FAQs
We’ll be responding to questions as we receive them and posting the answers here. If you have a question, please contact us at info@impactawards.org.uk
Q. My project has not yet been commercialised but there is interest from the business community regarding commercialisation. Would the project be eligible to enter?
A. There are two Business Impact awards to choose from, you should enter the category which best suits the stage that your project is at. If you can demonstrate strong impact potential positively on the route to realisation it will be eligible to enter or the Business Impact - aspiring category. If the impact of your project can be evidenced and - ideally quantified or measured it will be eligible for the Business Impact - Achieved category.
Q. Who sits on the judging panel?
A. The judging panel comprises:
- Professor Sir Timothy Wilson (Chair)
Tim Wilson retired from the position of Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire in December 2010, following an academic career that also included Leeds Metropolitan, Cranfield and De Montfort universities, and higher education institutions ESCAE Dijon and FHW Pforzheim. As well as serving on the HEFCE Board he has been a Board member of the East of England Development Agency, Deputy Chair of the CBI Innovation Science and Technology Committee and a Trustee of the Council for Industry and Higher Education. He has been a strong advocate of the role of universities in economic development for over two decades and was awarded a Knighthood for services to higher education and to business in the New Years Honours list 2011.
- Dr Celia Caulcott, Director of Innovation and Skills, BBSRC
- Emeritus Professor Trevor Page, FREng., Senior Researcher, School of Chemical Engineering & Advanced Materials, Newcastle University (formerly Cookson Group Chair of Materials Engineering & Pro-Vice-Chancellor – Research)
- Dr Allyson Reed, Director of Strategy and Communication, Technology Strategy Board
- Dr Malcolm Skingle, Director of Academic Liaison, GlaxoSmithKline
Q. What do you mean by ‘impact’?
The research councils classify 'impact' as the demonstrable contribution that excellent research makes to society and the economy. Impact embraces all the extremely diverse ways in which research-related knowledge and skills benefit individuals, organisations and nations by:
- fostering global economic performance, and specifically the economic competitiveness of the United Kingdom,
- increasing the effectiveness of public services and policy, and
- enhancing quality of life, health and creative output.
Impacts from research can take many forms, become manifest at different stages in the research life-cycle and beyond, and be promoted in many different ways.
Q. I would like to nominate an individual for the KT Professional of the Year award, what are the entry criteria?
This is an opportunity to show recognition of the value and success of a newer team member – not necessarily someone starting out in their career, but a relative newcomer to the profession (the individual should have less than 5 years experience in the KT profession). Please note that this award is not designed for KTP Associates, or similar staff engaged for the development of a single technology arising from academic research