Overview

Scotland has a world-class research base in the life sciences, which has brought substantial economic and health benefits. To maintain their competitive-edge in life sciences research, Scottish Universities have  formed a new strategic partnership in which expertise and resources are shared.

The Scottish Universities Life Sciences Alliance (SULSA) was established in  2007 as a research pooling partnership between the Universities of Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, St Andrews and Strathclyde, supported by the Scottish Funding Council. SULSA aims to maintain and strengthen Scotland’s global position in the life sciences by recruiting international research leaders, improving research infrastructure and access to facilities, and establishing a new, Scotland-wide doctoral training network. Through these investments, SULSA will enhance research excellence and generate new opportunities for knowledge exchange. SULSA will also join up the life sciences in Scotland and create new synergies between research groups.

Organisation
The Executive Committee has responsibility for allocating funds and ensuring that SULSA delivers its goals. It also sets the strategic framework for SULSA’s development, building on advice from the International Advisory Board, and reports to the principals of the member universities – SULSA’s governing body. Each SULSA research theme is led by a theme director, who chairs a directorate made up of representatives from each of the member universities. The Knowledge Exchange Committee is helping SULSA meet its commercialisation objectives. SULSA facilities and technology platforms are overseen by the Facilities Management Committee, which ensures equitable charges and access across SULSA.