Edition 16
Welcome to the 16th 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
Regards,
Richard Halkett - Executive Director, NESTA Policy and Research Unit
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This issue
DCSF have published a £140m strategy for maths and science teaching in schools and the Wellcome Trust have unveiled plans for medical research funding of up to £4bn over the next five years. NESTA has released a research report measuring the creative industries contribution to the UK, 'Beyond the creative industries: mapping the creative economy in the UK'. Internationally, Georgia Institute of Technology have produced a report on technology based competitiveness across 33 countries. Finally, National Science and Engineering Week begins on March 7.
Policy
DCSF – £140m strategy for maths and science in schools 24-01-08
Intends to encourage STEM teaching and student career uptake. Includes £31m for teacher recruitment and retention, £50m for continuing professional development and £34m to help boost the number of post-16 STEM students.
HEFCE – £9.6m to support collaborative research 5-02-08
The funding will establish 'The Birmingham Warwick Science City Interdisciplinary Research Alliance', an alliance of the universities of Warwick and Birmingham. Will focus on energy futures, advanced materials and translational medicine.
IUS select committee evidence session – The Leitch Review of Skills 27-02-08
Lord Leitch will give evidence to the committee on his review, published 5 December 2006, and the Government response.
IUS select committee evidence session – Science budget allocations 20-02-08
Evidence will be heard from Ian Pearson MP, Minister for Science and Innovation and Professor Sir Keith O'Nions, Director General, Science and Innovation.
Wellcome Trust – Funding for medical research 05-02-08
Plans to increase funding from £2.5bn over the last five years to almost £4bn over the next five, including a one-off additional spend of £500m to invest in large scale biomedical science projects around the globe.
IUS select committee – Engineering Inquiry 06-01-08
The inquiry will examine the role of engineering and engineers in UK society; contribution to UK innovation; the state of the skills base; impact on R&D and efforts to promote engineering careers.
Speech by Ed Miliband MP – 5th annual Guardian Public Services Summit 07-02-08
Ed Miliband MP, Minister for the Cabinet Office, described the challenge to make services more responsive to the needs of individuals and spoke on the emerging demands for new services.
OTS and Community Development Foundation – Launch of a £130 million Grassroots Grants programme 31-01-08
Will provide access to small grants for Third Sector organisations in England. There will be a £80m small grants fund and a £50m endowments programme to enable local funders to generate additional donations on a matched basis.
Cabinet Office report – Realising Britain's Potential: Future Strategic Challenges for Britain 07-02-08
Analysis of the main long-term strategic challenges facing UK society and the delivery of quality public services. DIUS intends to build the analysis into a framework for action across Government departments.
European Commission study to assess cultural industries 28-01-08
Will examine the role of the EU's cultural industries in stimulating creativity, innovation and growth, as well as the economic potential of the EU's cultural industries. The study will be launched next month.
Children, Schools and Families select committee – Creative Partnerships and the Curriculum: Government response 21-01-08
The Government argues that Creative Partnerships' focus should remain on arts and culture and that creativity should be promoted further in schools. Will also establish a Youth Culture Trust to promote cultural activities more widely.
Adair Turner appointed head of new Committee on Climate Change 28-01-08
Lord Turner, former DG of the CBI, will head the new body, being established under the Climate Change Bill. The Committee will provide independent, expert advice on how the UK can best meet its climate change goals. To report annually.
HEFCE and Salix Finance Ltd – New fund to reduce greenhouse gases 28-01-08
The fund will provide HEIs with repayable grants for innovative projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. £30-40 million will be distributed over the three years from 2008.
BERR – Call for evidence on renewable heat 31-01-08
Seeks advice on further development of existing technologies; new incentives to stimulate the development of renewable heat; and how surplus heat might be captured. A consultation will follow in the summer.
IUS select committee evidence session – Renewable electricity-generation technologies 30-01-08
Dr Paul Golby, CEO, E.ON UK; Dr David Clarke, CEO, ETI; Professor Peter Bruce, RSE; Dr Alison Wall, EPSRC; Jeff Alexander, RDA representative; Ravi Baga, EDF Energy; Kevin McCullough, CEO, npower and Nick Harrington, MII will give evidence.
AHRC – New funding framework with the German Research Foundation 31-01-08
Aims to foster collaboration between the German and UK research communities. Either DFG or AHRC may be the lead agency for processing applications, depending on the subject matter of the application. Deadlines for the first round is 05-06-08.
Scottish Government consultation – Proposals for a Scottish Climate Change Bill 29-01-08
Measures include a statutory target to reduce Scottish emissions by 80% by 2050, plans for annual progress reports and the creation of a framework of carbon budgets for Scottish emissions.
National Science and Engineering Week 2008 07 to 16-03-08
Around 2,000 events will take place throughout the UK with the aim of celebrating science, engineering and technology. Coordinated by the British Association for the Advancement of Science and funded by DIUS.
Research
NESTA report – Beyond the Creative Industries: Mapping the creative economy in the United Kingdom 06-02-08
Measures the creative industries' contribution to the UK economy, using a new methodology. With 34% of the creative workforce working in non-creative sectors, creative activities are as embedded in the economy as financial services.
Georgia Institute of Technology report – High Tech Indicators Technology based Competitiveness of 33 Nations 2007 Report 22-01-08
A new study of worldwide technological competitiveness suggests China may soon rival the US as the principal driver of the world's economy, a position the US has held since the end of World War II.
Royal Society report – A Higher degree of concern 31-01-08
PhDs in science have dropped from 65% to 57% over the last ten years, although PhDs in all subjects have increased by 79%. Argues that an under-supply of STEM trained people could lead to a future skills shortage.
Launch of 'LANCS' collaborative research project 22-01-08
£12m initiative between the Universities of Cardiff, Lancaster, Nottingham and Southampton to develop work in the field of Operational Research. Supported with a Science and Innovation Award from the EPSRC.
Arts & Business survey – Private Investment in the Arts 30-01-08
The total amount of private support for the arts has grown to £599m in 2006/07, a 11% annual increase. 10% of arts organisations show private investment representing more than 50% of their income.
Arthur D. Little report – Innovation for value 04-02-08
Examines how businesses can strategically review their innovation culture and processes to create business value and long-term competitive advantage.
Events
IMF conference – The Nature and Magnitude of Financial Innovation, 29-01-08
Discussed the impact of financial innovation on monetary policy and highlighted upcoming challenges. Keynote address by Takatoshi Kato, IMF Deputy Managing Director.
OECD – Business Symposium on Open Innovation in Global Networks, Denmark 25 to 26-02-08
Business representatives, academics and policymakers will discuss the findings of a two-year OECD project on Globalisation and Open Innovation. 56 company case studies have been undertaken across 13 OECD-countries.
Civil Service Live, London 01 to 03-02-08
5,000 civil servants from across Government will discuss innovation and best practice.
UK resource centre for women in science, engineering and technology conference 2008 – The Mass Media and SET: Developing New Partnerships 12-03-08
Speakers include Minister for Women, Harriet Harman MP; Kirsty Wark; Jenny Kitzinger, Cardiff University; Elizabeth Whitelegg, Open University and Maggie Philbin.
RSA Arts & Ecology Exchanges: Culture in a Time of Crisis – Perspectives on Global Challenges from the Arts Sector, London 06-02-08
James Purnell MP, Professor Stephen Hopper, Alan Davey, incoming CEO Arts Council England and Matthew Taylor will discuss the role of the cultural sector in climate change issues.
Méditerranée Technologies and Trans2Tech project, France – Driving innovation from science to business 06-03-08
Will discuss the marketing of research in response to the needs of business and barriers to technology transfer and knowledge exchange.
i-genius – World summit, Thailand 13 to 16-03-08
Social entrepreneurs, policy makers, investors, NGOs and media organisations from around the world will discuss opportunities, networks and support for social entrepreneurs. Speakers include Chris Cramer, former president of CNN International.
easy – Investment Forum, Italy 25 to 26-02-08
Business angels and early-stage VC funds from across Europe will identify investment opportunities in 22 selected European companies, representing the following sectors: med-tech and healthcare; design; transportation and logistics; and clean-tech.
Scotland Arts Council – Scotland: Creative Nation, Cultural Summit, Edinburgh 25 to 27-02-08
Will focus on the future of the arts and cultural policy in Scotland. Speakers include Linda Fabiani MSP, Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture; and Richard Holloway, Chairman of the Joint Board Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen.
International
Spanish National Institute of Statistics survey – National technology innovation survey for enterprises for 2006 01-02-08
Expenditure on technological innovation in Spain has increased by an annual average of 20% between 2000 and 2006. The Spanish regions that invested most in innovation were Madrid (33.9%), Catalonia (21.4%) and the Basque Country (9.4%).
Lake Research Partners survey – Stifling imagination in USA schools underlies innovation and skills deficit 31-01-08
National poll of 1,000 people reveals that 89% of Americans believe imagination is important for innovation. However, 69% of voters believe that, when compared to other nations, the USA devotes less attention to developing imagination and innovation.
World Economic Forum – Launch of the SlimCity initiative 26-01-08
Aims to support collaboration between cities and the private sector on new projects in areas including energy, water, waste, mobility, planning and health. SlimCity is a partnership between WEF, IEA, the World Bank and the global city network.