ESOF 2016: Call for Science to Business Programme Sessions

The programme will seek to explore the major and particularly the common challenges encountered for research and innovation across a diverse range of industry sectors, including: healthcare, pharmaceuticals, industrial manufacturing, chemicals, finance, IT and communications, materials and engineering - in essence industries for which future breakthroughs in science and technology will have major impact. It is a unique opportunity for cross sector, multidisciplinary interaction and an opportunity to strengthen the interface between the business and the academic world, examining the future role for Universities in the innovation process.

To achieve this, the ESOF 2016 Science to Business Committee is launching a call for innovative session proposals to be drawn from a wide variety of organisations, or individuals with a commercial interest in Science breakthrough and innovation management.

ESOF 2016 SCIENCE TO BUSINESS CALL [PDF]

Assessment criteria

The ESOF2016 Manchester Science to Business Programme Committee will take the following criteria into account when assessing proposals:

Content

• Relevance to the Science to Business Call specifications.*
• Relevance to conference scientific themes.
• Quality, originality and topicality in order to attract delegates and ensure they benefit from new insights        and discussion.*
• Proposals that are multidisciplinary.

Participants

• International perspective (the proposed speakers/participants within sessions should come from multiple countries and overall geographical balance will be sought in the speakers and content of the programme).
• Diversity. Panels will be expected to aim for an appropriate balance of gender and maximise inclusivity. They should, where appropriate, also include a range of a backgrounds – from industry, finance, research, policy or other fields that can bring varied perspectives to the business themes discussed.

Format

• Interactive sessions are required that maximise opportunities for discussion and dialogue.
• Proposals for innovative formats will be particularly welcomed.

Selection and submission giudance

Please read the following guidelines and information carefully. Submissions are open from 1 June 2015 and the deadline for session proposals is 31 July 2015 at 23:00 CET.

All submitted proposals will be reviewed and assessed by the ESOF 2016 Science to Business Programme Committee. Please note that the Science to Business Programme Committee reserves the right to request modifications to proposals prior to acceptance and to make minor modifications to titles and abstracts when compiling the programme. Where possible, links will be made between sessions in the Science-to-Business Programme and the Careers Programme, to provide attendees with high quality and varied opportunities for development and knowledge exchange.

Submitting a proposal

The submission process is managed by ESCMP, accessed through the ESOF website www.esof.eu -
the process is as follows:

• Visit www.esof.eu homepage. Click on the button “submit a proposal” on the centre of the home page. You will be redirected to the ESCMP login page.
• You will be asked to create an account if you do not already have one. For existing ESCMP account holders please log on to the system using your username and password.
• Once you are logged in to ESCMP you will be redirected to the “new proposal” page.
• Please note that applicants are required to select one of the programme themes and one cross-cutting perspective.
• Follow the on screen instructions provided to submit your proposal. Please note that you can continue working on your “draft proposal” until you are ready to submit.
• By clicking on “submit” your proposal will be accepted as final and no further modification is possible. It is not possible to submit a proposal after the given deadline.
• Following submission, you will receive a confirmation email acknowledging receipt of your proposal.

Read more on the ESOF website.