Joint symposium is latest initiative in Open Innovation at Colworth Science Park

27 July 2011

Unilever R&D Colworth recently hosted a joint symposium with Cranfield University at The Exchange entitled “Cranfield University and Unilever Colworth: Regional partners working together for global success.”

Unilever R&D have been working closely with Cranfield Health for the last 2 – 3 years. Several joint projects are already in progress and there are ideas for many more project proposals for 2011 and beyond.  The purpose of the symposium was to identify the scope and full potential for future collaboration between the two institutions.

The 70 delegates were a mix of senior researchers, post-doctoral researchers, PhD and Masters students from Cranfield University and Unilever attendees predominantly from Colworth but also from Unilever sister laboratories in Port Sunlight (UK) and Vlaardingen (The Netherlands).

Currently, Unilever and Cranfield work in different specialities within broadly similar scientific themes.  If expertise could be shared it is hoped that creative solutions to problems will result.  Successful collaboration would also lead to sharing of equipment and international scientific networks. 

Leading the meeting were John Casey (VP Biosciences, Nutrition and Health) and Prof Joseph Lunec (Head of School, Cranfield Health) and the delegates enjoyed both plenary and poster sessions in an agenda designed to give attendees the chance to talk about their areas of expertise in an open and relaxed environment.  An afternoon tour included visits to the Colworth ‘tea’ glasshouses and the analytical facilities.