RCUK Cutting Edge 2012 event series granted Inspire mark by London 2012 Inspire programme

The Research Councils UK (RCUK) Cutting Edge 2012: The Research Behind Sport event series has been granted the Inspire mark by the London 2012 Inspire programme. The London 2012 Inspire programme recognises innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Cutting Edge 2012 is a series of events taking place across the UK in the lead up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Each event brings together world-class researchers and top Team GB stars to showcase amazing athletic demonstrations, discuss elite performance and gives the public a chance to share views on the research behind the UK’s sporting achievements. Comments from people attending the events will inform new research about the public’s attitudes to research and technology use in sport to enhance performance which will be presented at the International Convention on Science, Education and Medicine in Sport (ICSEMIS) in July.

Seb Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games said: “We want to use the power of the Games to inspire change. The Inspire programme is recognising the work our partners all round the UK are doing to help us achieve this vision now. I congratulate everyone involved in Cutting Edge 2012 for securing the Inspire mark and wish you every success with your work.”

The aim of the initiative is to engage people with the cutting-edge UK research, supported by RCUK, that is helping to maximise our athletes’ potential for top results at the 2012 Games. The series kicks off with Behind Basketball which is taking place at the Royal Institution in London on Wednesday 25 January. Others events are taking place in Leeds, Sheffield, Weymouth, Plymouth and Glasgow. They are free to attend and registration for tickets is available via The Royal Institution.

Universities and Science Minister David Willetts said: “Science and research are part of every major UK endeavour, and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are no exception. The Cutting Edge 2012 event series will give the public the opportunity to learn about how the UK’s world beating scientific community is helping our top athletes to achieve success.”

Professor John Womersley, RCUK Champion for Public Engagement with Research commented: “The Research Councils are committed to engaging the public with the research and researchers we support. As well as offering an exciting look at some the UK’s best sporting achievements, Cutting Edge 2012 will allow the public to learn more about the science and research behind sport, express their own views and inform new research.”

Cutting Edge 2012 is a Research Councils UK initiative, in partnership with the Royal Institution, the Department for Innovation and Skills, The Institute of Engineering and Technology and PODIUM (the Further and Higher Education Unit for the 2012 Games). More information, including details about each of the six events, is available on the RCUK website here.

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Further information

Contact:
Jane Wakefield
RCUK Press and Communications Manager
Tel: 01793 444592

Notes to editors

1. Cutting Edge 2012: The Research Behind Sport is a series of six events taking place across the UK. Details of these events is as follows:

   • Cutting Edge 2012: Behind Basketball, Wednesday 25 January, The Royal Institution, London.
   • Cutting Edge 2012: Behind Triathlon, Tuesday 27 March, Carriageworks, Leeds.
   • Cutting Edge 2012: Behind Athletics, Thursday 26 April, English Institute of Sport, Sheffield.
   • Cutting Edge 2012: Behind Sailing, Thursday 24 May, Weymouth Sailing Academy, Weymouth.
   • Cutting Edge 2012: Behind Diving, Thursday 5 July, Plymouth Life Centre, Plymouth.
   • Cutting Edge 2012: Behind Cycling, Thursday 19 July, Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, Glasgow.

2. About the Inspire programme: The Inspire programme is run by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. It is an opportunity for everyone to be a part of the London 2012 Games – a broad participation programme spanning sport participation, education, sustainability, volunteering, and business opportunities & culture. New opportunities are being created to inspire young people and encourage the whole of the UK to join in. The Inspire programme has awarded over 1,400 different projects the Inspire mark.

3. About London 2012: The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are delivered by two key organisations – the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) and the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA).

   LOCOG is responsible for staging a memorable Games in 2012. They will deliver the best possible Olympic and Paralympic Games experience for everyone involved, enabling a lasting legacy and inspiring people to join in.

   The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is the public body responsible for developing and building the new venues and infrastructure for the Games and converting the Olympic Park for long-term use after the Games.

   In the summer of 2012, the UK will come alive with the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Find out the latest from the London 2012 blog – www.london2012.com/blog.

4. Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils who annually invest around £3 billion in research. We support excellent research, as judged by peer review, that has an impact on the growth, prosperity and wellbeing of the UK. To maintain the UK’s global research position we offer a diverse range of funding opportunities, foster international collaborations and provide access to the best facilities and infrastructure around the world. We also support the training and career development of researchers and work with them to inspire young people and engage the wider public with research. To maximise the impact of research on economic growth and societal wellbeing we work in partnership with other research funders including the Technology Strategy Board, the UK Higher Education Funding Councils, business, government, and charitable organisations. www.rcuk.ac.uk.

   The seven UK Research Councils are:

   • Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC);
   • Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC);
   • Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC);
   • Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC);
   • Medical Research Council (MRC);
   • Natural Environment Research Council (NERC);
   • Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC).