A device to cut police paperwork, a chip found in every iPod and a contact lens to help diabetics are just three of the commercially available products resulting from basic research in the UK’s research institutions featured in a new publication.
Impacts – successes from UK research will be launched by Research Councils UK, Unico and Universities UK at a Parliamentary reception to mark National Science and Engineering Week on 15 March.
Impacts provides a vivid account of how research findings are not only resulting in new products and services but also forming the basis of thriving companies attracting millions of pounds of investment.
Malcolm Wicks, Minister of State for Science and Innovation, said:
"Research and ideas are the key tools to help give Britain the edge to compete globally and maintain our status as a world leader in science and innovation.
"Britain has a long, strong tradition of excellence and leadership in scientific research. This publication shows the work of the latest generation of great minds and how they have generated new discoveries, new business opportunities and successful companies."
Speaking on behalf of Research Councils UK, Professor Philip Esler said "Our new publication demonstrates that research impacts result from all research disciplines and provide solutions relevant to many of the challenges that we face, such as health, environment and security. Commercialisation is just one of the ways in which research benefits the economy but it shows that our researchers are alive to new opportunities and keen to make a difference."
Neil Bradshaw, Chair of Unico said: "This Impacts publication demonstrates that university spin-out companies and research licensing are stimulating the UK economy. In the past three years, 25 spin-out companies have floated on the stock market at a value of £1.5 billion."
Professor Drummond Bone, President of Universities UK said: "We welcome the publication of Impacts which provides compelling evidence of the success of British university research and its wider contribution to society and the economy. It shows how universities have forged close links with business resulting in innovative new products and processes. These products have attracted substantial private investment, although it should be remembered that the health of basic research continues to depend on appropriate levels of public investment. The new publication also shows that many different universities are involved in developing new commercial products and that research diversity is one of the foundations of our strong performance in scientific innovation."
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Contact
Julia Short
RCUK Press Officer, Tel: 01793 444435
Kirsten Xanthippe, 07703 014537
Clare Wyatt, 07795 304430
Unico
Press contact:
Ian Morton
Press Officer, Universities UK
020 7419 5568
About Research Councils UK
The eight Research Councils are independent non-departmental public bodies, funded by the Science Budget through the Office of Science and Innovation. They are incorporated by Royal Charter and together manage a research budget of over £2.8 billion a year.
Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the partnership between the UK's eight Research Councils. Through RCUK, the Research Councils work together to champion the research, training and innovation they support.
The eight UK Research Councils are:
Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils (CCLRC)
Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC)
Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
Medical Research Council (MRC)
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
Particle Physics & Astronomy Research Council (PPARC)
From 1 April 2007, PPARC and CCLRC will be merged to form the Science and Technologies Facilities Council.
About Unico
Unico is the UK's leading representative body of professionals who help realise the potential of research through commercialisation. Unico members maximise the impact of UK research to benefit society and to strengthen the economy through innovation methods including but not limited to:
- Helping identify the useful purposes for research discoveries.
- Protecting intellectual property.
- Creating quality university ‘spin-out’ companies.
- Licensing new research discoveries.
- Providing businesses with the world-class expertise and facilities.
- To solve challenges inhibiting progress.
About Universities UK
Universities UK represents all UK universities and some higher education colleges. Its 128 members are the executive heads of these institutions.
Universities UK works to achieve a vision of UK universities that are autonomous, properly funded from a diversity of sources, accessible to all, delivering high quality teaching and learning, and at the leading edge of research of regional, national and international significance.