February 2009 Issue 69
Keeping you in touch with opportunities from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
www.epsrc.ac.uk
£250m to create new wave of scientists and engineers EPSRC
has announced funding for 44 new centres for doctoral training totalling £250m. It is the biggest single investment in training the council has ever made and will support more than 2,000 PhD students. Launching the centres, EPSRC chief executive Professor Dave Delpy said: “People are the heart of our future strategy. We want to drive a modern economy and meet the challenges of tomorrow by investing in talented people and inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers.” He continued: “EPSRC Centres for Doctoral Training expand our existing training portfolio, focus on priority themes for the UK, emerging and multidisciplinary research, and greater collaboration with business.” EPSRC Centres for Doctoral Training are a bold new approach to training PhD students, creating communities of researchers working on current and future challenges. They will tackle some of the biggest problems currently facing Britain such as climate change, energy, our ageing population and high-tech crime. Seventeen of the new centres will be industrial training centres that will equip their students with the business skills they need to turn pioneering ideas into products and services, boosting their impact on the UK’s economy. Backing the investment, Minister of State for Science and Innovation, Lord Drayson, said: “Britain faces many challenges in the 21st century and needs scientists and engineers with the right skills to find answers to these challenges, build a strong economy and keep us globally competitive. EPSRC’s doctoral training centres will provide a new wave of engineers and scientists to do the job.” This approach to training has been extensively piloted by EPSRC through a small number of thriving Engineering Doctorate Centres and Doctoral Training Centres in Complexity Science, Systems Biology and at the Life Sciences Interface. This new investment builds on the success of these and will establish a strong group of centres which will rapidly establish a pre-eminent international reputation for doctoral training. The multidisciplinary centres bring together diverse areas of expertise to train engineers and scientists with the skills, knowledge and confidence to tackle today’s evolving issues.
Science and Innovation Minister Lord Drayson launches new EPSRC centres for doctoral training.
They also create new working cultures, build relationships between teams in universities and forge lasting links with industry. Students in these centres will receive a formal programme of taught coursework to develop and enhance their technical interdisciplinary knowledge, and broaden their set of skills. Alongside this they will undertake a challenging and original research project at PhD level. For more information and a full list of funded centres visit: www.epsrc.ac.uk
Regional meetings 2009 EPSRC will be holding four Regional Meetings during March / April 2009 to update the academic community on its Delivery Plan 2008-11, the outcomes of the Review of Peer Review, people support and demand management. 12 March University of Glasgow 19 March University of Birmingham 26 March University of Surrey 2 April University of Bristol Places will be limited and registration details will be available on the EPSRC website, www.epsrc.ac.uk Contact: Jo Enderby, joanne.enderby@epsrc.ac.uk Karen Manning, karen.manning@epsrc.ac.uk
Inside 2 Uncovering success
3 Calls
3 Tackling global security
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
New support to help ideas reach their potential
Exhibition allows budding engineers to ‘design’ their own jet engines AN INTERACTIVE exhibition ‘So you think you can design a Jet Engine?!’ – sponsored by EPSRC – now has a permanent home at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) Manchester. Led by the University of Manchester, the exhibition, aimed at engaging and enthusing young people about the materials used inside jet engines, has been installed at the museum following successful stands at both Farnborough and Southport Airshows. It is just one facet of a large public engagement programme headed up by Professor Phil Withers that was awarded the Royal Academy of Engineering/Nexus Solutions Education Innovation Award in 2007. He said: “The overall aim of our project is to enthuse young people about the exciting developments in, and applications for, research in materials science. Our state-of-the-art museum display, complete with a stereoscopic 3D journey inside a Jet Engine allows young people to design a jet engine of their own to see if it can fly. We have found it to be a great way to showcase novel research going on within universities, and hopefully inspire engineers of the future!” The exhibition fuses together the strong links the North West has had historically with the development of the jet engines and the current research taking place at the University of Manchester. Nick Forder, curator of the MOSI Air and Space Gallery states “The ‘So you think you can design a jet engine?!’ exhibition is a well tested and proven interactive that reveals the mystery of what goes on inside an engine and the fundamental importance of materials science. This is the harbinger of the new MOSI Air & Space Gallery, which will be about using inspiration and engagement to explain and promote engineering science to all”.
EPSRC follow-on fund projects could benefit from extra cash and expert commercial advice thanks to a new deal. The initiative, between EPSRC and investment company H2O Venture Partners Ltd, means follow-on fund projects could be eligible for additional finance and the support of H2O’s team of experienced technology entrepreneurs. EPSRC’s follow-on fund helps bridge the funding gap between traditional research grants and commercial funding. Launched in 2004, the fund has supported 92 projects with a combined value of around £7m. In 2009/10 EPSRC expects to award a further £4m in follow-on funding. Under the new agreement, H2O will select potential projects for collaboration from successful follow-on fund proposals. Its offer of support will combine cash investment, covering expenses such as branding and marketing, with dedicated commercial management. EPSRC will also offer a £30,000 enhancement to any agreed collaborations, to fund additional commercially-driven work. EPSRC’s review and selection process for funding follow-on projects will remain unchanged. Where H2O believe successful projects might benefit from this initiative, applicants will be approached to establish interest and to negotiate investment terms. Further information: www.epsrc.ac.uk/ResearchFunding/Opportunities/KT/ FollowOnFund.htm www.epsrc.ac.uk/Content/News/H2OPartnership.htm
Contact: Kevin Tan, Kevin.Tan@manchester.ac.uk For more information: www.tools4schools.org.uk
Contact: David Mahoney, david.mahoney@epsrc.ac.uk
Uncovering success stories EPSRC is asking the academic community for help in promoting the full impact of funded research over the last two decades. The social and economic impact of EPSRC-funded research may not be felt until many years after the initial grant has finished. The connection between grant-supported research and subsequent impact is not always apparent due to the contributions of others, commercial sensitivities or the passage of time and the changing roles of those involved. But these success stories form valuable evidence in demonstrating the significant contribution scientific research has made to both the economy and society. EPSRC’s Alasdair Rose, who is leading the project, said: “If you are aware, from your own work or that of others, of any such economic, societal or policy-making impact that resulted from research or people funded by EPSRC or SERC, even if the impact became apparent many years later, we would like to hear from you.” Contact: Alasdair Rose, economicimpact@epsrc.ac.uk
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Connect February 2009 Issue 69
Tackling global security
Top award for EPSRC engagement mentor
LEADING EPSRC-funded counter terrorism researchers have met to swap ideas and identify areas for future work. The workshop, a follow-on event to 2006’s Countering Terrorism in Public Places sandpit, allowed grant holders and representatives from sister research councils to share progress and ideas. Presentations from each of the three projects funded out from the 2006 sandpit (Safer Spaces, RE-DESIGN, and D-Scent) were followed by work to identify gaps in knowledge, emerging synergies, and unanswered questions for future activities in this area. EPSRC plans to hold two further sandpits in 2009 in areas related to the Global Uncertainty programme. The first, “Detecting Terrorist Activities”, will take place in May, followed later in the year by a sandpit to address issues in the area of resilience. Global Uncertainties; Security for All in a Changing World is a cross-research council programme. All seven research councils are working together to address four inter-related global threats to security – crime, terrorism, environmental stress and global poverty. Research will seek to understand how crime, terror, environmental stress, and poverty create vicious circles through positive feedback. A particular challenge is to move debates away from a narrow definition of national interests to one in which national interests are best served by mutual attention to causes, detection, and prevention in the international domain.
Dr Karen Bultitude
EPSRC public engagement mentor Dr Karen Bultitude has won the prestigious Joshua Phillips Award for Innovation in Science Engagement. The Joshua Phillips Award is named in memory of Josh Phillips, a much loved, much respected and highly talented science communicator at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester who died in November 2006. Dr Bultitude, development director of the Science Communication Unit at the University of the West of England, said she was delighted with the award, particularly as she had known Josh Phillips and admired the way he worked. She added: “It means a great deal to be presented with this particular award as Josh Phillips is someone I am proud to emulate.” Robin Holgate, a member of the selection panel chaired by Tim Phillips, Josh’s Dad, said: “Karen is currently one of the finest practitioners in science engagement. She is recognised by her peers as creating innovative work, for example in robotics, and especially in the ways she shares her learning of science engagement, through both lectures and publications, with others involved in science communication.”
Further information: www.epsrc.ac.uk/ResearchFunding/ Programmes/BetterExploitation/Crime/default.htm www.rcuk.ac.uk/research/ccprog/default.htm
Calls
To receive all the latest EPSRC call information direct to your inbox sign up for our weekly e-mail alert: www.epsrc.ac.uk/emailalert
Research Council Follow-on Fund – Call for Proposals Closing Date: 26 February 2009 Up to 12 months funding available to develop the commercial potential of ideas generated by EPSRC research grant funding. Contact: David Mahoney, david.mahoney@epsrc.ac.uk
Discipline Hopping in Information and Communication Technologies Open Call This is an open call for discipline hopping awards to provide ICT researchers with an opportunity to experience research in another discipline and vice versa. Contact: Claire Hinchliffe, claire.hinchliffe@epsrc.ac.uk
Challenging Engineering 2008-2009 – Call for Outline Applications Closing Date: 04 March 2009 Call for outline proposals for funding to support future engineering research leaders from an early stage of their careers. Contact: Susan Soulsby, susan.soulsby@epsrc.ac.uk
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Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
EPSRC Contacts Head of Materials Mechanical and Medical Engineering Annette Bramley 01793 444398 annette.bramley@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Information and Communications Technology Liam Blackwell 01793 444217 liam.blackwell@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Energy Multidisciplinary Applications Rachel Bishop 01793 444241 rachel.bishop@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Peer Review Susan Morrell 01793 444462 susan.morrell@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Digital Economy John Hand 01793 444394 john.hand@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Nanotechnology and Next Generation Healthcare John Wand MBE 01793 444335 john.wand@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Knowledge Transfer John Baird 01793 444047 john.baird@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Mathematical Sciences and Public Engagement David Harman 01793 444304 david.harman@epsrc.ac.uk
E-science review: panel members wanted EPSRC is seeking panel members for its review of e-Science research. The review, in December 2009, is one of a series organised by EPSRC, on behalf of all the Research Councils and in conjunction with the learned societies, to provide an independent assessment of the quality and impact of UK research. Panel nominees should hold senior positions, be active in their field and be highly effective in team-working situations. They should be non-UK based. Nominations can be made via www.survey.bris.ac.uk/epsrc/e-scirnom The closing date is 27 February 2009. Contact: Rebecca Steliaros, rebecca.steliaros@epsrc.ac.uk
Head of Energy Research Capacity Jason Green 01793 444208 jason.green@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Engineering for Sustainability Philippa Hemmings 01793 444378 philippa.hemmings@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Cross Disciplinary Interfaces Kedar Pandya 01793 444317 kedar.pandya@epsrc.ac.uk Head of User Led Knowledge and Skills Alan Thomas 01793 442806 alan.thomas@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Infrastructure and International Jane Nicholson 01793 444065 jane.nicholson@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Physical Sciences Andrew Bourne 01793 444358 andrew.bourne@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Research Careers Strategy Lucy Brady 01793 444147 lucy.brady@epsrc.ac.uk Maggie Wilson 01793 444333 maggie.wilson@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Business Relationships Emma Feltham 01793 444321 emma.feltham@epsrc.ac.uk Associate Director Research Capability Neil Viner 01793 444310 neil.viner@epsrc.ac.uk Associate Director Mission Programmes Alison Wall 01793 444176 alison.wall@epsrc.ac.uk
Chemists and engineers help set Grand Challenges MORE THAN 100 academics and industrialists from the chemical sciences and engineering community met in Manchester to help EPSRC shape future Grand Challenges. The workshop followed on from the recent Grand Challenges consultation. Participants discussed the eight thematic areas, highlighted by the consultation, in detail and identified areas where chemical sciences and engineering could have the greatest impact. Fourteen Grand Challenges emerged during the two-day event and smaller groups will now produce submissions for consideration by the Physical Sciences and Process, Environment and Sustainability Strategic Advisory Teams in early 2009. These documents will also input to the International Review of Chemistry in spring 2009. Further information: www.epsrc.ac.uk
Associate Director Research Base Programmes Clive Hayter 01793 444440 clive.hayter@epsrc.ac.uk Associate Director Economic Impact Vince Osgood MBE 01793 444084 vince.osgood@epsrc.ac.uk
Senior Manager Public Engagement Joanna Coleman 01793 444209 joanna.coleman@epsrc.ac.uk
Raising the profile of innovative manufacturing research
IDEAS Factory Contact Susan Morrell 01793 444462 susan.morrell@epsrc.ac.uk
STAFF from Innovative Manufacturing Research Centres (IMRC) and EPSRC
Senior Manager International Edward Clarke 01793 444438 edward.clarke@epsrc.ac.uk
For current grant maintenance and grant assessment enquiries Engineering Chris Elson 01793 444504 chris.elson@epsrc.ac.uk Technology Valerie Hibberd 01793 444560 valerie.hibberd@epsrc.ac.uk Science Jo Garrad 01793 444348 jo.garrad@epsrc.ac.uk EPSRC, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1ET Telephone: 01793 444000 www.epsrc.ac.uk Editor: Christopher Buratta, christopher.buratta@epsrc.ac.uk Circulation amendments: connect@epsrc.ac.uk © Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council 2008. ISSN 1476-6485
joined forces before Christmas to explore new ways to raise the profile of research. EPSRC’s communications team explained their work and strategy and how IMRCs could use them to highlight excellent research. Other sessions explored how IMRCs could use their combined influence and knowledge to contribute to government policy discussions. EPSRC’s evaluation team demonstrated ways of measuring impact of research both qualitatively and quantitatively and EPSRC press officer Jane Reck ran a lively and exciting session on what makes a good news story. IMRCs, funded by EPSRC, support innovative manufacturing research in universities. Currently, EPSRC supports 16 IMRCs covering a broad spectrum of research topics from business strategy and construction management to freeform fabrication processes, bio-processing, electronics and healthcare. Individual IMRCs vary in width of remit from those with a narrow focus on a single topic, such as e-business, to those covering the full range of manufacturing research. Contact: Anne Farrow, anne.farrow@epsrc.ac.uk
Material may be reproduced providing the source is acknowledged.
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