Grace, from Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire, claimed a two-shot victory over nearest challenger, Ireland’s Jessica Ross, in the 54-hole stroke play event - continuing her outstanding start to 2026, after winning the R&A Student Tour Series event in Spain in February. 

With the victory, Grace has secured an invite to a Ladies European Tour event later in the season, and joins a prestigious list of previous winners that includes Leona Maguire, Mel Reid and Catriona Matthew. 

Third-year Mathematics student Grace, who joked that her clubs were now locked away until after her exams, carded rounds of 71 and 69 at the Portland Course followed by a score of 71 around the Old Course on the final day of competition. 

That left her on five-under par for the championship and ahead of the chasing pack. 

Pride and progress

Reflecting on the success, Grace said: “I’m just so happy to have won. To win a stroke play event of this importance is my best victory to date.

“It’s been a great week in challenging conditions and Jess made it really difficult for me, but I’m so proud. 

“I’ve now got exams coming up so the clubs will be locked away for a week or two!” 

Grace in action during the event at Royal Troon.

Dean Robertson, Head of Golf at the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, said: “Grace’s progression over the past year has been nothing short of outstanding and this victory is another superb achievement. You only have to look at the names of the previous winners to see the calibre of company she is now in. 

“I am absolutely delighted that her hard work is being rewarded and that she now has the opportunity to test herself on the Ladies European Tour later in the season.”

Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence 

The ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ is Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence. At ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, athletes have access to world-class facilities, including a 50-metre pool, unrivalled outdoor space, and state-of-the-art strength and conditioning suites. The coveted high-performance golf programme has recently added a state-of-the-art indoor studio to its facilities, enabling the University's golfers to use data-driven insights to perfect their game.

In addition to its coaching and facilities, ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Sports Scholarship Programme – one of the largest high-performance programmes in the UK – offers athletes funding support, academic flexibility, equipment and kit. It has supported hundreds of athletes since its inception in 1981 – with many competing on the world stage, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. 

Core sports include golf, triathlon, football, tennis, swimming, rugby and curling, while individual scholarships cover all Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports. 

Read more about sports scholarships at the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ. 

Dr Heather Price, Associate Professor in Geography at the University’s Faculty of Natural Sciences, has been chosen as one of Scotland’s 13 most promising academics who represent 11 Higher Education Institutions across the country.

Aimed at supporting Scotland’s next generation of research leaders, the new Scheme will equip participants with the skills to lead major interdisciplinary research bids that address critical scientific and societal challenges.

Real-world impact

As part of a two-year pilot, the Scheme will provide two small cohorts with structured support to build confidence, skills, and leadership capacity through a mixture of mentoring, seed-corn funding, training, and peer learning.

The first cohort, who represent a variety of disciplines, from geography to molecular crop science and public art and design to sustainable development, will work collaboratively around the theme of Building Scotland’s Green Future.

Dr Price said: “I’m delighted to join the first cohort of the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Research Leadership Scheme. My research focuses on air quality, and I’m looking forward to developing leadership approaches that support evidence‑informed decision making and real-world impact.

“I’m particularly excited to work with researchers from across disciplines to develop solutions that contribute to building Scotland’s green future.”

Ambition

RSE Vice President, Research, Professor Anne Anderson OBE FRSE added: “The strength of Scotland’s research sector depends on nurturing talented people, and empowering them to lead with confidence, creativity, and ambition.

“This new Scheme is an important investment in that future. By bringing together researchers from diverse disciplines and supporting them to collaborate on some of the most pressing challenges of our time, the RSE hopes to help build the leadership capacity our country needs.

“I am delighted to see such an exceptional first cohort embark on this journey, and I look forward to following the positive impact they will undoubtedly make.”

Challenges

Professor Alistair Jump, Deputy Principal (Research) at the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, said: "Dr Price’s selection for the inaugural RSE Research Leadership Scheme is a significant achievement and a fitting reflection of her outstanding work to help build a healthier and greener future. 

"The exciting Scheme will provide Dr Price with a platform to further develop interdisciplinary collaborations and lead research that addresses some of the most pressing environmental challenges facing Scotland and beyond. My thanks go to the RSE for their continued support of our impact‑driven research."

There were eight gold, four silver and six bronze medals won by ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ athletes at the action-packed six-day meet at the London Aquatics Centre – which doubles as a selection event for this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and European Aquatics Championships in Paris.

Angharad Evans, Keanna Macinnes and Duncan Scott won two gold medals each, while there was one each for Katie Shanahan and Sam Downie. Notably, Evans made history as she broke two British records as she stormed to the 100m and 200m Breaststroke titles, while Macinnes set a new Scottish record in the 100m Butterfly.

Commenting on the successes, ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Director of Performance Sport, David Bond said: “It’s been another hugely successful Aquatics GB Championships for the programme with ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ athletes putting in some fantastic performances across the board.

“Ben and the team have done a superb job preparing the group and the results are a reflection of the quality and detail of their coaching and how it brings the best out of our athletes.

“With arguably our strongest ever squad of swimmers, the programme continues to go from strength to strength and we’re really excited to see what they can achieve at the Commonwealth Games and European Championships in the summer.”

Golden touch

In the 200m Breaststroke final, Evans produced a stunning performance to smash the previous British record by more than a second and touch the wall in 2:19.70. The swim was also internationally significant, with it confirmed as the fastest in the world this year and the ninth quickest of all-time in the event. She finished ahead of Abbie Wood (2:24.72) in second and Anna Morgan (2:26.40) in third, Evans reflected on her latest success.

Speaking after her first record-breaking final of the week, the 22-year-old Olympian – who has already been pre-selected for Team Scotland’s squad for Glasgow 2026 – said: “The time still has not settled in. I heard the crowd really loudly and I was hoping I was beating my personal best. To not only get the British record but to be the first British woman sub-2.20 is absolutely phenomenal, and I don’t think it will sink in for some time.”

In the 100m event on the final day, Evans swam a time of 1:04.96 – lowering her own British record and becoming the first Brit to go under 65 seconds – to finish ahead of Gabrielle Idle-Beavers (1:07.69). The time was also the fastest in the world in the event this year.

Scott – also a pre-selection for Team Scotland – edged the 200m Butterfly, with a time of 1:54.97 – just six hundredths of a second ahead of Edward Mildred in second. Notably for Scott, his swim also met the European Championships nomination time. The 28-year-old – Scotland’s most decorated Olympian – also took the 200m Individual Medley crown (1:56.08), ahead of second-placed Evan Jones (1:58.09).

Macinnes won both the 100m and 200m Butterfly events. In the 100m, she set a new Scottish record as she touched the wall in 57.57 and fellow ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ athlete Lucy Grieve finished third (58.56). In the 200m, Macinnes finished with a time of 2:07.02, ahead of Emily Richards (2:07.70).

Meanwhile, Shanahan won gold and met the Glasgow 2026 consideration time in the 200m Backstroke (2:09.89), ahead of Honey Osrin (2:10.12) in second and ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s Holly McGill (2:11.71) in third.

Downie was crowned champion in the Multi-classification 400m Freestyle, winning in 4:44.07.

Podium places and nomination standards

Also at the meet, there were silver medals for Freya Anderson, Evie Davis, Jack McMillan and Suzie McNair and bronze medals for Downie, Lucy Grieve, McGill, Scott and Shanahan. See full medal breakdown in table below.

There were also further consideration standards for the Commonwealth Games hit by Northern Irish swimmer McMillan (100m, 200m and 400m Freestyle) and Scots Evie Davis (100m Freestyle), Lucy Grieve (100m and 200m Butterfly), Macinnes (100m and 200m Butterfly), Holly McGill (200m Backstroke) and George Smith (200m Breaststroke, 400 Individual Medley).

Scott and Macmillan also confirmed their places on Aquatics GB’s 4x200m Freestyle Relay team, alongside James Guy and Matthew Richards.

ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ medal table: Aquatics GB Championships 2026

Teams are set to confirm their final squad selections for the Commonwealth Games in the coming weeks. In February it was confirmed that ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Head Coach Ben Higson will head up Team Scotland’s swim team in Glasgow.

The University’s high-performance swim programme is led by Higson and supported by coaches Bradley Hay, Josh Williamson and Charlie Boldison.

The ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ is Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence. Through the powerful and inspirational combination of performance sport, recreational sport, research and education, we are delivering medals on the world stage, improving the health and wellbeing of the nation, and producing the next generation of leaders within sport.

At ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, athletes have access to world-class facilities, including a 50-metre pool, a state-of-the-art indoor golf studio, unrivalled outdoor space, and state-of-the-art strength and conditioning suites. In addition to its coaching and facilities, ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Sports Scholarship Programme – one of the largest high-performance programmes in the UK – offers athletes funding support, academic flexibility, equipment and kit. It has supported hundreds of athletes since its inception in 1981 – with many competing on the world stage, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. Core sports include tennis, golf, triathlon, football, swimming, rugby and curling, while individual scholarships cover all Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports.

Read more about sports scholarships at the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ.

Studying great ape cognition, how the animals think, learn, and understand the world, is crucial for understanding the foundations of human cognitive abilities. However, work is often hindered by small sample sizes and restricted access to data.

Researchers at almost 100 institutions supported the creation of the -funded – with hopes high that the resource could enhance scientific understanding of how human intelligence has evolved.

Psychologist Dr Alejandro Sanchez-Amaro from the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s Faculty of Natural Sciences led efforts to develop the open-access dataset, which is the largest and most comprehensive collection of experimental studies of great apes’ cognition and behaviour available globally – bringing together 262 experimental datasets from 150 publications.

Dr Sanchez-Amaro explained: “In our field, ape participation per study is usually low. Most studies therefore focus on specific questions and tend to produce relatively small datasets.

“Compiling an open-access dataset involving over 80 different great apes participating in over 150 studies over an extended period of time is quite unique in comparative psychology.

“We expect this dataset to be used for both research and educational purposes in psychology, biology and disciplines related to human evolution. A testament to the uniqueness and value of our dataset is the collaboration of over 100 co-authors who contributed their data and helped us standardise it for future use.”

As members of the Hominidae family, humans share a recent evolutionary history with other great apes. Chimpanzees and bonobos are our closest living relatives, having diverged from a common ancestor with humans around six million years ago.

A study by the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ and University College Cork analysed decisions made about additional time – also known as stoppage or injury time – across the 64 matches of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the 51 matches of the Euro 2024 championships. It found that referees allowed play to go on for as much as two unexplained minutes, on average, in the second half of the game. 

The findings suggest that referee behaviour may not be entirely objective, especially during the World Cup games, where a one goal increase in the margin between teams at 90 minutes would on average reduce the added time played by around a minute. This calls into question sporting fairness and the training of referees. 

Concerns over time-wasting

The results also challenge whether standards are consistent across the sport – especially if the rules are not being followed by officials at the very highest level. The findings come to address concerns of time-wasting in the game. 

As the USA, Canada and Mexico gear up to host the FIFA World Cup 2026, the study suggests a need to improve officiating systems in football, and to consider whether standards are consistent across FIFA’s member federations.  

The authors also propose the more radical step of removing the timekeeping task from the referee and using automated technology such as an artificial intelligence-powered stopwatch.

The study found many groups transformed their role from sport providers into critical sources of social support during the public health crisis.

Led by Dr Claudio Rocha, Senior Lecturer in Sport, and co-authored by Dr Jennie Morgan, Senior Lecturer in Heritage, the study explores how small, community sports clubs (CSOs) in Brazilian favelas responded to the Covid pandemic, and whether their actions helped communities cope and recover.

Based on interviews with 13 sport managers across four favela regions, the research found that rather than shutting down when sport activities were halted by public health restrictions, organisations adapted rapidly. 

With limited access to technology and infrastructure, online delivery was not viable. Instead, CSOs pivoted to meet urgent needs – distributing food parcels, sharing public health information, transporting residents to vaccination centres, and forming partnerships with NGOs and local groups.

Favelas

Dr Rocha said: “Sports clubs in some of the world's most deprived urban communities can act as a critical social safety net during crises – stepping in where governments do not.

“Our research showed that organisations in Rio de Janeiro favelas stepped up during the Covid crisis, delivering food, supporting public health efforts, and filling critical gaps left by government services. 

“In doing so, they didn’t just survive, they became more trusted and embedded in their communities, creating a virtuous cycle where communities supported them in return.

“We also found that poorer communities are far more exposed to the damage extreme emergencies cause, yet the very organisations doing the most to protect them are often excluded from the academic and policy conversation around crisis management.

“Our research has real implications for how policymakers should think about supporting such communities before the next emergency hits – whether a pandemic, flood, or economic shock. 

“Policymakers should recognise and fund community sports organisations in deprived areas not only as sport providers, but also as essential emergency infrastructure, meaning that when the next crisis hits, the most vulnerable communities have a stronger, better-resourced network of local organisations ready to hold them together.”

Resilience

The research extends stakeholder theory of crisis management by recognising CSO managers themselves as affected stakeholders. Many faced personal hardship during the crisis yet continued to lead community responses. 

The study suggests resilience develops in stages – starting with individuals, then organisations, and ultimately the wider community.
The findings highlight three key drivers of community resilience: strong leadership and responsibility among managers, the ability to fill gaps left by limited public sector support, and a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. 

The research also underlines the broader significance of CSOs as part of the social safety net in deprived communities. In the absence of sufficient government support, these organisations became central to crisis response, demonstrating their capacity to mobilise resources and protect vulnerable populations.

The efforts made by CSOs strengthened trust and cooperation, with many residents later giving back to the organisations that had supported them.

Support

Researchers argue that policymakers should better recognise and support CSOs – not only as sport providers but as essential emergency infrastructure. Strengthening partnerships between governments and community organisations could significantly improve preparedness and response in future crises.

While the findings are grounded in the specific context of Brazilian favelas, they offer valuable lessons for similarly disadvantaged communities worldwide.

The study was published in the journal Social Sciences.

It was funded by ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Crucible, a development opportunity created by the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ for its researchers.

The Professor of Politics and Public Policy has been elected in recognition of excellence in his discipline, and an ongoing commitment to advancing knowledge for the benefit of society.

The RSE was founded in 1783 and leverages the combined knowledge of its 1,800-strong Fellowship to tackle the most pressing issues facing society, provide independent expert advice to policymakers and inspire the next generation of innovative thinkers.

Policymaking research

Professor Cairney uses scientific research on policymaking to inform real-world problems, at Scottish, UK, and EU levels of government. In October 2025, he became the Principal Investigator of the UKRI-funded , which fosters policy innovation and coherence through collaboration.

Professor Cairney, said: “I am delighted to have been elected as a Fellow of The Royal Society of Edinburgh.

“I look forward to working with many new colleagues to show how research can inform policy routinely, and to help early career colleagues understand the policy processes in which they engage.”

Knowledge for the public good

Professor Sir Gerry McCormac, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, said: “On behalf of the University community, I warmly congratulate Professor Paul Cairney on being elected as a Fellow of The Royal Society of Edinburgh.

“We are very proud of Professor Cairney's achievements and of this recognition by the RSE, a prestigious organisation of international renown which celebrates excellence and advances knowledge for the public good.”

Professor Cairney is among , who will use their knowledge for the public good as part of Scotland’s National Academy.

Multidisciplinary perspectives

RSE President Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli PRSE said: “It is a great privilege to welcome this group of such exceptional people into the Fellowship of the RSE.

“Each of our new Fellows brings a unique background, expertise and insight to the National Academy of Scotland, and we are thrilled to have them join us.

“The challenges that face Scotland, and the world, are numerous and growing. The RSE’s diverse membership and its expertise enable us to bring multidisciplinary perspectives to a wide range of issues of significance for Scotland and the world, including some of today’s most pressing health issues.

“Today’s new Fellows from across sciences, humanities, creative arts, and the professions have demonstrated excellence in their field, and a commitment to use their knowledge for public good.

“On behalf of the Society, I congratulate them all on their tremendous achievements.”

, published on April 1 in Nature, provides the most comprehensive assessment to date of reproducibility in the social and behavioural sciences. Reproducibility is defined as whether the same results can be obtained by re-running the same analyses on the same data.

This is distinct from replicability, which tests the same question with new data, and robustness, which tests it using alternative analyses on the same data.

Experimental psychologist Dr Arran Reader from the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s Faculty of Natural Sciences was part of an international team of researchers from over 100 institutions involved in the study.

He explained: “It is important that results reported in research accurately reflect the analyses conducted. By working together in a large-scale collaboration, it was possible to examine whether this was the case for 600 journal articles published in a range of fields.

“That three-quarters of the evaluated results could be precisely reproduced when data and code were available highlights the importance of sharing these resources. Whilst an inability to reproduce a previous finding does not mean that it is incorrect, it could indicate that the description of the analysis is incomplete or ambiguous.

Students from the 2025 Documentary Production module at ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ won both Best Short Form Factual and Best Long Form Factual at a ceremony in Glasgow on Thursday, 26 March.

Ben and Nathan McQuaid, Dylan Antscherl and Jack Cunningham made about the charity Autism on the Water, which has given hundreds of autistic children sailing experience.

Maisie Pirrie, Kyle Bruce, Cairnie Glaister and Greta Martin produced about Scott Findlay, president of Scottish and British Sumo.

Absolute highlight

Maisie Pirrie, director of Sumo Like a Scotsman, said: “It’s amazing to see the documentary getting recognised in such a way.

“A huge thank you to Dario [Sinforiani, Head of Production Teaching] and all the staff [at the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ] for the amazing help and guidance throughout, as well as Scott Findlay and the Clan Sumo family for being so amazing throughout.

“Making this documentary was an absolute highlight of my time at ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, and it’s something I will look back fondly on for a long time.”

Very happy

Ben McQuaid, director of Turning the Tide, said: “We are very happy to have won this award. In telling Murray's story, we wanted to make a film that pushed us as a group, tested us as filmmakers and told a story just as ambitious as the lives of our contributors.

“We were inspired that we got to make a documentary that allowed us to meet so many new people and film in locations across the country.

“We’re very thankful to the staff [at the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ] for allowing us to make such a film and for teaching us many of the skills required to do it right.

“Getting to make this film and tell the story of Murray, Kirsty and of the lives touched by Autism on the Water has been something we are all very proud of.”

Proud record

Since 2023, ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ students have won eleven RTS Scotland Awards, including four consecutive best Long Form Factual gongs.

Professor Dario Sinforiani, Head of Production Teaching, said: “Teaching and technical staff in production are delighted that films produced by ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ students have again been recognised by industry judges to be the best in Scotland.

“We are very proud of the long track record of success for ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ students, and these two films are outstanding examples of the quality of work that they can produce. These films tell important stories in creative, engaging and very impactful ways.”

Sports scholars Liam Hignett, Nemanja Malesevic, Rob Cowley, Cameron Fryer and Kyle McKay beat the University of Nottingham to lift the coveted trophy at British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Big Wednesday – the climax to the team sport season. The 4-0 victory adds another title to ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s 2025/26 BUCS honours, having already secured the National League, Doubles and Individual Championships – an unprecedented achievement in a single BUCS season.

It came as Shayne Humphries – a ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ athlete and Winning Students 100 scholar – retained the BUCS Mixed Wheelchair Basketball Championship with the University of Nottingham, beating Loughborough 66-58. BUCS allows players to compete for other universities due to the infancy of the sport in the programme.

Across the day, ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ – Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence – and ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Sports Union also won four silver medals in the Women’s National Championship, Men’s National Vase and Men’s National Trophy in tennis, and in the Men’s National Championship in football. 

See an image gallery from BUCS Big Wednesday at the bottom of this page, or .

Captain Liam Hignett - Player of the Match - celebrates after winning the point that secured the Championship for ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ.

Cathy Gallagher, Executive Director of Sport at the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, said: “It was a great finish to BUCS Big Wednesday with our Men’s First Tennis Team winning the National Championship, adding to their league, doubles and singles titles. The team has dominated at UK university level throughout the season, and their achievements are to be celebrated – congratulations to the players and their coaching and support staff.

“I was also proud to see Shayne Humphries put in an excellent performance to win the Mixed Wheelchair Basketball Championship for the second year in a row.

“As Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence, we were well represented here at BUCS Big Wednesday, and we shouldn’t forget all the teams that competed here today – well done to all and we look forward to getting back here next year.”

Shayne Humphries won gold at BUCS in the Mixed Wheelchair Basketball Final.

The Men’s First Team took on last year’s title winners University of Nottingham in the Tennis National Championship Final. ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ dominated from the start, with pairings Malesevic and Cowley and Hignett and Fryer winning their doubles matches. McKay put in an impressive performance to win the first of the singles matches just seconds before captain Hignett overcame his opponent to seal victory for ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ.

Hignett, who was awarded Player of the Match, enjoyed the win – but admitted there were mixed emotions as it could be his last in ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ green, as he is due to graduate with a BA (Hons) Sports Studies this summer. Speaking after hitting the winning shot, he said: “There are so many happy emotions, but there’s a bit of sadness too because I’m not sure if it’s my last one.

“What a team we have this year, especially with Nemanja coming in; he has been an amazing addition. We all gel so well together, every day we train hard – and this is the end product of the work that we put in, it’s an absolute delight.”

He also paid tribute to Scott MacAulay, Lead Tennis Coach at the University, who was awarded Performance Coach of the Year at the Tennis Scotland Awards 2026. In addition to the National Championship win, MacAulay has also led the Men's 1s to this season's BUCS National League title, the Doubles title - with Hignett and Cowley winning, and the Individual Championships title, with Malesevic crowned the best student player in the UK.

Hignett added: “I think we’ve got it right – the atmosphere is brilliant, we all get on well and Scott is a great leader. I think this is the first time that one university has taken all four men’s titles in the same season – and that’s testament to the hard work, leadership and facilities with which the University provides us.”

Unbelievable

Reflecting on the win, MacAulay said: “It was an unbelievable performance – to win it without losing a rubber was great. We’ve had a fantastic year – winning all four titles in the same academic year.

“These guys have shown great dedication to the programme, training every day, in the gym five days a week, playing national and international events away from student competition too. They have put in hard work and dedication and now are reaping the rewards – I’m sure they’ll be celebrating.”

David Bond, Director of Performance Sport at the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, said: “Congratulations to our Men’s First Team in tennis and to Shayne on his personal achievement. They’ve worked very hard all year, and it has culminated in them bringing home big wins from Loughborough.

“Having five teams at BUCS Big Wednesday is the greatest representation we’ve ever had there, showing the strength of our high-performance programmes at the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ.”

Results

In other tennis results, the Men’s 2s narrowly missed out on gold in the National Vase, coming up short in a shootout against Loughborough 2s; while the Women’s 1s lost 4-1 to Loughborough in the National Championship Final and the Men’s 3s were beaten 4-2 by Nottingham 3s in the National Trophy Final.

In football, the Men’s First Team – who this season won BUCS Premier North for the fifth time in six years – were defeated 3-1 by Nottingham. Chris Geddes’ side have an opportunity to bounce back later this week, as they play two further finals – Cumnock Juniors in the South Challenge Cup on March 29 and Heriot-Watt University in the Queen’s Park Shield on April 1.

Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence

The ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ is Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence. Through the powerful and inspirational combination of performance sport, recreational sport, research and education, we are delivering medals on the world stage, improving the health and wellbeing of the nation, and producing the next generation of leaders within sport.

At ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, athletes have access to world-class facilities, including a 50-metre pool, a state-of-the-art indoor golf studio, unrivalled outdoor space, and state-of-the-art strength and conditioning suites. In addition to its coaching and facilities, ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Sports Scholarship Programme – one of the largest high-performance programmes in the UK – offers athletes funding support, academic flexibility, equipment and kit. It has supported hundreds of athletes since its inception in 1981 – with many competing on the world stage, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. Core sports include tennis, golf, triathlon, football, swimming, rugby and curling, while individual scholarships cover all Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports.

Read more about sports scholarships at the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ.

Beaver populations across Europe and North America are recovering from historically low levels after being hunted to near extinction.

Across Britain, the species are being reintroduced because of their positive impact on biodiversity and their role in managing river flows. However, these efforts are often met with opposition from landowners.

Now a new study led by Dr Alan Law of the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ's Faculty of Natural Sciences has shown that, on average, beaver-created wetlands had 19% more species than other types of wetland.

The research team now believe that their findings could hint at the scale of past biodiversity loss associated with a lack of beaver-dependent wetlands, while offering a glimpse of what could now be gained from their widespread reintroduction.

Experienced engineers

Study lead Dr Alan Law, a Lecturer in Nature-Based Solutions, said: “Biodiversity is good for humans as we depend on it, whether directly or indirectly, for essential resources such as food and clean water. A species such as beaver that improves biodiversity via restoring our environments for free should be welcomed with open arms.

“We need to learn to live alongside beavers again, accept that parts of our environment are under new hydrological management by an experienced engineer, and provide time and space to fully realise the wider benefits that come from this."

The study took place at 18 different wetland sites in Evo, Finland, nine of which were created by beavers.

The Fife Miners’ Memorial Way is being developed by the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s Eco-Museum of Scottish Mining Landscapes, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The project offers local communities the opportunity to help shape a long-distance walking and cycling route linking memorials across the Kingdom.

Led by Dr Catherine Mills, Senior Lecturer in Environmental History at the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, the project responds to growing community interest in recording personal stories and local histories alongside physical memorials.

Dr Mills said: “Living in Fife and having worked with mining communities since 2016, I am very aware of the importance of miners’ memorials, and I am delighted that the Fife Miners’ Memorial Way is now being brought to life.”

Dedicated memorial way

The idea for the Fife route came from former miner Iain Chalmers, who suggested creating a dedicated memorial way during a public event linked to the Before and After Coal exhibition at Kirkcaldy Galleries.

Iain Chalmers said: “In Fife we are proud to have the Pilgrims Way that follows the route pilgrims took through Fife to St Andrews. With the memorials, cairns and murals in the former mining towns and villages I always felt that the same principle could be applied, with a route that connects all the mining areas in the Kingdom along with the stories of each memorial. When I mentioned this at a talk in Kirkcaldy Galleries the response was very positive indeed, and I’m pleased that my dream is becoming a reality.”

(l-r) Dr Catherine Mills, Richard Baker MP and Iain Chalmers

Sites already added include memorials in Valleyfield, Blairhall, and a new stained-glass memorial in Kincardine which marks the 40th anniversary of the 1984–85 miners’ strike. Sites identified for inclusion include memorials in Cowdenbeath, Cardenden, Glencraig, Kelty, Kirkcaldy, Dysart, East Wemyss, Lochore Meadows Country Park, and a mural in Comrie.

Artist Keira McLean, who led on the creation of the Kincardine memorial, said: “It was an amazing experience working with members of the Kincardine community to create this lasting stained-glass tribute to the 1984 miners’ strike. Our group was made up of striking miners, families of miners, citizen archivists, and historians. Together we researched, designed, and made Scotland's only stained-glass window commemorating the miners' strike. The window, now housed in Kincardine Library, is enjoyed by the whole community. I hope in some small way this project gives voice to those affected and mistreated during the strike and reinforces the power of art as a way of sharing our struggles and histories."

Artist Paul McGinty, whose works are inspired by the coalmining industry in Fife, said: “As a Fife-based abstract painter with family history roots connected to the mining industry, my paintings seek to recognise, celebrate, and preserve mining heritage for future generations. I am delighted to be involved in this project, which will help realise those objectives.”

Locals are encouraged to submit photographs, locations and personal stories connected to memorials important to them or their community.

Proud mining history

Richard Baker MP for Glenrothes and Mid Fife said: “It’s impossible to think about Fife without talking about our proud mining history, which was such a major driving force in shaping our communities.

“Even though the industry has fallen silent, our mining heritage feels very much a part of our collective consciousness still.

“You don’t need to walk far to find someone who either worked as or had a close relative who was a miner, and the losses and hardships our mining communities endured through the years are still keenly remembered.

“The Fife Miners’ Memorial Way is an excellent way to connect these stories and ensure our history continues to remain relevant.

“It creates a literal journey through our past and I’m certain the route will be fascinating and informative both to visitors and to Fifers who lived and breathed those times.”

The mapping phase will continue until summer 2026, with plans to work with local walking and cycling groups to create a connected route through Fife. Contributions can be submitted , or sent via email to mining-landscapes@stir.ac.uk.

Opportunities for communities

The Eco-Museum of Scottish Mining Landscapes is the first industrial eco-museum in Scotland, created with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The virtual museum focuses on the Scottish Midland coalfield which spans an area from Ayrshire to Fife, with visitors able to download new cycling and walking routes created by local communities to both commemorate their mining history, heritage, and a sense of place.

Caroline Clark, The National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for Scotland, said: “Fife has hugely important mining and industrial heritage.

“Thanks to National Lottery players, this grant will enable the Fife Miners’ Memorial Way project to develop this new long-distance route and deliver opportunities for communities along its length to get involved, enabling Fife voices to tell Fife’s story.”

However, analysis also shows that many workers remain exposed to second-hand smoke in settings not fully covered by legislation, such as private homes visited by care workers and outdoor hospitality.

The study led by Professor Sean Semple, of the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s Institute for Social Marketing and Health (ISMH), analysed data across 26 years (1998–2024) from the , examining salivary cotinine, a biomarker that measures recent tobacco smoke exposure in non-smoking adults.

The research paper was published in the journal Tobacco Induced Diseases.

The research shows there was a 95.7% reduction in average salivary cotinine levels among non-smokers between 1998 and 2024, with the most rapid decline occurring in the years immediately after Scotland’s smoke-free legislation came into force.

However, since 2011, improvements have slowed – in 2024 almost a quarter of non-smoking adults still had measurable levels of cotinine, indicating ongoing exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke on any given day.

Professor Sean Semple

Professor Semple said: “Scotland’s smoke-free legislation has delivered extraordinary public health gains. The scale of the reduction in second-hand smoke exposure since 2006 is remarkable and shows how effective bold legislation can be.

“Scotland should be immensely proud of this achievement, and we should celebrate our success in clearing the air and improving health for the millions of people who previously had to breathe second-hand smoke at work and in leisure settings. We’ve had twenty years now where the majority of people in Scotland no longer breathe the toxins from cigarette smoke during their daily lives.

“But nearly a quarter of non-smokers are still exposed to tobacco smoke, and many of these exposures are happening at work – particularly in outdoor hospitality, transport settings and during visits to private homes. No one should be forced to breathe in tobacco smoke while doing their job.

“Although exposure levels today are typically much lower than before 2006, repeated low-level exposure still carries health risks. If we want to achieve Scotland’s ambition of reducing smoking to below five per cent by 2034, we need renewed focus on protecting workers and tackling the widening inequalities in home exposure.”

The research also examined smoking rules inside homes between 2012 and 2024. The proportion of smoke-free homes increased from 75.2% to 90.2%, equating to an estimated 380,000 additional smoke-free households across Scotland.

However, inequality has widened substantially. Homes in the most deprived communities are now more than ten times more likely to permit smoking indoors than those in the least deprived areas - more than double the inequality gap recorded in 2012.

The researchers say that extending smoke-free protections to additional workplaces, alongside targeted cessation support and practical interventions to encourage smoke-free homes, could help reduce remaining exposure and tackle growing health inequalities.

Dr Rachel O'Donnell

Co-author, Dr Rachel O’Donnell of the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s ISMH, said: “As Scotland celebrates the 20th anniversary of its landmark smoke-free legislation, our study shows both the enduring success of the policy and the need for the next phase of action to protect those still at risk.”

Dr Garth Reid, Consultant in Public Health at Public Health Scotland, said: “Smoking is one of the biggest causes of ill health and premature death in Scotland. Thanks to the smoking ban we have historically low smoking rates in Scotland, and we’re keen to encourage more people to give up smoking as we progress to becoming smoke-free in 2034.

“Giving up smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health, and the benefits start to happen quickly – even for people who have smoked for a long time. 

“Whether you’re ready to stop, or just beginning to think about it, the NHS Scotland stop smoking service, Quit Your Way, and your local pharmacy are here to help you stop smoking and stay stopped in a way that is right for you.”

Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “Banning smoking in indoor public places was a landmark moment for Scotland and one we can all be proud of.

“Since 2006, cigarette smoking has almost halved. To support people to quit we fund NHS smoking cessation services across Scotland, with more than 30,000 quit attempts recorded last year with their help.

“I’m pleased the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which is in its final stages, provides new powers to Scottish Ministers to expand existing smoke-free spaces as well as create vape- and heated tobacco-free spaces. This will help ensure we meet our target of a tobacco-free Scotland by 2034 and further reduce exposure to health-harming products.”

Hosted by British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS), the competition will see a record number of ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ teams play at the showcase event, which comprises finals across 16 sports.

The Men’s and Women’s First Tennis Teams and the Men’s First Football Team play National Championship Finals – the highest level of UK student sport. In tennis, the Men’s 2s and 3s will also compete for the National Vase and National Trophy, respectively.

There is also ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ interest in the Mixed Wheelchair Basketball Championship Final, where Shayne Humphries – a student at the University who is also supported by Scotland's national scholarship programme, Winning Students 100 – will compete for the University of Nottingham. BUCS allows players to compete for other universities due to the infancy of the sport in the programme.

David Bond, Director of Performance Sport at the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, said: “Good luck to all our athletes competing at BUCS Big Wednesday today – the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ community will be cheering you on and we wish you all the best in your finals.”

The  will be live streaming the top fixtures from today’s event in Loughborough, Leicestershire – see details below. You can also follow via the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ social media accounts.

BUCS Big Wednesday fixtures with ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ involvement

*ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ basketballer Shayne Humphries competes for the University of Nottingham. BUCS allows players to compete for other universities due to the infancy of wheelchair basketball in the BUCS programme.

Tennis success continues

BUCS Big Wednesday comes as ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ tennis ace Nemanja Malesevic was crowned champion of the BUCS Individual Championships at the weekend. Nemanja dropped just one set in the five matches he played to lift the coveted trophy – the biggest individual event in UK student tennis. ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s Liam Hignett won a bronze medal, as did Halle Pringle in the women’s event.

It has been a hugely successful season for the high-performance tennis programme at ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, with the Men’s First Team retaining the BUCS National League title; Rob Cowley and Liam Hignett winning the BUCS Men’s Doubles Championships – overcoming ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ stablemates Cameron Fryer and Nemanja Malesevic in the final; and Anna McBride winning her fourth consecutive singles title and third doubles title in four years at the Australian Open’s Intellectual Disability Championship. Lead Coach Scott MacAulay also won Performance Coach of the Year at the Tennis Scotland Awards 2026.

Hat-trick of football finals

Today’s football match versus Nottingham is the first of three finals that Chris Geddes’ side will play in just eight days – with the schedule also including Cumnock Juniors in the South Challenge Cup Final on March 29 and Heriot-Watt University in the Queen’s Park Shield Final on April 1.

Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence

The ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ is Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence. Through the powerful and inspirational combination of performance sport, recreational sport, research and education, we are delivering medals on the world stage, improving the health and wellbeing of the nation, and producing the next generation of leaders within sport.

At ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, athletes have access to world-class facilities, including a 50-metre pool, a state-of-the-art indoor golf studio, unrivalled outdoor space, and state-of-the-art strength and conditioning suites.

In addition to its coaching and facilities, ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Sports Scholarship Programme – one of the largest high-performance programmes in the UK – offers athletes funding support, academic flexibility, equipment and kit. It has supported hundreds of athletes since its inception in 1981 – with many competing on the world stage, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. Core sports include golf, triathlon, football, tennis, swimming, rugby and curling, while individual scholarships cover all Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports.

Read more about sports scholarships at the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ.

Like other parasites, such as mosquitoes and ticks, salmon lice secrete substances from their glands which make it easier for them to feed or evade their host’s immune system.

The study, led by PhD researcher Alexander Dindial alongside colleagues Professor James Bron and Dr Sean Monaghan at ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s world-renowned Institute of Aquaculture, in collaboration with Kevin McLean, compared secretory proteins released by infectious young, larval stage, salmon lice (copepodids) with those found in adult lice.

They found considerable differences in proteins between the two life stages, which they believe could provide an important insight for successful early infection on susceptible hosts such as Atlantic salmon.

Salmon lice feed on the skin, mucus, and blood of the host, causing open wounds that can lead to infection – reducing their market value, and increasing the chances of secondary infections and susceptibility to other diseases.

Treatment challenges

Various treatments have been developed to tackle sea lice infestations in aquaculture – which costs the industry more than £1bn a year – but these can be expensive, unreliable, environmentally damaging and negatively impact animal welfare.

In total, 143 secretory proteins were found in copepodid secretions that are absent in adults, including many – such as serpins, previously identified in land‑based terrestrial ectoparasites, that have been shown to play a role in limiting the host’s immune response.

The evaluation assessed the Care digital platform over a 12-month period in 78 care homes across all Scottish health boards. The platform combines online music and movement group sessions which are led in-person by care home staff.

Researchers found that residents taking part in the activities reported lower levels of loneliness and reduced fear of falling, while staff delivering the sessions reported higher wellbeing, lower stress levels and improved job satisfaction.

Residents and staff completed surveys at the start of the programme and again at six and 12 months.

The evaluation was led by Professor Anna Whittaker of the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s Centre for Research and Innovation in Sport (CRIS), part of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport.

Professor Anna Whittaker

Professor Whittaker said: “Physical activity is widely recognised as a key factor in maintaining health and quality of life among older adults. However, delivering consistent exercise opportunities in residential care settings can be challenging due to staffing pressures, varying resident abilities and limited access to specialist instructors.

“Digital platforms such as danceSing Care aim to address these barriers by providing flexible, accessible resources designed specifically for older adults.

“Our research found that danceSing Care can contribute to improved wellbeing metrics for both care home residents and staff.

“This suggests it would be beneficial to implement an evidence-based resource like this more widely to support physical, mental and social activity and improve the health of older people and their carers.”

The danceSing Care platform provides pre-recorded sessions of around 20 minutes, delivered by care home staff. Activities include chair-based exercise, strength and balance training, and dance styles such as salsa and ballroom. Staff receive training to deliver the sessions safely and adapt movements to residents’ individual abilities.

Researchers note that the evaluation was designed as a programme assessment rather than a controlled research trial, meaning the findings should be interpreted as preliminary. The team recommends further investigation through a larger cluster-randomised controlled trial to assess a broader range of health outcomes.

The paper was published in the journal Advances in Geriatric Medicine and Research.

The research was funded by the Scottish Government Digital Directorate, which awarded £125,000 to danceSing to support the project. Of this, £15,000 was allocated to the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ for consultancy on methodology and analysis.

The ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ is Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence. Through the powerful and inspirational combination of performance sport, recreational sport, research and education, we are delivering medals on the world stage, improving the health and wellbeing of the nation, and producing the next generation of leaders within sport.

The Centre for Research and Innovation in Sport drives world-class, multidisciplinary research and innovation - working in partnership to deliver tangible benefits for athletes, coaches, organisations and communities globally.

The University's sports courses are in high demand - offering students the opportunity to develop their skills, knowledge and experience across a range of subject areas.

Our alumni include those who have gone on to secure high-profile roles at the top of sport, including at English Premier League football clubs and sports governing bodies.

Esports (electronic sports) are organised competitive video game competitions in which players or teams compete against each other, often in professional tournaments watched by live and online audiences.

Researchers surveyed 400 esports fans in South Korea, evenly split between those attending official in-person tournaments and those watching unofficial online streams.

Using statistical modelling, the team examined how different motivations for watching esports – including appreciation of player skill, entertainment, and social interaction – are linked to positive psychological outcomes.

While earlier studies have shown that esports viewing can support wellbeing, this study breaks new ground by directly comparing how the process works across official onsite and unofficial online settings.

By comparing two groups, the researchers found that the pathways from motivation to flow to wellbeing work in similar ways in both contexts, but with key differences.

The study found that esports spectators can experience psychological benefits, such as immersion and improved subjective wellbeing, when watching competitions – whether they are attending an official onsite event or watching through unofficial online streams.

However, simply admiring professional players’ gameplay and strategies does not directly improve wellbeing, the study shows. Instead, skill-based motivations – such as learning strategies or analysing high-level play – were linked to wellbeing only when they produced a state of flow, a psychological experience characterised by intense focus and enjoyment. The concept of flow was first introduced by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.

Entertainment motivations, including drama, novelty and escapism, were found to directly enhance spectators’ subjective wellbeing in both viewing settings. However, their influence on immersion differed depending on where fans watched. At official live esports events, entertainment strongly predicted the experience of flow, while among viewers watching unofficial online streams it did not significantly trigger the same level of deep engagement.

Social motivations also played different roles across platforms. For viewers watching unofficial streams online, social interaction and shared community experiences were directly linked to improved wellbeing. In contrast, for fans attending tournaments in person, social motivations contributed to wellbeing indirectly by encouraging deeper immersion in the viewing experience.

Meaningful benefits

Dr Sungkyung Kim, Assistant Professor in the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, who led the study, said: “Esports is often discussed in terms of competition and performance, but our findings show that spectators can also experience meaningful psychological benefits.

“Fans who watch esports to learn from skilled players do not gain a wellbeing boost simply from admiring great play. They need to become fully absorbed in the experience first.

“That state of flow, where you lose track of time and feel completely engaged, is what turns an interest in skill into a real benefit for how you feel. This was true for fans at live events and for those watching streams at home.”

Dr Hee Jung Hong, Associate Professor in the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, who co-authored the study, added: “What is encouraging is that the fun side of esports - the drama, the excitement, the novelty - directly makes fans feel better regardless of where they watch. And when we tested whether the overall psychological process differs between live and online audiences, we found no significant difference.”

Practical opportunities

The findings also point to practical opportunities across the esports ecosystem. Event organisers may benefit from creating sensory-rich environments that encourage spectators to become immersed in live competitions, while streaming platforms could develop features that highlight gameplay skill and support more structured viewing experiences.

Broadcasters and content creators may also enhance engagement by designing coverage that encourages sustained attention, particularly when showcasing high-level competitive play.

While traditional sports spectatorship has been widely studied, esports research has focused on players rather than viewers. This study helps address that gap by examining how passive spectatorship can contribute to positive psychological outcomes.

The research also highlights esportslives’ distinctive dual spectatorship model, where audiences frequently move between watching professional competitions and engaging with community-driven streaming content.

The cross-sectional study surveyed 400 South Korean esports consumers and analysed the data using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).

The study was published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior.

Alex Medley, from Auchterarder, joins the Boccia UK programme which is designed to develop young talent in the Paralympic sport and support athletes to reach the highest level.

The 20-year-old is a ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ and Winning Students 100 scholar, enabling him to train and compete in high-performance sport while studying Mathematics.

David Bond, Director of Performance Sport at the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, said: “We are proud to hear of Alex’s selection for the Boccia UK Talent Transition Squad. Alex is a talented individual who has the potential to go far in his sport, and we are delighted he’s based here at Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence. We wish Alex all the best as he continues to pursue an exciting future in boccia, alongside his degree.”

Alex Medley was introduced to boccia at a multi-sports day, organised by Scottish Disability Sport.

Similar to bowls, boccia requires players to throw, roll or kick coloured balls as close as possible to a white target ball, known as the jack. Testing players’ muscle control, strategy and accuracy, the sport is played individually, as pairs or in teams of three over a set number of ends. Each side has six balls an end, with the winner the one with the most points at the end of a match.

Alex was 10 years old when he was first introduced to boccia at a multi-sports day organised by Scottish Disability Sport. In October, he made his Boccia UK debut at the Olbia Challenger in Italy, finishing sixth having won all his pool matches.

Alex said: “Last season felt very successful. I’m proud of how I performed but, at the time, I think I was most ecstatic about wearing GB kit and representing Great Britain for the first time.”

As well as benefitting from the sports scholarship at the University, which provides access to world-class sports facilities, academic flexibility and strength and conditioning, Alex is supported by Scottish Disability Sport and coached by Peter McGuire, who represented Great Britain at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Alex added: “I’m really looking forward to learning different skills and absorbing knowledge from the coaches and players around me and applying it to my own game. Making it onto the Boccia UK Talent Transition Squad is a brilliant step forward. I’m just breaking into the international level and this will really help me push forward.”

Talent Transition Squad

Alex begins his 2026 season at the Northern Ireland Challenger in March.

The Talent Transition Squad programme is led by Boccia UK and is supported by Boccia England, Disability Sport Northern Ireland, Scottish Disability Sport and Disability Sport Wales.

Liz Fisher, Head of Performance Pathway at Boccia UK, said: “Alex has demonstrated solid potential to progress and compete at world-class events. He performed brilliantly on his debut in Olbia and approached the tournament with a great deal of maturity. What we see in Alex is an ability to think strategically which is so crucial in this sport. The best boccia players are always thinking a few moves ahead and assessing different outcomes.

“We’re really looking forward to working more closely with him, providing him with performance coaching and more opportunities to compete at an international level.”

Sarah Watts of the University’s Faculty of Natural Sciences and colleagues were recognised for their research article published in Restoration Ecology, Why the present is not the key to past or future: moving beyond restricted relict habitat conditions to improve outcomes in mountain woodland restoration.

Sarah received the Award from Dr Helen McKay OBE FICFor CEnv, Chair of The Scottish Forestry Trust’s Projects and Research Committee at the Confor Dinner and Awards 2026 on Wednesday, 11 March. 

The Award is given to the best article or paper, based on Trust-funded research, published within a two-year period. And for the 2026 Award those published between January 2024 and December 2025 were eligible.

It is presented in memory of Dr Cyril Hart (1913-2009), known to many through his invaluable book, Practical Forestry for the Agent and Surveyor, and other publications. Amongst his other proud professional moments was his receipt of Gold Medals from the Royal Forestry Society and from the Institute of Chartered Foresters.

The Award aims to recognise invaluable research which delivers the widest practical benefit to the widest forestry community, and the Scottish Forestry Trust are proud to offer this Award in Dr Cyril Hart’s name.

Building on inspiring action

Speaking at the Awards Dinner, when presented with the Award, Sarah said: “I’m absolutely delighted to receive the Dr Cyril Hart Memorial Award 2026 from The Scottish Forestry Trust as recognition of the contribution that my research is providing to evidenced-based woodland management.

“It is particularly encouraging to have mountain woodland restoration highlighted in such a meaningful way demonstrating that our high-altitude trees are gaining much wider interest and support across the wider forestry sector.

“My research builds on decades of inspiring action by National Trust for Scotland staff and volunteers to protect and expand threatened montane willow populations.

ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ researcher Sarah Watts speaks after receiving her award.

“The study challenges the assumption that the places where these populations survive today represent the most suitable environments for planting. Instead, present-day habitats may be refugia reflecting historical pressures such as long-term overgrazing, rather than the full range of opportunities available for recovery.

“By guiding practitioners across Scotland towards even more ambitious and effective mountain woodland restoration, we can enhance biodiversity and help build more resilient upland landscapes for the future.”

Dr Helen McKay OBE FICFor CEnv, Chair of The Scottish Forestry Trust’s Projects and Research Committee who reviewed all of the submissions said: “Sarah’s paper records the results of re-survey of a large sample of downy willow (Salix lapponum) 16 years after planting in the Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve.

Distinctive contribution

“The results were very clear - the growth and probability that individuals had reached reproductive size were actually much greater for individuals planted in sites that are poorly represented among those of the current relict distribution of the species, justifying a much broader selection of sites for restoration.

“This is an excellent study, based on rigorous sampling in a difficult location. The framing of the study is excellent and the paper makes a distinctive contribution from a strong evidence base.”

Ms Watts added: “I’d like to thank my PhD supervisors Professor Alistair Jump and Professor Kirsty Park of the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, and Dr Nadia Barsoum of Forest Research for supporting my study, and I am extremely grateful for project funding from The Scottish Forestry Trust, ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, Woodland Trust, Corrour Estate, Macaulay Development Trust, National Trust for Scotland, Forest Research, and Future Woodlands Scotland.”

The winner of the Award receives a striking trophy created by Angus Clyne of Perthshire. This living trophy will be held by the recipient for two years before being returned in advance of the 2028 Award being presented.

Sarah and her colleagues will also be asked to add their paper to the USB stick in the vessel and to contribute to the found objects contained within the trophy.

At the BUCS Conference Finals in St Andrews, the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ – Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence – won six out of nine finals: two in hockey, two in football, and one each in basketball and tennis.

Elsewhere, there were semi-final wins for four tennis teams – ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Men’s 1s, 2s and 3s and the Women’s 1s – and for the Men’s 1s football team. All five will compete for major honours at BUCS Big Wednesday, where the top teams from UK student sport go head-to-head in a thrilling end-of-season finale in the Midlands on March 25.

Remarkably, the football team’s progress to BUCS Big Wednesday means they could win a hat-trick of trophies in just eight days. At BUCS Big Wednesday, on March 25, Chris Geddes’ side will go up against University of Nottingham 1s in the National Championship Final before taking on Cumnock Juniors in the South Challenge Cup Final on March 29. They will then play either the University of Strathclyde or Heriot-Watt University in the Queen’s Park Shield Final on April 1.

ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ won both the Men's and Women's Hockey Trophies at the BUCS Conference Finals.

David Bond, Director of Performance Sport at the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, said: “On behalf of everyone here at Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence, I am delighted with 11 brilliant wins this week, which have seen six trophies brought back to campus, and five teams qualify for major finals.

“It was a fantastic day in St Andrews – with our athletes winning six out of their nine finals across basketball, football, hockey and tennis. All of those involved – including those who returned with runners-up medals – should be incredibly proud of their achievements.

“And a huge congratulations goes to our four tennis teams and men’s footballers, who put in excellent performances in their semi-finals to serve up an exciting climax to the BUCS season. We can’t wait for BUCS Big Wednesday and will be cheering on our teams from the sidelines.”

ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ 6s beat Strathclyde 4s 5-2 to lift the Men's Football Trophy in St Andrews.

BUCS Conference Finals: six-trophy haul

The BUCS Conference Finals, delivered in partnership with Scottish Student Sport, were played in St Andrews on Wednesday, 11 March. ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ won both the Women’s and Men’s Hockey Trophies, securing wins over the University of Edinburgh in each match. The women dramatically saw off Edinburgh 7s on penalty flicks following a 1-1 draw, while the men scored a late winner to beat Edinburgh 6s 2-1.

ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ footballers won both the Men’s Football Trophy – with the 6s beating Strathclyde 4s 5-2 – and the Men’s Football Cup, with the 4s winning 2-0 against Robert Gordon University 1s. ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ 3s won 4-2 against Edinburgh 3s in the Women’s Tennis Cup, and in the Women’s Basketball Cup, ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ 1s secured a 75-61 victory over Dundee 1s to take the title.

The University also picked up silver medals in tennis (Men’s 5s losing 4-3 to Aberdeen 1s), lacrosse (Women’s 1s losing 11-8 to Edinburgh 4s) and netball (Women’s 1s losing 40-39 to Aberdeen).

The University won the Women's Tennis Cup during a trophy-laden day in St Andrews.

Laura Shaw, Sports Union President at the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, said: “What a day it was for our nine teams at the Conference Finals in St Andrews. We are incredibly proud of our teams that made it to finals day. It is one of my favourite days of the year; seeing our teams come together supporting each other from the sidelines and winning matches.

“To bring home six golds is an incredible achievement for all the teams, and our silver medallists should still be equally as proud as their matches were very close.”

BUCS Big Wednesday: five semi-final wins

The University also competed in five BUCS semi-finals on Wednesday - and won all five matches.

In the Men’s National Championship, ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ 1s – made up of captain Liam Hignett, Nemanja Malesevic, Cameron Fryer and Kyle McKay – beat Durham 1s 5-1, with four victories in the singles and one in the doubles. They progress to the final where they will play Nottingham 1s.

The Women’s 1s – captained by Halle Pringle – beat Leeds Beckett 1s in the National Championship to make the final, where they will take on Loughborough 1s. Also in tennis, the Men’s 2s won a shootout over Nottingham 2s, following a 3-3 draw, to secure a spot in the National Vase Final, where they will play Loughborough 2s. The Men’s 3s beat Loughborough 3s 4-0 in the National Trophy and will play Nottingham 3s in the final.

Lewis Blane opened the scoring for ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Men's 1s in their semi-final win over Cardiff Metropolitan (Credit: George Vekic Photography).

In football, ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Men’s 1s beat Cardiff Metropolitan 1s 4-0 – with goals from Lewis Blane, Finn Moffett, Thomas Vonk and Sam Martin – to progress to the National Championship Final, where they will take on Nottingham 1s.

BUCS Big Wednesday will be hosted at Loughborough University, Leicestershire, on March 25. The Men's National Championship Final in the football will kick-off at 4.30pm at Loughborough University Stadium. The tennis finals will take place at Dan Maskell Tennis Centre, with the Men's Vase from 8.30am, the Men's Trophy from 10.30am, the Women's National Championship from 1.30pm and the Men's National Championship from 3.30pm.

Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence

The ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ is Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence. Through the powerful and inspirational combination of performance sport, recreational sport, research and education, we are delivering medals on the world stage, improving the health and wellbeing of the nation, and producing the next generation of leaders within sport. 

At ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, athletes have access to world-class facilities, including a 50-metre pool, a state-of-the-art indoor golf studio, unrivalled outdoor space, and state-of-the-art strength and conditioning suites.

In addition to its coaching and facilities, ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Sports Scholarship Programme – one of the largest high-performance programmes in the UK – offers athletes funding support, academic flexibility, equipment and kit. It has supported hundreds of athletes since its inception in 1981 – with many competing on the world stage, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. Core sports include golf, triathlon, football, tennis, swimming, rugby and curling, while individual scholarships cover all Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports.

Read more about sports scholarships at the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ.

Grace, from Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire, lifted the trophy at La Sella Golf Club, near Alicante, after finishing four shots ahead of New Zealander Caitlin Maurice, of the University of St Andrews, and six ahead of Swede Elice Fredriksson, of Halmstad University.

It comes weeks after fellow ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ golfer Will Coxon won the men's event in Portugal – and further underlines ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ's position as Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence and as an attractive destination for golf scholars from across Europe.

In the men’s event in Spain, ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s George Cannon and James Wood finished third and fourth, respectively – putting themselves in contention for the Order of Merit title as they head into the Tour’s final event in St Andrews at the end of March.

Exceptional

Dean Robertson, Head of Golf at the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, said: “Grace was very good – she put in an exceptional performance, and the win was a real validation of all that work she has put in.

“Her first round was great – recording four under par – but it was how she followed up in her second round that really impressed me. This was her finest performance and her most significant win to date – I am thrilled for her.”

Grace, a third-year Mathematics student, made a strong start at the par-72 La Sella course, which was experiencing dry and firm conditions. She completed her first round in 68 shots, four under par, and followed up with rounds of 72 and 74, to finish the competition two under. She finished ahead of Caitlin Maurice (+2) and Elice Fredriksson (+4), while ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s Ellie Docherty also secured a top 10 place (10th, +17).

The results leave Grace in sixth position in the overall Order of Merit for the season, with 154 points from four events. ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ stablemate Abercrombie Nisbet is tied ninth on 65 points.

In the men’s event in Spain, ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s George Cannon finished third (+1) and James Wood fourth (+2). George is third in the overall Order of Merit (225 points), James is fifth (203 points), while ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s Ross Laird (8th, 164 points), Will Coxon (9th, 163 points) and Nicholas Wall (10th, 161 points) are also in the top 10 with one event to go. The final event will take place in St Andrews between March 30 and April 1, with enhanced points available – 1.5 times the standard, meaning several ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ golfers remain in contention.

“George and James performed brilliantly,” Dean said. “There has been a lot of learning this week too and we will use the next few weeks to finesse our game going into the final R&A event.”

BUCS

ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s golfers will compete in a host of other BUCS events across the rest of the season too – including the Scottish Student Sport Championships at Moray Golf Club (5-7 April), the Team Championship and Trophy Finals (22-23 April), and the Tour Finals at Princes Golf Club (5-7 May). They will also be hopeful of international callups over the summer, once student competitions end.

In an exciting summer of sport, Dean will again take charge of Great Britain and Ireland (GB&I) as they go up against the United States at the Walker Cup on 5 and 6 September. Dean was reappointed Captain of GB&I after taking charge of the team for the first time at the 50th edition of the Walker Cup, at Cypress Point Club in California. The team trailed by just one point going into the 10 closing singles matches, however, ended up losing 17-9. Dean’s meticulous work behind the scenes, along with the strong rapport developed with the players, helped secure backing for his second stint as Captain at Lahinch Golf Club, County Clare, Ireland.

Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence

The ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ is Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence. At ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, athletes have access to world-class facilities, including a 50-metre pool, unrivalled outdoor space, and state-of-the-art strength and conditioning suites. The coveted high-performance golf programme has recently added a state-of-the-art indoor studio to its facilities, enabling the University's golfers to use data-driven insights to perfect their game.

In addition to its coaching and facilities, ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Sports Scholarship Programme – one of the largest high-performance programmes in the UK – offers athletes funding support, academic flexibility, equipment and kit. It has supported hundreds of athletes since its inception in 1981 – with many competing on the world stage, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.

Core sports include golf, triathlon, football, tennis, swimming, rugby and curling, while individual scholarships cover all Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports.

Read more about sports scholarships at the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ.

Psychologist Dr Aysha Motala of the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ's Faculty of Natural Sciences was co-first author on a new study which examined how people's brain activity changes when listening to engaging stories in background chatter.

It found that, as the noise increased, brain activity in auditory areas became more unique to each person, while regions in the cingulo-opercular network – the area involved in attention and mental effort – showed more similar patterns across listeners.

A large number of brain regions in the frontal, parietal, and medial cortices responded strongly when one part of the story ended and another began, and this effect remained stable even with moderate noise.

The research team now hope that this could lead to improvements in assistive listening technology, with most existing neuroscience taking place in ideal listening environments.

Dr Anna Crawford, a Lecturer in Physical Geography, and Postdoctoral Research Fellow Dr Iain Wheel, are members of the (Greenland Ice sheet to AtlaNtic Tipping points) project, a large international collaboration of 17 partners led by the (BAS).

Through GIANT, researchers hope to understand how much meltwater is released from Greenland’s fjord glaciers, how it enters the North Atlantic Ocean and how this process influences ocean circulation and the global climate system.

Despite the implications for lives and livelihoods around the world, scientists currently don’t have a clear picture of how Greenland’s fjord glaciers interact with the surrounding ocean, and the 200 or so narrow fjords have so far been impossible to capture in global computer models.

Dr Anna Crawford of the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ's Faculty of Natural Sciences.

Dr Anna Crawford, a glaciologist and Lecturer in Physical Geography at the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, said: “The circulation of the North Atlantic Ocean is critical for global climate. That circulation could be disrupted by vast quantities of freshwater coming from the Greenland Ice Sheet as it loses mass due to climate change.

“ARIA's GIANT project is focused on Greenland's fjords, which are the connection points between the Greenland Ice Sheet and the open ocean.

“ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s component of this international collaboration will focus on how the outlet glaciers that drain the Greenland Ice Sheet fracture and generate icebergs within these fjords.”

To gather unprecedented observations this summer, researchers will head to Greenland to deploy a sophisticated suite of technologies, including airborne drones, autonomous marine robots, satellites and instruments embedded directly into glacier ice.

Researchers will head to Greenland later this year to carry out pioneering work (credit: Rob Larter).

This coordinated observing system will allow researchers to study glacier behaviour on all scales, from individual cracks in the ice all the way up to the flow of meltwater and icebergs into the North Atlantic. The data collected will feed directly into multiple computer models boosted by both machine learning and AI.

As a result, scientists will incorporate Greenland’s fjords into the UK’s main climate model and develop a prototype early warning system that could provide advance notice of rapid glacier change.

Cutting-edge climate modelling

ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ researchers are specifically involved in the computer modelling work that will run in parallel with observational and field data collection.

A key strength of the GIANT project is that its computer modelling work will run alongside observational studies and the collection of data in the field.

The annual exercise aims to replicate the works of the North Atlantic Council – NATO’s principal political decision-making body – by simulating the response to a major crisis.

More than 100 participants from 32 universities across the UK, Canada and France took part in the event held on February 25 at the FCDO offices in London.

(l-r) Dylan Coker, Katy Smith and Beth Howe

The 2026 event began with a welcome from Juliet Dryden (BISA CEO/Director) and Professor Mark Webber (University of Birmingham and Model NATO Academic Lead), followed by a virtual talk from UK Ambassador to NATO, Angus Lapsley, and Deputy UK Ambassador to NATO, Ingrid Southworth.

They gave students some tips on negotiation skills, and how to get the most from the day.

Two thirds of the participating students sat on the Military Committee, where they were tasked with agreeing a detailed set of actions to be endorsed in a final declaration by a simulated North Atlantic Council - NATO’s highest authority.

Each student had been given a NATO ally to represent and had done research into their country’s resources and political positions prior to the Model. They had also been given a briefing outlining the goals of the Model.

The agenda of the day focussed on enhancing deterrence and defence to the east of the Alliance with each committee given the task of agreeing a statement that pointed towards this aim.

All students received a commemorative certificate for their participation in the event.

Learning opportunity

Megan Dee, Senior Lecturer in ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Politics at the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, who served as the Team’s mentor, said: “Model NATO is a fantastic active learning opportunity, providing our students with first-hand insight of NATO, international negotiation and diplomacy.

“The students did a great job, applying their skill in communication and argumentation, all while having opportunity to network and receive career advice from officials in the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.”

The study found that Rwanda’s 2016 National Electrification Strategy (NES) – which led to a significant increase in access to electricity for the country’s population – had a serious environmental trade-off. And the authors say that their findings should act as a warning for other Sub-Saharan African countries considering a similar move. 

Synthetic Control Method

Researchers from the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ and, in Spain, the University of Seville and Loyola University Andalucia, studied energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and people’s accessibility to electricity in 42 African countries between 2000 and 2020. Data was sourced from the World Bank. 

Since it was impossible for researchers to know how Rwanda would have fared without implementing the NES, the team used a technique called the Synthetic Control Method to create a "counterfactual" or a "could-have-been" scenario if the policy had not been implemented.*

Phosphorus remains one of the most significant pollutants in England’s rivers. In recent decades, the overall concentration of phosphorous in English rivers has declined, most likely due to the introduction of phosphorus removal technologies at Sewage Treatment Works (STWs), changes to fertiliser use and adoption of best management practices in agriculture.

The new report, published on March 2, found that rivers where phosphorus concentrations dropped by larger amounts were more likely to show ecological improvement.

Improvement

Reduced phosphorus levels and improved ecological indicators were both strongly associated with rivers in Eutrophic Sensitive Areas where significant investment in phosphorus removal at sewage treatment works has occurred - with 30 of 38 sites showing dual improvement (phosphate and River Macrophyte Nutrient Index).

Most catchments in England face multiple pressures with several significant water management issues needing to be tackled, before ecology can fully recover, underlining the importance of integrated catchment planning.

We continue to make progress towards the government's Environment Improvement Plan targets, set in the Environment Act 2021, for reducing nutrient pollution from wastewater.  

For agriculture, this is being achieved through an expanded regulatory farm inspection programme, and our contributions to farm advice and incentive schemes, including Catchment Sensitive Farming and Environmental Land Management schemes.

Phosphorus reduction at sewage treatment works is one element of a comprehensive strategy that includes river basin management planning, coordinated drainage and wastewater management, and increasing investment in nature-based solutions. 

Professor Nigel Willby of the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ

Professor Nigel Willby, of the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ's Faculty of Natural Sciences, who specialises in freshwater sciences said: "Phosphorus is a significant pressure on freshwaters and sewage treatment is a major source of this phosphorus. Managing nutrient inputs should therefore benefit the ecological health of rivers.

"In this study, using data from hundreds of sites on English rivers with long runs of overlapping data on nutrients and biology, we found encouragingly that phosphorus levels have widely improved on a decadal scale.

"Biological improvements were commoner where phosphorus had also been reduced, often coinciding with the largest reductions in phosphorus, but were patchy and often took years to emerge. Nutrient loads to rivers evidently can be managed to give positive ecological outcomes but these are not quick or guaranteed wins."

Crucial to understanding

Environment Agency's Chief Scientist Rob Bradburne said: “Our scientific evidence and data are crucial to understanding and tracking progress, enabling us to assess the impacts of decades of investment and regulation designed to reduce phosphorus pollution.

“This research confirms that phosphorus reduction in rivers is leading to ecological recovery with aquatic plant life beginning to shift towards a more diverse range of species. 

“We need to maintain momentum and continue to bring nutrient levels down through wastewater management, river basin management planning and utilising nature-based solutions.”

Dr David Fleming, of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and Dr Clare Bird, of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, have received small grants, while postdoctoral research fellow Dr Marly Samuel, of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, has been funded for an international joint project with the University of Malawi.

Dr David Fleming has received a grant for a short-term residency at the University of Lisbon that is connected to a Film and Death project funded by the European Research Council. The project will enable the production of a practice-based film-philosophy work on the theme of Philosophers’ Afterlives on Film, as well as a Special Issue of the leading videographic journal [in]Transition.

Dr Fleming said: “This research explores how global screen media shape our understanding of philosophical legacies and the afterlives of important thinkers. By combining creative practice with critical inquiry, the project advances film-philosophy as a mode of research and opens new ways of engaging with questions of death, memory, and mediation.”

Inclusive and sustainable

Dr Clare Bird has received funding for a study of how the rare marine species Globorotaloides hexagonus, which thrives in low-oxygen waters, can be used as a proxy in the oxygen minimum zone off the coast of South America. 

Dr Bird said: “Ocean deoxygenation is one of the most pressing consequences of climate change but direct oxygen measurements in the ocean span only the past few decades and are spatially limited, so robust geological proxies are needed to extend this record. There is a multi-billion dollar fishery off the coast of South America supporting local and global economies, which is what makes our study of the proxy development of G. hexagonus in this region so significant.”

Dr Marly Samuel was funded for an ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Joint Project (Stream 1), along with collaborator Dr Elita Chamdimba of the University of Malawi, for a study working with young people to help share local perspectives and lived experiences of people in Lake Chilwa in southern Malawi, through participatory and digital learning.

Dr Samuel said: “This research amplifies the voices of Malawian lakeshore communities by bringing forward significant local and indigenous realities, stories, and perspectives that are rarely heard but are deeply important. The project will help shape more inclusive and sustainable approaches for lake management and livelihoods.”

Breadth, importance and innovation

In total, more than £856,000 was given in funding by the RSE to 92 projects across 17 Scottish universities and research institutes.

Professor Alistair Jump, Deputy Principal (Research) at the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, said: “We are proud to see ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ colleagues represented strongly in the latest RSE awards and congratulate each of them on their funding success. These awards are a testament to the breadth, importance and innovation of our research. Many thanks to RSE for their support of our research that makes an impact.”

RSE Vice President, Research, Professor Anne Anderson OBE FRSE, said: “The RSE’s Research Awards Programme plays a crucial role in supporting and strengthening Scotland’s vibrant research community. I am confident that the recipients of these prestigious RSE awards will advance knowledge and deliver meaningful benefits for Scottish society. On behalf of the Society, I warmly congratulate these outstanding researchers and their international partners, and I look forward to seeing the impact of their work.”

.

ADR (Administrative Data Research) Scotland, a partnership between the Scottish Government and academic researchers, has been awarded £25 million in funding from to continue its work to 2031.

The investment promises to transform data linkage research, drive significant progress towards and answer key questions about health, education, justice, and social equality.

Professor Cruft, a philosopher in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, said: “Public services hold significant data about their users which can inform the development of fair, just and efficient public policies. This new grant will allow administrative data to be used for the public good.  

“As ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ ethicists, we will provide expertise aimed at ensuring trustworthiness is at the heart of the programme. We will advise the Scottish Government on data ethics and citizen engagement, to ensure the public can contribute democratically to decisions about how this data is used in policymaking and public good research.”

Professor Rowan Cruft

Research from ADR Scotland to date has provided insights into ; in partnership with Police Scotland explored ; and an ongoing project is focused on the .  

This investment will allow ADR Scotland to expand its work, strengthen collaborations between government, academia and the public sector, and ensure that insights from data are translated into real-world impact. 

Scottish Government, Minister for Public Finance Ivan McKee said, “I am pleased that the innovative work carried out by ADR Scotland will continue to provide data-driven insights on the complexities we face as a nation. The Scottish Government remains a committed partner in ADR Scotland, recognising the power of data to shape more informed, effective policy. We will continue working closely with academic and public sector colleagues to ensure that research is aligned with Scotland’s priorities and delivers meaningful impact.” 

ADR Scotland Co-Director and Chief Statistician for Scotland Alastair McAlpine, said “The work of ADR Scotland is vital to provide high quality evidence in policymaking using our wealth of data. The work of ADR improves specialist researcher access to this data, upholds secure and ethical standards and ensures public confidence is maintained. This significant investment opens up exciting opportunities for Scotland and the wider UK. It strengthens our ability to collaborate across governments, sectors, and disciplines, unlocking the full potential of administrative data to deliver real public benefit.” 

More information on the ADR UK investment can be found . 

Despite enduring horrendous weather on course, including torrential rain, strong winds and thunderstorms, Will emerged victorious at Palmares Golf Club in the Algarve – winning by one shot.

With the final day’s play cancelled due to the conditions, Will finished in top spot after two rounds, on six over par, ahead of Conor Stapleton, of Maynooth University, in second (+7), and Judd Sundelson (University of St Andrews) and Tommy Evans (University of Exeter) in tied third (+10).

The Portuguese competition followed the opening two events – at Halmstad Golf Club, Sweden, in September, and Malone Golf Club, Ireland, in October. Players have this week arrived in Spain for the fourth event of the Tour Series, ahead of the final at St Andrews next month. The ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ has several players – including Will – in contention for the R&A Student Tour Series Men’s Order of Merit, which recognises the best player over the five events.

Character

Reflecting on Will’s performance in Portugal, the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s Head of Golf Dean Robertson said: “There was a lot of torrential rain and strong gusts of wind, so it was very much about survival – improvising and adapting to the challenging conditions the players’ faced. Will showed a great deal of character, grit and determination to win the event – he did well and I’m delighted for him. His win has opened the battle for the Order of Merit title, as we go into the last two events. It will be an exciting climax.”

Thirteen players – eight men, five women – from the University’s lauded high-performance golf programme have arrived in Spain ahead of the fourth event in the Series, which will be played at La Sella Golf Club, near Alicante. The competition runs from Tuesday to Thursday this week [24-26 February] and will be followed by the final event in St Andrews, running 30 March – 1 April.

The top 20 finishers in the first four events receive anywhere between 5 and 120 points, while the final meet in St Andrews will see those points multiplied by 1.5 – meaning the race for the overall title remains wide open.

Contention

In the Men’s Order of Merit, the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s Ross Laird sits third on 162 points, behind Sam Haynes-Coote (University of Exeter, 201 points) in first, and Patrick Curran (National College of Ireland, 180 points) in second. ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ also has several others in contention: Nicholas Wall (5th, 146 points), Alexander Farmer (6th, 145 points), George Cannon (9th, 135 points), and James Wood and Will Coxon (tied 11th, 120 points).

In the Women’s Order of Merit, ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s highest ranked golfers are Abbie Nisbet (tied 8th, 65 points) and Grace Bowen (11th, 54 points) – with the leader Cailtin Maurice, of the University of St Andrews, on 245 points.

Separate to the R&A Student Tour Series, ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Mixed 1s currently sit top of the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Premier North league. They play the University of the Highlands and Islands in their final league match at Royal Dornoch on Wednesday, 18 March.

ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s golfers will compete in a host of other BUCS events across the rest of the season too – including the Scottish Student Sport Championships at Moray Golf Club (5-7 April), the Team Championship and Trophy Finals (22-23 April), and the Tour Finals at Princes Golf Club (5-7 May). They will also be hopeful of international callups over the summer, once student competitions end.

In an exciting summer of sport, Head of Golf Dean Robertson will again take charge of Great Britain and Ireland (GB&I) as they go up against the United States at the Walker Cup on 5 and 6 September. Dean was reappointed Captain of GB&I after taking charge of the team for the first time at the 50th edition of the Walker Cup, at Cypress Point Club in California. The team trailed by just one point going into the 10 closing singles matches, however, ended up losing 17-9. Dean’s meticulous work behind the scenes, along with the strong rapport developed with the players, helped secure backing for his second stint as Captain at Lahinch Golf Club, County Clare, Ireland.

Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence

The ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ is Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence. At ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, athletes have access to world-class facilities, including a 50-metre pool, unrivalled outdoor space, and state-of-the-art strength and conditioning suites. The coveted high-performance golf programme has recently added a state-of-the-art indoor studio to its facilities, enabling the University's golfers to use data-driven insights to perfect their game.

In addition to its coaching and facilities, ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Sports Scholarship Programme – one of the largest high-performance programmes in the UK – offers athletes funding support, academic flexibility, equipment and kit. It has supported hundreds of athletes since its inception in 1981 – with many competing on the world stage, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.

Core sports include golf, triathlon, football, tennis, swimming, rugby and curling, while individual scholarships cover all Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports.

Read more about sports scholarships at the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ.

Ryan Martin was crowned 1,500-metre champion after an incredible performance at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield – completing the distance in a season’s best time of 3:46.94, ahead of Archie Parkinson (3:47.08) and William Thomas Strickley (3:49.10), both from the University of Birmingham.

In the 800-metre event, Sofia Vidak took silver as she recorded a personal best of 2:05.42 – just behind Lucy Rebecca Armitage (2:03.06, Manchester Metropolitan University) and ahead of Katie Johnson (2:10.56, University of Birmingham). Notably, she won bronze in the same event last year.

ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s third medal was delivered by Cameron Thores, competing in the T4 60m Ambulant, who put in a season’s best time of 7.60 to finish third, behind Thomas Young (7.26) and Leon Serning (7.31), both from Loughborough University. He won silver in the same event in 2025.

Ryan Martin, centre, won gold at the BUCS Indoor Championships after a stunning performance in the 1,500-metres (credit: BUCS/Adam Bates).

David Bond, Director of Performance Sport at the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, said: “On behalf of everyone here at Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence, I send our congratulations to Ryan, Sofia and Cameron on their medals at the BUCS Indoor Championships. To see our athletes on the podium at a national meet is a proud moment – and testament to their, and their coaches, continued hard work here at the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ.”

Ryan’s gold medal is his latest success, coming months after he was selected to compete for Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the Under-23 European Athletics Championships. The 22-year-old, from Bordon in Hampshire, is in third year at ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, studying BSc Sport and Exercise Science, and trains under the tutelage of Michael Wright, the University’s Performance Endurance Coach.

In the coming weeks, Ryan will travel to the United States where he will train alongside former world champion middle-distance runner Jake Wightman.

Sofia Vidak finished second - winning silver - in the 800-metre event (credit: BUCS/Adam Bates).

Sofia, from Denny in ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈshire, is a third year Sport Development and Coaching student, while Cameron, from Edinburgh, is also in his third year studying Politics.

At ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, athletes have access to world-class facilities, including a 50-metre pool, unrivalled outdoor space, and state-of-the-art strength and conditioning suites.

Cameron Thores, left, won bronze in the T4 60m Ambulant (credit: BUCS/Morgan Harlow).

In addition to its coaching and facilities, ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Sports Scholarship Programme – one of the largest high-performance programmes in the UK – offers athletes funding support, academic flexibility, equipment and kit. It has supported hundreds of athletes since its inception in 1981 – with many competing on the world stage, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. Core sports include swimming, football, triathlon, golf, tennis, rugby and curling, while individual scholarships cover all Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports. 

Read more about sports scholarships at the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ.