The Higher Education Commission's inquiry into university research and its role in tackling regional economy prosperity will hold its first evidence session on Friday 26th March.

The evidence session will examine the core theme of improving the commercialisation of research emerging from universities, with a focus on identifying barriers and increasing the speed of innovation. The session will be chaired by Chris Skidmore MP, former Minister for Universities, and Lord Norton of Louth, joint chair of the Higher Education Commission.

Key witnesses giving evidence include:

• Dr Joe Marshall, Chief Executive of the National Centre for Universities and Business
• Dr Clive Hickman, Chief Executive of the Manufacturing Technology Centre
• Professor Chris White, Director of Industrial Policy at the Manufacturing Technology Centre
• Professor Keith Ridgway, Executive Chair of the Advanced Forming Research Centre
• Dick Elsy CBE, Chief Executive of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult

The session will look into improving R&D outcomes from the ‘valley of death’ between academia and business, aiming to provide evidence on how successful innovation results can be delivered on a consistent basis. A key element of this will be how collaboration between business and universities can be instigated and incentivised, assessing the best and most effective ways of achieving this. Finally, witnesses will also address how the pace of the process can be increased, so that innovation opportunities are seized early on to unlock results.

The session will be broadcast publicly as a webinar, and interested parties are welcome to register to observe the session using the following link: https://policyconnect-org-uk.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cO2YoAlRROO8DI0P2wf3dQ.

To ask any questions about the inquiry or to let us know accessibility requirements for the session, please contact Daniel Monaghan at Daniel.Monaghan [at] policyconnect.org.uk.