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Motion · S6M-19250 · 6 Oct 2025

University of Stirling to Play Key Role in UK Space Agency-funded Water Quality Monitoring Project

Lodged by Alexander Stewart Standard Motion 29 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament acknowledges that the University of Stirling will play a leading role in a major new international satellite project, which will be funded by the UK Space Agency and dedicated to monitoring water quality from space; understands that AquaWatch AUK, which is a suite of activities that will aim to improve water quality measurements and allow critical water resources to be managed more efficiently and effectively, is one of 23 projects to be funded through the programme; notes that it has been awarded £479,000 through the International Bilateral Fund; believes that this reinforces the University’s position at the forefront of earth observation science; understands that the project builds on the University's pioneering use of satellite data to monitor inland and coastal waters; considers that the University will play a leading role in this major new international satellite project by developing a system to accurately detect nuisance plankton blooms and pollution events from space, building on the University's decade-long history of pioneering the use of satellite data to monitor inland and coastal waters; believes that this funding is a powerful acknowledgment that Stirling is home to world-leading expertise in satellite water science, enabling those on the project to turn satellite pixels into actionable insights by providing high-resolution data on water quality that will allow researchers to monitor even smaller lakes and rivers, extending coverage to unprecedented levels; acknowledges that the University will work alongside a consortium of leading UK and Australian partners, including Surrey Satellite Technology Limited, Pixalytics Ltd, Assimila Ltd and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation; understands that funding was granted as part of the second round of projects from the International Bilateral Fund, representing a £6.5 million boost for UK companies and universities collaborating internationally on space innovation with partners in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan, Lithuania and the USA, and commends the University and everyone involved in what it sees as this groundbreaking initiative.

Supporters (29)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.