Bangor University to lead a Science and Innovation Audit

Bangor University has been chosen by the UK Government to lead a Science and Innovation Audit of the North West Nuclear Arc Consortium, and to participate as partners in two other audits.

Twelve Science and Innovation Audits will map local research, innovation, and infrastructure strengths. Bangor University will lead an audit into the North West Nuclear Arc Consortium, together with support from Welsh Government, North West England LEPs, the University of Manchester’s Dalton Institute, and the National Nuclear Laboratory.

Bangor University is also part of the North West Coastal Arc Eco-Innovation Partnership, which will identify how the area could become world-leading in the development of low carbon and eco-innovative products, processes and services.

Bangor University is also a partner in the audit into the South Wales Crucible, led by Swansea University, which will examine steel innovation, smart manufacturing, health innovation, energy and agri-tech.

Professor Jo Rycroft-Malone, Pro Vice-Chancellor at Bangor University explained: “We’re delighted to have been selected to lead this audit and to participate in another two. Our success reflects the expertise we have in environmental and nuclear engineering research and innovation. Bangor University look forward to leading the collaboration with colleagues across the country on what promises to be an exciting initiative relevant to the UK Industrial Strategy.”

“There is clear evidence of a link between Research & Development spending and national productivity, and these audits will allow us to examine the impact such activity has on existing and potential economic growth.

“Studies show that public investment in the science base generates returns of at least 20% per annum in the private sector, so it is clear that Universities make a major contribution to the success of the UK economy and job creation.”

Amongst the key objectives of the Science and Innovation Audits were identifying and validating areas of potential global competitive advantage across the UK and strengthen future bids for local investment. It would also foster collaboration between universities and local businesses, local authorities and enterprise partnerships.

The SIAs will also help Government and local organisations examine how investment in science and innovation leads to local productivity. Areas of focus include excellence in science and research, highlighting areas of world-leading and internationally-competitive strengths.

They will also examine local industrial strengths and capacities, especially in growing industries and emerging technologies, and assess local ability to work collaboratively across the science and innovation landscape.

Making the announcement, the UK Government’s Universities and Science Minister Jo Johnson outlined that the audit process has already brought together businesses, universities, Local Enterprise Partnerships and the Devolved Administration equivalents to identify the opportunities for inward investment and regional growth, and explore strengths in a number of sectors and disciplines across the UK.

Publication date: 20 October 2017