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News from SUPA |
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If you were at the Annual Gathering in May, you will have been aware that our CEO, Prof Alan Miller, has retired after 6 years at the helm and having been instrumental in the creation of SUPA back in 2004. The SUPA team took the opportunity at the end of the Gathering to say a few words of thanks to Alan, and surprise him with gifts that the SUPA community had generously contributed to. These included a first edition of Ernest Mach’s 1926 ‘Principles of Physical Optics’, a telescope to use with his grandchildren to inspire the next generation of physicists, a mug with one of his first papers printed on it, and some wine. There was also an online card that had been signed by people from within SUPA and those who he’s met along the way around the world.
We thank Alan for his years of service, his dedication, his passion and his enthusiasm, for physics, for the research environment in Scotland, and for supporting early career researchers throughout his career. |
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This year’s Annual Gathering was held in-person at the Technology & Innovation Centre at the University of Strathclyde, on Tuesday 16 May. The day included talks from SUPA researchers, a career reflection from Dr Graeme Malcolm (Founder & CEO of M Squared Lasers), and a research keynote from Prof Cait MacPhee (Institute for Condensed Matter & Complex Systems, Edinburgh). We also showcased PhD research in a poster exhibition, and had a number of organisations exhibiting, looking for talent and collaboration opportunities within SUPA.
The full programme is available on the SUPA website. The talks should be made available online later in the summer. Take a look at our event video: |
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Careers Online at Lunchtime
This monthly series of webinars introduces you to a variety of people who after graduating with a PhD in physics went on to successful careers in a wide variety of employment sectors using the skills developed during their doctorate.
The videos from the previous sessions are available on MySUPA: Lorenzo Zanisi, Data Scientist, UK Atomic Energy Agency Orla Kelly, Knowledge Exchange & Innovation Collaboration Manager, Universities Scotland/UWS Claire Thring, Senior Application Specialist, Novosound Kenneth Freeman, Consultant, Awerian Ltd Jon Orchard, Principle Engineer, Vector Photonics
To watch the videos back or to receive the links, please enrol on the MySUPA course. This course is also open to all, so please share with anyone you think may find it useful. Anyone who has an issue with registering should email admin@supa.ac.uk for help. |
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Multidisciplinary Matchmaker
Once again the pools and innovation centres across Scotland have come together on a Multidisciplinary Matchmaker scheme. If you have a good idea but need a collaborator from another discipline to make it great, the scheme aims to connect you.
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Entrepreneurial Campus Blueprint published
Scotland’s Entrepreneurial Campus Blueprint is a ten-year plan aiming to help create world class entrepreneurial campuses at universities and colleges across Scotland, to bridge the gap between research and commercialisation. |
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News from our Partner Universities |
| The new Euclid satellite has begun it’s mission to revolutionise astronomy research. The European project’s UK Science Data Centre will be based at Edinburgh, with 2,000 scientists across Europe contributing to numerous projects utilising Euclid’s data. |
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| A new Prosperity Partnership between Heriot-Watt, Edinburgh and Leonardo aims to completely change the way high-value, low-volume remote sensing systems are developed, from concept to production. |
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| A new study at St Andrews has shown that lightning’s role in making nitrogen available for life on earth may have been relatively short lived. The study will help identify the source of nitrate deposits on Mars and possibly other planets and moons in our Solar System. |
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| A new project led by Strathclyde and the University of Bristol will look at optimisation of quantum sources of secure quantum signals that are both robust and designed for easy integration into small satellite platforms, along with the use of shorter wavelengths for intersatellite QKD. |
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| 90 years after he received an honorary degree from Glasgow, a cutting from Albert Einstein’s Holsteiner cox apple tree at his summer home in Caputh, Germany, has been planted outside the School of Physics & Astronomy. |
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| A collaboration led by Edinburgh has used the JWST to reveal more details of the earliest known galaxy. Galaxy GS-9209 is ten times smaller than the Milky Way, but has a similar number of stars. |
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| A large collaboration including an Edinburgh astronomer has uncovered an explosion more than ten times brighter than any known supernova and three times brighter than the brightest tidal disruption event, and lasting (so far) more than 3 years. |
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| A collaboration between Heriot-Watt, Strathclyde and the Universities of California and Leiden, has achieved a breakthrough in quantum secure encryption over standard optical-fibre networks. |
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| A collaboration between St Andrews and Kwangwoon University, Korea, has provided proof of how to harness the energy from ambient light sources such as lamps to power motion sensors, using indoor solar cells. |
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| In 2024, the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation will bring their European Division Event to Glasgow, hosted by Strathclyde. Glasgow City is Scotland’s first innovation district, building on Glasgow’s tradition of scientific excellence and industrial ingenuity. |
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| An international team of scientists involving Edinburgh and the Argonne National Laboratory and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (both in the USA) have taken work a step further in the quest to harness topological knots for information storage. |
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| A group at Heriot-Watt have created a new method of 3D printing that uses near-infrared light to create complex structures containing multiple materials and colours, paving the way for a revolution in manufacturing. |
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Congratulations to… |
Gary Robertson, Edinburgh |
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Dr Andrew McLeod, Edinburgh |
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Prof Miles Padgett, Glasgow |
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Dr Liza Mijovic, Edinburgh |
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Dr Adam Carnall, Edinburgh |
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Megan Powell, Strathclyde |
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| who has been awarded a prestigious Bell Burnell Scholarship from the IOP. Lauren’s research is titled ‘Nurturing Physics Identity in Undergraduate Students through Learning Communities’. |
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Dr Ragandeep Singh Sindhu, Edinburgh |
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Converge Challenge 2023 Congratulations to all those who have been shortlisted in this year’s Converge Challenges, including physicists: Joseph French, Edinburgh, who has been selected in the Create Change category, for WhimsyLabs, a virtual lab system to get science into people’s homes Keith Wilcox, Dundee, who has been selected in the KickStart category, for their company Rescue Winch Ltd, providing new innovative water rescue methods Rob Sidey, St Andrews, selected in the KickStart category for their company KindHive, a reward-based crowdfunding platform to support those experiencing homelessness.
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Double Award renewal at Edinburgh Congratulations to Edinburgh’s School of Physics & Astronomy, for having both its Juno Champion and Athena SWAN Silver status renewed in recognition of the work undertaken and continuing efforts in addressing gender equality and fostering a more inclusive working environment. |
Funding and Funder News |
REF2028 changes
The next Research Excellence Framework will conclude in 2028 and assess research and impact between 2021 and 2027. Following a consultation and review, changes are proposed to the assessment, primarily moving from performance of individuals, to the performance of institutions in relation to healthy, dynamic and inclusive research environments.
The (renamed and re-weighted) elements for REF2028 are proposed to be: The Future Research Assessment Programme (FRAP) is holding two consultation webinars on 25 July and 12 September, registration for which is now open. |
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EPSRC opportunities with the USA 🇺🇸
Did you know that UKRI has a number of agreements around the world to enable UK-based researchers to apply for funding internationally with UKRI as the lead agency. The UKRI-US office has recently celebrated 15 years of links with the US National Science Foundation (NSF), during which they’ve supported over 200 projects with £185M in funding.
The most recent opportunity is between EPSRC and the NSF, opening the door to bottom-up collaboration in national priorities such as quantum technologies as well as broader areas of engineering and physical sciences.
Full details including how to apply are available via the International Agreement webpage on the UKRI website. |
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| All of UKRI’s funding in one place, search by Council and funding type. Examples: Future Leader Fellowships, Ernest Rutherford Fellowships, travel grants, and technology readiness. |
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| Innovate UK have launched two new competitions, aimed at finding the hidden talent in the innovation space.
Begin: for innovative early stage business ideas, or those ready to turn your ideas into a business. Win £15k and tailored support and mentoring.
Build: Have an established business? The only way is up, with a chance to win £50k of funding and a tailored support package to grow your business.
Scheme opened 10 July, register for information on deadlines. |
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| A number of grants and Fellowships are either currently or shortly will be available from the Royal Society. |
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| Funding schools and colleges up to £3,000 to run investigative STEM projects in partnership with STEM professionals in academia or industry.
Open all year with multiple submission deadlines at the ends of April, June and November. |
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| Up to five years funding to recruit and attract research leaders to the UK from overseas. Researchers can be of any nationality and will be eligible to apply for a fast-track Global Talent Visa if a visa is required.
Deadline: 3pm, Weds 9 August 2023 |
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| Provide international research leaders funding to undertake a 12 month sabbatical in a UK university.
Deadline: 3pm, Weds 9 August 2023 |
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| The next call for RSE Research Awards will run from 7 September - 26 October 2023. The call will include 8 different funding opportunities covering all career stages and academic disciplines, including: Small research grants Research workshops Research networks Personal Research Fellowships International Joint Projects Scotland Asia Partnerships Higher education Research (SAPHIRE) Fund Ireland–Scotland Bilateral Network Grants International Bilateral Visits
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| The SFC funds a number of programmes administered by Interface, to connect business and Scotland’s universities in innovative collaborations. Applications must be made by the SME partner, if you don’t have an SME partner Interface can help.
Rolling scheme, no deadlines. Standard Innovation Vouchers, <£5,000 for first-time partnerships Student Placement Innovation Voucher, <£5,000 Advanced Innovation Vouchers, <£20,000 of match funding
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Public Engagement & Outreach |
Skype a Researcher
(virtual school visits) |
| As part of 2023’s Explorathon, researchers are being given the opportunity to virtually visit classrooms around the world to share their work, by partnering with the US-based non-profit organisation, Skype a Scientist.
To take part, fill out this registration form, and you’ll be matched with a school, between now and December 2023. For any questions, please email explorathon@st-andrews.ac.uk |
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| The STEMAZING Inspiration Academy fosters women role models in STEM. It will provide training and workshops to build your confidence and work on your STEM delivery toolbox, to deliver live sessions via Zoom. The Academy is free to take part in. The programme will run from Sept-December 2023.
Deadline to apply: 31 July 2023 |
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| HERStory Makers is all about inspiring the next generation and giving outstanding female-identifying role models a stage to thrive on. ECRs have 2 mins 15 secs precisely to pitch their research and/or themselves in a digital format to make their research accessible to everyone. Training video can be viewed here. Email Kirsty Ross for further information.
Deadline to submit video: 5pm, 31 July |
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And finally…recruiting doctoral students |
As part of the ongoing reviews and changes planned for PGRs at UKRI, it will be announced in the autumn* that all research councils will adopt the Best Practice Principles in Recruitment and Training at Doctoral Level that are currently used by NERC.
These principles set out minimum considerations for the four stages of recruitment and training: Finding talent Shortlisting and interviews Nurturing talent Monitoring and reporting
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*This update is shared early here with permission following a presentation to the SFC Advisory Group on Supporting Scotland’s PGRs by Frances Burstow, Director of Talent & Skills at UKRI. |
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