cc: date: Sat, 5 Jun 2004 15:25:11 +0100 from: "T Davies" subject: RE: Ed Jenner/NERC and RDAs to: "'Jane Hawkridge'" Dear Jane, Thank you for this. I do not have plans to be in Swindon in the near future, but will be happy to arrange a meeting if you think it useful. In the meantime, I will give you a call at the beginning of the week to elaborate on the brief remarks below. I believe that there is enormous scope for positive engagement with the East of England (EE) in the area of Low Carbon Innovation - when one considers the EE geography - agricultural, wind resource (on and offshore), N. Sea (hydrogen, C-sequestration, infrastructure), etc. I have spoken to John Innes (BBSRC) about plants for the future (energy + substitutes for hydrocarbons in materials), Institute for Food Research (BBSRC) (agri- and food-waste etc), and also several Depts at Cambridge (Eng, Chem, Materials etc). And, of course, we have the Tyndall Centre HQ with a big "decarbonisation" programme. EEDA have done some good things - supporting an East of England Energy Group, setting up Renewables East, and CRed (community carbon reduction project, with strong links to Tyndall). UEA has spoken to senior people at Cambridge, John Innes, Inst Food Research., etc about setting up a regional Low Carbon Innovation Cluster which includes top-rated univ research depts & excellent institutes (might also be extended to Monks Wood, Building Research Establishment etc). There is some enthusiasm, and we see this as having strong cross Research Council (incl ESRC) interests. This matches many of EEDA's stated priorities - an important future player in energy, sustainable development (most of John Prescott's "sustainable communities" are going to be built in EE (500,000 homes)) etc. I have spoken to a number of people in EEDA, GO-East, Regional Assembly etc and there is some enthusiasm for a regional "world-class" R&D driver for that part of its economic/business development strategy related to future energy, the agriculture of the future etc. Given the type of research going on in the EE, and the geography/infrastructure dvelpt in the EE, I think such a research-driven regional Low Carbon Innovation Cluster could execute world-class research and dovetail very well into the regional agenda for the next 10-15 years. That's the good news. The less good news is that EEDA's reputation for coordinated thinking and action, especially through its hierarchy, is not high. This is sometimes manifested in "empire building". This is not only my experience, but is also the experience of many people who deal with EEDA. The approach from Kate Phillips MAY be an example of this. Whilst talking to people in EEDA, I have also kept the Chief Exec and Chairman informed by letter. I have also offered to do what I can to aid discussion between EEDA and NERC (as a Member of NERC Council) both before and after the Council discussion on engagement with the RDAs, and after talking with Ed Jenner. The fact that I have heard nothing back in return, and Kate is now approaching you, is symptomatic of the lack of coordination in EEDA. I know there is some discussion in EEDA at the moment about an "environmental cluster" - but this is little to do with research as Research Councils will see it - it is more a sign-posting activity and "portal" for companies providing environmental goods and services in the EE. I know that Kate has been part of this discussion. It seems to have little to do with real research activity, and seems to be driven by a different group of people to those I have been speaking to - although I may be mistaken, of course. That's the downside, of course. But many RDAs suffer from a lack of such coordination and a surfeit of territoriality. That shouldn't distract, or detract, from what I believe is an excellent opportunity for RC and Regional convergence in the area of Low Carbon Innovation - in its widest sense. And given the particular potential synergies between the science base and the region, this could be world-class. Few RDAs have adequate expertise in science, but some have set up Science and Innovation Councils - populated by people of varying quality. I did suggest at a NERC Council Meeting that NERC could take the opportunity to lead on how RC's and RDA's might interact - by helping to set up a "model" regional 'Science and Innovation Council' to do just this. EEDA would be a good candidate - since it is currently considering setting up such a body, but without getting very far, and with a danger of choosing inadequately-skilled people to be members. If there is to be RC-RDA cooperation, there needs to be a way of ensuring that one can talk to the other. As I say, I may be mistaken about the nature of Kate's approach to you. Whatever, it is, if I can help in any way I shall be pleased to do so. Despite my rather critical remarks (which I would ask you to keep confidential), I do see opportunities for both RDAs and RCs in the right sort of engagement and - from a purely local point of view - would like to see EEDA as effective as possible! I'll give you a call next week. Best Wishes Trevor ______________________________ Professor Trevor D. Davies Dean, School of Environmental Sciences University of East Anglia Norwich NR4 7TJ UK Tel +44 (0)1603 592836 Fax +44 (0)1603 593792 -----Original Message----- From: Jane Hawkridge [mailto:jmha@nerc.ac.uk] Sent: 03 June 2004 16:20 To: t.d.davies@uea.ac.uk Cc: Stephen Loader; Steven Wilson Subject: Ed Jenner/NERC and RDAs Dear Trevor My name is Jane Hawkridge; I am the new User Liaison Manager at NERC. My responsibilities include maintaining and improving our relationships with businesses, Local Authorities and Regional Development Agencies. When I saw Ed Jenner a few weeks ago he said that you had spoken about RDAs and that you were happy to share your experiences with me. We have been approached by Kate Phillips, Head of Innovation, Sectors and Clusters, who is keen to discuss a number of issues relevant to NERC science. Before talking to her I would be very interested to hear of both your positive and negative experiences with EEDA, if any. If you are going to be in the Swindon office in the near future; perhaps you can spare me a few minutes to discuss? I have also asked Mike Hulme for his comments. Many thanks. Regards, Jane Dr Jane M Hawkridge User Liaison Manager Natural Environment Research Council Polaris House North Star Avenue Swindon Wilts SN2 1EU Tel: 44 (0)1793 411512 Fax: 44 (0)1793 444513 e-mail: jmha@nerc.ac.uk