Edition 30
Welcome to the 30th edition of NESTA Innovation Digest (ID). NESTA ID is intended to provide fortnightly information and links on the latest news from the world of innovation policy and research and news of international issues and events.
We're sifting news and updates from dozens of websites and bulletins for each edition of ID. We're keen to know how we could improve this service, or perhaps you have suggestions for inclusion - please email digest@enews.nesta.org.uk
As tasked in ‘Innovation Nation’, NESTA is developing an Innovation Index. A call for ideas has been launched on a micro site, with a web forum for discussion. Please sign up and contribute at www.innovationindex.org.uk.
Regards,
Richard Halkett - Executive Director, NESTA Policy and Research Unit
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In this Issue
DIUS and BERR have published a new manufacturing strategy intended to help UK manufacturing businesses make the most of globalisation. The European Commission has launched a new consultation on ICT research and innovation to inform a forthcoming strategy for the sector. In a joint report, NESTA, CIHE, and NCGE offer a new implementation framework to promote entrepreneurship culture and education in HEIs. Abroad, the Australian government has published a review of the country’s innovation system. Finally, NESTA will host a series of events at the forthcoming party conferences
Policy
BERR and DIUS strategy – Manufacturing: New Challenges New Opportunities 08-09-08
Measures include 1,500 additional places for apprenticeships; £24m for production research; support for 600 companies to identify opportunities in India and China; a new Manufacturing Technology Centre; and campaigns to change the image of manufacturing.
Public Accounts Committee report – Managing financial resources to deliver better public services 09-09-08
Reveals that a lack of finance skills in Whitehall is hampering the cost-effective delivery of services. Only 20% of departments’ policy proposals based decisions on a thorough assessment of their financial implications.
HM Treasury – Creation of the Professional Services Global Competitiveness group 10-09-08
The group will look at medium and longer-term issues affecting the Professional Services sector. It is co-chaired by Kitty Ussher MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, and Sir Michael Snyder, Senior Partner at Kingston Smith LLP.
The Royal Society – New USA-UK Scientific Forum 08-09-08
Will be operated jointly with the US National Academy of Sciences, and funded by a donation from the Raymond and Beverly Sackler Foundation. The forum will hold scientific conferences and meetings in both the US and the UK.
Mayor of London – The London climate change adaptation strategy 28-08-09
Outlines both the risks to London from climate change and extreme weather, and an action plan to manage these threats. A public consultation on the strategy is planned for early 2009.
Scottish Broadcasting Commission report – Platform for success 08-09-08
Recommends the creation of a new Scottish Network; the BBC should secure 8.6% of network TV production from Scotland; Channel 4 should have a mandatory target for production from Scotland of 8.6%; and more responsibilities for Ofcom Scotland.
Welsh Assembly Government – Additional funding for health R&D 03-09-08
£370,000 extra will be devoted to support research activities and the NHS in Wales. Includes funding for the Welsh Innovations in Healthcare service.
European Commission – Practical guide to EU funding opportunities for Research and Innovation 08-09-08
Aims to help all stakeholders to find their way into the different existing EU funding. It includes a description of each fund, advices for policy makers and a Checklist and Scorecard to identify how to access European funding at every stage of a project.
European Commission consultation – Shaping the ICT research and innovation agenda for the next decade 04-09-08
Seeks views on how to shape a cross-cutting ICT R&D and innovation strategy for Europe. Aims to inform an EC Communication on ‘a strategy for ICT R&D and innovation in Europe’ planned for April 2009. Closes 07-11-08.
NESTA and UKERC – Launch of Carbon Crucible 08-09-08
Carbon Crucible will stimulate and foster interdisciplinary collaborations between early- to mid-career researchers, focused on energy research. Applications close on 13 October 2008.
NESTA – 10 finalists of the Big Green Challenge 11-09-08
Ten community-led projects, designed to tackle climate change head on are the finalists in NESTA’s £1 million prize competition. A high profile judging panel, including Lord Puttnam, will decide on the overall winner(s) in November 2009.
Research
NESTA, CIHE, NCGE report – Developing Entrepreneurial Graduates: Putting entrepreneurship at the centre of higher education 09-09-08
The report, written with an international panel, offers an implementation framework to create an entrepreneurial culture within HEIs and to drive entrepreneurship education across the curriculum.
OECD Indicators – Education at a glance 2008 09-09-08
Assesses the performance of education systems in OECD countries. Reveals that 57% of school-leavers worldwide went on to university in 2006 (compared with 37% in 1995) and that younger people are better educated than their older compatriots.
Centre for Cities report – UK cities in the global economy 10-09-08
Argues that globalisation creates inequalities among UK cities. Policy interventions should focus on the long-term and support those who may lose out. It offers cities a new framework for responding to globalisation, based around five principles.
NESTA and Kingston University interim report – The identification and measurement of innovative characteristics of young people 05-09-08
Identifies, assesses and examines how innovative characteristics are expressed by 15-19 year olds, through formal education and in their everyday lives. Examines different types of secondary schools in different locations.
Universities UK report – Private Universities and public funding: models and business plans 04-09-08
Reveals the growth in the number of private universities operating worldwide, with more than one in three students globally studying in the private sector. Some of the larger US companies are looking for markets abroad.
Young Foundation and nef report – Local Wellbeing: Can We Measure It? 07-09-08
Recommends a three-tiered approach for local authorities trying to measure wellbeing at the local level: universal level, domain level, and targeted level.
The Royal Society report – Science and mathematics education 14-19 05-09-08
Evaluates trends in 14–19 science and mathematics education across the UK from 1996 to 2007. Reveals that proportions of 17 year olds in STEM subjects have shrunk, and calls for a different approach to educational reform.
OECD – International Migration Outlook 10-09-08
Provides analysis and statistics on international migration movements and policies. Also include analysis on the migration of low-skilled workers and their role in the labour forces of OECD countries.
Events
DIUS Exp08 - One Year On, Manchester 16-09-08
Learn more about DIUS and its agencies; understand the Department’s future direction; engage in work to deliver this; and meet DIUS staff and partner organisations.
NESTA - Future World of Work Networking 23-09-08
NESTA is launching three new pilot projects to test out fresh approaches to work-related learning for 14 to 19 year olds. Join us for an informal networking event to find out more about the pilots and to meet the teams behind them.
BRE - Innovation in Construction: The need for new ideas and how to commercialise them 23-10-08
A practical day for inventors, manufacturers, investors, property owners, universities and all those who want to launch ideas in the construction industry or who require new ideas, products or services to maintain their companies competitiveness.
Ninth Cambridge Enterprise Conference – Put a tiger in the tank? - Innovative strategies for the knowledge economy, Churchill College, Cambridge 17-09-08
Aimed at encouraging enterprise and helping new and innovative businesses to be successful. Panel of experts including entrepreneurs, academics, advisors and policymakers. Keynote address by Professor Sir David King.
The Swedish Foundation for Small Business Research and The Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth – 4th Global Conference on Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Sweden 16 to 18-09-08
International policymakers, entrepreneurs, and academics will discuss entrepreneurship policymaking, growth, and innovation.
Library House - Essential Cleantech 2008 25-09-08
Will discuss the state of play in clean technology. Themes are the business of cleantech, consumption and efficiency, future generation and future generation.
NESTA – Youth-led innovation in a digital world, London 30-09-08
Geoff Goodwin, Head of BBC Switch, Lizzie Jackson, an academic at Westminster, and Matt Locke, Commissioning Editor for Education at Channel 4, will discuss the role that youth-led innovation can play in shaping digital content aimed at young people.
Technology Strategy Board conference – Innovate '08, London 07-10-08
Exhibition and conference with keynote speeches from Tom Ilube, Garlik; Richard Farleigh, Dragons' Den; and Iain Gray, Technology Strategy Board Chief Executive.
NESTA at the Labour Party conference - Closing the equity gap: how are we going to fund the high-growth start-ups of the future? 22-09-08
With the Smith Institute, speakers include John McFall MP, Simon Walker CEO BVCA and Jonathan Kestenbaum CEO NESTA.
NESTA at the Labour Party conference - Improving skills: economic or social imperative? 23-09-08
Speakers include Rt Hon John Denham MP, Jonathan Kestenbaum CEO NESTA, Sasha Callaghan President UCU, Polly Curtis Education Editor, The Guardian.
NESTA at the Labour Party conference - Making creative Britain accessible to all 23-09-08
Speakers include Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP and Mark Thompson, Director-General, BBC.
NESTA at the Conservative Party conference - The video game: friend or foe? 28-09-08
Speakers include Ed Vaizey MP, Ian Livingstone Eidos, Tom Hoggins Daily Telegraph, John Carr Children’s Charities' Coalition on Internet Safety, and Jonathan Kestenbaum CEO NESTA.
NESTA at the Conservative Party conference - Innovation: the answer to an economic downturn? 29-09-08
Speakers include Adam Afriyie MP, Irwin Stelzer Hudson Institute and Sunday Times), and Jonathan Kestenbaum CEO NESTA.
International
Australia Government – Review of Australia's National Innovation System 09-08-09
Analyses Australia’s innovation system and makes recommendations to revitalise it. The Review was chaired by Dr Terry Cutler.
Launch of Indo-German Science and Technology Centre 09-09-08
Will promote linkages among research institutions, academia and industry in the two countries, and support joint projects in the health, automobile and advanced materials sectors. Both countries to contribute €10m over the next five years.
Launch of US-EU Match Network 10-09-08
Aims to enhance transatlantic trade links and encourage transfers of innovative ideas and technology, by helping American and EU companies and research institutes establish links and collaborative working.
OECD Review of Innovation Policy – China 29-09-08
Assesses the current status of China’s national innovation system and policies, and recommends improvements required in both the policy and institutional environments for China to succeed in promoting innovation through a market-based approach.