U.K. foresight' program begins to bear fruit

Abstract

The U.K.'s Technology Program is making a major impact on investment in research and development and on the infrastructure for innovation, according to a report by the British government's Office of Science & Technology (OST). The Foresight First Progress Report highlights the development of a series of networks marshaling the country's academic, scientific, and business communities in an effort to improve industrial competitiveness. The program, announced in a 1993 government policy document titled Realizing Our Potential: A Strategy for Science, Engineering, and Technology, is a collaborative effort to identify and exploit trends and opportunities in markets and technology over the next 10 to 20 years (C&EN, July 3,1995, page 16). And it is having intangible as well as tangible results. There is certainly a much better feeling of partnership between industry, government, and academia now, comments Paul Leonard, head of research and innovation at the Chemical Industries Association and a ...