Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation - an R&D perspective February 17, 2010

There is renewed interest in the role of manufacturing in the economy. Traditionally manufacturing research has tended to focus on elements of the activity such as production technology or operations research. Professor Gregory will argue that the modern integrated definition of manufacturing which includes the whole value chain from marketing to service requires a more integrated approach to research. He will argue that thinking about innovation and manufacturing in the broader sense can reveal the potential of manufacturing to enhance economic performance. Finally he will argue for the importance of understanding dynamics of emerging industries so that the UK’s R&D capability can be more rapidly and fully exploited.

Mike Gregory is Head of the Manufacturing and Management Division of the Cambridge University Engineering Department and of the Institute for Manufacturing (IfM).

Following an early career in industry he was the founder member of the team which established the Manufacturing Engineering Tripos, a senior undergraduate programme covering, marketing, design, production, distribution and service with very close industrial engagement. Subsequent developments in research and collaboration with industry reflected this broad view of manufacturing and led to the establishment of the IfM in 1998. Linking science, engineering, management and economics and integrating education, research and practice the IfM now has over 230 staff and research students and a further 100 undergraduate and Masters students.

Mike Gregory's work continues to be closely linked with industry and government and he has published in the areas of manufacturing strategy, technology management, international manufacturing and manufacturing policy. He directs - with senior colleagues - the Institute's EPSRC Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre.

External activities have included membership of various government and institutional committees. He served as Executive Director of the Cambridge MIT Institute from 2005-2008 and was Springer Visiting Professor at UC Berkeley in 2008/9. He chairs the UK Manufacturing Professors Forum and is a member of the UK Government's Ministerial Advisory Group on Manufacturing.

Supported by the ERA Foundation

Official Website: http://www.rdsoc.org/10L2.html