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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

Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Volatility

Russian stocks finished Saturdays trading session slightly lower overall, with the MOEX Russia Index closing flat at 0.00% in Moscow. Market performance was mixed, as gains in select heavyweight stocks were offset by...

China Industrial Profits Slump Signals Need for More Economic Stimulus

Profits at Chinas industrial firms fell sharply in November, marking the fastest year-on-year decline in more than a year and underscoring the fragile state of the countrys economic recovery. According to data released by...

Japan to Audit Brazil’s Beef System, Paving Way for Market Access

Japan is set to conduct a comprehensive audit of Brazils beef sanitary system in March 2026, marking a significant step toward the possible opening of Japans lucrative beef market to Brazilian beef exports. The...

Wall Street Ends Post-Christmas Session Flat as Investors Eye Santa Claus Rally

Wall Street finished a light-volume, post-Christmas trading session nearly unchanged on Friday, as investors found little fresh news to drive strong market conviction. After a solid five-session rally, all three major U.S....

Argentina Congress Approves 2026 Budget Under Milei, Marking First Legislative Passage Since 2023

Argentinas Congress has approved the countrys 2026 national budget, marking the first budget bill passed by legislators since President Javier Milei assumed office in late 2023. The budget was approved on Friday by a vote...

Politics

Kosovo Heads to Early Parliamentary Election Amid Prolonged Political Deadlock

Kosovo is set to hold a crucial parliamentary election on Sunday as Prime Minister Albin Kurti and his nationalist Vetevendosje party attempt to secure a governing majority and resolve a year-long political stalemate that...

Myanmar Election 2025 Faces Global Scrutiny Amid Civil War and Political Repression

Voters in Myanmar began casting ballots in a highly controversial general election on Sunday, marking the first nationwide polls since the military coup that overthrew the elected civilian government in 2021. The election,...

Bolsonaro Undergoes Phrenic Nerve Block Procedure After Surgery-Related Complications

Brazils former President Jair Bolsonaro underwent a phrenic nerve block procedure on Saturday as doctors worked to treat persistent hiccups that developed following recent surgery, according to statements from his wife,...

Canada Announces $2.5 Billion Economic Aid Package to Support Ukraine’s Financial Stability

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Saturday that Canada will provide an additional $2.5 billion in economic aid to Ukraine, reinforcing the countrys ongoing support amid the prolonged conflict with Russia....

Israel Recognizes Somaliland as Independent State, Sparking Regional and Global Reactions

Israel has become the first country to formally recognize the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, a landmark decision that could significantly reshape political dynamics in the Horn...

Science

Jared Isaacman Confirmed as NASA Administrator, Becomes 15th Leader of U.S. Space Agency

The U.S. Senate has officially confirmed billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman as the new NASA administrator, making him the 15th leader in the agencys history. The confirmation, which took place on Wednesday, marks...

Senate Sets December 8 Vote on Trump’s NASA Nominee Jared Isaacman

The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee announced it will vote on December 8 on President Donald Trumps renewed nomination of private astronaut and tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman to lead NASA. Isaacman, known for his...

NASA Cuts Boeing Starliner Missions as SpaceX Pulls Ahead

NASA has significantly scaled back Boeings Starliner program after years of technical issues and delays, announcing that the next Starliner mission to the International Space Station (ISS) will fly without astronauts. The...

Blue Origin’s New Glenn Achieves Breakthrough Success With First NASA Mission

Blue Origins massive New Glenn rocket marked a major milestone as it completed its first mission for paying customers, sending two NASA satellites toward Mars and successfully landing its reusable booster at sea. The...

Cogent Biosciences Soars 120% on Breakthrough Phase 3 Results for Bezuclastinib in GIST Treatment

Cogent Biosciences (NASDAQ: COGT) shares skyrocketed over 120% after the biotech company announced groundbreaking results from its Phase 3 PEAK trial evaluating bezuclastinib in combination with sunitinib for patients with...

Technology

China Proposes Stricter Rules for AI Services Offering Emotional Interaction

Chinas top internet regulator has released draft regulations aimed at tightening oversight of artificial intelligence services that simulate human personalities and engage users emotionally, signaling a stronger push to...

Nvidia and Groq Strike Strategic AI Inference Licensing Deal

Reports earlier this week suggested that Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) had agreed to acquire AI chip startup Groq in a $20 billion all-cash transaction. However, updated details clarify that the arrangement is not a traditional...

TSMC Honors Japanese Chip Equipment Makers With 2025 Supplier Awards

Several leading Japanese semiconductor equipment manufacturers have been recognized with 2025 Supplier Awards from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), highlighting their growing importance in the global chip...

Nvidia to Acquire Groq in $20 Billion Deal to Boost AI Chip Dominance

NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) has reportedly agreed to acquire Groq, a fast-growing designer of high-performance artificial intelligence accelerator chips, in a $20 billion all-cash transaction, according to a CNBC report. The...

Texas App Store Age Verification Law Blocked by Federal Judge in First Amendment Ruling

A federal judge in Texas has blocked the enforcement of a new state law that would have required app stores and developers to verify users ages, marking a significant legal win for major technology companies and digital...