Upcoming Innovation Events
We work to maximise opportunities for companies to interact with researchers and health and care professionals – a conversation can often spark new innovative ideas.
Keep up to date and find out more about the latest innovation events from across Scotland.
The power of CHI to shape the future of Health and Social Care
Date and Time: Thursday, 17th July 2025, 13:00 – 14:00
Location: Online
Event Info:
Join experts from COSLA, the Digital Office for Scottish Local Government, and Public Health Scotland as they explore the transformative potential of the Community Health Index (CHI) Number in local government services. With the CHI in Local Government project now entering its Discovery Phase, this session will highlight how CHI can:
- Deliver better outcomes for people accessing services
- Reduce duplication and streamline processes
- Minimise the need for individuals to repeat their information
- Increase capacity in a stretched system
- Ensure frontline staff have the right information at the right time
Featured Speakers:
- Ruth Griffith, Policy Manager for Digital Health and Care, COSLA
- Dave Watson, Enterprise Architect, Digital Office for Scottish Local Government
- Richard Dobbie, Principal Analyst, Public Health Scotland
This is a must-attend event for anyone looking to drive innovation, efficiency, and person-centred care in their organisation.
Register here
AI & Cloud Innovation Summit Scotland 2025
Date and Time: Thursday, 11th September 2025, 09:30 – 16:00
Location: Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh
Event Info:
Join us at Scotland’s premier event – Holyrood Connect’s AI & Cloud Innovation Summit – exploring the future of digital public services on 11 September 2025 at Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh. As AI reshapes the way government operates, and cloud technologies drive efficiency and security, this summit will bring together experts, policymakers, and public sector technology professionals to discuss the opportunities, challenges, and strategies for harnessing AI and cloud technology.
Why Attend?
Unlock AI’s Potential – Discover how AI can enhance public sector efficiency, from automating routine tasks to improving decision-making processes.
Cloud Infrastructure – Learn about scalable and secure cloud solutions tailored for public sector needs, ensuring data integrity and accessibility.
Navigate the AI & Cloud Landscape – Understand policy, governance, and ethical considerations shaping the future of AI and cloud adoption.
Engage with Experts – Hear from leading voices in Scottish Government, technology, and industry, with keynote speakers, panel discussions, and interactive sessions.
Shape the Future – Be part of discussions on the next phase of digital transformation in the public sector.
Read more
ROSCon UK 2025
Date and Time: 15th – 17th September 2025
Location: University of Edinburgh, Informatics Forum, 10 Crichton Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9AB
Event Info:
ROSCon UK 2025 will be held at the University of Edinburgh, Informatics Forum on 15th – 17th September, 2025. ROSCon UK 2025 is a chance for ROS developers of all levels, beginner to expert, to spend an extraordinary 3 days learning from and networking with the ROS community of the UK in Edinburgh. Get tips and tricks from experts and meet and share ideas with fellow developers.
ROSCon UK is a developers’ conference. The program will comprise a mixture of networking and social events, workshops, technical talks, and tutorials that will introduce you to new tools and libraries, as well as teach you more about the ones you already know. The bulk of the program will be focusing on UK-centered contributions.
We aim for ROSCon UK to represent the entire ROS community in the UK. Whoever you are, whatever you do, and wherever you do it, if you’re interested in ROS, then we want you to join us at ROSCon UK. We encourage women, members of minority groups, and members of other under-represented groups to attend ROSCon UK.
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SAVE THE DATE - Usher Institute Annual Lecture & Showcase 2025
Date and Time: Thursday, 25th September 2025
Location: McEwan Hall, Bristo Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG
Event Info:
In 2025, we have the privilege of welcoming Dr David B. Nash from Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia as our guest key speaker.
Save the date in your diary – more details and registration information will be shared soon.
Digital Glasgow 2025
Date and Time: Tuesday, 7th October 2025, 08:30 – 16:30
Location: University of Strathclyde, Technology & Innovation Centre, Glasgow
Event Info:
Stimulating local tech ecosystems has never been more critical. With flagship national programmes designed to widen the funnel for startups and scale-up tech companies, Futurescot’s Glasgow Tech Ecosystem conference brings together industry, government, and academic expertise poised to turn that ambition into a reality.
As we move into the critical delivery phase for Glasgow’s digital economy, local and national government funders will join with the regional agencies whose job it is to support and strengthen the tech sector and, of course, the tech companies looking to transform industries old and new across the Glasgow City Region.
By bringing together all the key players, Futurescot will help supercharge the tech ecosystem in 2025, setting the stage for a future where tech drives societal and economic growth for all.
Register now
Health Data Research UK Conference
Date and Time: 15-16 October 2025
Location: Scottish Event Campus (SEC), Exhibition Way, Glasgow G3 8YW
Event Info:
This year’s hybrid conference will feature world-class keynote speakers and opportunities to share your science through submitted talks and posters. With leading exhibitors and a variety of networking events, this is an event to add to your calendar now. We expect to open registration in February 2025 with full details of tickets and prices. You can download the ‘Save the Date’ calendar hold and find out more here.
Why you should join us
Health Data Research UK’s annual conference will be a two-day, hybrid event to celebrate progress and bring people together to accelerate the trustworthy use of health data for public benefit. This is an event dedicated to celebrating how health data science can improve people’s lives.
What to expect
The UK is in a unique position to realise the potential of health data, thanks to the NHS and its cradle-to-grave records for a population of over 65 million people. The last few years have demonstrated the enormous power of data to advance medical knowledge and deliver radical improvements to people’s lives. But there is much more that can be done through large-scale data, advanced analytics and innovative developments in data governance.
Health Data Research UK’s annual conference will be a two-day, hybrid event to celebrate this progress and allow us to come together and continue to build momentum in the health data research revolution.
How to attend
The conference will be hosted in person in Glasgow, UK, or you can join online and access all the sessions as live streams. Register here for a conference ticket.
SAVE THE DATE - 2025 National Conference
Date and Time: Thursday, 23rd October 2025
Location: Edinburgh International Conference Centre
Event Info:
Scotland’s Health Research and Innovation Conference will take place on Thursday 23 October at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) under the theme of ‘Research Enabled Health Innovation’.
Hosted by the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) of Scottish Government and NHS Research Scotland (NRS), the event will be a premier meeting point and knowledge exchange forum for researchers, scientists, innovators, healthcare staff, policymakers, industry, and the public. The conference will encompass everything from the development, adoption, and implementation of next generation treatments, therapies, and technologies to the vital role of Scotland’s forward-thinking, dedicated healthcare workforce.
The conference will celebrate the country’s research and innovation strengths, showcase powerful multi-sector collaboration, and present exciting advancements in how we collectively prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases, ultimately improving health and well-being across Scotland.
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Scotland's Health Awards 2025
Date and Time: Thursday, 6th November 2025, 18:30 – 23:00
Location: Edinburgh Corn Exchange, Edinburgh
Event Info:
The Scotsman are delighted to host the 2025 Scotland’s Health Awards in partnership with NHS Scotland and The Scottish Government for a second year.
Scotland’s Health Awards 2025 will celebrate the extraordinary achievements of those individuals and teams who go above and beyond to deliver compassionate, high quality health and social care to the people of Scotland.
These awards recognise the contribution of frontline health and social care workers but also celebrate those who work so hard behind the scenes in support roles to ensure we have the kind of health and care services that are vital in achieving the highest quality of care.
The awards ceremony and gala dinner will take place in November 2025 in Edinburgh and will be attended by over 500 guests from across Scotland.
Register here
DigitalScotland 2025
Date and Time: Wednesday, 19th November 2025, 08:00 – 17:00
Location: Edinburgh International Conference Centre
Event Info:
Welcome to Scotland’s largest digital transformation summit for public sector policy and technology leaders.
Featuring over 70 speakers, 100 exhibitors and 1,200 delegates, Digital Scotland is the premier event for digital leaders and innovators dedicated to enhancing government services through technology.
In 2025, the conference will tap into the public tech zeitgeist – covering the latest from the global GovTech movement, digital ID, cloud services, payments, AI, IoT and Cybersecurity.
Digital Scotland is the meeting place where government ministers interact with technology upstarts and disruptors engaged and motivated by the goal of creating world-class digital experiences for citizens of the future. Be part of the conversation.
Learning objectives:
- Understand the strategic direction for government digital policy and programmes.
- Hear how GovTech leaders from across the UK ‘home nations’ are pursuing technology-led transformation of government services.
- Experience best-in-class technology projects from across an array of public services, from healthcare to social services, local government, environment and justice
- Learn playbook approaches to tech implementation from experienced public-sector technology leaders.
- Attend industry masterclasses spanning user-centred design, data, AI, cloud, cybersecurity and IoT