LEADING SCIENTISTS JOIN DYNAMIC EARTH’S NEW SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD

Dynamic Earth – the UK’s leading Earth and environmental science engagement charity – is proud to announce the formation of a new Science Advisory Board.

This important development strengthens our governance and strategic planning as we look to the future of the centre and our role in national science engagement.
The newly formed board brings together ten leading academics from Heriot-Watt University, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Glasgow, the University of Strathclyde, and the University of St Andrews. These experts will collaborate closely with Dynamic Earth’s executive management team and Board of Trustees to help shape the next generation of our exhibition experiences.

Meeting quarterly, the Science Advisory Board will work alongside the charity’s wider sub-committees to ensure that all our exhibitions, programmes and outreach are rooted in cutting-edge science and remain responsive to the urgent challenges facing our planet.

Reflecting on its formation, Conor Ellis, Director of Science Learning and Engagement at Dynamic Earth, said:
“Dynamic Earth is a vital national platform for public engagement with science. Establishing our Science Advisory Board is a key step in delivering our organisational strategy and deepening our focus on the planetary emergency. I’m excited to collaborate with our new colleagues to shape the future of our ambitious work.”

Dr Charlotte Slaymark

Charlotte is a Lecturer at the University of Glasgow, teaching across geography and geoscience. A Quaternary Scientist with a chemistry background, her research explores climate change since the last ice age through the chemical fossils preserved in geological records. Charlotte’s interdisciplinary approach connects geoscience with the arts, using creative methods to engage diverse audiences in climate and environmental issues. She is passionate about fostering civic participation in science, helping people understand and act on the environmental changes shaping our shared future.

Emma began her career as an experimental chemist at the University of California, Berkeley, before joining the process chemistry team at Genentech in South San Francisco. Her PhD work at The Scripps Research Institute focused on chemoenzymatic total synthesis, blending biology and chemistry to tackle complex molecular challenges. Following fellowships at the University of Cambridge, she expanded her research into the intersection of machine learning and organic chemistry. In 2024, Emma joined the University of Edinburgh to launch her independent research group, applying artificial intelligence to revolutionise chemical discovery and synthesis.

Dr Emma King-Smith

Professor Eliza Calder

Eliza is a volcanologist at the University of Edinburgh with more than 25 years’ experience studying volcanic processes and hazard assessment. Her research bridges geoscience and social science, working with communities to reduce disaster risk and strengthen resilience. Eliza’s career has included work at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory during its eruptive crisis and Chile’s Southern Andes Volcano Observatory. She has served on the Executive Committee of IAVCEI and chaired the UK Government’s Montserrat Scientific Advisory Committee. Her interdisciplinary Global Challenges Research Fund project in Guatemala continues to shape her current research on multi-hazard risk and resilience.

Catherine is Scotland’s 11th Astronomer Royal and the first woman to hold this honorary title in its 200-year history. A Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Edinburgh, she is internationally recognised for her pioneering research mapping dark matter and dark energy through deep-sky observations. Catherine’s accolades include the Royal Astronomical Society’s William Herschel Medal, a Max Planck-Humboldt Research Award, and fellowships of both the Royal Society of Edinburgh and Leopoldina. A frequent science communicator on BBC radio and television, she has co-authored over 200 scientific papers and will publish her popular science book How to Design a Universe in 2026.

Professor Catherine Heymans FRSE

Dr Katy Roucoux

Katy is a Senior Lecturer and Quaternary palaeoecologist at the University of St Andrews, specialising in the long-term ecology of Peruvian Amazonia. Her research combines palaeoecological records with modern ecological data to understand how peatlands store carbon and support biodiversity. Katy is passionate about the importance of long-term perspectives in tackling environmental change, helping communities reconnect with the natural systems that sustain them. Her work highlights how understanding the deep history of human -environment interactions can inspire stewardship and strengthen our shared capacity to care for the Earth system.

Patrick is Chair of Ecosystem Science, Royal Society Wolfson Fellow, and Director of the Centre for Sustainable Forests and Landscapes at the University of Edinburgh. His research focuses on how forests function within the global climate system, exploring the roles of biodiversity, water, and carbon cycling in both tropical and temperate ecosystems. Patrick’s work bridges field studies, remote sensing and modelling to inform sustainable forest management and climate resilience. He leads collaborative research across science, policy and practice to ensure that forest ecosystems continue to provide vital benefits for people and planet in Scotland and worldwide.

Professor Patrick Meir FRSE

Professor Peter Nienow FRSE

Pete is Professor of Glaciology at the University of Edinburgh, where his research explores how glaciers and ice sheets respond to climate change and influence global sea level. His extensive fieldwork across Greenland, the Canadian High Arctic and the European Alps has advanced understanding of the physical processes driving glacier dynamics. Pete was awarded the Polar Medal by Her Majesty the Queen in recognition of his Arctic research, elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 2019 and became an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society in 2022.

Fraser is a Reader in Drug Discovery and STEM Education at the University of Strathclyde, where his work bridges chemistry, life sciences and education. His research focuses on discovering new antimicrobials and improving science teaching through inclusive, evidence-based approaches. He leads multidisciplinary teams supported by UK research councils and charities, and has contributed to national committees for the Royal Society of Chemistry. Fraser is widely recognised for his leadership in widening participation in STEM, developing innovative curricula, and supporting professional development across the UK.

Dr Fraser Scott

Dr Uisdean Nicholson

Uisdean is an Associate Professor of Geoscience at Heriot-Watt University, specialising in Earth hazards, marine geology and geoenergy. After completing his PhD at the University of Aberdeen, he spent seven years with Shell in the Netherlands and Malaysia before returning to academia. His research spans asteroid impacts, submarine landslides, earthquake dynamics and carbon capture and storage, combining seismic, sedimentological and geomorphological data to understand Earth’s changing systems. A native Gaelic speaker and regular contributor to Gaelic media, Uisdean is passionate about making Earth science accessible and relevant to all communities. His team’s research has received international recognition and multiple PRIME Award nominations.

Thomas is Professor of Earth System Sciences at Heriot-Watt University, and brings over 30 years of experience in Earth Science, Education and Public Engagement. A geologist and geochemist by training, his expertise lies in understanding how carbon and nutrients drive ecosystems, climate and energy resources across different spatial and temporal scales. His international career has taken him across Europe, the Americas, Southeast Asia and the world’s ocean. Thomas is deeply committed to connecting science with society – taking environmental research “out and about” to inspire people across communities. His work underscores the importance of dialogue, inclusivity and curiosity in addressing the complex challenges of our changing planet.

Professor Thomas Wagner