Lyell Centre 'Research Connect' event
More than 70 research leaders from Heriot-Watt University and the British Geological Survey have taken part in a 'Research Connect' event as part of the research and innovation activities of the Lyell Centre.
Organised by Heriot-Watt's Centre for Academic Leadership and Development and hosted by Prof Garry Pender, Deputy Principal for Research and Innovation, the event took participants through an intensive, one-day programme under the overall theme of "connecting research leaders; inspiring research."
The event was attended by researchers from multiple areas of expertise including marine geosciences; petroleum engineering; hydrology; carbon capture; volcanology; geophysics; bioengineering; chemistry; ecology; mathematics; computer science; informatics and robotics. The overall Lyell remit of Earth and Marine Science & Technology research was introduced by Prof Teresa Fernandes, Director of the Institute of Life and Earth Sciences, Heriot-Watt University and Dr Tracy Shimmield, Co-Director of the Lyell Centre from the British Geological Survey (BGS).
Commenting on BGS aspirations for the Lyell Centre, Dr Shimmield said:
"The science that BGS undertakes is driven by technology to deliver impartial evidence and innovative solutions to global geoscientific challenges. The bringing together of the expertise of BGS and HWU will fast track innovation from research providing societal and economic benefits nationally and internationally."
Senior research leaders from both institutions — including Prof Mercedes Maroto-Valer, Assistant Deputy Principal, Heriot-Watt University, and Dr Alan Macdonald, Principal Hydrologist for Scotland, BGS — showcased examples of highly interdisciplinary research which has already been accomplished. Opportunities to further build the Lyell Centre profile and access additional research resources were discussed by Prof John Underhill, Chief Scientist and Dr Alicia Greated, Director of Research and Enterprise Services, Heriot-Watt University.
Of its potential global impact and relevance, Prof Thomas Wagner, Co-Director of the Lyell Centre from Heriot-Watt University said;
"The timing of the Lyell Centre with its broad and embracing vision can't be better. Scientists across the world, guided by the United Nations Global Sustainability Goals, are pulling together to build innovative clusters of excellence and impact, to address the most urgent challenges for society and our planet. The Lyell Centre has the aspiration, ingredients, and support to make a significant contribution to this global agenda, firmly rooted in Scotland, a place with a long history of responsible and applied Earth Science and Environmental research".
The event culminated in a closing speech by Heriot-Watt University Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Richard A. Williams, OBE, with participants joining other specially invited guests — including science broadcaster, Quentin Cooper and former Scientific Director of Dynamic Earth, Prof Stuart Munro — for a Lyell networking reception. Exploration of the many potential research collaborations emerging from the Research Connect event will continue via the Lyell Centre.
