SGSSS Collaboration and Impact Showcase 2026 at The Royal Society of Edinburgh is a day celebrating the research, exciting collaborations, and impactful projects of SGSSS PhD students.
The SGSSS annual Collaboration and Impact Showcase brings together University and external partners from across the network who support the work of the Scottish Graduate School and SGSSS students.
This year, keynote speaker Dr Fran Darlington-Pollok will share insights into ‘Making a difference with Social Science‘, exploring how social science research can inform interventions that address inequalities across sectors. Fran is the Executive Chief Adviser to the Vice Chancellor at the University of Salford, and has experience across academic and third-sector roles, including as CEO of the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity.
The event will also include a poster session showcasing SGSSS students’ impact work, a panel discussion with students and collaborative partners and the presentation of the annual Impact Award to students who, through their research impact, have made a demonstrable contribution to society and the economy. There will also be a chance to meet informally with other SGSSS partners, students, and the SGSSS directorate.
The afternoon will finish with the presentation of our Impact Competition Winners and closing remarks from Prof Sarah Skerrett, RSE Chief Executive.
Glasgow has a long history of innovation, and today that same spirit is pushing the boundaries of how we design and interact with technology. This GCoSI Deep Dive explores a different perspective: what happens when we create technology not just for humans, but for animals too?
Focusing on the field of animal–computer interaction, this session explores how animals engage with technology — from building the “dog internet” to parrots video-calling each other and interactive environments for zoo animals. What does this reveal about intelligence, behaviour and how we design?
Join Dr Ilyena Hirskyj-Douglas, an Animal-Computer Interaction researcher at the University of Glasgow and Director of the Animal-Computer Interaction Lab for an open, story-led conversation exploring how animals interact with technology — and what it means to design for users beyond humans.
The Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) in partnership with the BioBased and Biodegradable Industries Association (BBIA), holds its 12th Annual Conference in Glasgow on 10 and 11 March 2026.
The conference will bring together over 400 biobased industry professionals, researchers, policymakers, and supporting organisations to hear talks, case studies, and panel sessions and to take part in networking activities and workshops.
Visit the exhibition, innovation zone, and posters zone, take part in extensive informal networking opportunities and 1-1 partnering, and join an all-welcome civic reception at Glasgow City Chambers.
Conference attendees are made up of predominantly C-suite or senior level industry representatives from both large, established companies and emerging and start-up enterprises, as well as senior academics, researchers in industry or academia, students and recent graduates, investors, and policy makers. The conference focuses on delivering tangible benefits for attendees, including cultivating strategic partnerships, facilitating new connections and collaborations, providing examples of best practice, understanding, and feeding back on, regulations, and supporting effective communication.
The theme of this year’s conference is BioSolutions for Tomorrow’s World. Fast paced sessions will explore topics ranging from bio-similars in manufacturing to food innovation and the role of biotechnology in restoring natural environments. We’ll look into key issues such as the extent to which bio-based products can replace fossil, and factors influencing the adoption of alternative proteins, while fireside chats and panel sessions will delve into issues in depth. Sponsored workshops on Day 2 will give hosts and delegates an opportunity to discuss issues in-depth in an interactive and outcome-driven setting, and informal networking and 1-1 partnering throughout will give delegates opportunities to meet key contacts and build new connections.
The Scottish Universities Life Sciences Alliance (SULSA) IndAc25 Conference is a dynamic two-day conference and careers fair bringing together life sciences industry and academia to explore the latest in industry-academia collaboration, commercialisation, and career development.
Day one focuses on industry-academia collaboration and commercialisation with ample opportunities to network with commercially minded academics, industry open to collaboration and organisations that can support.
Day two focuses on employability and skills development and run similar to a recruitment fair providing the chance for talented and proactive undergraduate and postgraduate students and staff to network with life sciences employers.
Interface are taking part in a panel session and have an exhibition stand, so drop by and meet Shelley Breckenridge, Jackie Sanderson and Gillian Hambley.
Aligning Research with Real-World Impact
Life Sciences Partnerships Day on Wednesday 1st October 2025 will be a day of connection, collaboration and innovation bringing together academic researchers, funders, industry and other external organisations to explore how the University of Glasgow’s life sciences expertise can help tackle real-world challenges.
This event is designed to create space for meaningful engagement between Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences (MVLS) researchers and external organisations. Through a combination of keynote talks, industry-led pitches, collaborative workshops, and networking opportunities, the day aims to:
- Showcase MVLS research strengths and ambitions
- Identify opportunities for collaborative problem-solving
- Facilitate conversations around funding, skills development, and translational impact
- Build lasting partnerships to address key societal challenges with a focus on human and animal health, life sciences, and the environment
Meet Interface’s Gillian Hambley and Jackie Sanderson at this event.
Accelerate your HealthTech solution with University of Glasgow’s Evidence Generation Bootcamp!
Building on the success of the inaugural bootcamp last year, the Digital Health Validation Lab is hosting its second edition on Wednesday 1st and Thursday 2nd of October. This two-day, hands-on event is designed for HealthTech innovators who are ready to accelerate their solutions and drive real-world impact.
In today’s fast-moving and competitive HealthTech landscape, robust evidence is critical to achieving regulatory approval, adoption, scale, and long-term success. This bootcamp provides a practical framework to help you confidently navigate the complexities of evidence generation and build a clear, actionable strategy aligned with your innovation and route to market.
Through expert-led sessions, you’ll gain:
- Clarity on your evidence requirements and how to address them effectively
- Confidence to engage key stakeholders with timely, relevant evidence and navigate complex evidence demands
- A personalised roadmap for evidence generation, tailored to your solution and market strategy
- Improved understanding of approaches to: Patient and Public Involvement (PPI); concept validation; health economic modelling; simulation; technical feasibility and AI performance testing; clinical investigations for regulatory approval; and clinical and cost-effectiveness studies to support adoption.
Who should attend?
HealthTech startups, SMEs, innovation leads, and academic researchers ready to turn a great solution into an evidence-backed, scalable success.
Headline speakers include:
Professor Olivia Wu is a globally recognised authority in Health Technology Assessment (HTA). She holds the prestigious William R Lindsay Chair of Health Economics at the University of Glasgow’s HEHTA and serves as Adjunct Professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy at Mahidol University in Thailand.
Professor Neil Hawkins is a Professor of Health Technology Assessment (HTA) at the University of Glasgow, where he brings decades of cross-sector experience to advancing evidence-based healthcare decision-making. His career spans academia, industry, and consultancy, with contributions across pharmacology, clinical development, epidemiology, and HTA.
Professor David Lowe is an Emergency Consultant at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH), Clinical Director of Innovation at the University of Glasgow, and Clinical Director for Health Innovation for the Scottish Government.
Ticket Price
£295.00 – Early Bird Rate (until 15 August 2025)
£350.00 – Standard Rate (from 16 August 2025)
Please note that registration will close on Friday 19 September.
Be part of the conversation at the Art of Possible session on 19th June at the Glasgow Science Centre.
As part of the #Glasgow 850 celebrations, this Art of Possible session will highlight Glasgow’s remarkable health and life sciences journey—a story that blends centuries of scientific discovery with today’s cutting-edge medical technologies. The Glasgow’s Innovation Journey campaign is a year-long initiative showcasing how Glasgow’s industrial past has laid the foundation for the high-tech advancements of today. This month, the focus is on the city’s thriving health and life sciences sector, from breakthroughs in biotechnology and medical research to pioneering technologies that enhance patient care. Glasgow continues to lead the way in global health innovation.
This Art of Possible session will explore how technology is transforming and democratising healthcare — making it more accessible, personalised, and efficient for all.
Join the panel of experts to examine how emerging technologies are transforming areas such as early disease detection, patient wellbeing, and precision medicine. From robot-assisted surgery and ultrasonic imaging to AI-powered diagnostics, the session will explore how Glasgow’s health tech innovators are tackling global health challenges while breaking down barriers to more personalised care.
Whether it’s through data-led approaches or immersive AR/VR tools for patient and clinician support, the region’s ecosystem is shaping a future where location and circumstance no longer determine access to high-quality healthcare.
Who is Speaking?
- Dr Stephen Breslin – Chief Executive, Glasgow Science Centre
- Janette Hughes – Director of Planning & Performance, The Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI) (Chair)Nico Fenu – CEO & Founder, Nami Surgical
- Dr Paul Chapman – Director of Emerging Technology, The Glasgow School of Art
- More speakers to be confirmed soon
This will be a valuable session for business leaders, researchers, technologists, innovators, and entrepreneurs.
Scottish Universities Life Science Alliance (SULSA) is joining Science Entrepreneur Club on March 26th in Edinburgh to launch SEC Scotland!
This collaboration with Science Entrepreneur Club will bring together entrepreneurs, investors, and academics to connect, share ideas, and drive innovation in Scotland’s thriving life sciences sector.
Event Schedule:
- 2:30–4:30 PM | Workshop for researchers on developing an entrepreneurial mindset
- 4:30–7:00 PM | Networking Mixer with drinks, nibbles, and inspiring conversations
What to look forward to?
- Professor Ross Tuffee, founder of the Connect-Ed Network and co-author of Scotland’s Entrepreneurial Campus report, will guide researchers in SULSA’s network through key considerations in developing an entrepreneurial mindset and empower you to turn your research into business ideas whether you’re ready to take that plunge now or just wondering what the fuss is all about!
- Following this workshop for researchers (PhD stage upwards), the SEC’s network of entrepreneurs and investors will join for an evening of networking and the official launch of the SEC Scotland Chapter. SULSA and BioAcademic researchers are welcome to join for the workshop and/or the mixer!
? Register on the luma platform to attend:
The 13th Scottish Fermentation Network Event will take place at the University of Edinburgh Central Campus on 7th April 2025.
Following some refreshments on arrival, a brief update on the network will be given and then an exciting mix of industry and academic presentations from current SFN members. This will be followed by an optional distillery tour and tasting event at Holyrood Distillery.
Agenda
1pm – Registration & refreshments
1.30pm – Welcome talk – Luke Johnston – Senior Upstream Bioprocess Scientist, IBioIC
Session 1
1.40pm – Omics and Biotech. Why bother? – Karl Burgess – Personal Chair of Biological Mass Spectrometry, University of Edinburgh
2pm – Cheaper Than Chicken – Martin Currie – Founder, AMYBO
2.20pm – IP-A: A pint full of intellectual property – Yann Robin – Principal Associate, Marks & Clerk
2.40pm – Sponsor presentation – María Constanza Sadino Riquelme – Senior Process Engineer, Modela
2:50pm – Refreshment break
Session 2
3.10pm – Using Scotland’s spent grains to help solve the global cocoa crisis – Andy Clayton – CEO, Fermtech
3.30pm – Production of biobased molecules to enhance drought tolerance in plants – Josephine Giard – Postdoctoral Researcher, Heriot Watt University
3.45pm – Accelerating R&D: reducing cost improving product recovery with AI Bioprocess Simulation Software – Rafael Boni – Bioprocess Engineer, New Wave Biotech
4pm – Wrap up of main event – Luke Johnston – Senior Upstream Bioprocess Scientist, IBioIC
Main event ends
4.30pm – Whisky tour & tasting (Holyrood Distillery). Note – distillery is a 10 minute walk from 50 George Square venue.
6.15pm – Tasting concludes
Note – tasting will last between 1 hour 15 mins to 1 hour 30 mins.