Our 'Star' Performer
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News OCTOBER 2013 Volume 20 No. 1 Our ‘Star’ performer A new focus for Research, Innovation and Enterprise 1 INTRODUCTION Introduction As a research-intensive University which aims to be among the top 100 universities in the world, our commitment to research, partnership – we are already leading innovation and enterprise is crucial. the way. Finally, one of the major planks of our work is our international outlook. “ This edition of Cardiff News Professor Jenny Kitzinger from appointment under the Welsh provides a brief insight into this our School of Journalism, Media Government’s flagship Sêr Cymru You’ll meet members of our work and our plans for this key area and Cultural Studies sets out how programme and how our world- European Office who are working of University activity over the next her pioneering work into decision leading Cardiff expert in the genetics alongside academics from across few years. making for people in a vegetative of Alzheimer’s has been brought into Cardiff University to make sure that state is raising greater awareness the heart of Welsh Government to we are positioned as the best and get In this edition you’ll get a snapshot of this emotive issue and helping direct science policy. a fair chance of accessing funding in of how our research is already having inform future practice. the next round, as we look towards a major impact. From improving The University’s Vice-Chancellor, Horizon 2020. labour relations in world ports to You’ll also learn how our growing Professor Colin Riordan also providing the evidence base for a reputation internationally is helping introduces the concept of the Cardiff University has set itself the roll-out of health checks for people attract some of the world’s best Innovation System and sets out what next five years to ensure our research with learning disabilities. minds to Wales - with the first this means for our future direction. continues to have a global impact by tackling the grand challenges of Investing in some key research our time. areas we are already making a real difference and helping to tackle some To do so, we need a set of actions: of the world’s biggest challenges. being highly selective in where we invest and where we choose However, we simply can’t afford to to collaborate at a Wales, UK and rest on our laurels, which is why as international level; invest in major a University we are already looking infrastructure projects; develop to the future to ensure we lead the further our exciting plans for an research agenda in Wales, the UK Innovation System and build on our and internationally. Research Institute’s specialisms. Whether it’s positioning Cardiff for It’s an exciting agenda and I hope to the next round of European Funding, keep you updated in future editions. setting up new research networks to ” discover new drugs or collaborating Professor Hywel Thomas with partners like Bristol, Bath and Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Exeter to deliver more research Innovation and Enterprise income via the emerging GW4 “Investing in some key research areas we are already making a real difference and helping to tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges.” Professor Hywel Thomas 2 CARDIFF INNOVATION SYSTEM Cardiff Innovation System “At Cardiff University we want to create an Innovation System that will drive economic growth in Wales.” The new concept of an Innovation System is set to form an essential part of the mechanism by which the University will deliver innovation and enterprise. Here, Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Professor Colin Riordan Riordan outlines what the concept means in reality. services and technologies. We can “ What are universities for? computer industry were co-located ideas to the stage where they can help devise new policies that will Everybody knows that universities in California and, supported by become commercial products. work for Wales. exist to educate students and help to government contracts, were a well- create a highly educated workforce. spring of innovation that drove the We need innovation hubs where This is not just about technology. information revolution. start-up companies can get Most people know they’re also affordable space, advice and Creative industries are a major the place where research is done At Cardiff University we want to support so that their companies can growth area here and we’ll want a that ends up in technologies like create an innovation system that will grow and become independent. Creative Industries Hub to help drive smartphones, fuel-efficient cars and drive economic growth in Wales. I These companies might be innovation in that area too. We’ll advanced medical care. don’t mean that we want to try to university spin-outs, graduate need to work in partnership with the imitate what happened in Northern entrepreneurs or local people with Welsh Government, local authorities That means universities are a critical California from the 1940s on. But bright business ideas. We want and other universities so that the part of the innovation process. we can create a next-generation students to be closely involved. whole of Wales is working together. innovation system that will help Innovation is key to prosperity and put Wales at the forefront of new We’ll create a centre for enterprise Make no mistake, Cardiff University improved well being, because it’s developments in technology, education fed from Cardiff is innovating now. We always the invention and adoption of new services, health, social policy, Business School. We want have. But we must be strategic and products, processes, techniques and heritage, the arts and other areas. undergraduates to become used systematic, investing in our Maindy policies which, in mature economies, to innovation as a normal part Road and Heath Park sites to ensure drive growth and future prosperity. To do this we need to create of university life. We want to that we do everything possible to a culture of innovation. Our create a magnet that will attract promote innovation, prosperity and The journey from idea to product is scientists working in key, close- businesses and allow them to grow improved wellbeing for the people of not straightforward though. The right to-market areas like catalysis, and flourish. We want to add a Wales into the future. conditions are needed. medical instruments, energy, social science element, so that we ” aircraft materials and the like, need always know what’s happening in Seminars are being planned for staff Silicon Valley was a success facilities where they can work innovation policy round the world to engage further in the development because universities - especially closely with their counterparts in and understand how the public of the Cardiff Innovation System Stanford University - and the the relevant industries to take lab is going to view new products, during November and December. 3 RESEARCH EXCELLENCE Shaping science policy Cardiff University’s Professor Julie Williams CBE has been appointed Wales’ new Chief Scientific Adviser. The Chief Scientific Adviser for causes of Alzheimer’s Disease with Wales (CSAW) is responsible for the excellent team we have in place. providing independent and top quality scientific advice to the First “I know a lot of hard work lies ahead Minister and his administration but Wales and the Welsh Government across a broad spectrum of topics to have already proved we are prepared support decision and policy making. to lead the way,” she added. “I am honoured and delighted to have Professor Williams took over from been offered this great opportunity Professor John Harries who retired to help shape, develop and champion earlier this year and was responsible the role that science plays in our for developing the Science for society here in Wales and especially Wales strategy and introducing a to follow in the footsteps of Professor number of initiatives to increase John Harries who did so much work Wales’ science capabilities. Professor to support science and scientific Williams will build on this, placing a research in Wales,” said Professor particular emphasis on enhancing the Williams, on taking up her new post. provision of scientific advice in Welsh Government decision making across “The Welsh Government has already all its business areas. proved it takes science seriously and is prepared to construct strategies Vice-Chancellor, Professor Colin which take us in new directions and Riordan said: “Professor Julie I want to play my part in helping that Williams’s career as a scientist continue. at Cardiff University has been “I know a lot of hard work lies ahead but Wales and the Welsh Government have already proved we are prepared to lead the way.” “Wales has some outstanding remarkable, progressing as she has scientists working at the cutting-edge from Research Fellow to leading of research. Part of my role as Chief Professor in barely more than 15 Scientific Adviser, will be to build years. on this strength and expand scientific excellence in Wales. The Sêr Cymru “Her discovery of genes that initiative provides a real opportunity predispose people to contracting to achieve this by supporting and Alzheimer’s disease was an attracting world-class scientists internationally significant step and by establishing new National forward in our understanding of this Research Networks, in priority areas devastating disease, and I am sure of science and engineering. her appointment as Chief Scientific Adviser will be an inspiration to “One aspect of my new role which many. is particularly close to my heart is the need to ensure every child in “The Welsh Government can be sure Wales knows the great opportunities that it will be receiving the highest which exist for them within the field quality advice from a world-leading of science and that science can be scientist who not only comes from great fun.