Wednesday 3rd November 2010 at Dundee Science Centre (Sensation)

“Possibly the best Go Dundee event yet”
“The venue was a perfect setting for a great event. Left me even more positive about Dundee’s future”

These were just two of the positive responses to this event which – as part of Dundee Science Festival 2010 – examined the crucial role that science has played in the economic renaissance of Dundee and also considered the outlook for the future.  The event was hosted by the excellent team at Dundee Science Centre who used the various exciting spaces within the building to run simultaneous café sessions in three different locations.

Following an introduction from Professor John Palfreyman (Head of the School of Contemporary Sciences at the University of Abertay Dundee) we were treated to three fascinating speakers, each of whom addressed a different aspect of science in Dundee.

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Murdo Black (R&D Director at Axis-Shield)

Murdo spoke about the work that Axis-Shield is doing in the City with hi-tech medical diagnostic techniques and instruments and gave an indication of the ‘pipeline’ of innovation in the company – from idea to market.  Leading edge global science in the city of Dundee!

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Mark Grossi (Chief Technology Officer at NCR’s Advanced Concepts Lab in Dundee)

Mark spoke about how NCR is shaping, as well as responding, to future market trends in retailing, for example in the use of cashless technology and how we will increasingly serve ourselves as part of our shopping experience. A journey into the world of ‘Minority Report’!

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Chris van der Kuyl (CEO of brightsolid)

Chris provided an insightful history of the computer games industry in the city – including great stories about how that birth was linked to the production of the ZX Spectrum in Dundee.  A fascinating story of Dundee’s role in a global industry now into its fourth generation.  Games still have a great future in Dundee!

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Between the café sessions attendees also had the opportunity to engage with some of the exhibits at the Science Centre – including the Magic Mirror which is a must-see (check it out for yourself if you haven’t yet had the chance).

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At the end of the evening attendees were asked the following question and their responses are shown below.

What key issue for the future will you take away from this event?

• The digital city – Dundee is going to be great again!
• We need to keep imagining the future Dundee
• Companies need to look 10 to 20 years ahead to survive
• Science has given the city confidence and a quality of life
• Scientists with vision and optimism will take science in Dundee forward
• Bring research skills together with practical skills for new product ideas
• Maintain funding for R&D in Dundee – the lifeblood of innovation
• Dundee’s hidden gems – amazing stuff happening!
• Science does plenty for Dundee but Dundonians don’t always know about it
• Future technology and the relevance of science
• Make transferable skills a USP (unique selling point) for Dundee
• Jobs
• Renewables
• Can all this ingenuity help us to deal with the challenges of sustainability and environmental destruction?
• Skip existing infrastructures
• Get DC Thomson to create an Oor Wullie cloner and use ‘Oor Science’ to popularise the subject
• Helpful technologies (e.g. medical), inspiration and fun!

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Here are some photos of the event (courtesy of Joe Lafferty and his magic camera).

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