EIT Sets Out Bold Blueprint for Science and Innovation in the UK

At the Creating a Scientific Superpower Conference in Westminster in June, Lisa Flashner, Chief Operating Officer of the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), shared a bold vision for the UK’s future as a global leader in science and innovation.

Joining Bidwells' Head of the Built Environment, Richard Todd, Lisa spoke about the complexities of delivering a world-leading campus in Oxford, balancing innovation with heritage - including the restoration of a historic pub. She also emphasised the importance of forging strong partnerships to help position Britain as a destination for world-class scientific talent.

Hosted by the Oxford-Cambridge Supercluster Board at the QEII Centre, the event brought together government leaders, industry figures and academic institutions to shape the UK’s first science and innovation supercluster.

It is part of an industry-led initiative to accelerate growth and collaboration between Oxford and Cambridge - two of the world’s most prominent centres of academic and scientific excellence.

“We believe the UK has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to lead the world in science and technology,” Lisa said. “At EIT, we’re not just constructing a campus - we’re creating a platform for global impact, rooted in collaboration, innovation and community.”

The conversation highlighted the vital role of place-based investment in turning vision into reality. For EIT, Oxford’s research ecosystem and cultural vibrancy make it an ideal launchpad for innovation with international reach. The investment marks one of the most significant commitments to UK science and technology this decade - and reflects a long-term vision to deliver solutions that benefit both local and global communities.