knowledge bank

In this section of our website we'll highlight key elements of our dissemination methods and provide constantly updated energy-related information relevant to UHI and its partners. The intention is to build an online reference resource, that is accessible to both the UHI research community and the wider public.

We are working during the summer to update these information streams and consequently will update these pages during August to include more detail than you currently see.

Within the UHI Energy team (ERG) we use a number of methods to push information across our network and to gain information on funding calls and collaborative opportunities. We make extensive use of our ERG blog (and its RSS feed) to push relevant information out to our contact network. These articles then become an archive of potentially useful information available to all at any time - we believe this is a more user-friendly tool than an endless stream of emails.

UHI researchers have access to a vast array of information gathering tools, thanks to the reach and speed of modern telecomms. UHI as a whole already makes extensive use of video conferencing to overcome having a campus and research facilities spread across such a large area of Scotland, but through the extensive use various tools available via the telecomms network we are now able to compete with the rest of the world more seamlessly than ever before. Researchers are able to gather and share information, results, theories and collaborate with each other and businesses quickly and effectively regardless of locality. Effectively using this technology and the challenges ahead means this is undoubtedly and exciting, and challenging, time for UHI.

ERG blog

Using networking technology to our advantage

We use the ERG blog to quickly push out information in many formats across our network - from energy related reports & papers to news stories relating to the sector. This gives us a great vehicle to include internet links, supporting material, imagery and so on in a format that most people are now familiar with and encourage subscription by the integrated RSS feed. We are using it as one means of building a knowledge base for energy in terms of links, articles and full reports.

Open the ERG blog in a new tab...

reports

presentations

All the following energy-related presentations have been converted to pdf format for ease of download.

research repository

The UHI Research Repository is a key academic area for any University where all publicly published work is held and can be viewed and reviewed. UHI researchers have their own area where papers can be uploaded to contribute to this UK-wide system.

You can use the repository to search for published work by issue date, author, title or subject - click the image above to start searching for published work in the UHI Repository.

research professional

One of the most effective ways to keep up to date with funding opportunities in your research area is by registering with Research Professional. UHI subscribes to this website on behalf of UHI researchers - it allows research staff to search for research funding and opportunities specifically relevant to their field of interest. Personalized magazines, newsletters and email alerts are set up to stream news, funding opportunities, sponsor requests, jobs, or you can search the database for specific information not usually on your personal feeds. The search works in much the same way as a search engine; once a phrase is entered results are displayed in order of relevance.

We will soon be starting a project creating accounts for all academic research staff not already using the application, setting up basic profiles based on primary research centre. Researchers then have the opportunity to add their own specialist search terms and completely customize their account according to their particular interests.

It is a fantastic resource and used by many Universities across the UK and Europe to enhance their ability to secure funding and collaborative research projects - it is an exciting prospect that UHI is able to participate on a level playing field with other universities across Europe, regardless of geographical location - a sentiment core to the UHI strategy and ethos.

Research Professional is a key tool for enabling researchers to gather filtered information and to find the partners and funding needed to get projects and placements moving.

interface

Networking, collaboration and knowledge exchange

Interface bills itself as "The knowledge connection for business". Their main purpose is to match businesses with academics making available the world class knowledge, expertise and research facilities in all of Scotland’s Universities and Research Institutions.  So far they can claim nearly 400 company and university collaborations initiated, utilising the vast diversity of expertise within universities. They work by making connections with business and determining skills or knowledge shortages and then contacting their network of university connections to source the right match of academic and business opportunity.

At UHI this service is vital to keeping us in touch with businesses across Scotland and serves as a key point of contact in both our commercialisation activities and for businesses connecting with UHI. Our network of business liaison contacts receives targeted opportunity notifications through the UHI Research Office for filtering to the appropriate researchers or students. UHI institutions are also able to utilise the commercialisation expertise at Interface when spin-off projects are instigated.

Interface work closely with University-Technology.com - a web portal set up by 13 Universities of Scotland to promote new technologies from Scotland’s academic base. The site provides an accessible and focussed showcase where all Scottish universities’ new technologies and business opportunities are listed in its entirety.

This is a collaborative project between the technology transfer offices aimed at promoting current research discoveries and technology breakthroughs to a worldwide market, offering users a searchable database where new technology opportunities are featured.  At UHI we also make use of this service and it's extensive RSS feeds to harvest opportunities.