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Michel J. Kaiser

Chief Scientist, Heriot-Watt University
I was appointed chief scientist in June 2019, taking over from Professor John Underhill, who held the inaugural role since 2017. The role of chief scientist is one of the most senior at Heriot-Watt University. The two-year fixed position is key to representing the University in high-level dialogue with government, policy makers and funders – and key to making change happen.

Over the next two years, as a leading expert in fisheries conservation, I will be responsible for championing the University’s expertise in the blue economy as well as leading initiatives that further enhance and amplify our reputation for research excellence. The need to develop the blue economy in a way that is sustainable and that recognises the underpinning value of natural resources is of vital importance to economic growth and livelihoods around the world. I will expand his current portfolio of work with influential stakeholders including at government level to inform on policy development and delivery.

As a professor in fisheries conservation, I am based at The Lyell Centre in Heriot-Watt's Edinburgh campus. Prior to this position, I was the science and standards standards director at the Marine Stewardship Council and a professor of marine conservation ecology at Bangor University for 20 years.

A key part of my role will be to highlight the opportunities presented but also to balance these against the need to preserve the fragile ecosystems within our oceans.

Catch-22: technology can help solve fishing’s environmental issues – but risks swapping one problem for another

Jun 14, 2020 12:29 pm UTC| Nature Technology

Almost a decade ago, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstalls Fish Fight campaign galvanised public opinion against the senseless waste of discarding fish. At the time this was the common practice of returning unwanted catches to the...

Economy

The idea that US interest rates will stay higher for longer is probably wrong

The 0.4% rise in US consumer prices in March didnt look like headline news. It was the same as the February increase, and the year-on-year rise of 3.5% is still sharply down from 5% a year ago. All the same, this modest...

Impact of Iran-Israel conflict on Stocks, Gold and Bitcoin

Disclaimer: This is not investment advice. The information provided is for general purposes only. No information, materials, services and other content provided on this page constitute a solicitation, recommendation,...

Japan Posts 7.7% Growth in Machinery Orders

In a striking development that looks set to invigorate Japans economic prospects, a key gauge of capital spending in the country has seen its most significant jump in over a year. According to Cabinet Office data released...

Why Africa can be the beating heart of South Korea’s technology industry

Tshepo Ncube, Head: International Coverage and Bhavtik Vallabhjee, Head: Power, Utilities Infrastructure at Absa CIB reflect on their recent visit to South Korea, examining why investors in the region have their eyes set...

How cuts to marginal income tax could boost the UK’s stagnant economic growth

The British prime minister recently claimed the UK economy has turned a corner. Rishi Sunak said inflation figures were encouraging, and proclaimed that 2024 would be the year Britain bounces back. According to his...

Politics

US Commerce Secretary Asserts Huawei Chip Lag, Affirms Export Control Success

In an interview on CBS News 60 Minutes, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo stated that the latest Huawei Mate 60 Pro phones chip remains significantly behind U.S. technology despite being the most advanced from China. She...

Putin’s Russia: first arrests under new anti-LGBT laws mark new era of repression

Just over three decades after Russia decriminalised homosexuality in 1993, three people have been arrested and charged under the countrys harsh new anti-LGBT laws and could face ten years in prison for membership of an...

Nvidia RTX 4090D Embroiled in US-China Tech Rivalry; South Korea Navigates Chip Export Dilemma

The U.S. government has tightened export restrictions on high-performance semiconductor chips to China, including the Nvidia RTX 4090D, and is urging South Korea to enforce similar curbs, marking a significant escalation...

Canada needs a national strategy for homeless refugee claimants

One year after the federal government closed Roxham Road, refugee claims in Canada continue to increase: there were 143,785 in 2023 compared to 91,730 in 2022. The surprise announcement in March 2023 to modify Canadas...

Who will Trump pick as his running mate?

Being second in line for leadership of the most powerful country in the world is not an easy job. But for Mike Pence, vice president under Donald Trump, things were even harder than usual. As insurrectionists descended...

Science

Peter Higgs was one of the greats of particle physics. He transformed what we know about the building blocks of the universe

Peter Higgs, who gave his name to the subatomic particle known as the Higgs boson, has died aged 94. He was always a modest man, especially when considering that he was one of the greats of particle physics the area of...

Could a telescope ever see the beginning of time? An astronomer explains

The James Webb Space Telescope, or JWST for short, is one of the most advanced telescopes ever built. Planning for JWST began over 25 years ago, and construction efforts spanned over a decade. It was launched into space on...

US media coverage of new science less likely to mention researchers with African and East Asian names

When one Chinese national recently petitioned the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to become a permanent resident, he thought his chances were pretty good. As an accomplished biologist, he figured that news...

If life exists on Jupiter’s moon Europa, scientists might soon be able to detect it

Europa is one of the largest of more than 90 moons in orbit around the planet Jupiter. It is also one of the best places to look for alien life. Often termed an ocean world by scientists, observations to date strongly...

Exploding stars are rare but emit torrents of radiation − if one happened close enough to Earth, it could threaten life on the planet

Stars like the Sun are remarkably constant. They vary in brightness by only 0.1% over years and decades, thanks to the fusion of hydrogen into helium that powers them. This process will keep the Sun shining steadily for...

Technology

Korean Military Considers iPhone Ban, Samsung Exempt for Security Reasons

The South Korean military is considering banning iPhones from defense installations over concerns that their voice recording feature could compromise security, whereas Samsung phones are approved for use. Potential...

Shiba Inu Reveals How SHIB Army Can Earn TREAT Token in New Blockchain Ecosystem

The Shiba Inu ecosystem has outlined multiple ways for its community, the SHIB Army, to earn the upcoming TREAT token as part of their engagement with the new layer-3 blockchain, empowering users with greater participation...

Philippines SEC Directs Google, Apple to Delist Binance App Over Investor Security Concerns

The Philippines Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has mandated Google and Apple to remove the Binance cryptocurrency app from their stores, citing significant security risks to Filipino investors and potential...

Amazon to Introduce Air Delivery Service in Arizona via Drone

Amazon announced it will commence air delivery in Arizona using drones this year. The e-commerce giant said customers residing within the West Valley Phoenix Metro can avail themselves of Prime Air drone deliveries from...

Rivian's Earth Day Special: $5,000 Off for Trading Gas Cars for Electric

In celebration of Earth Day, Rivian has launched a $5,000 trade-in offer, enticing car owners to switch from select gasoline vehicles to its eco-friendly electric models, the R1T and R1S. The deal includes a year of free...