Business partnerships and enterprise staff within the Faculty of Science and Technology working on the Centre for Global Eco-Innovation have been shortlisted for the ‘Outstanding Knowledge Exchange and Commercialisation initiative’ category in The Impact Awards 2015.

Lancaster University leads the Centre for Global Eco-Innovation, which unites the expertise, resources and global contacts of Lancaster University, University of Liverpool and Inventya Ltd to develop eco-innovative products, processes and services in collaboration with ambitious northwest businesses.

The awards are organised by the Research Council UK - the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils - and PraxisUnico - an educational not-for-profit organisation set up to support innovation and commercialisation of public sector and charity research for social and economic impact.

The awards were created to highlight the important work of professionals who work with businesses to turn excellent research into tangible real-world benefits.

Dr Ruth Alcock, Head of Enterprise and Business Partnerships in the Lancaster Environment Centre, which leads the partnership, said: “Being shortlisted for this award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team of professionals across the Faculty of Science and Technology that help create the partnerships that enable our academics, graduate researchers and businesses work together to create innovative products and services.

“There are many ways our team can help businesses access expertise and funding. The Centre for Global Eco-Innovation is delivering significant benefits to more than 280 businesses by transferring the world-leading expertise of academics to drive business growth and significant environmental benefits. We welcome enquiries from more businesses.”

Winners will be announced at a special ceremony in London on September 15.

Jackie Hunter, RCUK Impact Champion, said: “It is wonderful that the teams and individuals who work in knowledge exchange and commercialisation are to be honoured for their essential contribution to research. RCUK have always emphasised the importance of knowledge exchange and commercialisation to a healthy research community and will continue to provide our support in this area. Well done to all those nominated and good luck for the awards ceremony.”

Sue O'Hare, Chair at PraxisUnico, said: “Many congratulations to the shortlisted entrants and I look forward to the Impact Awards final in September. The standard of entries has been extremely high this year, demonstrating that these are not isolated examples of outstanding knowledge exchange and commercialisation; rather they are typical of activities that are taking place every day in universities and public sector research establishments around the UK and beyond - it is a great and exciting time to be part of the innovation industry."

Lancaster University has also made the finals of the Green Gown Awards, Research and Development Category, for the Centre for Global Eco- Innovation. Winners will be announced on Thursday 26 November. The Green Gown Awards recognise the exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities, colleges and the learning and skills sectors across the UK.

More information about the Centre for Global Eco-Innovation is available by visiting http://www.cgeinnovation.org/

To find out more about the programme contact Dr Andy Pickard, Project Manager, Lancaster University, by calling 01524 510 403 or email a.pickard@lancaster.ac.uk

To collaborate with our Science and Technology business partnerships team, contact Becky Gordon, Operations Manager by calling 01524 510 188 or email: b.gordon@lancaster.ac.uk