Ignite FAQs

Ignite is a summit with a difference. By bringing together leaders in medical innovation to challenge each other, learn from other sectors and develop new ways of thinking and working, we will change the future of medical innovation and accelerate progress.

Ignite comprises of immersion experiences, debates, networking and reflective discussions.

Debates aim to give a 360-degree view of medical innovation reflecting on provocative questions.

Immersion sessions will expose participants to the day-to-day working of organisations aligned to medical innovation such as NICE, GSK, the UCL Partners AHSN. The sessions will allow participants to foster new collaborations and build their knowledge of the network of organisations essential to innovation.

For more information please see the draft agenda.

Ignite will be an immersive and challenging experience that will position participants to drive change in medical innovation.

At the end of Ignite participants will:

• Deeply understand medical innovation pathway and how it is changing;
• Understand their and others' role in creating change;
• Understand technical and social science aspects of regulation;
• Make meaningful connection.

At the end of the summit, participants will be offered CASMI Fellowship and networking opportunities. 

We hope that Ignite will spark unique and inspiring debate that will lead to progressive change in the debate and practice around medical innovation. The potential benefits to individuals, institutions and the sector are great.

The first Ignite summit took place in April-May 2017 and the full agenda for the debate and application sessions is available - Ignite Agenda 2017. 

Debate speakers included:

• Dame Fiona Caldicott, National Data Guardian for Health and Care;
• Professor Mariana Mazzucato, RM Phillips chair in the Economics of Innovation, University of Sussex;
• Professor Sir Michael Rawlins, Chair of Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency;
• Dr Malcolm Skingle, Director, Academic Liaison, GSK;
• Dr Graham Spittle, Chief Technology Officer, IBM Public Sector Consulting;
• Rt Hon Professor Sir Robin Jacob, Sir Hugh Laddie Chair of Intellectual Property Law, UCL;
• Dr Amanda Begley, Director of Innovation and Implementation, UCL Partners Academic Health Science Network.

It costs £1,500 to participate in the second Ignite summit (2018).

This fee will increase in the coming years as we change the summit based on feedback from previous cohorts.

The face-to-face sessions will take place on Tuesday 24^th - Thursday 26^th April 2018 and a further full day in June/July (date tbc). These sessions will last all day.

Immersion sessions will take place in the months after the face-to-face sessions. The total time commitment for immersion sessions will be roughly two full days and will be confirmed the last face-to-face session. Some immersion sessions may spread out into shorter sessions while others will be more condensed.

There may also be opportunities to get involved in optional activities. This will be at the participant's discretion.

Ten places are available to participants who have:

• Scientific leadership role in academia or industry (e.g. group leaders);
• Existing research expertise in any area of medical innovation;
• Demonstrable interest in driving change in medical innovation.

Interested scientists who meet the criteria above should complete the application form by Friday 9^th February 2018, 16:00.

You will be asked for your contact details, CV and you will be asked to answer the following questions:

• What is your current research focus and how does your research relate to medical innovation? (maximum 500 words);
• Why would you like to attend the summit and what is your desired outcome? This may include potential impacts on your career (maximum 500 words).

A small panel will convene to evaluate applications for the summit.

The panel will evaluate award places at the summit based on the applicant's:

• Seniority;
• Genuine track record in medical innovation - grants and publications;
• Unique viewpoint to add to the debate.

The maximum cohort size is ten.

Participants will be asked to abide by Chatham House Rules during and after the summit. The aim is to create open discussions where challenging opinions are encouraged.

Participants may also be asked by hosts of the immersion sessions to sign confidentiality agreements. 

The UCLH BRC and CASMI will be evaluating both the content and delivery via surveys and optional interviews.

Following the summit, Ignite alumni will be offered CASMI Fellowship and have the opportunity to meet previous summit attendees and participate in further networking and engagement opportunities organised by CASMI and the UCLH BRC. 

Ignite is a collaboration between the Centre for the Advancement of Medical Innovation (CASMI) and the UCL Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). Ignite is a part of a wider drive for investment in developing new models for medical innovation and building capacity in relevant research areas.

Felipe Fouto, Programme Manager for the UCLH BRC Education theme, is your main contact point for the summit. You can reach him on f.fouto@ucl.ac.uk or 0203 108 6940.