Edition 21
Welcome to the 21st 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
DIUS has launched a High Level Skills strategy and consultation exploring how to build stronger and more flexible links between business and universities. The European Commission has appointed 22 members of the European Research Area Board, with Sir David King representing the UK. The OECD has published its 2008 Fact Book of economic, environmental and social statistics. On the 26 April a series of events will celebrate World Intellectual Property Day. Finally, on 20 May NESTA holds its annual event, the Innovation Edge, where over 2,000 people will discuss a range of innovation topics and hear from world renowned speakers and experts.
Policy
DIUS strategy and consultation – Higher Education at Work – High Skills: High Value 14-04-08
Seeks views on how to raise the skills of those already in work and ensure graduates are equipped with the skills that businesses need to compete globally. Closing date is 07-07-08.
UKTI – Establishment of the UK Life Science Marketing Strategy Implementation Board 17-04-08
Intends to promote the UK's excellence in the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and healthcare to attract and support inward investment. The board will be chaired by Chris Brinsmead, president of AstraZeneca UK.
DIUS – New Land Use Futures project 07-04-08
Foresight will look at both urban and rural spaces to explore how the use of land may need to evolve to meet future challenges. Project is sponsored by DCLG and DEFRA. Findings are expected at the end of 2009.
BERR – Martin Temple to chair the Transition Management Board for the Business Support Simplification Programme 14-04-08
Martin Temple is the current Chair of the Engineering Employers Federation. The BSSP will reduce the number of business support schemes offered by the government from 3000 to less than 100 by 2010.
BERR investigation – The automotive industry 07-04-08
Will identify measures to tackle the challenges of low cost competition and the move to lower-carbon transport with the aim to produce an action plan for industry. Will be lead by former Ford vice president Richard Parry-Jones.
BERR – Regulators Compliance Code 07-04-08
Requires regulators to take a risk-based approach to inspection and enforcement. Also aims to reduce the number of inspections and provide better advice on how to comply with the law.
UK Film Council – £18m for regional film industries 09-04-08
The funding will be allocated over the next two years to help English regions boost their local capacity and increase public access. Funds will be allocated from two pots, the Regional Investment Fund for England and the Digital Archive Fund.
NWDA, University of Chester and Burton Manor College – Launch of Atelier 08-04-05
£1m development intended to provide an entrepreneurial platform for artisans. Offers educational opportunities and business support. Located at the site is a dedicated Business Centre.
British Academy Awards – UK-Middle East and UK-South Asia Capacity Sharing Partnerships
Four awards of up to £10,000 a year for up to three years are available to support the development of ongoing links between research centres or institutions, within the humanities and social sciences. Closes 04-07-08.
Launch of ‘Fas’ – Gaelic centre for creative and cultural industries 11-04-08
Alex Salmond opened the £8m centre, intended as a hub for the development of Gaelic arts, heritage, film, media. With a range of resources it is hoped to drive up skills levels and attract investment.
Scottish Government – New Sino-Scottish Memorandum of Understanding 07/04/2008
Establishes formal strategic Sino-Scottish collaboration. Projects include promotion of Chinese language in Scottish schools, Sino-Scottish scholarships for PhD studies, and research collaboration on sectors such as life sciences and clean energy.
Bank of Scotland Corporate – £35 million Entrepreneur Challenge
Seeks growing and creative businesses with a minimum turnover of £2m. Winners will receive up to £5m funding entirely free of interest for 3 years and free of arrangement fees.
Scottish Government – £4m funding for healthcare research 14-04-08
Will fund research streams that will explore primary care, patient safety and the effectiveness of new innovations providing evidence for service improvements.
Scottish Government – Funding for innovative zero waste technology 15-04-08
Up to £6m will be available over three years to fund innovative projects in the private, public and voluntary sectors to treat organic waste.
European Parliament – Vote rejects anti-piracy plan 11-04-08
MEPs voted against an amendment to the Bono Report for measures such as the ‘interruption of internet access’ to fight digital piracy, arguing that it would go too far against people’s freedoms and human rights.
European Commission - Members of the European Research Area Board announced 11-04-08
22 nominees from science, academia and business, to provide independent and authoritative advice to the EC on European research and science policy, and to help realise a European Research Area. Sir David King represents the UK.
DELL – Launch of the 2008 Small Business Excellence Award 09-04-08
Will reward UK businesses with 100 or fewer employees businesses who have successfully commercialised innovative technology. Winner will receive up to £25,000 in Dell technology and services. Closing date for applications 31-04-08.
Research
OECD Factbook 2008: Economic, Environmental and Social Statistics 08-04-08
Fourth edition, with over 100 indicators in areas including: economy, productivity, agriculture, education, energy, environment, population/labour force, trade and investment, taxation, public expenditure and R&D.
HEFCE report – Counting what is measured or measuring what counts? League tables and their impact on HEIs in England 08-04-08
Analysed five university league tables and investigated how HEIs respond to them. Reveals that measures used in the tables are not determined by clear definitions of quality and this can lead to possible perverse incentives. Surveyed 91 institutions.
Learning and Skills Network report - Employability Skills Explored 02-04-08
Examines the factors that define employability skills, and the skills expectations UK employers have of young people entering their first job. Employers found barriers to recruitment in literacy, numeracy, attitude and communications.
Events
NESTA Crucible 2008 Reception, London 28-04-08
Reception to mark the start of NESTA’s Crucible programme for early-stage career researchers. Government Chief Scientific Advisor, Professor John Beddington, will give a keynote speech on maximising the social and economic impact of research.
BCC – The business convention: from local creativity to local competitiveness, Liverpool 28-04-08
Focus on the future of innovation and creativity in business. Speakers include Lord Jones Minister for Trade and investment, George Osborne MP, Sir Terry Leahy CEO Tesco, Sir Michael Rake Chairman BT, David Frost DG BCC and John Fleming Group VP Ford.
Futuresonic Conference: The Social Technologies Summit, Manchester 01 to 05-05-08
Will combine keynotes, debates, workshops, demos and participatory sessions around: mobile social software, freeing space in the augmented city, how game design can revolutionise social software, OpenID and who is keeping an eye on the kids.
OTS and NESTA – Social investment conference, Good Deals! London, 06-05-08
Will discuss new opportunities for financing social change. Keynote speaker is the venture capitalist Sir Tom Hunter. Other speakers include Government Ministers Ed Miliband and Phil Hope, and Big Issue Invest CEO Nigel Kershaw.
Invest Northern Ireland – US-Northern Ireland Investment Conference 07 to-09-05-08
30-50 CEOs and senior executives from US companies within specific sectors will learn of inward investment opportunities in Northern Ireland.
Shine, London 09 to 11-05-08
Shine is an unconference for social entrepreneurs. You'll experience collaborative thinking, audience-led dialogue and peer-to-peer learning. NESTA will run two sessions, inviting you to help us design better access to risk capital.
Demos - University science: a public good? 15-05-08
Will discuss the effects and impacts of companies funding university science, and whether it helps or hinders innovation and research. Speakers include Professor Philip Moriarty, Ian Gibson MP and John Pethica, Chief Scientist NPL.
Arts Council and Liverpool, European Capital of Culture 2008 – 3rd national conference: Creative communities 2008, Liverpool 15-05-08
Will explore the latest opportunities to meet Government targets through community-led creative programmes which address issues of diversity, employability, health and well-being. Speakers include Andy Burnham MP and Professor Phil Redmond.
British Association for the Advancement of Science - 2008 science communication conference 19 to 20-05-08
Will discuss issues facing science communicators in the UK, including how to inspire, education and media relations. Speakers include Lord Melvyn Bragg and Ian Pearson MP.
CBI – Annual Dinner 2008 20-05-08
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling, will make a keynote address on issues of government-business relations, including debate on capital gains tax, ‘non-doms’ and the response to the credit crunch.
5th Annual MIT Sloan CIO Symposium, Massachusetts 21-05-08
CIOs, CTOs, and senior technology executives will discuss issues around ‘Balancing Innovation and Cost Leadership in Your Firm’. Speakers include Professor McAfee, Harvard Business School; Marc Gordon, CIO Bank of America and Molly O’Neill, CIO US E
Cambridge-MIT Institute - Workshop on Open Innovation, Cambridge 22 to 23-05-08
Bringing together young scholars from different disciplines to improve knowledge exchange, explore the concept of open innovation, and provide a platform for future shared research projects in the area of innovation.
Growth Strategies 2008 23-05-08
Will address business growth: acquisitions, the threats and opportunities from Europe, funding growth and managing growth. Speakers include Doug Richard, Chairman of Library House, Colonel Tim Collins and Declan Curry, BBC business presenter.
Innovation Exchange – Festivals of Ideas 30-04-08 and 07-05-08
Online exchange between commissioners, innovators and social investors to generate ideas about independent living and excluded young people. In July a participant will receive support and funding.
NESTA – The Innovation Edge, Royal Festival Hall 20-05-08
Will bring together experts from industry, culture, politics and academia. Speakers include Bob Geldof, Lord Puttnam, Helen Alexander, Michael Birch and urban artist 'Inkie'. There will be eight expert seminars in the afternoon to chose from.
International
Launch of the Millennium Technology Prize 2008
The Technology Academy Finland Technology Prize is awarded every second year to inspire and recognize technological innovations that provide answers to modern challenges. EUR800,000 to the winner. Awards announced 11 June.
Nokia – Mobile Games Innovation Challenge
EUR70,000 in prizes and pre-production contracts are offered to design innovative concepts and technologies in the mobile gaming industry. Closes 20 August, with winners announced late October.
WIPO – World Intellectual Property Day 26-04-08
Annual event since 2001 to increase public understanding of what IP really means, and to demonstrate how the IP system fosters not only music, arts and entertainments, but also all the products and technological innovations that help to shape our world.