May 2024
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This conference focused on research and innovation in Wales.
It was an opportunity for stakeholders and policymakers to examine next steps for cross-sector collaborations in R&I and for aligning industry goals with standards for accessibility and environmental protection over the next five years, in light of the Welsh Government’s 2023 Wales Innovates, creating a stronger, fairer, greener Wales: delivery plan, which outlines strategy for the Welsh R&I landscape.
Discussion considered funding priorities going forward, including the role of the newly formed Commission for Tertiary Education and Research (CTER) in implementing the plan and as it takes over responsibilities for the funding, strategy and oversight of R&I in Wales.
Delegates assessed key areas for growth and environmentally conscientious innovation in Wales, such as:
- improving business-university links, growing start-ups and spin-outs in Wales, and priorities for clusters and mapping
- maximising the benefits of the UK’s re-entry to Horizon Europe, as outlined in the Collaborative Innovation Plan, published by Innovate UK and the Welsh Government in October 2023
- increasing citizen engagement, encouraging innovation in business, and working with the third sector to increase and expand R&I
- improving diversity and inclusion within innovation, increasing awareness, and removing barriers to participation in economic innovation
- employing innovative technologies to reduce carbon emissions, and accelerate the development of green technologies
Delegates discussed the likely impact of wider policy initiatives, examining opportunities, such as those presented in the Net Zero Skills Plan for improving workforce recruitment, training, upskilling and retention in fields concerned with the development of green technology, as well as best practice for embedding environmental protection plans into education systems.
It also considered implications for Welsh R&I and industry from the UK Government’s Science and Technology Framework, including the creation of the South West’s Launchpad for Net Zero Industry in November 2023, as well as UK government responses to both the Independent Review of University Spin-Out Companies, and the RDI organisational landscape: an independent review, which both outlined the importance of sustained funding in creating an diverse and dynamic economic landscape.
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote sessions with: Abigail Phillips, Head of Innovation, Welsh Government; Professor Jas Pal Badyal, Chief Scientific Advisor, Welsh Government; and Harriet Barnes, Director of Policy and Funding, Higher Education Funding Council for Wales.
Overall, the agenda included discussion on:
- Policy landscape: priorities for meeting ambitions laid out in Wales Innovates: creating a stronger, fairer, greener Wales - sector engagement - future role and responsibilities of CTER in developing Welsh R&I
- Partnerships: promoting collaboration between tertiary education and key sectors to develop a joined-up innovation ecosystem - developing R&I clusters - ensuring innovation growth is realised regionally
- Developing links between businesses and universities: priorities for Welsh start-ups and spin-outs - development and adoption of technologies with a focus on real-world application and collaboration
- Funding: assessing the future of R&I funding following the UK Government’s Autumn Statement - ensuring a fair distribution of funding for Welsh R&I - assessing priorities for CTER
- Workforce: addressing challenges in retention - enabling success through workforce investment, upskilling and retaining talent - looking at best practice for the development of the Net Zero Skills Plan
- Engagement:
- improving workforce diversity and representation of people from different backgrounds, perspectives, economic circumstances and experiences - assessing and overcoming barriers
- increasing awareness and improving opportunities for people entering the innovation landscape - ensuring equality of opportunity and utilising diversity to enhance performance and commercial success
