LhARA 4-nation initiative meeting 23Oct26; 11:00 and 15:00 BST

Present: Over the two meetings: R.Amos, R.Bingham, M.Boyd, M.Charlton, R.Hugtenburg, A.Isaac, K.Long, C.Whyte

Notes

1. Introduction: KL/All
   
   • Restarting discussion of 4-nation initiative for LhARA that was put on hold in the run-up to the local and devolved administration elections in May.
   • 4-nation initiative taken to encompass:
     • Approach to development and articulation of scientific, benefit and impact case for LhARA initiative;
     • LhARA initiative to be taken in its broadest sense; most likely areas for co-creation with industrial partners likely to be relatively high TRL, delivering incremental benefit;
     • Identification of regional/local stakeholders with which to develop impact, business and benefit cases. We need to identify areas in which the strength of the collaboration is a benefit to the engagement between institutes and local stakeholders;
     • Ideally seek resource through co-working/co-creation with local stakeholders to the benefit of LhARA institutes and local organisations and local economy.

With thanks for RB who reminded me of specification presented/discussed in the LhARA fortnightly on 28Jul26. Relevant slide linked here

2. Discussion: All
   Broad discussion, hard to summarise here. Key points:
   • Overall positive response to concept of developing the 4-nation initiative along the lines drafted above. Some scepticism about benefits and the possible rewards for the amount of work that will have to be invested.
   • Reminder of ambition to work towards a meeting in each of the 4-nations over the course of a year. Discussion (afternoon meeting) of the issue of whether to consider a whole-of-island approach to Ireland and Northern Ireland; preference of those in discussion for "whole of island" approach. (KL discuss via email with MB).
   • Need to understand mechanisms to engage with local and devolved governments.
   • Possible benefit of seeking to engage with Advanced Manufacturing Research Centres as hubs for engagement with other industrial partners.
   • Agreed to reserve a session at the collaboration meeting to brainstorm on possible co-creation opportunities.
   • Agreed to continue to work towards meeting in each of the 4 nations; discussed "academic" meeting to make the case, engage stakeholders and potentially in parallel or separately to reach out to potential industrial, not-for-profit or other partners.

3. Next steps: All
   We agreed to the following actions:
   • KL: Contact MB re "whole island" approach.
   • All: Review local opportunities, mechanisms to secure resource, and areas where collaboration is a strength in developing local networks;
   • All: Consider steps towards proposed meeting series.

4. DONM:
   To be agreed via poll (Action KL)

5. AoB:
   Noted above.

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