Creating connections in Scotland 2025

18 June 2025 08:30 - 18:00 Technology and Innovation Centre, 99 George St, Glasgow G1 1RD Free
Creating Connections

Taking place at the Technology and Innovation Centre, this event will bring together experts from academia, industry and government to address scientific and technical opportunities and challenges in Scotland.

The day will feature workshops and roundtable discussions on diverse topics including policy, innovation and education. This event will also feature a lunchtime address and a networking break which will bring together delegates from across the conference.

Attending this event

This event will be free to attend by invitation. To request an invitation, please contact industry@royalsociety.org.

Schedule

Chair

Professor Martin Dawson FRS

Professor Martin Dawson FRS

University of Strathclyde

09:00-10:30 Session 1 - Access to technical expertise

These sessions are aimed at SMEs who wish to hear more about what resources are available to them locally. It will feature presentations from organisations that have been set up to provide specialist knowledge and capabilities, funding providers and regional support networks.

This session is open to local SMEs and industry.

If you would like to attend this session, please register here or get in touch with the Industry team.

Dr Poonam Malik

Dr Poonam Malik

Vice-President - Business (Economy and Enterprise), Royal Society of Edinburgh

Dr Katya McKenna

Dr Katya McKenna

National Manufacturing Institute of Scotland

Dr Mark Bustard

Dr Mark Bustard

IBioIC

Paul Winstanley

Paul Winstanley

CENSIS

Professor Loyd McKnight

Professor Loyd McKnight

Fraunhofer Ltd

Professor Marc Desmulliez

Professor Marc Desmulliez

Heriot-Watt University

Paul Blakeman

Paul Blakeman

CPI

10:30-12:30 Teacher workshop - practical science in the classroom

We are inviting Glasgow based secondary school teachers and senior leaders to a workshop session, focussing on providing support and solutions to carrying out practical science in the classroom. This session has been designed by The Royal Society Schools Engagement team. Alongside discussions and a workshop activity, the session will highlight The Royal Society's free teaching resources and opportunities to access funding for science projects. It will also feature a case study talk from a teacher and STEM partner who have participated in The Royal Society’s Partnership Grants scheme.

This session is invitation-only.

10:30-15:00 Engagement, collaboration and community

We invite professionals working in public engagement and outreach across universities, science centres, local museums and community organisations to a dedicated workshop hosted by the Royal Society and the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Public Engagement teams.

We hope this session will be an opportunity to create and strengthen local and national connections. We are keen to share opportunities for collaboration offered by the Royal Society and Royal Society of Edinburgh and want to better understand how we can support researchers to engage in their local areas.

In the morning, we’ll focus on exploring and deepening connections between engagement professionals, using resources and initiatives from both institutions to spark ideas and collaborative partnerships. After lunch, the conversation will shift to roundtable discussions centred on essential skills and knowledge that you think that researchers need to lead and deliver effective public and community engagement.

We look forward to a day of shared learning, inspiration, and building a stronger network of public engagement professionals.

This session is invitation-only. To request an invitation, please get in touch with the Public Engagement team

Chair

Lynne Cadenhead

Lynne Cadenhead

Tricapital Angels Ltd

11:00-12:00 Session 2 - Funding

These sessions are aimed at SMEs who wish to hear more about what resources are available to them locally. It will feature presentations from organisations that have been set up to provide specialist knowledge and capabilities, funding providers and regional support networks.

This session is open to local SMEs and industry.

If you would like to attend this session, please register here or get in touch with the Industry team.

Kezia Williamson

Kezia Williamson

Innovate UK Business Connect

Bruce Ainsley

Bruce Ainsley

Scottish Enterprise

Amelia Whitelaw

Amelia Whitelaw

Interface

Emma Loedel

Emma Loedel

Royal Academy of Engineering

12:35-12:40 Welcome address
Dr Julie Maxton CBE, Executive Director, The Royal Society

Dr Julie Maxton CBE, Executive Director, The Royal Society

Dr Poonam Malik

Dr Poonam Malik

Vice-President - Business (Economy and Enterprise), Royal Society of Edinburgh

12:40-13:00 Lunchtime address
Richard Lochhead MSP

Richard Lochhead MSP

Minister for Business, Scottish Government

13:45-15:00 Industry College networking session

Join us for a series of presentations highlighting some of the projects the Royal Society has funded through the Industry Fellowship, Short Industry Fellowship and Entrepreneur in Residence programme.

The Royal Society Industry College network consists of current and former award holders of the Royal Society Industry Fellowship, Short Industry Fellowship and Entrepreneur in Residence schemes. All three schemes were established by the Society to help facilitate research translation and strengthen the links between industry and academia. 

This session is open to all.

If you would like to attend this session, get in touch with the Industry team.

13:45-15:00 Connecting schools and STEM professionals: Partnership Grants

This workshop from the Royal Society Schools Engagement team highlights opportunities for STEM professionals in academia and industry to connect with local schools. As well as discussions, the workshop will include a case study talk from a teacher and STEM partner working in industry, who have participated in the Royal Society’s Partnership Grants scheme.

This session is open to all.

15:30-17:00 Growing the Connect-Ed Network

A roundtable discussion led by Ross Tuffee, an independent Entrepreneur in Residence based at Stirling University.

Ross founded the Connect-Ed Network, which aims to bring together all of the EIRs across Scotland.

15:30-17:00 Addressing workplace skills need in Scotland through reform of mathematical and data education

Chaired by Janet Brown, RSE’s Vice President for Education, this roundtable will bring together representatives from Scottish industry to consider whether our education system is equipping the workforce of tomorrow with appropriate mathematical and data skills and, if not, what reform is necessary. 

This session is invitation-only.

15:30-17:00 Title to be confirmed