New chief scientist hopes to inspire girls to reach for the stars
Source: niversity of Glasgow’
New chief scientific advisor for Scotland, Prof Sheila Rowan
As a young child growing up in 1970s Dumfries, Sheila Rowan used to spend her spare time looking up at the sky, grappling with life’s big questions. How far does the universe go on for? How far will human beings travel into space?
As director of the University of Glasgow’s Institute of Gravitational Research, which played a key role in the recent groundbreaking discovery of gravitational waves, Professor Rowan, as she is now known, still asks the same questions - though scientific expertise allows her to approach them in ways she could never have dreamed of.
And she is hoping to make the most of this well-honed problem solving ability in her new role as Scotland’s chief scientific advisor (CSA), charged with providing independent advice to government ministers – and banging the drum for science.
“For me, the most interesting part of this role will be the opportunity to advocate the benefits of science both inside and outside government,” she told The Herald.
“I’m particularly interested in looking at ways in which Scotland can encourage more young people to be engaged in science at a young age.
“How we think about science is crucial. It’s not stand-alone; it’s woven into our everyday lives and impacts the way we think and solve problems. We need to engage people at many different levels.”
The post has been empty for 18 months, since Prof Muffy Calder stepped down. During that time, the Scottish government controversially opted to ban the growing of genetically modified crops. Last week, meanwhile, MSPs voted narrowly to ban another controversial practice, fracking, despite many scientists saying it safe and should form part of Scotland’s future energy supply.
Prof Rowan, 46, who will split her time between her government role and the university, is aware that there will be probably be other contentious policy decisions to come, but insists her approach will be evidence-based.
She said: “My role is to work with the network of government scientific advisors to seek out evidence and provide scientific input across a spectrum of topics. Any personal views I have are not relevant to this job.”
Prof Rowan is the third woman in a row to hold the CSA post, following Prof Muffy Calder, a computer science specialist and Prof Anne Glover, a biologist who went on to fulfil a similar role for the European Union.
The significance of these appointments has not passed her by.
“Being the third female CSA means it has become normal for women to do this job, which is important. And it is also an indication of the strength of the pool of female scientists in Scotland across a range of different disciplines. That’s a great message to be able to send out into the world.
“But that’s not enough, of course. For Scotland to be successful we need to access all the talent we can and that means encouraging women and girls to engage in science from a young age.”
And she is keen to harness the country’s long history of scientific innovation to fulfil 21st century aspirations.
She said: “We have such great resources in our higher education institutions here in Scotland and it is not just about historical excellence – we are bang up to date and recognised throughout the world for our contributions.
“We have a distinctly Scottish identity and expertise, but these days we sit within a global picture with science being done across international boundaries.”
Craig Clark, chief executive of pioneering Glasgow-based satellite company Clyde Space, congratulated Prof Rowan on her appointment, adding that her expertise would be key in helping politicians understand how science could shape Scotland’s future.
“Science is fundamental to the Scottish economy,” he said. “There is, for example, a really strong space industry and talk of launching crafts from two locations here – that would be such a huge boost for the economy.
“And there are also exciting things going on in life sciences and electronics, mechanics and computing. Prof Rowan will want to get an understanding of these developments, what markets are showing most promise and where the growth is likely to be.”
Clark, who employs 100 people and has just won a £1m order to build four satellites for a UK-Government-backed space programme, urged the new CSA to be bold.
He said: “We need to make sure our universities are properly funded to support growing industries and put Scotland into world-leading positions in as many areas as possible.
“And we need more people in society who understand how maths, technology and science have such a positive influence on our economy.
“In Scotland we have graduates with fantastic research backgrounds in game-changing technologies. It’s all about making the most of that.”
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