Webinar: Transition from Projects to Missions

Join the Innovation & Research Caucus and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) for an upcoming webinar entitled ‘Transition from Projects to Missions.’ We will be sharing valuable insights from our newly published report – “Champions: Transforming projects to work programmes and missions”

Date: Wednesday 11^th June 2025

Time: 12:00- 13:30

Mode: Online

Given UKRI’s and the UK government’s focus on contributing to missions, this webinar will underscore the pivotal role of Champions/Ambassadors in driving the success of projects and their transformation into cohesive work programmes and missions.

As the UKRI is looking to appoint visionary individuals with strong leadership experience across research, innovation, or enterprise as “Mission Research and Innovation (R&I) Challenge Directors”, our webinar will also shed light on this role and its significance. 

The webinar will discuss how to maximise benefits by positioning the role of Champions and associated roles [e.g. Challenge Directors] as a cornerstone of the research and innovation landscape and enhancing their effectiveness.

Agenda

12:00 – 12:10: Introduction and Welcome – Prof Tim Vorley, Co-Director, Innovation & Research Caucus and Pro Vice-Chancellor, Oxford Brookes University

12:10 – 12:30: An Overview of Findings of the Report – Prof Muthu De Silva, Co-Investigator, Innovation & Research Caucus, Vice-Dean (Research), Birkbeck, University of London

12:30 – 13.00: Panel Discussion

Panellists:

• Innovation Policy Perspective – Ailsa Kennedy-Ballard, Deputy Director: Innovation Programmes & Partnerships at Innovate UK (IUK UKRI)
• Programme Perspective – Dr Huw Vasey, Deputy Director for Innovation, Business Engagement and Commercialisation at Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC UKRI)
• Perspective of Social Science Champions – Prof Jan Godsell, Dean, Loughborough Business School and Co- Director of InterAct
• Perspective of STEM Champions – Prof Stephen Holgate, University of Southampton and Clean Air Programme Champion

13:00 – 13.20 – General Q&A with the Panel – Dr Alexandra Hughes-Johnson, Senior Portfolio Manager, ESRC-UKRI and Tracey Dale, Senior Research Portfolio Manager, ESRC-UKRI

13:20 – 13.30 – Concluding Remarks – Prof Steve Roper, Co-Director, Innovation & Research Caucus and Professor of Enterprise, Warwick Business School

If you would like to join the webinar, please register your place using the sign up form below – (please note you will be emailed a meeting invite a few days after the registration)