Innovation heads questioned in new inquiry into Catapults and R&D Roadmap
The Lords Science and Technology Committee will hear from key figures in public sector research at the start of its inquiry into the Contribution of innovation Catapults to delivering the R&D Roadmap.
The Catapults are not-for-profit, independent technology and innovation centres, which connect businesses with the UK's research and academic communities. The Committee is investigating how the Catapults can stimulate long-term private investment in research and development. Such investment will be key to achieving the Government’s ambition that the UK spends 2.4% of GDP on research and development by 2027.
In this first evidence session, the Committee will question the heads of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Innovate UK, and a senior Government official. Members will seek to identify how collaboration might be improved, including with businesses of all sizes and with universities; how investment might be scaled up; and how the Catapults can contribute to the ‘levelling up’ agenda.
Meeting details
Possible questions
- What are the barriers to commercialising innovations in the UK?
- In what sectors have the Catapults been most successful in attracting private sector investment?
- What new developments in science and technology hold most promise in terms of commercialisation?
- Should new Catapults be developed in other sectors?
- Should there be more collaboration with smaller businesses and with universities?
- To what extent can the Catapults help facilitate the Government's ‘levelling up’ agenda?