The Development of a New Science and Innovation Campus in the South East Moves Forward with the Appointment of Professor Jim Lynch OBE
14 November 2007
The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) has appointed Professor Jim Lynch OBE to develop a Science and Innovation Campus in Sustainable Systems and an International Institute for Sustainability.
Jim is Distinguished Professor of Life Sciences at the University of Surrey, Chairman of Terraform PLC and Director of C-Questor PLC. Previously he was Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission Research Agency and Coordinator of the OECD Research Programme on Biological Resource Management for Sustainable Agricultural Systems.
Developing this Science and Innovation Campus and an International Institute for Sustainability in the Thames Gateway are two of the projects which SEEDA has identified as important to developing Smart Growth for the region. The Campus will stimulate the creation of news businesses and address global market opportunities by exploiting the new knowledge and ideas produced in South East Universities. It aims to bring academics and businesses together to collaborate on the acceleration of innovation – both in terms of products and processes. The Campus will bring together the best public and private research and development in sustainable technologies, construction, utilities, transport and communications in order to support the sustainable development of the Thames Gateway.
Jim will lead on a Science and Innovation Campus in Sustainable Systems at Kent Thameside which will mirror and complement projects at Shellhaven in the East of England, Dagenham Dockyard and Lower Lea Valley in London. A Science and Innovation campus is a place where business people and academics can work together to address major societal challenges, and develop solutions which create early business leads in global markets.
Jim will also work with the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and the London Development Agency (LDA) to set up the International Institute for Sustainability (IfS). SEEDA are the lead partner in this project. The aim of the Institute is to capture and create value from the work needed to develop the Thames Gateway and Dongtan Eco-City in China.
SEEDA Head of Science & Technology Ed Metcalfe said: “I am delighted to announce that Professor Jim Lynch OBE has joined the Spatial Smart Growth team as Senior Adviser. He will be working with Arup, EEDA and LDA on the International Institute for Sustainability project, which will coordinate several initiatives across the Thames Gateway and in Kent Thameside, including a Science and Innovation Campus on Sustainable Systems.”
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