Association News
UKSPA elect John Leake as new Chair
The United Kingdom Science Park Association (UKSPA) is pleased to announce the appointment of John Leake as its new Chair. John takes over the mantle from outgoing Chair Patrick Bonnett, Chief Development Officer at the UK’s National Innovation Centre for...
2022 National Accelerator & Incubator Survey: help shape the future of our sector
UKSPA is partnering with The Centre for Entrepreneurs, Founders Forum, COADEC, NACUE, The Entrepreneurs Network, The Scaleup Institute, Beauhurst, Capital Enterprise and several other key organisations to conduct the UK’s largest survey of Accelerators and...
UKSPA announces publication of its definitive guide
UKSPA (The United Kingdom Science Park Association) has today announced the publication of the fully revised and expanded third edition of The Planning, Development and Operation of Science Parks - UKSPA’s definitive guide to the creation and management of innovation...
Levelling up requires an end to policy churn
Stronger links between civil servants and R&D would help local economies, says Patrick Bonnett No-one could argue with the profound need to level up the UK. We are one of the most geographically unequal major economies in the world, and inequality has worsened...
Becoming a ‘Science and Technology Superpower’ requires HMG to keep its foot on the R&D accelerator
The autumn saw the Chancellor unveil the Budget and Spending Review 2021, critical for resourcing and implementing the government’s Innovation Strategy which was launched in July and signalled the government’s intention to place science, technology and innovation...
Budget will not meet ambitions of Innovation Strategy
Authors: Patrick Bonnett, Steve Yianni and Jane Gate Slowing investment will make science superpower status less likely, say Patrick Bonnett and colleagues The budget was a chance to begin implementing the government’s Innovation Strategy. Launching the strategy...
UKSPA is looking to appoint an early career professional board member
An UKSPA Board initiative to help improve diversity and representation. Last year UKSPA appointed two co-opted members of the UKSPA Board. Following an open application process Alice Reeve (Hethel Innovation) and Joe Caine (Keele University Science Park) were...
Creating the future by making the best use of what we’ve got. UKSPA’s Interim Chair Patrick Bonnett reflects on the Government’s Innovation Strategy.
The end of July saw the publication of the new Innovation Strategy by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. The strategy was launched by Kwasi Kwarteng, the BEIS Secretary of State at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre near Sheffield....
View the presentations from the Science and Innovation Parks Development Conference; partnered by UKSPA
Last week leading stakeholders and influencers gathered for the Science and Innovation Parks Development Conference where the emerging opportunities in the sector were discussed. The event, held in London, highlighted future development activity from park expansions...
Grassroots R&D is a foundation for building back better
Close-to-market innovation across the UK can drive recovery, say Patrick Bonnett and Steve Yianni in a recent article first published in Research Professional News The Chancellor’s budget in March marked a shift in plans to support economic growth through investment...
UKSPA Survey – returning to in-person events – your views are important to us
As the easing of lockdown restrictions continues as part of the government’s four step plan, final restrictions on social contact are potentially set to be lifted on 21 June. As a UKSPA member we are looking for your feedback and input regarding your views...
Build back better
UKSPA Chairman Dr Glenn Crocker MBE considers how the world and the future of science parks will be post covid. The light at the end of the coronavirus tunnel appears to be getting brighter, with the vaccination programme rolling out across Europe. So, it seems...
UKSPA Executive Director reflects on the past year and the opportunities ahead
It would be a massive understatement to describe 2020 as "challenging" - it was a year that affected all of us in so many ways. I do hope that you and your family, as well as your colleagues, start the year in good health. For UKSPA, 2020 started positively...
UKSPA Members: discounted entry to IASP World Conference
UKSPA members can now register for the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation virtual World Conference which takes place from 1st -3rd December 2020 This allows UKSPA members to register for the same fee as IASP members. For those...
Jobs today, skills tomorrow
Presenting a call to arms, Martino Picardo and Jim Duvall ask representatives across the sector to join the ‘Schools to Science Park’ movement and convert local skills efforts into a national collaboration. Despite the current pandemic, there is still considerable...