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Dr Andrew Reid named among 48 new members of the prestigious programme
An academic from Abertay University has been inducted into the Royal Society of Edinburgh's prestigious Young Academy Scotland (YAS) programme, where he will leverage his expertise in applied gaming to drive transformative societal change.
Dr Andrew Reid, from Abertay's Department of Games and Arts, joins an inspiring cohort of 47 young professionals committed to tackling some of the most pressing challenges facing society today.
Established by the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 2011, YAS provides a unique platform for innovative leaders from academia, business, the third sector, and public life to collaborate on groundbreaking solutions that contribute to a more equitable, sustainable, and healthier future for Scotland and beyond.
Dr Reid's research aligns with the mission of YAS to share valuable knowledge for societal benefit. His work focuses on developing applied games—also referred to as 'serious games'—that enhance the quality of life in various fields, including education, health, historical engagement, and community support.
Notably, Dr Reid recently worked on an exciting employability project in collaboration with BRAG Enterprises, a Fife-based charity dedicated to empowering young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. This initiative brought together an eight-person team from Abertay's BA (Hons) Game Design and Production course with a group of young people aged 19-24, allowing them to conceptualise, design, and create a playable game.
Through a co-design approach, these young people engaged in biweekly workshops at Abertay, where they honed their skills in game development, art, design, technology, and production. Throughout the process, they also developed essential skills in communication and teamwork that will benefit them in their future careers.
Dr Reid said:
I am truly honoured to join YAS, an organisation dedicated to bringing together individuals from diverse sectors and backgrounds to address some of society's most pressing challenges. I am excited to share my expertise and collaborate with fellow members to develop innovative solutions that can make a significant impact in our communities. I look forward to engaging in projects with YAS that further my commitment to empowering young people from disadvantaged backgrounds as they pursue their career aspirations. By leveraging my expertise in applied gaming, I aim to tackle digital inequalities related to widening access, social mobility, and digital confidence.
Gary Kerr, co-chair of YAS, said:
YAS is thrilled to welcome this incredible group of new members,
whose experiences and knowledge will bring so much to our work. We are pleased to see our At Risk Academic/Refugee membership programme continue to bring us opportunities to induct inspiring leaders from Scotland’s vibrant refugee and asylum-seeking communities into our membership. On behalf of all our current members, I look forward seeing all our new members bring their proven creativity, expertise, and vision to YAS.
