Skip to content

Overview

Scotland plays a key role in driving UK innovation and prosperity. The Royal Society is working in partnership with the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Scotland's National Academy, to deliver Creating Connections – a two day conference focusing on Scottish research and innovation. Scientific and technical opportunities and challenges in Scotland will be addressed by leading experts from academia, industry and government.

Attending this event

Please send an email to industry@royalsociety.org where we will forward your request to the relevant Royal Society staff member.

Schedule


Abstract

This workshop aims to ensure that stories of science are shared with communities in Scotland by exploring the possibilities for collaboration between museums, galleries and STEM organisations. 

If you work in a museum or gallery you will have the opportunity to meet organisations who can help you develop high quality science content, hear about success stories from Scotland and beyond, and find out about opportunities for funding. If you work for a science organisation you will find out how to work with museums and cultural organisations to create unique, locally relevant projects, how to reach new audiences with your content and meet peers from across the region.

To request an invitation to this session please send an email including your name, job title, affiliation and reason for interest in attending.


Chair

Professor Peter Bruce FRS

Wolfson Chair in Materials, University of Oxford, and Physical Secretary and Vice-President, The Royal Society


Abstract

The UK Government has committed to increase spending on R&D to £22 billion a year by 2025 and overall investment in R&D to 2.4% of GDP by 2027. It has also outlined its ambition for the UK to become a science superpower, committed to levelling-up the UK and is seeking to ‘build back better’ in response to COVID-19, including a focus on green growth to deliver net-zero by 2050.  What does this ambition to increase investment in UK research and innovation mean for Scotland and its people?

This roundtable will bring together large and small businesses, universities, colleges, research institutes and national and local policymakers and funders to discuss how research and innovation activity varies across Scotland, and explore strengths and opportunities.

Through this discussion, we will seek to identify the limiting factors on research and innovation activity in Scotland as a basis to explore local, national and UK-wide levers that may help boost this. We will also explore how people across Scotland can contribute to and share the benefits of research and innovation. We will share the findings of this discussion to inform ongoing policy and influencing activity.


Abstract

Climate change and biodiversity interact in complex ways, with important implications for the future of our environment and society. Tackling these interrelated challenges requires working collaboratively. Scotland, with its unique habitats and history of innovation, is well-placed to address these challenges.

From Coast to Countryside will explore how climate change and biodiversity interact, and how projects in Scotland can simultaneously create benefits for ecosystems, the climate and society. 

The roundtable will bring together representatives from across science, industry, agriculture, economics, the marine environment, and communities in Scotland to highlight successful multidisciplinary case studies that address multifaceted and connected challenges for climate change and biodiversity. This will give representatives from a range of backgrounds an opportunity to share experiences and to discuss the conditions and support needed for success.

Beginning with presentations from a selection of case studies on urban, rural and marine initiatives, the meeting will then be opened to all attendees for a plenary discussion to share experiences and insights.

This roundtable is being held in partnership by the Royal Society and Royal Society of Edinburgh.

From Coast to Countryside will be chaired by Professor Sir Ian Boyd, and include the following opening presentations:

  • Biodiversity and Climate Interractions: Dr Isla Myers Smith, University of Edinburgh 
  • Glasgow Open Space Strategy: Gillian Dick, Glasgow City Council
  • Forest Carbon: James Hepburne Scott, Forest Carbon
  • The Scottish Blue Carbon Forum: Professor William Austin, University of St Andrews

The presentations will be followed by an open plenary discussion in which attendees can share their own experiences and insights.

To express interest in joining From Coast to Countryside, please contact leonardo.marioni@royalsociety.org

12:30-12:35

Abstract

Join us for a networking lunch running from 12:30pm to 1:30pm, which will bring together delegates from all of the events taking place during the conference.

When you enter the room you will be allocated to a 'table' to watch the speech and have the opportunity to meet and chat with fellow delegates.

12:35-12:40
Welcome remarks

Speakers

12:40-12:50
Keynote speech

Speakers

12:50-13:30
Networking

Chair

Simon Andrews

Executive Director, Fraunhofer UK Research Ltd


Abstract

This workshop will explore how science and technology can be used to support economic growth across Scotland, discussing the application of data, science and technology to scale-up businesses and to accelerate business growth.

To request an invitation, please send an email to industry@royalsociety.org including your name, job title, affiliation, and reason for interest in attending.

Keynote Speech

Speakers

Case Studies

Speakers


Abstract

This meeting will focus on international scientific collaboration and will bring together stakeholders from the scientific and political communities across Scotland to discuss the consequences of Brexit on international scientific collaboration, what this means for UK science and how the UK can address this challenge in future.


Chair


Abstract

The Mathematical Futures programme seeks to understand what mathematical competences will be needed by citizens in the future to lead fulfilling lives and to be successful in their careers, and how education systems should change so that young people are equipped with these competences.

This event will debate how education could be shaped in the future to enable richer experiences for all children and the links between mathematics (defined broadly) and other disciplines. The event will be chaired by Professor Andrew Blake FRS and include interactive breakout sessions and presentations from Sir David Spiegelhalter OBE FRS, Anthony Tomei CBE, Professor Bencie Woll FBA FAAAS and Professor Quintin Cutts who will be presenting their views on these topics.

16:00-17:00

Abstract

The event will begin with introductory talks on the topic of 'Neural Interfaces & the Future of Gaming' from the perspective of both gaming and neuroscience. 

There will then be a Q&A session where audience members can ask questions to our speakers and panellists.

Speakers

17:00-18:00

Abstract

Participants will be moved into breakout groups to learn about each other's work and to discuss future applications for neural interfaces and gaming, opportunities for and barriers to collaboration, and ethical issues that could arise in the future.

After this, there will be an open plenary discussion with all participants.


Abstract

A recent Royal Society report, iHuman, explored the long term potential and risks of neural interface technologies. This workshop will explore questions such as: what opportunities for collaboration exist between gaming companies and scientists working on neural interfaces? What are the ethical implications of using neural interfaces in gaming?

If you would like to attend, please email emergingtech@royalsociety.org with a short explanation as to why you are interested in attending.


Abstract

This virtual roundtable discussion will launch the latest Primer for the Courts, part of the Royal Society’s Science and the Law programme designed to provide accurate, readily understood science to the judiciary. The primers project is a unique collaboration between members of the judiciary, the Royal Society and the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Delegates will be invited to give feedback on the utility of the primers and make suggestions for future topics.

17:30-17:35
Welcome remarks

Speakers

Dame Anne Rafferty

Former High Court Judge of the United Kingdom

17:35-17:40
Introduction to the Science and the Law Programme

Speakers

Professor Sarah Skerratt

Royal Society of Edinburgh

17:40-17:55
Introductions to recent Primers

Speakers

Professor Niamh NicDaeid FRSE

University of Dundee, UK

Professor Dame Sue Black DBE FRSE FRS

Royal Anthropological Institute and Lancaster University, UK

17:55-18:30
Discussion

Abstract

Hear from the Royal Society and Royal Society of Edinburgh’s grants teams about the funding opportunities available to UK-based and international researchers from postdoctoral fellowships to senior professorships. The speakers will provide advice on developing competitive grant applications and answer questions from the audience about all aspects of applying for funding from both organisations. The speakers will be joined by current researchers supported by both organisations who will give their views on applying for and holding grant funding from the Royal Society and Royal Society of Edinburgh.

To attend, please sign up via Eventbrite.


Chair

Dame Sue Ion GBE FREng FRS

Chair of the Royal Society Science, Industry and Translation Committee

15:00-15:05
Welcome remarks

Speakers

Dame Sue Ion GBE FREng FRS

Chair of the Royal Society Science, Industry and Translation Committee

15:05-15:15
Changing times for innovation

Speakers

15:15-15:35
Experience from award holders

Speakers

15:35-16:30
Discussion

Abstract

The Royal Society and the Royal Society of Edinburgh will jointly host a networking event that will bring together scientists and entrepreneurs supported by the RS and RSE Enterprise and Innovation schemes. Breakout discussions will help connect individuals and explore ways to build collaborations across the UK.


Abstract

Together the Royal Society and the Royal Society of Edinburgh will host a regional network meeting bringing together research fellows from both Societies based in Scotland. Facilitated by guest speakers the session will center around what makes university and academic research environments inclusive and collaborative, as well as what universities and funders can do to support the wellbeing of their award holders.


Abstract

This roundtable, in partnership with the Royal Society of Edinburgh, will explore aspects such as existing and potential uses of data that can help achieve net zero across multiple sectors in Scotland, needs in terms of data infrastructure and skills, and government and industry collaborations. 

Speakers

Related Events