Universities, Enterprise and the Knowledge Economy:Science City York case study

Dr Chris Henshall

Consultant

Board Member, Alberta Research and Innovation Authority

My perspective

Government Deputy Director of R&D for Dept of Health and NHS in

England Group Director in Dept of Trade and Industry, responsible

for UK science and innovation policy and funding Universities

Pro Vice Chancellor at University of York, responsible for links to government, business, economy and overseas

Chair of Worldwide Universities Network Academic Advisory Group

Industry Chair/Director of various spin out/joint venture companies Consultant to medical device and pharmaceutical industries

Overview

Science and innovation policy in the UK Research, innovation and enterprise at the

University of York Science City York: origins, progress and

current activities Concluding remarks

UK science and innovation policy (1) UK economy

Manufacturing and trade Services Knowledge economy

Knowledge economy Science and knowledge creation Innovation and enterprise Skills

Science and knowledge creation UK has 1% of world’s population and produces 12%

of world’s scientific publications Second only to USA in absolute numbers of

citations Highest productivity in world in terms of publications

and citations per dollar invested Science strong in UK and attracts/retains investment

from science-based industry Universities dominant role in science base;

government research labs sector smaller than USA “Golden Triangle” dominates, but much high quality

science outside that

Innovation and enterprise

UK strong in science but weak in exploitation of it Innovation

Universities encouraged/funded to Exchange knowledge with business Exploit IP – licensing and spin-outs Support innovation in local and national economies

Support for innovation in businesses National, regional and local public support for innovation

Main focus has been on product innovation; recent attempts to include creative/design and process innovation

Enterprise Public funding for initiatives in schools, universities and

society more widely

Skills

Major government drives and funding to Increase numbers gaining good qualifications at

16 and 18 yrs, with focus on business-relevant skills

Increase numbers going on to university (currently c40%, with eventual target of 50% in previous administration)

Make university education more business relevant Raise skills of current workforce at all levels, with

funding/pressure for universities to work with employers to deliver this

Overview

Science and innovation policy in the UK Research, innovation and enterprise at the

University of York Science City York: origins, progress and

current activities Concluding remarks

University of York: science and researchYork is one of the country’s top research-led

universities: World top 100; high in UK league tables 8th in 2008 RAE for the UK Excellence in science, social science and

arts and humanities Extensive research networks and

collaborations nationally (eg White Rose, YU, N8) and internationally (WUN)

Longstanding commitment to making research make a difference: eg Queen’s Anniversary Prizes 1997, 2006,

2008, 2010 Chancellor’s Science City 2005

UoY: knowledge exchange and innovation

Research facilities for University and business useYork-JEOL Nanocentre; NMR; Neuro-imaging; Mass Spectrometry; Biosciences; Music Technology

Customer facing research groups:Green Chemistry; Centre for Novel Agricultural Products;

Safety Critical Systems; Environment; Health SciencesCollaborative research and CPD with local and

world-leading businesses and organisationsBP; Smith and Nephew; Apple; Microsoft; IBM; BAe; Qinetiq; local, regional, national and international government

Creation and exploitation of Intellectual PropertyConsultancy, licensing, spin-out companies

Research and Enterprise OfficePromoting and supporting enterprise and user-links

University of York: enterpriseWhite Rose Centre for Excellence in

Teaching and Learning – EnterpriseEnterprise modules across curriculumSupport for student enterprise activities

and businessesEnterprise Zone and Micro-incubatorLinks to local businesses and enterprise

agenciesEnterprise modules for

postgraduates and staffBusiness experience and skills for

students

York Science Park10 hectare/28,000 sq m development

adjacent to UniversityHQ and offices of established and

growing companiesSmith & Nephew Research Centre; Ioko

Spin-outs and spin-insCybula; Rapita; Xceleron; Pro-Cure; Medcom

3 incubator buildings:Innovation Centre, Biocentre; IT Centre

Embedded research facilitiesYork-JEOL Nanocentre; Neuroimaging Centre

Focus for innovation activitiesUoY REO; Science City York, LY&NYCC

Growth of the UniversityPermission to extend campus to East

65 hectares; up to 25 hectares (70,000 + sq m) for business use

£750m projectPhase 1

Academic DepartmentsResearch CentresUniversity and Science City York support teams for enterprise and innovationBusiness space in Departments, Hub and Catalyst buildings£180m development funded by University, local and national government, EU and financial markets

Aim is to create one of the largest “open innovation” environments in UK

Cluster 1 Visualisation

Viewed from North East

Hub building

Viewed from North EastViewed from South East

Hub building

Secondary entrance

Main entrance

Atrium

Catalyst building

Overview

Science and innovation policy in the UK Research, innovation and enterprise at the

University of York Science City York: origins, progress and

current activities Concluding remarks

Science City York: historyBioscience York formed to support growing

bio cluster in University, government labs and and business in 1990s

University, City and business leaders form Science City York in 1998 in response to decline in jobs in manufacturing sector

Informal partnership (“triple helix”)Using knowledge, connections and reputation of University (and others) to promote growth of knowledge economy

Three clusters supportedBioscience and Health; IT and Digital; Creative

Provision of business supportspecialist advice; finance; professional services

Support for development ofaccommodation and facilitiesskills

Promoting public understanding and support for science

Science City York: current

SCY assisted creation of 3000 new jobs and 100 new companies in first 10 years

Model and achievements praised by Prime Minister and CBI

Phase 2 is building on success toscale up impact locallyplay larger role in the Region and nationallytake advantage of developments in other agencies

ProgressSCY established as company limited by guaranteeNew CEO and other senior staff recruitedstrategic partnerships with key agencies

How SCY Adds Value

Connecting Research, People, Business

− Knowledge Exchange; Sector Networks

Delivering Specialist Services to Promote Innovation and Growth − SCY Business Mentors

Leveraging Investment− >£23.5 Million 2007 – 2009

Developing an Infrastructure/Property Strategy in Support of a Leading Knowledge Economy

Extending Reach and Impact of PULSE Activities – Public Understanding, Learning &Science Education, across all ages

Positioning York as a World-Class Centre of Excellence in Biorenewables- won contract for Yorkshire Biorefinery- developing site for biorenewables R&D and business development

Strengthening York’s Profile as a Leading City of Science

How SCY Adds Value (2)

Concluding remarksUniversities play a key role in the Knowledge

EconomyResearch-intensive universities are important for the

development of high-tech, high growth clusters Partnerships between universities, business and

government can help to promote thisThe Science City York partnership has helped to

ensure that York has prospered as jobs in traditional industries have declined

Challenges for the future include the general economic situation, changes in UK economic and science policy, and achieving critical mass and linkages internationally