Research being undertaken at the University of Aberdeen into how digital technologies could transform rural communities, society and business, will be outlined at the Black Isle show this week.
The University was awarded £11.8 million of funding by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) earlier this year to create the dot.rural research hub.
The hub is conducting research and development into digital technologies to enhance how crucial services such as healthcare and transport are delivered in rural areas across the UK.
It is also investigating how new technologies can benefit rural economies and communities by promoting new forms of enterprise in areas such as tourism and nature conservation.
A team from dot.rural will showcase its work at the two day agricultural event which will begin on Wednesday (August 4) at Mannsfield Showground, Ross-Shire.
dot.rural Training & Outreach Officer, Dr Claire Thorne and Impact Research Fellow, Dr Lizzy Tait, who will attend the event, will also highlight how local communities can help influence and become involved in the research being conducted by the hub.
Dr Thorne said: “Over the course of the two day event, visitors will have the opportunity to engage with the dot.rural researchers and discover more about the technologies being investigated and developed at the University, which could impact on them and their rural community.
“There will also be the opportunity to explore how members of the local community could potentially engage and collaborate with the work being conducted by dot.rural, in the future, whether this is through becoming involved in testing out the research or through a schools or outreach event.”
For more information on dot.rural visit www.dotrural.ac.uk/.
The Black Isles Show will take place on Wednesday August 4 and Thursday August 5 at Mannsfield Showground, Ross-Shire. Organised by the Black Isle Farmer's Society, the event attracts individuals and businesses - showcasing and competing - from rural communities across Scotland.
For more information visit http://www.blackisleshow.info/