University of Glasgow - Colleges - College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences - The Living Laboratory - Education & Engagement

Information for our Community

At the Living Laboratory, we are supporting the development of new healthcare innovations with the aim of improving patient care in Govan, Glasgow, and beyond. Through these efforts, we aspire to help address local health inequalities and contribute to building a healthier community.

Active engagement with local residents and organisations is at the heart of this work. We collaborate closely with community groups and housing associations to ensure their voices are heard, shaping the development of healthcare solutions that meet the needs of our community.

We are excited to be working with local organisations on the delivery of meaningful, community-led projects that celebrate Govan’s rich heritage in healthcare, while engaging members of the community in our work and the development of the Health Innovation Hub.

"The initiatives over the past year have played a vital role in strengthening local engagement. Activities like the mosaic, tapestry, and walking groups have created meaningful opportunities for residents to connect, share experiences, and feel a stronger sense of belonging in Govan. These projects are not only fostering creativity and well-being but also ensuring that diverse voices are heard and valued."

- Govan Housing Association

Want to learn more about our work, its impact on your community, and how you can get involved?

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Health Innovation Hub

A Hub for Innovation

We are excited to share that work has begun on a new Health Innovation Hub (HiH) close to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. This project is a collaboration between the Living Laboratory and Kadans Science Partner, with support from Scottish Enterprise.

The HiH will be home to health and life sciences businesses developing innovative products and solutions to pressing healthcare challenges. Beyond advancing healthcare, the development of HiH will stimulate economic growth in Govan, develop infrastructure, and generate valuable skills and employment opportunities within the community.

Work on the Health Innovation Hub is due for completion in autumn 2025.

A Hub for the Community

In addition to office and laboratory space, the Health Innovation Hub will have a welcoming ground floor that is open to everyone in the community.

With a social enterprise café and collaboration space at its heart, the Health Innovation Hub will encourage innovators, local residents, and members of the wider community to come together, share ideas, and feel a part of the exciting advancements happening in healthcare innovation.

We look forward to sharing more details with our community as the building progresses.

Our Community Projects

Artistic Mosaic Tiling: Showcasing Govan’s Healthcare Legacy

Through our Artistic Mosaic Tiling project, we are creating community-inspired tile artwork that will be displayed at various local venues, including the Health Innovation Hub, to serve as a visual celebration of Govan’s deep-rooted legacy in healthcare innovation.

Each tile will represent a pivotal moment in medical history, coming together to form a larger artwork that highlights the past, present, and future of healthcare innovation in Govan and beyond. The tile artwork will be created with Elderpark Housing Association and the charity Impact Arts, which both bring deep ties to the community and a wealth of experience in delivering meaningful public art projects across Glasgow.

Through the creation of this artwork, we aim to celebrate the creativity and spirit of our community, while sparking conversations about the Health Innovation Hub, precision medicine, and healthcare innovation.

Off Loom Weave: Weaving Precision Medicine into Govan’s Future

We are delighted to be working with Gilded Lily and women within the Govan community to create a hand-woven tapestry. This artwork will symbolise how the University of Glasgow’s precision medicine cluster and the Health Innovation Hub (HiH) are being woven into the fabric of Govan.

Drawing inspiration from Govan’s rich weaving heritage, the tapestry will be a vibrant visual centrepiece and a hands-on educational tool for the local community. The project will highlight the basics of precision medicine, how it applies to everyday life, local career opportunities, and its role in connecting healthcare, education, and industry.

By threading these elements into the tapestry, we aim to make precision medicine and the HiH accessible and meaningful for the community, while honouring Govan's creativity, history, and innovation.