Tag: University of Edinburgh

New Edinburgh Futures Institute welcomes first commercial tenant

The University of Edinburgh has welcomed its first commercial tenant to the new Edinburgh Futures Institute in the capital’s historic Old Royal Infirmary in Lauriston Place.

Smart Data Foundry has moved from the nearby Bayes Centre to a state-of-the-art workspace in one of the converted Nightingale wards in the A-listed building, which dates back to 1879.

SDF’s move follows a period of sustained growth for the organisation which was founded in 2022 to unlock the power of financial data to tackle the major issues facing society. Over the past two years it has seen its workforce grow and mature and forged partnerships with clients like Sage, NatWest Group and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

The data pioneer has moved into a purpose-built ward on the 2nd floor of the historic building which housed the city’s main hospital until 2003. The Institute officially opened to the public on 3rd of June, following a multi-million-pound, seven-year refurbishment programme.  

Professor Kev Dhaliwal, Interim Director of Edinburgh Futures Institute said: “Edinburgh Futures Institute is delighted to welcome Smart Data Foundry. As one of the region’s Data Driven Innovation Hubs, we bring together staff, students and partners into an inspiring, collaborative and entrepreneurial environment.

“Co-location with our financial and public services sector hubs, alongside numerous industrial partners, researchers, and talented students, will accelerate data innovation and insights to help solve national and global challenges. We share the ambition to deliver positive social impact and build a better world using the power of data.”

The building includes teaching facilities, rooms for co-working with industry partners, business incubation areas, labs for innovation and prototyping, a public square, café, and exhibition and performance spaces.

Dame Julia Unwin, Chair of Smart Data Foundry, said: “Edinburgh Futures Institute has an unrivalled range of facilities in the heart of Edinburgh, and this strategic relocation underscores our commitment to fostering greater collaboration, innovation and productivity in our mission to unlock the power of data for good.

“It’s our aim to cultivate a dynamic ecosystem where data scientists, researchers, and industry partners can collaborate seamlessly to unlock new insights and drive forward our purpose of creating positive impact across society, the economy and the environment. Our new home at the Edinburgh Futures Institute is the perfect base for this ecosystem to flourish.”

Dougie Robb, Chief Financial Officer at Smart Data Foundry, added: “The combination of modern design, restored historic architecture and beautiful grounds at Edinburgh Futures Institute will help us to showcase our services to clients and attract the best talent to the Smart Data Foundry team.

“It’s not just a new office; it’s a place where ideas will flourish and groundbreaking work will be done.”

Smart Data Foundry currently delivers pioneering projects including a Cost-of-Living Dashboard for East Renfrewshire Council. Utilising near real-time de-identified data from NatWest Group, this dashboard integrates financial well-being indicators with contextual information, helping the council to understand better the challenges citizens face and therefore how this might impact on future policy interventions.

Other projects include the launch of the groundbreaking Income Volatility Dashboard with Joseph Rowntree Foundation. This innovative platform provides a comprehensive and unique view of income volatility and insecurity on consumers throughout the United Kingdom as a research and policy platform.

Talk about your daily bread

A few spaces left:

Could you spare an hour on Sat 20th July to chat about bread?!

Some Edinburgh University researchers are currently recruiting for a focus group, and will pay £20 (generic shopping voucher). Please email the address on the poster if you’re interested..

You may know that we’re doing various experiments with grain growing and have been running Granton Garden Bakery since 2019. We’re interested in your views on bread, whatever they are!

University of Edinburgh invests £1m to tackle homelessness

University of Edinburgh invests further £1 million through Social and Sustainable Capital to enable UK charities and social enterprises to provide homes for service users

The University of Edinburgh has announced further investment of £1 million in a social housing fund. Managed by Social and Sustainable Capital, the SASH II fund loans charities and social enterprises the finance to purchase residential properties, which are then leased to people at risk of homelessness. 

The University hopes to build on the success of its previous £1 million investment in the first Social and Sustainable Housing Fund (SASH I), which raised £64.5 million and supported 20 social impact organisations across the UK.

SASH II aims to continue the success of the first fund, helping more organisations to provide decent homes for vulnerable people.

Over £35 million has been committed to date, with The Scottish National Investment Bank investing £15 million for allocation to Scottish organisations.

Life-changing impact across Scotland 

The Scottish organisations supported by the SASH I portfolio were Simon Community Scotland, the Positive Steps Partnership and the social enterprise Homes for Good Glasgow. 

Using a £5 million loan from SASH I, Simon Community Scotland purchased 15 properties across Edinburgh, providing affordable accommodation for up to 30 vulnerable adults at risk of homelessness. 

This has been life-changing for Greig, a tenant of the Simon Community Scotland Homes scheme in Edinburgh. He said, “Having a new home has changed my life in so much of a great way. I’ve got so much freedom to go out walking, to do my artwork – and I feel it’s helping with my mental health as well.

Dundee’s Positive Steps Partnership, is a charity helping ex-offenders and adults suffering drug addiction to transition from prison release to independent living. The £1.8 million investment from SASH I enables the Positive Steps Partnership to purchase 30 properties across Dundee for its service users. 

Homes for Good Glasgow is an award-winning social enterprise, using the £3.5 million loan from SASH I to purchase 47 properties in Glasgow and Ayrshire, providing quality rented accommodation for people living with mental health issues, family breakdown and recovery from drug dependency. 

Investing for social good 

Announced in 2019, the University’s Social Investment Fund has invested £8 million in funds that deliver a social benefit alongside a traditional financial return.

Dave Gorman, Director of Social Responsibility and Sustainability at the University of Edinburgh said, “As values-driven institutions with commitments to social and civic responsibility, universities can use their finances to address social issues, whilst generating a return on investment.

“That has been the mission of our Social Investment Fund.   We are delighted to support SASH II, having seen the positive impact that affordable housing can bring to vulnerable people here in our city and across Scotland.“

Mark Bickford, CEO of Social and Sustainable Capital said, “We are looking forward to building on the success of SASH I with fantastic, people-first organisations – all delivering significant social impact.

“We’re pleased to receive further investment from the University of Edinburgh, which demonstrates the potential of universities as social impact investors.

Alongside the University and the Scottish National Investment Bank, investors in SASH II include Better Society Capital, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the Church of England’s Social Impact Investment Programme, Ceniarth, and Ogelsby Charitable Trust.

For more information on SASC visit: www.socialandsustainable.com

Multi-million £ Edinburgh fraudster jailed for seven years

A 54-year-old man has been jailed for seven years following a multi-million pound scam in Edinburgh. Aasim Johar was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh today, Monday, 24 June, 2024.

He was previously found guilty on Friday, 24 May, 2024.

Johar defrauded the University of Edinburgh of over £3.3million between 2005 and 2015 through his role as a salesperson. The fraudulent scheme saw him earn commission through false and over-inflated invoices for cleaning products that were either not delivered or not required.

Detective Sergeant Gary Dalgleish, of the Financial Investigation Unit, said: “The sentence is the result of a long and complex investigation carried out by our officers. We have worked closely with the University and COPFS throughout the investigation and thank them greatly for their assistance.

“We recognise the significant and devastating impact that financial fraud can have on those that fall victim, which makes us all the more determined to identify and prosecute those responsible

“I’d like to take this opportunity to encourage the public to report fraud to us. We are committed to investigating all reports thoroughly and will bring those responsible to justice.”

You can find out more information and advice about fraud on our website here: https://www.scotland.police.uk/advice-and-information/scams-and-frauds/

Paid COPD Workshop at PCHP

Next Tuesday 28th of May at 1pm Pilton Community Health Project (PCHP) will be hosting a COPD workshop. If you have COPD, researchers from NHS Lothian and The University of Edinburgh, want to hear about your experience of having COPD, so they can design their research to meet you needs.

You can expect nice and welcoming atmosphere, a warm cup of tea and £20 voucher for you time.

If you are struggling to get to PCHP, transport can be provided too.

To sign up for workshop please fill in a form https://bit.ly/3WS3VCZ or use a QR code on a poster or Call Sammy Waite Patient and Community involvement in research officer 07385347040

For more information please visit Edinburgh and Lothians Public Involvement in Research

Royston Wardieburn Community Centre

Granton Community Gardeners

The NEN North Edinburgh News

#fivewaystowellbeing

#community

#healthandwellbeing

University of Edinburgh research receives £5 million funding boost from the British Heart Foundation

~ Funding will support world-leading cardiovascular research at the university ~

The British Heart Foundation has awarded the University of Edinburgh £5 million funding to support its world-class cardiovascular disease research over the next five years, the charity has announced today.

Researchers at the University welcomed the announcement. 

Professor David Newby, BHF Duke of Edinburgh Professor of Cardiology at the University of Edinburgh, said: “We are delighted to be the recipient of this prestigious award which will enable us to deliver a step-change in our research into heart and circulatory diseases, stroke, vascular dementia and diabetes.

“The award will accelerate our drive to identify new discoveries across disciplines and to establish the next generation of science and scientific researchers with the ultimate aim of improving the lives of our patients.”

The funding will support the University of Edinburgh to cultivate a world-class research environment that encourages collaboration, inclusion and innovation, and where visionary scientists can drive lifesaving breakthroughs.

The Edinburgh award is part of a much needed £35 million boost to UK cardiovascular disease research from the British Heart Foundation.

The funding comes from the charity’s highly competitive Research Excellence Awards funding scheme.

The £5 million award to the University of Edinburgh will support researchers to:

  • Investigate how hardening of the major arteries develops throughout the body to cause heart attacks, strokes and circulatory problems, and how this interacts with the body’s immune and nervous systems.
  • Discover how small blood vessel disease in the brain causes strokes and vascular dementia so that we can develop and test new ways to prevent and to treat these major health problems.
  • Accelerate our understanding of how the body’s metabolism in fat, immune and kidney tissue causes heart and circulatory problems throughout life: from the womb through to old age.
  • Deliver new ways of using routinely collected health data with DataLoch to identify those at risk of heart attacks or strokes, and to embed this into health records systems to prevent diseases before they occur.

Professor Bryan Williams, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer at the British Heart Foundation, said: “We’re delighted to continue to support research at the University of Edinburgh addressing the biggest challenges in cardiovascular disease. This funding recognises the incredible research happening at Edinburgh and will help to further its reputation as a global leader in the field.

“With generous donations from our supporters, this funding will attract the brightest talent, power cutting-edge science, and unlock lifesaving discoveries that can turn the tide on the devastation caused by heart and circulatory diseases.”

David McColgan, Head of BHF Scotland, said: “It is great news that the University of Edinburgh has once again been recognised as a centre of research excellence. Scotland has a strong tradition of leading the way in cardiovascular research and today’s announcement will further reinforce this for years to come.”

Research Excellence Awards offer researchers greater flexibility than traditional research funding, allowing scientists to quickly launch ambitious projects that can act as a springboard for larger, transformative funding applications.

The funding also aims to break down the silos that have traditionally existed in research, encouraging collaboration between experts from diverse fields.

From clinicians to data scientists, biologists to engineers, the funding will support universities to attract the brightest minds, nurture new talent and foster collaboration to tackle the biggest questions in heart and circulatory disease research.

First launched in 2008, the University of Edinburgh has previously received nearly £14 million funding through the BHF’s Research Excellence Awards funding scheme to date.

This funding has supported research that will lay the foundations for future breakthroughs, including:

  • A trial that showed that a simple scan could save thousands of lives every year by improving the diagnosis of people coming to hospital with chest pain. The scan is now recommended as a first-line diagnostic tool in NICE guidelines for people presenting at hospital with chest pain.
  • Development of an artificial intelligence tool that can improve diagnosis of acute heart failure. The tool uses AI to combine routinely collected patient information with results from a blood test for the protein NT-proBNP, which is made by the heart. The researchers are now investigating how it could be implemented into routine care.
  • Over the last 5 years, investing in the training and development of 12 doctors to become researchers who are increasing knowledge today and developing new life-saving treatments for tomorrow.

Ripple Project and University of Edinburgh launch Community Enhancement Project

The Ripple Project is proud to announce a new Community Enhancement Partnership with the University of Edinburgh. 

The pioneering new initiative has seen three University of Edinburgh Master of Architecture students work with The Ripple Project and its Restalrig residents to design and construct new social structures to enhance the wellbeing of the local community. 

Made from recycled and sustainable materials, this year’s students created a new community noticeboard and seating area, as well as a set of hand-crafted stools, moulded with earth clay and decorated by local residents. 

Tristan Green, Community Action Worker, at The Ripple, commented: ‘We’re excited to partner with the University of Edinburgh and are thankful for the support of the Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (ESALA) at Edinburgh College of Art.

“Art and wellbeing are at the beating heart of The Ripple Project, and we’re excited to work together to give students valuable practical experience whilst enriching the local area with their fantastic creations.

“The hand-made ‘storage stools’ were made with clay earth and designed with local residents, whilst the community noticeboard has enhanced our ability to inform local residents of our new refillery, key social activities and lifeline services including foodbanks and councillor surgeries.”

Dr Simone Ferracina from the University of Edinburgh commented: ‘Our partnership with The Ripple focuses reflects on our ambition to turn architectural design into a form of resource stewardship and care, and to help Edinburgh become a more sustainable and equitable city.

‘The Ripple was identified as an ideal partner as it is a pioneering local charity, with a progressive and sustainable vision for the city. The partnership has offered our students valuable practical experience to enhance their coursework and future employability, whilst benefitting the local community.’  

See the comments from the students about their own projects:

“This structure was designed and built by hand using locally sourced ’waste materials’ from various spaces across and outside of Edinburgh.

“Using recycled scaffolding boards and retired climbing ropes, ’Noticing: The Ripple Project’ was specifically designed following time spent at the project – gaining an understanding of what they do and building connections with those who work and visit here – in order to better advertise the amazing work, space and groups that they offer to the local community.

“This structure aims to provide space for advertising of local events & activities. I hope to have provided a necessary space and structure for this purpose and look forward to seeing it in use”.

“Modular Earth: Co-Designing Through Surfaces is the result of a year-long immersive collaboration interaction with the ongoing activities, integrating with volunteers, and visitors at The Ripple Project.

“It culminates in a modular system that addresses the client’s need for additional storage as well as seating, and this design response provides punctual interventions which can act independently and aggregate to form larger social and functional installations.

“The design is comprised of a timber frame, which was adapted from locally sourced and dismantled pallets, faced with light earth (a mixture of subsoil and fibres), and earth plaster with glazed finishes made from natural vegetable pigments.

“The project aims to create moments of ownership and interaction, through easy-to-learn plastering techniques, with finishes serving as tactile, stimulating interfaces for sharing memories and ideas.

“Community members participated in the finishing of the modules through hands-on workshop sessions, fostering a sense of ownership and pride, embedding the participants’ identities within the work.”

AI Accelerator programme applications now open

The University of Edinburgh’s globally renowned AI Accelerator programme has announced it is now seeking innovative, technology-driven scale-ups to be part of its eighth cohort.

Aimed at Scottish as well as international companies, the programme supports emerging businesses whose proposition is built on Artificial Intelligence (AI) helping develop and fully maximise their commercial potential.

Applications for this year’s AI Accelerator, open to scalable, incorporated businesses with high growth potential, must be submitted by 19 May.

Prior to the deadline, the University will stage an online information session for potential applicants on 23 April followed by an in-person session on 3 May.

A cohort of up to 16 companies, all of which place a strong focus on ‘AI for good’ to deliver societal benefits in key areas including health and wellbeing, social care, and the climate challenge will then be selected with the programme running from September until March 2025. 

Participants will benefit from support aimed at helping them achieve global growth for their companies with discussions on investment strategy development and direct engagement with potential investors.

Along with some generous financial support, newly accepted cohort companies will also be given the opportunity to scale their business through workshops covering a range of commercialisation issues from product pricing to leadership. 

Now celebrating its fifth year, the AI Accelerator has supported a wide range of world-leading companies to develop from start-ups to globally focused businesses. These include climate monitoring solution provider, Space Intelligence; Inicio.AI, a technology-driven start-up which makes debt management processes more efficient and accessible for businesses.; and Edinburgh-based cancer research business Carcinotech, which raised over £4m in January to further develop its 3D-printed micro-tumour technology,

Since the inception of the AI Accelerator in 2018, these and other participant companies have gone on to secure over £67m through a combination of external investment and grant funding awards.

University of Edinburgh in the UK Top 5 for Data Science in the current QS World University Rankings and is also the top-rated UK institution for informatics research, according to the 2021 Research Excellence Framework rankings. As home to the largest centres for computing science and informatics in Europe, the University’s academic expertise and links into the Data-Driven Innovation hubs provides further value for the companies participating in the AI Accelerator.

The 2024 programme will be once again delivered both digitally and in-person by University of Edinburgh’s world-leading Innovation Hub for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, the Bayes Centre, and in partnership with Edinburgh Innovations, the University of Edinburgh’s commercialisation service. The programme is delivered on behalf of all the university’s Data-Driven Innovation Hubs.

Among the cohort companies which participated in the most recent AI Accelerator were MySmash Media, a disruptive platform which connects film and TV content creators with commissioning decision-makers; Bennu.ai, developers of the world’s smartest bin which sorts waste automatically for a net zero circular economy; and Dyneval, a life sciences business focused on improving male reproductive health.

Fiona Gillies, CEO and co-founder of MySmash Media, said: “The six months we spent with the AI Accelerator programme made a significant impact on our company by helping us identify and further develop commercial opportunities to reach new markets.

“Along with high calibre mentoring and guidance, the programme was also instrumental in opening doors to potential investors and grant funding channels which are key in helping scale an AI-driven business like ours.”

Professor Ruth King, Director of the University of Edinburgh’s Bayes Centre, said: “We’re delighted to be marking the fifth year of our AI Accelerator programme which supports AI-driven businesses to further commercialise their proposition and become world leaders in their field.

“We are proud to have supported over 80 companies in their growth journey by offering mentoring and guidance while opening access to new networks to help them secure funding and investment.

“AI has become increasingly prominent as a disruptive technology impacting all aspects of our lives. The University of Edinburgh has been recognised as a world leader in AI research for more than 60 years.

“We understand the importance of utilising this technology in an ethical and trustworthy manner to deliver social and economic benefits. We now look forward to receiving applications from innovative and ambitious scaleups from within Scotland and across the globe which use AI to tackle key societal challenges.”

SCONe project to revolutionise AMD research

The SCONe project, run by optometrists, ophthalmologists, and researchers from the University of Edinburgh, and funded by Sight Scotland, is appealing for participants to take part in a Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) group focused on revolutionising the detection and management of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).​

AMD is the most common vision impairment in the older population and impacts an estimated 60,000 people in Scotland. SCONe research is seeking to find the early signs of AMD, so people can receive support earlier and adjust to living with AMD sooner.

SCONe is inviting anybody with lived experience of AMD, caregivers, friends or family of people with AMD, and regular visitors to optometry practices, to come along to take part in its PPI group.

Participants could help transform how AMD is detected and make a real difference for future generations.​

SCONe, the Scottish Collaborative Optometry-Ophthalmology Network e-research, is a new collaborative venture aiming to build a Scotland-wide retinal image resource for innovation in eye research, healthcare, and education.

SCONe is taking two complementary approaches to try and speed up the detection of AMD at an early stage. Firstly, the team is meticulously analysing the SCONe dataset to extract crucial structural information about the retina.

This involves quantifying various parameters, including the total area of drusen, fatty deposits beneath the retina that can sometimes indicate an elevated risk of AMD.​

Furthermore, the team is harnessing the power of modern machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to develop a groundbreaking predictive model.

Unlike traditional methods that rely on manual measurements, this AI-driven approach uses raw retinal images to assess a patient’s risk of developing AMD. By automating the analysis process, this model promises to streamline screening procedures and facilitate early intervention.​

Professor Baljean Dhillon, Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, explains: “The PPI group offers a unique opportunity for participants to contribute directly to the development of new strategies and technologies aimed at combating AMD.

“Our research represents a significant step forward in the fight against AMD. By combining cutting-edge technology with comprehensive data analysis, we aim to transform how we detect and manage this debilitating condition.”​

Craig Spalding, Chief Executive of Sight Scotland, and Sight Scotland Veterans, adds: “”As advocates for the visually impaired, we understand the profound impact that AMD can have on individuals and their families.

“By investing in research focused on early detection, we aim to empower healthcare professionals with the tools and knowledge needed to intervene swiftly so hopefully less people have to suffer.”​

SCONe’s Patient and Public Involvement group focused on AMD and the impacts of AMD is taking place on 03 May 2024 at Surgeons Hall in Edinburgh.

For more information or to register to join please contact arubio@ed.ac.uk or call 07876647083. Participants in the group will be compensated for their time.​

SCONe is funded by Sight Scotland, RS MacDonald Trust and the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh.​

For more information on SCONe please visit: https://www.ed.ac.uk/clinical-sciences/ophthalmology/scone​

For more information on Sight Scotland please visit: sightscotland.org.uk