Policy input: E-Forum for Parliamentary Inquiry into Engineering, c/d 9 December 2008

The House of Commons Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee is conducting an inquiry into Engineering.

The Committee is keen to hear, via its new e-forum on engineering, directly from those who are studying engineering, are considering doing so, or who are working in engineering. The web-forum offers participants the opportunity to express their opinions on whether engineering a good career choice, what inspired them to consider a career in engineering, whether their education prepared them for a career in engineering and what they would do to improve engineering in the UK.

The House of Commons Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee is a Select Committee of Parliament, and scrutinises the work and policies relating to the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. Although its reports and recommendations are not binding, they must be responded to by the Department, and are influentual. For each inqury it undertakes, it gathers evidence (statements of fact and suggestions of recommendations), which it reviews. In this case, the Committee is specifically seeking input from engineers in the UK.

Views posted online will inform the recommendations the Committee makes to the Government in its final report. It is therefore a valuable opportunity to contribute to the formulation of policy affecting the future of UK engineering.

The forum will run from midday on 28 October 2008 to 9 December 2008.

Opportunity: Queen's awards for Enterprise, Innovation, c/d 31 October 2008

Businesses can apply for The Queen's Awards for Enterprise in one or more of three categories - International Trade, Innovation and Sustainable Development. Individuals can be nominated for The Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion, which recognises people who have played an outstanding and significant role in promoting enterprise skills and attitudes in others in the UK. The closing date for applications, which can be made online, is midnight on 31 October 2008. Corporate member De La Rue received the Queen's Awards for Enterprise: Innovation 2007, for its StarChromeTM wide windowed optically variable banknote security thread.

Opportunity: Exhibit at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition 2009, c/d 20 October 2008

The Royal Society is inviting proposals from commercial and academic organisiations for the 2009 Summer Science Exhibition, its most prestigious annual event. The Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition 2009 will take place from Tuesday 30 June - Saturday 4 July at the Royal Society in London. The Royal Society’s Summer Science Committee selects around 20-25 teams to share the excitement of their research with a wider audience including the public, post-16 and potential university students, scientists, policy makers, MPs, captains of industry, representatives from funding bodies and research councils, teachers and the wider scientific community. It also attracts a great deal of media interest so it is a chance to really put your institution in the scientific spotlight. Typically, over 4,000 visitors attend the exhibition each year and in 2008 there were over 14,000 visitors to the Exhibition’s website. Propose an exhibit via the Society's website by the closing date of 20 October 2008.

Opportunity: ESRC Council Member vacancy, c/d 10 October 2008

ESRC, the Economic and Social Research Council, has a vacancy for a Council member member from the private sector, to start in 2009. The requirements include substantial and ongoing high level management experience within the private sector and awareness of the impact of economic and/or social science research in the sector and in wider society. The role requires a commitment of around 28 days per year, and is paid. Details and an application form are on the BERR website. The closing date is 10 October 2008.

Opportunity: Design Council Board Member vacancy, c/d 5 October 2008

The Design Council is the publicly-funded body responsible for promoting design in the UK, including the role of design in R&D. It is seeking a Board Member to help govern the organisation. Board Members should be successful and widely respected individuals with a significant track record of organisational leadership in the private or public sector, with a commitment to and appreciation of design. The time commitment is 8-10 days per year, and is unpaid. For further details, and to apply, see the Public Appointments website. Closing date 5 October 2008.

Opportunity: Academic Enterprise Awards Europe 2008, c/d 30 September 2008

The Academic Enterprise Awards Europe 2008 are open for nominations, closing date 30 September 2008. There are three types of award: five awards for spin-outs (for spin-out companies based on ideas developed at universities and public research institutes in Europe); one for fast start early-stage entrepreneurship(for a promising but as-yet unproven spin-out based on ideas developed at universities and public research institutes in Europe); and the Bridge Award for promoting entrepreneurship (to an individual who has done the most to promote policies for entrepreneurship in university or public research institutions) . Nominations close 30 September 2008, multiple nominations are permitted.

Opportunity: Women of outstanding achievement 2009, c/d 19 September 2008

The UKRC’s Women of Outstanding Achievement awards profile outstanding women within science, engineering and technology. There are three categories: 1 - Communication of SET with, and contribution to, society; 2 - SET discovery, innovation and entrepreneurship; 3 - SET leadership and inspiration to others. Six winners will be chosen. All women in science, engineering and technology and the built environment in the UK are eligible for entry. The UKRC is particularly keen for women in industry to be nominated.

Previous winners include Rebecca George of IBM, Ijeoma Uchegbu of the London School of Pharmacy, Julia King formerly of Rolls Royce, and Sima Adhya of QinetiQ. Nominations should be made using the nomination form, with a 600 word nomination statement explaining why the candidate should receive the award, and received by UKRC by 19 September 2008.

Events: UK - Tax Relief for Innovation, 15 September 2008, London

UK Trade & Investment is running a seminar at Imperial College London on how to understand tax credits for companies who are being innovative. "With some of the most experienced companies in the country presenting at this seminar, and a High Court Barrister presenting on Intellectual Property Rights, the opportunity to learn about these systems and procedures through real life examples and experts in the field, will give you the edge over your competitors when it comes to applying for tax relief, protecting, exporting and profiting from your innovations." The seminar runs from 5.30pm to 8.30pm on 15 Seotember 2008 and costs £41.13 per person (including VAT). See PDF flyer or booking form for further information.

Funding: EU Eco-Innovation Funding Call, c/d 11 Sep 2008

This call supports eco-innovative projects in different sectors which aim at the prevention or reduction of environmental impacts or which contribute to the optimal use of resources. The deadline for applications is 11th September 2008. Part of this call seeks:

• Innovative building processes or products that reduce environmental impact and/or support a rational use of natural resources.
• Green building techniques that leverage the use of recycled materials and renewable sources. New water-saving systems such as rainwater collection, grey water use, green roofs. Sustainable construction, maintenance, repair, retrofitting or demolition techniques.

There is more information and some useful guidance from a series of presentations (pdf files - UK in Farnham in May).

(Information courtesy of the MBE KTN)

Opportunity: O2 X Award for Technology & Innovation c/d 1 September 2008

O2 is inviting entries from small businesses (1-50 employees) for the O2 X Awards. Prizes include £10,000 for the overall winner of the O2 X Entrepreneur of the Year Award, with four category winners (for Fashion, Food and Drink, Music, and Technology and Innovation) receiving business mentoring from an industry figure from their category and a profile within one of this year’s media partner publications, Grazia, Music Week, Observer Food Monthly or Shortlist. Entries should be made online by 1 September 2008.

Opportunity: Chair, Technology Strategy Board, c/d 29 August 2008

The Technology Strategy Board is an independent Government body with responsibility for encouraging innovation in the UK, through investment and development programmes such as the Knowledge Transfer Networks.

The current Chair of the Technology Strategy Board is Graham Spittle, whose appointment is due to expire on 30 November 2008 and applications are being sought until 29 August 2008.

The Chair of the Technology Strategy Board is appointed by the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills. The Chair’s role is, in general, to provide effective strategic leadership of the Technology Strategy Board and to speak on behalf of the Board. The Chair will work closely with the full-time Chief Executive Officer, who is the Technology Strategy Board’s Accounting Officer, and a Board of up to 14 members, leading the Technology Strategy Board in pursuit of its mission. The Chief Executive has executive responsibility for the day-to-day operations and administration of the Technology Strategy Board and also represents for the Board in public in relation to agreed policies and programmes. The role requires at least 24 days work per year, and is paid. Full details are on the Public Appointments website.

Policy Input: Royal Society policy study: Innovation in services, the role of science, technology, engineering & maths, c/d 18 August 2008

The Royal Society, the UK’s national academy of science, has opened a study on the role of science, technology, engineering & maths (STEM) in services sector innovation and has issued a ‘call for evidence’ to solicit views on some key questions. R&D Society members and contacts are encouraged to respond.

Services account for approximately 70% of the UK economy and include some of the country’s most innovative and highest performing sectors – financial services, business support services, retail and the creative industries among them. Although there is growing recognition of the importance of innovation in services, understanding of the role of STEM and other related disciplines in services sector innovation remains poor.

This policy study will consider evidence of interactions between STEM and services organisations with a focus on the nature, extent and role of these engagements in services sector innovation processes. The Royal Society is interested in areas of success, areas of current weakness and ‘fertile areas’ of the UK services economy, in which innovative capabilities could be scaled up or accelerated with the help of STEM.

The main objective is to develop policy recommendations on ways to enhance the contribution of STEM to services sector innovation.

Separate “calls for evidence” have been produced for firms (services organisations and trade bodies (from the private, public or voluntary sector)) and academics (research and academic institutions). These request answers to specific questions by email to nicola.berkley@royalsociety.org by 18 August 2008. You are encouraged to respond. You do not need to answer all the questions – you may answer as many or as few as you are willing or able to do. Indeed, if there are other important issues not addressed by the call for evidence, the Royal Society would be grateful to have them pointed out.

For firms, the most important questions are as follows – see the “call for evidence for firms (pdf file)” for details of all of them:

3. At which point(s) in your organisation’s value chain does STEM contribute to innovation? How does the STEM input at this/these point/s impact innovation in your organisation? If possible, please describe the importance of the contribution of STEM in comparison to other factors in innovation in your organisation.

4. What mechanisms does your organisation use to support engagement with the STEM community in universities and research institutes? (For example journals, industry-university consortia, conferences, collaborative research programmes supported by the Research Councils).

• Do your organisation’s innovation needs steer research activity in academia? If yes, how is academic research changing in response to these needs?
• Has engagement with the universities helped to shape the academic curriculum?

5. Please tell us about scientifically trained people employed in your organisation. Among other things we are interested in:

• Numbers/proportions of employees who are STEM graduates or scientifically trainedT
• The kinds of roles they occupy and how this has changed in the last five to ten years
• Whether STEM graduates/postgraduates are meeting your requirements
• Whether you expect your organisation’s STEM skills needs to change (qualitatively or quantitatively) in the next five to ten years (and if so, why)

6. Please tell us about the influence of service users or customers on innovation in your organisation. Among other things we are interested in:

• Whether and how you involve users/customers in your innovation processes
• How STEM can help your organisation to understand consumer needs and their responses to service innovations
• Whether developments in STEM (e.g. ICT) are driving customer demand for, and consumption of, innovative services

7. We are interested in ‘fertile areas’ of the service economy in which the UK could develop, accelerate or scale-up innovative service capabilities. Please describe two or three important business opportunities or strategic challenges faced by your organisation that would require new or different offerings from the STEM community. If appropriate, please expand on any developments relating to innovative capabilities in the following areas (or any others):

• Data – e.g. information management, data security, data analysis, data modelling and visualisation and supply chain logistics.
• The interface between people and services – e.g. human responses and interactions with services and systems.
• People and skills – the development and supply of appropriately skilled and entrepreneurial individuals.

9. What are the main barriers to further links between your organisation and the STEM community?

• What steps could be taken by companies, universities or government to enhance the impact of STEM on innovation in the services sectors?

An electronic version of the call for evidence and more information can be found at: www.royalsociety.org/servicesinnovation The closing date for submissions is 18 August 2008 by email to nicola.berkley@royalsociety.org . The R&D Society office would welcome being copied in on submissions at rdsociety@royalsociety.org

R&D Society: Meeting fees waived for Individual Student members

For a trial period, afternoon and evening meetings (excluding dinner) are free for Individual Student members.

Students at universities that are Corporate members pay the R&D Society Corporate member rate unless they are also Individual Student members.

This includes attendance at The 2008 Duncan Davies lecture: The challenges of the 21st century with Sir David King on the evening of Tuesday 15 July 2008, and the afternoon seminar ‘Green R&D’, Developing products for a low-carbon and sustainable future, also on 15 July 2008.

Individual Student membership is £15 for 1 July 2008 - 31 December 2008, and is open to all PhD, Masters and Undergraduate students - proof of status will be required. You can join online by credit or debit card, or follow with payment by cheque or cash.

R&D Society: Nominate now for the 2009 Duncan Davies Medal

The Research and Development Society is accepting nominations for the 2009 Duncan Davies Medal.

Named in honour of past-President Duncan Davies, the medal is awarded annually to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution toward making the UK the best–performing research and development environment in the world. Previous recipients include Sir Richard Sykes, Sir Peter Williams, Lord Melvyn Bragg, Lord Sainsbury, Dame Bridget Ogilvie, Lord Kumar Bhattacharya, Sir Tom McKillop and Sir Robin Saxby.

The medal is presented at the Duncan Davies Medal Lecture, which is given annually by the recipient.

To nominate a recipient, complete the short nomination form by the closing date of noon on Tuesday 15 July 2008.

Policy input: Higher Education at Work – High Skills: High Value, c/d 7 July 2008

The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills is consulting on its high level skills strategy, 'Higher Education at Work – High Skills: High Value'. The strategy wants to "equip the workforce with the skills required for an innovative and competitive economy." They define these as skills associated with higher education.

They are asking employers to answer questions such as

• What incentives would encourage employers to be more involved in providing careers information, advice and guidance both before, and during university?
• How can we encourage business people to be increasingly contributing directly to course content, design and teaching of university courses?
• How can we do more to increase the level of STEM skills in the existing workforce?
  

You can find out more about the consultation at the'Higher Education at Work – High Skills: High Value'. To respond, fill out the Higher Education at Work online response form. You don't need to answer all the questions - answering only one or two questions is useful too. Responses are accepted until 7 July 2008.

Opportunity: London Technology Fund Competition 2008, c/d 30 June 2008

The London Technology Fund Competition 2008 is seeking entries. Prizes include a share of up to £1m in investment funding, over 100,000 worth of training and advice and a ‘speed dating’ event offering the opportunity to meet major technology corporates.

The company must be based in London; be an SME; be at the seed stage (having an idea), start-up stage (prior to trading) or early stage of development (and still losing money at the pre-tax level); be operating in one of the following areas of technology: communications, computer (hardware, semiconductors and software), internet technology, other electronics related areas, biotechnology, medical (instruments, pharmaceuticals and healthcare), emerging technologies, energy, environment, physical sciences and engineering, new materials, and value added manufacturing.

The deadline for submission of entries is 30th June 2008. Winners will be announced at a ceremony to be held on 29th October 2008.

Events: John Denham, Ask the Minister web interview, closes 30 April 2008

Do you have a question about the UK’s science policy? Scenta is canvassing for questions to ask Ian Pearson, the Minister for Science and Innovation with DIUS (the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills). The role of DIUS is to make Britain one of the best places in the world for science, research and innovation and to raise the level of education and skills to give the UK a competitive edge. Scenta will publish the best questions, along with the Minister's answer, on http://www.scenta.co.uk/.

You can submit a question via the Scenta website.

Opportunity: 2008 BA Media Fellowship scheme, c/d 31 March 2008

Experience first hand how science is reported by spending 3-8 weeks on a summer placement gaining experience of working within a media organisation. Come away better equipped to communicate your research to the public and your colleagues. Learn to work within the constraints of the media to produce accurate, well-informed pieces about developments in science.

The BA Media Fellowships are intended to create a greater awareness and understanding of the workings of the media among practising scientists, clinicians, social scientists and engineers. The Fellowships provide placements working with a national press, broadcast or internet journalist. Previous hosts include The Guardian, The Times, BBC Radio and BBC News Interactive.

You are eligible to apply for the scheme if you:

• are a scientist, clinician, social scientist or engineer
• have a minimum of 2 years postgraduate experience in your field
• are a resident of the UK
• work at any level in an academic or research institution, industry, civil service or any other similar organisation

Details about the scheme, including an online application form can be found at www.the-ba.net/mediafellows Application deadline: 31 March 2008

Event: Open Innovation in Practice, London, 20 March 2008

Open Innovation is a concept that in recent years has come to the forefront of innovation management. The concept of Open Innovation is that by looking outside their own boundaries, companies can gain better access to ideas, knowledge, technology and markets than would be the case if they relied solely on their own resources – a relatively uncomplicated theory which many people dismiss as being too simple or merely describing what they have been doing for years.

For the past two years, the Innovation Advisory Service for the South East of England has helped numerous companies to use Open Innovation to their advantage. Now there is an opportunity for companies to learn from this experience. On Thursday 20 March the Innovation Advisory Service South East is hosting a National Conference on Open Innovation in Practice at The Royal Society in London, where delegates will have the opportunity to hear from companies, both large and small, about how different elements of the Open Innovation model have worked for them.

The event includes speakers from General Dynamics UK, the Technology Strategy Board, Innovation Advisory Service South East, South East England Development Agency, BAE Systems; Thales Research and Technology and Balfour Beatty; and from growing innovative companies such as, Lein Applied Diagnostics; Jack Knight Designs Ltd and Wines Medical Ltd.

Further details, including the event programme, registration arrangements, and the cancellation fee are on the IASSE website.

Events: John Denham, Science and Innovation minister, webchat 13 March 2008

John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skiils, will take part in a live webchat on 13 March 2008 at 13:30 GMT. John's remit includes increasing the supply of people in science, technology and engineering as well as developing a world-class research base in the UK. You can submit questions in advance of the event by entering your email address and clicking through to the question form. The website states that John "will take questions focusing on science and technology as the country celebrates National Science and Engineering Week from 7 to 16 March."

Funding: Royal Society Industry Fellowships 2008, cd 13 March 2008

The Royal Society Industry Fellowship Scheme aims to foster knowledge transfer and exchange between academia and industry. The Fellowships provide the chance for scientists with permanent positions in industry or academia (or not-for-profit research organisations) to work for up to two years (full-time) or 4 years (part-time) in the other sector. The personal and corporate links forged will provide a foundation for future collaborative development. The fellowships are jointly funded with EPSRC, BBSRC, NERC, Rolls Royce plc and Astra Zeneca Ltd. Closing Dates: 18 October 2007 and 13 March 2008.

R&D Society in the media: Royal Society "A higher degree of concern" report published

On 31 January 2008, the Royal Society published A higher degree of concern, the second and final phase of a project examining STEM higher education in the UK. It makes recommendations regarding how UK STEM higher education can remain fit for purpose into the middle of the next decade and beyond.

To enable organisations to submit evidence to the Royal Society's study, the Research and Development Society conducted a web-based survey of our members and contacts of the current and future needs of employers in science-based industries. The survey report, Higher Education in 2015 and beyond: will it meet our needs? is available for download for free from the R&D Society website.

One of the key findings of our survey was that respondents had no clear way of communicating their needs course curriculum organisers, but wanted to be able to. The Royal Society report (page 3) notes "emphasis needs to be placed on a collaborative approach to learning provision that ensures that businesses and other employers are engaged in curriculum development, course design and delivery."

The full report. A higher degree of concern, and a short executive summary, are available to download from the Royal Society website.

Funding: NERC Knowledge Transfer Call, c/d 4 March 2008

NERC is inviting applications for the first round of the 2008 Knowledge Transfer Call, with a closing date of 4 March (4pm). The KT Call helps maximise the transfer of knowledge, people, skills and expertise between the UK's research base and the user community (public and private sector organisations). The Call is flexible, to cater for the many types of knowledge flow. The next round will have a closing date of 5 August. The KT Call is open to applicants based in UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), NERC Research and Collaborative Centres, and Independent Research Organisations (IROs) approved by NERC. Applications should fall within the NERC science remit. Examples of networks which have been funded through the Knowledge Transfer Call, to exchange ideas and knowledge between the science and user communities are on the NERC website.

R&D Society events: Open Innovation afternoon seminar and keynote evening talk, 19 February 2008

On 19 February 2008, the R&D Society's events examine Open Innovation - what it is, and how it can benefit your business and the UK economy.

In the afternoon seminar, Perspectives on Open Innovation - New approaches to the management and exploitation of R&D, four speakers, chaired by Dr Andrew Mackintosh, will focus on Open Innovation and different organisational perspectives. Between them, Richard Halkett, Executive Director, Policy & Research Unit, NESTA, Dr Neil A MacGilp, Group Technical Director, SABMiller, Professor Colin Whitehouse, Deputy Chief Executive of the Science and Technology Facilities Council, Dr Treve Willis, Director of the Innovation Advisory Service South East will introduce the concepts of Open Innovation, explain the approaches being taken to successful open innovation, and discuss the important role that Open Innovation has to play in future innovation policy,

The seminar will be followed by an evening talk and discussion dinner on "Philips and the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven - Opening up corporate innovation" with Dr. Ronald M. Wolf, Senior Business Development Manager, Philips. He will discuss Philips' Open Innovation and internal venturing structures, which are widely considered to be world-class.

The meeting fee for the afternoon event is £25 for R&D Society members, or £50 for non-members, including refreshments. The meeting fee for R&D Society members is £20 for the event only; or £65 for the event and dinner. For non-members and guests the meeting fee is £40 for the event only, or £85 for the event and dinner. Book by completing the online form and follow with payment online or by post.

Funding: 1851 Commission Industrial Fellowships 2008, cd 31 January 2008

The 1851 Commission offers eight Industrial Fellowships to fund the placement of industry employees in UK universities, to conduct a research programme that will benefit both the company and the academic partner. The scheme is targeted to recent graduates in engineering, science or medicine, and all areas of industry are eligible. One Fellowship is offered in the electro-technology sector in cooperation with the ERA Foundation. The Fellowship contributes toward salary costs, university fees and overseas travel costs. Closing date for applications is 31 January 2008.

Policy input: Parliament enquiry into Biosecurity in UK research laboratories, c/d 26 January 2008

The House of Commons Innovation, Universities and Skills Committee is seeking written evidence for its enquiry on Biosecurity in UK research laboratories. Issues to be examined include the current capacity for research on dangerous pathogenic material in the UK and the capability to conduct research on the causative agents of disease that may emerge at a future time and the state of biological containment facilities in the UK. The House of Commons Innovation, Universities and Skills Committee is a Select Committee of Parliament, and scrutinises the work and policies relating to the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. Although its reports and recommendations are not binding, but must be responded to by the Department, and are influentual. For each inqury it undertakes, it asks for written evidence (statements of fact and suggestions of recommendations), which it reviews. Anyone may submit written evidence, which should be written specially for the Committee, and should be brief. Evidence for this enquiry should be submitted by noon on Friday 26 January 2008 in the format described on the Biosecurity in UK research laboratories webpage.

Policy input: Parliament enquiry into renewable electricity generation technologies, c/d 15 January 2008

The House of Commons Innovation, Universities and Skills Committee is seeking written evidence for its enquiry on Renewable electricity generation technologies. Issues to be examined include the current state of UK research and development in, and the deployment of, renewable electricity-generation technologies; public funding, and other support, for the development of renewable electricity-generation technologies and incentives for technology transfer; the establishment and role of the Energy Technologies Institute; commercialising renewable technologies; and whether the UK has the skills base to underpin the development of renewable technology. The House of Commons Innovation, Universities and Skills Committee is a Select Committee of Parliament, and scrutinises the work and policies relating to the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. Although its reports and recommendations are not binding, but must be responded to by the Department, and are influentual. For each inqury it undertakes, it asks for written evidence (statements of fact and suggestions of recommendations), which it reviews. Anyone may submit written evidence, which should be written specially for the Committee, and should be brief. Evidence for this enquiry should be submitted by noon on Friday 15 January 2008 in the format described on the Renewable electricity generation technologies webpage.