Innovation Advisory Board: Terms of Reference

Background

STFC is one of Europe’s largest science and technology organisations, and has the published aims of supporting world-class research, innovation and skills. Advisory Boards of Council have been established for each of these three areas. These are Science Board, the Innovation Advisory Board and the Skills and Engagement Advisory Board, respectively. These will review STFC activity in the field, and provide recommendations on the existing and future programmes.

The ‘innovation’ aspect of STFC’s work has a particular significance because it is one way of demonstrating the impact arising from science and technology investments, and so an important aspect of making the overall case for science.

In the context of the Innovation Advisory Board, ‘innovation’ is used in its widest sense to mean the process of translating ideas and capabilities arising from the research base into practical deployment. For STFC, this research base includes international facilities that are funded by STFC, university partners that receive STFC awards, user facilities and other STFC national laboratory activities. STFC currently engages in a wide range of means to enable the process of innovation, including the provision of innovation funding, the provision of business incubators, the management of STFC-owned intellectual property, working with businesses large and small and partnerships to develop research and innovation campuses.

IAB provides independent advice to Council, in developing innovation strategy and advice. In this context it may engage in external reviews. However, any such engagement must have due regard to the impact on STFC, and Council should be consulted as to the nature of the external engagement and approval obtained from the Chair of Council as appropriate.

For more information on the Innovation Advisory Board please contact Sarah Billingham.

News from the Innovation Advisory Board

• View the latest news from the Innovation Advisory Board

Copies of the agendas and minutes of the Innovation Advisory Board are available below.

Purpose

The Board should advise on:

• The content, balance and priorities of STFC’s existing innovation programmes;
   
• New approaches to delivering innovation within STFC;
   
• STFC’s participation in the research and innovation campuses at Harwell Oxford and Daresbury, and leadership of the innovation opportunities at these locations;
   
• How STFC can capitalise on its expertise and experience in innovation, and how STFC’s contribution to innovation can best be promoted to stakeholders and Government;
   
• Approaches to capturing, measuring and communicating the impact derived from innovation activities supported by STFC, both in the shorter term and longer term, including the criteria for success;
   
• The development of STFC’s Growth and Innovation Strategy (which will be derived from STFC’s overall Corporate Strategy).

The above terms of reference will be reviewed annually.

The board will ensure that its business is conducted in accordance with the STFC Ethics Policy, and have regard to any ethical principles set by the ethics committee and endorsed by Council.

Communications and reporting

The Board is a sub-committee of STFC’s Council and will report to Council. Excellent communication will be maintained with other Council advisory groups, STFC’s Executive Board, and the STFC Innovations Ltd. Board of Directors.

Membership

At least one member of Council should be in attendance, who may or may not be the Chair. The membership shall include at least one member of the STFC Innovations Ltd. Board. Other members will have substantial experience and expertise in delivering innovation. The membership will be reviewed annually.

• Richard Worswick – Chair
• Paul Beasley – Siemens Plc
• Debbie Buckley-Golder - Innovate UK
• Phil Kaziewicz – GI Partners
• Mike Kelly – Datacentred
• Frank Salzgeber – European Space Agency
• Kenji Takeda – Microsoft Azure for Research
• Jennifer Thompson – Associate Dean for Employability & Business Engagement, Teesside University

Secretariat and meetings

The Secretariat will be provided by STFC’s Strategy, Planning and Communications Directorate. The Board is expected to meet at least twice each year, with other ad-hoc meetings to be arranged as required.