Catapult Centres, Inside Government event 23.10.2013
1. Resources and Mechanisms to Strengthen Links
Between Business and Academia
David Bembo, AURIL
Catapult Centres 2013, Inside Government
2. Context
AURIL / Universities UK joint input to Science & Technology
Committee review of Technology & Innovation Centres,
2010-11:
Welcomed ambitious scale of investment in Catapults;
A long-term view of funding as a key requirement;
Universities as providers of research expertise / supply of
trained people / capital infrastructure;
Endorsed the role of TSB as coordinator of Catapults;
3. “…. consideration be given to how (to) engage at local level to
ensure that growth opportunities and the benefits to the UK
(are maximised)” (AURIL/UUK)
– remains a key challenge, to convert highly localised
investments in Catapult infrastructures into benefits felt
nationally - ‘Assets for All’.
4. • Catapults need to engage broadly with the HE sector –
irrespective of mission groups - and vice versa.
Understanding dispels myths and distrust.
• Very helpful plenary session & workshop at AURIL2013
conference (Mike Oldham, plus HVM and ORE)
• Need to be proactive – don’t rely on, e.g. _Connect or
KTNs
• Identified need for Catapults to each map relevant
academic expertise – for COLLABORATION and
SIGNPOSTING (KTNs role?)
• Universities can use Catapults as an asset, a resource
• Catapults should increase the R&D base – not divert
funding
Catapults working with universities across the HE sector
5. • Need to avoid funding metrics driving behaviour – no
sliding down the TRLs (the research base is TRL 1-3)
• Catapults have an apparently well defined niche at
medium TRLs, utilising (in some cases) major capital
assets
• Seemingly a good fit with TRL 1-3 interests of research
intensive universities, of which there is a reasonably
good geographical spread
• Engaging with SMEs: Some small companies need
cutting edge and world-class. Some need very good
and just down the road.
• Witty Review (2013) recognises need for diversity
across the research base, and for local capacity.
6. Why does industry engage with academia?
• Why does industry really engage with academia? Its
usually about people and due to people. Fresh
thinking. Very seldom motivated by access to IPRs.
• Relationships vs contracts
• Be prepared to invest time in building trust; servicing
relationships; mutual understanding of motivations
• Consultancy / training / student focused activity (UG
& PG) / networks / collaborative and contract R&D /
technology and IP access
• Funding PhDs can be a good way for industry to
maintain regular contact with academics. Period. Or
to recruit!
• Universities, Business and Knowledge Exchange. (Abreu et al. 2008, CIHE & CBR).
Good overview of the key issues.
• Growing Value. Business-University Collaboration for the 21st Century (Docherty
et al., 2012, CIHE & UK-IRC). Some very incisive and fairly balanced quotes.
7. Locations of Catapult Centres versus wider
academic expertise
• Witty Review – academic institutions & their
published outputs in areas of industrial relevance
• Work on citations analysis with Elsevier, RCUK, on
behalf of Review Team
• Q: Which universities receive the most citations
relating to research in Industrial Strategy Sectors and
the Eight Great Technologies?
• Demonstrates very broad geographical spread of
expertise.
11. Major research equipment and infrastructure assets
Post CSR 2010 and Wakeham Review, universities are already
grappling with how we maximise the utilisation of research
infrastructures
“……. assessment processes of the Research Councils
should encourage more intensive use of existing assets
across the research base” (RCUK)
12. Research equipment sharing activities in place locally within
HEIs;
Regionally via consortia;
SES-5 GW4
Nationally via equipment.data.ac.uk
13.
14.
15. Universities still in development stage re allowing industry (and
other universities…. and sometimes our own staff) access to
equipment and infrastructure.
Charging mechanisms (inc SRFs & MRFs under FEC);
Collaborative use and VAT issues;
Reliance on key staff (academic & technical);
Kit is often adapted for very specific purposes.
Opening up facilities to more users will be a challenge for the
Catapults – but should have dedicated staff to facilitate access.
16. Training the next generation of research & development
scientists, technologists & entrepreneurs
• UK Research Councils have made major investments
(e.g. EPSRC 2013 call, M£350). Consolidated PhD
level training (CDTs, DTCs, BGPs, etc.)
• Now more rounded transferable skills training;
consistency and training consortia; infrastructure.
• Industrial Doctorate Centres and partner
engagement is common.
• A potential role for Catapults:
– Large scale infrastructures (EU Marie Curie Large Scale
Facilities TMR model?)
– As an industrial host for PhDs?
17. • PhDs and the value of part-funded options, e.g.
CASE. Pump-priming relationships, lowering risk.
• Regionally, significant use of EU Structural Funds to
support PhDs and Masters as Higher Level Skills. A
highly affordable option.
• Increasingly seeing business & commercial skills and
entrepreneurship embedded in the UG & PG
curricula and as part of PhD & Masters transferable
skills.
