Yorkshire Science ezine

Outline Regional Innovation Strategy The role of Yorkshire Science is to develop an innovation strategy for the Yorkshire and Humber region, and to identify and suggest ways to implement and deliver the strategy with partners and stakeholders. The document has recently returned from consultation and is in the process of amendment following some of the suggestions received. The strategy identifies a need for more businesses in the region to be driven by innovation and knowledge, to be competitive in the global market place.

Horizon Scanning activity On 20th October 2006, the National Museum of Film Photography and Television, Bradford, played host to a Horizon Scanning event led by Yorkshire Science. Member delegates from The Science & Industry Council (North East of England), North West Science and Yorkshire Science are working together to find ways to join forces to stimulate a positive culture to drive the economic development of the northern regions

Inside Industry
For Yorkshire Science innovation is a key theme for competitive sustainability in business. Innovation is not just confined to new products, it can also be new processes and management techniques. Education through example is a great way for businesses to witness and take on board best practice.

Inside Industry, a DTI initiative managed by YFM and MAS and funded by Yorkshire Forward, is one such scheme.

YBI Innovation Awards Yorkshire Science sponsored the Innovation Category of the Yorkshire Business Insider magazine’s Growth 100 Awards. The innovative capacity of companies was debated at some length by the judges. Two companies stood out in our list; first the Hesley Group, which has managed to make a successful business out of the unlikely scenario of providing education for children with special needs. But the judges felt that Sheffield-based A4e had shown true innovation by applying new business thinking to the world of training, something that was often assumed to be public sector territory only.

R & D Close up - SPORT

Shin Splint
With gimmicks and gadgets created to help golfers improve their swing, fast bowlers gauge their speed and tennis players maximise the power of the stroke using lighter but stronger racquets, the science of sport becomes an increasingly high-tech arena.

Turf at the Top
It isn’t just sports professionals that need to be in peak physique to compete. Innovation and research is not restricted to equipment, technique and materials, sports surfaces are just as high-tech. The Yorkshire based Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) is the independent market leader in turf grass research and agronomy. It is the UK's national centre for consultancy in Sports & Amenity Turf and a recognised world centre for research.

R & D Close up - FOOD

Thought for Food – Eating up Innovation
Yorkshire and the Humber is the food and drink capital of the UK. The region produced almost a third of the UK’s beers, is responsible for 60% of the country’s fish processing output and currently 60,000 people in the region are employed in food manufacturing.

Spinning Plates for Faster Results
The Food Chain CIC has worked with the Food Processing Faraday (FPF) and Newcastle-based company, Protensive, to investigate applications of ‘spinning disc’ technology, originally developed for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Possible applications include replacing existing methods of product mixing, preventing contamination during food and drink production and creating new flavour systems for products such as sauces.

Yorkshire Science out and about

YORKSHIRE SCIENCE PROMOTING THE REGION AT EUROPEAN ASSEMBLY
Yorkshire Science delegates attended the OPEN DAYS European Week of Regions and Cities (9 – 12 October 2006) in Brussels recently.

Amidst a bustling schedule of debates and deliberations, Dr Ceri Williams, Senior Manager for Science & Innovation at Yorkshire Forward, presented an outline of strategic choices and key issues for Yorkshire and the Humber, before an international audience.

Yorkshire Science sponsors Innovation at Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business Awards
Yorkshire Science was pleased to support the inaugural Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business, held at the Queens Hotel (19 October 2006) by sponsoring the Innovation Category.

Latest News
Innovation in Manufacturing Creates the Winning Combination Sheffield based SME Gripple took on the might of global brands such as Smith & Nephew and Rolls Royce, and was crowned the triumphant winner of the Manufacturer of the Year Award 2006, at the Manufacturer Live event held at Ricoh Arena, Coventry (20th September 2006).

Yorkshire recycling centre set to take international stage A family-run recycling centre in Yorkshire is set to become an international flagship operation for waste management. Mytum & Selby Waste Recycling is working with the Environmental Technologies Centre of Industrial Collaboration (ETCIC) at the University of Hull, to create a major compost and recycling centre from a disused brewery in South Milford.

WHAT'S ON

Yorkshire Forward
THE BUSINESS OF INNOVATION
Interactive Exhibition, Seminars and Industrial Case Studies on Innovation
29 January 2007
National Museum of Photography, Film and Television, Bradford
Cost: FREE
Enquiries: 0113 394 9993
Register: 0113 394 9711/12,
events@yorkshire-forward.com

Yorkshire Universities Annual Conference
7th – 8th February 2007
De Vere Oulton Hall Hotel, nr Leeds
Two days of events featuring workshops, seminars and keynote speeches from some of the region’s top academics, businesses and public sector representatives.
Enquiries: 0113 343 7674
www.yorkshireuniversities.ac.uk

Yorkshire Science and
Technology Network (YSTN)
DRIVERS OF CHANGE – Dr Chris Luebkeman, Director of Global Foresight and Innovation, Arup
22 February 2007
The Great Victoria Hotel, Bradford
Cost: FREE
www.ystn.co.uk
0113 394 9868

Chris is Director of Arup’s global Foresight and Innovation initiative. He is currently working with some of the world’s largest companies to develop scenarios to better understand the opportunities that change in the built environment can create for them.

See Complete Events List

INNOVATION IN
YORKSHIRE

· Manufacturing output expected to soar over 12% over the next decade

· One of the largest concentrations of universities in Europe

· The region’s universities produce 13% of the UK’s graduates

· Universities that are consistently ranked in the top three regions (nationally) for spin-out companies

· The largest relative employment growth in the digital sector outside of London (1998–2003)

Are You Embracing Innovation?

We are keen to hear from businesses, universities and research centres with a commitment to innovation, science and technology. If you have some news about an innovative product or practice that you would like to share with us, please contact Antonia Kershaw – Antonia.kershaw@yorkshire-forward.com