Growth
Combining the power of arts and science
A project using art to make science more engaging to non-scientists
Menai Science Park ( M-SParc ), a wholly owned subsidiary of Bangor University and part funded by European Regional Development Funding through the Welsh Government , is reaching out through art to engage those who otherwise may feel that science is not for them .
Six artists are each working on the Tanio project . Artist Manon Awst from Anglesey will work alongside M-SParc ’ s architects to develop a piece that reflects the architecture of the building as well as the geology of the surrounding area . Honey Jones-Hughes will speak to a variety of women to explore the journey women have historically taken in science and industry in Wales . Owen Davies , a lecturer at Bangor University , focuses on digital artwork and will be working with
Artist Rachel Rosen says she loves “ working in strange and wonderful places ”
local primary and secondary schools . Outreach is a big part of the project , and poet Mei Mac will also focus on this as he visits schools in the town to create poems and slogans to be displayed at the Park .
Iolo Penri , a photographer , will explore the relationship between energy , industry and landscape on Anglesey and work with
local community projects , while Rachel Rosen focuses on the transformation of materials and objects and a collaboration with zero-waste expert Rebecca Colley- Jones to re-ignite waste from the site . ■
For more information visit m-sparc . com
Pentlands Science Park is one of the members of Midlothian Science Zone
Scottish Meeting Report – June 2017
The Scottish Science Parks Group works to reinforce the value of science parks in developing the knowledge-based economy in Scotland
The latest meeting of the Scottish Science Parks Group took place at Pentlands Science Park on 20 June . Group Chairman George Walker welcomed members from Inverness , Glasgow , Stirling , Edinburgh , and Midlothian , plus a rep from Scottish Enterprise . We were delighted to welcome two new members : Jennifer Thwaites of
Edinburgh BioQuarter and Jane Kennedy from Glasgow ’ s Clinical Innovation Zone .
Jim Duvall gave an update on UKSPA plans and activities . We discussed the progress of the Midlothian Science Zone ( MSZ ) and plans for the first sciencebased Business Improvement District there . Lesley Parsons demonstrated the
MSZ website , which she developed and maintains . The Parks reported activities at their sites including the establishment of a new Programme Team at BioQuarter .
Following the meeting , we had a very interesting tour of Quotient ’ s new £ 24m HQ , R & D , and manufacturing facility on the nearby Biocampus , guided by Gordon Robb , the Operations Director , with staff from M + D , the main contractor . Quotient , originally a spinout from the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service , manufactures and supplies high quality products used in transfusion diagnostics . It employs 230 people in Edinburgh over three sites , including PSP and Edinburgh Technopole . Phase 1 of the project is scheduled for completion in late August .
We farewelled Lindsey Moodie from the Inverness Campus , who is moving on to a new role in the School of Health at the University of the Highlands and Islands . The next Group meeting will be hosted by Jane Kennedy at the Clinical Innovation Zone in November . ■
For further information contact george . walker @ pentlands . co . uk
52 | UKSPA breakthrough | SUMMER 2017