Innovation Champions
In April 2018, Oxford University Innovation (OUI) announced the launch of an Innovation Champions Trial Scheme. Innovation Champions are representatives from within the University's four divisions who aim to improve the landscape for innovation and entrepreneurial activities. These Champions all have first-hand experience of OUI services and act as a point of contact for colleagues interested in commercialising their ideas or expertise, or developing links with industry, whether through consulting or research collaboration.
They provide initial advice and mentoring to their colleagues (of all levels of seniority, including students) and are responsible for ensuring their colleagues understand who to contact in OUI when they have an enquiry.
The Medical Sciences Division has Innovation Champions who can act as an interface between departmental staff and colleagues in OUI. If you are interested in learning more about commercialising research or the Oxford innovation landscape, don’t hesitate to contact one of the Champions (further details below).
susannah murphy, department of psychiatry
Why did you get involved in the OUI Innovation Champions scheme?
My research involves interactions with pharmaceutical industry and OUI have been incredibly helpful in supporting me with this work. When OUI launched the Innovations Champions scheme they approached me and asked if I would be willing to be the link with the Psychiatry Department, and I was delighted to do so. I was already informally supporting colleagues with informal advice and this was a useful way of formalising that process.
What does being an Innovation Champion involve?
It is essentially acting as a link person between your Department and OUI. I attend regular meetings at OUI to learn more about the work that they do. The focus of my activities within my department has been to to raise the profile of OUI within the Department - so that people are more aware of who they are and how they can help. This has involved inviting OUI to give a presentation in our departmental research meeting and come along to key departmental committee meetings. We have also set up system where a representative from OUI works from a 'hot desk' in the Department once a fortnight. This arrangement provides easy access for researchers, students and support staff to talk to OUI about intellectual property, licensing and venture formation, software commercialisation, academic consultancy or entrepreneurial activities more generally.
What kind of things should people get in touch with you about?
Anyone who is thinking about whether it might be helpful to involve OUI in a project - I can provide initial information about how OUI might be able to support the project and who the best person in OUI is to get in contact with.
Teresa Lambe, Jenner institute (Nuffield Department of Medicine)
Why did you get involved in the OUI Innovation Champions scheme?
I completed the OIS Fellowship Masterclass, last year, and was subsequently enthused to help raise awareness of the varied and many activities of OUI and to contribute to the further development of a culture of innovation within my department.
What does being an Innovation Champion involve?
Innovation Champions have all had experience of OUI services and can act as a point of contact for colleagues interested in commercialising their ideas or expertise. OUI Innovation Champions act in a facilitatory capacity and are a valuable interface between departmental colleagues and staff in OUI.
What kind of things should people get in touch with you about?
Anything to do with innovation or commercialisation of research activities!
The Division's other Innovation Champions are:
- Professor Ana Domingos (Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics)
- Dr Mathew Jones (Nuffield Department of Medicine)
- Dr Christine Lo (Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences)
- Ms Hayley Morris (Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology & Musculoskeletal Sciences)
- Dr Chris Paton (Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine)
- Dr Sonja Pawelczyk (Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology & Musculoskeletal Sciences)
- Ahn Phan Phi (Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences)
- Dr Manuel Spitschan (Department of Experimental Psychology)
- Dr Anna Vella (Department of Oncology)
- Dr Laura Young (Department of Experimental Psychology)
- Dr Qiang Zhang (Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine)
find out more
- OUI offers information on the Innovation Champions Scheme on their website.
- Our Business Partnerships Office can also provide support for researchers interested in commercialising their research or working with an industry partner.