We are pleased to announce the third edition of ConnectResearch, a series of themed conferences bringing together entrepreneurs, science professionals and government to discuss the challenges of innovation and transfer of knowledge.

This year’s edition will take place in Paris.

This event will build on two previous successful editions held at Cranfield University in 2007 and in Rome in 2008.

This year the theme will be:

“New models of innovation for
economic growth and sustainability”

The conference is jointly organised by the Science and Innovation Network of the UK Government, Cranfield University, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The two-day event will focus on:

New innovation models: how they can help overcome the economic crisis

• Making innovation happen through networks: promoting connections  and stimulating knowledge flows between large companies, SMEs, research institutes and universities, in contrast to more traditional, ‘linear’ approaches to innovation.
  
• Brokering of innovation: roles and effectiveness of brokers and intermediaries.

Innovation for sustainability and green growth

• Sustainability and eco-efficiency as drivers of business performance
  
• Incorporating sustainability in firms’ strategies - encouraging corporate ‘entrepreneurs’ for sustainability in large firms.
  
• Promoting the sustainability agenda in different industrial sectors
  
• Driving demand for innovation/sustainable products - through regulation or public procurement mechanisms. Speakers are drawn from a wide range of organisations around the world, providing variety in terms of scope, sector, geographical basis, and links between business, research institutes and government bodies.

The event will start on Thursday 12 November at 12.30pm and close on Friday 13 November at 3.30pm. No participation fee will be required and attendance is subject to registration. Please register using the form below:

• Programme (PDF 40 kb) [opens in new window]
• Registration form (PDF, 81 kb) [opens in new window]