Hosted at Edinburgh Napier University’s Centre for Business Innovations and Sustainable Solutions (CBISS), and led by our Circular Economy, Sustainable Consumption and Supply Chains theme lead, Professor Eoin Plant-O’Toole PhD , this focused and practical session will explore how Scotland can take the lead in driving a sustainable, circular future.

Over two hours, you’ll hear from leading voices, including:

 ✅ Leah Gallacher – The Scottish Government Circular Economy Division, setting the broader Scottish CE context

 ✅ Sophie Rippinger – Freelance Circular Economy Advisor & Dr Alex Speakman – NHS Lothian, sharing practical applications of the Earth Centred Business Design Framework with EVA Biosystems

 ✅ Colin Brown – Sustainability Connects, on embedding sustainability in practice

You’ll gain:

 🌱 Insights into Scotland’s circular economy strategy

 🌱 Practical tools and frameworks like Earth Centred Business Design

 🌱 Real-world examples you can apply in your own organisation

The event will close with a networking session – your chance to connect with professionals, policymakers, and innovators who are committed to creating a sustainable future for Scotland.

📅 Date: 16th September

 📍 Venue: Craiglockhart Campus, Edinburgh Napier University (Room 3/09)

 ⏰ Time: 10:00 – 12:00

✨ Whether you’re a business leader, policymaker, academic, or student – this is your opportunity to gain practical tools, fresh perspectives, and valuable connections.

This symposium brings together key voices from both the public and private sectors, with keynote speakers from local Scottish agencies such as The Scottish AI Alliance and FinTech Scotland,JP Morgans, alongside international experts from Japan, where AI technology is at the forefront of national innovation strategies.

The event will also showcase some of the latest research and technological developments from Edinburgh Napier University and our partners, offering practical insights for SMEs seeking to adopt AI for business growth. We hope the symposium will also spark new research collaborations and industry partnerships.

Provisional Keynote Topics Include:

The programme includes panel discussions and plenty of time for networking and idea exchange, with a shared commitment to advancing responsible AI in practice.

This event is funded by UKRI and the British Council, and delivered in partnership between Musashino University (Japan) and Edinburgh Napier University the Business School and Centre for Business Innovations and Sustainable Soultions (CBISS).

We look forward to welcoming you!