March 2004
A better future by designInvitation for journalistsA groundbreaking initiative to promote leading-edge design research in the UK will be launched in London on Monday 22nd March.
By forging links between engineering and the arts, 'Designing for the 21st Century' aims to stimulate new ways of thinking to help meet the challenge of designing for 21st Century society. It represents the first major collaboration between the Arts and Humanities Research Board (AHRB) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
The launch will include an evening reception where journalists can meet those involved in the initiative.
Among those speaking at the event will be the Rt Hon Estelle Morris MP, Minister for the Arts; Professor Geoffrey Crossick, Chief Executive of the AHRB; Professor John O'Reilly, Chief Executive of the EPSRC; and David Kester, Chief Executive of the Design Council.
Design plays a key role in shaping the world, generating new products, systems and services in fields as diverse as architecture, computer science, creative arts, electronics, engineering, fashion and manufacturing. Around 1 million people are currently employed in design-related activities in the UK.
'Designing for the 21st Century' will run for 5 years, with a budget of at least �4 million. It will fund high-quality research and networking activities that promote collaboration between the UK's arts- and engineering-based academic design communities. By stimulating interaction between these traditionally distinct areas, the AHRB and EPSRC aim to foster the cross-fertilisation of ideas and approaches, and the identification of novel research challenges. This represents an essential step in the modernisation of old forms of production and the successful development of new ones that can create wealth and enhance the quality of our lives in the future.
The venue for the evening reception will be the Conference Centre at Church House, Dean's Yard, Westminster.
Notes for Editors
The reception will be held in Bishop Partridge Hall at the Conference Centre from 6.00pm to 8.00pm on 22nd March 2004.
To attend the reception, please reply to this e-mail, providing the following details:
Name:
Organisaion:
Contact e-mail:
Contact telephone number:
Venue information: The Conference Centre at Church House, Dean's Yard, Westminster, is located close to Westminster Abbey. The nearest tube stations are St James's Park and Westminster. For more information, visit the Centre's website at http://www.churchhouseconf.co.uk/findus/index.shtml
As a starting point, three broad themes will provide the basic framework for the new initiative: People Working in Design, Understanding Creativity, and Application of Design in Practice.
In their respective fields, the AHRB and EPSRC both have wide experience of promoting high-quality design research and the development of effective partnerships between design, engineering and production.
Each year, the AHRB provides approximately �70 million to support research and postgraduate study in the arts and humanities, from archaeology and English literature to design and dance. The quality and range of research supported not only provides social and cultural benefits but also contributes to the economic success of the UK. The AHRB was created in 1998 as an interim and transitional body. It is expected that the new Arts and Humanities Research Council will come into being in April 2005. Website address for more information on the AHRB: www.ahrb.ac.uk
The EPSRC is the UK's main agency for funding research in engineering and the physical sciences. The EPSRC invests more than �500 million a year in research and postgraduate training, to help the nation handle the next generation of technological change. The areas covered range from information technology to structural engineering, and mathematics to materials science. This research forms the basis for future economic development in the UK and improvements for everyone's health, lifestyle and culture. EPSRC also actively promotes public awareness of science and engineering. EPSRC works alongside other Research Councils with responsibility for other areas of research. The Research Councils work collectively on issues of common concern via Research Councils UK. Website address for more information on EPSRC: www.epsrc.ac.uk/
For more information, contact:
Jane Reck, EPSRC Press Officer, Tel: 179-344-4312, E-mail: [email protected]
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