Awards for psychologists

Professor Vincent Walsh of the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience is among the recipients of this year's round of prestigious Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Awards. Jointly funded by the Wolfson Foundation and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, these awards are appointed by the Royal Society and are intended to attract or retain outstanding scientists working in the UK. Walsh is a pioneer in the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation as a cognitive neuroscience tool, whereby stimulation is used to excite neurons or to induce temporary 'virtual lesions'.

'It's particularly rewarding to be encouraged to step into new conceptual areas,' Walsh said. 'Science funding and scientists reviewing are conservative forces usually rewarding one for doing more of the same. The Royal Society has the flexibility to encourage risk taking and I'll be doing all I can to extend my work into adult plasticity.'

Congratulations are also due to the psychologists Professor Graham Towl at the University of Durham, Professor Michael West at Aston Business School, Professor Halla Beloff at the University of Derby, and Professor Joe Elliott at Durham University, all of whom were conferred the award of Academician by the Academy of Social Sciences in August. This award recognises those who have made a distinguished and significant contribution to UK social science and its promotion.

--Christian Jarrett