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What's New - Archive 2006

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21st Dec 2006 Strategic Horizon Scans

The Horizon Scanning Centre has commissioned two complementary scans looking ahead up to 50 years, the Sigma Scan and the Delta Scan. Initial versions of both scans have been published.

21st Dec 2006

Publication of 'An Overview of the Framework of Current Regulation Affecting the Development and Marketing of Nanomaterials' report

The report, produced by the ESRC Centre for Business Relationships Accountability Sustainability and Society (BRASS) Cardiff University, provides an analysis of the potential gaps in the regulation of the development, manufacture, supply and use and end of life of free engineered nanoparticles.

21st Dec 2006 

A new Research Council, the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), will be created on April 1st 2007. This will be created by merging two existing councils, CCLRC, (the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils) and PPARC, (the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council).

19th Dec 2006 £36 billion programme for Research and Development agreed by EU

The European Parliament has voted, in its second reading, to approve Framework Programme 7 (FP7). FP7 is European Commission's main instrument for funding European research and is worth €54 billion (£36 billion). This programme will consist of ten different thematic research areas of which Information and Communication technologies (€9.1 bn) cosnstitutes the largest individual portion.

FP7 will contribute to fulfilling the reforms laid out in the "Lisbon strategy", which aims to make Europe the "most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world". Member States are scheduled to adopt FP7 formally at the 5 December Council of Ministers and the programme is due to run from 2007 to 2013.

6th Dec 2006 Cooksey Report published on the best institutional arrangements for a new single fund for health research.

6th Dec 2006 Making the most of UK Research

This publication highlights examples of business and researchers working together, and the economic benefits enjoyed by the UK as a consequence of investment in research.

10 Nov 2006  Lord Sainsbury retires from the DTI

8 Nov 2006  The Committee's Report on Scientific Advice to Government was published on Wednesday 8 November.

3 Nov 2006  PM says that the path to the future is "lit by the brilliant light of science"

The Prime Minister today delivered a lecture on science to the Royal Society in Oxford. In the speech, the PM emphasised the need for public engagement on science issues; and to "galvanise the young" into embracing science enthusastically. He also stressed that science was vital to Britain's future as the "knowledge economy" grew."

1st Nov 2006  The DTI 2006 R&D Scoreboard shows a £2 billion increase in R&D spending

This year's Scoreboard is the sixteenth consecutive annual publication in the series. It is the leading source of information and analysis on the top 800 UK and top 1250 global R&D active companies. The Scoreboard contains a wealth of data on R&D investment, Capex, sales, profits, employee numbers, growth of these quantities and market capitalisation by sector and country.

Improvements for 2006 include increases in the number of global companies to 1250 (from 1000) and the number of UK companies to 800 (from 750), the use of ICB sectors, data on companies' exports from their home regions, data on the proportion of R&D that is capitalised and an increased emphasis on middle-sized company R&D. 

These enhancements have contributed to making the Scoreboard an even more comprehensive international benchmarking tool and an excellent source of information for companies when considering the amount invested in R&D compared to competitors within their sector as part of their overall business strategy.

24th Oct 2006 Science Day

Buckingham Palace together with support from the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, Research Councils UK and the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, has organised a series of events taking place today to recognise the importance of british science in national life.

23 Oct 2006 Alistair Darling delivers keynote speech on science at the Royal Society

On 23 October 2006, the Rt Hon. Alistair Darling MP, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, delivered a major keynote speech at the Royal Society. The speech focused on the central role of UK science and innovation in the context of globalisation. In particular, Mr Darling announced a new international fellowship scheme to attract the best of world science to the UK.

The speech was webcast live on the Royal Society's website.

18th Oct 2006 Lord Sainsbury announces key appointments to the new Large Facilities Council

The Minister for Science and Innovation, Lord Sainsbury, today announced the appointments of Professor Keith Mason as Chief Executive designate of the Large Facilities Council and Professor John Wood as its Director, International Relations, designate.

10th Oct 2006 Publication of the Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Report

DFES and DTI have published the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Programme Report as a signal of the Government's determination to work with partners and stakeholders to improve the delivery of professional development for teachers and STEM enhancement activities for students in schools. The Report complements the commitments to improve science teaching and learning which were set out in the Science and Innovation Investment Framework 2004 - 2014: Next Steps.

29th Sept 2006 Publication of the Summary of Responses to the "Science and Innovation Investment Framework 2004-2014: Next Steps" 

The document provides a summary to the responses received to the questions raised in the “Science and innovation investment framework 2004-2014: next steps” consultation (the “Next Steps” document)  published on 22 March 2006.

The majority of responses addressed the seven specific questions in Chapters 2 and 3 set out in the consultation paper and it is these responses that are summarised here. Two of the questions related to the creation of the Large Facilities Council, a summary of which was published on 26 July 2006 and therefore not covered in detail in this document.

29th Sept 2006 Publication of the Annual Report on Output Frameworks

The Outputs Framework forms a part of the Office of Science and Innovation (OSI) Performance Management System (PMS) which ensures that OSI correctly identifies the contribution each organisation makes, including the Research Councils. The framework is a suite of performance metrics used to measure progress towards the objectives set out in each Research Council's and Research Councils UK's delivery plan. The data on the metrics for the frameworks is collected and published on an annual basis.

14th Sept 2006 Energy Technologies Institute

The Government has published a Prospectus setting out the aims of the Institute to attract additional private sector investors.

6th Sept 2006  Dorothy Hodgkin Postgraduate Award (DHPA) Scheme - Sponsor a Science Scholar!

The Office of Science and Innovation is currently looking to recruit new sponsors for the 2007-08 cohort of students for the DHPA scheme. Some of the UK’s top R&D companies are already involved in it and their positive feedback confirms the students awarded a DHPA scholarship are of a very high calibre.

2nd Sept 2006  The BA Festival of Science, 2-9 September 2006

The BA Festival of Science is currently taking place at the University of East Anglia and across the city of Norwich. It will bring together over 300 of the UK’s top scientists and engineers to discuss the latest scientific developments with the public.

The Office of Science and Innovation is one of the principal sponsors of the event.

2nd Aug 2006   Increasing the Economic Impact of the Research Councils

At the request of the Director General of Science and Innovation, Sir Keith O’Nions, an independent Economic Impact Group were asked to make recommendations as to how Research Councils can deliver - and demonstrate that they are delivering - a major increase in the economic impact of their investments.

The group was comprised of senior academics, Research Council chief executives and business leaders.  The report is available from the above link. 

25th July 2006  Government announces plans for new Large Facilities Council

A new Large Facilities Council will be created by merging the current responsibilities of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC) and the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils (CCLRC) the Department of Trade and Industry announced on 25th July. A summary of responses to the consultation is now available.

20th July 2006  DTI's Global Watch Service 3rd Annual Report was launched at the Summer Science Reception held at Lancaster House on Thursday 13th July.

The report concludes that the Global Watch Service (GWS) has had its most successful year to date in delivering on commitments made in the 2003 Innovation Report and on its impact on UK businesses and the economy.

It also highlights how the GWS has helped UK firms of all sizes to interact with global technology partners and to develop the capabilities that will improve their productivity and international competitiveness.

11th July 2006  The latest Global Watch Mission Reports are available now

The Reports include Second generation transport biofuels – a mission to the Netherlands, Germany and Finland; Exploiting the broadband opportunity: lessons from South Korea and Japan; Digital printing: future technologies, current best practice – a mission to the USA; and Grain – fuel for thought: a scoping mission to Denmark. They are available to registered users only and registration is free.

26 May 2006  Lord Sainsbury re-appoints the Economic and Social Research Council Chief Executive

Science and Innovation Minister, Lord Sainsbury, today announced the re-appointment of Professor Ian Diamond as Chief Executive and Deputy Chair of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

31 Mar 2006   First Research Council Institute and PSRE Sustainable Study ((RIPSS) newsletter published.

21 Mar 2006   Latest DTI study into the outputs and outcomes from UK science 

Latest study published by DTI into the outputs and outcomes from UK science confirms the continued success of the UK research base, second only in the world to the USA in terms of achievement, productivity and efficiency.

The study shows that the UK produces 9% of the world’s scientific papers and has a citation share of 12% - second highest to the USA. The UK continues to strengthen its share -13% - of the world's most influential papers. Whilst China and some smaller nations are rapidly increasing their global share of publications and citations the study shows the UK continues to maintain world share and benefits from a consistently good performance across disciplines. The report includes data for the Arts and Humanities for the first time.

14 Mar 2006   Schools Funding Aims to Stimulate Interest in Science

The Government has today unveiled an innovative programme aimed at encouraging secondary school students from certain black and ethnic minority backgrounds to become more involved in science and maths.

Whether using model trains to discover the importance of maths in everyday life, taking part in national robot competitions or learning about DNA and how it is used to catch criminals, schools around the UK have developed a range of highly creative extra-curricula projects aimed at boosting students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

1 Mar 2006     National Science Week 2006

National Science Week takes place from 10 – 19 March. This annual event is run by the British Association for the Advancement of Science and funded by the DTI. To mark the week, a range of scientific and technological activities and events take place to engage and inspire people of all ages.

30 Jan 2006   OST publishes review on Governance in Research Council Institutes   

OST has today published a light-touch review of the governance arrangements of the Research Councils’ institutes, centres, surveys and units. The review is primarily concerned with the governance models adopted by the Research Councils for those institutions which they sponsor, and compares them with best practice in the public sector. It has a number of conclusions and some recommendations for the Research Councils to consider.