news

UK 5th in the World in Global Innovation Index 2012

The list of overall GII top 10 performers has been announced and has changed little from last year. Switzerland, Sweden, and Singapore are followed in the top ten by Finland, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark, Hong Kong (China), Ireland, and the United States of America. Canada is the only country leaving the top 10 this year, mirroring weakening positions on all main GII innovation input and output pillars. The report shows that the U.S.A. continues to be an innovation leader but also cites relative shortfalls in areas such as education, human resources and innovation outputs as causing a drop in its innovation ranking.

Harwell science and innovation campus to host new Satellite Applications Catapult

The new Satellite Applications Catapult, one of seven new technology and innovation centres to be established by the UK’s innovation agency The Technology Strategy Board, will be based at Harwell Oxford, the science, innovation and business campus in South Oxfordshire.

Cambridge Innovation Centre USA announces partnership with Cambridge Science Park UK

Both organisations are offering each other's clients who are travelling to the respective country access to the Innovation Centre’s space and services – all at no cost.

Blood transfusion service to build new HQ in Capital

The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service is to build its new national HQ in the Capital; a centre including labs, offices and other facilities, at the Heriot-Watt University Research Park at Riccarton.

Edinburgh BioQuarter to host collaborative partnership for drug discovery

Under an agreement negotiated by Edinburgh BioQuarter, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and the University of Edinburgh have agreed a collaborative partnership to discover and develop medicines with the potential to treat severe acute pancreatitis.

HEFCE: UK universities contribute £3 billion to economic growth; SMEs play vital role

Analysis by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) of the tenth annual Higher Education – Business and Community Interaction survey shows the total value of UK knowledge exchange increased by 4 per cent from £2.97 billion in 2008-09 to £3.09 billion in 2009-10.

Government plans new multi-million science research hub

The Government is to invest £195 million in cutting-edge science projects with the aim of using hi-tech discoveries to boost economic growth, Chancellor George Osborne has announced. Sources said it could be spread over a number of locations, and existing centres of excellence which may be under consideration for involvement include Manchester, Cambridge and Exeter.

Cobbetts launches first innovation hub at MSP

Leading law firm, Cobbetts LLP, has launched its first innovation hub at Manchester Science Park. The firm is looking to embed itself within Manchester’s ‘Knowledge Quarter’ by taking a hands-on approach to understanding the needs of innovation-led businesses and becoming active members of the science park community.

NESTA report reveals top UK locations for business growth

The report shows that around half of all new jobs come from high-growth firms, with infographics to illustrate where these firms are across the UK and which sectors they appear in.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has received more than 490 bids competing for a share of £950 million from the Regional Growth Fund

Bids were received in response to the second round of the £1.4 billion fund, which is designed to encourage enterprise, growth and jobs in the private sector and support regions that are dependent on the public sector. The 492 bids, asking for £3.3 billion, are being assessed by the Independent Advisory Board, chaired by Lord Heseltine, over the summer.

Major Task Force launched to look at how we maximise the value of publicly-funded research

The Council for Industry and Higher Education (CIHE) and the UK-Innovation Research Centre (UK~IRC) has launched a major Task Force to answer the question: how does the UK maximise the value of publicly-funded research? The CIHE and UK~IRC believe that by uniting leading figures in industry and academia they will deliver an answer.

HEFCE announce guidance on REF

The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has published the general framework for the assessment of the 2014 Research Excellence Framework which will assess the quality of research in higher education institutions in the UK, in part to guide the allocation of research grants.

Spreading innovation in the NHS: call for evidence and ideas

A call for ideas and evidence on how the adoption and spread of innovation can be accelerated throughout the NHS has been issued by the Department of Health.

First technology and innovation centre announced

The first of a UK-wide network of elite technology and innovation centres has been announced, with a focus on high value manufacturing.

Universities Minister David Willetts speaks of radical change for universities

Universities UK's media release on David Willetts' speech at the spring conference called it "radical", particularly in relation to who supplies higher education in the future. View the speech here:

Cameron's growth strategy: support Britain's entrepreneurs

In a speech to the Conservative Party spring conference, the Prime Minister said that enterprise is the only hope for growth and promised greater procurement opportunities for small businesses..

Two thirds of the country now benefit from more personalised care

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley reports that the NHS is seeing early adoption of its modernisation reforms by GP groups covering two thirds of England and Wales.

HEFCE reduces points of impact in the Research Excellence Framework

The weighting given to impact in the first research excellence framework will be less than originally envisaged, the Higher Education Funding Council for England has confirmed.

David Willetts comments on report on Technology Innovation Centres/

Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts welcomes House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee Report on TICs as "positive contribution".

Cancer Research UK announces collaborative stratified medicine programme with AstraZeneca and Pfizer

CRUK press release on multimillion pound initiative to examine how genetic tests to improve cancer diagnosis can be best rolled out across the NHS.

UK Prime Minister criticised for "short-term" and "incoherent" approach to R&D and technology policy

Research Blog documents Dyson's response to Cameron's R&D policy for the UK.

Concerns for pharma industry as Pfizer announces its intention to close UK operation at Sandwich, Kent

Pfizer's research and development facility at Sandwich is to close over the next two years.

Cambridge Biomedical Campus Project Director appointment

A Project Director has been appointed by Countryside Properties and Liberty Property Trust to market the international centre of excellence in biomedical research in Cambridge UK.

Cable and Willetts' letter to HEFCE sets out government priorities

Secretary of State Vince Cable and Universities Minister David Willetts set out what HEFCE’s priorities should be when allocating higher education budgets to the science and research sectors for 2011-12.

Research results released on entrepreneurs and UK competitiveness

Entrepreneurs in the UK feel more neglected by the government than their counterparts overseas.

NHS shake-up set to radically reform health system in England

England's health system is facing a major overhaul under plans being implemented by the government following the "Equity and excellence: Liberating the NHS" White Paper.

Technology Innovation Centres progress to consultation stage

Technology Innovation Centre proposals enter consultation process as government invites organisations to register interest in forming a high value manufacturing-focused TIC.

UK Prime Minister announces plans for "Entrepreneurs Visa"

David Cameron: "If you have a great business idea, and you receive serious investment from a leading investor, you are welcome to set up your business in our country."

• Copyright ©2012 creative places   |   
• site byLimewash Media & Design

Accessibility | Privacy