ScotlandIS Data

Data is being deployed to tackle some of our greatest global challenges – from preparing for future pandemics to mitigating climate change, and leading the economic recovery from the ravages of Covid-19.

The Data-Driven Innovation (DDI) initiative in Edinburgh is at the heart of these efforts – collecting, analysing and drawing insights from data to create better futures for us all.

This year’s data conference – a joint venture between The Scotsman and DDI – brings together experts from a range of fields. It builds on the two previous events, which focused on ethics (DOING DATA RIGHT) and collaboration (DOING DATA TOGETHER) and examines how we are harnessing that ethical, collaborative approach – and DOING DATA BETTER as a result.

The event is built around four big themes: data and climate change; data and future pandemics; data and tourism and economic recovery; and data and social/financial inclusion.

The event will also feature short video presentations from specific research projects using data to support efforts to build back better after the pandemic.

Join us as we discuss DOING DATA BETTER – at a time when we need to do this more than ever.

CmdR ScotSoft is the leading tech conference in Scotland and has been running for more than 20 years. It’s an annual festival of ideas and innovation that showcases the best of the Scottish technology sector and brings you sought after speakers from far flung locations.

We seek to help technology businesses and professionals focus on future trends, opportunities for growth, look at personal development in leadership skills and strategies and help the digital community in Scotland prosper. This year will be no different.

We’ll bring together a community like-minded professionals to learn from the very best within our industry – only instead of connecting in person during the day, we’ll do it in a virtual environment.

We’ll be running parallel sessions throughout the day focussing on things your business can do to recover and grow, taking a deep dive into core subjects including cloud, AI, languages and security, and also looking at how technology can help transform non-tech businesses, highlighting some of the best solutions Scotland has to offer.

Some of our confirmed speakers so far include: Bonnie Dunbar, professor of aerospace engineering and inductee of the Astronaut Hall of Fame; Lars Klint, author, trainer, Microsoft MVP, community leader, and Microsoft Azure expert; and Ali Law, Associate at Hanya Partners and all round digital guru.

So, if you’re a practitioner, leader or just an interested observer, book your space now.

We are delighted that we’ll be able to bring the Young Software Engineer of the Year Awards back in person this year.

As always, the YSE Awards showcase some of the brightest minds our universities have to offer.  Nominees are drawn from recent graduates of computer science (and related undergraduate degrees) and the winners decided by our panel of judges, who have over 100 years combined industry experience.  You’ll have the opportunity to meet them all throughout dinner and watch as their dissertation topics are showcased during the evening.

Of course, it wouldn’t be the Young Software Engineer of the Year Awards without a champagne reception to kick the night off. We’ll then take our seats for a lavish three course meal, before watching the Awards and hearing from our special after-dinner speaker – world-renowned Social Engineer and keynote speaker, Jenny Radcliffe.

We’re working with the EICC and the Scottish Government to ensure it’s as safe as possible for you to bring your guests to.  We’ll follow all the rules and restrictions in place at the time and will communicate these to you before the dinner takes place.

Get in touch to book a table. It’ll be more ‘exclusive’ than past years, with numbers a little more restricted than usual to ensure that everyone feels comfortable. Bookings are therefore on a first come, first served basis so we urge you to secure your place as soon as possible so you don’t miss out.

Table prices are as following:

• Table of 10 (ScotlandIS member) – £1800 + VAT
• Table of 10 (non-member) – £2000 + VAT
• Individual dinner ticket – £180 + VAT

In Scotland we are well placed to facilitate emerging Climate Tech into our digital and tech ecosystem.

Data-driven innovation is a cornerstone of Scotland’s tech ecosystem and is well supported by cutting-edge innovation centres, and Climate Tech is fostering an even closer relationship with Scotland’s data ecosystem.

Join us on 14th October and hear from our speakers highlighting the scale of innovation taking place and the opportunities for Scotland’s digital and tech sector.

Come along and learn about how we can seize this opportunity on a global scale.

We will be joined by:

• Darran Gardner, Innovation Specialist at The Data Lab, who will cover the role of data led innovation in addressing our net zero targets.

• Murray Collins, CEO of Space Intelligence, will focus on the latest work Space Intelligence has undertaken with Nature Scot around the Can Do Innovation Challenge.

Transport innovation is a leading player in Scotland’s journey to become net-zero in greenhouse gas emissions.

The greater demand for transport services combined with an increase in population size means that the transportation sector is the only area with an upward trend of C02 emissions. Transport remains a crucial part of our economy and society, therefore we must think creatively.

Join us on 26th October to learn about one of our leading strengths in this sector: Mobility as a Service (MaaS), the integration of various transport modes into a single mobility service.

You will find out more about the application of technologies in MaaS, Tourism and Aviation in reducing carbon emissions.

We will be joined by:

• Ally McInroy, Technology Scotland, who will discuss the role MaaS has to play in delivering sustainability and new modes of transport for businesses and citizens as a whole.
• Josh Ryan-Saha, Travel Tech for Scotland, who will discuss Scotland’s latest cluster and the role travel and tourism can play on our journey towards net zero.
• More speakers to be confirmed.