Industry and innovation

The UK has an outstanding track record of industry innovation, and its world-class industrial research plays a key part in transforming innovative ideas into commercially successful products and services. Innovative economies see greater growth and productivity, and companies that innovate grow twice as fast as those that do not.

The knowledge-driven economy is increasingly important. This makes the flow of ideas and skills between the research base, industry, business and wider community crucial to future prosperity. The complexity of many existing social and economic challenges means that collaboration is essential to research and innovation.

Supporting industry and innovation

The Royal Society is committed to innovative scientific research wherever it is found.

Our Science and Industry programme strives to promote the value and importance of science by connecting academia, industry and government. The programme is overseen by our Science, Industry and Translation Committee chaired by Dame Sue Ion DBE FREng FRS.

We provide advice on how best to support science across research and innovation, responding directly to Government on topics that matter to industry and using the expertise of our Fellows with experience in innovation and translation.

Promoting collaboration

Collaborations between researchers, universities and the private sector can help bring innovative ideas to market and provide the skills and knowledge for a successful economy.

We promote collaboration and translation by bringing together leading scientists and industrialists at events including our Transforming our future conference series and Creating connections meetings across the UK. Reports for our events are available to read online or download. 

Our Industry Fellowship supports researcher mobility, allowing scientists to spend time in both academia and industry, work on collaborative projects and enhance knowledge transfer.

The Entrepreneur in Residence scheme aims to increase the knowledge and awareness in UK universities of cutting edge industrial science, research and innovation.

Recognising innovative scientists

We believe it is important to celebrate the achievements of our leading innovative thinkers and entrepreneurs, as well as identify the processes by which successful innovation occurs.

Many of our grants and awards support and reward innovation. The Mullard Award is made to individuals whose work has the potential to contribute to national prosperity.

Our case studies illustrate how the UK has achieved this translation of research into industry, demonstrating a key way in which science and research enrich UK society.

For further information please contact the industry team at industry@royalsociety.org.