Judges - Digital Technologies

Prof Steve Love

Senior Researcher, Glasgow School of Art

Professor Steve Love is Head of Knowledge Exchange activities in the School of Innovation and Technology at The Glasgow School of Art. His primary research expertise is investigating the impact of digital applications and services on people's behaviour and lives. His research work has been sponsored by funders such as the AHRC, EPSRC, ESRC, Innovate UK, Scottish Funding Council, European Space Agency, the European Social Fund, BT, Orange, Sharp Laboratories Europe and “3”. He is a member of the Arts and Humanities Research Council’s Peer Review College and a Fellow of the Design Research Society.

Harry Kerr

Head of Design, Design in Innovation team, Innovate UK Business Connect

With a background in the arts and humanities, Harry has always been interested in how purposeful creativity disrupts systems of thought, reframing problems and combining ideas across disciplines. He has commissioned and managed a number of design research and innovation programmes, including the Design Museum’s Future Observatory, Innovate UK’s Design Foundations competition, and the Catapults’ Design to Deliver programme. He is currently Head of Design at Innovate UK Business Connect.

Malcolm Innes

Director of Centre for Island Creativity, University of the Highlands and Islands

Malcolm Innes is Director of the Centre for Island Creativity at UHI Shetland and has extensive experience in large-scale public art, international design consultancy and teaching and research in higher education. With a background in fine art, Malcolm brings a unique creative vision to innovation in the arts. He has delivered several impactful innovation projects funded by Interface’s Innovation Voucher scheme, including Brodie Illuminated with the National Trust for Scotland and UHI, and Botanic Lights: Night in the Garden with RBGE and Edinburgh Napier University. His work champions creative collaboration, sustainability, and design-led knowledge exchange.

Prof Robin Sloan

Professor of Game Design and Culture, Faculty of Design, Informatics and Business, Division of Games and Arts, Abertay University

Robin is a Professor of Game Design and Culture at Abertay University, where he teaches as part of the National Centre of Excellence for Computer Games Education. A practitioner with a background in the games industry, Robin has extensive experience of R&D collaboration between universities, industry, and the third and public sectors. This includes innovation in support of games industry through the AHRC-funded Creative Industries Cluster, InGAME, and collaboration with games and academic partners in China. His expertise encompasses game design, immersive technologies, and digital art and visualisation.

Sarah McColl

Research & Insights Manager, Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce

Sarah McColl is a research and marketing professional with experience spanning public, private and third sectors. Currently heading up the research function at Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, which has hosted multiple KTP projects, Sarah is passionate about innovation and knowledge exchange. With a background in entrepreneurship, marketing and data science, Sarah combines strategic insight with a deep interest in creative problem-solving. With a longstanding interest in art, design and digital culture, she is particularly interested in how the creative industries can contribute to inclusive economies, thriving communities and sustainable futures.