Generation Scotland Symposium 2025

Generation Scotland Celebrates 20 Years with a special Symposium.

On Tuesday 26th August 2025 we celebrated the 20th year of Generation Scotland with a day of engaging discussions, networking and learning. The symposium brought together founding, past and current researchers, supporters as well as Generation Scotland volunteers from across Scotland.

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

Event Summary

The event opened with a warm welcome from Dame Anna Dominiczak. Professor David Porteous then shared the story of how Generation Scotland began, followed by Professor Riccardo Marioni, who spoke about what biomarkers can tell us about health, followed by a Q&A session chaired by Dame Anna. 

Morning discussions continued with Roger Halliday introducing the NextGenScot initiative. Professor Heather Whalley explored recruitment efforts, complemented by a participant panel chaired by Professor Blair Smith, giving voice to those who make the research possible.

In the afternoon, Xueyi Shen spoke about inflammation and depression, and Professor Naveed Sattar shared what we are learning about cardiometabolic health. We also heard from Professor Andrew McIntosh on mental health research, Professor Cathie Sudlow on opportunities for Scotland to lead in health innovation, and Professor Nic Timpson on why long-term studies like ours are so valuable.

The day concluded with a panel chaired Professor Andrew Morris, who also gave the closing remarks underscoring the opportunities ahead for health data research. Finally, we raised a glass at the drinks reception to celebrate all we have achieved together, and all the exciting work still to come.

Speaker Bios (418.23 KB / PDF)
  • Speakers outside Playfair Library
  • presentation slide
  • researcher questions
  • DP presentation and audience
  • researchers
  • Speaker and audience

Watch the event recording here:

TimeSessionSpeaker / Chair
9:30 – 10:00 Coffee/tea/registration
SESSION 1 – EARLY DAYS OF GENERATION SCOTLAND AND BREAKTHROUGHS
10:00 – 10:15Welcome / openingDame Anna Dominiczak
10:15 – 10:35The early history of the CohortProfessor David Porteous
10:35 – 10:55Biomarkers of health in Generation ScotlandProfessor Riccardo Marioni
10:55 – 11:10Q&A Session 
11:10 – 11:40 Coffee and networking
11:40 – 11:45IntroductionRoger Halliday
11:45 – 12:00Recruitment to NextGenScotProfessor Heather Whalley
12:00 – 12:30Participant panel discussionChair: Professor Blair Smith
12:30 – 12:35SummaryRoger Halliday
12:35 – 13:35 Lunch and poster session
SESSION 2 – GENERATION SCOTLAND RESEARCH
13:35 – 13:50Inflammation (in the context of depression)Xueyi Shen
13:50 – 14:05Cardiometabolic insights from biomarker enrichmentProfessor Naveed Sattar
14:05 – 14:15Speaker Q&A 
14:15 – 14:45 Coffee break
SESSION 3 – OPPORTUNITIES IN THE HEALTH DATA LANDSCAPE
14:45 – 15:00Generation Scotland’s contribution to better mental healthProfessor Andrew McIntosh
15:00 – 15:15Scotland’s opportunities to enable population health research and innovation at scaleProfessor Cathie Sudlow
15:15 – 15:30Longitudinal population studies: Jewels in the crown for UK science and the target for Population Research UKProfessor Nic Timpson
15:30 – 15:55Panel discussion

Prof Nic Timpson, Prof Cathie Sudlow, Prof Andrew McIntosh 

Chair: Professor Andrew Morris

15:55 – 16:00Closing RemarksProfessor Andrew Morris
16:00 Drinks reception

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