Research and innovation in the UK - increasing the commercialisation of research and the impact of European reforms

Guests of Honour: Andrew Miller MP, Chair, House of Commons Science and Technology Committee; Dr Allyson Reed, Director of Enterprise and Communication, Technology Strategy Board; Dr Graeme Reid, Head of Research Funding, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and Pierre Vigier, Head of Unit - Economic Analysis and Monitoring of National Research Policies and the Lisbon Strategy, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission

This annual Westminster Higher Education Forum seminar brings together key policymakers from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, as well as representatives from the Research Councils and other funding bodies, with stakeholders from universities and industry. The seminar presents an opportunity to discuss the latest developments in research and innovation policy - its likely impact and the next steps for implementation.

Central to discussion will be university-business collaboration in light of the Government's response to the Wilson Review, recent tax changes to encourage R&D investment and the continued expansion of Catapult Centres - the sector specific hubs for R&D collaborations between universities and businesses. Sessions will also cover the role of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) in encouraging greater focus on commercialisation of research through the 'impact' criteria, as well as the next steps for the European Research Area and Horizon 2020 project.