A senior West Midlands academic will represent the region on a new European governing body for innovation and technology.

Vice Chancellor of Aston University, Professor Julia King, will work in partnership with Advantage West Midlands and other regional agencies on the Governing Board for the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a new initiative, aiming to become a flagship for excellence in European Innovation and integrate higher education, research and business-innovation across the EU. The 18 strong EIT Board comprises European experts who have widespread reputations in their various fields and dual academic-industrial backgrounds.

One of Advantage West Midlands tasks is to help deliver the West Midlands European Strategy which sets out how the region intends to increase its engagement with European activity.

Jon Bloomfield, Head of European Policy, Advantage West Midlands, said:

“This is fantastic news for the region and a tribute to the standing of Professor Julia King. Advantage West Midlands is working hard with partners to improve the engagement of West Midlands universities, companies and research organisations in research and innovation. As a crucial part in the region’s future prosperity, this new opportunity is clear recognition of the region’s strengths in this field and will help us, our partners and ultimately the region, strive towards achieving our goals on a broader European scale.”

Professor Julia King, Vice-Chancellor, Aston University, said:

“In the UK we have developed a strong tradition of effective collaboration between industry and universities, supported by the Technology Strategy Board, the Research Councils and the Higher Education Funding Council (HEFCE), highlighted in the recent DIUS White Paper, Innovation Nation.

“I hope my membership of the EIT Governing Board will facilitate effective knowledge transfer and sharing in this area between the UK and our EU partners to make the EIT the success we all believe it can be.

“Being based in Birmingham, with its history as an innovative city, I am looking forward to being able to highlight plenty of best practice with local connections!”