Global Science and Innovation Network

A blog showcasing the work of the Global UK Science and Innovation Network, approximately 90 officers in over 30 countries and territories around the world

About this blog

2nd November 2017 Tokyo, Japan

by Griff Jones

First Secretary, Science, Innovation and Global Challenges (Japan)

Research without Barriers – a step-change in UK-Japan collaboration

Science is a global enterprise. The best researchers in the UK want to work with the best researchers across the globe. Japan is a very strong research nation – it is a country of world leading researchers and technologies that invests over 3.5% of GDP in R&D and has had more Nobel Prize winners since […]

18th October 2017 Tokyo, Japan

by Emilie Didier

Science and Innovation Officer (Japan)

Ultrasonic Robots! UK-Japan joint project helps Fukushima

In March, 2011, following the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, there was a major nuclear incident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. This left Japan with a significant nuclear decommissioning challenge. There are several challenges to decommissioning the Fukushima Daiichi reactor units, one of the most important being locating and understanding the nature […]

5th October 2017 Toronto, Canada

by Kat Bodkin

Head of Science, Innovation & Policy

Transformative Technologies: UK-Ontario Look to the Future

The United Kingdom and the Canadian province of Ontario are both leading global centres of science and innovation and are investing in many of the same transformative sectors. To provide a platform that will help to further the ties between the two jurisdictions, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Transformative Technologies was signed in Toronto […]

28th September 2017 Beijing, China

by Morag Brown

Senior Innovation Policy Officer for SIN China

Sensors for just about everything

Fibre optic cables with acoustic sensing that can be laid alongside railways or oil and gas pipelines to detect faults or security threats; lasers that can detect different types of gases and pollutants with very high precision; sensors that measure water loss across the skin barrier that can be used in cosmetics or diagnostics; sensors […]

27th September 2017 Beijing, China

by Richard Baker

Newton Fund Strategic Manager

Climate science catching up with the changing climate

China is becoming a world leader in science and innovation, with ever increasing amounts of money to spend. But China still has abject poverty, and severe issues stemming from its unprecedented rapid exit from poverty. This makes it a perfect partner for the UK through the Newton Fund, where we are harnessing both countries excellence […]

26th September 2017 Los Angeles, USA

by Nick Hooper

Edinburgh students show off engineering prowess at Hyperloop competition in Los Angeles

In August, the Hyperloop society at the University of Edinburgh, HypED, for the global finals of SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition in Los Angeles, California.

25th September 2017 Shanghai

by Gareth Taylor

Consul, Science & Innovation, British Consulate-General Shanghai

Innovation by road, rail and air to rebuild the UK-China Silk Road

In January of this year, the Dong Feng (East Wind) train arrived at Barking rail terminal, completing a 7,000 mile plus journey. 17 days previously the freight train had departed from Yiwu City in Zhejiang Province on its maiden UK-China journey. The East Wind train is the latest manifestation of China’s ambitious Belt and Road […]

21st September 2017 Auckland, New Zealand

by Alasdair Hamilton

Consul General & Deputy Governor to the Pitcairn Islands

Space Science & Cows

In this blog I will provide an update on the annual UK-China Space Workshop, recently held in Edinburgh, as well as talk about cows and innovative technology that monitors their health. The two are not really connected. But there is a good story to tell, so please bear with me. The annual UK-China Space Workshop […]

14th September 2017 Science and Innovation Network

Grace Lang

Director, Research Councils UK China Office

Influence Through Impact: 10 Years of the UK Research Councils in China

Ten years is a fleeting moment in the history of the Research Councils but this Sunday is a special day. 17th September 2017 marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Research Councils’ China Office. Between 2007 and 2017, British researchers were awarded 17 Nobel prizes spanning Physics, Economics, Chemistry, Physiology and Medicine – […]

28th August 2017 Beijing, China

by Holly White

Head of the Science and Innovation Network in China and the Science and Innovation Regional Manager for Asia Pacific

Goodbye to China! (for now)

I keep saying it, but I can’t believe how fast the past four years has gone. It’s been a non-stop whirlwind but it’s been a great pleasure to lead the UK’s science and innovation relationship with China during these exciting times. When I started the Newton Fund didn’t exist and now it stands at £360m […]

About Global Science and Innovation Network

We use this blog to showcase the work of the UK Science and Innovation Network. We have approximately 90 officers in over 30 countries and territories around the world building…

We use this blog to showcase the work of the UK Science and Innovation Network. We have approximately 90 officers in over 30 countries and territories around the world building partnerships and collaborations on science and innovation. SIN officers work with the local science and innovation community in support of UK policy overseas, leading to mutual benefits to the UK and the host country.

We work to four objectives; prosperity, security, influence and development, across 11 thematic programs; Health and Life Sciences, Clean Energy ,Food and Agriculture, Future Manufacturing, Digital Economy, Quantum Technology, Future Cities, Resources and Resilience, Polar Regions, Space and Oceans.