Professor Steve Albon, Co-ordinator of The Scottish Government’s Environment – Land Use and Rural Stewardship Research Programme at the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute in Aberdeen says, “I am greatly encouraged by the news that Scottish pupils have improved their pass rates in science subjects this year, particularly when findings published by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education earlier this year stated that youngsters were underachieving. These youngsters are the future of science in Scotland and it’s important that we support and develop these skills all the way through higher and further education.

“Having a solid knowledge of science opens up many exciting career possibilities, from using forensics to help solve crimes, to helping enhance our environment for the benefit of society. Jobs in science are more than just white coats in laboratories, and television programmes like CSI and Mythbusters have helped youngsters and adults to realise this.

“At the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, our team consists of soil, plant, water and animal experts, geographers, economists, sociologists and IT specialists all of whom have a background in science. The research that we carry out is crucial for understanding land use and climate change, and producing evidence-based policies to adapt and mitigate unwanted change. This will not be possible in future without a new generation of scientists to carry on producing and robustly interpreting highly sought after data.”

Information for Editors

To arrange an interview with Steve Albon, contact 01224 654082 or email emorrison@trickerpr.com The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute was founded in 1930 and is an international centre for research and consultancy on the environmental and social consequences of rural land uses. With an annual income from research and consultancy of over £11m, the Institute is the largest interdisciplinary research organisation of its kind in Europe, and aims to provide evidence to help shape future environmental and rural-development policy on a national and international basis. For further information, visit www.macaulay.ac.uk .

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