WIREDGOV

STFC is supporting Liverpool City Region in its successful bid to be in the next wave of Science and Innovation Audits aimed at boosting economic growth in the knowledge sector.

The second wave of audits was announced today as part of The Autumn Statement 2016. STFC will play its part alongside project delivery partners at the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University.

STFC’s involvement will focus on High Performance Computing, utilising the supercomputer and expertise at the STFC Hartree Centre, Daresbury (in partnership with IBM and its “Watson” platform).

The Science and Innovation Audits are designed to map out local research, innovation and infrastructure strengths across the UK and identify areas of potential global competitive advantage. The audits provide an evidence base for decision making to ensure investment is properly targeted and uncovers opportunities for businesses to tap into helping strengthen future bids for local investment.

The mapping exercise will be focused on making the most of three “smart specialisation” areas of expertise which have the potential to create hi-tech jobs and new, internationally significant clusters.

STFC Executive Director of Business and Innovation, Dr Tim Bestwick, said “We welcome the announcement and look forward to working with our partners to build our region’s strengths in science and innovation. It will help identify new opportunities and ensure companies can access and benefit from our world-class facilities and expertise.”

Further information.

Hartree Centre website.