Revolutionary developments in renewable energy, mental health, education, sport, medicine and food and drink have made it to the finals of the 10^th Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards highlighting the diversity of sectors and disciplines thriving in Scotland.

With 32 individuals, teams and projects shortlisted across 10 categories, the 10^th anniversary celebration will be the largest to date.

Amelia Whitelaw, director of Interface, which organises the Awards, said: “At Interface, we are proud to deliver the Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards on behalf of Scotland’s vibrant innovation ecosystem. These awards are more than just a celebration of achievements—they showcase the transformative power of collaboration between academia and industry.

“Each finalist represents the spirit of partnership, driving solutions that create lasting economic, environmental, and social impact. As we mark the 10th anniversary of these awards, we are inspired by the breadth and depth of innovation thriving across Scotland, reaffirming our commitment to fostering connections that unlock new opportunities and strengthen Scotland’s future.”

The finalists are:

Innovation of the Year

Highland Heat Harvesters Ltd and Robert Gordon University

SolarSub Ltd, Heriot-Watt University and the University of Strathclyde

SymphoMe Ltd and the University of Stirling

Innovator of the Future 

Dr Dayi Zhang – Inspectahire Instruments Company Ltd and the University of Strathclyde

Matthew Gibson – Ailsa Reliability Solutions Ltd and the University of Strathclyde

Dr Sonam Norbu – The Crichton Trust and the University of Glasgow

Inward Investment Impact

Canon Medical Research Europe and the University of Edinburgh

Smartify and the University of the West of Scotland

ZIYX and the University of the West of Scotland

Knowledge Exchange Champion

Dr Andrea Rodriguez, the University of Dundee

Dr Bryan McCann, Glasgow Caledonian University

Professor John Bachtler, the University of Strathclyde

Knowledge Exchange Heroes – team and individual

Individual

Kevin McIver, Heriot-Watt University

Dr Kirsty Ross, the University of St Andrews

Susan Armstrong, Glasgow Caledonian University

Team

Scottish Centre for Food Development Innovation, Queen Margaret University

Formulation Unit, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, the University of Strathclyde

Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, the University of Dundee

Making a Social Difference

Enable and Edinburgh Napier University

Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH) and Glasgow Caledonian University

Sport Aberdeen and Glasgow Caledonian University

Making an Environmental Difference

Heerema Marine Contractors Nederland SE and the University of Dundee

National Trust for Scotland and the University of the Highlands & Islands

Renewable Parts Ltd and the University of Strathclyde

Multiparty Collaboration

INTErPRET-NAFLD – Bering Limited, HistoIndex, BioDev, Precision Medicine Scotland and the University of Edinburgh

Medical Device Manufacturing Centre (MDMC) – Heriot-Watt University, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Glasgow, the University of Dundee, Robert Gordon University and over 170 medical device companies

Underwater Intervention for Offshore Renewable Energies (UNITE) – Heriot-Watt University, Imperial College London, Frontier Robotics, Fugro

Place-based Impact

Digital Dairy Chain – Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), the University of Strathclyde, the University of the West of Scotland, First Milk, Lactalis, NMR, SmartSTEMs, Kendal Nutricare, CENSIS and Cows & Co

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Control of Sheep Scab – Moredun Research Institute, Lewis and Harris Sheep Producers Association, The Old Mill Veterinary Practice, Scottish Government, The Crofters of Lewis & Harris, Lewis Crofters, Neil Fell Mobile Dipping Ltd, Zoetis Animal Health Ltd and Bimeda Ltd

Powerful Partnership

BAE Systems and the University of Strathclyde

Safehinge Primera and Glasgow Caledonian University

Vertebrate Antibodies-EpitogenX Ltd and the University of Aberdeen