Cities, Innovation and the Knowledge Economy June 11, 2009

Cities must develop the capacity for knowledge exchange, not transfer, if they are to succeed in a global knowledge economy. International excellence and local relevance are needed.

On 11 June 2009 Salford's Centre for Sustainable Urban & Regional Futures (SURF) will consider how these challenges are to be addressed.

UK policy-makers, practitioners, researchers and business leaders will come together to debate how knowledge exchange can be more effectively fostered between the producers and users of research.

We will seek to develop a comparative understanding of urban attempts to re-shape sustainable, knowledge-based futures through harnessing different knowledges: what is happening, why and where?

This critical debate will be informed by a panel of two international experts who have experience in the
issues and challenges in harnessing knowledge:

* Dr Cathy Garner, Chief Executive Officer, Manchester:Knowledge Capital - "Issues and challenges in Harnessing Knowledge: Experiences from the Manchester Innovation Fund"
* Professor Tim May, Director, SURF - "Urban Knowledge Arenas and Active Intermediaries: Experiences from an Interdisciplinary Research Centre"

Following short presentations by each panel member, chaired by Beth Perry from SURF, we will invite audience participation and debate on the key issues and ways forward. The debate will also be attended by members of the European Urban Knowledge Arena, which includes 70 invited researchers and policy officials from 21 countries across Europe.

Official Website: http://www.salford.ac.uk/events/details/960