Listen to broadcaster, Quentin Cooper, as he interviews team members from 5 pilot projects that received seed funding and learn how their multidisciplinary research activities were initiated and enabled through their participation in European Crucible. Projects address medical, health, environmental, social, legal and technological challenges. The aim of the European Crucible is to create and develop a pan-European network of future research leaders who have enhanced knowledge, contacts and capacities to collaborate more effectively with wider impact.
Publisher
European Crucible, Heriot-Watt University 2024 - 2025
10: Scottish Crucible Reflections 3 : research collaboration, leadership and careers
Professor Emilie Combet Aspray, Professor of Human Nutrition at the University of Glasgow and
Director of SCAF, the Scottish Alliance for Food.
Prof. Mirela Delibegovic Professor in Diabetes Physiology and Signaling at the University of Aberdeen, and Research
Director of the Aberdeen Cardiovascular and Diabetes Centre
Prof. Robin Sloan, Professor of Game Design and Culture at Abertay University
6 Nov 2025
9: Scottish Crucible Reflections 2 : research collaboration, leadership and careers
In this podcast, we hear the Crucible reflections of 3 more Scottish Crucible Alumni in conversation with Quentin Cooper. Featuring Prof Janine Illian, Prof Stephen Wallace and Dr Laura Wyness. Listen to learn more about how their research and careers have progressed in the years since undertaking Scottish Crucible.
6 Nov 2025TRANSCRIPT
9: Reflections on research collaboration, leadership and careers (Scottish Crucible 2)
In this podcast, we hear the Crucible reflections of 3 more Scottish Crucible Alumni in conversation with Quentin Cooper. Featuring Prof Janine Illian, Prof Stephen Wallace and Dr Laura Wyness Learn more about how their research and careers have progressed in the years since undertaking Scottish Crucible.Prof Janine Illian, University of GlasgowScottish Crucible Alumnus 2009Janine is Head of Statistical Sciences within the School of Mathematics & Statistics at the University of Glasgow. Her research includes statistical modelling with applications in biological, environmental and other systems.
30 Oct 2025
8: Scottish Crucible Reflections 1 : research collaboration, leadership and careers
In this podcast, we hear the Crucible reflections of 3 Scottish Crucible Alumni in conversation with Quentin Cooper.
Featuring Prof. Tim Drysdale, Prof. Stuart Reid, and Dr Heather May Morgan. Learn more about how their research and careers have progressed in the years since undertaking Scottish Crucible.
30 Oct 2025TRANSCRIPT
8: Reflections on research collaboration, leadership and careers
In this podcast, we hear the Crucible reflections of 3 Scottish Crucible Alumni in conversation with Quentin Cooper. Featuring Prof. Tim Drysdale, Prof. Stuart Reid, and Dr Heather May Morgan. Learn more about how their research and careers have progressed in the years since undertaking Scottish Crucible. Scottish Crucible Alumnus 2010: Prof Tim Drysdale, University of Edinburgh
20 Dec 2024
7: Nanoscience
Project: “Nanoparticles and the Human Body”
Nanoparticles are of interest to many areas of physics, and can also be used as carriers for the safe and effective administration of drugs, or for theranostics (diagnostic and therapeutic capability in a single therapy) purposes, yet they can also interact with biological systems and lead to unwanted adverse effects. The objective of this project is to revolutionize the toolbox of analytical chemistry techniques in order to investigate nanoparticle interactions with the human body and its impact on medicine safety.
20 Dec 2024
Nanoscience
Renowned experts in chemistry, physics, and biomaterials share insights on harnessing nanoscience to revolutionize medicine with safer and more effective theranostics.
26 Sept 2024
6: Science Communication
Project: “Science and Human Histories”
Has public confidence in the ethics and capacities of science declined in recent times? Topics such as climate change, vaccines, telecommunications, food safety, and most recently COVID-19 have been the subject of debate. This project examines one of the key factors which lies behind the conflict between science and its critics: specifically, the way in which science is, and has been, communicated to society.
26 Sept 2024
Science Communication
Scotland – Netherlands – SpainHas public confidence in the ethics and capacities of science declined in recent times? Topics such as climate change, vaccines, telecommunications, food safety, and most recently COVID-19 have been the subject of debate. This project examines one of the key factors which lies behind the conflict between science and its critics: specifically, the way in which science is, and has been, communicated to society.The team expertise for this Societal Challenge is in Museum Studies and Physics:
1 Jul 2024
5: Policy Making and Green Technology
Project: "rECOver"
Many green technologies (e.g. batteries and hydrogen) rely on critical elements, materials, and supply chains that have negative environmental impacts. A collider event brought together policymakers, industry partners and specific actors with influence over the use and development of 'green' technology. A collection of qualitative and scientific data regarding the existing gaps in the thinking are being addressed.
1 Jul 2024
Policy Making and Green Technology
Project: "rECOver"
Many green technologies (e.g. batteries and hydrogen) rely on critical elements, materials, and supply chains that have negative environmental impacts. A collider event brought together policymakers, industry partners and specific actors with influence over the use and development of 'green' technology. A collection of qualitative and scientific data regarding the existing gaps in the thinking are being addressed.
The Team expertise for this Energy and Environment Challenge is in Robotics, Energy, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Psychology and Law.
29 May 2024TRANSCRIPT
Coral Reef Restoration with Magnets
Project: MIRRORCoastal marine habitats are biodiverse ecosystems providing a wealth of social, economic and cultural benefits but are under immense human pressure because of coastal development, polluting land run off and climate change. The project aim is to increase coral settlement rates by actively attracting colonisation via a substrate's magnetic properties.The team expertise for this Environmental Challenge is in Marine Biology, Chemical Physics, Ecology and Environmental Science, Maths and Statistics
29 May 2024
4: Coral Reef Restoration with Magnets
Project: MIRROR
Coastal marine habitats are biodiverse ecosystems providing a wealth of social, economic and cultural benefits but are under immense human pressure because of coastal development, polluting land run off and climate change. The project aim is to increase coral settlement rates by actively attracting colonisation via a substrate's magnetic properties.
1 May 2024
3: Shedding Light on Cell Processes for Health
Project: "AUTODOSE"
Autophagy is a vital cellular process, in which dysfunctional components of the cell are removed and the building blocks recycled for reuse. Defects in the functioning of this system have been shown to have important links with various diseases, including cancer and neurodegeneration. The project will shed light on autophagy pathways using Raman Spectroscopy and fluorescence techniques from fat body tissue of Drosophila larvae.
1 May 2024
Shedding Light on Cell Processes for Health
Project:"AUTODOSE"
Autophagy is a vital cellular process, in which dysfunctional components of the cell are removed and the building blocks recycled for reuse. Defects in the functioning of this system have been shown to have important links with various diseases, including cancer and neurodegeneration. The project will shed light on autophagy pathways using Raman Spectroscopy and fluorescence techniques from fat body tissue of Drosophila larvae.
The team expertise for this Medical Challenge is in Biology, Biophysics, Maths, Statistics, and Electrical Engineering
18 Mar 2024
2: Storytelling and Games to Address Trauma
Project: "MAVKA"
Children are being traumatised by the violence in Ukraine and are in need of safety. Several approaches can provide support for victims of trauma conflict. Storytelling allows us to make sense of information in an organised way whilst combining elements of play. The aim of the project is to develop a 'serious game' providing children and young people affected by war and conflict with an opportunity to engage in mixed media to process emotion and trauma.
18 Mar 2024
Storytelling and Games to Address Trauma
Children are being traumatised by the violence in Ukraine and are in need of safety. Several approaches can provide support for victims of trauma conflict. Storytelling allows us to make sense of information in an organised way whilst combining elements of play. The aim of the project is to develop a 'serious game' providing children and young people affected by war and conflict with an opportunity to engage in mixed media to process emotion and trauma.
The Team expertise for this Societal Challenge is in Social Sciences, Literature, and Computer Science.
Dr Mel McKendrick, Associate Professor in Psychology, Heriot-Watt University
20 Feb 2024
Water Quality Monitoring
Project: "UV-Go"
Despite the standard use of spectroscopy to determine the composition of water in the laboratory and in the field, UV/visible spectrometers are expensive and bulky. This project encompasses the development and testing of new low cost and sensitive UV sensors for water composition quantification.
The team expertise for this Environmental Challenge is in: Physics, Chemistry, Experimental Hydrology, Material and Environmental Science
Dr Fabien Massabuau,Chancellor's Fellow,Department of Physics, U. Strathclyde
20 Feb 2024
1: Water Quality Monitoring
Project: "UV-Go"
Despite the standard use of spectroscopy to determine the composition of water in the laboratory and in the field, UV/visible spectrometers are expensive and bulky. This project encompasses the development and testing of new low cost and sensitive UV sensors for water composition quantification.
Inside a recent episode
10: Scottish Crucible Reflections 3 : research collaboration, leadership and careers
Published 13 Nov 2025 · Transcript excerpt
[…] And not just academic disciplines. I mean, this is something Robin was alluding to before about the Scottish Parliament. It's realizing how science connects with wider society. That's right. And it's not just academic, it's also people working in government, local governments, Scottish government, UK government, people working in charity sectors, people working in industry, members of the public who are interested and want to contribute. It's really taking this very democratic approach to doing research and stopping a little bit, listening to what other people have to say and building research projects differently. […]
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