Paul Nurse, a geneticist and Nobel laureate, was head of the Royal Society from 2010-15. Photograph: Andy Hall/The Observer
A row has broken out among fellows of the UK’s Royal Society over the prospect of re-electing its former president Sir Paul Nurse as head of the institution.
The Guardian understands the society’s council has put forward Nurse, a geneticist and Nobel laureate, as its preferred candidate for the role, which would begin after Sir Adrian Smith’s term finishes next year.
Nurse was head of the institution from 2010-15.
Fellows of the UK’s national academy of sciences are now being asked to vote to accept or reject Nurse as president-elect, with the poll expected to close at the end of August.
However, fellows are divided over the prospect, with some arguing it gives the impression the organisation, which claims to be the world’s oldest independent scientific academy, is a “boys’ club”. The Royal Society has never had a female president.
One fellow, who wished to remain anonymous, said while Nurse had an excellent record as a scientist, they were concerned he has had far too much power and influence over UK science.
“I think it’s just bad for UK science for one person to be at the forefront, or in such a position of power, over such a long time,” they said.
The fellow added that the society needed to have new voices, and be open to different kinds of voices.
“It’s a bad look for the society that if they can’t find, among 1,500 distinguished scientists, others who are capable of leading them in new directions,” the fellow said.
They also raised concerns that by the time Nurse steps down for the second time, he would be 81. “It creates the impression that it’s an all boys London establishment club and not a forward looking scientific society,” they said.
The fellow said there had been a 200-year-old tradition of not electing a president twice. “And there seems to be no really good reason to do so at this point,” they added.
Another fellow said they thought Nurse had done an excellent job the first time around and that the society would be in safe hands if he were re-elected. But, they said: “I would have liked – and I think many would have liked – to see the first female president of the Royal Society.”
Founded in 1660 by luminaries including Robert Boyle and Christopher Wren, the Royal Society has been led by 62 presidents, all men.
Only a single president has served more than once: Sir James Burrow, who twice held the position – albeit for only a matter of months. On both occasions he took the helm after the death of the incumbent.
However, several presidents served for more than five years, with the current term limit of five years set in the nineteenth century. Among them was the first president – William Brouncker, second Viscount Brouncker – who held the position for 15 years, while Sir Isaac Newton was president for 24 years and Joseph Banks for more than 40 years.
A number of fellows support Nurse’s re-election, saying he has excellent scientific and academic credentials, is a good communicator, being both persuasive and diplomatic, and has experience working with government.
Nurse has been president of Rockefeller University in the US, chief executive of Cancer Research UK and the first director and chief executive of the Francis Crick Institute, a role he is due to step down from next year.
One Royal Society fellow said some potential candidates may not have wished to stand for the five-year position, particularly if they are involved in active research.
They also noted there were multiple women on the five-person shortlist, but that after a thorough interview process, Nurse was felt to be the best fit for the role.
“Paul Nurse has an enormous reputation, outstanding in every way,” they said. “I am very pleased.”
A Royal Society spokesperson said: “The Royal Society is in the process of electing our next president. The election is decided by, and is confidential to, the fellowship. The Royal Society cannot comment on an election that is ongoing.”
James Smith
