Working in collaboration with Zero Waste Scotland, the students – who call themselves the Fantastic 4 – used data science to design a prototype centralised data platform that will detect, predict and prevent future flytipping across the country. Flytipping, or the practice of illegally dumping waste, is estimated to cost the Scottish government £2.5m every year.

The team’s innovative solution took home the prize at The Data Lab’s inaugural MSc Challenge Competition, which called upon students from seven universities to develop new insights, services or products that have a social or economic benefit using datasets unique to Scotland.

Joshua Ryan-Saha, Skills Lead at The Data Lab, said: “This year’s challenge provided a snapshot of the potential impact data science can have in Scotland if harnessed in the right way. Central to this opportunity are the skills and knowledge to support and exploit the potential for business and Scotland as a whole. But we’ve got a way to go to rebalance the ongoing issue of supply versus demand in skills.

“The judges were impressed by all the teams that sought to address issues ranging from over-prescribing of medicine to eco bus routes and pollution hot-spots to encouraging Scottish tourism. The Fantastic 4 tipped the balance because their proposition was technically accomplished demonstrating a robustness that can be applied across different councils, ultimately achieving the end goal of delivering social and economic value to Scotland.

“They’ve won £3,000 of funding to support their careers in Scotland through data training courses and conferences.”

The Challenge Competition awards come with confirmation that The Data Lab is increasing its MSc funding programme by 45%, with support from The European Social Fund and Scottish Funding Council. The MSc is one element of the innovation centre’s education programme, which also includes industrial doctorates and a series of executive education courses and workshops.

“The programme is designed to address the skills shortage and ensure students are prepared with the technical, creative and business skills to make an impact as soon as they step through the door of their first job,” Ryan-Saha said. “Ultimately, a growing workforce will attract new businesses to Scotland and contribute to the impressive levels of innovation and excellence in the sector seen so far.”