Glasgow Caledonian wins big at Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards
Glasgow Caledonian University took home prizes in major categories at last night’s 10th Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards.
Susan Armstrong, Knowledge Exchange Lead at the University, was recognised as a Knowledge Exchange Hero for her contributions to advancing Glasgow Caledonian’s initiatives in this field.
Her strategic and collaborative approach has strengthened the University’s engagement with industry and academia, benefiting both the academic community and external partners.
Susan said: “It’s fantastic to receive this recognition. It reflects not only my contribution to the Knowledge Exchange at Glasgow Caledonian but also my academic colleagues’ enthusiasm to undertake Knowledge Exchange activities, which makes my work in this area hugely enjoyable.
Glasgow Caledonian’s collaboration with the Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH) charity was also a winner in the Making a Social Difference category. The partnership has led to the review, redesign and delivery of SAMH’s Psychological Wellbeing services.
This collaboration, led by Glasgow Caledonian’s Dr Bryan McCann, resulted in the development of the Time for You service, providing free, immediate mental health support to thousands of individuals. The service is delivered by the University’s Trainee Psychologists, enhancing both public access to mental health resources and training opportunities for students.
Dr McCann, a researcher and Senior Lecturer in the School of Health and Life Sciences’ Department of Psychology, was highly commended in the Knowledge Exchange Champion category.
He has played a key role in fostering strategic partnerships within the physical activity and mental health sectors. His efforts have enhanced student placements, secured funding for knowledge exchange programmes and contributed to improving health and wellbeing across Scotland.
Another of Dr McCann's collaborations, this time with Sport Aberdeen in the ProActive Minds programme, which embeds the principles of sports psychology in high schools, was shortlisted in the Making a Social Difference category.
The University was also nominated in the Powerful Partnership category for its work with Safehinge Primera. Together, we developed a discreet sensor system to monitor mental health patients' behaviour.
Professor Andrea Nelson, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research, said: “It was wonderful to see the work that colleagues across the University do to translate knowledge into real-world impacts being recognised at the Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards. Real-world impacts were celebrated and these are best realised with the strong partnership working that all our nominees demonstrated. Congratulations to all our nominees and our winners!”
Dr McCann said: “I am delighted that our partnership with SAMH was successful in the Making a Social Difference category. The award is testament to the synergy between our teams in the pursuit of improved mental health in Scotland.
“It was great being shortlisted with Sport Aberdeen for the Making a Social Difference category, recognising our innovative partnership to apply sport and exercise psychology in community contexts to support young people’s mental health and physical activity.
“I’m also honoured to receive a highly commended award in the Knowledge Exchange Champion category, which wouldn’t be possible without the support of colleagues, industry partners and students.
“Well done to Susan Armstrong LLB for being rightly recognised as the Knowledge Exchange hero!”
Held at the Edinburgh Futures Institute, the awards, organised by Interface, celebrated transformational collaborations between businesses, communities, universities, colleges and research institutes which are solving industry challenges, improving productivity, advancing research and supporting Scotland’s ambition to be one of the most innovative small nations in the world.
Business Minister Richard Lochhead said after the event: “It was good to see the full breadth of academic and business-led innovation on show at Interface’s annual awards.
“It demonstrated why our expertise in so many sectors is revered around the world, from renewable energy and health technology, to food and drink.
“Scotland has been at the forefront of many of the world’s most impactful innovations, from the MRI Scanner and penicillin to televisions and telephones. Yet, by combining research and business, so many new and exciting Scottish breakthroughs are just on the horizon and that is something we should all champion.”
Photos - L to R: Gemma Monaghan, Azets, and Susan Armstrong, Glasgow Caledonian University.
L to R: Dr Bryan McCann, Glasgow Caledonian University, Helen Cross from the Scottish Funding Council, and Tracey Beattie and Suzy Wright Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH).
