Register to Attend
This event is open to all staff and students. Online registration is now closed. Please visit the registration desk in Elphinstone Hall on Wednesday 8th October to register in person.
If you have registered and can no longer attend, please let us know .
Hosted by the Interdisciplinary Institute, we invite staff and students to join the Interdisciplinary Research and Education Symposium in Elphinstone Hall on Wednesday 8 October. The event will provide an exciting opportunity to highlight the latest developments in interdisciplinary research and education using case studies from across the University of Aberdeen. Featuring talks, panel discussions, poster and demonstration sessions, this in-person event will provide an engaging opportunity to explore the University’s five interdisciplinary challenge areas:
- Data & Artificial Intelligence
- Energy Transition
- Environment & Biodiversity
- Health, Nutrition & Wellbeing
- Social Inclusion & Cultural Diversity
The symposium will promote interdisciplinary research and education, provide space for informal networking, celebrate our achievements, and shape future work. This event is open to all University of Aberdeen staff and students and we encourage you to register your place, regardless of whether you're able to attend the full day or individual sessions.
Our Programme
|
09:30 - 10:00 |
Arrival and networking with refreshments |
|
10:00 - 10:20 |
Welcome & Introduction Professor Nicholas Forsyth, Vice-Principal (Research), University of Aberdeen
|
|
10:20 - 11:00 |
Keynote Session 1 - 'Why is AI for good not the default?' Steph Wright, Head of Scottish AI Alliance With audience Q&A.
|
|
11:00 - 11:30 |
3 Minute Interdisciplinary Flash Talks This session will feature a selection of flash talks from colleagues from across our interdisciplinary community to showcase research, education and impact which stems from interdisciplinary thinking. 'Library of Inspiration'
|
|
11:30 - 11:45 |
Comfort Break |
|
11:45 - 12:30 |
3 Minute Interdisciplinary Flash Talks This session will feature a selection of flash talks from colleagues from across our interdisciplinary community to showcase research, education and impact which stems from interdisciplinary thinking. 'The Effect of Prenatal Exposure to Ramadan on Human Capital: Evidence from Turkey'
|
|
12:30 - 13:30 |
Lunch and Interdisciplinary Research & Education Showcase A unique and interactive opportunity to speak to researchers and educators working across disciplinary boundaries at the University of Aberdeen. Colleagues from across our interdisciplinary community will showcase posters and demonstrations to share their work spanning the themes of Energy Transition; Health, Nutrition and Wellbeing; Data and Artificial Intelligence; Environment and Biodiversity; and Social Inclusion and Cultural Diversity. Lunch will be provided. |
|
13:30 - 14:10 |
Keynote Session 2 As an industry leader with 30 years of experience, David Whitehouse is a longstanding champion of OEUK, the leading trade association for the UK’s integrating offshore energies industry. Its membership includes over 400 organisations with an interest in offshore oil, gas, carbon capture and storage, hydrogen and wind. Working together with its members, OEUK is a driving force supporting the UK in ensuring security of energy supply while helping to meet its net zero ambitions. It works on behalf of the sector and its members to inform understanding with facts, evidence and data, engage on a range of key issues and support the broader value of this industry in a changing energy landscape. David is respected across the sector for his strategic and hands-on leadership in the North Sea and around the world, including the USA, Netherlands and Philippines. His passion for energy, engineering and innovation is built on a PhD in Theoretical Chemistry from Cambridge University and a first-class degree in Chemistry from Manchester University. He has started a Masters in Renewable Engineering at the University of Aberdeen, an area of key growth and interest for OEUK and its members. |
|
14:10 - 14:40 |
3 Minute Interdisciplinary Flash Talks This session will feature a selection of flash talks from colleagues from across our interdisciplinary community to showcase research, education and impact which stems from interdisciplinary thinking. 'Stroke Diagnosis from Field-Cycling Imaging using Machine Learning'
|
|
14:40 - 15:15 |
Afternoon Tea and networking with refreshments Opportunity to view the Interdisciplinary Research & Education Showcase |
|
15:15 - 16:00 |
Panel Discussion - Interdisciplinary Education at Aberdeen: What next? How does Interdisciplinary Education at Aberdeen currently work and how it can be supported to flourish? In discussion with an Education Dean, the AUSA Vice President for Education and three academics we will consider the opportunities and challenges of moving in and out of disciplinary and interdisciplinary education. Panel members:
With audience Q&A. |
| 16:00 - 16:30 |
3 Minute Interdisciplinary Flash Talks This session will feature a selection of flash talks from colleagues from across our interdisciplinary community to showcase research, education and impact which stems from interdisciplinary thinking. 'Why is water saving so challenging in Bangladesh rice production?'
|
| 16:30 - 17:30 |
Interdisciplinary Research & Education Showcase Opportunity to view the Interdisciplinary Research & Education Showcase |
| 17:30 |
Closing Remarks Professor Nicholas Forsyth, Vice-Principal (Research), University of Aberdeen |
- Steph Wright, Head of Scottish AI Alliance
-
Steph has a diverse background ranging from astrophysics to genomics in academia and film & TV to dance in the arts and the third sector. A leader in, and advocate for, ethical, inclusive and responsible technology, she loves to develop and build collaborations across organisations and sectors to ensure that technology benefits the many and not the few. Steph led on Data Lab’s efforts in support of the Scottish Government in developing Scotland’s AI Strategy and she’s now leading on the delivery of the strategy’s vision for Scotland to be a leader in the development and use of trustworthy, ethical and inclusive AI. She is also Co-Founder of Diverse AI and was recognised as one of the 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics in 2023 and one of the Top 10 Women in Tech in Scotland in 2023. She was also awarded the 2024 DataIQ Award for Data & AI For Good Champion. She has recently founded something new so watch this space!
- David Whitehouse, CEO of Offshore Energies UK (OEUK)
-
As an industry leader with 30 years of experience, David Whitehouse is a longstanding champion of OEUK, the leading trade association for the UK’s integrating offshore energies industry. Its membership includes over 400 organisations with an interest in offshore oil, gas, carbon capture and storage, hydrogen and wind.
Working together with its members, OEUK is a driving force supporting the UK in ensuring security of energy supply while helping to meet its net zero ambitions. It works on behalf of the sector and its members to inform understanding with facts, evidence and data, engage on a range of key issues and support the broader value of this industry in a changing energy landscape.
David is respected across the sector for his strategic and hands-on leadership in the North Sea and around the world, including the USA, Netherlands and Philippines. His passion for energy, engineering and innovation is built on a PhD in Theoretical Chemistry from Cambridge University and a first-class degree in Chemistry from Manchester University. He has started a Masters in Renewable Engineering at the University of Aberdeen, an area of key growth and interest for OEUK and its members.
The Interdisciplinary Institute issued an invitation to all colleagues to present research or education case studies during the Interdisciplinary Research and Education Symposium on Wednesday 8 October. The deadline for submissions has now passed and we look forward to showcasing the latest interdisciplinary research and education case studies through a variety of engaging and interactive formats throughout the day.
Queries can be directed to: interdisciplinary@abdn.ac.uk .