The UK Ecosystem for Fostering Innovation in the Earth & Space Sciences

Abstract:

The UK national government supports an ecosystem of government-funded organisations that carry a specific remit for innovation. By specifically cultivating the commercialisation of research where appropriate, the UK demonstrates a forward-thinking and coordinated approach to deriving economic and societal impact from scientific research activities. This presentation provides an overview of innovation activities at government-backed organisations that support the Earth and space science communities.

At the broadest and highest levels, the UK has a whole-of-government approach to fostering innovation. The government also has a designated innovation agency – Innovate UK – which works with people, companies, and partner organisations to find and drive the science & technology innovations that will grow the UK economy.

A primary source of scientific funding to UK-based researchers comes from the Research Councils UK (RCUK), which has seven constituent Research Councils. Along with funding activities that support basic research, innovation is supported through a variety of activities. The National Environmental Research Council (NERC), the UK’s leading public funder for Earth & environmental science, has brought to market a wide variety of ideas and innovations, including by helping to register patents, negotiating licensing deals, and setting up spin-out companies or joint ventures with commercial organisations.

Case studies of NERC commercialization successes will be given, as well as an overview of mechanisms by which NERC supports innovation. These include ‘Pathfinder’ awards that help enable researchers to develop a greater understanding of the commercial aspects and possibilities of their research. Complementary ‘Follow-on Fund’ awards provide proof-of-concept funding to support the commercialisation of ideas arising from NERC-funded research. Early-career researchers are also eligible for NERC’s Environment Young Entrepreneurs Scheme.

Innovation activity, like basic research, can be enhanced through international collaboration and engagement. Approaches taken by UK organisations such as RCUK seek to bring together the correct teams, regardless of nationality, to develop innovations needed to address common challenges.