Heriot-Watt showcases its Global Research Institute to transform health and care
Heriot-Watt University’s groundbreaking research was highlighted at a showcase event hosted by its Global Research Institute in Health and Care Technologies yesterday (Thursday 5 June).
This pioneering new institute aims to revolutionise health and care across the UK and worldwide through cutting-edge research, technological innovation and global collaboration.
The showcase event, held on Heriot-Watt’s Edinburgh campus, brought together healthcare leaders, academics, innovators, government representatives, the public and patients, to explore how this landmark initiative will accelerate medical breakthroughs, tackle global health challenges, and shape the future of patient care.
The showcase featured keynote speakers, technology demonstrations, and opportunities for collaboration with industry and policy leaders.
Professor Sir Chris Witty, the UK’s chief medical officer, provided opening remarks to guests.
The GRI brings together Heriot-Watt’s multidisciplinary research strengths—spanning engineering, digital technologies, data science, psychology, and design—to develop practical, sustainable solutions for pressing health issues, including cancer, chronic disease, mental health, and the challenges of an ageing population.
Professor Robert Thomson, academic co-lead of the institute, said: "This institute is a significant step in translating our research into real-world impact.
“By uniting our campuses in Scotland, Dubai and Malaysia under a single global vision, we are positioning Heriot-Watt and the UK at the forefront of health and care innovation."
Professor Maiwenn Kersaudy-Kerhoas, academic co-lead of the institute, added: "We are creating a truly interdisciplinary ecosystem where clinicians, engineers, designers and patients work side by side to co-design solutions.
“From connected diagnostics to AI-powered monitoring and sustainable medical devices, the innovations emerging from this institute will help us meet health challenges head-on."
The event marked the beginning of a new era for health and care engineering, with the institute already supporting innovation across five grand challenges:
- Engineering the fight against cancer
- Technologies for healthy ageing
- Digitising chronic disease management
- One global health innovation
- Digital mental health
The institute will also support entrepreneurship, spin-out development, clinical adoption, and regulatory readiness through its close ties with the Medical Device Manufacturing Centre (MDMC), NHS Scotland and industry partners.
Anyone interested in collaborating with the Global Research Institute in Health and Care Technologies at Heriot-Watt University can contact the Global Research Innovation and Discovery team at GRID@hw.ac.uk.