Conference Centre using facilites to stage free lectures
Getting together with some of the capital’s universities the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) plans some free public entertainment within its walls from next month.
The talks will be given by some of Scotland’s leading innovators in science, technology, business and the arts over the next year. The programme is inspired and organised by the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) with support from the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Napier University and The Royal Society of Edinburgh.
Beginning in February 2015 the lecture series will see the venue use its network of academic and business contacts to extend popular debate on topics usually reserved for fee paying conference delegates. The lecture series themed InnovationNation will highlight the talent and ideas that follow a Scottish tradition of exporting new thinking to the world.
Announcing the lecture series EICC Chief Executive, Marshall Dallas said: “We present world-leading events on our stages that attract delegates from around the globe and we are delighted to now widen this mission to engage with the local community. We work everyday with an ambassador network in universities and businesses throughout Scotland and helping to showcase their work to a public audience is a new and exciting venture.”
Each early evening lecture event will feature two 20-minute presentations from leaders in their subject area and will include time for questions and public debate.
First in the series on Wednesday 18 February 2015 at EICC and speaking on the theme of innovation in the energy sector is the internationally acclaimed innovator Professor Martin Tangney, Director of the Biofuel Research Centre at Edinburgh Napier University and Founder / Director of the award winning Celtic Renewables. Also speaking at the event is Stuart Brown, CEO of FloWave TT, which is the University of Edinburgh’s ocean simulator facility for marine technologies. Stuart Brown was a recent winner of the ‘Best Innovation’ category at the Scottish Green Energy Awards, held at EICC in November 2014.
Welcoming the opportunity to popularise his science Professor Martin Tangney said: “Scotland has long been an incubator for new thinking that can have a dramatic impact on the health and wellbeing of people at home and around the world. Our energy future is a topic of global concern and debate and I am pleased to have the opportunity to talk about our work in a truly public forum.”
Adding his endorsement Scottish Government Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism Fergus Ewing MSP said: ”I am delighted that the EICC are launching this series of public lectures. Our programme for the economy is focused on supporting an investment-led recovery; taking direct action to boost employment; enhancing economic confidence and rebalancing the economy through supporting innovation, internationalisation, and a transition to a low carbon economy.
Events such as this series of lectures at the EICC show the huge range of expertise within Scotland and I am sure that not only will they educate and inform they will also help showcase all that Scotland has to offer to the world.”
Free tickets and more information are available from: http://www.eicc.co.uk/innovationnation/
Submitted by Rory Archibald
Photo © Malcolm Cochrane Photography
