cc: <m.hulme@uea.ac.uk>
date: Sat, 5 Jun 2004 15:25:11 +0100
from: "T Davies" <T.D.Davies@uea.ac.uk>
subject: RE: Ed Jenner/NERC and RDAs
to: "'Jane Hawkridge'" <jmha@nerc.ac.uk>

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


