Edition 19
Welcome to the 19th 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
It has been a busy period for Government; DIUS published its 'Innovation Nation' White Paper, while BERR and HM Treasury launched an Enterprise Strategy alongside the Budget. The Work Foundation released their latest research, examining the contribution of the knowledge economy to national economies. Finally, NESTA has entered into a strategic partnership with Channel 4, to work on a range of digital media projects.
Policy
DIUS White Paper – Innovation Nation 13-03-08
Recommendations include proposals for departments to publish an Innovation Procurement Plan, reform of the SBRI, proposals on regulation and the creation of a Public Services Innovation Laboratory; an Innovation Index; and an Innovation Research Centre.
DIUS – 'The Race to the Top': the response to Lord Sainsbury's Review of Government's Science and Innovation Policies 13-03-08
Outlines the Government's progress in implementing the recommendations set out in Lord Sainsbury's Review, with proposals on further implementation. Of the 72 recommendations, over 20 have already been implemented.
HM Treasury – 2008 Budget Report 12-03-08
Measures include a £30m increase for the Enterprise Capital Funds; a consultation on the Enterprise Investment Scheme; and £200m over the next three years intended to improve GCSE attainment rates.
BERR Enterprise strategy – Enterprise: Unlocking the UK's Talent 12-03-08
Measures include £30m for enterprise education in schools and FE colleges; a new system of regulatory budgets for Government departments; a review of support for SMEs and funding for the NCGE to establish a network of university enterprise clusters.
IUS Select Committee – Change of name to Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills (IUSS) Select Committee 13-03-08
Comes after the Science and Technology Committee’s recommendation in the Last Report, which recommended the term “science” be retained. The remit of the IUSS select committee is to examine the administration, expenditure and policy of DIUS.
BERR – National Enterprise Academy launched 11-03-08
Will deliver qualifications in enterprise and entrepreneurship to students in the 16 to 19 age group. Headed by Peter Jones (as seen on Dragon's Den). Will open in January 2009. Government will contribute an initial £3-4m of funding.
DCSF – New National STEM Centre 13-03-08
Will house together all STEM teaching resources from the past 25 years and will be accessible to all schools and colleges. The £5m Centre will be funded for five years by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation and DCSF. Will be located in York.
DIUS/RCUK survey – Public Attitudes to Science 11-03-08
Reveals that the UK public is better informed about science but want to hear about scientific issues at an earlier stage. 73% would like more scientists to discuss the ethical implications of research. TV is the most common way of learning about science.
DEFRA – Launch of the Centre of Expertise for Sustainable Procurement 18-03-08
A new centre of excellence is to be set up to help Whitehall departments achieve their targets for reducing carbon emissions and waste across the government estate.
DIUS/DCSF consultation – Raising expectations: Enabling the system to deliver 17-03-08
Invites opinions on the transfer of planning and funding responsibilities for 16-19 year olds from the Learning and Skills Council to Local Authorities and proposals for reforming the post 19 skills landscape. Closing date is 09/06/08.
Environmental Audit Committee report - Reducing Carbon Emissions from UK Business: The role of the Climate Change Levy and Agreements 10-03-08
Argues that although the CCL has not worked quite as expected, it does not impose an economic burden on UK business overall, and may in many cases be positive, through encouraging greater resource productivity and stimulating energy efficient industries.
DCSF – Launch of Masters in Teaching and Learning and Extended Diploma 07-03-08
Specially designed for teachers to enhance their skills and the quality of their teaching. Also announced new Extended Diplomas, an extension of the National Leaders of Education scheme, and a new Transition to Teaching programme.
RCUK – Review of the implementation of full economic costs for funding university research 13-03-08
Review will be chaired by Professor Alan Alexander. Among other things, will look at how funding has been utilised by universities; the impact of the full economic costs (fEC) on the science base and on universities’ interactions with key stakeholders.
EPSRC – Investment in postgraduate science training 10-03-08
New investment to be committed to postgraduate training to create the next generation of world class scientists. More than £250m will be committed to new centres for doctoral training, following a call for proposals to be issued later this month.
London Development Agency – Launch of a £3.5m design support programme for small businesses 14-03-08
Design London and Grant Thornton UK LLP will deliver the Designing Demand programme. Support will include executive development courses and facilities such as rapid prototyping and technology labs.
Scottish Parliament – Creative Scotland Bill published 13-03-08
Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen will form a new cultural development body, Creative Scotland. Its functions include promoting innovation and creativity; supporting Scottish creative industries; developing Scotland’s international links.
Scottish Government and European Union – £57.7m for rural communities 10-03-08
Aims to increase competitiveness of the rural areas. The funding, under the LEADER programme, is the first tranche of money to be released under the £1.6 billion Scotland Rural Development Programme.
NESTA - strategic innovation partner to Channel 4 14-3-08
Partnership on projects in broadcast, digital media and enabling technologies to promote innovation in the UK's creative economy. NESTA will be strategic adviser to the Digital Media Fund, to invest in new content and services across digital platforms.
Research
DWP/DIUS - Life Chances: supporting people to get on in the labour market - an analytical discussion paper – 18-03-07
The paper highlights some of the key trends and issues that will be considered in implementation of the Government’s skills and employment strategies.
Work Foundation report – The Knowledge Economy: How Knowledge is Reshaping the Economic Life of Nations 11-03-08
Argues that the knowledge economy is driven by the demand for higher value-added goods and services created by more sophisticated consumers and businesses. The report focuses on work, trade, innovation, small firms and offshore outsourcing.
Audit Commission and IDeA report – Audit Commission and IDeA Competition: Innovation in local public services 12-03-08
Describes how innovation took place in four local public bodies (selected through a competition to identify examples of innovative practice). Reveals that lateral thinking, leadership and involvement of a broad range of people are central to innovation.
British Chambers of Commerce report – Growing Pains: What is holding SMEs back 10-03-08
Reveals that SMEs are too focussed on business survival to recruit new members of staff in areas such as sales and marketing; a lack of knowledge about support schemes; and daunting administrative burden that accompanies employment.
Young Foundation report – The Collaborative City: working together to shape London’s future 12-03-08
Presents future scenarios and draws out implications of a wide range of future trends including population growth and climate change. Argues that London’s public sector will need to work more effectively to sustain the city’s dynamism.
OECD report – Recent trends in the internationalisation of R&D in the enterprise sector 13-03-08
Reveals that industrial R&D has become the most dynamic activity of multinational companies, just behind M&A and international investment. In the UK, over 50% of R&D spending is under US control.
NESTA invitation to tender - Growing Innovative Firms 19-03-08
NESTA is launching a new research strand on growing innovative firms and seeks research proposals that examine the path that growing firms follow in the UK, Europe and the US, as well as their impact on the economy. Closes 24 April 2008.
Events
Creative and Media Resource Showcase, Manchester on 25-03-08 and in London on 27-03-08
Aims to help Creative and Media teachers and trainers develop enterprise skills amongst students in creative and media subjects, through pilot sites and expert groups.
mashup* Innovate, London 01-04-08
Ten to 15 early-stage digital startups seeking funding will be able to pitch their ideas and show their products and services to an audience of investors, journalists, partners, industry influencers and bloggers. First of a series of six events.
Intercultural cities conference, Liverpool 01 to 03-04-08
Part of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008. Speakers include Saskia Sassen (academic), Carol Coletta (CEOs for Cities), Ash Amin (geographer), and Lord Bhikhu Parekh. They will discuss migration, diversity and urban life.
Design Management Institute – Design + the linking force, Paris 16 to 18-04-08
Aims to explore how design can foster organisational success. Speakers include Anne Stenros (KONE Corporation), Surya Vanka (Microsoft Corporation) and Patrick Le Quément (Renault).
RIBA Learning & Skills Sector Forum Conference 2008 - Innovation by Design, London 21-04-08
Aims to explore how the current investment in FE infrastructure will ensure high quality educational buildings for generations to come. Keynote address by Rt Hon Bill Ramell MP.
NESTA – The Innovation Edge, Royal Festival Hall 20-05-08
The event brings together a powerful mix of the leading academic, political and industry experts to consider the latest developments in innovation. Speakers include Bob Geldof, Ian Pearson MP, Helen Alexander (CEO Economist) and Lord David Puttnam.
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.
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.
International
2008 World Summit on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Dubai 01 to 03-04-08
Aims to foster innovation, development and growth in emerging nations. Speakers include politicians, CEOs, and academics from across the world. 800 delegates are expected to attend the summit.
UNESCO International Conference and Exhibition on Knowledge Parks, Doha, Qatar 29 to 31-03-08
Aims to promote the value of specialised knowledge parks and knowledge hubs to support economic development to policymakers. Will focus on ICT, creative industries and entrepreneurship, and digital knowledge management.