John Peebles Arbuthnott
Encyclopedia
Sir John Peebles Arbuthnott (born 8 April 1939) is a Scottish
microbiologist
, and was Principal of the University of Strathclyde
. He succeeded Lord Wilson of Tillyorn as President of The Royal Society of Edinburgh
(RSE) in October 2011.
Arbuthnott was educated at Hyndland Senior Secondary School, Glasgow University (BSc
, PhD
), and Trinity College, Dublin
(MA
, ScD
). In 1998 he was made a Knight Bachelor
for services to education.
Whilst Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Strathclyde University, Arbuthnott chaired the National Review of Resource Allocation ("The Arbuthnott Report" and "the Arbuthnott Review") in December 1997, the principal task of which was to conduct an independent review of the way in which NHS money is allocated annually to the 14 Scottish NHS Boards. The resulting mechanism, known as the Arbuthnott Formula, assesses key indicators of population, inequality and deprivation of the areas covered by each of the boards to allocate money.
He was chair of the Arbuthnott Commission
set up in 2004 to consider the consequences of having four separate voting systems for elections in Scotland and also different boundaries for Holyrood and Westminster constituencies.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
microbiologist
Microbiology
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, which are defined as any microscopic organism that comprises either a single cell , cell clusters or no cell at all . This includes eukaryotes, such as fungi and protists, and prokaryotes...
, and was Principal of the University of Strathclyde
University of Strathclyde
The University of Strathclyde , Glasgow, Scotland, is Glasgow's second university by age, founded in 1796, and receiving its Royal Charter in 1964 as the UK's first technological university...
. He succeeded Lord Wilson of Tillyorn as President of The Royal Society of Edinburgh
Royal Society of Edinburgh
The Royal Society of Edinburgh is Scotland's national academy of science and letters. It is a registered charity, operating on a wholly independent and non-party-political basis and providing public benefit throughout Scotland...
(RSE) in October 2011.
Arbuthnott was educated at Hyndland Senior Secondary School, Glasgow University (BSc
BSC
BSC is a three-letter abbreviation that may refer to:Science and technology* Bachelor of Science , an undergraduate degree* Base Station Controller, part of a mobile phone network; see: Base Station subsystem...
, PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
), and Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin , formally known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I as the "mother of a university", Extracts from Letters Patent of Elizabeth I, 1592: "...we...found and...
(MA
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
, ScD
Scd
-In medicine:* Schnyder corneal dystrophy* Semen collection device* Sequential compression device an intermittent pneumatic compression system intended to reduce blood clot formation* Sickle-cell disease...
). In 1998 he was made a Knight Bachelor
Knight Bachelor
The rank of Knight Bachelor is a part of the British honours system. It is the most basic rank of a man who has been knighted by the monarch but not as a member of one of the organised Orders of Chivalry...
for services to education.
Whilst Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Strathclyde University, Arbuthnott chaired the National Review of Resource Allocation ("The Arbuthnott Report" and "the Arbuthnott Review") in December 1997, the principal task of which was to conduct an independent review of the way in which NHS money is allocated annually to the 14 Scottish NHS Boards. The resulting mechanism, known as the Arbuthnott Formula, assesses key indicators of population, inequality and deprivation of the areas covered by each of the boards to allocate money.
He was chair of the Arbuthnott Commission
Arbuthnott Commission
The Arbuthnott Commission on Boundary Differences and Voting Systems was set up in July 2004 by Alistair Darling, then Secretary of State for Scotland, under the chairmanship of Sir John Arbuthnott, to examine various consequences of having four different systems of voting in Scotland, and...
set up in 2004 to consider the consequences of having four separate voting systems for elections in Scotland and also different boundaries for Holyrood and Westminster constituencies.
Professional posts
- Glasgow University:
- Assistant lecturer, 1960–1963
- Lecturer, 1963–1967
- New York Medical Center: Visiting lecturer, 1966–1967
- Royal SocietyRoyal SocietyThe Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
: Research fellow, 1968–72 - Glasgow University: Senior lecturer, Department of Bacteriology, 1972–1975
- Trinity College, DublinTrinity College, DublinTrinity College, Dublin , formally known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I as the "mother of a university", Extracts from Letters Patent of Elizabeth I, 1592: "...we...found and...
:- Professor of microbiology 1976-1988
- Bursar, 1983–86
- University of NottinghamUniversity of NottinghamThe University of Nottingham is a public research university based in Nottingham, United Kingdom, with further campuses in Ningbo, China and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia...
: Professor of microbiology 1988-1991 - University of Strathclyde, Glasgow: Principal and Vice-Chancellor, 1991–2000
Professional committee work
- Chairman, Expert Group on Labour’s plan for National Care Service
- Chairman, Joint Information Systems Committee, 1993–98
- Chairman, Greater Glasgow Health Board, November 2002-
- Chairman, Commission Report on Boundary Differences and Voting Systems, 2005-6
- Convener, Committee of Scottish Higher Education Principals, 1994–1996
- Convener, National Review of Allocation of Health Resources in Scotland, 1997–1999
- Vice Chairman, CVCP, 1997–99
- Secretary-Treasurer, Carnegie Trust for the University of Scotland, 2000-
- Member of the Council, Society of General Microbiology 1981-1986, (senior ed 1980-1984, treasurer 1987-1992)
- Meetings secretary, Federation of European Microbiology Societies, 1986–1990
- Member, Microbiological Safety of Food Committee, 1989–1990
- Member, AFRC Animal Research Board, 1989–1992
- Member, Public Health Laboratory Service Board, 1991–1997
- Member, DTI Multimedia Advisroy Group, 1994–1996
- Member, Educational Counselling Service Board, British Council, 1995–1996
- Member, Glasgow Development Agency, 1995-
- Member, National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education, 1996–97
- Member, Scottish Science Trust, 1999
- Member, Pathological Society
Professional honours
- Honorary fellow, Trinity College, Dublin 1992
- MRIA 1985
- FSB 1988
- FRSA 1989
- FRSERoyal Society of EdinburghThe Royal Society of Edinburgh is Scotland's national academy of science and letters. It is a registered charity, operating on a wholly independent and non-party-political basis and providing public benefit throughout Scotland...
1993 - FIIB 1993
- FRCPath 1995
- Hon FRCPGlasg
- St Mungo prize 2010