City Region Deal

Key to realising that ambition is the Deal’s Data-Driven Innovation (DDI) initiative, which is delivered by the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University. 

The DDI initiative is a network of hubs bringing together academic disciplines and external partners to solve some of the world’s most pressing issues. All six hubs have now opened. Most recently, the Edinburgh Futures Institute transformed the old Royal Infirmary building, designed to prevent contagion, into a place which encourages a modern-day contagion of ideas and debate around real-world challenges. Construction is also complete on the new Usher Institute, which specialises in how data can improve health and social care. 

There have been many highlights in the last year, more than can be mentioned here.  

In November, the Generative AI Laboratory (GAIL) was launched to unite the University’s world-leading research and innovation in AI to develop safe solutions and systems for industry and government. 

In April, the flagship Childlight programme received a multi-million pound boost in the worldwide battle against the sexual exploitation and abuse of children. This was followed in May, when Childlight published the first global index of online child abuse and exploitation. As Childlight’s Director of Data, the University’s Professor Debi Fry plays a key role in this vital activity. 

Also in May, the Data Education in Schools (DES) team scooped the top prize for Education Initiative of the Year at the 2024 British Data Awards. DES is part of the Data Skills Gateway strand of the City Region Deal. Since 2018, DES has reached around 40,000 participants, from school-aged children participating in online learner events to returners to the workforce who are learning to code. The DES team has boosted data literacy in more than 850 schools, creating learners fluent in using data to answer big societal questions and teachers who feel confident to teach data skills.