Edition 24
Welcome to the 24th 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
Subscribe to our email newsletter version
This issue
The UK Government has partnered with Google to use Google Earth to better predict changes to the temperature caused by climate change. NESTA, CSAIL and ECS are working in partnership with the inventor of the Web, Sir Tim Berners Lee to explore the impact of the Web on society. Launched at NESTA’s Innovation Edge conference, the NESTA report Total Innovation calls for the development of Total Innovation Strategies for the UK’s most important industries. A new IBM survey of 1,000 CEOs uncovers what leaders in the public and private sectors think the enterprise of the future will look like. Finally, France’s research system is currently being reformed, with plans to split the National Centre for Scientific Research into six national institutes.
Policy
HM Treasury report - Embracing Financial Globalisation 30-05-08
Details the nature and impact of financial globalisation on the UK and makes policy recommendations. Argues for greater financial openness, continued economic stability, administrative efficiency and an effective international regulatory system.
UK Government and Google – Launch of Climate Change in Our World project 19-05-08
Launched at Google’s Zeitgeist Conference, it will use Google Earth with meteorological data from the Met Office Hadley Centre and the British Antarctic Survey to document and predict changes to the temperature caused by climate change.
DIUS – Launch of Sciencewise Expert Resource Centre for Public Dialogue in Science and Innovation 30-05-08
Virtual information hub intended to promote interaction between the science community, the public and policymakers.
DIUS annual report – Investing in our future 22-05-08
A ‘Blueprint for Success’ designed to ensure DIUS meets the two PSA targets (world class skills base by 2020 and world class science and innovation) and defines six Departmental Strategic Objectives that will define DIUS's activities until 2011.
MoD – Launch of the Centre for Defence Enterprise 29-05-08
The CDE is modelling itself on commercial science parks and incubators, bringing together inventors, investors, entrepreneurs, and academics to develop new technologies for front line military operations and turn ideas into cutting edge reality.
DoH – Seven new partnerships between NHS organisations and universities 28-05-08
The new NIHR (National Institute for Health Research) Collaborations for Health Research and Care aim to bring together universities and NHS organisations to test new treatments to see if they are appropriate for everyday use in the health service.
DIUS – Expansion of the Science & Engineering Ambassadors 21-05-08
The number of ambassadors working to get young people interested in careers in engineering and science will be expanded to 27,000 over the next three years, intended to cover all schools and colleges. Funding will increase from £2m to £7.4m.
DCMS/UK Film Council – UK-India film co-production agreement 13-05-08
Aims to provide funding for UK and Indian filmmakers to work together and enable them to co-produce films that will be eligible for national status in both countries. UKTI will run a series of workshops for Indian filmmakers.
DCSF – Pilot areas announced for ‘Find your Talent’ programme
Ten areas around the country are to pilot the Government’s £25m ‘Find your Talent’ programme, intended to give young people the chance to encounter a range of cultural experiences for five hours a week both in and outside of school.
DIUS – New agreement between Semta and the Government to tackle skill shortages 28-05-08
DIUS will transfer £65m from the Train to Gain budget to help the Sector Skills Council for science, engineering and manufacturing technologies (Semta) invest in training. In return, Semta will encourage employers to use Train to Gain.
Ofsted report – Schools and sustainability: A climate for change 21-05-08
Survey of 41 primary and secondary schools argues that the majority have limited knowledge of environmental sustainability and place little emphasis on teaching or promoting it.
Westminster Hall Debate – The funding of Science and Discovery Centres 15-05-08
Minister for Science and Innovation, Ian Pearson MP, responded to MPs comments on the Government’s response to the IUSS select committee report on Science and Discovery centres.
DIUS statistical release – Further Education, Work Based Learning and Train to Gain: LSC-Funded Learner Outcomes in England 2006/07 22-05-08
Reveals that in 2006/07 success rates in FE colleges have reached 78%, up from 77% in 2005/06; completion rate for apprenticeships was 63%, up from 40% in 2004/05; and 607,000 adults achieved Skills for Life qualifications, a 6% increase on 2005/06.
EC Communication – Better careers and more mobility: a European partnership for researchers 27-05-08
Proposes an EU partnership to ensure that the necessary human resources are available to sustain and enhance the EU as a world class research location. Priority areas include: better recruitment and employment laws, pension needs and skills provision.
IMF report – United Kingdom: 2008 Article IV Consultation
Argues that for over a decade the UK has sustained low inflation and rapid economic growth - an ‘exceptional achievement’. The economy grew by 3% in 2007. However, global financial shocks increase the importance of maintaining a strong policy framework.
NESTA, CSAIL, ECS and Sir Tim Berners Lee – Launch of the Web Science Research Initiative 20-05-08
Launched at NESTA’s Innovation Edge conference, the WSRI will examine the future direction, design and potential of the Web, and is the first body devoted to exploring the social, political and geographic impact of the web.
Research
NESTA report – Total Innovation – Why Harnessing the Hidden Innovation in high-technology sectors is crucial to retaining the UK’s innovation edge 20-05-08
Argues that harnessing the ‘hidden innovation’ in high-technology sectors is crucial to retaining the UK’s innovation edge. Policymakers and industry should work together to develop Total Innovation Strategies for the UK’s most important industries.
NESTA – Invitation to tender: Innovative People 28-05-08
Call for research proposals in three areas: youth-led user innovation, the characteristics and behaviours of innovative individuals within organisations and Third age entrepreneurs. Closes 1 July 2008.
LSC – National Employer Skills Survey 2007 07-05-08
Explores employers' activities and expenditure in relation to training. Reveals that employer training spend for 2007 was £38.6bn, an increase of 16% on 2006. Surveyed 79,000 employers.
Boots Centre for Innovation – Survey of UK innovation capacity 14-05-08
Survey of SMEs and entrepreneurs argues that the UK lacks the necessary infrastructure to turn innovative ideas into finished products. The survey coincides with the first anniversary of the centre, designed to fund and develop health and beauty products.
IBM – Global CEO study: The enterprise of the future 05-05-08
Every two years, a survey of 1,000+ CEOs and public sector leaders worldwide about where they are investing and what they believe the enterprise of the future will look like.
Events
The Guardian - The 5th Public Services Awards 2008 18-05-08
Categories include: service delivery, innovation and progress, citizenship and volunteering, public servant of the year and an overall winner for an outstanding contribution in terms of innovation and outcomes. The deadline is July 18 2008.
RCUK – CheltenhamFestivals Science08 04 to 08-06-08
A range of events covering Science.
The Institute of Physics – Improving network resilience: New technologies in self-healing networks 11-06-08
Will look at the latest technology developments in the areas of network infrastructure, intelligent routing and quality of service, and agent-based computing. Speakers include representatives from BP, Imperial College Londona and BT.
Royal Society – Summer Science Exhibition 2008 30-06 to 03-07-08
Annual event, with exhibitions of science and technology research from across the UK.
The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining workshop – Boost Your Career in Science and Engineering 30-06-08
Communication skills for those in the field of science and engineering, with advice on public and media engagement, funding applications, career development mapping and qualifications.
Community Matters and Development Trusts Association – Community Ownership of Assets: Creating Strong and Sustainable Communities, 2nd annual conference 10-07-08
Will report on progress of the Quirk Review to increase asset transfer to community groups, as well as discuss best practice for local authorities to understand the legal framework to take asset transfer forward.
ISPIM 2008 Conference – Open innovation: creating products and services through collaboration, France 15 to 18-06-08
Conference on open innovation will bring together academics, business leaders, consultants and other professionals involved in innovation management.
OECD Ministerial Meeting – The Future of the Internet Economy, Korea 17 to 18-06-08
Will discuss social, economic and technological trends shaping the development of the Internet Economy under three main areas: convergence, creativity and confidence. 40 Ministers have confirmed they will attend.
The Confederation of Indian Industry - Fourth India innovation summit 2008, Bangalore 20 to 21-06-08
Under the theme ‘innovation in the 21st Century’, will explore opportunities and challenges in emerging markets, services innovation, competition, rural innovation and public and private sector innovation.
NESTA and GLE – London EASY summit: Financing innovation through cross-border collaboration 26-06-08
Will discuss creating a policy framework to stimulate cross border investment in early stage businesses. Speakers include Per Ove Engelbrecht, Innovation Policy EC; Anthony Clarke, MD GLEGC & President EBAN; and Prof Jorma Routti, ex President SITRA.
UK Research Office – Annual Conference 2008, Loughborough 26 to 27-06-08
Intended for European Liaison Officers, European research managers, Research Councils and policy makers. A forum for discussion on a range of EU policies and funding opportunities.
Innovating Regions in Europe (IRE) – Innovation governance: Enhancing interaction in the regional innovation system, France 05 to 06-06-08
Will explore policy challenges related to the globalisation of regional clusters and innovation systems, and the need for closer cooperation between the public and the private sector.
International
Microsoft – Launch of Enterprise Innovation Management Initiative 28-05-08
Intended to help enterprises build a flexible IT platform to manage and speed the end-to-end innovation process. It is built around three aspects: ideation and knowledge capture, process and knowledge management, project and portfolio management.
CNRS – Proposals for reform of the French National Centre for Scientific Research 26-05-08
Intends to split France’s main research agency into six national institutes identified as fields of excellence: mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering sciences, social sciences and ecology.