A Wishaw woman has been elected to the Fellowship of Scotland’s national academy, the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE).
Catherine Stihler OBE will take her place in the 2022 intake of Fellows which includes 80 names from the arts, business, public service and civil society as well as academia from Scotland and beyond.
Former Cambusnethan Primary and Coltness High pupil Catherine said: “It’s an honour to have been elected as a Fellow of the RSE, joining so many talented and inspirational people who have helped shape our world.
“The RSE is a globally-recognised organisation which works to address the greatest challenges facing humanity and the planet, and informs policy and practice through in-depth examination and expert knowledge.
“I wouldn’t have this opportunity if it wasn’t for the education and support I received in Wishaw, and all the inspiration I drew from everyone around me when I was growing up.
“I look forward to collaborating with the Fellowship to address the biggest issues of the day and bringing some experience from Wishaw to the table.”
Catherine has been an international champion for openness as a legislator and practitioner for more than 20 years.
In 2020, she was appointed CEO of Creative Commons, the global non-profit organisation that helps overcome legal obstacles to the sharing of knowledge and creativity to address the world’s pressing challenges.
She is now based in California.
Catherine was awarded an OBE in recognition of her services to politics in 2019 after two decades as a Member of the European Parliament for Scotland.
Alongside Catherine, this year’s intake includes award-winning Scottish singer, songwriter and activist Annie Lennox, who has received an Honorary Fellowship.
Annie said: “My hope has always been to create a positive influence and contribution towards lasting transformative change.”
Others named as Fellows of the RSE this year include Professor Mark Logan, co-founder of Ipso-Facto where he is an investment and start-up adviser, Theresa Shearer, CEO of ENABLE Group and an influential Scottish third sector leader, and Professor Marc Turner, director at the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service and Professor of Cellular Therapy at the University of Edinburgh.