Edition 11
Welcome to the 11th edition of NESTA Innovation Digest (ID). NESTA ID is intended to provide fortnightly information and links on the latest news from the world of innovation policy and research and news of international issues and events.
We're sifting news and updates from dozens of websites and bulletins for each edition of ID. We're keen to know how we could improve this service, or perhaps you have suggestions for inclusion - please email digest@enews.nesta.org.uk
Regards,
Richard Halkett - Executive Director, NESTA Policy and Research Unit
Subscribe to our email newsletter version
This issue
This has been a bumper month for innovation policy. On 8 November, the Innovation, Universities and Skills Committee was established and will be chaired by Phil Willis MP. RCUK, higher education funding councils and the Wellcome Trust have joined their forces to create ‘Beacons for Public Engagement’ aimed at achieving a more joined up approach to public engagement throughout the UK. The Scottish Government has launched its new Economic Strategy. Finally, the Times Higher World University Rankings 2007 reveals that the UK has four institutions in the top ten this year, compared with three last year.
NESTA has the pleasure in hosting the launch of Phase 2 of Atlas of Ideas at NESTA on 3 December, of which we are core sponsors. The DEMOS project will build on the existing research carried out as part of the first phase on China and India and will also include studies of innovation systems in Brazil and the Islamic world. If you would like to attend please follow the link to the event below and register with DEMOS.
Policy
Launch of the Innovation, Universities and Skills Select Committee 08-11-07
14 MPs have been appointed as members, to examine the administration, expenditure and policy of DIUS, including further education, higher education, skills and the Government Office for Science. Phil Willis is the chair.
DIUS – Launch of £100m competition to fund innovation 08-11-07
Intended to encourage R&D of new technologies in eight priority areas under the three themes of healthcare, carbon reduction and support for UK competitiveness.
Ian Pearson MP launches consultation on science and society 06-11-07
The Minister for Science and Innovation launched a consultation on a new vision for science and society, argued in favour of more STEM skill training and spoke about how the science community can contribute to meeting the challenges of the future.
RCUK, higher education funding councils and the Wellcome Trust – Launch of Beacons for Public Engagement 08-11-07
£9.2m initiative intended to support public engagement between HEIs and society. Beacons - collaborative centres made up of HEIs and a network of partners - are to be set up in Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich, London, Cardiff and Edinburgh.
Science and Technology Select Committee – The last report 07-11-07
The final report by the Committee, before it is replaced by a DIUS Select Committee, addresses the work of the Committee since 2005 and the future of the scrutiny of science in the House of Commons.
HMRC – £150m paid out to support business R&D 01-11-07
Since their launch one year ago HMRC’s specialist Research & Development units have paid out £150m to support innovative science and technology companies. Units have dealt with almost 5,000 claims in the last year.
Scottish Government – launch of Economic Strategy 13-11-07
The strategy identifies five strategic priorities that are most critical to economic growth: learning, skills and well-being; supportive business environment; infrastructure development and place; effective government; and equity.
Scottish Government – Publication of The Creative Scotland Bill 07-11-07
Sets out plans to establish Creative Scotland – the body that will support the country's creative practitioners.
Westminster City Council report – Creative industries study 09-11-07
Creative Industries in London generate nearly £15bn for the economy. Westminster's creative economy employs 65,000 people, more than a tenth of its total workforce and the highest number of any London borough.
Public Accounts Select Committee report – Big Science: Public investment in large scientific facilities 13-11-07
Argues that funding for major scientific projects in the UK must be dealt with in a more 'robust' way, since ten of the biggest projects of the last few years had exceeded budget estimates by a total of £55.3m.
Speech by John Hutton, Secretary of State BERR – Stimulating an enterprise culture in the UK: Future challenges 12-11-07
Addressed the five biggest issues affecting UK entrepreneurs and business, likely to form the basis of the Government's enterprise strategy, expected in the spring. A new round of Enterprise Capital Funds was also announced.
Trade & Industry Committee Report – The future of UK manufacturing: public procurement 08-11-07
Government policy on public procurement is clear and appropriate, but less satisfactory in practice. A lack of necessary skills to apply this policy in all 2,000 public commissioning bodies deters competition, innovation and SME participation.
Research Councils UK – Consultation on a draft large facilities roadmap for 2007 02-11-07
Invites the views of research communities on the future of large research facilities available to UK researchers over the next 10-15 years. The deadline is 18 January 2008. The final version of the Roadmap will be published in early 2008.
DCMS – Film festivals funding boost 01-11-07
Film festivals across the UK will be the recipients of a £4.5 million drive to raise the profile of cinema and create more opportunities for people to enjoy film.
DfT discussion document – Towards a sustainable transport system: supporting economic growth in a low carbon world 30-10-07
First stage of a consultation on a new framework intended to deliver a transport system to support the economy and reduce carbon emissions.
BERR Consultation – EU Services Directive 05-11-07
The EU Directive on Services in the internal market aims to break down barriers to cross border trade in services between EU Member States, making it easier for SMEs to set up business in other countries. Closes 11 February 2008.
Scottish Government – launch of the Climate Change tools database 08-11-07
A new database of information intended to help local councils co-ordinate their efforts to reduce emissions and combat climate change.
Scottish Enterprise – Proof of concept programme awards £3.3m in round eight 12-11-07
Funding has been awarded to 16 innovative commercialisation projects in Scotland. Since 1999 the Programme has awarded £36.4 million in 201 projects.
Arts Council England report – Public value and the arts in England 06-11-07
The public and the arts community believe Arts Council England should give more priority to innovation in the arts. It also shows widespread support for public funding of the arts.
European Commission – Israel joins innovation programme 31-10-07
Israel was chosen as the first neighbouring country to join the €36 billion Competitiveness and Innovation Programme under which the European Commission promotes innovation, entrepreneurship and growth of small and medium-sized enterprises.
Research
DIUS – The 2007 R&D Scoreboard 12-11-07
Annual international league table reveals UK business R&D expenditure rose by 9% (£21 billion) in 2006. Pharmaceuticals companies are now the top investors in R&D worldwide, up 16%, with the report revealing that the UK is a global leader in this sector.
Times Higher-QS World University Rankings 2007 09-11-07
The world's top ten universities are in the UK or the US. Harvard occupies top spot for the fourth year in succession, with Cambridge, Oxford and Yale tied for second. The UK has four institutions in the top ten this year, compared with three last year.
NCGE report – Enterprise and Entrepreneurship in Higher Education 12-11-07
Argues that universities in England must do more to nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs by adopting a wider view of entrepreneurship and embedding a culture of enterprise and entrepreneurship that engages students right across the campus.
Ernst & Young and Oxford Analytica report – Strategic Business Risk: 2008 - the top ten risks for global business 12-11-07
Based on the views of 70 leading academics and sector specialists from across the world, risks include regulatory and compliance risk; global financial shocks; ageing consumers and workforce; emerging markets; energy shocks and radical greening.
Work Foundation report – Exploiting Europe’s Knowledge Potential: ‘Good Work’ Or ‘Could Do Better’ 07-11-07
Argues that in order to fulfil the Lisbon Strategy 2010 goal for a competitive European knowledge economy, member states policy should help European knowledge workers (37%) share and expand their knowledge and so facilitate economic growth.
HESA – Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Longitudinal Survey 06-11-07
Three years after the first survey, the number of graduates in full-time paid employment rose from 57% to 74%, unemployment dropped (5% to 2%) as did further study (14% to 5%). Gender, ethnicity, salary levels and career satisfaction are also examined.
IPPR, WWF and RSPB report – 80% Challenge: Delivering a low carbon Britain 05-11-07
Argues that the UK can cut its CO2 emissions by 80% by 2050, and that the current Government target of 60% is inadequate because it is based on out-dated science and excludes the UK’s share of emissions from international aviation.
Library House – Cambridge Cluster Report 2007 13-11-07
Examines the innovation cluster in and around Cambridge and Cambridge’s wider position in the world, by comparing and contrasting it with the other leading innovation clusters of Europe.
Events
Demos – Workshop on science, participation and politics, London 20-11-07
Participation experts, scientists and NGOs will share and learn from experiences of public participation in issues involving science. Speakers include Doug Parr, Chief Scientist, Greenpeace UK and Emeritus Professor Robin Grove-White.
Times Higher Education Supplement – Surviving in an Increasingly Competitive HE Marketplace, London 29-11-07
Inaugural conference to discuss strategic thought in Higher Education management. Speakers include Gerard Kelly, Editor, The Times Higher Education Supplement and Dr Wendy Piatt, Director General, The Russell Group.
DEMOS and NESTA – Launch of phase two of the Atlas of Ideas - Next people, next places, next science: Beyond the challenge of China and India, London 03-12-07
Speakers include Ian Pearson MP, Lloyd Anderson (British Council), Lorna Casselton (The Royal Society), Stephen Emmott (Microsoft Research Cambridge), Razley Nordin (Organisation of Islamic Conference) and Ana Maria Sampaio Fernandez (Embassy Of Brazil).
NESTA – How innovation happens in Silicon Valley, London 20/11/07
George Osborne MP will deliver a keynote address. Reid Hoffman, Megan Smith and Javes Slavet will take part in an interctive panel discussion to consider why the Silicon Valley has been so successful, and what lessons can be learned for the UK.
CBI Interactive Conference 2007, London 26-27/11/07
Will focus on private equity and business solutions for climate change. Speakers include the Chancellor Alistair Darling and David Cameron MP.
NESTA – University/Industry Collaboration Forum, London 20/11/07
University technology transfer and licensing experts will discuss best practice in the US and UK approaches. Experts include Dr Ellen Levy (Stanford University), Megan Smith (Google), Teri Willey (Cambridge) and Tim Barnes (UCL) Advances.
International
WHO – global strategy on public health, innovation and intellectual property 10-11-07
During six days of talks representatives from 140 Member States agreed on basic principles underlying the effort to ensure poor populations have better and faster access to patented medicines.
Kauffman Foundation report – U.S.-Based Global Intellectual Property Creation 01-11-07
Delaware, Massachusetts, Minnesota, California and Connecticut top the list of states that are leaders in US innovation as measured by international patent applications.
Cisco Systems – Launch of Cisco I-Prize 31-10-07
Offers up to $10m to global entrepreneurs with commercially viable network technology business ideas. The winning team could have the opportunity to join Cisco as founders of a new emerging technology business unit.