Inaugural Fellowship Day unites community in Edinburgh to support ongoing research development
An inaugural Chief Scientist Office (CSO) Fellowship Day held in the capital offered a unique opportunity to make fresh connections and exchange knowledge, with more gatherings expected to follow
With a range of fellowships available from CSO, including specific NHS Research Scotland (NRS) funding awards, applications are regularly invited to support health and social care research capacity, clinical academics, and innovation within NHS Scotland.
However, a dedicated event has now given the CSO fellowship community a chance to come together for the first time and collectively expand knowledge while supporting research development.
On 9 September, more than 30 fellows, alongside representatives from the CSO Fellowship Panels, members of CSO’s Public Engagement Group, and NRS Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Lead, Jenny Sharma, gathered at Victoria Quay in Edinburgh.
Designed to support networking and professional development, the event enabled CSO’s Capacity Building Fellows to share ideas, make new connections, and gain practical insights to support their ongoing research development.
Attendees heard from final year fellows about their research and fellowship experiences, learned more about funding opportunities, and explored the importance of PPI in research.
The day also included dedicated advice and networking sessions with panel members and public contributors.
Dr Julie Simpson, Research Manager — Information and Capacity, at CSO said: “The inaugural Fellowship Day provided a fantastic opportunity to exchange ideas, spark new collaborations, and celebrate the breadth of talent across the CSO fellowship community.
“Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the day such a success. We are already looking forward to the next opportunity to bring the fellowship community together.”
Professor of Nursing at Edinburgh Napier University, Nicola Ring said: “Delighted to have been able to attend the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) Fellowship Day yesterday at Victoria Quay in Edinburgh.
“It was great being able to meet fellows from so many different healthcare disciplines and specialties and inspiring to hear about their innovative research and the difference it can make to future patient care.
“A huge thank you to the organisers Julie Simpson and Holly Davie. I left feeling energised by all the fellows’ research enthusiasm and passion. I also left having made lots of new connections!”
Publication date: 23rd September 2026
