- Wednesday 24 June 2009
- 7.30pm - 9.00pm
- Lecturers: James Caan Baroness Susan Greenfield Phil Willis MP Tanya Ewing Emily Cummins Prof Julia Goodfellow Nick Fry Doug Richard
The jet engine, the World Wide Web, television, the flushing toilet: all created by the second most inventive nation in the world - the UK. But times are changing. How will the UK keep up with China, India and Russia?
We ask world famous inventors and entrepreneurs to debate what it takes to be an inventor in today's, and tomorrow's, world, and ask: does the UK have what it takes to compete - and win?
This one-off programme offers a unique insight into the minds of some of the best inventors in the world. It will appeal to anyone with a curious mind who has tried to make the next big thing out of three pipe cleaners and a paper clip.
They will explore the motivation needed to achieve success, whether enough is being done to ensure that the UK can be a winner in the 'race to the top', and if government support for innovation is making a difference. And in the current climate, they ask if businesses will continue to take risks or will innovation become a sacrificial lamb for the economic downturn?
The interrogators;
- Phil Willis MP, Chairman of the Innovation, Universities, Science & Skills Select Committee
- Baroness Susan Greenfield, Director of the Royal Institution
- James Caan, entrepreneur and 'dragon' on BBC's Dragon Den
The witnesses
- Tanya Ewing, British Female Inventor of the Year 2008
- Emily Cummins, inventor of the environmentally friendly fridge
- Julia Goodfellow, Former chief executive of the BBSRC
- Nick Fry, CEO of the Brawn GP Formula One Team
- Doug Richard, international entrepreneur
In association with the House of Commons Innovation, Universities, Science & Skills Committee
Tickets cost £8, £6 concessions, £4 Ri members
Listen to the audio archive of this event:
http://ri.content.s3.amazonaws.com/podcasts/2009/June/24 Eureka.mp3