Increasing the competitiveness of the region

An introduction to Yorkshire Science

Yorkshire Science is the Science and Innovation Council for Yorkshire and the Humber.  Its vision is to drive Yorkshire and the Humber towards sustainable economic growth through knowledge-intensive businesses, with innovation as its primary engine.

The council members are a mix of public, private and academic leaders, their joint role is to develop and influence the implementation of the regional science and innovation framework.

Modern economies are being continuously challenged by changes in the global economic landscape. Generation of knowledge and the application of that knowledge leads to the rapid development of products, processes and services. The speed of these developments is being driven by more discerning customers and the increase in global markets.

Economies can no longer compete on wage levels, innovation is the key driver for competitiveness for today's global market and in 2006, the Board of Yorkshire Forward accepted the Regional Innovation Strategy (RIS) developed by Yorkshire Science. 

The Regional Innovation Strategy (RIS) identified four key areas of intensive activity to ensure the region has the innovation capacity needed to create a viable and sustainable economic future.  To help our region accelerate towards a knowledge-driven economy, with innovation as its primary engine, the strategy builds on much of the innovation activity which is already established and already generating benefit to the region.

• Growing the region's innovation culture – a network of high profile innovation champions will be established and grown from within and outside the region. Their role will be to encourage business innovation, and further connect research excellence with commercial opportunity.

• Developing a region-wide innovation environment – innovation hubs will be identified where support will be available in areas such as creativity, design, leadership, financial portfolio and management, IPR and regulation. Innovation parks will be developed associated with scientific excellence and expertise.

• Targeted European engagement – organisations across the region will be encouraged to participate fully in the EU Framework programmes and form strategic alliances with other regions to exchange knowledge and good practice.

• Pan-northern activity – collaboration between the three Science Councils of the three Northern regions (North West, North East and Yorkshire and the Humber) will continue. Horizon scanning will be used to articulate a 'vision for the north' and to consequently identify possible value-added cooperative activity.

To find out more about Yorkshire Science visit the website: www.yorkshire-science.com