June 12 2013
Mark Riley Cardwell
PR: Innovation Leicester
APPROVED
Event to showcase how cutting edge research can benefit business
Rolls-Royce engineer to speak at The University of Leicester’s Innovation Leicester 2013 conference on Monday, July 8
Business leaders will hear from key industry figures, technologists and academics on how innovation can drive business development at a University of Leicester conference.
Innovation Leicester 2013 will showcase how the University’s cutting edge research in the areas of transport, recycling, environment and composite materials can benefit business.
The event, which takes place on July 8, aims to show senior managers and Research & Development directors at medium and large companies the value of collaborating with Leicester University researchers.
Paul Withey, Engineering Associate Fellow in Casting Technology at Rolls-Royce will talk about the collaboration with the University of Leicester as well as Research and Development in advanced materials at Rolls-Royce.
John Morlidge, Lead Technologist, Advanced Materials at the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) will talk about how innovation can drive business development and how the TSB can support UK companies.
A group of University of Leicester academics will also showcase their research and its application to industry. These include:
- Professor Helen Atkinson, Head of the Department of Engineering and expert in the mechanics of materials
- Professor Andy Abbot, Head of the Department of Chemistry and expert in ionic liquids and advanced materials including recycled materials
- Professor Paul Monks, head of the University’s G-STEP and IRSA projects and expert in atmospheric chemistry
- Professor Karl Ryder, Professor of Physical Chemistry and expert in precious metal reclamation and recycling
- Dr Roland Leigh, an expert in air quality monitoring in the University’s Department of Physics and Astronomy
- Dr Dan Ladley, expert in big data modelling in the University’s Department of Economics
At the event, the University will also be showcasing ASDEC, the UK’s first commercial 3D laser (non-contact) structural dynamics vibration testing and analysis centre for the automotive, aerospace and space industries.
The Centre is based in the heart of the UK offering collaborative R&D and outsourced commercial 3D scanning measurement and modal analysis, modelling and certification services.
Images of the 3D laser are available from pressoffice@le.ac.uk
Anjuu Trevedi, Director of the University of Leicester’s Innovation Partnerships project (part-funded by European Regional Development Fund) and Head of Regional Business Engagement, said: “Building on last year’s successful Innovation Event, Innovation Leicester 2013 provides a fantastic opportunity for companies to better understand how we have applied our research, where the funding is to work together and through the Speed Networking session discuss ideas for new collaborations with key academics from the university. I am really looking forward to meeting new companies who are interested in collaborative R&D.”
The event will be held at the University of Leicester’s main campus from 8.30am to 2pm on July 8.
To book a place, please visit: http://www2.le.ac.uk/business/innovation-leicester/rsvp
Ends
Notes to Editors:
More information on the University of Leicester Enterprise and Business Development Office is available from Ms Anjuu Trevedi, Head of Regional Business Engagement, tel 0116 252 3354, email anjuu.trevedi@le.ac.uk
More information on Innovation Partnerships, ERDF funded project can be found at www2.le.ac.uk/innovationpartnerships
About ERDF nationally
The ERDF Programme aims to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the European Union by supporting regional economic development.
The ERDF objectives for England are:
• Promoting innovation and knowledge transfer
• Stimulating enterprise and supporting successful business
• Ensuring sustainable development, production and consumption
• Building sustainable communities
• Improving accessibility and connectivity (for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly only – as part of their Convergence Programme).
A Programme Monitoring Committee consisting of regional stakeholders such as Government Offices, RDAs, Regional Assemblies, Local Authorities, Sub-regional Partnerships, Higher Education Institutions, Trade Unions, and the private and voluntary sectors will monitor and oversee programme implementation in each region.
For more information on ERDF funding generally, please visit www.communities.gov.uk/citiesandregions/european or http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/funds/feder/index_en.htm
About ERDF in the East Midlands
The East Midlands is eligible for €268.5m between 2007 and 2013, which when combined with match funding, provides a programme value of approximately €537m – a significant investment in the economic development of the region.
The East Midlands qualifies as a competitiveness and employment region under the EU’s Cohesion Policy, which aims to meet the EU Lisbon objective to become ‘the most competitive and dynamic knowledge based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social inclusion.’
East Midlands Development Agency (emda) is responsible for the programme management and delivery of the region’s 2007-13 ERDF Competitiveness Programme. The responsibility for ERDF programme management was transferred from the Government Office for the East Midlands (GOEM) to emda following a decision by the UK Government to seek greater alignment between ERDF and regional strategies and funding streams. The 2007-13 ERDF Programme is therefore set firmly within the framework of the Regional Economic Strategy.
A Programme Monitoring Committee, chaired by the Regional Director of Government Office for the East Midlands (GOEM), guides the strategic direction of the programme and works closely with emda.
To find out more about ERDF, the region’s strategy for delivering the funds, how to apply for funding and how the programme is managed, please visit www.eastmidlandserdf.org.uk