The Principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland joins leading artistic and academic minds who have been named today (March 22) as Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE).

Professor Sharkey is one of 80 new Fellows elected to join the RSE from across the sciences, arts, education, business, and public life. He joins a Fellowship of around 1,700 people who are recognised as being some of the greatest thinkers, researchers and practitioners working in or with Scotland.

Professor Sharkey, a pianist and composer, who joined Scotland’s national conservatoire as Principal in 2014.

The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE was established in 1783 for ‘the advancement of learning and useful knowledge’.

Lady Leeona Dorrian, chair of the RCS Trust and Lord Justice Clerk of Scotland, is also recognised in the 2022 intake. Lady Dorrian is the second most senior judge and most senior woman judge in Scotland.

Also appointed to the Fellowship this year include Dr Annie Lennox, award-winning Scottish singer, songwriter and activist and Chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University.

The RSE, using the expertise of its Fellows, creates impact by:

• Inspiring and supporting talent through a wide-ranging programme of research grants and awards.
• Engaging the public across Scotland on key contemporary issues through its outreach programme RSE@ and a wide-ranging programme of public events.
• Providing impartial advice and expertise to inform policy and practice through in-depth examination of major issues and providing expert comment on topical matters.
• Promoting Scotland’s interests overseas through building relationships with sister academies across the world and facilitating research collaborations.

Professor Sir John Ball, President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, said: “It is a privilege to be able to welcome our new Fellows, and we are inspired by the breadth of talent and experience in our Fellowship.

“Every single individual elected this year has shown exceptional levels of expertise and insight in their chosen field, and their input helps RSE effect real and lasting change in Scotland’s society.

“We look forward to working with our diverse Fellowship who provide a crucial link between the world of academic research and practice with government, business and civil society.”

Visit the Royal Society of Edinburgh to read more about the 2022 Fellows.