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The director of a Jersey-based postgraduate research institute has welcomed a Government strategy to make the island globally recognised for its research and development in specific areas.
R&D is identified as one of four ‘growth enablers’ in the recently published report setting out the actions and economic priorities” that the Government wants to implement between now and 2026, called the ‘Delivery Framework for Sustainable Economic Development’.
These ‘enablers’ are activities that help increase productivity across multiple sectors.
With regards to research and development, the framework states: “There is already provision in Jersey for higher education and we have the potential to grow this further by looking overseas for best practice and knowledge opportunities.
“Research capabilities may be built into collaboration with other establishments without the need for a physical location, with the possibility of a small, specialist research institution focused on innovation in Financial Services, digital, environmental, medical and creative industries.
“To be successful, the development of our skills and research to stimulate economic growth will also need engagement from the private sector and partnerships with other organisations.”
Sean Dettman runs the Jersey International Centre of Advanced Studies, which focuses its research on islands and island communities.
He said: “Perhaps, unsurprisingly, JICAS fully supports the establishment of a higher education hub, which would develop the island’s capability for academic research.
“I think the main investment should be in bricks and mortar to create a small and flexible island research centre.
“In my mind, this would require minimal public investment. Putting all higher education institutions in their different forms under the same roof at a higher education campus would be extremely beneficial for academic research.
Pictured: Dr Sean Dettman: "We all operate in an island and within an island system".
Dr Dettman added: “In my view, the best way to maximise research output, such as publications, conferences, exhibitions, presentations, is to allow synergies to take place.
“We all operate in an island and within an island system.
“Individuals might do their own thing under the auspices of their own governing bodies, but we all operate in a unique island system. Where we come together collectively within our day-to-day operations, there is fertile ground to grow our output.
“The name of the game is creating a centralised epicentre of research, which would boost that output considerably. This is key because the industry is based on an exchange of knowledge.”
One area of specialist research should be further exploring the island's rich history, according to the head of Jersey Heritage.
Asked if he welcomed the Government’s support for research and development in its ‘Delivery Framework’, Chief Executive Jon Carter said: “There is an opportunity for Jersey to become a focus for research and development in the heritage sector.
“Support for top-flight research is already highlighted in the Government’s Heritage Strategy because the heritage experience is essential to tourism and our ‘sense of place’ depends on deepening our understanding of the Island through the discovery of new stories.”
He added: “The Neanderthal story at La Cotte de St Brelade, ‘the earliest artforms in the Britain Isles’ at Les Varines and the European institutional partners engaged in the record-breaking Le Câtillon coin hoard, have shown us how much international media attention can be generated for Jersey off the back of well-managed, academic research in partnership with high profile universities.
“This, in turn, feeds into higher education locally, as demonstrated by developments at JICAS.”
Another potential island research specialism is identified in the recently published draft Jersey Marine Spatial Plan, which the public are invited to review and comment on.
It says: “Its geographical location, the diversity of its marine environment, and its existing infrastructure, mean that Jersey is uniquely positioned to become a hub for marine research and development, logistics and education.”
It added that the opportunities to promote Jersey as a maritime hub which could include:
It said: “Such a hub would bring socio-economic benefits to Jersey. It would not necessarily need to be located at a single site.
“The potential for a maritime hub in Jersey, covering R&D and logistics, should be explored.”
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