RSB attends Science and the Parliament 2025
Date: 25 Nov 2025
The Royal Society of Biology attended the 25th annual Science and the Parliament conference on Wednesday 19 November 2025 at Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh.
Organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), Science and the Parliament aims to foster close relations with policymakers and key stakeholders on behalf of, and in cooperation with, the science, engineering, and technology community, with a particular focus on Scottish relations.
This year’s theme was Environment, Climate Change, and Human Health. Learned societies, academic institutions, and professional bodies came together with the opportunity to network and demonstrate their recent activity in the exhibition space. The day featured a welcome talk by RSC past-President Professor Gill Reid, two panel discussions, an MSP-specific panel discussion ‘Ask the Politician’, and the presentation of awards to top school students across Scotland for biology SQA exams. It was a fascinating day and a great opportunity for various RSB members to come together and network with others across the STEM sector.
Speech by RSB Chief Executive
The RSB’s Chief Executive, Dr Doug Brown FRSB, gave a speech centring on the RSB’s current work in addition to the work that the role of the biosciences plays in answering challenges in the environment, climate change, and health.
As the learned society encompassing the entirety of the biosciences, with nearly 25,000 members, the RSB has a critical role in supporting, developing, and championing the breadth of the biosciences. By promoting the development and use of knowledge about biology across society, we can help solve the problems we face today.
Awards for highest SQA results
The presentation of prizes for the highest awarded students based on SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority) results for Higher and Advanced Higher STEM subjects in 2025 then took place, presented by the key learned societies.
The biology awards were presented by Dr Doug Brown FRSB.
The award for the highest score in Higher Biology was given jointly to:
- Aamna from Robert Gordon’s College, Aberdeen
- Arohi from Hutchesons Grammar School, Glasgow
The award for the highest mark in Higher Human Biology was awarded jointly to:
- Daniel from Culloden Academy, Inverness
- Amelie from George Heriot’s School, Edinburgh
- David from Dunbar Grammar School, Dunbar
The highest mark for Advanced Higher Biology was awarded to:
- Amy from The Edinburgh Academy, Edinburgh
Huge congratulations to all the prize recipients for their hard work, incredible results, and dedication to biology.
(Top image, from left to right: Amelie, Arohi, Aamna, and Daniel. Photo credit: Gary Baker/RSC.)
School Biology Teacher of the Year
We were pleased that Sarah Girasoli could join us again to be recognised for her achievement as winner of the RSB’s School Biology Teacher of the Year Award 2025.
Sarah inspires young people with her enthusiasm and passion for science, the environment, and outdoor learning. She leads with a positive, nurturing ethos in her classroom, fostering trust and respect with young people through her absolute commitment to meeting their needs, with creative and innovative approaches to teaching and learning.
The Award recognises the UK’s leading secondary school biology teachers who are at the forefront of paving the way in teaching excellence, acknowledging their vital role in educating and inspiring the next generation of biologists.
Dr Doug Brown, RSB Chief Executive, presenting award to Sarah Girasoli, winner of the RSB's School Biology Teacher of the Year Award 2025. Photo credit: Gary Baker/RSC.
The day ended with networking between policymakers, educators, and industry professionals, with the opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the very deserving award winners.