RRUK-A is funded by RSSB and Network Rail

A partnership between Britain’s rail industry and UK universities

www.rruka.org.uk

Summary and RRUK-A PlansProfessor Simon IwnickiManchester Metropolitan UniversityAcademic Co-Chair

The UK Research Background [1]

The UK spends 4% of the world’s Gross Expenditure on R&D on 6% of the world’s researchers who are authors of 8% of the world’s research articles and reviews.

These papers attract 11% of the world’s citations and so create 14% of the world’s highly cited output.

They include 17% of the world’s research papers with more than 500 citations and 20% of those with more than 1000 citations.

Its average research impact now surpasses that of the USA.

[1] Global Research Report UK, Jonathan Adams, Thomson Reuters 2011

But – Impact on industry is not so good.UK research has mixed performance in knowledge transfer [3]

UK researchers have a low and declining share of patents compared with other research-intensive nations .

The UK’s proportion of articles that are co-authored by researchers in both academic and corporate sectors is relatively low compared to other major countries.

Cross-sector co-operation within the UK has been identified as a weakness in the country’s innovation system.

[3] International comparative performance of the UK Research Base – 2011, A report prepared for the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills

FP7: 2007-2011 Calls Rail Topics [2]

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

€ Millions - Grants

UK DE France Italy

2007200820102011TOTAL

[2] Finella McKenzie , Transport Associates, 2011

Technology Readiness Levels [4]

[4] Technology and Innovation Centres - Report of 2nd session House of Commons, February 2011)

Aims of RRUK-A

Common understanding of R&D needs

Identification of R&D application opportunities

Provision of solutions to industry

Support rail research in academia

AC

AD

EM

IAIN

DU

ST

RY

Bridge

RRUK-A – a partnership

Industry Universities

RRUK-A Key activities

Pure Research Applied Research (25 years) (5 years)

New ways of thinking Problem solving

Development of toolsNext generation technology

Improved methods

Specified by academia Specified by industry Supported by industry Funded by industry Funded by research funders

Benefits for Industry – Making the most of research funding

A study undertaken for TSB [5] found that projects involving industry and two or more academic partners gave an average return of £9.67 per £1 of government funding compared with £4.22 for projects with no academic partners.

[5] Public and corporate economic consultants TSB 29/09/11

Benefits for Universities – Sustainable research infrastructure

“Long-term relationships with industry provide support for a research activity in the university, which the industrial partner considers relevant to advancing its technical competence or leadership in technology.

The benefits include development and maintenance of high-quality facilities, access to industrial expertise and insights through collaboration, Ph.D. training opportunities and a wider impact upon society.”

Professor Paul Shayler

Ford Professor of Mechanical Engineering

The University of Nottingham

Types of RRUK-A Event

• “Blue skies” events – University-led, sharing an understanding of the

issues, opportunities and state of knowledge on particular subjects

• Problem-Solving Events– Industry-led, seeking solutions to known problems in

the railway domain

• Networking Events– Bringing industry and academics together for

facilitated exploratory discussion

RRUK-A Industry-Academia Workshop on the 24/7 Railway

A one-day industry-academia workshop which aims to find creative solutions to the problems of running a “24/7” railway. The workshop is to be held on Tuesday 13th December 2011, 9:30 – 17:00; the venue will be the University of Nottingham.   

 

Approximately £100k will be available to fund a number of feasibility-sized projects; Successful feasibility projects may lead in due course to research council responsive mode bids or other larger projects.

  

Academic applicants do not have to be current “railway” researchers, although they should have knowledge and expertise from any discipline that could be applied to the solution of this problem.

Thanks to: Tony LeylandTanya McCallumGuy Woodroffe

Thank you for attending!

Please tell us what topics we should cover in future events [use the form on your chair].

Please contact us if you wish to participate in any future activities:

www.rruka.org.uk