Resources and Mechanisms to Strengthen Links Between Business and Academia

David Bembo, AURIL

Catapult Centres 2013, Inside Government

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;

“…. 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’.

• 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

• 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.

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.

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.

Location of Catapult Centres, Oct 2013

Acknowledgements:

Mike Oldham & TSB

Witty Review, 2013

ORE Catapult

FWCI = Field-weighted citation impact

Witty Review, 2013

Cell Therapy Catapult

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)

Research equipment sharing activities in place locally within HEIs; Regionally via consortia;

SES-5 GW4 Nationally via equipment.data.ac.uk

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.

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?

• 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.