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The eight annual Scottish Crucible Leadership Programme, coordinated by the Centre for Academic Leadership and Development at Heriot-Watt, has been launched at the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
It taught me how we academics are perceived by journalists, policy makers and 'normal people', which is very helpful knowledge.
The award-winning Scottish Crucible programme brings participants together from across all disciplines, encouraging them to enhance their capacity for research and innovation through interdisciplinary collaborations and knowledge exchange, and thereby to increase the overall impact of their research.
The launch included a selection of high profile guests, who shared their experiences and views on the research challenges of the future, and the 2016 programme involves three two-day interactive 'labs' to support future research leaders to develop their research and innovation skills.
Dr Ruth Neiland, Scottish Crucible Director and Head of the Centre for Academic Leadership and Development at Heriot-Watt, said, "We have been delighted to see Scottish Crucible being recognised for its innovative approach to enhancing academic leadership and impact, and for the strong support the programme continues to receive from colleagues across the Scottish research, business and policy sectors".
Dr Ferry Melchels from the Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering at Heriot-Watt and 2016 Crucibilist, said, “The Crucible gives the rare opportunity to have a glimpse behind the scenes of science-reporting media and the Scottish government and parliament. It taught me how we academics are perceived by journalists, policy makers and 'normal people', which is very helpful knowledge if we want to influence them to make our research have a real impact.”