Lower Saxony–Scotland
Joint Forum 2024:
The Jubilee Edition

10 + 11 June 2024
Editions
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Participants
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Speakers
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Workshops
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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.

Programme – Day 1 (Central Building, Leuphana Forum)

1:30 pm CEST

Arrival, Registration, and Coffee

2 pm CEST

Welcome Address

Academic Director, European Centre for Advanced Studies

Academic Director, European Centre for Advanced Studies & (Former) Vice Principal, University of Glasgow

Minister for Science and Culture, Lower Saxonian Government (video message)

Graeme Dey

Minister for Higher and Further Education, Scottish Government (video message)

2:20 pm CEST

Panel I: Energy and Beyond: An Interdisciplinary Perspective on Lower Saxonian and Scottish Energy Transformation

The topic of transformation of our energy systems has become a constant feature in our day-to-day lives. The first things that come to mind when speaking about this subject are climate change, renewable energies, and engineering. Yet, the energy transformation comprehends so much more. To understand the challenges related to the energy transformation and to provide solutions, it is necessary to consider the subject from a truly interdisciplinary perspective.

Therefore, this panel will offer an interdisciplinary discussion by renowned experts in the field of energy transition in a Lower Saxonian-Scottish context, focusing on aspects such as technology, law, economic policy, and social sciences, as well as sector integration. Such interdisciplinary perspectives are crucial for understanding the complex dynamics at play in transitioning from conventional to renewable energy sources, as well as the economic, social, and environmental implications of these shifts. It offers insights from these diverse disciplines, which allow researchers and policymakers to develop effective strategies to accelerate the transition to a sustainable energy future.

The panel represents the natural continuation of the open conversation initiated during the Joint Forum 2022, which led participants and speakers to jointly develop the White Paper “Energizing Democratic Partnerships – Securing Electricity from Democratic Friends”. The goal is to build a long-term strategic energy partnership between Lower Saxony and Scotland involving key players from academia, industry and policy makers.

Moderation:

Rankine Chair of Energy Engineering, University of Glasgow

Speakers:

Chair of Energy Systems, University of Edinburgh

Head of the Energy, Transport and Environment Department, German Institute for Economic Research

Green Hydrogen Pursuit Leader, Schneider Electric

Managing Director, ForWind

Hydrogen Specialist, Climate Protection and Energy Agency Lower Saxony

4 pm CEST

Coffee Break

4:30 pm CEST

Panel II – Academic Exchange, Network Building and Beyond: How Do We Best Position Our Institutions and Researchers for the Future?

After Brexit and the exclusion of Great Britain from the EU’s prominent funding programme Horizon, Scottish researchers had to deal with the loss of a very important funding source for research and innovation. The end of ERASMUS has led to a stark decline in European students coming to Scotland and less opportunities for Scottish students to study abroad.

In January 2024, the UK has become an associated country to Horizon Europe. The UK and Scotland are seeking alternatives to replace ERASMUS and there is the opportunity to develop Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters. It is precisely now, where first seeds have been planted, to discuss how the resource of an already established network between higher education institutions may be best used to position Scottish and Lower Saxonian researchers to make successful funding applications, in particular on the European level, to increase student mobility and to facility the development of joint study programmes. Similarly, the involvement of other actors from industry, such as small- and medium sized undertakings should be encouraged and ideas for building a bridge between academia and industry developed.

The regions of Lower Saxony and Scotland have certain commonalities, which have the potential to make this partnership thrive in a European funding context, such as e.g. in renewable energies and sustainability. Both regions have expertise and resort to the use of wind, tidal and solar power. Projects advancing renewable energy solutions by using new technologies focusing on energy efficiency and security could be developed. There are more examples, where Lower Saxonian and Scottish interest align such as in the areas of marine science and costal management, life sciences, security, mobility, or cultural heritage.

We should ask ourselves the following questions:

  • How do we best position ourselves for the future?
  • How do we generate successful joint funding applications?
  • How may we overcome barriers to student mobility?
  • How do we better connect industry and academia?
  • How may we best use the available resources and the already existing network?

By answering these questions, ideas may form and translate into concrete strategies for the further development of this unique network.

Moderation:

Vice President for the Graduate School, , Scientific Qualification, and Teacher Training, Leuphana University Lüneburg

Speakers:

Vice President for Research, The Royal Society of Edinburgh

International Cooperation, German Research Foundation (DFG)

Enterprise Europe Network Lower Saxony, @NBank – Investment and Development Bank of Lower Saxony

Head of Division Europe, International Affairs, Lower Saxonian Ministry of Science and Culture

Academic Director, European Centre for Advanced Studies

5:45 pm CEST

Closing Remark

Academic Director, European Centre for Advanced Studies & (Former) Vice Principal, University of Glasgow

6 pm CEST

Reception

Musical Accompaniment:

Saxophonist, Leuphana University Lüneburg

Piano, Leuphana University Lüneburg

Programme – Day 2 (Central building, 6th floor)

9:30 am CEST

Arrival & Registration

10 am CEST

Welcome Address

(Room C.40.601)

Rankine Chair of Energy Engineering, University of Glasgow

Welcome Address

(Room C.40.606)

Vice President for Research, The Royal Society of Edinburgh

10:15 am CEST

Workshop I

USE-LESS in Scotland and Lower Saxony: Experiences and Reports From a Look Behind the Scenes of Local Textile Production in Scotland

The USE-LESS Centre at Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen (Gray’s School of Art), and Heriot-Watt University (School of Textiles and Design Galashiels) have long been collaborating on sustainable design strategies in fashion and textiles. The aim is to implement sustainability in teaching in both countries and to train designers who take responsibility in society and design textiles, fashion and clothing in a resource-saving, beautiful and socially responsible way. In recent years, the topic of “local resources” has become increasingly important prompting a detailed exploration during a mill tour in Scotland in September 2023. Students from various programs visited partner universities and textile factories in the Scottish Borders to understand regional production and materials. A return visit to Lower Saxony is planned for 2024.

The workshop provides a platform for students and teachers to share their insights and perspectives gained through the joint projects and in particular the Milltour in Scotland and discuss the tour’s findings and plans for the upcoming visit to Lower Saxony.

Hosts:

Associate Professor for Design Studies and Director of Research, School of Textiles and Design, Heriot-Watt University

Associate Dean for Research and Knowledge, Gray’s School of Art, Robert Gordon University

Research Assistant, USE-LESS Centre for Sustainable Strategies

Research Assistant, USE-LESS Centre for Sustainable Strategies

Workshop II

Making Infection Prevention and Control more Sustainable

In the hospital context, Infection prevention and control (IPC) has been described by the world health organization (WHO) as an evidence-based approach to prevent patients and healthcare workers from avoidable infections. However, protection against infection may conflict with protection of the climate and the environment, e.g. due to the high use of energy, the generation of waste and the introduction of eco toxicologically relevant antimicrobial agents as well as the use of disposable products. As a result, intrinsic conflicts between optimal IPC and optimal climate protection may arise, which require careful risk assessment. Endangering patients by reducing measures necessary for IPC must be avoided in any case. In our workshop, we therefore aim to explore potential strategies for hospitals to identify areas and settings, in which their environmental footprint could potentially be reduced without increasing the patient infection risk. To reach this goal, we will first give every participant a common knowledge base by introducing the topic in two talks presenting examples for success from both national viewpoints. The most important framework conditions for the successful implementation of such projects are discussed together in a World Café.

The workshop is open for all students, academics, researchers and hospital staff with background or interest in sustainability, medicine, infection prevention and control as well as public health.

Hosts:

Researcher, Department of Infection Control and Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Göttingen

Consultant, Institute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald

Nurse Manager, ARHAI (Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infection) Scotland

Researcher, Department of Infection Prevention and Control, University Medical Center Göttingen

Nurse Consultant, NHS Scotland Assure and ARHAI Scotland

Director, Department of Infection Control and Infectious, University Medical Center Göttingen

12:15 pm CEST

Lunch Break

10:15 am CEST

Workshop III

Sustainable Supply Chains: Risks in Green Technology Transformations

Lower Saxony and Scotland – just like many other regions in the Global North – are currently undergoing fundamental transformations. They are endeavouring to transform themselves into more sustainable, greener and emission-free societies and are undertaking a wide range of efforts to achieve this goal.

Raw materials such as cobalt, lithium, nickel, copper, and rare earths are essential in this context. However, the extraction of these materials is often accompanied by massive human rights violations and damage to the environment in the producing countries and particularly affects the countries of the Global South. As a result, the green transformation of the Global North often comes at the expense of the people in the Global South.

The workshop aims to address this constellation and discuss the moral, ethical and legal consequences of this.

Hosts:

Fellow, Joachim Herz Doctoral School of Law, Leuphana University of Lüneburg

Fellow, Joachim Herz Doctoral School of Law, Leuphana University of Lüneburg

Lecturer (in Comparative Politics), Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Aberdeen

Academic Manager, Joachim Herz Doctoral School of Law, Leuphana University Lüneburg

Workshop IV

Who Attends University, Who Doesn’t, and What Should We Do About It? Social Mobility and Patterns of Higher Education Representation in Scotland and Lower Saxony

This workshop will explore social mobility and access to higher education within Scotland and Lower Saxony, with a particular focus on social class. Taking a comparative approach, participants will be asked to consider the challenges and successes in widening access to higher education. It will focus on:
  • Patterns of representation within higher education (Who attends university, who doesn’t, who are the under-represented groups?)
  • Barriers to participation (Why do some groups not attend? Does the school system play a part in social stratification? Are universities the gatekeepers of entry?)
  • Government policy around participation/inequalities in higher education (Are there national or state strategies to promote social mobility? Are policies helping or hindering access to university?)
  • Effective practice to support access to higher education (What is being done to remove or mitigate barriers? Do we know what works?)
  • How comparative approaches can stimulate understanding and the sharing of best practice?

Hosts:

Deputy Director of Student Experience, University of Strathclyde

Researcher, Institute of Education, University of Strathclyde

3:30 pm CEST

Closing Address

(Room C.40.601)

Managing Director, European Centre for Advanced Studies

Closing Address

(Room C.40.606)

Academic Coordinator, European Centre for Advanced Studies

Venue

The jubilee edition of the Lower Saxony – Scotland Joint Forum 2024 will be held in the Central Building of Leuphana University Lüneburg.

The building of concrete, glass and steel was designed by Daniel Libeskind together with students of Leuphana University and is considered a milestone in the dynamic and sustainable campus development. With its architecture, the building is intended to create a contrast to the linear structure of the former barracks. In the context of the history of the campus, the building stands for hope, courage, and a notion of new beginnings. Thus, the Central Building is the perfect location for the Joint Forum to foster the academic collaboration between Scotland and Lower Saxony.

We are looking forward to seeing you in Lüneburg!

Visit www.leuphana.de for more information about the University and its campus!