You are here:

British Science Festival to highlight the groundbreaking work being done at The Surrey Research Park

Thursday 3 September 2009

New "Meet the Innovators" seminar series will give visitors a chance to get up close and personal with some of The Park's most high-profile residents

As part of this year's British Science Festival, The Surrey Research Park is opening its doors to allow the general public to learn about some of the groundbreaking work being conducted by its residents. The ‘Meet the Innovators’ seminar series, to be held on Tuesday, 08 September, will give Festival attendees the chance to attend a presentation from four of the Park’s leading companies and discover the innovation taking place at one of the world’s most successful science parks.

The Festival, which runs from 5th – 10th September, will highlight the latest work being done in the areas of science, technology and engineering. By teaming up with The Surrey Research Park, the festival organisers hope to highlight some of the pioneering work that is done by hi-tech businesses on the Park.

“We are delighted to be involved in an event that brings together the worlds of academia, science and business, so that the public can learn something new and enjoy themselves as well," said Dr Malcolm Parry, Director of the Surrey Research Park. “It is also a great opportunity for us to show what fantastic work is being done here on The Surrey Research Park. For instance, not many people realise that some of the world’s most important satellites are built in a laboratory on the outskirts of Guildford, or that one of the most popular video games ever created was designed right here on the Park!”

The Surrey Research Park companies involved in the event include:

  • Lionhead Studios – who will discuss the latest Innovation in Video Games, and explain what's really going on behind that TV screen?
  • Syngenta – who have a deep understanding of plants, based on decades of research and development, and who will ask if safe innovation in the agribusiness a contradiction in terms?
  • Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) – will explain what it does, trace the company's roots back to the University’s Electrical Engineering Department in the early 80s, discuss some of the projects it’s involved with, and also its commitment to ongoing innovation.
  • ID Business Solutions Ltd (IDBS) – who delivers groundbreaking advances in the capture and use of scientific data, and who will show how enabling technology can help advance scientific development and breakthrough.

Full details of the talks and tours that will be available to the press and public can be found and booked online by going to www.britishscienceassociation.org and following the links to the British Science Festival.

The Surrey Research Park, who will host the Meet the Innovators event, is owned by the University of Surrey. The Park was established to meet the challenge of helping the University to further develop Guildford’s knowledge economy, and is currently home to 110 tenant companies that help to support the technology transfer from the University to the business world. In addition, the Park continues to raise the profile of the University as a centre of excellence, and also supports regional economic development.

Media Enquiries

Peter La, Press Office at the University of Surrey, Tel: +44 (0)1483 689191, or Email mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk