Pictured: Lord Robert May of Oxford

Matthew Bannister on

Lord May, a former Chief Scientific Advisor to the UK government and President of the Royal Society. He developed the concept of the R value in tracking the spread of infectious diseases and laid down key principles for scientific advice to politicians.

Judith Darmady, the paediatrician who travelled to Romania to help thousands of children who had been abandoned in so-called orphanages.

Mark Barkan, the songwriter and record producer who wrote “Pretty Flamingo” which was a hit for Manfred Mann and many other artists. Singer Paul Jones pays tribute.

Saroj Lal, the Indian-born teacher who played a leading role in campaigning for racial equality in Scotland.

Interviewed guest: Lord John Krebs of Wytham

Interviewed guest: Jane WaldronInterviewed guest: John IllmanInterviewed guest: Bridget BarkanInterviewed guest: Paul JonesInterviewed guest: Vineet Lal

Producer: Neil George

Archive clips from: Desert Island Discs: Lord Robert May, Radio 4, 05/06/2012; Ceausescu's Children, BBC News, 30/01/2010; Heaven and Hell, National Museum of Scotland, 2000; The Usual Suspects, Radio Scotland, 13/12/1996; I Believe, You Believe, BBC One Scotland, May 1984.