The University of Strathclyde has secured 10 nominations in the 2026 Scottish Knowledge Exchange (KE) Awards.
The shortlistings are spread across six of the awards’ 11 categories and the University has more than one nomination in four of the categories.
Sentinel, a digital platform dedicated to trauma prevention and management for frontline professionals developed in partnership with Strathclyde, has four nominations in three different categories
The platform is nominated for the Innovation of the Year and Research and Innovation in Digital Health and Social Care awards, while researchers Dr Alison Kirk and Dr Nicola Cogan are in contention for the Knowledge Exchange Champion award for their work on the project.
Strathclyde has another Innovation of the Year nomination for a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Inspectahire Instrument Co, which is developing a device for monitoring the amount of whisky in casks. There are two further nominations for the Making an Environmental Difference award: for Ureaka, a prospective spinout developing processes for sustainable building materials, and for a collaboration with Montrose Port Authority, aimed at positioning the port as a green energy hub.
Sarah Buchanan, a Systems Engineering Management Manager in Strathclyde’s Department of Design, Manufacturing and Engineering Management (DMEM), is a contender for the Knowledge Exchange Heroes Award, for her “central role” in strengthening knowledge exchange at the University, through “leadership, staff development and advocacy.” The Multiparty Collaboration category includes two projects involving Strathclyde: Conquering the Air(waves), which is using airborne private 5G networks for live broadcasts, and PROMPT, a partnership for monitoring pilots’ mental workload.
Awards ceremony
The winners of the awards, organised by business-academic matchmaking organisation Interface, will be announced at a ceremony on 19 March.
University of Strathclyde Principal and Vice Chancellor, Professor Stephen McArthur, said: “Knowledge exchange is an essential component of our role as a university. It enables us not only to create direct links with business and industry but also to engage in effective partnerships with mutually beneficial results, leading to impact in the economy and for our society.
The high number of nominations for these awards reflects the importance of knowledge exchange and the success of our activity in this area.
Amelia Whitelaw, Director of Interface, said: “What stood out this year was the strength of collaboration across sectors. We’re seeing businesses, public bodies and third sector organisations working with colleges, research institutions and universities in ways that are delivering real impact for Scotland. That’s exactly what these awards are here to recognise.”
The Research and Innovation in Digital Health and Social Care award is being presented in partnership with the Strathclyde-hosted DHI (Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre).