways is something to be celebrated, valued and used effectively. I am deeply proud to be a part of this community.”
New officer bearers from 1 April 2025
- Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli
President - Professor Jo Shaw
General Secretary - Dr David Hare
Treasurer - Dr Janet Brown
Vice President, Education - Dr Poonam Malik
Vice President, Economy and Enterprise - Professor James Njuguna
Vice President, International - Theresa Shearer
Council Member
