Generation Scotland Symposium 2025

Join us in-person or online for a day of engaging discussions, networking and learning as we celebrate the 20th year of Generation Scotland. The symposium will bring together founding, past and current researchers, supporters as well as Generation Scotland volunteers from across Scotland.

Prominent researchers who have collaborated with Generation Scotland will share findings, look back at what has been accomplished, and forward to the future of Generation Scotland. The event will highlight our recent recruitment efforts and celebrate the contribution of our volunteers.

Tuesday 26th August 2025, 10:00-16:00, Playfair Library, Edinburgh

Registration is OPEN for the Generation Scotland Symposium 2025

To register, please visit our Eventbrite page.

Presenters will include:

  • Professor Cathie Sudlow, Director, Usher Institute, Director, UKRI Adolescent Health Study (AHS)
  • Professor Andrew Morris, Director, Health Data Research UK
  • Professor Roger Halliday, Chief Executive Officer, Research Data Scotland

See Eventbrite for a full list of speakers and bios.

9:30       REGISTRATION

10:00    INTRODUCTION

Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak 

 

10:15    SESSION 1 | EARLY DAYS OF GENERATION SCOTLAND AND BREAKTHROUGHS 

     PART 1 | CHAIR: Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak

     Professor David Porteous: The Early History of the Cohort

     Professor Riccardo Marioni: Generation Scotland and Omics

Q & A Session: Chaired by Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak

 

11:10    COFFEE AND NETWORKING       

 

PART 2 | CHAIR: Professor Roger Halliday

Professor Heather Whalley:  Recruitment to NextGenScot

Participant Panel: Chair: Professor Blair Smith

A panel discussion featuring four dedicated participants from the Generation Scotland study. This session will delve into the personal experiences and motivations of those who joined Generation Scotland’s mission to advance mental and physical health research. 

 

12:35    LUNCH AND POSTER SESSION

 

13:35    SESSION 2  | GENERATION SCOTLAND RESEARCH 

CHAIR: Professor Riccardo Marioni

Xueyi Shen: Inflammation (int the context of depression)

Professor Naveed Sattar: Troponin and heart disease

Professor Nic Timpson: Longitudinal population studies – jewels in the crown for UK science and the target for Population Research UK

 

14:20    COFFEE AND NETWORKING

 

14:50    SESSION 3 | OPPORTUNITIES IN THE HEALTH DATA LANDSCAPE 

 CHAIR: Professor Andrew Morris

Professor Andrew McIntosh:  Generation Scotland’s contribution to better Mental Health

Professor Cathie Sudlow:  Scotland’s place in the landscape

Panel Discussion: Chair: Professor Andrew Morris 

Symposium speakers will explore the pivotal contributions of Generation Scotland to the global health research landscape.  The panel will focus on Scotland's strategic position in advancing genetic and mental health research.

15:50    CLOSING REMARKS

 

16:00    DRINKS RECEPTION

Please note: the speakers may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.