The 25th Anniversary Conference of the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Applied Photonics took place at Heriot-Watt University on 24th June 2026. We were delighted to welcome around two hundred of our students, alumni, supervisors, industrial sponsors and friends of the Centre to the celebration.
It was an honour to welcome Nobel Laureate Professor Donna Strickland as our keynote speaker. Her insights were inspiring, and she joined Centre Principal Investigator and Deputy Director Derryck Reid for an engaging fireside conversation.
Our students delivered an outstanding series of presentations and posters that showcased their talent, ambition and dedication. Professor Strickland presented the conference prizes for best poster, best presentation and significant contribution to the CDT.
We were delighted that the Heriot-Watt Deputy Principal of Research and Impact Professor Chris Turney, opened the conference and delivered the closing remarks.
The centre has been continuously funded by EPSRC and industry since 2001, and every student is supported by an industrial sponsor. The original bid for the centre was led by Heriot-Watt University Senior Deputy Principal Professor Julian Jones and Director of the Medical Device Manufacturing Centre, Professor Duncan Hand.
Professor Jones commented on the event ‘It was a real pleasure to enjoy the strong sense of community, and to spend time with old friends and new. I especially enjoyed meeting our students, and hearing about their very positive experiences. The CDT will be an important foundation for their careers.’
The centre, which Heriot Watt University leads in partnership with eight academic institutions and 35 industrial partners, has secured £25 million from EPSRC and a similar contribution from industry since 2001. This collaboration continues to strengthen the impact and reach of our research community. With more than one hundred and fifty graduates, the centre has built a vibrant and far-reaching community, and it was a pleasure to reconnect with so many alumni who returned for the event.
Simon Andrews, Executive Director of Fraunhofer Research UK who are a major industrial sponsor commented that: ‘The longest running CDT in the UK has provided the basis of an amazing cluster, successful research, development and manufacturing which gives the high-value jobs and fascinating careers that many of us enjoy so much.’
Dr Bill MacPherson, CDT Director said; ‘Reaching the 25th anniversary of the CDT is a proud moment for our entire community. Our students, supervisors and industrial partners have built a centre recognised for excellence, collaboration and real-world impact. It was inspiring to celebrate our achievements with alumni and to welcome Professor Donna Strickland as our keynote speaker. The quality of our students’ presentations reflects the strength of the training and research of the CDT. I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished and excited for the opportunities ahead.’
The CDT is a partnership between is a partnership between Heriot-Watt University (lead), the universities of Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Huddersfield, St Andrews and Strathclyde, NPL and industry.
