The Kingfishers take flight: our first cohort showcases their emerging research at inaugural industry event
On Tuesday 11th November, DiveIn CDT brought together its first cohort of doctoral researchers – The Kingfishers – with external partners and academic collaborators for an inspiring inaugural Annual Industry Showcase. The event demonstrated the power of collaborative working, connecting emerging research talent with real-world challenges.
Industry Challenges in Focus
The showcase kicked off with four external partners presenting pressing industry challenges, setting the stage for hands-on collaborative problem-solving. Attendees worked in groups to explore how research could tackle these real-world problems.
AECOM‘s Kieran Ronnie and Neil Bowman challenged researchers to enhance the University of Glasgow’s Climate Neutral Estate using ESRI Experience Builder. The goal? Develop an interactive solution for sharing data across disciplines and with the public, identifying the necessary AI tools and technologies to benefit the University and wider society.
Dr Stuart Grey, Founder & CEO of Student Voice AI, presented the challenge of creating a digital-twin experimentation framework. Using AI and Student Voice data, the framework would simulate and evaluate educational interventions across synthetic student cohorts – enabling ethical, data-driven insights before real-world implementation.
Dr Aleksandra Bavdaz, Founder & CEO of SensFish, explored how satellite-based Earth Observation data and automated analytics could revolutionise seagrass ecosystem monitoring, supporting conservation, restoration, and blue carbon strategies.
Gavin Costigan, Chief Executive of The Foundation for Science and Technology, posed a fundamental question to all attendees: how can academic research effectively inform public policy, and what skills and strategies are needed to engage with policymakers?
The Kingfishers Take the Stage
Our doctoral researchers delivered compelling 2-minute pitches of their research proposals, showcasing the breadth and ambition of the cohort. From AI-enabled structural monitoring to quantum circuits, sustainable machine learning to digital health solutions, The Kingfishers are tackling some of the most pressing challenges across technology, healthcare, and environmental sustainability.
Each researcher presented their project alongside research posters, demonstrating remarkable clarity and passion for work that has only just begun. Below are the project titles – click through to learn more about each researcher.
Awwab Abdalsaed – AI-Enabled Wireless Sensor Networks for Resilient Structural Health Monitoring.
Abdulrahman Cherif – Digital Prevention for Metabolic Risk.
Amy Eden – Tuning the Connection Between Tiny Quantum Circuits.
Tobias Froehlich – Developing More Sustainable Alternatives to Centralised AI Training.
Amparo Gimenez Rios – Using Large Language Models to Enhance Functional Interpretation of Omics Data.
Antonella M. A. Marsella – AI-Driven Neurofeedback for Personalized Cognitive Training in Virtual Reality: Optimising Cognitive Flow.
Stacey McLellan – Discovery and Application of Self-Assembled Organics for Dynamic Imaging Technologies.
Sílvia Mourão – Digital Twins for Coastal Hazard Monitoring.
Lukas Moers – Digital Twin for Personalised Fall Prevention and Rehabilitation.
Andrew Reid – Machine Learning Peptidomimetic Discovery Platform.
Impact and Reflections
The inaugural showcase demonstrated the power of bringing together academic research and industry expertise. Industry partners left with a strong impression of The Kingfishers’ potential:
“It was wonderful to see the talent on display, [we] were blown away by the level of the students.”
Kieran Ronnie, AECOM“I was so impressed with the PhD students in the Kingfisher cohort. For people who had only just started their studies, they were able to clearly articulate the projects that they had identified to pursue – both in their presentations and their posters – and why that work was important. I am really looking forward to see how their research develops.”
Gavin Costigan, Foundation for Science and Technology
Andy Todman, DiveIn CDT External Engagement Manager, reflected on the day’s success:
“Today’s inaugural Annual Industry Showcase is an excellent example of what collaborative working with external partners can achieve to support both doctoral researchers, the future leaders in their fields, and external partners seeking solutions to real world challenges.”
We would like to thank everyone who contributed to making this inaugural showcase a success. Special thanks go to our industry partners: Kieran Ronnie and Neil Bowman from AECOM; Dr Stuart Grey from Student Voice AI; Dr Aleksandra Bavdaz from SensFish; and Gavin Costigan from The Foundation for Science & Technology. Thanks also to our External Engagement Manager, Andy Todman, for orchestrating the event, and especially to our doctoral researchers for their engaging pitches and the passion they showed for their research projects.
We look forward to seeing how these collaborations and research projects evolve!
Interested in becoming a DiveIn partner?
We welcome opportunities to collaborate with external partners. Please get in touch at divein-cdt@glasgow.ac.uk.