Data Analytics Conference & Sandpit 2025
22 August 2025
UHI Inverness
Date
22 August 2025, 10:00-17:00 GMT
Location
UHI Inverness
About
The Data Analytics Conference & Sandpit will provide an opportunity for students and academics from across Scotland to showcase their research, and for industry professionals to collaborate with academic experts to design innovative solutions for data problems in their businesses.
For students and academics
If you are a researcher based in Scotland and are interested in presenting your work through a poster presentation, please submit your details.
For businesses, industry and third sector professionals
If you have a business problem that requires a data-solution but you aren’t quite sure where to start, we would love to invite to you participate in a sandpit session. Please see the Sandpit overview, submit your details and we will contact you about next steps.
Organisers
The event is being organised by Dr Andrew Duncan at University of Highlands and Islands with support from SICSA. Please email SICSA if you have any questions.
10:00 – 10:50
11:00 – 11:20
Registration & Coffee
Welcome & Opening remarks
Andrew Duncan, University of the Highlands & Islands
11:20-11:55
Sandpit Overview
(A) Student Support Centred Learning Analytics: How can it be implemented in a data driven way?
(B) UK Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting: the Challenges of Quantifying Scope 3 Emissions
12:00 -12:30
Meet our Research & Funding Partners
Businesses and researchers will hear from several partner organisations about opportunities for taking forward ideas emerging from the two sandpit sessions and other proposals, with introductions from SICSA, KTP Scotland, The Data Lab, Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre and Interface.
12:30 – 13:15
Lunch & Networking
Delegates should sign-up for a sandpit session before the end of lunch.
13:20 – 14:40
Sandpit Session 1
Sandpits will be divided into two sessions. The first session will allow delegates to meet one another and their facilitator, review the briefing documents and engage in group discussions with a view to defining priority areas, key challenges and broad project objectives, and then spend some time discussing potential solutions.
14:40 – 15:00
Coffee break
15:00 – 16:20
Sandpit Session 2
In the second session delegates will build on earlier discussions to clarify the problem, define their potential solution(s) or outcomes and identify next steps.
16:25 – 16:45
Reporting back
Facilitators and representative from each sandpit will share their ideas to the full conference.
16:45 – 17:00
Closing remarks
The invitation
Are you ready to transform your business with data-driven insights? Join us for a sandpit event where innovation meets intelligence. Dive into hands-on sessions, explore cutting-edge tools, and collaborate with industry leaders and academic experts to harness the full potential of your data. This unique opportunity allows industry professionals to engage with academia, fostering a rich exchange of ideas and strategies.
Whether you are struggling with a complex data challenge or looking to redefine your business intelligence, this event can provide you with practical solutions and funding options to progress your projects. We are seeking businesses to present their current challenges, creating a collaborative environment for problem-solving and innovative breakthroughs.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to elevate your business!
What is a sandpit?
A sandpit is an interactive, collaborative workshop designed to solve complex problems through discussion, experimentation and rapid prototyping. Businesses, data experts and facilitators come together to discuss and shape ideas, and develop and test potential solutions in a short, focussed session.
Rather than starting with a set solution, a sandpit encourages participants to explore possibilities together in a collaborative environment, developing practical next steps together.
Role of participating companies
If you are interested in learning more, please submit a note of interest on behalf of your organisation.
Participating companies will:
> Present a real-world challenge: Share a real-world business problem where data and analytics could create value.
> Provide context: Briefly explain your business environment, goals and any relevant data you hold, even if you’re unsure how to use it.
> Collaborate – Engage in brainstorming sessions, discussions and solution design with data experts, researchers, students and other companies. Explore potential solutions and identify viable next steps.
Opportunities for sponsors
The Data Analytics Conference & Sandpit at UHI will welcome academics, students, industry and third-sector delegates for a full-day of networking and interaction.
We are committed to making the sponsorship process as seamless and mutually beneficial as possible. By partnering with SICSA, your organisation not only supports the continued success of Scotland’s vibrant computing science community but also gains a unique opportunity to showcase your brand and engage directly with top Scottish computing talent. We understand that sponsorship budgets vary, so we are flexible in ensuring our packages meet your financial capacity while delivering significant value to your organisation.
Whole-conference sponsorship
Please contact the SICSA Executive Officer if your organisation is interested in whole-conference sponsorship, which provides broader exposure and is tailored to your financial contribution and marketing goals, allowing for customised branding and engagement opportunities. This flexibility ensures that your sponsorship effectively aligns with your organisational priorities while contributing to the success of our event.