Developing Skills for Innovation Ali Mobasheri, DPhil (Oxon.) Professor of Musculoskeletal Physiology Former Associate Dean for Research & Enterprise Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Overview This presentation will explore: How UK universities are developing business and entrepreneurial skills in mindsets and teams How British institutions are responding to industry-specific needs for specialized human capital for innovation

Definition of Innovation

The Academic Perspective Innovation in teaching theory and practice Innovation in research - making Research Systems more integrated, strategic and agile Stressing the centrality of research and innovation to the public and politicians by highlighting its contribution to the GDP Promoting multi-disciplinarity and team-working Increasing innovation-related outputs (IPR)

EU Definition Innovation is vital to European competitiveness in the global economy. The EU is implementing policies and programmes that support the development of innovation to increase investment in research and development, and to better convert research into improved goods, services, or processes for the market.

EU Approach to Innovation Balanced approach to research and innovation not limited to the development of new products and services on the basis of scientific and technological breakthroughs Incorporating use of existing technologies in novel applications, and making continuous improvements Activities close to market emphasise the widest possible use of knowledge generated by supported activities, up to the commercial exploitation Emphasis on activities operating close to end-users and the market, e.g. demonstration, piloting or proof-of-concept include support to social innovation, and support to demand side approaches (standardisation, innovation procurement, user-centred measures…) to help accelerate the deployment and diffusion of innovative products and services into market The definitions of the terms used are available in the Horizon 2020 Glossary on the Participant Portal

Cross-cutting issues are fully integrated in EU work programmes Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) are integrated across all Horizon 2020 activities Gender dimension in the content of R&I – the question on the relevance of sex/gender analysis is included in the proposal template and where relevant, applicants need to describe how sex and/or gender analysis is taken into account. Other cross-cutting issues may also be included in the WP Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) including science education, open access to scientific publications, ethics, standardisation, climate change and sustainable development…

‘Excellent research with impact’ RCUK’s Perspective RCUK is the strategic partnership of the UK’s seven research councils. Government funded (Public tax – Public good) BIS. Jointly invest £3billion each year in research. RCUK supports excellent research, as judged by peer review, that has an impact on the growth, prosperity and wellbeing of the UK. To maintain the UK’s global research position we offer a diverse range of funding opportunities, foster international collaborations and provide access to the best facilities and infrastructure around the world. We also support the training and career development of researchers and work with them to inspire young people and engage the wider public with research. Applications across research council remits. Peer review - The Research Councils fund research on a competitive basis employing independent expert peer review. This system is regarded as an international benchmark of excellence in research funding, and this provides a guarantee of the quality of UK research. The peer review processes employed are designed to be sensitive to the different needs and cultures that exist within the academic community and also reflect the variety of mechanisms employed to support different types of research e.g. basic or strategic research, or the need to encourage adventurous or multidisciplinary research. Each Research Council publishes information about its peer review process and these can be found using the links below Currently RCUK, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) from 1 April 2018 ‘Excellent research with impact’

Mechanisms for Enabling Innovation Maximising the impact of our science and skilled people in boosting the UK economy, informing policy and improving quality of life Expanding skills and capabilities Enhancing knowledge exchange and translation Promoting innovation - academia/industry engagement; UK innovation ecosystem Capturing, celebrating and rewarding impact in the broadest context http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/publications/planning/strategy/theme-one.aspx This enabling theme recognises that BBSRC has a responsibility to ensure that the research and training it funds has the widest possible [societal and economic] benefit. To achieve this, BBSRC has funding mechanisms in place for Doctoral training as well as Fellowships for postdoctoral researchers to embark on independent career path. BBSRC also has competitions like Fostering innovation: a suite of competitions that aim to promote excellence amongst researchers. In order to develop diverse skills amongst its funded researchers specially the PhD students, BBSRC has developed media training courses and policy internships The enabling innovation theme seeks to: maximise the social and economic benefit of the research it funds support high-quality PhD training create opportunities for engagement between academia and industry. increase the range and depth of our interactions with business develop innovative ways to capture, reward and celebrate impact. BBSRC also aims at celebrating innovation by recognising and awarding innovation. [Talk about current competitions in the fostering innovation suite, winners of the past competition]

Societal Challenges

Value of the UK Bioeconomy

Developing and supporting highly-skilled people for a more productive UK bioeconomy PhD Students Postdoctoral Researchers and Technicians Research Fellows Principal Investigators Sustaining the UK’s capability to deliver academic, economic and social impact Supplying excellent scientists into the academic, private and public sectors Attracting co-investment from the private and third sectors Ensuring under- and postgraduate students receive excellent research training BBSRC supports skills training through PhD students, postdoctoral and new group leader fellowships, and supporting postdoctoral researchers, technicians and group leaders on research awards.

BBSRC Vision For Postdoctoral Researchers Statement Delivering Integrated into their research environment Highly-skilled and adaptable Empowered through independence Connected to the BBSRC community An ethos of Continuing Professional Development Vision for Postdocs Properly treated as employees Build the postdoc & technician network  engage & understand Build the evidence base of the BBSRC supported community Raise the profile of postdoc & technician contributions Support postdoc independence & informed career decisions Monitoring training environments & career trajectories The BBSRC vision for postdoctoral researchers sets out how we expect grant holders and their host institutions to support the postdoctoral research staff employed on BBSRC grants, and what activities we expect the postdocs to engage with during their time employed on these grants. It serves as a term of reference for us and our grant holders in shaping activities to support the postdoctoral community. www.bbsrc.ac.uk/skills/developing-careers/postdoctoral-vision

Training And Mentoring Are Integral To the Success of BBSRC Fellowships Mentoring programmes are a key mechanism through which research organisations can support the professional development of their staff, particularly postdoctoral researchers and newly appointed principal investigators. BBSRC Expect fellows to receive mentoring within host institution Fellows enrolled on BBSRC mentorship programme Expected to consider both their development needs and those of their group members BBSRC considers mentoring an essential tool to support researcher development. ROs should provide mentoring for all the fellows BBSRC support and postdoctoral researchers should have access to good quality mentoring as part of the support provided to them by their RO. All BBSRC fellows are enrolled on the BBSRC mentoring programme. www.bbsrc.ac.uk/skills/developing-careers/academic-mentoring/ BBSRC using Twitter to highlight 2016 National Mentoring Day

Supporting professional and career development Further Education Training Professional / Learned Societies Doctoral degree Continuing professional development Bachelor’s degree A-levels / BTEC (or equivalent) Masters degree, PG Cert, PG Dip HNC/D, Apprenticeship Higher Education Training RESEARCH GRANTS TRAINING GRANTS Professional accreditation Supporting professional and career development BBSRC supports skills training through training grants and research grants. The Continued Professions Development of research staff is strongly encouraged and supported by professional and learned societies.

The innovation is in the skills Skills gaps: Research skills Core skills Professional/transferable skills

Opportunities and Challenges Enabling innovation through partnership working with industry and SMEs Exploiting new ways of working by developing continuing professional development with industry’s needs as a priority Academic / industry exchange programmes to sustain strategic partnerships Monitor and measure impact as an outcome of innovation – develop better quantitative methodologies for measuring impact Challenges: Rapidly changing landscape and constantly moving goalposts

Acknowledgements: Funding

Email: a.mobasheri@surrey.ac.uk