-
“The project was a very enriching experience that helped the company achieve deeper understanding of the complexities of the process. The lead partner at RGU was helpful and open during the entire project. We benefited from their expertise and see a path for further collaboration.
If it wasn’t for Interface, it would have been much harder to find academic partners; perhaps impossible. Thanks to Interface I was able to reach out to universities in Scotland and quickly find suitable academic partners and implement a project. The relationship with universities and academics has proven to last longer than the project itself.”
Francisco Carreno, Managing Director, Loch Electronicsfrancisco-carreno-the-project-was-a-very-enriching-experience-that-helped-the-company-achieve-deeper-understanding-of-the-complexities-of-the-process-the-lead-partner-at-rgu-was-helpful-and-open-during-the-entire-project-we-benefited-from-their-expertise-and-see-a-path-for-further-collaboration-if-it-wasn-t-for-interface-it-would-have-been-much-harder-to-find-academic-partners-perhaps-impossible-thanks-to-interface-i-was-able-to-reach-out-to-universities-in-scotland-and-quickly-find-suitable-academic-partners-and-implement-a-project-the-relationship-with-universities-and-academics-has-proven-to-last-longer-than-the-project-itself-franciscocarrenomanaging-directorloch-electronics -
“The University is proud to collaborate with Loch Electronics and apply its expertise in mechanical design, design optimisation and fluid dynamics to create an innovative product that is not only environmentally sustainable and energy efficient, but also highly effective in addressing the current pandemic. This project also exemplifies RGU’s commitment to stimulating innovation and economic development by harnessing its expertise, strengthening its partnerships with industry and supporting the development of products and services.”
Dr Taimoor Asim, School of Engineering, Robert Gordon Universitydr-taimoor-asim-the-university-is-proud-to-collaborate-with-loch-electronics-and-apply-its-expertise-in-mechanical-design-design-optimisation-and-fluid-dynamics-to-create-an-innovative-product-that-is-not-only-environmentally-sustainable-and-energy-efficient-but-also-highly-effective-in-addressing-the-current-pandemic-this-project-also-exemplifies-rgu-s-commitment-to-stimulating-innovation-and-economic-development-by-harnessing-its-expertise-strengthening-its-partnerships-with-industry-and-supporting-the-development-of-products-and-services-dr-taimoorasimschool-of-engineeringrobert-gordon-university -
"I am most grateful to Mari at Interface for the introduction to Abertay University. We had a very modest budget, but the team at Abertay were enthusiastic from the start and we are thrilled that the game is now available as a resource for our young school pupils. We have been inundated with requests from interested parents wishing to access the game and feedback from the children has been great. Minecraft, and gaming in general, are such popular past times in young people and the team at Abertay have done brilliantly to fuse the fun and learning elements together to make the game so enjoyable and relatable."
Kasia Smith, Regeneration Officer, North Ayrshire Councilkaisa-smith-quot-i-am-most-grateful-to-mari-at-interface-for-the-introduction-to-abertay-university-we-had-a-very-modest-budget-but-the-team-at-abertay-were-enthusiastic-from-the-start-and-we-are-thrilled-that-the-game-is-now-available-as-a-resource-for-our-young-school-pupils-we-have-been-inundated-with-requests-from-interested-parents-wishing-to-access-the-game-and-feedback-from-the-children-has-been-great-minecraft-and-gaming-in-general-are-such-popular-past-times-in-young-people-and-the-team-at-abertay-have-done-brilliantly-to-fuse-the-fun-and-learning-elements-together-to-make-the-game-so-enjoyable-and-relatable-quot-kasiasmithregeneration-officernorth-ayrshire-council -
“This exciting project has offered three of our fantastic students not only real industry experience producing work for a client that will be used by hundreds of children, but also in the challenge of remote working. Cumbraecraft demonstrates how games can engage with heritage and provide a useful teaching tool to help children interact with and learn complex topics.”
Kayleigh Macleod, Teaching Fellow, Abertay Universitykayleigh-macleod-this-exciting-project-has-offered-three-of-our-fantastic-students-not-only-real-industry-experience-producing-work-for-a-client-that-will-be-used-by-hundreds-of-children-but-also-in-the-challenge-of-remote-working-cumbraecraft-demonstrates-how-games-can-engage-with-heritage-and-provide-a-useful-teaching-tool-to-help-children-interact-with-and-learn-complex-topics-kayleighmacleodteaching-fellowabertay-university -
"There is no doubt that we would have been totally unable to put together a project that linked academics from different disciplines at 4 separate Scottish universities with our international partners had it not been for the continuing guidance and support provided by the Interface team over the last 5 years. Your sterling work in the background to piece these networks together is often overlooked after the fact, but is truly what enables micro and small enterprises to scale and thrive. A very heartfelt thanks to the entire team at Interface."
Alistair Cameron, CEO, Scotmas Groupalistair-cameron-quot-there-is-no-doubt-that-we-would-have-been-totally-unable-to-put-together-a-project-that-linked-academics-from-different-disciplines-at-4-separate-scottish-universities-with-our-international-partners-had-it-not-been-for-the-continuing-guidance-and-support-provided-by-the-interface-team-over-the-last-5-years-your-sterling-work-in-the-background-to-piece-these-networks-together-is-often-overlooked-after-the-fact-but-is-truly-what-enables-micro-and-small-enterprises-to-scale-and-thrive-a-very-heartfelt-thanks-to-the-entire-team-at-interface-quot-alistaircameronceoscotmas-group -
“As a small charity with limited resources, we have greatly appreciated the help we received from Interface to make connections with academia. Siobhan Jordan provided encouragement and guidance on putting together project proposals for two very diverse projects which required technical expertise in web design and data analysis. This saved us a great deal of time and resulted in very successful matches with academic collaborators and very successful outcomes which we would not have achieved otherwise. We hope to continue to work with Interface in the future and would highly recommend the service.”
Fiona MacLennan, Project Officer, Creative Carbon Scotlandfiona-maclennan-as-a-small-charity-with-limited-resources-we-have-greatly-appreciated-the-help-we-received-from-interface-to-make-connections-with-academia-siobhan-jordan-provided-encouragement-and-guidance-on-putting-together-project-proposals-for-two-very-diverse-projects-which-required-technical-expertise-in-web-design-and-data-analysis-this-saved-us-a-great-deal-of-time-and-resulted-in-very-successful-matches-with-academic-collaborators-and-very-successful-outcomes-which-we-would-not-have-achieved-otherwise-we-hope-to-continue-to-work-with-interface-in-the-future-and-would-highly-recommend-the-service-fionamaclennanproject-officercreative-carbon-scotland -
"At CogniHealth, we found the experience of working with the University of Highlands and Islands very positive. Dr Leah Macaden, the project lead, and Kevin Muirhead, PhD researcher, were extremely dedicated and well organised and we were able to establish a very good working relationship. We were able to agree on mutual goals early on, and all outcomes were delivered as discussed. This was achieved by the hard work of everyone involved, and excellent communication throughout the project."
Giulia Melchiorre, Co-founder, CogniHealth Ltdgiulia-melchiorre-quot-at-cognihealth-we-found-the-experience-of-working-with-the-university-of-highlands-and-islands-very-positive-dr-leah-macaden-the-project-lead-and-kevin-muirhead-phd-researcher-were-extremely-dedicated-and-well-organised-and-we-were-able-to-establish-a-very-good-working-relationship-we-were-able-to-agree-on-mutual-goals-early-on-and-all-outcomes-were-delivered-as-discussed-this-was-achieved-by-the-hard-work-of-everyone-involved-and-excellent-communication-throughout-the-project-quot-giuliamelchiorreco-foundercognihealth-ltd -
"It has been a great pleasure to collaborate with CogniHealth on this product development. The industrial partners have engaged with enthusiasm and high levels of efficiency throughout the duration of the project. The company lead (Giulia Melchiorre) in particular was very engaged, efficient, enthusiastic, committed and dependable to work with. This has resulted in a truly authentic ‘co-production’ of service development which was strengthened by establishing an excellent working relationship and integrating shared decision-making processes from the outset. This required flexibility, co-operation, and commitment from both partners and resulted in a seamless and enjoyable partnership."
Dr Leah Macaden, Senior Lecturer, University of the Highlands & Islandsdr-leah-macaden-quot-it-has-been-a-great-pleasure-to-collaborate-with-cognihealth-on-this-product-development-the-industrial-partners-have-engaged-with-enthusiasm-and-high-levels-of-efficiency-throughout-the-duration-of-the-project-the-company-lead-giulia-melchiorre-in-particular-was-very-engaged-efficient-enthusiastic-committed-and-dependable-to-work-with-this-has-resulted-in-a-truly-authentic-co-production-of-service-development-which-was-strengthened-by-establishing-an-excellent-working-relationship-and-integrating-shared-decision-making-processes-from-the-outset-this-required-flexibility-co-operation-and-commitment-from-both-partners-and-resulted-in-a-seamless-and-enjoyable-partnership-quot-dr-leahmacadensenior-lectureruniversity-of-the-highlands-amp-amp-islands -
"We really valued working with Dr Macaden and her team – it supported the development of a prototype of the Monitor & Track feature which is vital to identify early-stage symptoms that would help facilitate meaningful hospital / social care consultations. UHI (University of the Highlands & Islands) has been really supportive in seeking additional opportunities to collaborate through additional research grant funding.''
Pooja Jain, Co-founder, CogniHealth Ltdpooja-jain-quot-we-really-valued-working-with-dr-macaden-and-her-team-it-supported-the-development-of-a-prototype-of-the-monitor-amp-amp-track-feature-which-is-vital-to-identify-early-stage-symptoms-that-would-help-facilitate-meaningful-hospital-social-care-consultations-uhi-university-of-the-highlands-amp-amp-islands-has-been-really-supportive-in-seeking-additional-opportunities-to-collaborate-through-additional-research-grant-funding-039-039-poojajainco-foundercognihealth-ltd -
"Regarding the Innovation Voucher, my experience was excellent. We managed to do the most with the idea, obtaining results which indicate that we are on the right path to develop a sustainable material with short life utility. More work requires to be done to develop the product, but we have made substantial progress.
I am grateful to Edinburgh Napier Business School, BRT, Dr Dorris and his team, and The Scottish Funding Council and Interface for helping me to make such progress. Without the specialist expertise of Dr Dorris, I would not have been able to pursue my business idea."
David Rodríguez De La Cruz, Founder, Algae Limiteddavid-rodr-guez-de-la-cruz-quot-regarding-the-innovation-voucher-my-experience-was-excellent-we-managed-to-do-the-most-with-the-idea-obtaining-results-which-indicate-that-we-are-on-the-right-path-to-develop-a-sustainable-material-with-short-life-utility-more-work-requires-to-be-done-to-develop-the-product-but-we-have-made-substantial-progress-i-am-grateful-to-edinburgh-napier-business-school-brt-dr-dorris-and-his-team-and-the-scottish-funding-council-and-interface-for-helping-me-to-make-such-progress-without-the-specialist-expertise-of-dr-dorris-i-would-not-have-been-able-to-pursue-my-business-idea-quot-davidrodr-guez-de-la-cruzfounderalgae-limited -
"I want to say a big thank you to the Scottish Funding Council and Interface for supporting our graduate to explore his passion and further test his innovative concept in the lab. Edinburgh Napier Business School is proud to have David as a graduate. I would encourage more students to follow in his footsteps in pursuit of societal and environmental impacts.
Collaboration between entrepreneurs and academics is an ever more important part of developing promising business ideas into successful companies. Edinburgh Napier University is committed to building links between our academics and the wider community including business.
We value the Innovation Voucher scheme and look forward to supporting it further as part of our focus on empowerment, employment, and enterprise."
Gail Boag, Dean, Edinburgh Napier Business Schoolgail-boag-quot-i-want-to-say-a-big-thank-you-to-the-scottish-funding-council-and-interface-for-supporting-our-graduate-to-explore-his-passion-and-further-test-his-innovative-concept-in-the-lab-edinburgh-napier-business-school-is-proud-to-have-david-as-a-graduate-i-would-encourage-more-students-to-follow-in-his-footsteps-in-pursuit-of-societal-and-environmental-impacts-collaboration-between-entrepreneurs-and-academics-is-an-ever-more-important-part-of-developing-promising-business-ideas-into-successful-companies-edinburgh-napier-university-is-committed-to-building-links-between-our-academics-and-the-wider-community-including-business-we-value-the-innovation-voucher-scheme-and-look-forward-to-supporting-it-further-as-part-of-our-focus-on-empowerment-employment-and-enterprise-quot-gailboagdeanedinburgh-napier-business-school -
"A major issue with bioplastics is in manufacturing processes like extrusion and injection moulding which typically rely on the material characteristics of plastics. Natural fibres tend to burn rather than melt and evidence from this work suggests the addition of Arabic Gum to seaweed nanocellulose alters the thermodynamic qualities of the composite to closer approximate that of plastics and thus may be more suited to plastics manufacturing processes.
Mark Dorris, Senior Research Fellow, Lecturer in materials, Edinburgh Napier University School of Engineering and Built Environmentdr-mark-dorris-quot-a-major-issue-with-bioplastics-is-in-manufacturing-processes-like-extrusion-and-injection-moulding-which-typically-rely-on-the-material-characteristics-of-plastics-natural-fibres-tend-to-burn-rather-than-melt-and-evidence-from-this-work-suggests-the-addition-of-arabic-gum-to-seaweed-nanocellulose-alters-the-thermodynamic-qualities-of-the-composite-to-closer-approximate-that-of-plastics-and-thus-may-be-more-suited-to-plastics-manufacturing-processes-markdorrissenior-research-fellow-lecturer-in-materialsedinburgh-napier-university-school-of-engineering-and-built-environment -
"Working with Kate - and also, recently, with Janette - from the Wanlockhead Museum has been a truly great experience. Our collaboration went beyond the initial project - for example, Kate kindly agreed to participate in an "online panel" for my digital marketing class together with another museum representative, and allowed my students to practice their digital marketing skills for the Wanlockhead Museum as their "client". I am optimistic that we can continue working together and testing out optimal solutions that will benefit the museum. Next on the docket is building their social media following, creating kids-focused VR experience, and setting up a VR experience on site for those with limited mobility. Wanlockhead is such a special place, and we are very happy to support it".
Alena Kostyk, Lecturer in Marketing, University of Glasgowdr-alena-kostyk-quot-working-with-kate-and-also-recently-with-janette-from-the-wanlockhead-museum-has-been-a-truly-great-experience-our-collaboration-went-beyond-the-initial-project-for-example-kate-kindly-agreed-to-participate-in-an-quot-online-panel-quot-for-my-digital-marketing-class-together-with-another-museum-representative-and-allowed-my-students-to-practice-their-digital-marketing-skills-for-the-wanlockhead-museum-as-their-quot-client-quot-i-am-optimistic-that-we-can-continue-working-together-and-testing-out-optimal-solutions-that-will-benefit-the-museum-next-on-the-docket-is-building-their-social-media-following-creating-kids-focused-vr-experience-and-setting-up-a-vr-experience-on-site-for-those-with-limited-mobility-wanlockhead-is-such-a-special-place-and-we-are-very-happy-to-support-it-quot-alenakostyklecturer-in-marketinguniversity-of-glasgow -
“It has been such a joy to work with Kate and the Wanlockhead Museum team. When we launched a social media campaign in December with the created Virtual Reality content, I was thrilled to see the positive impact that it had. Increasing the following by over 18% in such a short period is quite promising. I look forward to continuing to develop content with Kate and see how the Virtual Reality content can be best applied to support the museum in the short and long-term.”
Kirsten Cowan, Lecturer in Marketing, University of Edinburgh Business Schooldr-kirsten-cowan-it-has-been-such-a-joy-to-work-with-kate-and-the-wanlockhead-museum-team-when-we-launched-a-social-media-campaign-in-december-with-the-created-virtual-reality-content-i-was-thrilled-to-see-the-positive-impact-that-it-had-increasing-the-following-by-over-18-in-such-a-short-period-is-quite-promising-i-look-forward-to-continuing-to-develop-content-with-kate-and-see-how-the-virtual-reality-content-can-be-best-applied-to-support-the-museum-in-the-short-and-long-term-kirstencowanlecturer-in-marketinguniversity-of-edinburgh-business-school -
“I can only thank Mari Findlay (Interface) for the introduction to Dr Kirsten Cowan (University of Edinburgh) and Dr Alena Kostyk (University of Glasgow). Both are a bubble of knowledge, energy and enthusiasm. We have a plan and Alena and Kirsten are kindly applying for grant funding to significantly improve the Lead mining Museum's digital profile. Even if the grants are not forthcoming, there are very positive strides being made. Covid-19 has a very dark side, but within it there seems to be a small, but growing, silver lining.”
Kathryn Linsell, Trustee, Wanlockhead Museumkathryn-linsell-i-can-only-thank-mari-findlay-interface-for-the-introduction-to-dr-kirsten-cowan-university-of-edinburgh-and-dr-alena-kostyk-university-of-glasgow-both-are-a-bubble-of-knowledge-energy-and-enthusiasm-we-have-a-plan-and-alena-and-kirsten-are-kindly-applying-for-grant-funding-to-significantly-improve-the-lead-mining-museum-039-s-digital-profile-even-if-the-grants-are-not-forthcoming-there-are-very-positive-strides-being-made-covid-19-has-a-very-dark-side-but-within-it-there-seems-to-be-a-small-but-growing-silver-lining-kathrynlinselltrusteewanlockhead-museum -
“It’s been wonderful working with Julia over the past six months to produce VR content for the Whithorn Trust. After launching the social media campaign in December, I was so excited to see the first customer buy a digital ticket! It really does show the positive impact that virtual reality can have. I’m now looking forward to monitoring how the additional VR content can be leveraged to further support for the Whithorn Trust.”
Kirsten Cowan, Lecturer in Marketing, University of Edinburgh Business Schooldr-kirsten-cowan-it-s-been-wonderful-working-with-julia-over-the-past-six-months-to-produce-vr-content-for-the-whithorn-trust-after-launching-the-social-media-campaign-in-december-i-was-so-excited-to-see-the-first-customer-buy-a-digital-ticket-it-really-does-show-the-positive-impact-that-virtual-reality-can-have-i-m-now-looking-forward-to-monitoring-how-the-additional-vr-content-can-be-leveraged-to-further-support-for-the-whithorn-trust-kirstencowanlecturer-in-marketinguniversity-of-edinburgh-business-school -
"Working with Julia at the Whithorn Trust has been a wonderful experience as she is always open to new ideas and is forward-thinking when it comes to marketing strategies and tactics. We have developed connections beyond the scope of the VR project - for example, the Whithorn Trust kindly agreed to serve as a "client" for my digital marketing students, who practiced their digital marketing knowledge on this class project. I sincerely hope that our collaboration continues, and we will find ways to explore and test the ways in which the museum can achieve its strategic marketing goals, both in the offline and online environment. I also hope that the insights that we obtain can be used by others in the same industry."
Alena Kostyk, Lecturer in Marketing, University of Glasgowdr-alena-kostyk-quot-working-with-julia-at-the-whithorn-trust-has-been-a-wonderful-experience-as-she-is-always-open-to-new-ideas-and-is-forward-thinking-when-it-comes-to-marketing-strategies-and-tactics-we-have-developed-connections-beyond-the-scope-of-the-vr-project-for-example-the-whithorn-trust-kindly-agreed-to-serve-as-a-quot-client-quot-for-my-digital-marketing-students-who-practiced-their-digital-marketing-knowledge-on-this-class-project-i-sincerely-hope-that-our-collaboration-continues-and-we-will-find-ways-to-explore-and-test-the-ways-in-which-the-museum-can-achieve-its-strategic-marketing-goals-both-in-the-offline-and-online-environment-i-also-hope-that-the-insights-that-we-obtain-can-be-used-by-others-in-the-same-industry-quot-alenakostyklecturer-in-marketinguniversity-of-glasgow -
“Dr Alena Kostyk and Dr Kirsten Cowan have been hugely helpful and very proactive, helping not only with expertise, but also with funding. They were also able to secure an additional marketing project. It's been a great project and is working in very well with our new digital ambitions. We'd certainly work with a university again if we got the right project - great experience!”
Julia Muir Watt, Development Manager, The Whithorn Trustjulia-muir-watt-dr-alena-kostyk-and-dr-kirsten-cowan-have-been-hugely-helpful-and-very-proactive-helping-not-only-with-expertise-but-also-with-funding-they-were-also-able-to-secure-an-additional-marketing-project-it-039-s-been-a-great-project-and-is-working-in-very-well-with-our-new-digital-ambitions-we-039-d-certainly-work-with-a-university-again-if-we-got-the-right-project-great-experience-juliamuir-wattdevelopment-managerthe-whithorn-trust -
"Highlands and Islands Enterprise introduced me to Interface where I met Kirsty Buchanan who made me aware of the different funding opportunities available to fund a collaboration with a university. Kirsty worked with us every step of the way helping select which university would be the best for our project.
Andrew Slorance, CEO, Phoenix Instinct Ltdandrew-slorance-quot-highlands-and-islands-enterprise-introduced-me-to-interface-where-i-met-kirsty-buchanan-who-made-me-aware-of-the-different-funding-opportunities-available-to-fund-a-collaboration-with-a-university-kirsty-worked-with-us-every-step-of-the-way-helping-select-which-university-would-be-the-best-for-our-project-andrewsloranceceophoenix-instinct-ltd -
“Working with Wilma Norris at SOSE has been hugely beneficial for us here at Beirhope. Her suggestion to contact Interface and look to undertake a project with university students has been hugely helpful in progressing the project of brand Beirhope. Shelley Breckenridge, Business Engagement Manager at Interface, contacted me quickly and helped prepare the initial brief. From there, Perth College, UHI, took up our project. The students are working to our brief, providing some fantastic concepts and designs. This is an amazing opportunity for my business to grow and improve with such professional services that otherwise would have been beyond our reach. I can’t thank Wilma, Shelley and Perth College students highly enough.”
Lynne Jobes, Owner, Beirhope Alpacaslynne-jobes-working-with-wilma-norris-at-sose-has-been-hugely-beneficial-for-us-here-at-beirhope-her-suggestion-to-contact-interface-and-look-to-undertake-a-project-with-university-students-has-been-hugely-helpful-in-progressing-the-project-of-brand-beirhope-shelley-breckenridge-business-engagement-manager-at-interface-contacted-me-quickly-and-helped-prepare-the-initial-brief-from-there-perth-college-uhi-took-up-our-project-the-students-are-working-to-our-brief-providing-some-fantastic-concepts-and-designs-this-is-an-amazing-opportunity-for-my-business-to-grow-and-improve-with-such-professional-services-that-otherwise-would-have-been-beyond-our-reach-i-can-t-thank-wilma-shelley-and-perth-college-students-highly-enough-lynnejobesownerbeirhope-alpacas -
Interface responded quickly to our company’s request for help in solving our problem. The link generated, through list supplied by Interface, has allowed Recircle to engage with recognised expertise at Heriot-Watt University enabling rapid progress in identifying the set of techniques required for the project and further association with other academic institutions and research establishments to facilitate analyses and data handling.
Nick Christofi, Chief Scientific Officer, Recircle Ltdprofessor-nick-christofiinterface-responded-quickly-to-our-company-s-request-for-help-in-solving-our-problem-the-link-generated-through-list-supplied-by-interface-has-allowed-recircle-to-engage-with-recognised-expertise-at-heriot-watt-university-enabling-rapid-progress-in-identifying-the-set-of-techniques-required-for-the-project-and-further-association-with-other-academic-institutions-and-research-establishments-to-facilitate-analyses-and-data-handling-nickchristofichief-scientific-officerrecircle-ltd -
“It was a delight to work with Mike Benson and his team, which delivers an amazing experience to the Centre's visitors. The Scottish Crannog Centre has grown remarkably since I first met them, and it is great to see the impact the project had on the Centre, and that they are able to start development of the new museum in a new location. The relationship established between the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) and the Centre through that project is still going strong with the Centre kindly enhancing the student experience in some of the teaching modules and providing opportunities for honours degree projects and students’ summer projects.”
Dr Marco Gilardi, Lecturer, University of the West of Scotlanddr-marco-gilardi-it-was-a-delight-to-work-with-mike-benson-and-his-team-which-delivers-an-amazing-experience-to-the-centre-039-s-visitors-the-scottish-crannog-centre-has-grown-remarkably-since-i-first-met-them-and-it-is-great-to-see-the-impact-the-project-had-on-the-centre-and-that-they-are-able-to-start-development-of-the-new-museum-in-a-new-location-the-relationship-established-between-the-university-of-the-west-of-scotland-uws-and-the-centre-through-that-project-is-still-going-strong-with-the-centre-kindly-enhancing-the-student-experience-in-some-of-the-teaching-modules-and-providing-opportunities-for-honours-degree-projects-and-students-summer-projects-dr-marcogilardilectureruniversity-of-the-west-of-scotland -
The benefits of the project have meant we were able to deliver our successful transition in a way that would have been difficult without the support of UWS. The applied research with stakeholders gave the Crannog team the tools to maximise opportunities to enable the collection to not just tell its story but to sing its many different stories to many different people.
The step change in both our social impact and economic benefit is clearly measurable. The ongoing relationship between the museum and UWS will continue to be a key part of our ambitious plans as we look to move to Dalerb.
Mike Benson, Director, Scottish Crannog Centremike-bensonthe-benefits-of-the-project-have-meant-we-were-able-to-deliver-our-successful-transition-in-a-way-that-would-have-been-difficult-without-the-support-of-uws-the-applied-research-with-stakeholders-gave-the-crannog-team-the-tools-to-maximise-opportunities-to-enable-the-collection-to-not-just-tell-its-story-but-to-sing-its-many-different-stories-to-many-different-people-the-step-change-in-both-our-social-impact-and-economic-benefit-is-clearly-measurable-the-ongoing-relationship-between-the-museum-and-uws-will-continue-to-be-a-key-part-of-our-ambitious-plans-as-we-look-to-move-to-dalerb-mikebensondirectorscottish-crannog-centre -
Through working with Lilypads we now have a better understanding of the relationship between materials, layering and end use requirements. The research will also enrich the knowledge base of functional textiles. Lilypads can greatly contribute to issues such as environmental sustainability, and I believe this would be able to attract more environmentally-conscious consumers to buy Lilypads products.
Dr Danmei Sun, Associate Professor of Textile Materials & Engineering, Heriot-Watt Universitydr-danmei-sunthrough-working-with-lilypads-we-now-have-a-better-understanding-of-the-relationship-between-materials-layering-and-end-use-requirements-the-research-will-also-enrich-the-knowledge-base-of-functional-textiles-lilypads-can-greatly-contribute-to-issues-such-as-environmental-sustainability-and-i-believe-this-would-be-able-to-attract-more-environmentally-conscious-consumers-to-buy-lilypads-products-dr-danmeisunassociate-professor-of-textile-materials-amp-amp-engineeringheriot-watt-university -
Working with Interface was amazing; Siobhán went over and above to ensure she understood Lilypads’ needs before finding our academic partner, Heriot-Watt University. Danmei Sun worked hard to find and test suitable fabrics and present the different options available to us. Without both of their help, Lilypads would not be the product it is today
Alison Wood, Founder and CEO, Lilypads Group Ltdalison-woodworking-with-interface-was-amazing-siobh-n-went-over-and-above-to-ensure-she-understood-lilypads-needs-before-finding-our-academic-partner-heriot-watt-university-danmei-sun-worked-hard-to-find-and-test-suitable-fabrics-and-present-the-different-options-available-to-us-without-both-of-their-help-lilypads-would-not-be-the-product-it-is-todayalisonwoodfounder-and-ceolilypads-group-ltd -
The service and function that Interface provide has been extremely valuable to the development and growth of NjordFrey. As an innovate agriculture start-up based in Rwanda, Interface has helped identify and gain access to a wealth of knowledge and resource in Scotland that would have been difficult to access otherwise. Working with Ruth and the Interface team has been easy, prompt and positive throughout; so we are open and look forward to continuing to work with Interface and organisations in Scotland as a result of the success to date.
Faisal Razzaq , Director, NjordFreyfaisal-razzaqthe-service-and-function-that-interface-provide-has-been-extremely-valuable-to-the-development-and-growth-of-njordfrey-as-an-innovate-agriculture-start-up-based-in-rwanda-interface-has-helped-identify-and-gain-access-to-a-wealth-of-knowledge-and-resource-in-scotland-that-would-have-been-difficult-to-access-otherwise-working-with-ruth-and-the-interface-team-has-been-easy-prompt-and-positive-throughout-so-we-are-open-and-look-forward-to-continuing-to-work-with-interface-and-organisations-in-scotland-as-a-result-of-the-success-to-date-faisalrazzaqdirectornjordfrey -
Support received from Interface is key to the success of our course on Project Management in Business Analysis at the University of Edinburgh Business School. The course is hands-on and requires tight interaction between students and firms to operationalise theories and tools from the various streams of project management literature, and to experience real-world challenges typically faced in the management of small-sized industry project. Over the years, Interface has provided introductions to firms from a variety of sectors, from fintech to the third sector. Some of these relationships endured over the years and developed into fully funded research collaborations.
Roberto Rossi, Chair in Uncertainty Modelling and Director of PG Programmes, University of Edinburgh Business Schoolprofessor-roberto-rossisupport-received-from-interface-is-key-to-the-success-of-our-course-on-project-management-in-business-analysis-at-the-university-of-edinburgh-business-school-the-course-is-hands-on-and-requires-tight-interaction-between-students-and-firms-to-operationalise-theories-and-tools-from-the-various-streams-of-project-management-literature-and-to-experience-real-world-challenges-typically-faced-in-the-management-of-small-sized-industry-project-over-the-years-interface-has-provided-introductions-to-firms-from-a-variety-of-sectors-from-fintech-to-the-third-sector-some-of-these-relationships-endured-over-the-years-and-developed-into-fully-funded-research-collaborations-robertorossichair-in-uncertainty-modelling-and-director-of-pg-programmesuniversity-of-edinburgh-business-school -
Thank you for sending me such a wonderful group of very talented, professional young people. My words cannot express my gratitude enough for what they have done for us. The feasibility study and project itself was very much needed but timing was impeccable as was delivery…… I cannot thank you and your students more highly. There is nothing I would have changed as they were terrific throughout; professional plus diligent. I give them 150 out of 100 for delivery, style, commitment, vision of what we needed, professionalism and teamwork.
Julie Hogg-Weld, CEO, Bright Light Relationship Counsellingjulie-hogg-weldthank-you-for-sending-me-such-a-wonderful-group-of-very-talented-professional-young-people-my-words-cannot-express-my-gratitude-enough-for-what-they-have-done-for-us-the-feasibility-study-and-project-itself-was-very-much-needed-but-timing-was-impeccable-as-was-delivery-i-cannot-thank-you-and-your-students-more-highly-there-is-nothing-i-would-have-changed-as-they-were-terrific-throughout-professional-plus-diligent-i-give-them-150-out-of-100-for-delivery-style-commitment-vision-of-what-we-needed-professionalism-and-teamwork-juliehogg-weldceobright-light-relationship-counselling -
My time in Dumfries has been invaluable. I learnt a whole new set of skills involving press releases, radio interviews, and museum documentation practices. I can now take forward all these skills into a future career in research or the museum sector. I thoroughly enjoyed undertaking this project whilst working within the supportive environment of Dumfries Museum, getting advice and support from almost all members of staff at various points.
Kirsty Kernohan, PhD student, University of Aberdeenkirsty-kernohanmy-time-in-dumfries-has-been-invaluable-i-learnt-a-whole-new-set-of-skills-involving-press-releases-radio-interviews-and-museum-documentation-practices-i-can-now-take-forward-all-these-skills-into-a-future-career-in-research-or-the-museum-sector-i-thoroughly-enjoyed-undertaking-this-project-whilst-working-within-the-supportive-environment-of-dumfries-museum-getting-advice-and-support-from-almost-all-members-of-staff-at-various-points-kirstykernohanphd-studentuniversity-of-aberdeen -
Dr Kissling’s archives are a very valuable insight into Scotland in times gone by. Without Kirsty we would never have had the capacity ourselves to do what she has achieved. We always knew that the collection was important, the fact that more of it is available and accessible to the public through better documentation will help preserve images of crafts which we have lost.
Siobhán Ratchford, Museums Curator - East , Dumfries and Galloway Councilsiobhan-ratchforddr-kissling-s-archives-are-a-very-valuable-insight-into-scotland-in-times-gone-by-without-kirsty-we-would-never-have-had-the-capacity-ourselves-to-do-what-she-has-achieved-we-always-knew-that-the-collection-was-important-the-fact-that-more-of-it-is-available-and-accessible-to-the-public-through-better-documentation-will-help-preserve-images-of-crafts-which-we-have-lost-siobh-nratchfordmuseums-curator-eastdumfries-and-galloway-council -
This innovative partnership with Shock Innovations Ltd has allowed Fife College to engage in applied research, equipping our curriculum staff with new, cutting edge knowledge from the ThemaFY product. It’s great to see the knowledge and skills of our lecturing staff, in this case, Peter Jones, playing their part in such a sector leading academic and industry focussed initiative.
This knowledge is now being passed to our students and apprentices, improving their digital skills and giving them the confidence to make positive change in the wider sector.
Marc Fleming, Academic and Quality Manager for Construction Crafts, Built Environment Engineering and Technology, Fife Collegemarc-flemingthis-innovative-partnership-with-shock-innovations-ltd-has-allowed-fife-college-to-engage-in-applied-research-equipping-our-curriculum-staff-with-new-cutting-edge-knowledge-from-the-themafy-product-it-s-great-to-see-the-knowledge-and-skills-of-our-lecturing-staff-in-this-case-peter-jones-playing-their-part-in-such-a-sector-leading-academic-and-industry-focussed-initiative-this-knowledge-is-now-being-passed-to-our-students-and-apprentices-improving-their-digital-skills-and-giving-them-the-confidence-to-make-positive-change-in-the-wider-sector-marcflemingacademic-and-quality-manager-for-construction-crafts-built-environment-engineering-and-technologyfife-college -
We went into the project with a fairly open mind and have been overwhelmed by the support and ideas that we have received working with Fife College. Their knowledge of the industry, but more importantly how to engage with our target customers, was hugely beneficial and we would not have been able to source this expertise from just working with the industry. The training and usability side of what we have developed uses key knowledge from the gas lecturers.
Amanda Pickford, Director, Shock Innovations Ltdamanda-pickfordwe-went-into-the-project-with-a-fairly-open-mind-and-have-been-overwhelmed-by-the-support-and-ideas-that-we-have-received-working-with-fife-college-their-knowledge-of-the-industry-but-more-importantly-how-to-engage-with-our-target-customers-was-hugely-beneficial-and-we-would-not-have-been-able-to-source-this-expertise-from-just-working-with-the-industry-the-training-and-usability-side-of-what-we-have-developed-uses-key-knowledge-from-the-gas-lecturers-amandapickforddirectorshock-innovations-ltd -
We worked with a number of new organisations and stakeholders we had not previously worked with. The project also contributed to increasing our knowledge of disabled people’s experiences whilst making a specific journey connection.
Dr Sara Tilley, Project Manager and Research Fellow at OPENspace, University of Edinburghdr-sara-tilleywe-worked-with-a-number-of-new-organisations-and-stakeholders-we-had-not-previously-worked-with-the-project-also-contributed-to-increasing-our-knowledge-of-disabled-people-s-experiences-whilst-making-a-specific-journey-connection-dr-saratilleyproject-manager-and-research-fellow-at-openspaceuniversity-of-edinburgh -
Building the right team from the beginning was key. We had to move quickly to start the project, so working with partners that could immediately contribute and bring a wide range of experience was a real advantage. The introductions made through Interface helped us to bring evaluation expertise into the project design and delivery from day one.
Andy Hyde, Founder, Go Upstreamandy-hydebuilding-the-right-team-from-the-beginning-was-key-we-had-to-move-quickly-to-start-the-project-so-working-with-partners-that-could-immediately-contribute-and-bring-a-wide-range-of-experience-was-a-real-advantage-the-introductions-made-through-interface-helped-us-to-bring-evaluation-expertise-into-the-project-design-and-delivery-from-day-one-andyhydefoundergo-upstream -
"Vanilla Blush grew out of a personal experience of my stoma surgery following years of suffering with Colitis. I’ve had the privilege of having a foot in both camps: firstly, knowing how important ‘accessory products’ were to my own quality of life living with a stoma; secondly, I knew just how important they were to my clients too. We developed a brand-new tightly-woven hernia support belt as a direct result of the research, which was listed for prescribing in England and Wales in December. Hospitals across England have been extremely receptive to the key findings and are very eager to see the published open article by the British Medical Journal (BMJ). This has given us a unique edge in the Ostomy space.
Nicola Dames, CEO, Vanilla Blushnicola-dames-quot-vanilla-blush-grew-out-of-a-personal-experience-of-my-stoma-surgery-following-years-of-suffering-with-colitis-i-ve-had-the-privilege-of-having-a-foot-in-both-camps-firstly-knowing-how-important-accessory-products-were-to-my-own-quality-of-life-living-with-a-stoma-secondly-i-knew-just-how-important-they-were-to-my-clients-too-we-developed-a-brand-new-tightly-woven-hernia-support-belt-as-a-direct-result-of-the-research-which-was-listed-for-prescribing-in-england-and-wales-in-december-hospitals-across-england-have-been-extremely-receptive-to-the-key-findings-and-are-very-eager-to-see-the-published-open-article-by-the-british-medical-journal-bmj-this-has-given-us-a-unique-edge-in-the-ostomy-space-nicoladamesceovanilla-blush -
“The Advanced Composites Group at MAE are delighted to have successfully delivered the project for the client and added value to their business. Working with AFRC was the key to this success and ensured we had R&D capabilities relevant to the project.”
Liu Yang, Advanced Composites Group Lead, Dept of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Strathclydedr-liu-yang-the-advanced-composites-group-at-mae-are-delighted-to-have-successfully-delivered-the-project-for-the-client-and-added-value-to-their-business-working-with-afrc-was-the-key-to-this-success-and-ensured-we-had-r-amp-amp-d-capabilities-relevant-to-the-project-liuyangadvanced-composites-group-lead-dept-of-mechanical-and-aerospace-engineeringuniversity-of-strathclyde -
"Ruth Oliver from Interface spent time going over and understanding the concept of our System, our requirements and expectations, and then provided options of universities to collaborate with on our project.
Our choice of the University of Strathclyde and their corresponding departments were exactly what we had hoped for. The University conducted themselves with the utmost professionalism and the immediate understanding and expertise shown by Dr Liu Yang (Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering) and Dr Ekaterina McKenna and Dr Ruoyu Huang (Advance Forming & Research Centre) was invaluable to the final outcome of the tests carried out. We are very happy with the results."
Tony McCaffrey, Director, Macdeck Landscaping Ltdtony-mccaffrey-quot-ruth-oliver-from-interface-spent-time-going-over-and-understanding-the-concept-of-our-system-our-requirements-and-expectations-and-then-provided-options-of-universities-to-collaborate-with-on-our-project-our-choice-of-the-university-of-strathclyde-and-their-corresponding-departments-were-exactly-what-we-had-hoped-for-the-university-conducted-themselves-with-the-utmost-professionalism-and-the-immediate-understanding-and-expertise-shown-by-dr-liu-yang-mechanical-and-aerospace-engineering-and-dr-ekaterina-mckenna-and-dr-ruoyu-huang-advance-forming-amp-amp-research-centre-was-invaluable-to-the-final-outcome-of-the-tests-carried-out-we-are-very-happy-with-the-results-quot-tonymccaffreydirectormacdeck-landscaping-ltd -
"It was through the efforts of Interface that McCormack Innovation was fortunate to be hooked up with Professor Robert Keatch and his team at the University of Dundee. They immediately appreciated our concepts and products and, with this team, we went on to complete a feasibility study that provided us with a very encouraging, third-party endorsement of our wound dressings.
With the help of the University of Dundee and Interface, we now look forward to the next phase of wound dressing, studies and development."
Brian McCormack, Director, McCormack Innovation Ltdbrian-mccormack-quot-it-was-through-the-efforts-of-interface-that-mccormack-innovation-was-fortunate-to-be-hooked-up-with-professor-robert-keatch-and-his-team-at-the-university-of-dundee-they-immediately-appreciated-our-concepts-and-products-and-with-this-team-we-went-on-to-complete-a-feasibility-study-that-provided-us-with-a-very-encouraging-third-party-endorsement-of-our-wound-dressings-with-the-help-of-the-university-of-dundee-and-interface-we-now-look-forward-to-the-next-phase-of-wound-dressing-studies-and-development-quot-brianmccormackdirectormccormack-innovation-ltd -
“The Scottish Funding Council Innovation Voucher was an excellent support mechanism to develop the partnership with McCormack Innovation. With this funding, the University of Dundee was given the opportunity to undertake a feasibility study looking at the suitability of the products developed by the company and the possible commercial applications. With the obvious push for the removal of waste plastics from our environment, the materials being developed by McCormack Innovation have a huge potential both in medical and domestic applications and they are currently leading the way in developing a suite of disposable products.”
Professor Robert Keatch, Engineering & Applied Sciences, University of Dundeeprofessor-robert-keatch-the-scottish-funding-council-innovation-voucher-was-an-excellent-support-mechanism-to-develop-the-partnership-with-mccormack-innovation-with-this-funding-the-university-of-dundee-was-given-the-opportunity-to-undertake-a-feasibility-study-looking-at-the-suitability-of-the-products-developed-by-the-company-and-the-possible-commercial-applications-with-the-obvious-push-for-the-removal-of-waste-plastics-from-our-environment-the-materials-being-developed-by-mccormack-innovation-have-a-huge-potential-both-in-medical-and-domestic-applications-and-they-are-currently-leading-the-way-in-developing-a-suite-of-disposable-products-professor-robertkeatchengineering-amp-amp-applied-sciencesuniversity-of-dundee -
I started to build a drone because you can’t buy one that can monitor water quality. Right now, it concentrates on surface water monitoring, but it would be beneficial if it could regulate the whole body of water as not all pollution rises to the top. Ultimately, I want to build a drone that can both monitor water quality and also extract rubbish from the waterways. It could have a really positive environmental impact.
Dale Colley, CEO, Altitude Thinking Ltddale-colleyi-started-to-build-a-drone-because-you-can-t-buy-one-that-can-monitor-water-quality-right-now-it-concentrates-on-surface-water-monitoring-but-it-would-be-beneficial-if-it-could-regulate-the-whole-body-of-water-as-not-all-pollution-rises-to-the-top-ultimately-i-want-to-build-a-drone-that-can-both-monitor-water-quality-and-also-extract-rubbish-from-the-waterways-it-could-have-a-really-positive-environmental-impact-dalecolleyceoaltitude-thinking-ltd -
City of Glasgow College is a keen supporter of SMEs within the local economy. Driving innovation adds to the economic value of the local economy and the social value that products like this bring.
The Innovation Voucher Scheme has opened up new opportunities to support the College’s SME (small to medium-sized enterprises) partners in realising productivity gains and improved performance through innovation.
The scheme rightly recognises the vital role that colleges play in supporting local businesses to develop their workforce and introduce new products and services. Our academic teams are also finding these collaborations incredibly valuable, with learning from project activity being integrated into curriculum delivery for our students.
Douglas Morrison, Associate Director of Innovation and STEM, City of Glasgow Collegedouglas-morrisoncity-of-glasgow-college-is-a-keen-supporter-of-smes-within-the-local-economy-driving-innovation-adds-to-the-economic-value-of-the-local-economy-and-the-social-value-that-products-like-this-bring-the-innovation-voucher-scheme-has-opened-up-new-opportunities-to-support-the-college-s-sme-small-to-medium-sized-enterprises-partners-in-realising-productivity-gains-and-improved-performance-through-innovation-the-scheme-rightly-recognises-the-vital-role-that-colleges-play-in-supporting-local-businesses-to-develop-their-workforce-and-introduce-new-products-and-services-our-academic-teams-are-also-finding-these-collaborations-incredibly-valuable-with-learning-from-project-activity-being-integrated-into-curriculum-delivery-for-our-students-douglasmorrisonassociate-director-of-innovation-and-stemcity-of-glasgow-college -
“This was a technically challenging but satisfying project in which we worked closely with RIGOCAL to apply existing deep learning models to a new area. Our collaboration has produced a more efficient service for RIGOCAL’s customers and we hope it will contribute to the conservation of marine mammals."
Terry Sloan, EPCC Project Manager, The University of Edinburghterry-sloan-this-was-a-technically-challenging-but-satisfying-project-in-which-we-worked-closely-with-rigocal-to-apply-existing-deep-learning-models-to-a-new-area-our-collaboration-has-produced-a-more-efficient-service-for-rigocal-s-customers-and-we-hope-it-will-contribute-to-the-conservation-of-marine-mammals-quot-terrysloanepcc-project-managerthe-university-of-edinburgh -
dr-alessandro-bedin-the-partnership-of-rigocal-with-epcc-for-this-feasibility-study-has-exceeded-rigocal-s-expectations-and-we-are-looking-forward-to-continuing-our-collaboration-with-them-for-the-development-of-the-algorithm-itself-dr-alessandrobedinmanaging-directorrigocal-engineering-ltd
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“Re-Tek faced an enormous challenge to try and identify an academic partner to support the recovery of gold, silver and cobalt from printed circuit boards which were removed from recycled electronics. Without the support of Interface, it’s unlikely that we would have found our outstanding partner, University of the West of Scotland, to support Phase 2 of the project. Interface has been an outstanding partner to Re-Tek, coordinating support for several ventures, including a project with University of Strathclyde to support improvements in our Recycling Centre, and I would highly recommend their services.”
William McPherson, Projects Director, Re-Tekwilliam-mcpherson-re-tek-faced-an-enormous-challenge-to-try-and-identify-an-academic-partner-to-support-the-recovery-of-gold-silver-and-cobalt-from-printed-circuit-boards-which-were-removed-from-recycled-electronics-without-the-support-of-interface-it-s-unlikely-that-we-would-have-found-our-outstanding-partner-university-of-the-west-of-scotland-to-support-phase-2-of-the-project-interface-has-been-an-outstanding-partner-to-re-tek-coordinating-support-for-several-ventures-including-a-project-with-university-of-strathclyde-to-support-improvements-in-our-recycling-centre-and-i-would-highly-recommend-their-services-williammcphersonprojects-directorre-tek -
"The project was incredibly challenging and very timely given worldwide interest in critical raw materials and continued demand to deliver effective waste management processes needed by global society. The opportunity to work at the cutting edge of both business and research innovation was fantastic and a real team grew from our joint work with Re-Tek and partners. The work has stimulated international partnerships, produced research publications and provided real contributions to the international policy arena. A superb opportunity for our staff and students to grapple with live industrial issues and deliver research with real impact."
Andrew Hursthouse, Professor of Environmental Geochemistry, University of the West of Scotlandandrew-hursthouse-quot-the-project-was-incredibly-challenging-and-very-timely-given-worldwide-interest-in-critical-raw-materials-and-continued-demand-to-deliver-effective-waste-management-processes-needed-by-global-society-the-opportunity-to-work-at-the-cutting-edge-of-both-business-and-research-innovation-was-fantastic-and-a-real-team-grew-from-our-joint-work-with-re-tek-and-partners-the-work-has-stimulated-international-partnerships-produced-research-publications-and-provided-real-contributions-to-the-international-policy-arena-a-superb-opportunity-for-our-staff-and-students-to-grapple-with-live-industrial-issues-and-deliver-research-with-real-impact-quot-andrewhursthouseprofessor-of-environmental-geochemistryuniversity-of-the-west-of-scotland -
“With the Aquaculture Industry’s plans to increase production significantly by 2030 we are going to have to process more of the waste material that we remove from the nets. We need to reduce what we send to landfill and with the assistance of Abertay University and the employment of a KTP Associate we hope to be able to achieve this by developing a method to allow us to recover valuable elements from the waste that can be utilised in other ways.”
Dave Hutchens, Managing Director, W&J Knoxdave-hutchens-with-the-aquaculture-industry-s-plans-to-increase-production-significantly-by-2030-we-are-going-to-have-to-process-more-of-the-waste-material-that-we-remove-from-the-nets-we-need-to-reduce-what-we-send-to-landfill-and-with-the-assistance-of-abertay-university-and-the-employment-of-a-ktp-associate-we-hope-to-be-able-to-achieve-this-by-developing-a-method-to-allow-us-to-recover-valuable-elements-from-the-waste-that-can-be-utilised-in-other-ways-davehutchensmanaging-directorw-amp-amp-j-knox -
“We are delighted to be partnering with W&J Knox on this innovative KTP, which has the potential to benefit both the environment and the business itself. Abertay has a strong track record in research focussing on the reuse of food waste products and this is an area that is going to become increasingly important on both a national and international level in the coming years.”
Dr Boon-Seang Chu, Lecturer in Food Science, Programme Leader of MSc Food & Drink Innovation, Abertay Universitydr-boon-seang-chu-we-are-delighted-to-be-partnering-with-w-amp-amp-j-knox-on-this-innovative-ktp-which-has-the-potential-to-benefit-both-the-environment-and-the-business-itself-abertay-has-a-strong-track-record-in-research-focussing-on-the-reuse-of-food-waste-products-and-this-is-an-area-that-is-going-to-become-increasingly-important-on-both-a-national-and-international-level-in-the-coming-years-dr-boon-seangchulecturer-in-food-science-programme-leader-of-msc-food-amp-amp-drink-innovationabertay-university -
marian-brucelorna-s-knowledge-of-academic-expertise-in-scotland-and-ability-to-translate-what-we-needed-was-a-huge-help-we-wouldn-t-have-known-where-to-start-or-had-the-time-to-search-for-the-right-expertise-so-interface-s-support-saved-us-valuable-time-and-resource-marianbrucedirectorhighland-boundary
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Working on a “real-world” product for Highland Boundary was a great experience for our MSc student. She was able to combine background distillation theory and investigation of novel botanicals to development of a new product. The enthusiasm and support from Marian was infectious which helped make the project both enjoyable and rewarding.
Dr Annie Hill, Associate Professor, Heriot-Watt Universitydr-annie-hillworking-on-a-real-world-product-for-highland-boundary-was-a-great-experience-for-our-msc-student-she-was-able-to-combine-background-distillation-theory-and-investigation-of-novel-botanicals-to-development-of-a-new-product-the-enthusiasm-and-support-from-marian-was-infectious-which-helped-make-the-project-both-enjoyable-and-rewarding-dr-anniehillassociate-professorheriot-watt-university -
As is always the case, Interface were absolutely brilliant to deal with and it was Lorna Watson who actually recommended this Marketing Works project and I'm absolutely delighted to have participated, especially given the demonstrable results from the project with WH Smith.
Interface continue to provide confidence, inspiring support to the business and myself through their recommendations, advice, guidance and help and, through this, my business continues to grow at a comfortable pace whilst building a strong reputation and I certainly look forward to developing, strengthening and growing this relationship as my business grows.
Alexander McCabe, Director, AAS McCabealexander-mccabeas-is-always-the-case-interface-were-absolutely-brilliant-to-deal-with-and-it-was-lorna-watson-who-actually-recommended-this-marketing-works-project-and-i-039-m-absolutely-delighted-to-have-participated-especially-given-the-demonstrable-results-from-the-project-with-wh-smith-interface-continue-to-provide-confidence-inspiring-support-to-the-business-and-myself-through-their-recommendations-advice-guidance-and-help-and-through-this-my-business-continues-to-grow-at-a-comfortable-pace-whilst-building-a-strong-reputation-and-i-certainly-look-forward-to-developing-strengthening-and-growing-this-relationship-as-my-business-grows-alexandermccabedirectoraas-mccabe -
karen-hamiltonthis-collaboration-allowed-me-to-develop-a-unique-and-innovative-prototype-which-can-show-alternative-uses-for-3d-printing-my-business-has-a-unique-selling-point-and-offers-a-service-that-no-other-dressmaker-or-designer-is-currently-offering-in-scotland-karenhamiltondesigner-and-dressmaker
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From the perspective of the College, this is an example of cutting-edge research and development activity within the digital field in respect of commercial fabric design and construction and depending on outcomes, could inform future curriculum content and afford student project opportunities.
The project has provided an excellent opportunity to engage in applied research- something not normally associated with the college sector - using internal resources and academic staff with expertise in digital and related areas of work activity. It represents a fine example of commercial and academic partnership and will serve as a good model for future collaborations.
Brian Riley, Business Advisor, Dundee and Angus Collegebrian-rileyfrom-the-perspective-of-the-college-this-is-an-example-of-cutting-edge-research-and-development-activity-within-the-digital-field-in-respect-of-commercial-fabric-design-and-construction-and-depending-on-outcomes-could-inform-future-curriculum-content-and-afford-student-project-opportunities-the-project-has-provided-an-excellent-opportunity-to-engage-in-applied-research-something-not-normally-associated-with-the-college-sector-using-internal-resources-and-academic-staff-with-expertise-in-digital-and-related-areas-of-work-activity-it-represents-a-fine-example-of-commercial-and-academic-partnership-and-will-serve-as-a-good-model-for-future-collaborations-brianrileybusiness-advisordundee-and-angus-college -
This initial project was a great opportunity for Strathclyde to create a new workstream with Renewable Parts. The project enabled the University to apply our expertise in turbine reliability and operations management in a new way, which really made us think about how we process and present this kind of data. The outcomes helped RPL shape their future service offerings – which is a great outcome on its own. But beyond that, the project has led to multiple further collaborations with experts at Strathclyde, including the Scottish Institute for Remanufacturing (SIR). The local supply chain will be crucial to keep wind turbines running, and we are happy to have played a part in facilitating that, in partnership with RPL and Interface.
David McMillan, Senior Lecturer and Project Leader, University of Strathclydedr-david-mcmillanthis-initial-project-was-a-great-opportunity-for-strathclyde-to-create-a-new-workstream-with-renewable-parts-the-project-enabled-the-university-to-apply-our-expertise-in-turbine-reliability-and-operations-management-in-a-new-way-which-really-made-us-think-about-how-we-process-and-present-this-kind-of-data-the-outcomes-helped-rpl-shape-their-future-service-offerings-which-is-a-great-outcome-on-its-own-but-beyond-that-the-project-has-led-to-multiple-further-collaborations-with-experts-at-strathclyde-including-the-scottish-institute-for-remanufacturing-sir-the-local-supply-chain-will-be-crucial-to-keep-wind-turbines-running-and-we-are-happy-to-have-played-a-part-in-facilitating-that-in-partnership-with-rpl-and-interface-davidmcmillansenior-lecturer-and-project-leaderuniversity-of-strathclyde -
Working with Interface has been really valuable towards my business. Their resources have helped me get in touch with technical experts who were able to take my product to the next level. It's been a great experience and I would highly recommend it to anyone thinking of getting involved.
Tim Elizondo, Founder and Director, Attis Fitness Ltdtim-elizondoworking-with-interface-has-been-really-valuable-towards-my-business-their-resources-have-helped-me-get-in-touch-with-technical-experts-who-were-able-to-take-my-product-to-the-next-level-it-039-s-been-a-great-experience-and-i-would-highly-recommend-it-to-anyone-thinking-of-getting-involved-timelizondofounder-and-directorattis-fitness-ltd -
It’s our pleasure to engage with interesting ideas such as the ones proposed by Claire and her organisation. Also, much of this would not be possible without the pivotal role Interface plays so the positive experience is as much a result of your wonderful team and your combined efforts to bridge these opportunities. So thanks once again.
Dr Anup Nair, Lecturer in Engineering Management, University of Strathclydedr-anup-nairit-s-our-pleasure-to-engage-with-interesting-ideas-such-as-the-ones-proposed-by-claire-and-her-organisation-also-much-of-this-would-not-be-possible-without-the-pivotal-role-interface-plays-so-the-positive-experience-is-as-much-a-result-of-your-wonderful-team-and-your-combined-efforts-to-bridge-these-opportunities-so-thanks-once-again-dr-anupnairlecturer-in-engineering-managementuniversity-of-strathclyde -
I just wanted to thank you very much for your help and introduction. Anup seems incredibly competent and the set up at Strathclyde University is truly impressive and inspiring. The whole Interface experience has been very smooth and professional - thank you.
Claire Weaver, Business Development Manager, ILM Highlandclaire-weaveri-just-wanted-to-thank-you-very-much-for-your-help-and-introduction-anup-seems-incredibly-competent-and-the-set-up-at-strathclyde-university-is-truly-impressive-and-inspiring-the-whole-interface-experience-has-been-very-smooth-and-professional-thank-you-claireweaverbusiness-development-managerilm-highland -
I just wanted to feed back on the high quality of service Ruth has offered throughout this experience. At no point has she ever given us anything less that 100% and even though we are a fledgling organisation she encouraged us to reach beyond our 'new' status and forge early relations with Abertay University, University of the West of Scotland and most recently with the University of Glasgow. We would love to make the most of any other connections but did just want to register our thanks to Interface and Ruth for support in our first year of operation. Because of their support we have really opened the organisation up to some great research opportunities and partnerships. You really make brokering those relationships very easy!
Eona Craig, Articulate Cultural Trusteona-craigi-just-wanted-to-feed-back-on-the-high-quality-of-service-ruth-has-offered-throughout-this-experience-at-no-point-has-she-ever-given-us-anything-less-that-100-and-even-though-we-are-a-fledgling-organisation-she-encouraged-us-to-reach-beyond-our-039-new-039-status-and-forge-early-relations-with-abertay-university-university-of-the-west-of-scotland-and-most-recently-with-the-university-of-glasgow-we-would-love-to-make-the-most-of-any-other-connections-but-did-just-want-to-register-our-thanks-to-interface-and-ruth-for-support-in-our-first-year-of-operation-because-of-their-support-we-have-really-opened-the-organisation-up-to-some-great-research-opportunities-and-partnerships-you-really-make-brokering-those-relationships-very-easy-eonacraigarticulate-cultural-trust -
I am blown away as to how much support we have had from Louise Arnold at Interface. I had a board meeting recently and it was great to take a step back and review everything that has been accomplished in such a short time - it’s amazing how much Interface have achieved in supporting us, especially with links to universities, across all the areas of expertise.
Mykay Kamara, CEO, Welbotmykay-kamarai-am-blown-away-as-to-how-much-support-we-have-had-from-louise-arnold-at-interface-i-had-a-board-meeting-recently-and-it-was-great-to-take-a-step-back-and-review-everything-that-has-been-accomplished-in-such-a-short-time-it-s-amazing-how-much-interface-have-achieved-in-supporting-us-especially-with-links-to-universities-across-all-the-areas-of-expertise-mykaykamaraceowelbot -
Through the collaboration between the University of The West of Scotland, Interface and G-Hold, evaluating the G-Hold device biomechanically provided an insight into the efficacy and functionality of the invention as a useful product with ergonomic benefits.
It was a pleasure working on this product within the Biomechanics Laboratory with my students who consented to be participants for the planned feasibility study... They really enjoyed the opportunity to visualize occupational biomechanics in action.
Dr Chris Ugbolue, Lecturer, School of Science and Sport, University of the West of Scotlandchris-ugboluethrough-the-collaboration-between-the-university-of-the-west-of-scotland-interface-and-g-hold-evaluating-the-g-hold-device-biomechanically-provided-an-insight-into-the-efficacy-and-functionality-of-the-invention-as-a-useful-product-with-ergonomic-benefits-it-was-a-pleasure-working-on-this-product-within-the-biomechanics-laboratory-with-my-students-who-consented-to-be-participants-for-the-planned-feasibility-study-they-really-enjoyed-the-opportunity-to-visualize-occupational-biomechanics-in-action-dr-chrisugboluelecturer-school-of-science-and-sportuniversity-of-the-west-of-scotland -
Interface is a wonderful service, expertly presented and delivered, with real value for companies looking to tap into Scotland’s academic expertise and networks.
Chris Camilleri, Senior Investment Specialist - Technology & Creative, Scottish Development Internationalchris-camilleriinterface-is-a-wonderful-service-expertly-presented-and-delivered-with-real-value-for-companies-looking-to-tap-into-scotland-s-academic-expertise-and-networks-chriscamillerisenior-investment-specialist-technology-amp-amp-creativescottish-development-international -
As a business owner, I juggle many day-to-day operational tasks while nursing a stream of ideas for more strategic advancement.
This project gave my former business, YO! Marketing, a significant leap forward to be able to engage with Abertay University with this particular idea.
Abertay University have the machine learning expertise that my business did not have, so the collaboration was perfect! We worked well together and I am very excited about the successful project of the initial machine learning model.
Yekemi Otaru, Founder & Principal Strategist, YO! Marketing (now merged with Doqaru Ltd)yekemi-otaruas-a-business-owner-i-juggle-many-day-to-day-operational-tasks-while-nursing-a-stream-of-ideas-for-more-strategic-advancement-this-project-gave-my-former-business-yo-marketing-a-significant-leap-forward-to-be-able-to-engage-with-abertay-university-with-this-particular-idea-abertay-university-have-the-machine-learning-expertise-that-my-business-did-not-have-so-the-collaboration-was-perfect-we-worked-well-together-and-i-am-very-excited-about-the-successful-project-of-the-initial-machine-learning-model-yekemiotarufounder-amp-amp-principal-strategistyo-marketing-now-merged-with-doqaru-ltd- -
We have built a great relationship with UWS across two projects so far and look forward to continuing to build this relationship in the future. We have gained access to world class research expertise and are now looking at the potential to integrate a brand new, completely novel sensor into our device that will have real benefits for patients, health services and snap40.
Christopher McCann, CEO, snap40christopher-mccannwe-have-built-a-great-relationship-with-uws-across-two-projects-so-far-and-look-forward-to-continuing-to-build-this-relationship-in-the-future-we-have-gained-access-to-world-class-research-expertise-and-are-now-looking-at-the-potential-to-integrate-a-brand-new-completely-novel-sensor-into-our-device-that-will-have-real-benefits-for-patients-health-services-and-snap40-christophermccannceosnap40 -
We would never have been able to afford the type of equipment needed to analyse these muscle groups without the support of Interface introducing us to the University of the West of Scotland.
The results were crucial in proving our ergonomic benefits to customers, particularly in the US where large organisations are especially careful to protect their employees from risk of ergonomic or muscular skeletal complaints.
Dr U. Chris Ugbolue was the ideal academic to work on this project due to his extensive knowledge in the area of carpal tunnel syndrome and this study was a world-first. Graphical representations of his study have since been distributed to various partners around the world and we hope to work with Dr Ugbolue on future projects.
Alison Grieve, CEO and Inventor, G-Holdalison-grievewe-would-never-have-been-able-to-afford-the-type-of-equipment-needed-to-analyse-these-muscle-groups-without-the-support-of-interface-introducing-us-to-the-university-of-the-west-of-scotland-the-results-were-crucial-in-proving-our-ergonomic-benefits-to-customers-particularly-in-the-us-where-large-organisations-are-especially-careful-to-protect-their-employees-from-risk-of-ergonomic-or-muscular-skeletal-complaints-dr-u-chris-ugbolue-was-the-ideal-academic-to-work-on-this-project-due-to-his-extensive-knowledge-in-the-area-of-carpal-tunnel-syndrome-and-this-study-was-a-world-first-graphical-representations-of-his-study-have-since-been-distributed-to-various-partners-around-the-world-and-we-hope-to-work-with-dr-ugbolue-on-future-projects-alisongrieveceo-and-inventorg-hold -
Professor Colin Pulham is extremely good at understanding a problem from the perspective of the company and then applying his own intellect, that of his students, the wider resources of the university and its’ academic networks to solving the problem. Colin and his ERI colleagues have been pragmatic and creative in developing the commercial relationship in such a way that it optimises the benefits for all parties.
Meeting Professor Colin Pulham at University of Edinburgh School of Chemistry in 2010 has led to the most amazing academic-industry partnership and development of what we think is the world’s best, most stable, heat energy storage material.
Andrew Bissell, Founder & CEO, Sunampandrew-bissellprofessor-colin-pulham-is-extremely-good-at-understanding-a-problem-from-the-perspective-of-the-company-and-then-applying-his-own-intellect-that-of-his-students-the-wider-resources-of-the-university-and-its-academic-networks-to-solving-the-problem-colin-and-his-eri-colleagues-have-been-pragmatic-and-creative-in-developing-the-commercial-relationship-in-such-a-way-that-it-optimises-the-benefits-for-all-parties-meeting-professor-colin-pulham-at-university-of-edinburgh-school-of-chemistry-in-2010-has-led-to-the-most-amazing-academic-industry-partnership-and-development-of-what-we-think-is-the-world-s-best-most-stable-heat-energy-storage-material-andrewbissellfounder-amp-amp-ceosunamp -
Cybercrime continues to be a top-level threat to the UK generally and has the potential to disrupt commerce, public services and international confidence.
Thanks to funding from the Scottish Funding Council administered by Interface, we have spent over a year working with our partners in Abertay University and Police Scotland to develop this new learning tool.
Our innovation has the potential to ensure that communities across Scotland are served by appropriately trained, skilled and confident police officers and staff.Paddy Tomkins, QPM Chairman, Droman Crime Solutionspaddy-tomkinscybercrime-continues-to-be-a-top-level-threat-to-the-uk-generally-and-has-the-potential-to-disrupt-commerce-public-services-and-international-confidence-thanks-to-funding-from-the-scottish-funding-council-administered-by-interface-we-have-spent-over-a-year-working-with-our-partners-in-abertay-university-and-police-scotland-to-develop-this-new-learning-tool-our-innovation-has-the-potential-to-ensure-that-communities-across-scotland-are-served-by-appropriately-trained-skilled-and-confident-police-officers-and-staff-paddytomkinsqpm-chairmandroman-crime-solutions -
The funding allowed me to kick-start a collaboration between my research group and snap40. It was the first time that I had been awarded funding for a commercialisation project. As an early stage researcher, it was very useful in demonstrating to me how companies and universities can work together with regard to knowledge exchange, intellectual property and commercial needs. The project was a success in that we were able to demonstrate our technology for the snap40 application. We intend to apply for follow-on funding to move the research forward and carry on the snap40/UWS collaboration.
Dave Hughes, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Engineering and Computing, University of The West of Scotlanddr-dave-hughesthe-funding-allowed-me-to-kick-start-a-collaboration-between-my-research-group-and-snap40-it-was-the-first-time-that-i-had-been-awarded-funding-for-a-commercialisation-project-as-an-early-stage-researcher-it-was-very-useful-in-demonstrating-to-me-how-companies-and-universities-can-work-together-with-regard-to-knowledge-exchange-intellectual-property-and-commercial-needs-the-project-was-a-success-in-that-we-were-able-to-demonstrate-our-technology-for-the-snap40-application-we-intend-to-apply-for-follow-on-funding-to-move-the-research-forward-and-carry-on-the-snap40-uws-collaboration-davehughespostdoctoral-research-fellow-school-of-engineering-and-computinguniversity-of-the-west-of-scotland -
dr-xavier-bellekensthis-project-helped-the-university-of-abertay-to-expand-the-research-horizon-of-the-machine-learning-research-group-into-applied-machine-learning-for-marketing-purposes-dr-xavierbellekenslecturer-in-computer-security-amp-amp-privacyabertay-university
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This is the most rewarding and enriching academic/industrial collaboration that I have been involved in. It is particularly gratifying to see the impact of fundamental research being applied in real world applications in such a short time.
Professor Colin Pulham, Head of the School of Chemistry, University of Edinburghcolin-pulhamthis-is-the-most-rewarding-and-enriching-academic-industrial-collaboration-that-i-have-been-involved-in-it-is-particularly-gratifying-to-see-the-impact-of-fundamental-research-being-applied-in-real-world-applications-in-such-a-short-time-professor-colinpulhamhead-of-the-school-of-chemistryuniversity-of-edinburgh -
I am very happy with the output of the project and I have used their insights for the product road map and in presentations with clients.
Rossi, Director of Post Graduate Programmes, University of Edinburgh Business Schooldr-roberto-rossii-am-very-happy-with-the-output-of-the-project-and-i-have-used-their-insights-for-the-product-road-map-and-in-presentations-with-clients-rossidirector-of-post-graduate-programmesuniversity-of-edinburgh-business-school -
We were looking to strengthen our range of microbe-based products in a variety of domestic cleaners and products for tackling specific industrial contamination. Interface linked us to academic partners who helped in the commercial culturing of these microbes, in order to supply a powdered product to Scotmas's commercial operations.
Alistair Cameron, Managing Director, Scotmasalistair-cameronwe-were-looking-to-strengthen-our-range-of-microbe-based-products-in-a-variety-of-domestic-cleaners-and-products-for-tackling-specific-industrial-contamination-interface-linked-us-to-academic-partners-who-helped-in-the-commercial-culturing-of-these-microbes-in-order-to-supply-a-powdered-product-to-scotmas-039-s-commercial-operations-alistaircameronmanaging-directorscotmas -
It was great to see how this collaboration developed from student project to a research collaboration with the benefit of seeing how our research directly impacts the company, helping them to develop and enhance their offering.
Together, this project helps address financial inclusion and financial well-being in society by developing an affordability model to help people to find out how much they can comfortably save.
Raffaella Calabrese, Chancellor's Fellow (Associate Professor), University of Edinburgh, Business Schooldr-raffaella-calabreseit-was-great-to-see-how-this-collaboration-developed-from-student-project-to-a-research-collaboration-with-the-benefit-of-seeing-how-our-research-directly-impacts-the-company-helping-them-to-develop-and-enhance-their-offering-together-this-project-helps-address-financial-inclusion-and-financial-well-being-in-society-by-developing-an-affordability-model-to-help-people-to-find-out-how-much-they-can-comfortably-save-raffaellacalabresechancellor-amp-039-s-fellow-associate-professor-university-of-edinburgh-business-school
