Monthly Archives: March 2013

RCUK: Investing in Innovation

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RCUK has published a booklet outlining the Research Councils’ commitment to promote innovation and deliver impact from its research.

The booklet, Innovation and the Research Councils (available at www.rcuk.ac.uk/Documents/publications/Innovationbookletfinalweb.pdf), outlines the vital role UK research has for society and the economy, detailing RCUK’s approach to innovation.

As well as directly funding research, key parts of this approach include training skilled people, developing collaborative research programmes with partners and investing in research facilities.

A number of BBSRC initiatives to drive innovation are highlighted in the publication. These include the continued investment in UK Research and Innovation Campuses to provide world-leading research facilities and the Advanced Training Partnerships (ATPs), which provide postgraduate level professional development in the areas of agriculture and food production for a large number of industry specialists across the UK.

Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts said: “Science and research in their own right are vital to the UK economy and society. But our research base is also fostering innovation by interacting with business and passing on the latest knowledge to industry. This drives long-term, sustainable growth, creates jobs and keeps the UK ahead in the global race.”

TEDx Oxbridge – Content Request

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We have been contacted by the TEDx Oxbridge content manager, who is looking for ideas on inspirational speakers or performers for the event.

This year’s event, themed “Timeless Ideas,”is about the ideas and initiatives that have stood strong throughout the evolution of our society.  For centuries, Oxford and Cambridge have been the birthplace of innovative and revolutionary ideas. We continue to generate concepts that build on the past in order to shape our future.  Although new ideas hit the headlines every day, it’s the ideas that stay with us that change our world.

Do you know someone who:

  • Has an idea worth spreading?
  • Has an affiliation with Oxford and Cambridge* and can showcase a timeless idea?  (exceptions will be made for exceptional speakers!)
  • Is one of Oxbridge’s most prolific thinkers or doers?
  •  Is an interesting, inspiring, dynamic, and charismatic speaker with a unique, relevant and captivating story to tell?
  •  Is a performer who takes your breath away, is fun and brings energy to the room?

If you or a colleague are interested in presenting at this year’s event, they would love to hear from you. To nominate a speaker, please contact Content Manager Nupur Sharma at content@tedxoxbridge.com. Please provide a biography and video sample where possible.

Horizon 2020: Cloud Computing, Software and Services – Draft Orientation Paper Available

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The European Commission has this week released a document outlining initial thoughts on how the ICT Work Programme 2014-15 could address the future research and innovation challenges in Cloud Computing, Software and Services:

Orientation Paper: 2014 Cloud Computing, Software and Services

This paper is an advance opportunity to see the topics which may form part of the first ICT Work Programme in Horizon 2020. However please note that this is a draft and therefore priorities may be subject to change before the final publication of the Work Programme.

The paper presents two objectives with underpinning aims, rationale and outlines possible areas of activity which may form part of the next call. These are:

  1. Advanced Cloud Infrastructure and Services: Federated cloud networking; automated service composition; mobile cloud service development environments
  2. Innovative Tools and Methods for Software Development:  Tools and methods to manage complexity, system simulation, variability, testing and failure management across the software lifecycle; flexible and scalable tools for on-line collaborative software development

Source: Lincoln Research Blog