Edition 18
Welcome to the 18th 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
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This issue
DIUS have published a report on the opportunities to build 20 new higher education institutions. BERR have released their annual Small Business Survey, covering 2006/07. The Innovation, Universities and Skills Select Committee have launched an inquiry into implementation of recommendations from the Leitch review of skills. For the first time in its history, the Royal Society will seek to support the application and commercialisation of science, through an Enterprise Fund. Finally, NESTA and Experian have published a research report exploring the wider innovation impact of the creative industries across the economy and society.
Policy
DIUS report and HEFCE consultation – A New ‘University Challenge’ 03-03-08
The consultation will examine the opportunities for places to bid for a predicted growth of 20 new HEIs over the next six years, with capacity for 10,000 students. The report supports the role of HEIs in the the local and national economy and society.
BERR – Small business survey 2006/07 03-03-08
48% of SMEs introduced new or improved products or services in the last year, the highest level since the survey began in 2003. Of these, 73% introduced innovations that were new to their business with 26% believing their innovation to be completely new.
IUS select committee inquiry – After Leitch: implementing skills and training policies 04-03-08
Will examine how responses to the Leitch agenda will affect the broader structures of further education, higher education, lifelong learning, RDAs, the LSC and SSC. The Committee invites evidence by 18 April 2008.
OTS – Launch of Risk Capital Investment fund for social enterprises 27-02-08
£10m fund intended to support social enterprises at the start up and early growth stages. The fund will be run as a ‘pathfinder investment scheme’ where the Government’s investment will be matched by private and independent investors.
DCLG – Business boost for asset transfer and community enterprise 27-02-08
UK businesses, including consultancy AMEY and infrastructure investors John Laing, will explore innovative ways to help local community organisations to build stronger community enterprises and ensure more effective use of their assets.
Royal Society – Launch of Enterprise Fund 28-02-08
For the first time in its 350-year history, the society intends to fund early-stage science companies, to support the application of science and innovation. The fund aims to raise £20m and make investments between £250,000 and £2m.
UK-IPO – Launch of ‘Cracking Ideas 2008’ to encourage children to innovate 29-02-08
Aims to encourage children aged 9-11 to come up with eco-friendly inventions, including a competition. The website offers teachers resources and activities for the classroom.
UK-IPO – Consultation on the Modernisation and Consolidation of the Trade Marks Rules 03-03-08 to 26-5-08
Will explore the consolidation of the existing changes to Trade Mark Rules 2000; aligning UK Trade Marks system with international practice; increasing the Trade Marks tribunal system’s efficiency; and increase the speed of registration procedures.
HEFCE report – HEFCE widening participation and fair access research strategy 2008 update 26-02-08
Sets out our plans for a new programme of research and evaluation. HEFCE aims to consider medium- and long-term research priorities, improve the quality of research used and take greater account of external research.
RCUK – Science Bridges Awards 03-03-08
A call for proposals will be made during April 2008. The details of eligibility are being finalised. In total, £12m has been made available to the Research Councils for Science Bridge activities with the US, China and India over the period 2008-11.
NWDA – Launch of EA Technology's Energy Innovation Centre, Cheshire 22-02-08
£1.5m funding to build a new technology innovation centre, aimed at helping entrepreneurs turn ideas into commercially viable products. Expected to create more than 60 new jobs and 18 new start-ups over the next five years.
Welsh Assembly Government – Innovation Week, Cardiff 11 to 14-03-08
Over 70 Welsh exhibitors will showcase their ideas to potential investors. Will also feature the BioWales event and the British Female Inventor and Innovator awards.
HM Inspectorate of Education report – Improving Enterprise in Education 27-02-08
Argues that the promotion of enterprise in Scottish education encourages strong partnerships with businesses and colleges; supports quality of learning and teaching in all areas of the curriculum; and promotes good attendance and attainment.
Scottish Government report – Towards Better Regulation for Scotland: A New Partnership between the Scottish Government and Business 25-02-08
Shows that partnership working between Government and business leads to better regulation. Proposes a new process for policymakers and businesses. Report undertaken by the Regulatory Review Group.
European Commission – Launch of the European University/Business Forum 28-02-08
Aims to facilitate the exchange of good practice between universities and businesses and provide opportunities for networking. Will promote the modernisation of governance structures within universities and encourage entrepreneurship.
European Commission – GÉANT goes global 29-02-08
GÉANT, the world's largest multi-gigabit computer network dedicated to research and education, is linking up to similar networks across the world to create a single global research network. Aims to boost EU’s attractiveness as a research location.
NESTA – Applications for the Big Green Challenge 05-03-08
A total of 352 groups are vying for a share of the £1m prize, to be awarded to community groups who can come up with innovative ideas to cut carbon dioxide emissions that work in practice. Judges will select a shortlist of 100 in April.
Research
NESTA and Experian report - Creating Innovation: Do the creative industries support innovation in the wider economy? 15-02-08
Investigates and quantifies for the first time how artistic and creative activities link into the wider economy. Finds that linkages with the creative industries support innovation in a number of ways.
RCUK report – Impacts: successful collaborations with Small and Medium Sized Enterprises 27-02-08
Overview of impacts of collaboration between RCUK funded researchers and SMEs. Argues that collaborations have increased knowledge exchange, with tangible benefits for both parties.
Lisbon Council and Allianz SE – The European Growth and Jobs Monitor 2008: Indicators for Success in the Knowledge Economy 26-02-08
Examines competitiveness in Europe’s 15 largest countries. Argues that reform is successful to date, with 90% of countries on track to meet the Lisbon Agenda goals by 2010. The frontrunner is Sweden. Includes a special section on energy productivity.
WIPO statistics – The number of international trademark filings in 2007 27-02-08
39,945 international trademark applications were received in 2007, representing a 9.5% increase from 2006. The top-three filers were Germany, France and the USA. UK applications counted for 2.9%.
Young Foundation – Launch of SIX website 28.02.08
Intended to build a social innovation network, bringing together sources of creativity to address social problems. Aims to systematically map out issues, bring together research and best practice and disseminate findings through events and publications.
Events
ESRC and AIM seminar – The New Dynamics of Multinational Innovation: The Challenges and Opportunities Posed by China and India 10-03-08
Will discuss the challenges and consequences of innovation in China and India. Speakers include Professor Jaideep Prabhu (AIM), Priti Elahi (GSK), Clive Harris (IBM), Omkar Joshi (Reuters), Mehmood Khan (Unilever) and David Tyfield (Demos).
RAENG – The New Technology Strategy Board: Aims and Collaborations
Will examine the role and functions of the TSB and its relationships with the EPSRC and the ETI. Speakers include Iain Gray CEO TSB, Professor Delpy CEO EPSRC and Dr. Clarke CEO ETI.
HEFCE Annual Conference 2008, Coventry 07 to 08-04-08
For principals of higher education institutions in England and representatives of stakeholder organisations.
Creative & Cultural Skills, DCMS and Universities UK - Supporting Creative Industries: 3rd National Conference, Liverpool 22-04-08
Will explore how to carry forward the proposals to support creative industries to compete in a global economy, from the recent DCMS strategy paper. Speakers include Tom Berwick CEO CCS; Professor Julian Crampton and Feargal Sharkey.
NESTA – Double book launch 11-03-08
In ‘The Management of Technological Innovation’ Dodgson, Gann and Salter explain how firms can best organise innovation processes. ‘Inventing Entrepreneurs’ by George and Bock shows how scientific inventors can become successful entrepreneurs.
NESTA and the UK Film Council - Digital Innovation in Film Programme Launch 12-03-08
Panel discussion with a keynote address from Margaret Hodge MP. The pilot programme plans to team up film companies with innovation experts to exploit digital distribution and develop new business models. Chris Powell, NESTA’s Chairman will moderate.
Royal Society – Innovation’s Heroes and Villains 14-03-08
Mike Green, author of ‘The Nearly Men', explores the dark side of technological advance, looking at rivalries, treachery and acts of deceit behind the inventions and scientific discoveries which defined the modern age.
Department of Canadian Heritage and The Conference Board of Canada – International Forum on the Creative Economy, Canada 17 to 18-03-08
200 academics, economists and business leaders will discuss future economic forces and trends within the arts and cultural industries.
Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship 2008, Oxford 26 to 28-03-08
The theme is ‘Social Entrepreneurship: Culture, Context and Social Change’, focusing on how to overcome barriers to sustainable change. Speakers include Professor Anthony Giddens and Nobel Prize winner Jody Williams.
NESTA – Preparing for the Future 31-03-08
Launch of essays on the skills needed for the future world of work. Panel discussion with Jim Knight MP, Richard Lambert, DG CBI and Julia Cleverdon, CEO Business in the Community.
NESTA and the Young Foundation – Social Innovation Camp 04 to 06-04-08
Aims to bring together web developers and designers with people at the sharp end of social problems to find ways in which easy-to-build web 2.0 tools can be used to develop solutions to social challenges.
UK resource centre for women in science, engineering and technology conference 2008 – The Mass Media and SET: Developing New Partnerships 12-03-08
Speakers include Minister for Women, Harriet Harman MP; Kirsty Wark; Jenny Kitzinger, Cardiff University; Elizabeth Whitelegg, Open University and Maggie Philbin.
i-genius – World summit, Thailand 13 to 16-03-08
Social entrepreneurs, policy makers, investors, NGOs and media organisations from around the world will discuss opportunities, networks and support for social entrepreneurs. Speakers include Chris Cramer, former president of CNN International.
International
European Commission and Mexico's National Council of Science and Technology – Launch of International Fund of Science and Technology Cooperation 11-02-08
Foncicyt intends to provide €20m joint funding to enhance science and technology co-operation from 2008-2010. Issues will include competition, the environment and social justice. Project awards will be around €400,000.