The Living Laboratory

The Living Laboratory programme was named joint winner alongside SeaWarm in the Place-Based Impact category at the 2026 Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards. The award recognises collaborative initiatives that bring together partners from across Scotland to deliver targeted, positive outcomes for specific regions or local communities.  

The awards ceremony, held on Thursday 19 March at the Macrobert Arts Centre at the University of Stirling, brought together businesses, third-sector organisations, public bodies and academic institutions to celebrate impactful collaborations that deliver economic, environmental and social benefits for Scotland.    

Winning the Place-Based Impact category is a significant recognition of the Living Laboratory as a collaborative initiative rooted in the Glasgow City Region, bringing together the University of Glasgow, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde (NHSGGC), industry, community organisations, and education partners. The achievement highlights the collective effort behind the programme and its commitment to delivering meaningful, tangible outcomes for the region and its communities.  

Since launching in 2020, the Living Laboratory has successfully strengthened Glasgow’s innovation economy, expanded skills development and career pathways through STEM and education initiatives, connected communities and learners to healthcare innovation, and supported improvements across healthcare delivery - including more efficient diagnostic and care pathways. 

Dr Ruth McLaughlin, Living Laboratory Programme Director, said: “We’re delighted to see the Living Laboratory recognised for the depth of place‑based impact at the heart of the programme. From the outset, we’ve focused on leveraging the region’s existing strengths in innovation to deliver meaningful, tangible benefits for the Glasgow City Region - accelerating economic growth, deepening community participation, and driving local healthcare transformation. 

“This award is a fantastic acknowledgement of the shared commitment between the Living Laboratory and our valued partners to embed healthcare innovation across the region, ensuring it delivers lasting, positive impact for its people and communities.” 

The evening also saw the Living Laboratory's Radiogenomics project shortlisted in the Multiparty Collaboration category, recognising the strong cross-sector partnership between the University of Glasgow, Canon Medical Research Europe Ltd. and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. The project is enabling researchers, clinicians, scientists, and software engineers to work side by side on the development of a secure database that links imaging, clinical and genetic data from patients with non-small-cell lung cancer. 

Now in its 11th year, the Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards - organised by Interface - celebrate successful partnerships between business, the public sector, third-sector organisations and academia, highlighting the vital role collaboration plays in driving economic, environmental and societal impact for Scotland. 

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First published: 20 March 2026