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.

Opportunity: Industrial Mathematics Internships from Industrial Mathematics KTN

The Knowledge Transfer Network for Industrial Mathematics has launched a new programme of Industrial Mathematics Internships. Each Internship is a collaboration between a host company, an Intern, and a research group within a university. This will allow companies and university research groups to promote direct knowledge exchange and develop long-term working relationships, through engaging a dedicated postgraduate researcher to work on a specific industrial project over a period of 3-6 months.

A pilot of 6 Internships will run between September 2007 and August 2008 and is jointly founded by EPSRC. Each Internship will last between 3 and 6 months and will be supported by one of the KTN’s Technology Translators. Apply through the Industrial Mathematics Internships website. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.