Amy Connelly, Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) Specialist at Heriot-Watt, was named in the annual campaign which celebrates young women, girls and non-binary people across Scotland making a positive change. The Young Women’s Movement is Scotland’s national organisation for young women and girls’ leadership and rights.
Connelly was recognised for her contributions to patient and public involvement and engagement through her work at the university. She has led the development of inclusive engagement activities across various collaborative research projects, enabling patients, carers, and the public to help shape research priorities, influence funding decisions, and contribute to the development of emerging health technologies.
A key contribution highlighted was her work on the Tay Health Tech Citizens Assembly. This initiative, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and led by Heriot-Watt in partnership with the University of Dundee, brings together the public, researchers, and innovators to explore the future of health technology. It has developed new approaches to community engagement across Tayside, embedding public perspectives alongside academic expertise.
“"I'm incredibly grateful to be recognised in this year's 30 Under 30. It's been a privilege to work alongside so many inspiring people who are passionate about making research more inclusive and ensuring communities have a genuine say in shaping the innovations that affect their lives."
Connelly has also played a leading role in public involvement activities for CONSOLIDATE, a UK-wide dementia research network led by Professor Alan Gow at Heriot-Watt University in partnership with Age Scotland. Funded by EPSRC, the network unites researchers, people living with dementia, unpaid carers, and community organisations to identify future dementia research priorities. Her work has ensured lived experience is central to the programme’s development.
The 30 Under 30 2026 cohort was selected by a panel including representatives from the Young Women’s Movement, alumni, the organisation’s advisory collective, and stakeholders from SAY Women and Romano Lav.
