An internationally recognised leader in digital transformation, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to innovation and education with an Honorary Doctorate from the University of the West of Scotland (UWS).

Nicola “Nick” Rosa was celebrated at a ceremony at Paisley Abbey today for his distinguished career spanning more than 20 years at the forefront of technological innovation, and his commitment to sharing knowledge and inspiring the next generation of innovators.

Nick has worked at some of the world's leading technology organisations, including Atari, Google, Yahoo!, Spotify and IBM. From 2017 he built Accenture's immersive technologies business across Europe and Asia from scratch. He is currently Industry Technology Innovation Director and Gen AI Studios Lead for EMEA at Accenture, where he leads its network of Generative AI Studios across Europe and the Middle East.

An internationally respected voice on emerging technologies, Nick is the author of Understanding the Metaverse: A Business and Ethical Guide (Wiley, 2022), a guide to immersive technologies and digital twins for business leaders. He co-hosts AI Shift, a podcast on artificial intelligence and its impact on business, society, culture and art, and previously co-hosted Field of View (2020–2022), on spatial computing, extended reality and digital twins.

He speaks regularly at major international events, including NVIDIA GTC, Augmented World Expo, CogX and Laval Virtual. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, sits on the boards of the Virtual World Society and AIXR, and received the Virtual World Society's Nextant Rising Star Award in 2024.

Nick has developed a strong relationship with UWS through guest lectures on the MSc Digital Marketing programme and contributions to the University's research and entrepreneurial activities. In April 2025 he gave the keynote at UWS IGNITE, the Demola final showcase at the Lanarkshire campus, and on 1 June 2026 he delivered the opening keynote at the UWS Research Festival, speaking on Curiosity in Innovation, Application and Practice.

His expertise in artificial intelligence, digital transformation and immersive technologies, alongside his extensive international industry network, offers significant opportunities to strengthen collaboration between UWS and industry, support research and teaching, and inspire students preparing for an increasingly technology-driven world.

I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition from the University of the West of Scotland. It seems to me that a career is not measured by titles or milestones, but by the moment you can take what you have learned and hand it forward, and UWS has given me exactly that opportunity. Its students, academics and wider community have welcomed me with an openness and curiosity that I find truly inspiring.

Nicola “Nick” Rosa

Nick Rosa said: “I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition from the University of the West of Scotland. It seems to me that a career is not measured by titles or milestones, but by the moment you can take what you have learned and hand it forward, and UWS has given me exactly that opportunity. Its students, academics and wider community have welcomed me with an openness and curiosity that I find truly inspiring.

“Every technology I have worked with, from mobile to virtual reality and now artificial intelligence, has taught me the same lesson: to create something impactful, you never start from the technology, you always start from the people, the problems they face and the goals they want to achieve. That is why universities matter so much right now. They give the next generation the knowledge to design, strategise and build transformational things with these tools, a sense of responsibility to make sure the tools serve everyone, and the moral framework to question them whenever needed. I look forward to continuing that work with UWS.”

Nick's achievements in digital transformation and emerging technologies reflect the importance of innovation and the application of knowledge in addressing the opportunities and challenges facing society. His international experience, industry expertise and commitment to education make him an outstanding role model for our students.

Professor James Miller, UWS Principal and Vice-Chancellor

Professor James Miller, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of UWS, said: “Graduation is a celebration of ambition, opportunity and achievement. It recognises the hard work and dedication of our graduates, celebrates the support networks that have helped them succeed, and marks the beginning of the next chapter as they take their knowledge, skills and experiences into the wider world.

“Nick's achievements in digital transformation and emerging technologies reflect the importance of innovation and the application of knowledge in addressing the opportunities and challenges facing society. His international experience, industry expertise and commitment to education make him an outstanding role model for our students.

“His growing relationship with UWS creates exciting opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange and innovation, and strongly reflects our ambitions to maximise student success, create and apply new knowledge, and grow our global impact. This Honorary Doctorate is a fitting recognition of his achievements and his contribution to our University and wider society.”

Nick Rosa’s work aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 4: Quality Education; Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth; Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities; and Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals.