The University of Strathclyde Research Day on Friday 7 June 2013 will include a Dragons’ Den style event, which provides University researchers and academic staff with the opportunity to pitch their excellent research and knowledge exchange ideas to a panel of ‘Dragons’.
The Dragons’ Den style event aims to bring together cross-disciplinary research groups to deliver a funding pitch to a panel of Dragons’ consisting of senior University staff, academics and our external partners. The University, through the Bridging the Gap initiative, will provide £20,000 of funding for the most promising proposal(s).
Taking place in the afternoon of Friday 7 June, the shortlisted research groups will have 5 minutes to work against the clock to present and pitch their cross disciplinary research idea to the panel of judges. The panel will then have 5 minutes to question each group based on the presentation.
After the pitches have taken place, the Dragons' will retreat to a secure location to deliberate over the most viable pitch and choose the winning project which will later be announced by the Principal, Professor Sir Jim McDonald.
Dr Robert Van Der Meer, Reader, Strathclyde Business School, University of Strathclyde
Dr. Robert B. van der Meer gained his Bachelors degree in Economics and Business Administration from the University of Amsterdam, his Masters degree in Economics from the London School of Economics, and his Ph.D. from the University of Strathclyde. His main research interests are in management science, operations management and strategy, and the economics of organisation, management and strategy. Robert is also part of the University’s ‘Bridging the Gap’ committee and will act as Chair of this year’s Dragon’s Den style judging panel.
Dr Marie Boyd, Reader, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde
Having first-hand experience of presenting to the University of Strathclyde’s Dragons Den panel, Marie has won the £20000 prize two years running in the Den style event. Both submissions involved multidisciplinary work with physics (2011) and chemistry (2012).
Mr Findlay Withers, Customer Operations Manager, The Falkirk Wheel
Scotland's most exciting example of 21st Century engineering, The Falkirk Wheel, is more than just the World's first rotating boatlift. It is a symbol celebrating the dawn of Britain's new canal age.
It's engineering ingenuity and architectural imagination creates both an eye-catching working sculpture and Scotland's most unusual visitor attraction.
The Wheel has already claimed its place as a major landmark and is one of the World's most important canal structures enjoyed by over 500,000 visitors every year.
A visitor centre, boat trips, play areas and over 100 acres of woodlands plus regular events and activities complement this unique attraction.
Mrs Alison McFarlane, Deputy Director, Research & Knowledge Exchange Services, University of Strathclyde
Alison has been in post at the University in the ‘technology transfer office’ for 22 years, having worked previously as a contracts negotiator for Marconi Instruments.
Alison leads the contracts service as well as being responsible for Knowledge Exchange and Researcher Development at Strathclyde. She also oversees many of the University licensing deals.
If you are interested in submitting an entry to the Dragons' Den style event, you can download an application form via the R&KE Portal pages.
The deadline for submissions for the event is by 5pm on Monday 15 April 2013. Completed applications should be returned to btg@strath.ac.uk.
Applications are reviewed by the BTG Board and the top 5 projects will be selected. Shortlisted candidates will be alerted of the outcome of their application by Friday 26 April 2013.
Please note that the maximum funding that can be applied for is £20,000 and applications should meet the criteria below.
Applications should demonstrate and focus on the following criteria:
• The degree of novelty, timeliness and originality of the research ideas and the mix of disciplines – cross-faculty proposals are particularly welcome.
• The extent to which the research team has the necessary skills to realise the aims of the proposal.
• The potential impact of the research.
• The extent to which the proposal details how the team will be sustained after the duration of the award and the longer term plans of the team.
• The potential for the project to be a success at the international level.
• The planned outcomes of the project in terms of external funding applications and publications.
• The alignment of the research project with the university strategic plan and the Strathclyde Technology and Innovation Centre (TIC) research themes.