Sector Plans 2023 - 2024
SECTOR PLANS 2023 - 24 Welcome Welcome to the Sector Plans for 2023-2024 that outline the University’s innovation and business engagement priorities for the academic year. Our priority is to deliver transformational partnerships that address the three themes in Strategy 2030 and provide innovative solutions aligned to national priorities, regional development and economic growth. Exeter Innovation’s business engagement team pro-actively work with businesses and organisations and provide a clear entry point for sectors where we have broad and deep research capabilities. Each year we work on significant priorities that reflect opportunities in the external landscape, faculty research agendas, and the interests of our partners. These plans are updated annually to reflect the changing context of innovation. The business engagement team is interdisciplinary and works across the faculties and institutes with predominantly externally facing roles. Each sector portfolio includes major university initiatives, strategic partnerships underpinning complex and significant investment programmes, focused business engagement support for networks of academics, and a range of education activities linked to external partners.
Brigid Howarth Assistant Director, Exeter Innovation
DISCOVER EXETER INNOVATION Page 01
Sector Plans 2023-24
Contents Health
Data, Engineering and Science
BioPharma and Medical Technologies
33
Health and Wellbeing
35
Advanced Engineering and Materials
05
Data-centric Technologies
07
Energy Technologies
09
Environmental Intelligence
11
Society
Human-centric AI
13
Creative Industries
39
Space
15
Heritage
41
Policing, Crime and Justice
43
Secure Communities
45
Social Mobility
47
Environment Climate Smart Mining
19
Climate Systems and Net Zero
21
Environmental Bioeconomy, Marine and Aquaculture
23
Nature, Food and Land
25
Responsible Business
27
Sustainable Finance
29
Sector Plans 2023-24
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Sector Plans 2023-24
Data, Engineering and Science Advanced Engineering and Materials
05
Data-centric Technologies
07
Energy Technologies
09
Environmental Intelligence
11
Human-centric AI
13
Space
15 Sector Plans 2023-24
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Advanced Engineering and Materials Sector Lead:
Maria Azini M.Azini@exeter.ac.uk
Capabilities > Materials
> Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Management
•
Functional materials
•
Nanomaterials
•
Additive layer manufacturing
•
2D materials, graphene, and metamaterials
•
•
Materials characterisation
Materials/ alternative materials and remanufacturing
•
Remanufacturing and circular economy
•
Photonics, spintronics, magnonics, magnetic materials
•
Exeter Digital Enterprise Suite
> Clean Energy and Transformation
> Modelling
•
Centre for Smart Grid
•
Centre for Future Clean Mobility
•
Bioengineering
•
Energy harvesting
•
•
Renewable energy and energy storage (hydrogen, solar energy, batteries)
Vibration engineering (VSimulators, vibration control and monitoring)
•
Control and robotics
Partners Government and Public Sector
Third Sector
Office of Gas and Electric Markets (Ofgem) National Physical Laboratory Environmental Agency
Materials Processing Institute Institution of Mechanical Engineers Royal Academy of Engineering National Composites Centre
Regional Exeter City Futures Plymouth Manufacturing Group Electronics and Photonics Innovation Centre
Networks Supergen Energy Storage UK Meta Materials Network Energy Systems Catapult High Value Manufacturing Catapult Remanufacturing Industries Council
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Sector Plans 2023-24
Industry National Grid Victrex Western Power Distributions Network Rail Buro Happold Laing O’Rourke
Strategic Partners Babcock
University Initiatives •
Promoting facilities: • Centre for Future Clean Mobility: Partner with businesses to develop low-emissions, high-efficiency integrated power systems for various applications in the aerospace, automotive, marine, and rail sectors • VSimulators: Supporting businesses in exploring virtual reality, motion platform and motion capture technology capabilities of the system Enhancing business engagement: • User Engagement Strategy for the SHUTTERING project: Maximise industry impact for a novel, transformative approach to concrete construction through social and professional networks, and building stronger relationships with existing partners to inform bids • Great Western Supercluster of Hydrogen Impact for Future Technologies: Supporting the group in developing strategic partners to unlock green and inclusive growth opportunities across the region KTPs: Work with the KTP team to maintain collaborations with industrial partners after the end of a project Investing in Women Code: Supporting female entrepreneurial activity in the field of engineering and other sciences
•
• •
Opportunities in 2023-24 > Supporting Key Centres •
•
Centre for Doctoral Training in Metamaterials for a Sustainable, Secure, Intelligent World: Scaling up impact according to the “UK Innovation Strategy” Exeter Advanced Technologies (XAT); Centre for Additive Layer Manufacturing (CALM) and Centre for Alternative Materials and Remanufacturing (CALMARE): Align the groups with the “Materials and Manufacturing Vision 2050” from UKRI
> Innovation Sandpits •
•
Torbay High-Tech Cluster Sandpits: The aim is to build and maintain a strong network with this cluster through collaborations with academics that can lead to strategic partnerships Upcoming Sandpits (interactive workshops to address research challenges): BASF, Syngenta, GSK, Unilever, Mondalez, M2 lasers, Gooch and Housego, Renishaw, National Physical Laboratory
> Partnerships •
Potential partnership opportunities emerging with external organisations including: National Grid Electricity Transmission, National Physical Laboratory, Centrica, Regen, Aramis Rugby, AKT II, Barden Bearings
> Hydrogen Storage and Supply Chain/ Offshore Renewable Energy •
Working closely with key academics to identify barriers, opportunities, innovations and practical developments across the sector • Engaging with and supporting established research networks: HyRES Hub, HI-ACT Hub, Celtic Sea • Strengthening collaborations with existing industry partners • Identifying and partnering with new companies (e.g. Swanbarton, Carnot Engines) Sector Plans 2023-24
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Data-centric Technologies Sector Lead:
Dr Isabel Gonzalez I.Gonzalez@exeter.ac.uk
Capabilities > Biomaterials and Bioprocesses • • • • • • • • • •
Bayesian hierarchical statistics and modelling Bayesian uncertainty quantification / analysis/ design optimisation Computational mechanics Digital twin Data science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Machine learning Remote sensing Cyber security Blockchain Control systems and automation
> Challenges and Applications • • • •
Data-driven design under uncertainty Monitoring of complex systems Resilient and robust infrastructure Supply chain management
Partners Government and Public Sector
Third Sector
National Air Traffic Systems (NATS)
Aerospace Technology Institute
United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA)
Institute of Civil Engineers
National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)
Industry Regional
Hitachi
Tech South West
British Telecom
South West Cyber Resilience Centre (SWCRC)
Airbus
Networks Alan Turing Institute Tech UK Digital Catapult Connected Places Catapult Digital Supply Chain
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Sector Plans 2023-24
Strategic Partners Babcock
University Initiatives •
Develop supply chain management sector – grow our transdisciplinary digital research expertise and innovation linking sustainability, circular economy, manufacturing and food networks in supply chain management, in line with the University’s 2030 Strategy
•
Digital Innovation Hub: Linking data-driven design, personalisation and engineering enterprise - develop a trans-disciplinary hub including skills development, innovation projects, collaborative and contract research, with academics from engineering, ExDES Lab and INDEX
•
Engineering and entrepreneurship through the ExDES Digital Innovation Hub – creation of a new hub for research, skills development and partnership research
•
Smart city digital twin technologies – link and developing transdisciplinary research for construction, energy, transport, predictive health monitoring, carbon and energy management
Opportunities in 2023-24 > Partnerships •
•
Engagement with British Telecom and Hitachi – developing a deep relationship across research, recruitment and skills retention. Cross-professional services initiative, with colleagues from SEAS Airbus – increase partnership development and funding applications following successful ATI (Aerospace Technology Institute) bid
> Innovation •
UKRI Digital Manufacturing - £100K to £5M
•
Made Smarter Innovation Programme transforming manufacturing through digital innovation
•
SME development – enable SME development through innovation projects and KTP pipeline
> Funding •
OfGEM Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) – digital twin energy management through partner consortium
•
Digital Supply Chain Hub – Made Smarter Innovation Funding
Sector Plans 2023-24
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Energy Technologies Sector Lead:
Jim Grant J.A.T.Grant@exeter.ac.uk
Capabilities > Offshore Renewable Energy • • • •
Wave analysis and marine hydrodynamics Resource modelling Moorings, testing and reliability engineering Offshore installation, monitoring, operation and maintenance
> Energy Systems and Energy Storage • • • •
Prediction, control and optimisation Digital control for distributed energy, control and power electronics Electrochemical energy storage, redox flow batteries Catalyst development, electrolysers and fuel cells
> Future Clean Mobility and Energy Policy • • •
Clean propulsion Power systems for transport Energy policy: transition to low carbon, sustainable and affordable energy
> Solar Energy and Energy Harvesting • • •
High efficiency solar energy conversion and storage Concentrating photovoltaics, solar fuels, 3rd generation solar cells and allied devices Energy harvesting powered wireless sensing systems for industry sectors including railway, oil and gas, renewable energy, aerospace, and healthcare
Partners Regional Cornwall Council Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) Heart of the Southwest LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) Torridge District Council Plymouth City Council Great South West Energy programme Board Maritime UK South West (links to GSW, links to Maritime UK and DfT)
Networks Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult
Industry BMT A&P Group (Falmouth) Page 09
Sector Plans 2023-24
Celtic Sea Power Ltd RWE SSE Simply Blue Energy Falck Renewables Western Power Distribution National Grid Ecomar Serco O/S Energy Bristol Port Authority Harland and Wolff (Appledore) Tower Group (Hydrogen infrastructure) Lisarb Energy
Strategic Partners Babcock
University Initiatives •
Clean Maritime Propulsion Centre, Appledore: £17m Levelling Up funding to develop a site in Appledore, Devon. University of Exeter’s CFCM is a partner invited to deliver RD&I
•
Ocean Futures (OF): Marine tech as a key economic opportunity for SW region. OF sets out collaborative piece strategy to accelerate and maximise the opportunity
•
Celtic Sea: Floating offshore wind developments in the Celtic Sea
•
GW-SHIFT PBIAA bid (£2.5M) led by Bath to develop impact from research related to the development of a regional hydrogen economy
•
New institutional energy review in development
Opportunities in 2023-24 > Funding •
Shared Prosperity Fund. Flow, hydrogen storage, port development, green and digital Skills
•
EPSRC Energy Demand Programme 2023
•
Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition 4. September 2023 – funding from Department for transform to support net zero maritime transport. Supports areas including clean propulsion and industry shift towards crew transfer vessels, offshore support vessels, Hydrogen economy and SW Port development
•
Fisheries and Seafood Scheme: Recurring funding opportunities for modernisation of the UK fishing fleet. Bid discussion with Western Fish producers. Ongoing discussion through Vessels of the Future Forum
•
Levelling Up (awarded July 2022) Clean Propulsion Centre development in Appledore, developments in marine in HotSW related to Ocean Futures, Cornwall FLOW (Floating Offshore Wind) developments
•
CFCM £80M call April 2023, bid submission preparation for £20M+ project to design and build two service vessels deploying clean propulsion and to develop the associated shore-based hydrogen refuelling infrastructure. UK wide consortium led by Tower Group. Links with Clean Maritime Innovation Centre in Appledore
Sector Plans 2023-24
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Environmental Intelligence Sector Lead:
Dr Tom Nicholson T.P.Nicholson@exeter.ac.uk
Capabilities > Environmental Challenges •
• • • •
Climate change – impact, risk mitigation, flood prevention, resilient infrastructure and communities, tipping points, air pollution, infectious disease, extreme weather / heat Net-zero – decarbonisation, clean energy, sustainable buildings and transport, smart cities Sustainable agriculture, agri-tech and food security Clean growth – circular economy, supply chain resilience, green-blue growth, natural capital, ecosystem services, resource management Conservation, biodiversity protection and renewal, nature based solutions
> Social Context • • •
Data ethics and governance Responsible / trustworthy AI and technology implementation Social / environmental / data justice
> Digital, Data and AI • • • •
Data science, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning Remote sensing, GIS / geospatial AI, mapping and intelligence Digital Twins Social sensing, ecological, environmental and health data and dataset integration
> Technical Approaches • • • •
Bayesian hierarchical statistics and modelling, uncertainty quantification and analysis Risk / hazard impact modelling, including air pollution and health Extreme weather-event, climate systems and dynamics modelling and forecasting Land use, soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) and ecosystem modelling
Partners Government and Public Sector
Industry
UK Hydrographic Office Ordinance Survey Office for National Statistics
LV= General Insurance Microsoft McKenzie Intelligence Solutions Landmark Information Group Arcadis Guy Carpenter IBM
Regional Devon Wildlife Trust Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) Emerald Green Power
Networks Alan Turing Institute Satellite Applications Catapult Knowledge Transfer Networks including Geospatial, Agrifood, Space and Robotics and AI
Third Sector Friends of the Earth World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Page 11
Sector Plans 2023-24
Strategic Partners Met Office Natural England South West Water National Trust
University Initiatives •
Environmental Intelligence (EI) strategic development – dedicated University of Exeter EI development group to drive expansion of University’s EI activity: providing strategic direction, planning, oversight, and clear academic ownership and leadership
•
EI Partner Network – dedicated partner network linking external organisations with interests in EI into the University, each other, and wider EI community. Activities to include network meetings, themed and challenge led events, funding consortium development and income generation
•
EI offer development and promotion – develop and promote a joined-up offer for UoE EI to external organisations. Activities will include:
•
•
EI web presence refresh
•
Environment AI campaign
•
Link into Green Futures Solutions
Joint Centre for Excellence in Environmental Intelligence (JCEEI) – New Co-Directors / Manager – ambition to drive more collaborative research through the Centre, in particular with public sector partners, utilising mechanisms such as dedicated seed-corn funding
Opportunities in 2023-24 > Partnerships •
Strong interest from LV= – exploring potential of collaborations across range of EI related areas. Interest in studentship / funding support, access to expertise / data and other partnership activities. Aim to host LV= for series of further meetings / develop plan of action after the Summer
•
PML partnership – exploring more joined up approach to developing mutual interests in relation to EI, building on existing collaborative projects
•
Potential partnership opportunities emerging with external organisations including Hewlett Packard, World Wildlife Fund and Office for National Statistics
> AI Hub •
EPSRC AI hub (Bristol University led) – full application submitted – includes EI theme
> UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training •
AI for a Just Environmental Transformation (AI-JET). 50 PhD studentships (5 x cohorts of 10 over 8 years). Partners contributing to bid include IBM, LV=, Natural England, UKHO, PML, National Trust, Met Office, Ordnance Survey, Arcadis, Landmark, Guy Carpenter, WWF, Office for National Statistics, DEFRA, NATS
Sector Plans 2023-24
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Human-centric AI Sector Leads:
Ulrike Sabrina Richards U.Richards@exeter.ac.uk
Capabilities > Urban, Online and Virtual Environments • •
Using data to better understanding and optimise human movements through urban spaces Developing and assessing the impact of technical and policy interventions to reduce the spread of online harms, including a focus on misinformation, disinformation, deep fakes, terrorism, and child exploitation
> Data •
• •
Application of data science, including statistical, AI and ML methods to large genomic, biomarker and qualitative data sets including GP records for the detection, diagnosis and prediction of disease Ethical biomedical data governance Environmental and social data integration with reference to health
> Society and Economy • • • • •
The digitalisation of work and services Natural language processing applied to understand political communications Development and analysis of digital interventions in education Regulation and governance of AI, with a focus on ethical analysis of the use of data science Development of new methods for dealing with data
> Tech and Computing • • • •
Health economics for digital health technologies Biomedical Informatics Machine vision for medical imaging Quantum computing for health-related analytics and near-term devices
> Modelling •
Health systems modelling and optimisation
Partners Government and Public Sector
Third Sector
Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport OFCOM HM Land Registry Office for National Statistics Department for Transport NHS Trusts South West Grid for Learning
UK Safer Internet Centre Tech Against Terrorism
Networks International Fact Checking Network Academic Health Science Network Health Analytics Network Digital Societies Network Connected Places Catapult Ada Lovelace Institute Alan Turing Institute Medicines Discovery Catapult Page 13
Sector Plans 2023-24
Industry Canon Medical Kainos Clinical Architecture First Data Bank Intelligent AI New Era Technology Mozilla Foundation City Science
University Initiatives •
Support the development of interdisciplinary projects and large grants utilising the newly established Health Analytics Network and IDSAI
•
Development of a series of events under the Digital Societies Grow House Programme, with potential establishment of: • •
Internal digital societies related network(s) A Network around online harms
•
Computational social science methods related initiatives (evolved QStep)
•
Nurturing SHAPE (social sciences) innovation commercialisation
•
Working with local SMEs to secuture Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and Studentships in Human-centric AI
•
Streamline internal support, systems and processes through the Research Software Engineering Group for the development of apps software and applications for medical use, and the commercialisation of innovations
•
Continued development of close partnership working with the South West Academic Health Science Network in AI
Opportunities in 2023-24 > Health Analytics •
Utilising the newly established Health Analytics Network to develop interdisciplinary connections and external relationships with businesses (Canon, IBM, Ethos, Kainos) and funders (NIHR i4i, Innovate UK) Expanding long-term partnerships crossing multiple departments – UKRI now demanding interdisciplinary AI research teams
•
•
Strengthening collaborations with existing partners (AstraZeneca, Ada Lovelace Institute, Alzheimer’s Society)
•
Identifying new partners (pharma and biotech, tech and data science SMEs, mental health organisations)
> Digital Societies •
•
•
Supporting the Digital Societies Grow House Programme to engage new and grow existing strategic partners (BT, DfT, MoD, NHS) Establish a cohort of human-centric AI studentships and KTPs and nurture partners such as Canon Medical, Kainos, First Data Bank, DfT, Clinical Architecture and the Connected Places Catapult Support commercialisation and impact generation to develop a tool kit that can help streamline the protection of IP and guide researchers through the necessary regulatory steps, focused on medical devices/apps
Sector Plans 2023-24
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Space Sector Lead:
Devi Whittle D.I.Whittle@exeter.ac.uk
Capabilities > Data and Intelligence
> Build and Launch
•
Earth observation/Remote sensing/Extreme environments
•
Functional materials
•
Engineering and manufacturing
•
Internet of Things
•
Autonomous systems and energy
•
Data science and data processing
•
Launch services and micro gravity services
•
Environmental intelligence
•
Astrophysics and space weather
> Design and Connectivity •
Advanced modelling and digital twins
•
Computational fluid dynamics
•
Immersive technologies and simulation design
•
Cyber security
> Law, Regulations & Global Governance •
Space law and economics
> Health •
Life sciences
Partners Government and Public Sector UK Space Agency (UKSA) European Space Agency (ESA) United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs
Regional Goonhilly Earth Station Spaceport Cornwall Space Wales Leadership Council Plymouth Marine Laboratory Plymouth Coastal Observatory University of Plymouth Cornwall and Isles of Scilly (CIoS)/ Heart of the SW (HoTSW) and West of England Combined Authority (WECA) Local Enterprise Partnerships Cornwall Council Devon County Council
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Sector Plans 2023-24
Truro and Penwith College (Centre for Space and Technology Training, CSATT) Cornwall Space Cluster
Networks Alan Turing Institute Blue Marine Foundation South West Aerospace Network Satellite Applications Catapult
Industry NASA European Southern Observatory Centre for High Resolution Astronomy Expleo
Strategic Partners Met Office
University Initiatives •
Environmental consultancy for the space sector • Exeter academics currently involved in workshops with Cornwall-based Space consultancy • Potential for developing Executive Education/commercialisation of services • Potential link to Green Futures Solutions
•
Collaborative Environmental Intelligence Networks • Joint Centre for Excellence in Environmental Intelligence (Met Office) • Institute of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (Alan Turing Institute)
•
Kernow Sat Programme • Community outreach (science/data/space technologies skills development) • Wider stakeholder engagement for programme development and research projects (e.g. monitoring of marine/ freshwater environments, coastal resilience, land management; ground truthing)
•
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught Courses • Data Sciences, Data Analytics, & Satellite Applications • Space Skills (e.g. badges for “The Economy of Space” Module)
Opportunities in 2023-24 > Good Growth Investment Plan (Shared Prosperity Fund) •
Collaborative RD&I opportunities with local academic partners, organisations and businesses
> Skills Partnerships •
Co-development of education and training courses around data and space skills in collaboration with Cornwall Space and Space Technology Training (Truro and Penwith College)
> Centre of Space Technologies •
•
•
New centre opened April 2023 at Spaceport Cornwall to promote hub for space sector business development including RD&I activities Space Systems Operations Facility (SSOS) offering rentable office space/hot desking / meeting and events rooms Space Systems Integration Facility (SSIF) for integration of satellite components (clean room and laboratory space)
Sector Plans 2023-24
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Sector Plans 2023-24
Environment Climate Smart Mining
19
Climate Systems and Net Zero
21
Environmental Bioeconomy, Marine and Aquaculture
23
Nature, Food and Land
25
Responsible Business
27
Sustainable Finance
29
Sector Plans 2023-24
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Climate Smart Mining Sector Lead:
Dr Claire Eatock C.E.Eatock@exeter.ac.uk
Capabilities > Geometallurgy and Mineral Processing
> Digital Technologies and Smart Mining
•
Mining engineering
•
Robotics
•
Mineral recovery
•
Digital innovation for mining
•
Geotechnical and safety engineering
•
Immersive technology
•
Sustainable mining for critical metals
•
Data science and modelling
> Energy, Environment and Society
> Other Key Capabilities
•
Natural capital
•
Site surveying and exploration
•
Geothermal energy
•
Sustainable mining policy
•
Geological carbon capture and storage
•
Mining engineering skills
•
Mining futures and deep time global change
Partners Government and Public Sector Competition and Markets Authority UK Space Agency
Regional
Anglo American Debswana British Geological Survey Network Rail Radioactive Waste Management
Cornwall Mining Alliance Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Southwest Powerhouse Cornish Lithium/British Lithium
Networks
Industry
Strategic Partners
Rio Tinto Centamin Glencore Imerys
Babcock
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Sector Plans 2023-24
International Raw Materials Observatory Knowledge Transfer Networks Mning and Metallurgy Regions of EU Maritime Research and Innovation UK Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining
University Initiatives •
Critical Minerals Equipment Hub – will enable companies to access the latest equipment for mineral processing and hydrometallurgy expertise aiming to support regional upskilling and a wider industry research and devlopment capability in the southwest
•
United Nations Resource Managment System – has been piloted with a Cornwall case study showcasing a global review of resource need and assessment
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Initiatives to support skills for the reponsible mining sector
•
Supporting and leveraging the Met4Tech Circular Economy Centre for Technology Metals
Opportunities in 2023-24 > Major Project •
Building the case for an investment into a UN Centre of Excellence for Critical Minerals, building on global reputation and reach of Camborne School of Mines
> Enabling Strategies •
•
Developing and progressing partnerships with Centamin, Glencore, Anglo-American, BHP, London Metal Exchange , Imerys, Teck and Prince Nehru University
Newly funded and integrated Critical Minerals Equipment Hub with state-of-the-art mineral processing and hydrometallurgy kit
> Funding •
Regional funding through CIOS’ Shared Prosperity Fund (share of £132M up to March 2025)
•
£1 billion fund announced as part of Green Industrial Revolution
•
AI Sector deal - £725M into Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund
UK’s first Critical Minerals Strategy launched in 2022 and updated in 2023
> Partnerships •
> Equipment
Sector Plans 2023-24
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Climate Systems and Net Zero Sector Lead:
Natalie Gawor N.R.Gawor@exeter.ac.uk
Capabilities > Earth Climate System
> Approaches to Net Zero
•
Climate modelling, tipping points and the human climate niche
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Ecosystem restoration and scaling up naturebased solutions
•
Dynamic global vegetation modelling and land use change
•
•
Marine ecosystem function and the oceanatmospheric carbon cycle
Complex systems modelling and positive tipping points to identify rapid decarbonisation pathways
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Social science approaches to developing low carbon technology solutions and behaviours
•
Environmental ethics, climate justice and securing a ‘Just Transition’
> Climate Impacts and Adaptation •
Financial and supply chain risk and stranded assets
•
Climate-sensitive health risks, health system capacity and resilience
•
Climate impacts on infrastructure and the built environment
Partners Government and Public Sector UK Climate Change Committee (CCC) Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) World Bank
Third Sector Risk-informed Early Action Partnership (REAP)
Regional GW4 Alliance (GW4) Western Gateway Cornwall Council Devon County Council
Networks World Economic Forum (The Forum) Page 21
World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) UK Universities Climate Network (UUCN) Westminster Energy Forum (WEF) Resilience First International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)
Sector Plans 2023-24
SouthSouthNorth and Adaptation Research Alliance (ARA) The International Small Group and Tree Planting Program (TIST)
Strategic Partners Met Office
University Initiatives •
Leveraging key climate and net zero projects and assets: •
Met Office Academic Partnership (MOAP)
•
Positive tipping points
•
Global Carbon Budget (GCB)
•
Advancing Capacity for Climate and Environment Social Science (ACCESS)
•
Joint Centre for Excellence in Environmental Intelligence (JCEEI)
•
Global Systems Institute’s Adaptation and Resilience Research Community
•
Economics of Energy Innovation and System Transition (EEIST)
•
Oppenheimer Programme in African Landscape Systems (OPALS)
•
Green Futures Solutions
Opportunities in 2023-24 > National and Regional • •
UK 2023 Powering Up Britain Energy Security and Net Zero Growth Plans GW4 Alliance – accelerating the transition to sustainable net zero
> UK Research Council 2022-25 Priorities •
•
• • •
New York Climate Action Week, 17-24 September 2023 UNFCCC COP28 in Dubai, 30 November-12 December 2023 SB 59 UN Climate Conference Bonn, June 2024 London Climate Action Week, June 2024
> United Nations • • •
UNFCCC COP, SB, RINGO, SBI, UNEP and SBTA UN Climate Technology Centre and Network COP27 Breakthrough agreement on new “Loss and Damage” fund
NERC: Low-emission, environmentally sustainable solutions in land use, energy, and transport • Adoption of nature-based solutions to the UK’s energy requirements, and resilience to environmental extremes and risks •
> Climate Events •
ESRC: • Net zero, environment, biodiversity, and climate change
•
EPSRC: • New and transformative low and zero carbon technologies • Negative emission technologies including GGR technologies and CCUS solutions • A virtual carbon-negative institute • Zero carbon and waste solutions through extensive electrification, alternative sustainable fuels, and the development of circular economies Sector Plans 2023-24
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Environmental Bioeconomy, Marine and Aquaculture Sector Lead:
Dr Puja Thiel P.Thiel@exeter.ac.uk
Capabilities > Biomaterials and Bioprocesses • • •
•
Manufacturing, biodegradation kinetics and suitability of bioplastics in different environments Microbial production of 4th generation biofuels and biogas Optimization of microbial processes to reduce the carbon footprint of industrial processes, such as biocementation Use of renewable materials in sustainable building materials
> Marine Economy • • •
Innovation in aquaculture systems to enhance food security globally Valorisation of by-products from seaweed and shellfish farming Multi-trophic systems for sustainable aquaculture
> Ecosystem and Health • • •
•
Impacts of chemical pollutants and environmental factors on biodiversity Research on anti-microbial resistance in livestock Frameworks to advance policies for pharmaceutical drug pollution and anti-microbial resistance Innovation in bioremediation solutions and soil health
> Plant Health • • • • •
Molecular basis of virulence factors in plants Analysis of environmental factors in plant metabolism and growth Pest management and pesticide efficiency Molecular processes of plant disease transmission Microbes and Society Network
Partners Government and Public Sector
Industry
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS)
PepsiCo Syngenta Bayer FlexSea Ixora Energy Seaweed Generation Rastech Recycling Ocean Resources Materiom NouriSol
Food Standards Agency WorldFish
Regional Plymouth Marine Laboratory
Networks Environmental Biotechnology network (EBnet) Southwest Aquaculture Network (SWAN)
Strategic Partners
Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SIAC)
South West Water National Trust Shell
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Sector Plans 2023-24
University Initiatives •
Project Penryn •
•
•
Developing partnerships and income streams for the ESI 2.0 centre that builds on microbiology expertise to support human health and the environment Scanning funding opportunities to expand the current microbiology work in areas such as anti-microbial resistance, biomining and biofuels
Sustainable Aquaculture • •
• •
Broadening our partnership with CEFAS with a new joint appointment and plans for expanding work in other countries Bringing more industries together to build on the BBSRC-funded UK Sustainable King Prawn Project and build circular economy solutions for aquaculture Centre for Aquaculture Futures (SAF) Futures Fibers Network and Programme
Opportunities in 2023-24 > Funding •
• • •
BBSRC and NERC will fund £6 million in Molecules to Landscapes, supporting whole-systems research to identify practices for the agricultural system to yield ecological services NERC, AHRC and IUK will invest over £10M to transition fashion and textiles supply chains to economically and environmentally sustainable models BBSRC and IUK jointly invest over £20M in businessled commercialisation to develop alternative protein sources BBSRC, EPSRC and IUK invest up to £14 million in sustainable biomanufacturing
•
> Facility Commercialisation •
Imaging and microscopy - plant health, material analysis
•
The Aquatic Resources Centre - over £12M investment, used for ecotoxicology
•
Sequencing facility - cutting-edge equipment, plus direct contracts with external partners
•
Plant growth facilities - 54m² of controlled environment plant growth space including state-of-the-art individually programmable free-standing cabinets to simulate the natural environment
•
Cytomics facility, Mass spectrometry and CALMARE facility - in engineering, for biomanufacturing and analysing biopolymers
> Cross-disciplinary Collaborations •
£185Minvestment plan to embed Environmental science within UKRI’s Strategic Themes to provide solutions in land use, energy and transport; build national resilience to infection and climate change; and ensure an environmental component to human wellbeing
Cross-UKRI plan to fund £65M interdisciplinary responsive mode programme to support new and emerging areas that reach beyond disciplinary boundaries
Sector Plans 2023-24
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Nature, Food and Land Sector Lead:
Dr Dan Bloomfield D.Bloomfield@exeter.ac.uk
Capabilities > Nature
> Food
•
Habitat restoration and species reintroduction
•
Human-animal relations
•
Catchment management and resilient water cycles
•
Food markets and global trade
•
Nature credits and private investment
•
•
Behavioural, disease, pollination and evolutionary ecology
Alternative food networks, waste and the circular economy in food systems
•
Labour, livelihoods and wellbeing in food systems
•
Nature-based solutions for carbon sequestration
•
Food history, culture and heritage
•
Ecological justice nature recovery through a peoplefocused approach
•
Food security, justice and planetary health
•
Nutrition, health and performance Immersive for audience research, training, heritage, health, mining and astronomy
> Land •
Farm economics; food system transformation; consumption and dietary change
•
Natural capital research and solutions
•
Environmental intelligence; integrating advanced data science and AI methodologies at scale
Partners Government and Public Sector
Third Sector
UNEP Defra Cefas Ministry of Defence Seychelles and Maldives agencies
NFU Eden Project Wildlife Trusts
Regional Rothamsted Research Duchy College Local Nature Partnerships
Networks Exeter Food Network People and Biodiversity Network Harrison Institute
Page 25
Sector Plans 2023-24
Industry Amazon Web Services Federated Hermes Syngenta Bayer
Strategic Partners National Trust Natural England South West Water Shell
University Initiatives •
Explore nature investment and nature positive contract research and consultancy opportunities through Green Futures Solutions
•
Contract research: Meeting a rising demand for species, habitat, site and environmental factorspecific contract research and consultancy, including via Green Futures Solutions platform
•
Food sector climate resilience: Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Riverford Organics
•
Support the Business Engagement and Innovation priorities and activities of Exeter Food and People and Nature Research Networks
•
Finalise renewed partnership with Rothamsted Research
•
Design and delivery of Executive Education and CPD courses for Natural England staff
Opportunities in 2023-24 > Local and Regional Nature Recovery • •
Defra Local Investment in Nature Recovery Fund, nature and business services under the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Fund UK Government Nature markets framework for mobilising investment in private equity, biodiversity net gain legislation, nature recovery and environmental land management payments
> New Food Partnerships •
New industrial and retail partnerships to be developed and exploited with Exeter Food
> VINCI Energies UK •
Opportunity for KTPs, student placements, PhD sponsorship and joint research applications around reversing biodiversity impact of major energy installations
> Funding •
Centre for the Economic and Social Science of Nature Recovery: £8.36M; Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
> Events • •
Convention on Biological Diversity 16th Conference of the Parties, Türkiye 2024 Food and Agriculture Organisation Science and innovation Forum, Rome 2023
> Heritage and Culture of Biodiversity •
Increase National Trust partnership work by developing new opportunities around biocultural expertise and understanding of beauty
Sector Plans 2023-24
Page 26
Responsible Business Sector Leads:
Sarah Langmaid S.Langmaid@exeter.ac.uk
Capabilities > Sustainability
> Circular Economy
•
Bringing sustainability into the board room
•
•
Developing collaborative, multi-disciplinary solutions to climate problems
Supporting the development of the theory and practice of circular economy
•
•
Applying emergent science, policy and management practice to specific ‘real world’ situations
Development of scientific evidence, tools, and methods to support the implementation of a UK circular economy
•
Creation of a network of like-minded individuals to share and explore ideas around implementation of the circular economy
> Responsible Leadership •
Supporting responsible leadership development – progressing common goals by inspiring a shared vision of sustainable prosperity
•
Facilitating organisational change and cultivating talent
•
Creating a purposeful work environment reflecting equality, diversity and inclusion values
Partners Government and Public Sector
Networks
Department of Health and Social Care
Chartered Association of Business Schools Small Business Charter
Office for National Statistics Environment Agency Defra
Third Sector Ellen MacArthur Foundation Ninety United Nations
WRAP BEIS ReLondon Design Council
Regional The Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership Devon County Council Somerset Waste Partnership
Page 27
Sector Plans 2023-24
Industry John Lewis Capgemini Invent SLB Schneider Electric Revolution Zero PepsiCo Daikin
University Initiatives •
Tackling climate change, delivering net zero and reducing waste – developing CE procurement expertise in line with the government targets and supporting the University’s 2030 Strategy
•
Supporting partnerships and business development for the Green Futures Solutions – working in partnership with industry and creating awareness of the work of University of Exeter researchers and academics
•
Circular STEP stakeholder engagement platform – collaborating with UNECE to launch a new platform that will facilitate exchanges of experience, share good practice and engage stakeholders in the transition to a circular economy
•
Enhancing Business Engagement and KE activities – launching a bi-annual Exeter Circular Economy Summit to support the activation of EMF’s Higher Education Network and facilitate collaboration with industry on research and knowledge exchange opportunities
Opportunities in 2023-24 > Developing the UEBS Executive Education Offering •
•
•
Expansion of circular economy programmes to enable business to reach their sustainability goals Expansion of sustainability leadership programmes to expand the impact and share steps that can be taken as responsible business leaders Development of a leadership programme which will address how future leaders can develop knowledge and skills to become more responsible in their work life
> Embedding Circular Economy Practices into Universities Across the Globe •
> Funding •
UKRI Network Grants; creating interdisciplinary research communities
•
UKRI Network Plus Grants; modelling UK supply chains to strengthen resistance
•
MSCA; exploring PhD and Post-Doctoral Fellowship opportunities
> Supporting Business •
•
Working in partnership with Daikin to launch an educational and interactive 'Sustainable Homes' store in Exeter Facilitating SME development through innovation projects and KTP pipeline
Working in partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to impact HEIs across the globe and supporting the University’s 2030 Strategy Sector Plans 2023-24
Page 28
Sustainable Finance Sector Lead:
Claire Vis-Bulmer C.Vis-Bulmer@exeter.ac.uk
Capabilities > Motivating and monitoring Sustainable Finance and Impact Investing
> Shareholder Engagement and Impact Investing
•
Measuring sustainability and impact: ESG metrics
•
Understanding exit versus voice choices
•
Corporate governance and financial regulation
•
•
Shareholder vs. stakeholder view - aligning conflicting and competing priorities
Effective engagement tools and incentivising investors
•
An overview of activist investing
•
Anticipating and positioning ahead of regulatory change
•
Role of trustees in ESG decisions: pension funds, charities, sovereign wealth funds
> Financing the Green Transition
> Sustainability and Asset Pricing
•
Emissions markets and carbon pricing
•
Socially responsible investing
•
Public finance solutions to climate change
•
•
Private markets and impact investing
How sustainability preferences affect valuations and market prices
•
Sustainability in private equity
•
Portfolio choice with sustainability goals
•
Analysing microfinance and development economics
•
Climate finance and green bonds
Partners Government and Public Sector
Industry
Bank of England
Royal Bank of Canada
Financial Conduct Authority
Bloomberg
Prudential Regulatory Authority
JP Morgan Goldman Sachs
Networks
JO Hambro
UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF)
London Stock Exchange Federated Hermes
Principles for Responsible Investing (PRI)
Lloyds
Climate Financial Risk Forum
Investec
The Global Research Alliance for Sustainable Finance and Investment (GRASFI)
Barclays
The UK Centre for Greening Finance and Investment (CGFI) International Centre for Pension Management (ICPM)
Page 29
Sector Plans 2023-24
HSBC
University Initiatives •
Green Futures Solutions (GFS) – working closely with GFS as a distribution channel for opportunities flowing from the consultancy
•
Exeter Sustainable Finance Centre – increase promotion of the capabilities at network conferences via attendance and speaking opportunities
•
Close collaboration with Global Advancement and the alumni network for introductions in financial services (e.g. The MSc Financial Analysis and Fund Management (FAFM) alumni association)
•
Continuing to develop relationships with Lloyds and JO Hambro across further areas of finance, sustainability and management
Opportunities in 2023-24 > Partnerships •
•
• •
Managing risk – combatting financial crime (including cybercrime) and robust evaluation of supply and value chain analysis Finance and trading – green financing (BRI bonds and green bonds), renewables pricing (Green loans) and carbon pricing Investing – ESG fund rating, ESG indices and third party data research RBC Philanthropic Funding for Sustainability – opportunities with this relationship around research and collaboration
> The Business School Reputation Campaign •
> UK Government Strategies •
•
UK 2023 Green Finance Strategy and growing need for green finance solutions - opportunity to engage and help shape policy and raise profile Identifying relevant funding income sources from UKRI (EPSC, ESRC, NERC) and ensuring collaboration across faculties in these bids
> Executive Education •
Business development for a new sustainable finance-related executive education offer, building on existing modules on sustainable investing, impact investing and internal carbon pricing
Help facilitate conversations with industry and build on The Top 10 ranking in Finance, Business and Economics Sector Plans 2023-24
Page 30
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Sector Plans 2023-24
Health BioPharma and Medical Technologies
33
Health and Wellbeing
35
Sector Plans 2023-24
Page 32
BioPharma and Medical Technologies Sector Lead:
r Kourosh Norouzi D K.Norouzi@exeter.ac.uk
Capabilities > Biomedical and Clinical Research •
Genomics and epigenetics of neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Motor Neurone Disease) and psychiatric disorders
•
Rare disease and unique genetic cohorts
•
Biomarker discovery and development
•
Genetics of diabetes (T1, T2, neonatal and juvenile, monogenic)
•
Health data science and clinical trials
> Life Sciences •
Stem cells and development
•
Mathematical modelling of living systems
•
Drug screening, repurposing
•
Genetic screening for drug-target discovery and repurposing
> MedTech Capabilities •
Digital health and wearable technologies
•
Precision rehabilitation (i.e. ageing and frailty; for people with multimorbidity)
•
Immersive technologies for physical and mental health
•
Medical imaging
•
Health economics, informing the design, assessment and delivery of health technologies and interventions
> Medical Mycology •
Antifungal drug discovery (drug targets, diagnostics)
•
Vaccine development (vaccine antigens and adjuvants)
Partners Government and Public Sector
Third Sector
Office for Life Sciences (OLS)
Parkinson’s UK Alzheimer’s Research UK Diabetes UK Waterloo Foundation
New partnership opportunities in the MENA region
Regional Regional NHS Trusts Devon County Council (DCC) GW4 SETsquared Partnership Qantx
Networks Southwest Academic Health Science Network (SW AHSN) Innovate UK KTN- Emerging Technologies and Industries Medicines Discovery Catapult (MDC) Life Sciences Hub Wales
Genomics England
Industry AstraZeneca Pfizer GSK Roche Eli Lilly Randox BT
Strategic Partners Royal Devon University Healthcare Trust
Page 33
Sector Plans 2023-24
University Initiatives •
Diversifying income streams by boosting Business Engagement activities:
•
•
Contributing to the development of various internal strategies
•
Hosting industry /Knowledge day
•
Inviting more external partners to campus, including a tour of facilities and resources
•
Offering a more comprehensive service package (i.e. linking to educational and training programmes; clinical trials)
•
Running a series of workshops on business engagement and KE activities
Better showcasing our world-class expertise by: •
Becoming part of the wider UK health and life sciences ecosystem (Bioindustry Association (BIA) and others
•
Leveraging the emerging digital platforms (e.g. Konfer, NCUB)
Opportunities in 2023-24 > Supporting Large Multidisciplinary Funding Bids /Infrastructure Calls •
Two £10M UKRI- EPSRC Research and partnership hubs for health technologies (£40M)
•
Innovate UK XR Mindset for digital mental health programme (£20M)
•
UKRI Engineering Biology Missions Hubs and Mission Awards (£73.6M)
•
ESRC, NIHR and Alzheimer’s Society joint funding call- Dementia Network Plus (£5.250M)
•
A £3M NIHR HealthTech Research Centre with Royal Devon University Healthcare Trust
> Partnerships •
Strengthening collaborations with existing partners, moving towards establishing strategic partnerships (e.g. AstraZeneca; regional Trusts)
•
Expanding partnerships (Pharma and Biotech, relevant Catapults, SMEs)
•
Replicating our successful experience of MDC with the others, such as Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult; LifeArc
> UKRI Theme of Health Technologies •
Opportunity for establishing the Centre of Excellence to streamline and expedite the development, evaluation and implementation of MedTech
•
Supporting the established research networks (e.g., Exeter Brain; Immersive; Health Technologies; Health Analytics)
•
Capitalising on the existing investment and infrastructures, in particular, NIHR-funded facilities across Exeter (i.e. BRC, CRF, CRN, PenARC) to drive translational research
Sector Plans 2023-24
Page 34
Health and Wellbeing Sector Lead:
annah Williams H H.Williams7@exeter.ac.uk
Capabilities > Nutrition •
The effects of bioactives and exercise on musculoskeletal, cognitive, vascular and metabolic ageing, and exercise performance
•
Applied physiology, nutrition and physiology
•
Oral microbiome and nitric oxide
•
Nutritional physiology
•
Elite sports performance
> Physical Health •
Physical activity across the life course
•
Children’s Health and Exercise Research Centre (CHERC)
•
Biomechanics and falls prevention
> Mental Health •
Neurodegenerative disease (key focus on Dementia)
•
Behavioural change
•
Isolation, loneliness, depression and post-natal depression
•
Long COVID
> Other Key Areas •
Environment and human health: Blue environments and health, climate change, nature, biodiversity and health, antimicrobial resistance and microbiology, communities andsocial inequalities, food systems and planetary health
•
Drug and alcohol dependency
Partners Regional Dartmoor Community Kitchen Exeter Chiefs Exeter City Football Club (ECFC) and Community Trust South West Academic Health Science Network (SWAHSN)
Third Sector Parkinson’s UK Football Association of Wales (FAW) Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS) Royal Society – Entrepreneur in Residence (EiR) programme
Industry Advanced Growers Awakn Life Sciences Incorporated Page 35
Sector Plans 2023-24
Canon Medical GaitQ KYMIRA Sport Minddistrict Mitocholine Nike PepsiCo Pukka Foods PVolve Quorn Ritual
Strategic Partners Royal Devon University Healthcare Trust
University Initiatives •
Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence (EiR) to support initiatives including the Lighthouse project to attract industrial PhD studentships
•
Developing collaborations with relevant Exeter Research Networks: Children and Young people’s Wellbeing @Exeter, Health Technologies, Exeter Brain and Exeter Food
•
Online portfolio development and the Nature, health and wellbeing CPD virtual cours
•
St Luke's campus development: • •
Health and wellness focus Scaling up biomedical and clinical research power
Opportunities in 2023-24 > Funding • • • • • •
UK Shared prosperity fund (Cornwall Good Growth Programme) (£132M) UKRI Population health improvement research cluster call (£35M) AHRC Collaborative community research to tackle health inequalities call (£25M) Innovate UK Better food for all call (£20M) MRC Mental Health Platform Hubs (£17.5M) ESRC Resilient UK Coastal Communities and Seas (£11.5M)
> Expanding Collaborative Research in Key Centres • •
•
NIHR BRC theme Neurodegeneration; shadow theme mental health European Centre for Environment and Human and Health (ECEHH) which has been redesignated as a Collaborating Centre by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe for a further four years NIHR School for Public Health Research
Sector Plans 2023-24
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Sector Plans 2023-24
Society Creative Industries
39
Heritage
41
Policing, Crime and Justice
43
Secure Communities
45
Social Mobility
47
Sector Plans 2023-24
Page 38
Creative Industries Sector Lead:
Joanne Evans J.Evans12@exeter.ac.uk
Capabilities > Screen and Screen Skills
> Social Science and Policy
•
Equality, diversity and inclusion in film
•
Film business and publishing
•
Screen and creative writing
•
Communications
•
Implications of data centres , including carbon footprint
•
Gaming theory
•
Online and remote performance
•
Hidden Cities
> Immersive and Audience Research
•
Digital imaging
•
Heritage data science
•
Immersive for audience research, training, heritage, health, mining and astronomy
•
Social media including political use and online safety
•
Implications of AI, IP and deep fakes on the industry
•
Rural and semi-rural clusters development
•
Behaviour change and sustainability
> Digital Humanities and Heritage
Partners Regional
Creative Industries taskforce (Cornwall)
Tech Exeter
Immersive UK
Torbay Culture Plymouth Culture
Industry
Devon County skills
Tate
South West Heritage Trust
Almeida Theatre
Cineon
Google Arts and Culture
Screen Cornwall
Creation Theatre
Cornwall Museums Partnership (CMP)
Factory 42
Real Ideas
Meta
Devon Screen Logistics
Creative UK Northern Ireland Screen
Networks
Atticus Education
Far South West Immersive
Albert (film industry sustainability certification)
Screen Devon network
British Film Institute (BFI)
Page 39
Sector Plans 2023-24
University Initiatives •
Screen Devon: Developing a screen agency for Devon that will be incubated at the University of Exeter and spun out as an independent organisation in the future
•
Film Distribution: Developing a film distribution enterprise in communications, drama and film to provide industrial experience for International Film Business and other students
•
Exeter Immersive Research Network: Connecting academics and facilities working with virtual reality, augmented reality and extended reality across the University
•
Developing research and education offer with significant potential for heritage, performance and audience impact
•
Growing the Far South West Immersive Cluster (FSWI): With Plymouth and Falmouth Universities, Real Ideas and other immersive partners in region to drive partnerships, bids and opportunities
•
HASS Priority: Digital and Creative Industries: Development of Faculty-wide strategy to develop the offer to creative industries across teaching, research and business engagement
Opportunities in 2023-24 > AHRC Towards a National Collection Programme •
Supporting a response to major investment streams using digital technology to create unified national collections
> AHRC Creative Industries Clusters •
Call for 6 new creative industries regional or thematic clusters to share £50M to be announced late 2023 for start late 2024. Regional consortium bid with Falmouth and Plymouth and potentially Arts University Bournemouth
> Mindset XR Innovation Support Programme •
Exeter bid with SETsquared Exeter and Bath for UKRI and Innovate UK call to build and deliver a programme of Innovation Support for their £20M Mindset XR Programme to the clinical mental health and wellbeing sector, working with NIHR Mindtech, Innovate UK KTN and other partners to bring businesses, NHS providers, regulatory and academic partners together
Sector Plans 2023-24
Page 40
Heritage Sector Lead:
Nadia Khalaf N.R.Khalaf@exeter.ac.uk
Capabilities > Heritage Science
> Sustainable Heritage and Tourism
•
Digitisation and inventories
•
Sustainable development
•
Archaeological science
•
Regenerative heritage tourism
•
Computational methods
•
Artificial intelligence and machine learning
•
Heritage imaging
•
Digital humanities
•
Forensic science
•
Environmental intelligence
Partners Government and Public Sector
Industry
Historic England
IBM
Historic Royal Palaces The National Archives
Third Sector
Historic Royal Palaces
English Heritage
Portable Antiquity Scheme
Strategic Partners
Regional
Met Office
Powderham Castle
National Trust
Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) South West Heritage Trust Cornwall Museums Partnership South West Fed Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks The Box, Plymouth
Page 41
Sector Plans 2023-24
University Initiatives •
Development of commercial forms of educational courses in heritage-based research areas including forensics in collaboration with national and regional partners with the possibility of apprenticeships and new PGT programme
•
SHARD3D laboratory commercialisation
•
Creative Arc - the strategic collaboration between University of Exeter and Exeter City Council to create a joint programme and network focusing on cultural innovation to shape place. This will focus on the Liveable Exeter Building programme
Opportunities in 2023-24 > Funding •
Research England Museum, galleries and collections fund provides support to museums, galleries and collections in higher education providers (HEPs) in England. Development of proposal with the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum
•
AHRC funding for India-UK research into creative industries and cultural heritage
•
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) to invest £180M into nationally distributed facilities and people with funding for 25 years in conservation and heritage science through Research Infrastructure for Conservation and Heritage Science (RICHeS). This bid will build on extending the SHARD3D lab in the archaeology department
> Commercialisation of Facilities •
Following the successful £900,000 bid (Archaeology) to AHRC’s Creative Research Capability Grant to establish the SHArD 3D Laboratory, an application has been successful to develop its commercialisation capabilities
Sector Plans 2023-24
Page 42
Policing, Crime and Justice Sector Leads:
Sam Bull S.Bull@exeter.ac.uk
Capabilities > Criminology and Social Science
> Law of Violence, Rights and Testimony
•
Evidence based policing
•
Use of forcein policing
•
Forensics, digital forensicsand cybercrime
•
Domestic violence
•
Counter terrorism, radicalisation and extremist communication
•
Human rights
•
Modern day slavery, crime and racism
•
Witness testimony
•
Social identity, stigma and intergroup contact
> Management and Data Science •
Operational systems
•
Leadership and teamwork
•
Inclusivity and discrimination
•
Artificial Intelligence and machine learning
•
Data analytics pattern recognition
> Psychology and Medicine •
Cognitive osychology and social identity
•
Behaviour changeand complex interventions
•
Substance abuse
•
Mental health - suicide, homicide and selfharm
•
Performance under stress
Partners Government and Public Sector
Networks
The Home Office
KTN for Defence and Security Transforming Forensics Forensic Capability Network LawTech UK, Tech UK and Tech Nation Accelerated Capability Environment Network
Ministry of Justice FCDO Office of Police and Crime Commissioner Met Police College of Policing
Industry
Prisons and Probation
Frazer Nash Consultancy IBM
Regional Devon and Cornwall Police South-West Forensics
Page 43
Sector Plans 2023-24
University Initiatives •
Defence and Security Institutional Review: Led by HASS, (including policing and justice portfolio) to capture the breadth of capability and investment requirements to grow future activity across disciplines
•
Opportunity to look at infrastructure, personnel and investment needs to put Exeter as a leader in Defence and Security
•
Supporting the development for the Centre for Law and Social Justice
•
Faculty focus on governance, data, ethics and law as one of the 10 priority areas for HASS. Business case for investment being developed
•
Justice and Violence Network launched 2023, activity opportunities, external partnership opportunities
•
Forensics group establishment for research, education and facilities opportunities
•
Chair in Defence and Security: Recruitment of a Professor in D&S to lead interdisciplinary research and education across the 3 Faculties
•
Establishment of Forensics and Digital Forensics Group in order to understand the educational and research offerings, and commercial potentials of expertise and facilities. This Includes a Level 7 Digital Forensics Degree Apprenticeship and CPD
Opportunities in 2023-24 > New Partners Network •
Global Authoritarianism ESRC Centre development has developed links with IBM, RUSI, FCDO, Foreign Policy Centre
> Funding •
Diversification of income via Home Office, FCDO and other government funding routes. Especially now BEI has a central role and focus in each of the faculties
•
FCDO Research Framework calls through Crown Commercial
•
STAR (Science, Technology, Analysis, Research) call (Jan annually, specifically Digital Forensics)
•
UKRI Network Plus and Hub opportunities for defence, security and resilience research
> Developing Strategic Partnerships •
•
Further developing the relationship with Frazer Nash Consulting who are interested in cyber resilience and have been running a series of challenges with us Develop the Home Office relationship to maximise government opportunities
Sector Plans 2023-24
Page 44
Secure Communities Sector Lead:
Colette Defoe C.Defoe@exeter.ac.uk
Capabilities > Advanced Materials •
> Digital Transformation and Security
Metamaterials and nanomaterials, acoustic photonics, quantum systems
•
Computer vision and imagery Machine Learning (ML), cyber security and network science
> Human Protection and Performance
•
Data assurance, ethics, governance and exploitation, AI, ML, modelling and simulation
•
Digital economy: Organisational behaviour, leadership and management
•
Chemical Biological Radiological (CBR) defence – microbiology, engineering and synthetic biology, cognitive psychology and neuroscience
•
Human: Augmentation, performance, physiology, movement and biomechanics, injury and rehabilitation human-machine-interface Virtual Reality (VR) / immersive training and simulation
> International Security and Global Governance •
Foreign and public policy, conflict management, military strategy and critical military studies
•
Law: International, armed conflict, humanitarian, space, cyber
> Safety & Control Systems Engineering •
Autonomous systems and robotics, marine dynamics, reliability and maintainability engineering, sensor technology
> Climate Change: D&S Resilience •
Climate change and security: Dynamics and tipping points, sustainability: Critical minerals and circular economy
•
Geopolitical instability and population migration
Partners Government and Public Sector
Third Sector
Ministry of Defence [MOD] Defence and Security Accelerator Defence Artificial Intelligence Centre Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office Cabinet Office
Chatham House RAND Corporation RUSI
Regional South West Regional Defence and Security Cluster [SWRDSC] South West Cyber Security Cluster [SWCSC]
Networks Academic RiSC Defence Battle Lab Innovate UK KTN: Security and Defence Alan Turing Institute STEM Futures UK Metamaterials Network Page 45
Sector Plans 2023-24
Industry Atlas Elektronik BAE Systems BMT
Strategic Partners Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) Babcock QinetiQ
University Initiatives •
Defence and Security (D&S) Institutional Review: Led by HASS, (including policing and justice portfolio) to capture the breadth of capability and investment requirements to grow future activity across disciplines
•
Chair in Defence and Security: Recruitment of a Professor in D&S to lead interdisciplinary research and education across the 3 Faculties
•
Executive Education (EE): Securing the next MOD Universities Short Course Programme and growing D&S EE offer. Standardising internal processes for easier delivery
•
Working Securely: Review IT infrastructure, support, accreditations and facilities for agile D&S tendering and collaborative working. Security clearance for researchers
•
Refresh of MA in Applied Security and Strategy. Introduction of new MA in Global Security Studies
Opportunities in 2023-24 > Funding •
Uplift in Defence and Security (D&S) spending [additional £5B spend over 2 years] on top of £560M of new investment made in 2022. Integrated review refresh and Ukraine war requiring increased investment in digitallyenabled and 6th Generation capabilities as well as aligned geopolitical expertise
•
Commissioning Centre for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) research: Investment of £25M over 5 years to set up a commissioning centre to commission and manage research calls for FCDO priority areas. Up to £21M research budget p/annum
> Metamaterials CDT and Hub •
Ongoing effort to grow metamaterials in D&S sector and beyond. Defence industry support for EPSRC metamaterials CDT and ongoing work towards attracting investment for a Metamaterials Hub – CoE in Generation After Next materials
> Networks and Partners •
UKRI Network Plus and Hub opportunities for defence, security and resilience research.
•
Develop links with Strategic Command
Sector Plans 2023-24
Page 46
Social Mobility Sector Lead:
Emma Rundle E.L.Rundle@Exeter.ac.uk
Capabilities > Overarching Themes
> Expert Areas
•
Inclusivity
•
Special educational needs and disability inclusivity
•
Social justice
•
Home education
•
Social inequalities
•
Care-experienced children
•
Race and ethnicity
•
Children’s mental health and wellbeing
•
Social class
•
•
Gender and sexuality
Migration (incl. educational routes and outcomes for refugees)
•
Children and Young People’s Wellbeing @ Exeter Research Network
•
Widening participation (including learning outcomes)
•
Routes @ Exeter: Migration, Mobility and Displacement Research Network
•
Attitudes, behaviour and relationships
•
Social mobility in the workplace
Partners Government and Public Sector
Networks
Department for Education
Social Mobility Network (upReach)
Social Mobility Commission
Next Steps South West
Local Government Association
Housing Commission
APPG on Social Mobility Education Committee
Third Sector
Office for National Statistics (ONS)
Office for Students The Sutton Trust
Regional
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Local Policy Stakeholders (MPs and Councillors)
National Association for Special Educational Needs (nasen)
Local Authorities Local Schools and Colleges Ted Wragg Trust South West Social Mobility Commission Next Steps South West Page 47
Sector Plans 2023-24
YoungMinds The Bell Foundation
University Initiatives •
South-West Social Mobility Commission: The South West had the lowest educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils of any English region, this is a unique opportunity to drive forward transformational change in education and employment outcomes for disadvantaged young people in the region
•
Exeter Education Ecosystem (E3) - Creating a City of Aspiration and Opportunity: E3 aims to improve educational outcomes by coordinating the actions of diverse community and educational stakeholders as well as improve skills available to employers in the city and drive inclusive and clean growth
•
University of Exeter Tutoring Scheme: A new tutoring scheme for hundreds of children to boost literacy in the region. Researchers from the Centre of Social Mobility are looking at different models of tutoring and develop a discrete tutoring course in foundation literacy for year eight pupils
Opportunities in 2023-24 > Social Mobility Commission •
The Social Mobilty Commission (SMC) exists to create a United Kingdom where the circumstances of birth do not determine outcomes in life. Further develop this relationship to understand their priorities and opportunities for University of Exeter to collaborate.Particularly important for emergent Social Mobility Centre bid
> All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Social Mobility •
> Funding •
The Nuffield Foundation: Research, Development and Analysis Fund (award range £3M)
•
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC): Exploring a potential opportunity for an ESRC Research Centre bid on social mobility working with academics from across multiple disciplines (award range £5M - £9.7M)
•
Tender Opportunities: Working to increase capacity and training for tender opportunities with the Department of Education
This is a group of cross-party MPs and peers who discuss and evaluate key issues, research and indicators of mobility and barriers to it. Further develop the relationship with this policy group to understand the key motivations and priorities for the members and how researchers can work more closely with them
Sector Plans 2023-24
Page 48