Lower Saxony – Scotland
Joint Forum 2025
ECAS invites you to the Lower Saxony – Scotland Joint Forum 2025, which will be hosted at the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) in Scotland on 27. + 28. November 2025.
The Joint Forum has been bringing together members of higher education institutions (HEIs), research organisations, policymakers, and experts in diverse fields from both regions for many years. Through inspiring panel discussions and workshops, participants expand existing partnerships, share their vision and develop new cooperative ideas.
Day 1 of the Joint Forum will focus on inclusive expertise exchange, with the two following panel discussions led by experts from various disciplines:
- The Democracy of Knowledge and the Importance of International Research Collaborations
- The Significance of Knowledge Exchange in a Transregional Context (Beneficiaries of the Research and Innovation Scheme)
Day 2 of the event will see four interesting workshops, providing impetus for new ideas and partnerships. Interested persons may still apply to host their own workshop (see Open Call below).
For more detailed information, please see: The Official Invitation.
Why attend?
Network
Connect with academics, staff and students from renowned higher education institutions, politicians and experts from industry in both regions.
Collaborate
Explore avenues for interdisciplinary cooperation and initiate research partnerships.
Learn
Gain insights from experts, discover innovative projects, and expand your knowledge horizon.
Engage
Participate in discussions, exchange ideas, and be part of shaping the future of academia.
Register now
Please click on the button below to register for this year’s Joint Forum, taking place on Thursday, 27 November + Friday, 28 November 2025 at the Royal Society of Edinburgh (22-26 George St, Edinburgh EH2 2PQ).
Participation is free of charge. Registration is open until Sunday, 9 November 2025.
Programme – Day 1 (Royal Society of Edinburgh)
Arrival, Registration, and Coffee (Wellcome East)
Welcome Address & Scene-Setting (Lecture Theatre)
Welcome Address:
Scottish Minister for Higher and Further Education
Video Message:
Lower Saxonian Minister for Science and Culture
Speakers:
Consul General in Edinburgh for Germany
Vice President for Research, The Royal Society of Edinburgh
Panel I: The Democracy of Knowledge and the Importance of International Research Collaborations (Lecture Theatre)
Introduction
This panel will set the scene for a critical examination of how scientific knowledge is created, validated and disseminated. Invited speakers from various fields, including science policy, regional and national governance, ethics, communication, sociology and international relations, will discuss the strategies and approaches needed to overcome the complex challenges of joint knowledge production through collaborative initiatives, particularly in times of global misinformation and scepticism.
Within the context of Lower Saxonian–Scottish cooperation, this panel will promote transparent dialogue between partner regions by strengthening shared responsibilities among scientists, policymakers, and civil society to ensure that science remains a public good: open, reliable, inclusive, and responsive to diverse communities.
Moderation:
Vice President for Research, The Royal Society of Edinburgh
Speakers:
Dr. Ally Hughes
Executive Director, Scottish Universities Life Sciences Alliance (SULSA)
Head of Unit for Europe and International Affairs, Lower Saxonian Ministry of Science and Culture
ECAS Flagship Initiative:
Personal Chair of Energy Systems, University of Edinburgh
Business & Development Manager, Scottish Partnership in Energy and Engineering Research & Innovation (SPEERI)
Senior International Partnerships and Engagement Manager (Europe), Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
Think Tank (Science-Policy Interface), Energy Research Centre of Lower Saxony (efzn)
Coffee Break (Wellcome East)
Panel II – The Significance of Knowledge Exchange in a Transregional Context (Beneficiaries of the Research and Innovation Scheme) (Lecture Theatre)
Introduction
The second interdisciplinary panel will put particular focus on the pursuit of joint research projects within the framework of the Lower Saxony – Scotland Research and Innovation Scheme as a strategic facilitator of international knowledge exchange. This initiative strengthens the partnership between the regions by providing structured funding for selected collaborative projects at the following different stages:
- Development track offers seed funding for early-stage initiatives,
- Excellence track supports established collaborations to enhance their long-term impact.
The panel will feature the first cohort of beneficiaries, drawn from higher education institutions and other research-related organisations in both regions. In a dynamic format, teams will present their projects, share their experiences, and discuss first lessons learned and best practices for collaboration in the form of short pitches.
By showcasing projects supported by the Research and Innovation Scheme, the panel aims to emphasise the value of regionally anchored, globally oriented research cooperation. Beyond project presentations, the panel will foster reflection and dialogue addressing interdisciplinary challenges, trust-building, and efficient resource utilisation.
Moderation:
Vice President for Research, The Royal Society of Edinburgh
Speakers:
Deputy Director of the Institute for Global Health and Development Division at Queen Margaret, University Edinburgh
Group Lead for Energy System Analysis, Institute of Electric Power Systems, Leibniz University Hannover
Head of Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover
Senior Research Fellow at Centre for Energy Policy, University of Strathclyde
Dr. Gian Marco Campagnolo
Senior Lecturer, University of Edinburgh
Professor of Developmental and Social, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hannover
Chair of Cellular Homeostasis,
University of Dundee
Professor in Animal Behaviour and Welfare, University of Edinburgh
Head of Department for Underground Constructions, Institute for Geotechnical Engineering, Leibniz University Hannover
Closing Remark (Lecture Theatre)
Academic Director, European Centre for Advanced Studies & Vice President, Leuphana University of Lüneburg
Academic Director, European Centre for Advanced Studies & (Formerly) Vice-Principal Internationalisation, University of Glasgow
Reception & Tour of the RSE (Wellcome East, Scott Room, Staircase)
Optional & Self-Paying Dinner
(Edinburgh Street Food: Leith Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3AU)
Programme – Day 2 (Royal Society of Edinburgh)
Arrival & Registration (Wellcome East)
Welcome & Input on the Lower Saxony – Scotland Research and Innovation Scheme (Lecture Theatre)
Research Awards Officer (Lower Saxony)
The Royal Society of Edinburgh
Programme Director, Volkswagen Foundation
Workshop 1
(Wellcome West)
Opportunities and Challenges in Scotland and Lower Saxony for Clinician Scientists
Introduction
The number of clinician scientists is declining across the globe, in Europe and UK, creating risks for innovation in healthcare and medical research. This workshop will explore opportunities and challenges in training and supporting clinical academics, drawing on experiences from dedicated programs in Scotland and Lower Saxony. Participants will hear insights from program leads, early and advanced clinician scientists and engage in open discussion about how to evolve sustainable career pathways. A particular focus will be on identifying models of collaboration between institutions in Scotland and Lower Saxony that can strengthen clinical academic training, support mobility, and ultimately increase the number and quality of clinician scientists. By the end of the workshop, participants will have a clearer understanding of shared challenges and potential solutions, as well as concrete ideas for joint activities such as joined programs, exchanges, and potentially future grant applications.
Hosts & Speakers:
Professor of Transplantation,
University of Edinburgh
Professor of Respiratory Medicine and Dean of Medical Research, University of Edinburgh
Dr. Rachel Guest
Senior Clinical Lecturer & Honorary HPB Consultant Surgeon, University of Edinburgh
Professor of Cardiovascular
Prevention & Head of the School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow
Clinical Senior Lecturer in Child Health, University of Glasgow
Professor of Interdisciplinary
Experimental Transplant Medicine, Hannover Medical School
Director of the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hannover Medical School
German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Hannover Medical School
Workshop 2
(Upper Gallery)
Educating for Responsible AI: Cross-Cultural Perspectives on
Ethics and Literacy
Introduction
Hosts & Speakers:
Professor of Digital Education, University of Edinburgh
Lecturer in Landscape and Wellbeing, University of Edinburgh
IASH Digital Research Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Edinburgh
Research Facilitator, University of Edinburgh
Research Facilitator, University of Edinburgh
Creative Space Lead for Human and Artificial Intelligence Leuphana University Lüneburg
Workshop 3
(Lecture Theatre)
Enabling the Heating and Cooling Transition: A Strategic Workshop for Cross-Border Cooperation on Underground Thermal Energy Storage (UTES)
Introduction
Underground Thermal Energy Storage (UTES) acts as a natural thermal battery, storing cost-competitive or waste energy in geological formations to support the transition to low-carbon heating and cooling. This storage principle has been implemented through diverse configurations tailored to site-specific conditions and is subject to a variety of regional environmental regulations and legal requirements related to water, mining, and energy law, which differ across jurisdictions.
This workshop uses recent funding calls in the UK, Germany, and the EU as a starting point for discussions, with the aim of highlighting the relevant UTES expertise, demonstrator projects and research capacities in Lower Saxony and Scotland, ultimately encouraging further cooperation between regions. Working in multi-disciplinary teams, participants will develop system diagrams to illustrate the factors influencing UTES deployment while identifying potential research synergies and cross-border learning opportunities. This collaborative mapping exercise is designed to promote discussion on the critical drivers and barriers to market adoption of this sustainable enabling technology.
Hosts & Speakers:
Rankine Chair of Energy Engineering (Systems Power & Energy), University of Glasgow
Ph.D. Candidate, University of Glasgow
Professorship for Public Law, in particular Energy and Environmental Law, Leuphana University of Lüneburg
Lunch Break (Wellcome East)
Workshop 4
(Wellcome West)
Virology and Pandemic
Preparedness: Building Scotland-Lower Saxony Collaborations for Global Health
Introduction
Viruses continue to pose significant challenges to global health, making the development of effective vaccines and treatments more crucial than ever. Scientists studying viruses in Scotland and Lower Saxony have recognised powerful opportunities to join forces, and this workshop will bring together leading researchers from both regions to strengthen this partnership. The event will feature scientific presentations showcasing collaborative research—including cutting-edge applications of artificial intelligence—followed by a roundtable discussion and open Q&A where all attendees are encouraged to share their perspectives. We’ll also tackle the practical questions: how to fund this research, ensure it addresses real public health priorities, and turn collaborative ideas into action. Your engagement and insights will help shape how we collectively advance pandemic preparedness and address the most critical challenges in virology today.
Hosts & Speakers:
Clinical Professor of Infectious Diseases and Director MRC – Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow
Lecturer in Virology MRC Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow
(Former) Head Hannover Medical School in the Institute of Virology and was the Head of the Institute
Associate Professor for Quantitative Virology, Hannover Medical School (MHH)
Workshop 5
(Upper Gallery)
Exploring the Nexus of Social Justice, Intercultural
Communication, and Sustainability: Perspectives from Lower Saxony and Scotland
Introduction
This workshop marks the expansion of the partnership between Leuphana University Lüneburg and the University of Stirling by creating a collaborative space for interdisciplinary research on social justice, intercultural communication, and sustainability. Grounded in the shared belief that social justice underpins meaningful sustainability and that equitable intercultural communication enacts this justice, the workshop connects these themes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4.7 and SDG 17. Through lightning talks and an interactive World Café session, participants will explore diverse perspectives, develop context-sensitive research questions, and co-create strategies for public engagement and international collaboration.
Hosts & Speakers:
Professor of Education, Head of the Education Division, University of Stirling
Lecturer in Education (TESOL), University of Stirling
Lecturer in Education (TESOL), University of Stirling
Professor of English Linguistics, Leuphana University Lüneburg
Ph.D. Researcher, Leuphana University Lüneburg
Workshop 6
(Lecture Theatre)
Who Holds Responsibility in Global Supply Chains? Concepts from the Global South to Rethink European Corporate Governance
Introduction
This workshop explores how perspectives and concepts from the Global South can inform more inclusive approaches to mandatory due diligence governance, particularly regarding the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). While the directive aims to enhance corporate accountability, its design and discourse remain largely Eurocentric, often overlooking the socio-legal realities of the Global South. Through dialogue, case discussions, and participatory mapping, the workshop will challenge Western-centric narratives, examine the directive’s local implications, and co-develop ideas for more just and globally responsive due diligence governance.
Hosts & Speakers:
Reader in International Economic Law, University of Edinburgh
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Edinburgh
Ph.D. Candidate, University of Edinburgh
Research Associate and Coordinator of the Cluster GO-Chains, Leuphana University, Germany
Scientific Manager of the Joachim Herz Doctoral School of Law,
Leuphana University
Ph.D. Candidate, Leuphana University Lüneburg
Ph.D. Candidate, Leuphana University Lüneburg
Closing Address (Lecture Theatre)
Vice President for Research, The Royal Society of Edinburgh
About
The Joint Forum is an annual, two-day networking event developed and organised by the European Centre for Advanced Studies in collaboration with a different higher education institution (HEI) in Lower Saxony or Scotland each year. In 2025, the event will be hosted at the prestigious Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) to celebrate the recently formed partnership between the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture (MWK), the Volkswagen Foundation, and the RSE, as well as their joint funding programme, the Lower Saxony – Scotland Research and Innovation Scheme.
With yearly attendance figures of over 100 participants, the Joint Forum provides an opportunity to strengthen existing partnerships and forge new ones. Over the past years, interdisciplinary initiatives such as the Lower Saxony – Scotland Tandem Fellowship Programme and the development of the first joint White Paper have further expanded and solidified engagement in mutual exchange across the North Sea and the shared academic and political landscape.
Venue
The sixth edition of the Lower Saxony – Scotland Joint Forum 2025 will be held at The Royal Society of Edinburgh.
The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) is an organisation that recognises, supports and mobilises expertise from across academia, business and public service for the benefit of Scotland and the wider world. It has over 1,800 fellows from a range of disciplines and among the most distinguished in their fields. These excellent researchers engage and connect nationally as well as internationally to share knowledge and tackle the most pressing challenges of the modern world.
