Latest NewsEuropean Crucible 2022 generates new Scottish-European multi-disciplinary researchNovember 3, 2022News & EventsEuropean Crucible 2022 generates new Scottish-European multi-disciplinary research European Crucible 2022 researchers and contributors. The European Crucible 2022 programme has culminated in seed-funding awards for 8 new multi-disciplinary research projects led by teams of Scottish-European collaborative researchers. Multi-disciplinary Research Projects Following from European Crucible 2022, researchers from 7 Scottish Universities and 11 other European countries, will collaboratively undertake pilot research projects over the next year addressing a range of scientific, technological, environmental, cultural and societal challenges, as follows: European Crucible 2022 – selected research projects and location of research team members: 1.AutoDOSE: AUTOphagy Dynamic Optimisation, Statistical Learning and Experimental Design – Scotland, France, Greece and Norway 2. In-Cell-Net – Scotland, France and Luxembourg. 3. MIRROR: MagnetIc Reef RestORation – Scotland, Germany, Greece, Ireland and Italy 4. Biodegradable Wearable Wireless Piezoelectric Nanosensors for Personalised Motor-neuro rehabilitation – Scotland, France and Netherlands 5. MAVKA: Co-creative gamified storytelling for trauma – Scotland and Ukraine 6. rECOver: Policy Making and Green Technology – Advancing Engagement Collider Event – Scotland, France and Turkey 7. Science and Human Histories – Scotland, Netherlands and Spain 8. A digital twin for hydrogen storage – Scotland, France and Luxembourg Scotland-Europe collaborations European Crucible 2022 has been supported by the Scottish Government via the SFC Saltire initiative. It was organised jointly by SUPA SUPA | Physics Scotland | Scottish Universities Physics Alliance and the Research Futures Academy at Heriot-Watt University on behalf of all Scottish Research Pools. It was delivered in partnership with the University of Luxembourg (via Prof Stéphane Bordas) and CentraleSupélec, France (via Prof Marc Sciamanna): Partners 2022 – Scottish Crucible Multiple keynote guests contributed to the European Crucible 2022 programme, including the Prof Sir John Ball, President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh; Dr Debora Revoltella, Chief Economist, European Investment Bank HQ, Luxembourg; and Prof Cédric Villani, Fields Medal, University of Lyon (formerly Member of the French National Assembly). European Crucible researcher cohorts The second annual European Crucible programme aimed to bring together outstanding researchers from different disciplines, institutions and countries to stimulate new interdisciplinary research collaborations between Scottish and European researchers. The cohort comprised 25 researchers from Scotland and 26 researchers from 13 other European countries: European Crucible 2022: European Cohort – Scottish Crucible Commenting on their experiences of European Crucible 2022, participants said: “I am thrilled that I had a chance to participate in this year’s European Crucible programme. Excellent initiative, and I can’t wait to start working with my fellow Cruciblists.” Dr Antonija Grubišić-Čabo, Associate Professor of Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, The Netherlands “Thank you to everyone who made this year’s online Crucible possible. It was a great experience; I met some brilliant people and I have even started a few new collaborations.” Dr Karen Donaldson, Project Manager, The National Robotarium, Heriot-Watt University, Scotland “This whole European Crucible was simply amazing. First time ever in such a rich environment with amazing, cross-disciplinary fellow Cruciblist researchers. Kudos to the organisation and facilitators.” Dr Rubén Salvador, Associate Professor of Computer Engineering, CentraleSupélec de Rennes, France. ——————————————————————————————————————– For further details, contact: EuropeanCrucible@hw.ac.uk Research Futures Academy Heriot-Watt University European Crucible... European Crucible 2022 programme launches for the Scottish cohortApril 13, 2022News & EventsEuropean Crucible 2022 programme launches for the Scottish cohort Twenty-three of the twenty-five Scottish Cruciblists; guest speakers Prof Rory Duncan and Stuart Fancey; host Vivienne Parry; European Crucible directors Dr Ruth Neiland and Prof Alan Miller, and coordinator, Dr Natasha Nicholson. The second year of the prestigious European Crucible programme for “research leaders of the future” has commenced with two virtual events for Scottish researchers focused on international collaboration and UK research strategy. European Crucible aims to bring together outstanding researchers from different disciplines, institutions and countries to stimulate new interdisciplinary research collaborations between Scottish and European researchers. The first online events were jointly chaired by writer and broadcaster, Vivienne Parry OBE and by Prof Alan Miller FRSE from SUPA SUPA | Physics Scotland | Scottish Universities Physics Alliance. They featured an intensive programme of research presentations and interactive networking activities, with participants also engaging with notable keynote speakers, namely: Simon Andrews, Executive Director of Fraunhofer UK Research Ltd;Prof Sir Ian Boyd, former Chief Scientific Adviser at DEFRA and current Chair of the UK Research Integrity Office;Prof Rory Duncan, Director of Talent and Skills, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI);Dr Stuart Fancey, Director of Research and Innovation, Scottish Funding Council;Prof Julie Fitzpatrick, Scientific Director of the Moredun Research Institute and Chief Scientific Adviser to the Scottish Government;Prof Jaime Toney, co-Director of the Centre for Sustainable Solutions, University of Glasgow. Reflecting on her experiences of European collaboration and meeting the Scottish cohort of European Crucible, Prof Julie Fitzpatrick OBE said: “Research links between Scotland and the EU have long been the platform for some fantastic collaborations, with EU funding supporting multi- and inter-disciplinary research that truly crosses boundaries. Research and innovation is all about partnerships, and European Crucible provides an opportunity for Scottish researchers to make those critical contacts that will establish research programmes for the future. It was great to see this in action at a virtual European Crucible Lab!” The cohort of just 25 talented researchers from Scotland were competitively chosen to undertake European Crucible 2022. They represent diverse academic disciplines and are based at 12 different Universities and research institutes across Scotland. Four of this year’s cohort are from Heriot-Watt University – Dr Karen Anne Alexander, Assistant Professor at the International Centre for Island Technology, Orkney; Dr Heidi Burdett, Associate Professor, Lyell Centre, Edinburgh; Dr Mel McKendrick, Assistant Professor in Psychology and CEO of Optomize Ltd; and Dr Ryan Pereira, Associate Professor Lyell Centre, Edinburgh. Commenting on her experience of European Crucible, Dr Mel McKendrick said: “In the first couple of European Crucible meetings I have been truly inspired by the synergies between several of the other delegates’ work and my own. This has already helped to generate new ideas and ways of working with people. I am so excited to see what the next set of labs will offer as we meet other Crucible researchers from Europe”. European Crucible 2022 (supported by Scottish Government via the SFC Saltire initiative), is organised jointly by SUPA and the Research Futures Academy at Heriot-Watt University on behalf of all Scottish Research Pools and in partnership with CentraleSupélec, France. The next stages of European Crucible 2022 will see a further 25 researchers from across Europe join the cohort to complete the programme with their counterparts from Scotland.... Innovative research collaborations initiated via European Crucible 2021June 10, 2021News & EventsInnovative research collaborations initiated via European Crucible 2021 European Crucible 2021 Luxembourg collaborator and host, Prof Stéphane Bordas, at the University of Luxembourg, Belval Campus. The European Crucible 2021 programme has culminated in the selection of 7 collaborative research projects for funding support from the Scottish Funding Council, Luxembourg National Research Fund, and SUPA (Scottish Universities Physics Alliance). The awards go to multi-disciplinary teams of researchers who had each won a place on the inaugural European Crucible leadership programme that ran virtually in spring 2021.* The successful project proposals will be undertaken over the next year by groups of European Crucible Alumni from 11 European countries, as follows: European Crucible 2021 – selected research projects and location of research team members: Developing New Tools for Evaluating Nanoscale Biological Interactions – Scotland, Czech Republic, France, Netherlands, Portugal Enhancing young people’s use of Green and Blue spaces: a Public and Patient Involvement Study – Scotland, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Spain MYinsulin: Low-Cost, Sustainable and Resilient Insulin Supply Alternatives to Benefit Low and Lower-Middle Income Communities – Scotland, France, Luxembourg, Norway and Switzerland Nanostructure-Enhanced Gallium Oxide UV Photodetectors for In-Situ Water Quality Monitoring – Scotland, France and Luxembourg ROBOCAT – Robotic Assisted Discovery of CO2 Reduction Catalysts – Scotland and France Stakeholder Engagement Activities to Inform an Intervention to Support People Released from Prison Achieve Good Health and Social Outcomes – Scotland, Netherlands and Norway Transperceptual Approach to Uncovering the Secrets of Biological Tissues – Focus on the Knee Meniscus – Scotland, England and Luxembourg European Crucible 2021 was organised in partnership between i) the Scottish Crucible team of the Research Futures Academy (Heriot-Watt University); ii) ‘SUPA’ on behalf of the network of Scottish Research Pools and iii) the University of Luxembourg. The key Luxembourg host and collaborator was Prof Stéphane Bordas, Legato Team Leader, who coordinated the engagement of Luxembourg-based institutions and researchers with the virtual programme: Partners – Scottish Crucible Prof Bordas said, “Several years of productive collaboration with Scotland led to this first European Crucible, an exceptional multi-disciplinary event, supported by all Luxembourg Research Institutes. As a participant of the first Scottish Crucible, I could feel the palpable excitement of our European Cruciblists, who intellectually bridged all disciplinary and national boundaries. These young and dynamic researchers all embodied the strong European feeling which Luxembourg and Scotland share”. And commenting on the success of European Crucible 2021 in building interdisciplinary research collaborations, Dr Ruth Neiland, Head of the Research Futures Academy and Scottish Crucible Director, said “Many congratulations to all of our European Crucible 2021 teams on their highly innovative and interdisciplinary proposals! We look forward to seeing how these collaborations develop – and the impact they can have in tackling scientific and societal challenges for Europe and beyond.” Further detailsEuropeanCrucible@hw.ac.ukResearch Futures AcademyHeriot-Watt University *Note on European Crucible participants 25 early and mid-career researchers from Scotland’s universities and research institutes were competitively selected to take part in European Crucible 2021 (from the universities of Abertay, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Napier, St Andrews, Stirling and Strathclyde; and James Hutton Institute, SAMS, and NHS Tayside): https://scottishcrucible.org.uk/european-crucible/scottish-cohort/ They were joined by 25 equivalent researchers from 13 other European countries (Belgium, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland): https://scottishcrucible.org.uk/european-crucible/european-cohort/... European Crucible – creating a Scottish-European network of interdisciplinary research leadersMarch 30, 2021News & Events / UncategorizedEuropean Crucible 2021, an initiative aiming to create a new network of research leaders from Scotland and Europe, has completed its inaugural programme with an interdisciplinary collaboration challenge for its 50 specially selected Crucible participants. Distributed across 13 European countries and representing over 30 Universities and research institutes, European Crucible participants undertook the highly interactive, virtual programme as a group together over 2 months. Now their challenge is to formulate collaborative group proposals for pilot projects which are international, interdisciplinary, innovative and sustainable. The winning bids to the European Crucible Project Fund will be announced in May 2021. Inspiration as to the potential of ambitious interdisciplinary research collaboration was offered throughout European Crucible 2021 by high-level, invited speakers from a variety of sectors, including: Government and funding bodies: Dr Stuart Fancey, Director of Research and Innovation, Scottish Funding Council; Christina Miller, Director, UK Research Office, Brussels; Richard Lochhead, Member of the Scottish Parliament, Scottish Government Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science. European research and financial institutions: Simon Andrews, Executive Director, Fraunhofer UK Research Ltd; Dr Debora Revoltella, Chief Economist, European Investment Bank, Luxembourg. University sector: Professor Charles Cockell, co-Director of the UK Centre for Astrobiology, University of Edinburgh; Dr Philippe Delfosse, Advisor to the Vice-Rector for Research, University of Luxembourg; Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of Strathclyde & President, Royal Academy of Engineering. Media and broadcasting: Quentin Cooper; Vivienne Parry Scottish Crucible Academic Alumni: Professor Stéphane Bordas, Professor of Computational Sciences, University of Luxembourg; Professor Mirela Delibegovic, Dean for Industrial Engagement in Research and Knowledge Transfer, University of Aberdeen; Professor Stuart Reid, Head of Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde. European Crucible was organised in partnership between i) the Scottish Crucible team of the Research Futures Academy, Heriot-Watt University; ii) ‘SUPA’ on behalf of the network of Scottish Research Pools ; and iii) the University of Luxembourg. It was funded by the Scottish Government (via the Scottish Funding Council), the FNR (Luxembourg National Research Fund), and the University of Luxembourg. 25 researchers from Scotland and 25 researchers from 12 other European countries were selected to take part in the inaugural European Crucible programme. Reflecting on their experience of European Crucible, participants said: “Absolutely loved this programme. Inspiring researchers, innovative ideas, but most of all amazing people” Dr Fiona Kerr, Lecturer in Molecular Pharmacology, Edinburgh Napier University. “Very happy, honoured and humbled to be part of this wonderful initiative! Interdisciplinary connections are the key to push forward revolutionary ideas!” Dr Nicolò Maccaferri, Research Associate and Principal Investigator, Department of Physics and Materials Science, University of Luxembourg. “Fabulous European Crucible closing session. The magic of interdisciplinary collaborations manifesting in all sorts of weird and wonderful ways. Looking forward to seeing where these new connections lead!” Dr Katy Tant, Chancellor’s Fellow, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Strathclyde. Further details: European Crucible is built on the success of the national ‘Scottish Crucible’ programme: https://scottishcrucible.org.uk/european-crucible/ Participants: Scottish Cohort: https://scottishcrucible.org.uk/european-crucible/scottish-cohort/ Rest of Europe Cohort: https://scottishcrucible.org.uk/european-crucible/european-cohort/ Contact: EuropeanCrucible@hw.ac.ukScottish Crucible DirectorateResearch Futures AcademyHeriot-Watt University... European Crucible Launches With Scottish Research Leaders’ EventDecember 16, 2020News & EventsThe new European Crucible programme for “research leaders of the future” has launched with its first virtual event held live for Scottish researchers. 25 top researchers competitively selected from universities and research institutes across Scotland, have met to discuss international collaboration and interdisciplinarity in an intensive event chaired by writer and broadcaster, Vivienne Parry. They were joined by notable keynote speakers including Prof Dame Anne Glover, President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and formerly Chief Scientific Adviser to the President of the European Commission; Simon Andrews, Executive Director of Fraunhofer UK Research Ltd; and Prof Rory Duncan, Director of Talent and Skills, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Reflecting on his meeting the Scottish cohort of European Crucible at the event, Dr Stuart Fancey, Director of Research and Innovation at the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) said: “What a fantastically talented and collaborative group, and all determined to build their European research networks. Well done, Scottish Crucible”. European Crucible aims to stimulate new interdisciplinary research collaborations between Scottish and European researchers and builds on the success of Scottish Crucible and the Scottish Research Pools over the past decade. European Crucible is supported by the Scottish Government via the Scottish Funding Council, and by the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) and the University of Luxembourg. It will next run as 4 workshops in February and March 2021, when 25 specially selected European researchers will join their Scottish counterparts undertaking the programme. Of his participation in the initial European Crucible meeting, member of the Scottish contingent, Dr Leonardo Rios Solis, Lecturer at the Institute of Bioengineering, University of Edinburgh, said: “It was a pleasure being selected and highlighted by the Scottish Crucible as one of Scotland’s research leaders of the future. It was great to meet lots of young researchers based in Scotland with crazy and cool ideas to collaborate. Can’t wait to meet the European partners too!” The call for Scottish applications for European Crucible is now closed. The deadline for applications from researchers in European countries is 13 January 2021. For further details, visit: https://scottishcrucible.org.uk/european-crucible/... Scottish Crucible Alumni networking at Festival of ResearchNovember 15, 2019News & EventsScottish Crucible Alumni joined colleagues at Heriot-Watt University for a special networking event in November 2019 for participants of the Scottish Crucible programme hosted as part of Heriot-Watt’s Festival of Research: Heriot-Watt Festival of Research – Heriot-Watt University (hw.ac.uk) Five Scottish Crucible Alumni were invited to give presentations reflecting on their careers and research since undertaking Scottish Crucible and to lead discussions on the impact of interdisciplinary research collaboration. They were: Prof Tim Drysdale (University of Edinburgh) – from Scottish Crucible (SC) 2010Prof Helen Hastie (Heriot-Watt University) – SC 2010Dr Adam Stokes (University of Edinburgh) – SC 2013Dr Catherine Jones (Strathclyde University) – SC 2017Dr Alice Toniolo (University of St Andrews) – SC 2017 The event also featured highly topical keynote presentations on national research strategies and opportunities affecting research leaders by UKRI Director for Talent and Skills, Prof Rory Duncan (Heriot-Watt University) and Scottish Funding Council Director of Research and Innovation, Dr Stuart Fancey. Other opportunities for research engagement with other sectors were explained by Dr Linda Galloway from DASA (Defence and Security Accelerator). The event culminated in a presentation by Kirsty Grainger, Director of the new UKRI ‘Future Leaders Fellowship Programme’: Future Leaders Fellowships – UKRI and by Scottish Crucible Alumni being invited to join other sessions in the Festival – including ‘Pioneering Research’ sessions on Robotics and Health Innovation & Technology. Further details, contact: ResearchFutures@hw.ac.ukResearch Futures AcademyHeriot-Watt University... 2018 ForumJanuary 9, 2019Forums / News & EventsCelebrating a decade of Scottish Crucible Academics, researchers and business leaders met at Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University last week to take part in this year’s Scottish Crucible Forum. After a decade of delivery, and with over 300 “research leaders of the future” having taken part in Scottish Crucible, the annual Forum was an opportunity to celebrate the impact Scottish Crucible has had on its Alumni’s careers and research activities and consider new opportunities for researchers in the current research and innovation landscape. The Scottish Crucible Alumni reported on funding won and on new projects and collaborations forged, whilst also reflecting on their individual career progression since taking part in the Scottish Crucible leadership and development programme. The Forum enabled them to further network with colleagues from the past 10 years’ cohorts who represent multiple academic disciplines and research institutions in Scotland and now form the Scottish Crucible Alumni Network. “I have been very impressed with the breadth of this network”, said external Forum guest, Dr Ian Archer, Technical Director of IBioIC (Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre). Opportunities for researchers to learn from and engage with large research collaborations were highlighted at the Scottish Crucible Forum by Professor Arthur Trew (Deputy Director, Bayes Centre, University of Edinburgh), Professor David Lane (Director of the Edinburgh Centre for Robotics) and Professor Tom Wagner (Co-Director of the Lyell Centre, Heriot-Watt University). The value of collaborative, interdisciplinary research approaches in tackling Grand Challenges and effecting impact were further discussed by invited speakers including Mr Ian Ritchie, non-executive Chairman of Tern plc and Computer Applications Service and Professor Mercedes Maroto-Valer, Assistant Deputy Principal (Research and Innovation) and Director of the Research Centre for Carbon Solutions, Heriot-Watt University. Professor Maroto-Valer said after the event: “I am really impressed with the Alumni from Scottish Crucible. Congratulations on a decade of developing research leaders.” A focus on researchers engaging with the public was emphasised in the Forum, both by the host, broadcaster Quentin Cooper, and by programme speakers such as Dr Hermione Cockburn, Scientific Director of Dynamic Earth and Steven Vass, Scottish Editor, The Conversation. Professor Lesley Yellowlees, University of Edinburgh, discussed the findings of the recently published Tapping all our Talents Review , emphasising the demand for “more to be done” to increase the number and opportunities for women in STEM. Concluding the Scottish Crucible 2018 Forum, Professor Richard Williams, Principal of Heriot-Watt University, and Dr Stuart Fancey, Director of Research and Innovation, Scottish Funding Council, highlighted the opportunities for “research leaders of the future” in Scotland. They emphasised the growing importance of multidisciplinary projects and collaboration with research partners in addressing global challenges and building international collaborations. Scottish Crucible Director, Dr Ruth Neiland, said:“Collaboration, interdisciplinarity, innovation and leadership have been key, underpinning principles of Scottish Crucible for the past 10 years, and its Alumni are thus well placed to tackle a multiplicity of science and societal challenges and expand the boundaries of research and innovation in Scotland and internationally.”... Scottish Crucible Lab focuses on research impact and knowledge exchangeJuly 27, 2018News & EventsThe Scottish Crucible 2018 programme for Scotland’s talented “research leaders of the future” culminated in the final “lab” focusing on research impact and knowledge exchange. The 33 Scottish Crucible academics travelled to Dundee for an intensive two-day programme hosted, for the first time, by Abertay University. It followed on from the earlier Scottish Crucible labs hosted by Heriot-Watt University and the University of Glasgow in May and June 2018. Included in the programme for Lab 3 were sessions on how to develop a public profile as a research leader (with Professor Andy Whiten and Professor Steve Reicher, University of St. Andrews) and how to engage research with public communities (by Anna Day, Manager of UNESCO City of Design, Dundee). Participants also learnt about Scotland’s enterprise and business engagement support from Dr Olga Kozlova (Converge Challenge), Hannah Chater (Royal Society of Edinburgh Enterprise Fellowships), and Lorna Watson (Interface). Other research impact inspiration came from experiencing ‘hands-on’ computer game development, visits to newly-opened food technology laboratories, and hearing the personal experiences of academics, such as Dr Jon Wilkin and Dr John Babraj (Abertay University), in applying their research to industrial challenges. The final Lab of Scottish Crucible provided further networking opportunities for Scottish Crucible participants, both with the many Scottish Crucible Alumni who attended a reception at the McManus Art Gallery and Museum, and with senior colleagues who contributed to the day-time programmes. They included Professor Nigel Seaton (Principal) and Mark Batho (Vice-Principal) of Abertay University and Members of Court, Andrew Bailey (Director, Customer Service BT Business and Public Sector) and Gameelah Ghafoor (Head of Financial Software Security, NCR). Commenting on the final Lab of the 2018 programme, Scottish Crucible participants said, “A fantastic networking and personal experience!”; “It has been memorable and mind-opening”; “A once in a lifetime experience”; “So many connections between scientists, Universities, Scottish locations!”; “Amazing and enriching experience”; “Great people, brilliant ideas, generous hosts! Thank you, Scottish Crucible!”... Scottish Crucible explores European researcher strategies.July 15, 2018News & EventsAlong with 4,000 other delegates from across Europe and beyond, Dr Ruth Neiland, Scottish Crucible Director has participated in the 2018 international ESOF conference. ESOF, the ‘European Science Open Forum’ is hosted by a different European city every two years and is the largest interdisciplinary science meeting in Europe. ESOF 2018 took place in Toulouse, France, which is renowned for its aeronautics and space research. The overall theme of this year’s Forum was “Sharing Science: Towards New Horizons”: https://www.esof.eu/en/ Topics discussed in the 150 conference sessions included global change, sustainable development goals, health in our societies, transport and smart cities, digital technologies, and science communication. The interplay between science and society was addressed throughout the conference with speakers from the European Commission, UKRI and other research and innovation agencies leading discussions on future science policies and research practice. A key topic of dialogue at ESOF2018 was career development for early stage researchers in Europe, including PhD students and research staff. Dr Neiland said, “ESOF is an excellent opportunity for researchers, research leaders, policy makers and public stakeholders to come together to discuss our future collaborative endeavours around research in Europe. I was particularly pleased to be able to benchmark some of our researcher development initiatives at Heriot-Watt with those from other countries, and to network with European colleagues working to similar objectives as our own”. Prior to attending ESOF, Dr Neiland was also invited to meet with colleagues at the University of Luxembourg to explore future Crucible collaborations for European “research leaders of the future”.... Scottish Crucible 2018 discusses Policy at Scottish ParliamentMay 25, 2018News & EventsThe 10th annual Scottish Crucible programme for Scotland’s most talented ‘research leaders of the future’ has commenced with media, policy and networking events hosted by the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Scottish Parliament. Vivienne Parry facilitates discussion panel with leaders from Government, Parliament and Academia. The Scottish Crucible ‘Policy Day’ programme has shown that real opportunities exist in Scotland for researchers, from many different disciplines, to see their research have a wider impact via the policy arena. Dr Ruth Neiland, Scottish Crucible Director Following the launch day at the Royal Society of Edinburgh, which included presentations from Dr Stuart Fancey, Director of Research & Innovation at the Scottish Funding Council, and Ken MacDonald, BBC Scotland’s science correspondent, members of this year’s Scottish Crucible cohort discussed how researchers can better contribute to public policy-making in Scotland and elsewhere. During a day-long programme held at the Scottish Parliament and facilitated by Vivienne Parry, participants learnt more about the complexity of public policy development and how they can make a difference as sources of research expertise. The event was an enormous success. It brought together the best of young research talent and exposed them to the challenge of making their science relevant to people and policy. Professor John Underhill, Chief Scientific Adviser at Heriot-Watt University Professional insights came from a range of staff from SPICe (Scottish Parliament Information Centre) and the Scottish Government (Office of the Chief Researcher and Science Advice & Engagement Team). Prime examples of current policy impact by the academic community were also showcased by Dr Liz Ashton (Edinburgh Napier University), Director of the Scottish Institute for Policing Research, and Dr Heather Morgan of the Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen. Dr Ruth Neiland, Scottish Crucible Director said, ”The Scottish Crucible ‘Policy Day’ programme has shown that real opportunities exist in Scotland for researchers, from many different disciplines, to see their research have a wider impact via the policy arena. I hope that many more of the Scottish Crucible Alumni will be encouraged to engage with policy-makers in the future, thereby contributing to wider societal benefit through the application of their academic knowledge to policy-relevant issues.” The Scottish Crucible ‘Policy Day’ culminated in a high-level expert panel comprising senior colleagues from Parliament, Government and Academia who shared their advice and experience with the Scottish Crucible participants. The panellists were: Roger Halliday, Chief Statistician, Scottish GovernmentKen Hughes, Assistant Chief Executive, Scottish ParliamentEd Mackey, Information Management Senior Adviser, Scottish Natural HeritageAlastair Merrill, Vice Principal (Governance), University of St AndrewsProf. John Underhill, Chief Scientific Adviser, Heriot-Watt UniversityDr Rebekah Widdowfield, Chief Executive, Royal Society of Edinburgh Commenting on the objectives of Scottish Crucible, Heriot-Watt University’s Chief Scientist, Professor John Underhill said, “The event was an enormous success. It brought together the best of young research talent and exposed them to the challenge of making their science relevant to people and policy. It culminated in an opportunity to experience the intensity of giving evidence to a select committee in the Parliament Building itself, learning from those in positions of influence and building their own networks. It is a pleasure to support such an amazing event”....