09
January
2018
|
11:35
Europe/London
Manchester hosts national summit to shape UK's advanced materials vision
Henry Royce Institute
Artist impression
Business leaders and academics from across the UK will are gathering at The University of Manchester on Wednesday (January 10) to shape nationally-focused strategies for advanced materials - an area identified by government as vital to boosting the economy.
‘Shaping the Future of Royce’ is being run by the Henry Royce Institute, the national body promoting research and applications in advanced materials which is based at The University of Manchester.
The conference will be formally opened by Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, and Baroness Brown of Cambridge, Chair of the Royce.
As well as developing a strategic focus for applied research in advanced materials, delegates will be advised on how to navigate a funding landscape that features government funding pots worth billions of pounds and earmarked to drive economic growth.
The Royce’s broad portfolio of work, which is made up of nine research themes, is relevant to supporting innovation across a range of business sectors – including manufacture (from automotive to aerospace); biomedical; advanced technology and ICT; energy; transport; infrastructure and construction.
Regius Professor Phil Withers, Chief Scientist for Royce, said: “Our conference will provide the ideal opportunity for partners, stakeholders and supporters to share their views about our future direction and how to identify potential funding opportunities.
“To help inform this conversation, delegates will have the chance to catch up on the project and hear about the exciting facilities now being put in place by Royce.”
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Our conference will provide the ideal opportunity for partners, stakeholders and supporters to share their views about our future direction and how to identify potential funding opportunities.
Professor Philip Withers
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Expert speakers at the ‘Shaping the Future of Royce’ conference are set to encourage business leaders and academics to jointly seize a raft of ambitious funding opportunities.
Nick Cliffe, Interim Head of Advanced Materials at Innovate UK, will open the conference’s afternoon plenary sessions by exploring these funding opportunities. He will discuss:
• the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund which will support partnership between UK businesses and researchers. The fund is part of the government’s £4.7 billion increase in research and development over four years
• the role of UK Research and Innovation, which launches this spring by bringing together the seven research councils, Innovate UK and other partners with a combined budget of more than £6 billion.
In his leadership role at Innovate UK, Nick focuses on resource efficiency, the circular economy and sustainability – with the aim to embed these themes across Innovate UK’s strategic thinking and competitions.
“Nick often helps leaders to re-think their approach to doing business – so we are very confident he will inspire our delegates to consider the opportunities and grand challenges associated with the UK’s advanced materials sector,” added Regius Professor Phil Withers.”
Advanced materials
Advanced materials is one of The University of Manchester’s research beacons - examples of pioneering discoveries, interdisciplinary collaboration and cross-sector partnerships that are tackling some of the biggest questions facing the planet. #ResearchBeacons