To promote and coordinate joined-up bilateral science and innovation activities in support of UK Government policy with emerging economies particularly China, India, Brazil, South East Asia and Southern Africa. To do this in consultation with stakeholders in the UK, Europe and in emerging countries.
The work of the team is as follows:
- To facilitate high-level science, research and innovation collaboration to build strong relationships with emerging economies. The UK has formal relationships with China and India through the Ministerial-level Joint Commission with China and the Science and Innovation Council with India. These meetings happen every two years and are the basis for the UK's bilateral, strategic science, research and innovation relations with China and India
- To inform and influence funding initiatives in science and innovation linked to the priorities of different Government departments, such as the UK Collaborative on Development Science and the UK-India Education and Research Initiative.
- To lead on bilateral relations in science and innovation, working with Science and Innovation teams in UK Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates overseas, and with representatives of overseas Governments in the UK.
- To represent the UK on the European Union’s Framework Programme 7 (FP7)- International Cooperation (INCO-Net) Programme Committee. INCO-Net supports activities that bring together policy makers, the scientific community, civil society and private sector stakeholders from the EU and third countries to identify topics for collaboration under FP7 thematic programmes. The objective of INCO-Net projects is to define policy directions and implement activities to strengthen participation from targeted countries and regions in the Framework Programme.
- To oversee the science, space and information society strand of the EU/Africa Strategy (partnership 8), including a UK-led, four year International Cooperation Programme (2008-2011) to promote cooperation on science and technology with countries in sub-Saharan Africa (CAAST–Net).
- To support the Science & Innovation Network Team in Singapore to deliver the INCO-Net project entitled 'SEA-EU Net’ to promote collaboration with South East Asia.
To manage the Dorothy Hodgkin Postgraduate Award Scheme, which brings outstanding students from India, China, Brazil, South Africa and the rest of the developing world to study in top UK research facilities.
