CAM-SCI has an independent programme of best-practice research and benchmarking that underpins its approach to knowledge economy projects to ensure optimal delivery and operations.
Research areas include the following:
Science Cities
Science Parks
Innovation Centres
Laboratories and Bioincubators
Multi-Partner Knowledge-Economy Developments
Funding Models
Operational Strategies
Science Cities
CAM-SCI is currently undertaking a research programme into the creation of science cities including:
- Definition of the science city concept
- What a science city delivers
- How a science city works
- Value of branding aggregation
- Value of services and purchasing aggregation
- Business plan outline for delivery of science cities
Science Parks
The UK’s first commercial science-parks were pioneered in Cambridge and Edinburgh in 1970 in response to the then Labour Government’s initiative to increase the commercialisation of university intellectual property and the exploitation of new technologies. Since then more than 70 science parks have been developed in the UK using different investment, development and operational models – with varying degrees of success.
CAM-SCI’s research underpins a best-practice approach to projects by identifying optimal investment, development, delivery and operations of science parks, science cities and specialist facilities.
Research shows that the success of science parks is dependent on key factors including:
- Investment model
- Management model
- Fit for purpose R&D facilities
- Support network creation
- Academic network creation
- Business network creation
Innovation Centres:
Not all Innovation Centres are the same. Since the earliest Innovation Centres in the 1980’s, design concepts have progressed. Best practice in Innovation Centre design and delivery integrates form and function to offer high quality, versatile and secure accommodation which reflects the requirements of SMEs across a range of high-technology sectors.
Innovation is not an end in itself. The purpose of Innovation Centres is to enable companies to succeed and grow. Growth planning, and the ability to provide appropriate ‘grow-on’ accommodation for graduate companies, should form an integral part of business and operations planning for Innovation Centres.
Laboratories and Bioincubators
Since the construction of the UK’s first purpose built laboratory for commercial leasing at the Cambridge Science Park in 1998, the design concept for versatile and commercially viable laboratories continues to develop.
Bioincubator design and operation is a further specialisation where critical issues of concept and design need to be defined to ensure optimal operational performance over time. In the UK the first purpose designed bioincubator was opened in Manchester in 1999 since when the underlying concept has evolved and design has been optimised.
CAM-SCI continues to undertake on site research in to laboratory and bioincubator design and delivery throughout the UK, in Europe and the USA.
Multi-Partner Knowledge-Economy Developments
Many recent and current science city and science park projects are multi-partner developments – often involving Regional Development Agencies, Universities, Councils and private developers and investors.
CAM-SCI has researched the challenges that these partnerships present and the impact on delivery of public-sector/private sector involvement.
Funding Models
CAM-SCI has researched the different funding models adopted by science parks and specialist facilities developments in the UK. We have identified a range of options which reflect the particular circumstances of each project.
Operational Strategies
CAM-SCI has researched the different operational strategies and philosophies of science parks in the UK – which are often linked to investment models- and where there is a direct correlation with economic and commercial success over time.