Innovation: From Inception to Commercialisation

24 October 2011

Innovation: From Inception to Commercialisation

Business and Innovation Network, Sheffield (BIN@Sheffield2011) organised by the University of Sheffield, is the second in a series of free annual, international events designed to stimulate discussion, promote the sharing of best practice and support collaboration across disciplines in science and between research and industry.

The three day event will take place from the 2 – 4 November 2011 at the Showroom Workstation in Sheffield and will include a wide variety of activities including workshops, exhibitions, networking and dinners.

The first day has attracted an international line up of speakers to set the context by highlighting current political and funding priorities as well as the importance of universities engaging with industry to translate research into economic and wider social benefits.

Day two and three of the event are focused around moderated and themed workshops (Think Tanks) bringing together industry, academia and the public sector to share experiences around innovation and to develop opportunities for collaboration within a diverse range of topics.

For example, day two includes a workshop on offshore wind power asking the fundamental questions of whether we can rely on offshore wind energy, as well as an in depth exploration of how new materials, processes and technologies are changing the face of dentistry through cross disciplinary research and working.

The event will host a fantastic array of speakers including a presentation by the Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, Professor Richard Jones who will open the event.

Professor Richard Jones, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research at The University of Sheffield commented: "We´re delighted to be working in partnership with academia, industry and the public sector to organise the second `BIN@´ event here in the UK. At the University of Sheffield we believe that it is not enough to do excellent research alone; that research needs to be driven by real societal needs and carried out in partnership with industry."

There will also be an exhibition and opportunities to network with fellow delegates. Exhibitors include the University of Porto (UPIN) who is a key partner of the University of Sheffield´s innovation department. As a result of the success of this partnership, the University of Sheffield has extended its collaborative links internationally with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Sheffield´s Bioincubator and the University of Sao Paolo´s Bioincubator. This new collaboration will allow the sharing of experience, facilities, opportunities and best practice.