SBS academic joins RSE Young Academy of Scotland
The RSE Young Academy of Scotland (YAS) has announced the appointment of 48 new members, including six from Strathclyde.
- Dr Ingeborg Birnie: researching minority languages in education, with a particular focus on Gaelic.
- Dr Grainne El Mountassir: developing innovative ground improvement technologies using bacteria and fungi.
- Dr Christian Calvillo Munoz: advancing research on equitable and sustainable energy transitions that inform Scottish and UK policy.
- Dr Fraser Scott: leading research in drug discovery and exploring the importance of numeracy in STEM education.
- Dr Ruaridh Clark: investigating complex systems across biological, technological and social domains.
- Dr Andrea Tonner: researching consumer inclusion, vulnerability and wellbeing.
The group represents some of the nation’s most innovative young professionals from business, the public sector, the charity sector, the arts, and research, as well as academia.
They will join the academy’s existing members in realising its vision of achieving transformative societal change through citizenship, innovation, collaboration, evidence, and leadership.
From the business school, Reader in the Department of Marketing, Dr Andrea Tonner’s research and teaching considers consumer inclusion, vulnerability and wellbeing.
Dr Tonner said, “I am delighted to join the RSE Young Academy of Scotland. For me, YAS offers an exciting opportunity to build new collaborations across disciplines and sectors, bringing my work on inclusion, vulnerability and wellbeing into conversation with expertise in very different spheres such as sustainability and technology.
"I hope this will inspire new research questions, partnerships and opportunities for impact, while enabling me to contribute to important conversations about how we build a more inclusive and equitable Scotland.”
Strathclyde Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Stephen McArthur said, “The Young Academy plays a vital role in supporting outstanding emerging talent from Strathclyde and universities across Scotland.
"It is fantastic to see the expertise and talent of our staff, across so many fields, being recognised. Strathclyde is very proud of their achievement, and I warmly congratulate them all."
Six people have also been appointed through YAS’s At-Risk Academic/Refugee membership initiative, which encourages outstanding individuals who were refugees or sought asylum in Scotland to apply.
Caroline Müellenbroich, co-chair of YAS said, “I am delighted to welcome this incredible group of new members to The Young Academy of Scotland. Each of these individuals brings unique talents and expertise to YAS, and I look forward to seeing them combine their knowledge to create projects which address the many challenges facing Scotland and the world.”
Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, President of the RSE said, “It is wonderful to see such a talented group of young professionals join the Young Academy of Scotland. By bringing together such a diverse, multidisciplinary group of leaders, YAS has great potential to address the many issues facing Scotland today.
“I look forward to seeing the fresh perspectives they bring, both to the work of the Young Academy, and to the Royal Society of Edinburgh.”
Published: 27 August 2026
