University wins Knowledge Exchange Hero Award
- Reese Colbert
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
On Thursday 19 March, the Scottish Research Alliance for Energy, Homes, and Livelihoods (SRAEHL) won the Knowledge Exchange Hero Award at a ceremony held at the University of Stirling.
The event marked the eleventh annual Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards, which were organised by the innovation support organisation Interface, and “shone a spotlight on innovative partnerships between business, the third sector, the public sector, and academia,” according to Interface’s website.
The awards recognised a diverse range of innovation, celebrating accomplishments in the fields of whisky, construction, transport, and mental health — identifying them as leaders in knowledge exchange.
According to the University website, Helen Cross, Director of Investment and Research at the Scottish Funding Council, said: “These awards shine a light on the impressive collaborations that power Scotland’s innovation ecosystem and today’s winners show just how transformative those partnerships can be.”
Cross added, “Bringing together the strength of Scotland’s academic base and combining that knowledge with the expertise of Scottish industry is hugely important in innovating for the future.”
According to the University website, Director of Interface Amelia Whitelaw also commented, saying: “These awards highlight the impact that collaboration between business, the third sector, the public sector and academia can have in driving innovation and delivering real benefits for society.”
The Director of Interface continued, “This year’s winners show the breadth of that impact, from modernising traditional industries such as whisky making to using Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality to improve patient experience and health outcomes.”
The Knowledge Exchange Hero Award itself, won by the SRAEHL, “recognises the individuals and teams, working behind the scenes, who have played pivotal roles in supporting knowledge exchange,” according to Interface.
The SRAEHL, made up of academics from four universities in Scotland, the University of St Andrews, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Strathclyde, and the University of Stirling, “embraces diversity in terms of background, academic career stage, research interests, and expertise,” as stated on the Alliance’s website.
“The Scottish Research Alliance for Energy, Homes, and Livelihoods was established in October 2023 and is funded by the Scottish Funding Council. As a cross-sector collaborative research Alliance, we support Scotland’s ambitious climate goals, declared in May 2019, to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, with interim targets including a 75% reduction by 2030,” the site reads.
Per the University website, Vice-Principal for Research Professor Tom Brown commented on the Alliance’s win, stating: “I’d like to congratulate the SRAEHL team for this fantastic achievement — it is great to see their work recognised. The winning of this award shows how research from across Scotland can make a real difference to people’s lives and help to build a sustainable future for us all.”
The SHRAEL’s Director, Professor Mette High, also made a statement following the ceremony, saying, “To win the Scottish Knowledge Exchange Hero (team) Award is such an honour — I couldn’t believe it!”
Professor High continued, “From the very start, the Alliance has been an ambitious project anchored in an ethos of cross-sector collaboration. The leadership team involves [the] University of Strathclyde, Stirling, Edinburgh, and St Andrews. Together, we connect researchers from every university across Scotland, sparking collaborations with industry, business, charities, community organisations, and local authorities.” She added, “To turn the aspiration of collaboration into reality takes a lot of hard work, and I am so grateful to the team for making this so much fun!”
“It was an amazing evening, celebrating the impressive achievements across the sector. Scotland is a powerhouse for knowledge exchange — we are really good at breaking down silos and working with partners not only within but also beyond academia,” said Professor High.
Photo Provided by The University of St Andrews
This is such great news! Huge congratulations to the university for winning the Knowledge Exchange Hero Award — it’s amazing to see the dedication and effort of staff and students being recognised on such a big scale. What really stands out is how this award highlights the university’s commitment to sharing knowledge beyond the classroom and turning research into real-world impact. It shows that education isn’t just about grades but about creating connections, opportunities, and solutions that benefit communities. As a student, I find this really motivating because it encourages all of us to apply what we learn in practical ways. Whether it’s through research, innovation, or even everyday coursework, it pushes us to think bigger. Personally, when tackling complex…
Awards like this feel especially meaningful because knowledge exchange is one of those things that quietly improves real life for so many people. When universities connect research with everyday needs, the results can reach homes, communities, and future careers in ways that last. I always enjoy seeing academic success framed in such a practical, human way. It reminds me that education is not just about lectures or titles, but about sharing ideas that actually help people. That is probably why institutions from universities to places like charter college matter so much. Good learning creates momentum, and recognition like this shows how powerful collaboration can be when it is done well.