Implementing the Science and Innovation Strategy

Guest of Honour: Rt Hon David Willetts MP, Minister of State for Universities and Science, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
This seminar is supported by Axillium Research
The Government’s Innovation Strategy is due to be released alongside the 2014 Autumn Statement. This timely conference will bring together key policymakers with stakeholders central to the strategy’s implementation to discuss the likely impact of the proposals and the challenges for putting policy into practice.
At this early stage we expect topics for discussion to focus on priorities for public spending on science, efforts to boost private investment in R&D and further steps Government can take to support business and university collaboration to increase the commercialisation of UK research. Sessions will also include discussion on the the impact that Government’s focus on ‘eight great technologies’ has had so far and the next steps for developing these technologies in the UK.
We are delighted that Rt Hon David Willetts MP, Minister of State for Universities and Science, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and Will Searle, Director and Founder, Axillium Research have agreed to deliver keynote addresses at this seminar.
Kevin Baughan, Director of Technology and Innovation, Technology Strategy Board; Professor Polina Bayvel, Professor of Optical Communications and Networks, University College London; Hugh Dunlop, Partner and European Patent Attorney, RGC Jenkins & Co; Dr David Kingham, Chief Executive, Tokamak Energy; Professor Sir Timothy O’Shea, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of Edinburgh; Professor Judith Petts, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research & Enterprise, University of Southampton; Professor Roy Sandbach, Innovation Champion, North East Local Enterprise Partnership (NELEP); Pam Waddell, Director, Birmingham Science City and Professor John Womersley, Chief Executive, Science and Technology Facilities Council have also agreed to speak, together with a senior speaker confirmed from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.
The Earl of Selborne, Member, House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee has kindly agreed to chair a session at this seminar.