The graphic shows the shortlist in the Knowledge Exchange Champion category, clockwise from left, Professor Fiona Macpherson, University of Glasgow, Professor Pete Smith, University of Aberdeen and Professor Naeem Ramzan, University of the West of Scotland.

The finalists have been revealed for the Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards 2023, the annual celebration of business-academic partnerships, hosted by Interface.

Among the 22 nominees are the College of Arts Professor Fiona Macpherson in the Knowledge Exchange Champion category and in the Innovation of the Year category is the University's Game and Gaming Lab Co-Directors Dr Timothy Peacock (College of Arts) and Dr Matthew Barr (Computing Science) for the interactive Robert Burns Minecraft experience with the Robert Burns Ellisland Trust and the University of Glasgow's Minecraft Society. 

Both Professor Macpherson and Dr Peacock, who are based at School of Humanities | Sgoil nan Daonnachdan, are shortlisted in the eighth Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards, sponsored by Salix Finance.

The showcase of impactful collaborations and individuals highlights the remarkable achievements which have the potential to create positive change in Scotland and beyond.

The finalists from the College of Arts are:

Innovation of the Year – sponsored by HGF Ltd

The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust and the University of Glasgow's Games and Gaming Lab -  a cross-disciplinary lab – based in the University’s College of Arts and UofG's Minecraft Society for developing an interactive Robert Burns Minecraft digital gaming experience to highlight the life and great works of the National Bard and to explore innovative interactive ways of engaging with younger audiences.

Left to right Lee McQueen, Project Office at Ellisland; Joan McAlpine, the Business Development Manager of the Robert Burns Ellisland Trust; Bailey Hodgson, the University of Glasgow Minecraft Society’s President; Dr Timothy Peacock, co-director of  the University of Glasgow Game and Gaming Lab and Sarah Macdonald of the South of Scotland Destination Alliance. Photo Credit Martin Shields

Knowledge Exchange Champion

Professor Fiona Macpherson, renowned researcher in philosophy and Director of the Centre for the Study of Perceptual Experience has championed the importance of virtual reality for education and has been leading developments in immersive technology to benefit students in Scotland and beyond.

Professor Fiona Macpherson 650


The Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards

The Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards 2023 winners will be announced on Thursday, March 23 in Dundee. The shortlist can be found on Interface website 

Applications were invited from all Scottish universities, research institutes and colleges, as well as businesses and organisations, demonstrating research and development and innovation-led partnerships which have had a positive impact on the economy, society, or the environment.

The finalists have been chosen by a specially selected panel of judges who were looking for collaborations that show innovation, impact (societal or economic) and transformation, along with recognising the people contributing to knowledge exchange.

Interface connects businesses from all sectors to Scotland’s universities, research institutes and colleges. Funded by the Scottish Funding Council, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and South of Scotland Enterprise, Interface is a free and impartial service which aims to stimulate demand for innovation and help companies to collaborate with academics to solve business challenges.

 

First published: 16 February 2023

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