CHERTSEY, England, November 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

World experts focus on innovation in times of austerity and its economic impact

The Royal Society, 20^th November 2012, 4pm

Watch FREE live stream at http://www.innovationdebate.com

Chaired by Professor Jim Al-Khalili, Professor of Physics, author and broadcaster, the panel includes:

Professor Paul Boyle, Chief Executive, Economic and Social Research Council & President of Science Europe

Europe

Tudor Brown, Co-founder and former President of world-leading technology company ARM

Professor Brian Cox, Broadcaster, Physicist and Royal Society Research Fellow

Dr Beau Lotto, Founder of the Lottolab, University College London

Professor Andrew Geim, Nobel Prize winning Physics in 2010 for his groundbreaking work on graphene

Professor Mariana Mazzucato, RM Phillips Professor of Science and Technology at the University of Sussex

Professor Paul Workman, Deputy Chief Executive and Head of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute for Cancer Research London
Jeremy Webb, Editor-in-Chief, New Scientist

• Discussing big themes: innovation in times of austerity and how we nurture scientific innovators
• Generating ideas: how to ensure that innovation is really valued and invested in

How do we nurture innovation in times of austerity? Who funds it? Does a lack of money encourage inventiveness or does it stifle innovation as everyone plays it safe?   And what about the innovators of the future?  Are we doing enough to nurture and support talent?

In a tough economic climate, innovation cannot be sacrificed. It is the lifeblood of science, technology and the economy. There is an urgent need to focus on how best to promote and nurture innovation - today and in the future.

That is why The Innovation Debate 2012 - organised and funded by Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd., at the Royal Society, at 4pm on Tuesday 20^th November 2012, is bringing  together influential and respected figures from the worlds of science, technology, medicine, engineering, education, government, industry and media to discuss how best to encourage and nurture scientific innovation.

Chaired by physicist, author and broadcaster Professor Jim Al-Khalili, and with panellists including Nobel prize- winning physicist Professor Sir Andre Geim, the co-founder and former president of technology company ARM Tudor Brown, broadcaster and physicist Professor Brian Cox,  and the Deputy Chief Executive and Head of Cancer Therapeutics at The Institute for Cancer Research London Professor Paul Workman, The Innovation Debate will examine how we can prevent today's economic and budgetary pressures from jeopardising  innovation for current and future generations.

The aim of The Innovation Debate is to air crucial issues, draw positive conclusions and to move the agenda forward.

Everyone - professionals in science and technology, students and the general public - will have the opportunity to engage with The Innovation Debate through online media which will take discussions far beyond the walls of the Royal Society.

"The Innovation Debate is a timely event," says Professor Jim Al-Khalili. "The world of science and technology needs to reclaim the very word 'innovation'. So how can we encourage innovation in today's age of austerity - and how do we ensure we have the innovators of the future? We need to consider how we can maximise the chances of producing innovative ideas from our scientists and technologists and how we should train the next generation of scientists and engineers.

"Like every other field of endeavour, scientific research is under pressure for funding - but what are the implications of, say, cutting funding for basic research if its economic or societal benefits are not immediately evident? And how might innovation suffer as a result? These are the kind of questions we will be discussing at The Innovation Debate."

Among the subjects for debate on 20^th November are: 'How to innovate in a time of austerity?' and 'How best to nurture innovation?'

Join the Innovation Debate 2012

The Innovation Debate will encourage wider participation from the public and science community via the website. Everyone will have the opportunity to share their views on the critical challenges facing science and innovation raised by The Innovation Debate and to submit a question to the panel of experts. To watch the live webcast of the Debate from 4pm on 20^th November 2012, register FREE today at http://www.innovationdebate.com

Join the debate now at http://www.innovationdebate.com  and follow us on Twitter @Innovatedebate #innovationdebate

About Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd.

Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd., located in the UK, is the European headquarters of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc. Astellas is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceuticals. The organisation's focus is to deliver outstanding R&D and marketing to continue growing in the world pharmaceutical market. Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd. is responsible for 21 affiliate offices located across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, an R&D site and three manufacturing plants. The company employs approximately 4,300 staff across these regions. For more information about Astellas Pharma Europe, please visit http://www.astellas.eu.