No Royal Society development on Greenfield site
An Oxford University professor of Pharmacology has been rejected from the Royal Society for the second year running. Baroness Susan Greenfield, the director of the Royal Insitute of Great Britain and a “people’s peer” in the House of Lords, was not elected from the shortlist of candidates. Fellowship to the Royal Society is not only granted for excellent achievement in science, but also for those who have raised public appreciation of science.
Fellowship to the Royal Society is not only granted for excellent achievement in science, but also for those who have raised public appreciation of science. Many scientists laud Greenfield for bridging the gap between the traditional and the modern and providing a symbol to young people of how science can be interesting.
Professor Greenfield said: “What I would like to think is that I am opening it to sectors of society that previously thought it wasn't for them…to bring mainstream science to people so that we have a scientifically literate society." Greenfield’s rejection comes at a time when there is a growing concern over the considerable drop in students, particularly women, applying to study science, which has led to the closure of several university departments.
One member of the Royal Society said that Isaac Newton would ‘turn in his grave,’ at the Societies decision.
2nd Jun 2005