THE UNIVERSITY COURT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN

Their core work

The University of Aberdeen is a broad-based Scottish research university with particular strengths in life sciences, neuroscience, and environmental research. It runs Scotland's European Researchers' Night programme (EXPLORATHON), coordinates medical imaging research including field-cycling MRI, and contributes specialist expertise in areas ranging from fish parasitology and agricultural policy to brain simulation and network dynamics. The university bridges fundamental research with applied outcomes in health diagnostics, sustainable food systems, and public engagement with science.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2014-2017), Aberdeen focused heavily on public engagement events (EXPLORATHON, science festivals), complex systems mathematics, and foundational life science training networks. From 2018 onward, their portfolio shifted toward AI and computational neuroscience (Human Brain Project contributions, brain modelling, high-performance computing), sustainable agriculture policy, and wildlife ecology. The university moved from broad science communication and basic research toward more applied, data-intensive, and policy-oriented work.

Aberdeen is building capacity in AI-driven neuroscience and environmental policy, making them increasingly relevant for consortia needing computational biology or rural sustainability expertise.

How they like to work

Aberdeen operates predominantly as a consortium partner (56 of 74 projects) but has meaningful coordination experience with 18 projects led, mostly in focused areas like public engagement, medical imaging, and individual fellowships. Their 915 unique partners across 64 countries indicate a highly networked institution that readily integrates into diverse consortia rather than relying on a fixed set of collaborators. This makes them a flexible, experienced partner who can adapt to different consortium configurations.

With 915 unique consortium partners spanning 64 countries, Aberdeen has one of the broader collaboration networks among Scottish universities in H2020. Their partnerships extend well beyond Europe, though the core remains firmly within EU member states and associated countries.

What sets them apart

Aberdeen combines strong life sciences and environmental research with Scotland's geography — proximity to the North Sea oil/gas sector, fishing industries, and rural communities gives their research practical grounding that urban universities lack. Their sustained investment in public engagement (EXPLORATHON across Scotland since 2014) demonstrates an institutional commitment to societal impact, not just publications. For consortium builders, they offer a rare combination: brain science and HPC expertise alongside hands-on experience in fisheries, agricultural policy, and marine research.

Highlights from their portfolio

• IDentIFY
  Their largest coordinated project (EUR 1.48M) developing field-cycling MRI — a potentially disruptive medical imaging technology with diagnostic applications beyond conventional MRI.
• HBP SGA1
  Participation in the Human Brain Project flagship gave Aberdeen access to Europe's largest neuroscience initiative, contributing to brain simulation and neuroinformatics infrastructure.
• EXPLORATHON
  A recurring coordination role (2014-2022) running European Researchers' Night across Scotland, demonstrating sustained institutional commitment to science-society engagement.