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.
Thursday, 26 February 2009
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.
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.
Monday, 16 February 2009
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.
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.
Friday, 13 February 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
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
Wednesday, 11 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.
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.
Wednesday, 28 January 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 @sciencesowhatTo 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.
Saturday, 17 January 2009
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.
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.
Friday, 9 January 2009
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.
Monday, 5 January 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, 9 December 2008
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.
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.
Friday, 31 October 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.
Monday, 20 October 2008
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.
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