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Programme announced for Scotland’s leading research and innovation conference with prizes awarded to best presentations — register now
A strong programme focussed on setting a progressive new healthcare agenda has been announced for Scotland’s Health Research and Innovation Conference, taking place in Edinburgh this October
Hosted by the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) of Scottish Government and NHS Research Scotland (NRS), the theme of the conference, ‘Research Enabled Health Innovation’, reflects their joint ambition to mark a pivotal moment in empowering an exciting new era of care.
The event will be held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) on Thursday 23 October, bringing together researchers, innovators, healthcare staff, policymakers, industry, and the public.
It is expected to welcome more than 500 delegates and will explore how all can work together to tackle healthcare challenges, embed research, development, and innovation in our NHS, while maximising opportunities for improvement and growth.
The conference’s diverse programme has its sights set firmly on identifying future opportunities to unlock Scotland’s full health research and innovation potential. Delegates will also be encouraged to reflect on, and derive key learnings from, vital strides made across the last few years.
Organisers believe that the event’s impact will help to inform a dynamic new direction of travel for Scotland, underpinned by the fresh insights of early career researchers and innovators.
The day will include inspiring plenary and thematic sessions, multi-faceted poster showcase, stimulating exhibition, as well as opportunities to build networks, making for a premier meeting point and knowledge exchange forum. Prizes will also be awarded for the best oral and poster presentations.
Opening the conference will be Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray.
There will follow a succession of leading homegrown success stories, bringing to life Scotland’s significant research and innovation strengths.
Other keynote speakers featuring across the event’s engaging programme include:
- Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), who will be looking at future opportunities in science and research
- Professor Melanie Davies, Chair of the UK Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC) Network, who will be part of a panel discussion introducing Scotland’s four new centres
- Professor Michael B. Cook, Executive Director of Science at Our Future Health, outlining ‘novel opportunities for discovery, aetiological and translational research in the Scotland population and beyond’
- Professor Patrick Chinnery, Executive Chair of the Medical Research Council (MRC), who will be focussing on ‘Creating a national health innovation ecosystem’
The conference will showcase Scotland’s powerful multi-sector collaboration; present exciting advancements in how we collectively prevent, diagnose and treat diseases; and spotlight the development, and adoption of next generation treatments, therapies, and technologies.
Scotland’s Chief Scientist (Health) Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak said: “This country is home to remarkable cutting-edge expertise for catalysing a better healthcare future – and our conference represents a coming together of that collective insight and will for improvement.
“From new drugs, therapies and vaccines to robotics, medical devices, digital tools, artificial intelligence (AI), precision and preventative medicine, and data, there will be much to explore across a memorable day.
“We are therefore excited to be announcing what delegates can look forward to and we invite them to join us in the capital on 23 October.
“Highlighting our ambition of turning discussion into action, the conference marks an opportunity to be inspired by cutting-edge research and innovation through a programme which delivers not only agenda-setting speakers and initiatives, but also a vast bank of multi-disciplinary knowledge.
“Our impactful event urges all to become part of the drive to collaboratively mobilise new models of care and ultimately deliver the advances which Scotland needs.”
She added: “We expect significant demand for places so please do register promptly to ensure you can be part of it.”
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Publication date: 9th September 2025
