Nominations announced for Scotland’s Young Software Engineer of the Year 2026
ScotlandIS, the trade body and cluster management organisation for Scotland’s tech sector, has revealed the shortlist for the Young Software Engineer of the Year Awards, taking place on 24th September.
Now in their 37th year, the awards aims to recognise the best and brightest minds graduating from our universities across Scotland in 2026, held as part of ScotlandIS’ leading annual technology conference, ScotSoft.
Each year, universities nominate the student with best final-year project, with an expert panel of judges adjudicating which student receives first, second and third prizes with an additional Leidos Best Engineering Prize.
Just some of this year’s fascinating shortlisted projects include an AI system that brings together a symptom assessor and appointment booking system for GPs, a tool that extracts 3D models from wildlife images of animals that are difficult to study in the wild, a project analysing data to forecast the effects of alcohol on Scotland’s health, and an application designed to simplify the bike fitting process for female cyclists.
The 2026 shortlist comprises:
- Rebekah Leslie, University of Aberdeen
- Jack Briggs, Abertay University
- Danyl Kecha, University of Dundee
- Morgan Daniel, University of Edinburgh
- Jacob Lewis, Edinburgh Napier University
- Neelan Patel, University of Glasgow
- Callum Gourlay, Glasgow Caledonian University
- Ivan Meister, Heriot Watt University
- Kobina Ampofi-Forson, Robert Gordon University
- Lily Martin, University of St Andrews
- Lea Kotzmuth-Clarke, University of Stirling
- Eva Blues, University of Strathclyde
- Dominika Stachowska, University of the West of Scotland
Graeme Smith, former winner and now SVP of Engineering at Zalando, said: “I’ve seen the Young Software Engineer of the Year awards from both sides. The YSE award really helped me get attention from employers in the early stages of my career.”
Graeme previously worked for Amazon for 16 years, in roles including Managing Director of Amazon Development Centre (Scotland) and CEO of Amazon-acquired Sizmek. In the past, ScotlandIS member Amazon Web Services has sponsored the Young Software Engineer Awards.
“As an employer, I’m proud to support the awards because it’s important to recognise upcoming talent and it’s been a great way for us to get introductions to these graduates, several of whom we have hired in the past.”
The YSE Awards dinner always concludes with a notable after-dinner speaker, with years gone by featuring faces from comedian Kevin Bridges, to Olympian Chris Hoy, to former SAS: Who Dares Wins star Colin Maclachlan.
However, in the last couple of years we’ve introduced musical entertainment to round off the evening, all possible thanks to our After Dinner Entertainment sponsor, Lloyds.
The Young Software Engineer of the Year Awards couldn’t happen without the other incredible sponsors that support the awards: KAL, who kindly sponsor the YSE brochure highlighting all the former winners; Sopra Steria, BCS and Resillion who sponsor the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes respectively; and Leidos who sponsor the Best Engineering prize.
ScotSoft is Scotland’s leading annual technology conference, with insightful technical and leadership-style speakers from around the globe.
If you’re inspired to learn more about the Young Software Engineer of the Year Awards, or book a table or a ticket, head on over to our website or give us a call on 01506 472200.