Progress in science and technology is a crucial underpinning for economic development at the local, regional and national level. The United Kingdom has a deep and growing knowledge base which covers a wide range of research fields including physical, biological, engineering, medical, natural and social disciplines, including the arts and humanities.
Many of these areas are of the highest global standing. The United Kingdom is one of the world’s leaders in the life sciences, attracting major R&D investment from the pharmaceutical industry; research in advanced materials is finding application across a wide range of industries including the medical sector, transport and construction. The UK is home to Europe’s largest information and communications industry which is dependent on its commercial success on ground-breaking developments in the science base; energy and environmental technologies are addressing a wide ranging climate change agenda and electronics and photonics are driving advances in semiconductor technology. Lastly, design engineering and advanced manufacturing are powering a wide range of industries.
SQW is working with clients at the national and regional level in formulating and evaluating policies that ensure that the United Kingdom maintains its eminent position in science and technology developments and facilitating processes that translate these advances into innovation and commercial success. Our client base covers central government departments, the Technology Strategy Board, research councils, regional development agencies, charitable foundations and universities.
Examples of SQW projects
Evaluation of Science Learning Centres
SQW was appointed by the Wellcome Trust to lead a consortium with GfK-NOP, Professor Jack Jackson and Dr Martin Hollins to undertake the phase 2 evaluation of the national network of Science Learning Centres. The purpose of the research is to provide a high quality evidence base in order to assess the effectiveness of the Science Learning Centre Network in supporting continuing professional development for science educators. The research runs from January 2009 until October 2011 and is both formative and summative. Interim reports will feed back into the network to assist iterative development. The research includes longitudinal surveys of course participants and case studies of schools.
Lancaster Science Park – Economic Appraisal and Market Assessment
SQW was selected to undertake a combined market assessment and appraisal for the proposed Lancaster science park, in association with Jones Lang LaSalle. Lancaster is a research intensive university which is already engaged in a wide range of transfer and commercialisation activities. The science park could play an important role in further driving knowledge-based economic development in Lancaster and its surrounding region.
Greater South East Inter-Regional Collaborations in Business-Facing Research and Development
We were commissioned by the two regional higher education associations (Higher Education South East and Association of Universities in the East of England) to explore interregional business facing research collaborations between HEIs in the Greater South East (including London). The project mapped Technology Strategy Board priorities onto existing collaborations and identified gaps in existing activities.
Research to Inform Scottish Enterprise’s ICT Related Business Support
In the light of significant and ongoing change in the market and policy contexts, Scottish Enterprise commissioned SQW to undertake research into the market failures, opportunities and threats associated with business exploitation of Information and Communications Technology. We undertook a literature review, analysed survey data and SE’s customer relationship management data, and consulted with 30 key stakeholders in the public and private sectors. We also reviewed ICT business support interventions elsewhere in the UK, and in Ireland and Finland. Our study culminated in the development of recommended intervention approaches, to inform SE’s strategy for the next three years.
Green Economy Business Scoping Study
This study was a contribution to the implementation of the National Environment Research Council’s Green Economy Strategy. It identified priority business needs and opportunities in selected sectors – ecosystem services, carbon accounting and trading, and transport – and linked these to capabilities within the environmental science community in the UK, in order to determine knowledge exchange and commercialisation opportunities. The study involved consultations and facilitated workshops with members of the public sector, business and the research communities. The study prepared road maps illustrating business needs and their links to technologies and solutions.
Review of the Impacts Relating to the Location of Large Scale Science Facilities in the UK
This review assessed two main categories of impact: economic and social effects resulting from the physical location of facility itself, focussing on local economy effects; and the impacts associated with the flow-on enhancements to the UK research base, and any subsequent changes to the economic impacts of the research base. The facilities covered were: ISIS and Diamond at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory; Joint European Torus; Synchrotron Radiation Source at Daresbury; and the European Bio-Informatics Institute.
Options to Enhance the Knowledge Transfer Performance of the Energy Technology Partnership
SQW was commissioned by Scottish Enterprise to develop options for ways in which the knowledge transfer/exchange activities of the Scottish universities’ Energy Technology Partnership could be enhanced to the benefit of the business base in Scotland. In particular, there was interest in options which take advantage of the opportunities that the newly formed ETP collaboration offers.
Exeter Science Park Market Demand Assessment
We undertook a market demand assessment of services and space to be provided by Exeter Science Park. The project was commissioned by a consortium of partners led by the University of Exeter, Exeter City Council and the Met Office. The demand assessment was structured around three themes of particular expertise including environment and sustainable futures, functional materials and health and life sciences.
Feasibility Study of an Agro-Technology Park in Brunei
We were commissioned by the Government of Brunei to undertake a feasibility study of an Agro-Technology Park. The Park will play a key role in the diversification of the country’s economic base.
Study on the Role of STEM Disciplines in Service Industry Innovation
The Royal Society undertook a major review of the role that Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics disciplines (STEM) play in innovation in the UK service industry sectors. As part of this work, we interviewed public and private service sector organisations to gain an in-depth understanding of the key issues from their perspectives.