Policy input: Parliament enquiry into future of Bioengineering in the UK, c/d 4 December 2009

The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee is conducting an inquiry into Bioengineering and is seeking written evidence.

The Committee will be examining how the UK can maintain a globally competitive position in emerging and existing bioengineering research fields. The inquiry will focus on three areas: research, translation and regulation. The inquiry will take synthetic biology, stem cells and genetic modification (GM) as areas within which to explore the issues of research, translation and regulation.

The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee is a Select Committee of Parliament, and scrutinises the work and policies relating to the Government Office for Science (GO-Science), and so the Committee can examine the activities of departments where they have implications for, or made use of, science, engineering, technology and research. Although its reports and recommendations are not binding, they must be responded to by the relevant government department, and are influentual.

For each inqury it undertakes, it gathers evidence (statements of fact and suggestions of recommendations), which it reviews. 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 brief, written specially for the Committee, and should answer at least one of the following questions:

For the areas of synthetic biology, stem cells and GM:

• What is the UK's research capacity?
• How easy is it to translate and commercialise research?
• How do UK and international regulations affect research and translation?
• How can the UK maintain and grow its internationally competitive position?

Evidence for this enquiry should be submitted by noon on Friday 4 December 2009 in the format described on the Bioengineering inquiry webpage.

Opportunity: Research Council Board membership, c/d 13 November 2009

The Research Councils fund research, research facilities and postgraduate training, and are funded by Government. Four Research Councils are seeking suitably qualified academics and experienced individuals from the industrial/commercial sectors to fill a number of Board vacancies.

These are renumerated, part-time positions, which will influence the future strategy and direction of the Research Councils, including their knowledge transfer role.

There are currently vacancies for the Arts and Humanties Research Council (AHRC), the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC). Details of the vacancies can be found on the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills website. The closing date for all vacancies is 13 November 2009.

Opportunity: Queen's awards for Enterprise, Innovation, c/d 30 October 2009

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 2pm on 30 October 2009.

Opportunity: Academic Enterprise Awards 2009, c/d 16 October 2009

The Academic Enterprise Awards 2009 are open for nominations, closing date 16 October 2009. There are three types of award: four 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 16 October 2009, multiple nominations are permitted.

Funding: Royal Society Industry Fellowship Scheme, c/d 14 Oct 2009

This scheme aims to enhance knowledge transfer in science and technology between those in industry and those in academia. It provides opportunities for an academic scientist to work on a collaborative project with industry, or someone employed in industry to work on a collaborative project with a university department or a not-for-profit research organisation. It is anticipated that fellows will establish personal and corporate links between the two sectors in the UK as a foundation for their long-term future development. These appointments are funded by the Royal Society, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the Natural Environment Research Council, Rolls-Royce plc and Astra Zeneca.

The closing date for applications is 14 October 2009. See the Royal Society website for more details.

R&D Society PR: Universities need to change if they are to embrace the second phase of World Wide Web, issued 9 October 2009

Press release issued by the University of Southampton, Friday 9 October 2009

Universities need to change if they are to embrace the second phase of World Wide Web

The challenges which face the World Wide Web in its next phase and the need for academics to embrace its further development will be outlined by Professor Dame Wendy Hall next week.

Professor Hall, who is a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Southampton’s School of Electronics and Computer Science (ECS) will receive the Duncan Davies medal and deliver the 2009 Duncan Davies lecture on the topic of Research 2.0: The Age of Networks at a Research & Development Society event at the Royal Society on Monday 12 October at 6.30pm.

The Duncan Davies 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.

In her lecture Professor Hall will describe how since its inception the Web has changed the ways we communicate, collaborate, and educate and that it has now developed sufficiently to facilitate interdisciplinary research by international teams to tackle the major problems faced by the world today.

‘In a very short-space of time we have come to live in a web-dependent society within a web-dependent world,’ she will say. ‘There is a growing realization that a clear research agenda aimed at understanding the current, evolving, and potential Web is needed.’

She will go on to present the important of Web Science, which embraces the study of these phenomena and she will explore the opportunities and challenges posed by the increasing need for interdisciplinary research undertaken by international teams and the role that universities, governments and learned societies can play to facilitate such exciting and necessary developments.

‘The role of government is crucial in setting policies to create an environment in which such research can flourish but in the age of networks, universities may also have to radically change in order to facilitate such exciting and necessary developments and better train people to meet the needs of businesses in the future,’ she will say.

The 2009 Duncan Davies lecture on the topic of Research 2.0: The Age of Networks will take place at the Royal Society on Monday 12 October at 6.30pm at 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG.

ENDS


Notes to Editors

1. Professor Dame Wendy Hall is a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom and was Head of the School of Electronics and Computer Science (ECS) from 2002-2007. She was the founding Head of the Intelligence, Agents, Multimedia (IAM) Research Group in ECS.

She has published over 400 papers in areas such as hypermedia, multimedia, digital libraries, and Web technologies

In 2008 she was elected as President of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), and is the first person from outside North America to hold this position.

She was Senior Vice President of the Royal Academy of Engineering from 2005-2008 and is a Past President of the British Computer Society (2003-2004). She is a member of the Prime Minister’s Council for Science and Technology, a member of the Executive Committee of UKCRC, and Chair of the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Diversity Committee. She is a founding member of the Scientific Council of the European Research Council.

For further information about Professor Dame Wendy Hall, please visit: http://users.ecs.soton.ac.uk/wh/

2.For further information about the R&D Society Duncan Davies Medal, please visit: http://www.rdsoc.org/duncandavies.html

3.With around 500 researchers, and 900 undergraduate students, the School of Electronics and Computer Science at Southampton is one of the world's largest and most successful integrated research groupings, covering Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electronics, Electrical Engineering, and IT in Organisations. ECS has unrivalled depth and breadth of expertise in world-leading research, new developments and their applications.

4. The University of Southampton is a leading UK teaching and research institution with a global reputation for leading-edge research and scholarship across a wide range of subjects in engineering, science, social sciences, health and humanities.

5. With over 22,000 students, around 5000 staff, and an annual turnover of more than £370 million, the University of Southampton is acknowledged as one of the country's top institutions for engineering, computer science and medicine. We combine academic excellence with an innovative and entrepreneurial approach to research, supporting a culture that engages and challenges students and staff in their pursuit of learning.

The University is also home to a number of world-leading research centres, including the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research, the Optoelectronics Research Centre, the Web Science Research Initiative, the Centre for the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease, the Mountbatten Centre for International Studies and the Southampton Statistical Sciences Research Institute.

Opportunity: Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowships, c/d 6 Oct 2009

Each year the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust aims to award 100 Travelling Fellowships to British citizens. Each Fellow receives a grant to cover return and internal travel, daily living and travel insurance within the countries visited. Categories for application include Business & Finance and Science, Engineering & Enterprise. For further information and to apply, visit the Trust's website. Closing date 6 October 2009.

R&D Society news: David Fishlock, 1932 - 2009

The R&D Society was saddened to learn of the death on Friday 18 September 2009 of David Fishlock, a longstanding R&D Society member and former editor and valued contributor to the R&D Society newsletter. He was well regarded as a science and technology writer, with an influential career including being technology journalist for New Scientist, science correspondent for the Financial Times and founder of R&D Efficiency. Obituaries have been published in the Times and the Financial Times.

Members may wish to note that Scott Keir, the R&D Society administrator has details of David Fishlock's funeral and an address for flowers.

Policy Input: Royal Society policy study: The Fruits of Curiosity: science, innovation and future sources of wealth, c/d 11 Sep 2009

The Royal Society, the UK’s national academy of science, has opened a major policy study, The Fruits of Curiosity: science, innovation and future sources of wealth, that will review the landscape for UK science and innovation policy and explore its direction over the next 10-20 years. They are requesting views on some important questions, to ensure that their recommendations take account of the UK R&D community.

The study will measure the different forms of value created by science, engineering and medicine for the UK’s economy and society and will consider the role that science will play in equipping Britain to meet future economic, social and environmental challenges.

The Royal Society believes that it is timely to review these issues ahead of the forthcoming General Election and Spending Round, and to seek to influence debates about what lies beyond the current 10-Year Investment Framework for Science and Innovation.

The Royal Society believes that if the study is to realise its full potential, it is vital that they draw on insights, expertise and experience from a variety of settings, and have asked the R&D Society to encourage our members and contacts to submit their views.

The Society has listed a number of questions they would like answered in a Call for Evidence (PDF). In your submission, you may answer as many or as few of the questions listed in the call for evidence as you feel able to. Key questions of relevance to R&D Society members and contacts include:

• 1. What role should curiosity-driven research play in the UK science base in the next 15-25 years?
• 2. Which elements of policy for science and innovation over the past 10 years have been successful and should be maintained? Where is there room for improvement?
• 9. How can we make research careers – within academia or industry – a more attractive option for young people, both within the UK system and from abroad?
• 11. Does the standard career-track model need to be re-evaluated? Should we take more account of the movement of skilled individuals between academia, industry and business?
• 12. How can we strengthen science and innovation in all parts of the private sector in the UK, and further improve the exchange of knowledge and expertise between the public and private sectors?
• 13. How can we improve the scale and contribution of private sector R&D?
• 14. What initiatives (e.g. tax credits) have been successful or not with regards to supporting innovative businesses in the UK? How can the UK better support business?
• 17. What role should public sector R&D outside the ring-fenced science budget (e.g. departmental spending, government procurement and national laboratories) play in supporting the UK science base?

Submissions (ie, your answers to any of the above questions), can be made by email to: fruitsofcuriosity@royalsociety.org preferably by 11 September 2009. In your submission, you should state if you do not want your name or your submission to be made public, and give a contact name and telephone number.

R&D Society PR: Dame Wendy Hall honoured for inspiring role in UK research and development, issued 10 September 2009

Dame Wendy Hall honoured for inspiring role in UK research and development

Web pioneer and leading campaigner for women in science receives nineteenth Duncan Davies Medal from the Research and Development Society for making an outstanding contribution toward making the UK the best-performing research and development environment in the world.

Professor Dame Wendy Hall DBE FRS FREng is the recipient of the 2009 Duncan Davies Medal awarded by the Research and Development Society. Dame Wendy will accept the medal at a lecture she will give to the R&D Society on the evening of 12 October 2009 at the Royal Society, London.

The Duncan Davies 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.

Dr David Kingham, Chair of the R&D Society, commented, "Dame Wendy is a leading academic researcher who is passionate about business, maintaining links and providing expertise to innovative companies large and small. Her work as a role model and advocate of fair opportunities for women in science and engineering careers is benefiting UK R&D well beyond her own subject area of web technology. She’s been an inspiration to both men and women in the UK, and we’re pleased to award Dame Wendy our highest honour."

On hearing of the award, Dame Wendy commented, “I’m deeply flattered by the offer of this award – I can’t believe the company I find myself in when I look at the list of previous recipients. I am pleased that this award recognises my commitment to attracting more women into computer science. I believe my research area of the semantic web will open up a whole new wave of businesses, applications, services and R&D processes in the future, which the UK could lead, if it takes advantage of the talents of the very best men and women. I look forward to discussing this at the R&D Society event in October.”

Dr Duncan Davies was the third President of the R&D Society, and began his presidency in 1982, shortly after retiring as Chief Scientist and Engineer at the Department of Trade and Industry. Passionately concerned about R&D in the UK, he took a very active interest in the work of the Society. His sudden demise in 1986 came as a harsh blow to the Society and to UK R&D. To acknowledge the debt that it owed to Duncan Davies's leadership, the Society decided to establish a medal in his memory. Dame Wendy joins an esteemed list of recipients including Sir David King, Sir Robin Saxby, Lord Kumar Bhattacharya, Dame Bridget Ogilvie and Lord Sainsbury.

Dame Wendy will speak on “Research 2.0: the Age of Networks” on 12 October 2009 at 6.30pm, where she will discuss the development of Web Science, the opportunities and challenges posed by the increasing need for interdisciplinary research, and how this may drive universities to radically change.

Notes for Editors

Biography: Professor Dame Wendy Hall DBE FRS FREng
Wendy Hall is a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Southampton and was Head of the School of Electronics and Computer Science (ECS) from 2002-2007. She has published over 400 papers in areas such as hypermedia, multimedia, digital libraries, and Web technologies.

She was Senior Vice President of the Royal Academy of Engineering from 2005-2008 and is a Past President of the British Computer Society (2003-2004). She is a member of the Prime Minister’s Council for Science and Technology and a founding member of the Scientific Council of the European Research Council. In 2008 she was elected as President of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), and is the first person from outside North America to hold this position.

She was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday honours list in 2000, and became a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in the same year. She was awarded a DBE in the New Year’s Honours list in 2009, and became a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2009.

A longer biography is available at http://users.ecs.soton.ac.uk/wh/

Synopsis of “Research 2.0: the Age of Networks”
Full event listing at: http://www.rdsoc.org/09L7.html

Since its inception the Web has changed the ways we communicate, collaborate, and educate. In a very short-space of time we have come to live in a web-dependent society within a web-dependent world. There is a growing realization that a clear research agenda aimed at understanding the current, evolving, and potential Web is needed. Web Science embraces the study of these phenomena. In this seminar we will consider what Web Science is, and why it is important, as well as presenting ideas about how we can study the Web as both a technical and social phenomenon. We will use this discussion to explore the opportunities and challenges posed by the increasing need for interdisciplinary research undertaken by international teams to tackle the major problems faced by the world today. Researchers are increasingly using the power of social networking tools to undertake their work.

The role of government is crucial in setting policies to create an environment in which such research can flourish but in the age of networks universities may also have to radically change in order to facilitate such exciting and necessary developments and better train people to meet the needs of businesses in the future.

Opportunity: Exhibit at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition 2010, c/d 31 July 2009

The Royal Society is inviting proposals from commercial and academic organisiations for the 2010 Summer Science Exhibition, its most prestigious annual event. 2010 is the Royal Society’s 350th anniversary and to celebrate, the Society is holding an extended annual Summer Science Exhibition at the Southbank Centre in London from 26 June - 4 July 2010. Surrounded by a packed 9-day festival of events, the Exhibition will form the high-profile centrepiece of the Society’s anniversary year.

More information about the Exhibition, including FAQs, selection criteria, and an on-line proposal form, is available at Propose an exhibit via the Society's website. Closing date 31 July 2009.

Opportunity: British Engineering Excellence Awards, c/d 31 July 2009

The British Engineering Excellence Awards have been launched to celebrate the UK's engineering succeses. Entries will be scrutinised by a high level independent panel of judges, and winners will be presented with their awards on 1 October 2009 at the Globe, London.

The Awards are open to any business with a design engineering function, which has shown measurable innovation within the judging period of January 1st 2008 - June 30th 2009. Categories include Start Up of the Year, Small Company of the Year, Design Engineer of the Year and New Product of the Year.

The awards are free to enter, entries should be made online by the closing date of 31 July 2009.

Opportunity: BBSRC Strategy Panels and Research Committees, c/d 9 June 2009

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is looking to appoint high calibre, committed individuals from the academic and industrial sectors to its Strategy Panels. The Strategy Panels advise BBSRC on how best to deliver world class basic and strategic science. There are seven BBSRC Strategy Panels, including Bioscience for Industry and Bioscience for Society.

Members are drawn from universities, research institutes, Government departments and industrial user organisations, and BBSRC is keen to appoint members to the Panels with experience of industry relevant to the BBSRC Mission, particularly in the areas of food security and bioenergy.

Appointments are for one year in the first instance, with a minimum time commitment of two two-day meetings a year and time for grant review. An attendance fee of £170 per day and reasonable travelling expenses is payable.

Further details, including the Expression of Interest form is available on the BBSRC website. The deadline for applications is 9 June 2009.

Opportunity: NERC’s Science and Innovation Strategy Board (SISB, c/d 8 June 2009

NERC, the Natural Environment Research Council is inviting self-nominated applications for membership of its Science and Innovation Strategy Board from across the NERC science domain. The SISB is the key source of advice to NERC on science and innovation matters. For the 2009 round, applications from those with expertise in physics, atmospheric sciences, geo- and palaeochemistry, marine biogeochemistry, geophysics, ecology, solar and terrestrial physics or a relevant business sector background would be particularly welcome. All applications will be considered on merit. Deadline for applications, which should be made via the NERC website: 8 June 2009.

Opportunity: London Technology Fund Competition 2009, c/d 30 May 2009

The London Technology Fund Competition 2009 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 May 2009. Winners will be announced at a ceremony to be held on 4th November 2009.

Early applicants (those entering before the end of March) will also receive a free copy of the publication Sources of Finance and Advice for SMEs in London, which features the R&D Society.

Opportunity: Royal Society Hauksbee Awards, c/d 29 May 2009

The Royal Society is delighted to invite nominations for the Hauksbee Awards; a new set of awards developed to recognise the unsung heroes of science, as part of the Royal Society’s 350th anniversary celebrations.

These awards have been created to recognise and reward individuals who excel in their roles supporting UK science. The awards are open to any individual working to support science research or education (eg laboratory technicians) in categories including universities, industry and the public sector.

Nominations are invited from senior colleagues and consist of a completed nomination form and a recent CV of the nominee. The winners will receive a Royal Society engraved bronze medal and a £500 gift, presented at an award ceremony in February 2010.

More information about the awards, including the nomination form and selection criteria can be found at royalsociety.org/hauksbee. The deadline for nominations is Friday 29 May 2009.

Event: research connection 2009, Prague, 7 and 8 May 2009

The European Commission is holding a conference, research connection 2009, in Prague on 7 and 8 May 2009, for scientists, entrepreneurs and researchers interested in research and innovation. The European Commission budget for research and innovation is increasing each year, and the conference aims to give participants first-hand information about priorities, objectives and participation rules. The participation fee will be €50 for the two days. One-day passes will be available for €30.

Funding: Scottish Enterprise/RSE Enterprise Fellowships c/d 24 April 2009

Researchers in Scottish universities can apply for a Scottish Enterprise/RSE Enterprise Fellowship to develop a spin-out business around technological ideas. These Fellowships will be tenable for a period of one year commencing on or around October 2009. The aims to increase the commercialisation of the Scottish academic research base, raise understanding of commercialisation throughout Scottish universities and research institutes, and to create sustainable companies with high-value jobs. The programme is funded by Scottish Enterprise and delivered by the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Apply via their website, closing date 24 April 2009.

UK Research Councils' Knowledge Transfer Portal and consultation launched

The UK Research Councils, RCUK, have launched a Knowledge Transfer Portal to help researchers and businesses find funding for knowledge transfer opportunities. Intended as a 'one-stop-shop' to give details of all seven research councils' knowledge transfer schemes and activities and how to get involved into four areas: Collaborative Research; Collaborative Training; People Exchange; and Commercialisation and Development.

The Research Councils are also seeking personal responses to a consultation on their Knowledge Transfer schemes, activities and mechanisms. They would like individuals to complete 16 questions by June 2009 to report to the Research Councils Knowledge Transfer and Economic Impact Group in the Autumn. Responses may be made online.

R&D Society PR: Government must pick winners, issued 4 March 2009

Government must pick winners

R&D Society meeting on "Why choose the UK as a location for corporate R&D?"
With Tony Meggs (Chair); Jackie Hunter, GlaxoSmithKline; Ric Parker, Rolls Royce; Michael Walker, Vodafone

The Government must be prepared to pick winners in its science and innovation policy if it is to get maximum economic benefit out of the excellent research base in the UK, concluded the latest R&D Society meeting, held on Monday night. There was clear support for the Government's new policy to pick winners in areas of high growth potential, where the UK has a competitive advantage and could realistically be number 1 or 2 in the world. However, there was concern about the decision-making process and about whether the Government could be sufficiently "joined-up" to follow through and purchase the results of the R&D.

The meeting was chaired by Tony Meggs, former Group Vice President for technology at BP. In his opening remarks Tony said that the UK needed to improve its cross-disciplinary and inter-university collaborations to be able to tackle major global issues, referring to his experience of this being done much more effectively in the USA. He also picked out new energy technologies for special attention, saying that "it is all very well for the Government to want the UK to be the leader in R&D for sustainable energy, but this needs to be supported by an industrial infrastructure and a strong Government policy to adopt new energy technologies".

Jackie Hunter, Senior Vice President of GlaxoSmithKline welcomed the Government's new focus on picking winning areas to support through its science and innovation policy. Jackie said "the UK needs to focus and to be prepared to seize opportunities" and added that "we need a thriving biotechnology industry supported by intelligent and strategic Government policy".

Ric Parker, Director of Research and Technology at Rolls Royce suggested that the Government should look at President Obama's substantial increases in the science budget and argued that maintaining current spending levels was not sufficient to maintain the UK's international competitiveness. He said that rather than reducing VAT, “the Government should invest in R&D to achieve the same short-term stimulus, but with long-term strategic benefits”.

Professor Michael Walker, Group R&D Director of Vodafone, was critical of short-term thinking in the UK and urged the Government to invest in opportunities with potential to be world leading. “If we have a world-leading position, we should invest in it.” While welcoming the Government's intention to pick winners, he urged that the Government take care to use the right processes. “The science and engineering base, including industry, must be heavily involved – they know where we could be better ”. Mike picked out Mobile VCE, the Virtual Centre of Excellence in Mobile & Personal Communications, supported equally by Industry and EPSRC, as a model for effective collaborative R&D.

The panel and event attendees praised the UK’s international strengths, especially our science base, which produces talented researchers and world-leading “blue skies” research. The UK’s multicultural society encourages and enables companies to bring researchers from across the world to UK-based research departments. Staff in companies and universities were also praised for their ability to accept innovative and creative methods of working together. However, this was tempered by concern that Full Economic Cost (FEC) requirements – where universities recover the full cost of research cooperation from research partners – could hamper university/business collaboration. Businesses appreciated the necessity to cover costs, but thought that an across-the-board requirement for FEC recovery did not recognise the full range of benefits that business-university collaboration brings. The meeting agreed that the Government should offer FEC “top-ups” of around 20% for university/industry collaboration, which would support industry, universities and stimulate economic growth.

Before the meeting, David Kingham, Chairman of the R&D Society said "Globalisation is a critical challenge, and a key opportunity for UK research and development. With companies now operating on a global scale, they can choose to locate their R&D functions anywhere in the world. Countries are competing to attract these high-value, high-skill jobs. The UK has a strong tradition of corporate R&D from British and foreign-owned companies and a world-renowned science base. But is that enough for the future?"

Reflecting after the meeting, David Kingham said: "The purpose of our meeting was to give originally British, but increasingly global, companies based on science and technology the opportunity to express their views on R&D in the UK. We were delighted by the forthright views expressed, but it does raise a concern about whether Government policy makers are really listening and paying attention."

David Kingham continued: "it is clear that while there is strong support for the Government to be bold and pick some winners, this should be extra investment in selected areas and not come at the expense of basic science. Meanwhile there are grounds for concern about the process for picking winners and about whether the Government will then be sufficiently joined-up to then purchase the winning new technologies that it has supported."

Notes for Editors

1. The Research and Development Society is a UK-based organisation which aims to promote the better understanding of R&D in all its forms and to make the UK the best place in the world for R&D. It is unique in the UK in covering all types of business and industry with an interest in R&D, enabling common issues and solutions to be discovered, shared and solved. With a membership spread across the full range of UK R&D community, it holds regular meetings on a wide variety of topics relating to innovation and R&D management best practice. The R&D Society’s administration is provided by the Royal Society, but the R&D Society is independent, being a company limited by guarantee funded and run by its members through a Board of Directors, chaired by Dr David Kingham.
2. Future meetings of the R&D Society in April and May will feature David Willetts, Shadow Minister of Science and Innovatuion and Lord Drayson, Minister of Science and Innovation, respectively.

UK R&D Scoreboard and EU Innovation Scoreboards published

The 2008 DIUS R&D Scoreboard, which is endorsed by the R&D Society, published on 26 January 2009, reports on the patterns and trends of the 850 largest corporate spenders of R&D in the UK and the 1,400 companies in the world most active in R&D, based on R&D expenditure reported in company accounts.

The Scoreboard reports that the 850 top-spending UK firms spent £21.6 billion on R&D - a rise of 6.4 per cent on the previous scoreboard. The 1,400 companies in the world that spent the most on R&D increased their expenditure by 9.4% to £274 billion. 79% of this expenditure was by companies based in the USA, Japan, Germany, France and the UK. The figures were for the financial year before the current recession. The R&D Society has commented on the publication of the Scoreboard, urging the Government to maintain and improve their efforts to support UK R&D.

The EU Innovation Scoreboard, released 22 January 2009, compared the 27 EU countries' performance on innovation on 29 individual indicators of innovation, entrepreneurship and knowledge creation and intellectual property. The Scoreboard reports that the UK is one of six "Innovation leaders", grouped with Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Germany and Denmark.

The R&D Society provides short summaries of both these scoreboards, and other indicators of the UK's R&D performance on its website.

2008 R&D Scoreboard published - R&D Society comments "Government must help UK R&D"

Responding to the publication today (26 January 2009) by DIUS and BERR of the 2008 R&D Scoreboard, David Kingham, Chairman of the R&D Society, commented "The overall rise in R&D expenditure by the top 850 UK companies of 6% to £21.6 billion is welcome news, and shows continued confidence in UK companies of the value of R&D to their business. The news that the top 88 UK companies, who also rank in the top 1,400 global investors of R&D, increased their R&D investment by 10.3%, is offset by the Scoreboard’s findings that the remaining companies outside the top 88 grew their R&D by just 1.2% - a fall in real terms."

David Kingham continued, "It is not clear from the Scoreboard whether this reflects cuts in R&D activity or smarter spending by these companies, increasing their R&D efficiency. Given that these figures are from a time period prior to the current recession, we urge the Government to keep a close eye on the R&D activities of UK companies, and maintain and improve their efforts to support UK R&D. "

David Kingham concluded, "We endorse the R&D Scoreboard as a useful tool to enable companies to benchmark their R&D efforts with their peers. Investment in R&D is necessary for the long-term growth of many companies, and now is not the time for the Government to be distracted by short term financial difficulties at the expense of long-term, R&D-based improvements."

Update 27 January 2009: Coverage in Research Fortnight, ScienceBusiness, and The Engineer.

Opportunity: Board Members - Technology Strategy Board, c/d 16 Feb 2009

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 Technology Strategy Board is governed by a Board chaired by Graham Spittle. Board members establish the overall strategic direction of the Technology Strategy Board. Several positions on the Governing Board are available.

They require Board members who have knowledge and experience of the exploitation of science, technology and new ideas by business knowledge and Board members with experience of a range of key specified technologies.

The role requires a time commitment of around eighteen days per year, for between two and four years and offers a remiuneration of £9180 per annum.

For full details of the role requirements and how to apply, see the Public Appointments website. Closing date for applications is 16 Feb 2009.

Opportunity: NESTA Trustee, c/d 13 Feb 2009

NESTA, the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts, is a publicly-funded body responsible for fostering UK innovation.

They are seeking a Trustee with financial expertise who will also serve as Chair of the Finance & Audit Committee. Therole requires a commitment of 2.5 days per month for an appointment of four years, with an annual remuneration of £9000 plus travel.

See the Public Appointments website for full details of the role and application process. Closing date: 13 February 2009

Opportunity: East of England and East MIdlands RDA Board members wanted, c/d 11 February 2009

The Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) are Government-funded bodies which work on a regional basis to further economic development and regeneration, promote business and employment and general regional economic development. The RDAs are goverened by boards of directors, which are appointed by BERR.

Two Regional Development Agencies require Board members - the East of England and the East Midlands. The position requires a minimum of two days a month for an initial period of three years, with a remuneration of £8,538 per annum.

They are looking for applicants with "sound, high level business background and are committed to, and enthusiastic about, the economic development and regeneration of your region" and "strategic thinkers with strong communication, representational and influencing skills, plus the capacity to provide critical challenge in order to help ensure the RDA delivers economic impact and value for money. ".

Please see the RDA Appointments website for details, including an email address and phone number to request an application pack. Closing date: 11 February 2009.

Event: Ministers taking questions on Science and Innovation, 28 January 2009

10 Downing Street's Twitter account reports that:

How can science & innovation build a better Britain? Ministers taking your questions for panel debate Weds. Tweet q's to @sciencesowhat

To send in your questions, use (or sign up for) a free Twitter account and post a message beginning with @sciencesowhat followed by your question, eg:

@sciencesowhat My question?

Twitter messages must be no more than 140 characters long, including the "@sciencesowhat". And while you are there, remember that the R&D Society has a Twitter account - be sure to follow us for latest news.

Opportunity: I'm a Scientist, Get me out of Here!

I’m a Scientist, Get me out of Here! is an online event for GCSE and A Level students, which gets young people talking to real scientists, learning about How Science Works (HSW) and science careers.

During the event, five scientists in each group compete for prize money to publicise their work. They put up information on the I’m a Scientist website and talk to school students online – answering questions and having live chats. The young people then vote for who they think should get the money.

Following a successful pilot project, I'm a Scientist... will run again in March and June 2009. They are looking for scientists to take part, talking to school students and developing their communication skills. Scientists are welcome to register their interest on the project website, which has full details of the role and requirements of the participating scientists.

Opportunity: NERC Peer Review College, c/d 9 January 2009

NERC, the UK Government funding adgency for the natural and environmental sciences, is inviting nominations for membership to its affiliate Peer Review College to help review funding proposals. ‘Affiliate’ membership will be of interest to those individuals who use the results of research, commission or oversee research activities or undertake policy-making, business or regulatory activities. Affiliate members provide an important user perspective on the value and benefits of knowledge exchange (KE) activities, the aim of which is to encourage collaboration and interaction between research organisations and those who make use of research outcomes. Affiliate members will also have a key role in assessing the newly introduced KE plans for responsive mode applications. The closing date for nominations is 9 January 2009. Further information on the Peer Review College, and a nomination form, is on the NERC website.

Opportunity: Expert Group for Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), c/d 5 January 2009

New members are sought to join an Expert Group for Women in STEM which reports to the Government's Department for Innovation, Universities and skills (DIUS). The Group advises the Government on developments and strategy for women in STEM. The Group advises, participates and initiates activities to achieve a supportive workplace across all STEM employment areas (industry, government, NGOs academia and education).

Applications are welcomed from those in the STEM field and the wider science community with an interest in gender and diversity issues. Membership to the group is unpaid, although reasonable travel expenses for attending meetings will be reimbursed. The closing date for applications is Monday 5 January 2009. See the full advertisement for how to apply.