Framework for Innovation & Research in MediaCityUK Mike Hession, FIRM Manager

The partnership Core partners: –BBC –University of Cambridge –Goldsmiths –Lancaster University –MIT –Northwest Vision and Media –University of Salford –Salford URC perspective Funders: –RCUK Digital Economy –NWDA

FIRM Vision To introduce a powerful, multi- disciplinary research ingredient into the open innovation ecosystem of the iconic MediaCityUK development, in such a way that strategic impacts of national and global significance are achieved in the domains of theory, practice and policy Seeking transformational change

Clear and ambitious research and innovation vision Major physical, human and intellectual challenges Engagement of a wide range of stakeholders WP1 Management / governance and “narratives” project WP1 Requirements capture / briefing for TPDZ space WP2 Analysis of global NCCs and visioning WP3 Virtual model of MC / links to Living Labs WP4 Capturing cultural memory and future trajectories WP5 Creating platform of innovation and new business model WP6 User Behaviour and System Infra- structure in the Future Media Internet Year One Activities And then … a managed portfolio of strategic, challenge- orientated activities infused by WP themes

Multiple perspectives WP1(Salford): coordination, sources of archive material and organising stakeholder groups; WP2 (Cambridge/MIT with Salford URC): narrative; perspectives from comparable world developments with similarly strong stories to tell; community focus; links to the URC; WP3 (Salford): community engagement through ICT; user interface/ front-end of the repository; WP4 (Goldsmiths): conflicting narratives around a sense of place; WP5 (BBC/Northwest Vision & Media): archiving, metadata, digital narrative, expertise on platforms and audiences: business models, benefits and links to SMEs and wider industry; WP6 (Lancaster): building the archive architecture. Port to Portal: Based on the narrative arc of the MediaCityUK site Online repository of multiple narratives –Professionally shot –Community project video –Self shot –Archive material (eg URC, BBC, Peel) Editable, flexible Raising new R questions Six months initial deliverable

Levels of engagement Underwood, J & Williams, A & Thurairajah, N 2009, 'Improving performance through HEI-industry engagements in the built environment', Industry and Higher Education, 23(1), pp.39-49

Emerging criteria Centred at MediaCityUK Matching the strategic challenges that emerge from FIRM Yr 1 Involving at least some (two) of the “core” FIRM partners Bringing resources (financial and/or intellectual) which will strengthen the partnership Engage as “partners” or “associated” projects

Where will we be… …in six months –Think Play Do Zone designs produced –Port to Portal concept developed and prototype populated …in twelve months –Think Play Do Zone completed: taking possession of the facility

Where will we be… …in three years –Think Play Do Zone established as a go to place for research ideas and innovation within MediaCityUK –FIRM has international reputation as a collaborative model for HE/Industry research and innovation –Partnership has grown and new core partners admitted –Funding for the next phase in place, from NWDA, RCUK, NWDA, TSB…

Where will we be… …in eight years –FIRM and TPDZ expanded to be major centre of research and innovation for the digital and creative industries, with world- wide reputation –The TPDZ expanded and funded as a major European research facility

Space Media Enterprise Centre: –Leased from Peel by Salford City Council (NWDA funding) –Floors 2-7, South Tower –Co-located with Gamespace, Digital Content Lab, MakeMedia, plus incubation space) –Interaction/sharing between all partners –Salford/FIRM input into design, especially the Think Play Do Zone

Space Think Play Do Zone –Drawing on the best examples of innovative work spaces from around the world –High-standard fit out to spark creativity –Ideas club, meeting hub, stimulating programme of intellectual activity

Meet the neighbours…

Further information Web site: Mike Hession, FIRM Manager