BT joins MediaCityUK research and innovation consortium
MediaCityUK at night
BT has joined other leading international communications and technology organisations and universities, including the University of Salford, to drive forward research into and development of new technologies and practices to benefit the digital creative media industry and the community, through membership of the Framework for Innovation & Research in MediaCityUK (FIRM).
The leading communications services company has joined FIRM to explore areas of collaborative research around data networks, media tools and audiences, and to strengthen the industry relevance of the overall FIRM research programme by providing advice and expertise.
Formed in 2009 with support from the UK Research Council’s Digital Economy Programme and the Northwest Regional Development Agency, the FIRM consortium is responsible for a £3m programme combining industry and academic excellence to ensure research and innovation plays a key role in the development and success of MediaCityUK. Its goal is to take advantage of the concentration of expertise and knowledge at MediaCityUK to create a ‘living laboratory’ in which next-generation technologies, talent and business models can be developed, tested and perfected.
FIRM brings the University of Salford together with a network of research and industry experts from institutions including the BBC; Goldsmiths, University of London; Lancaster University; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; the University of Cambridge; North West creative industries regional support agency Vision+Media and digital consultancy Focus Innovation.
Sami Istephan, BT North West Regional Board member, said: “We are very excited at the prospect of working with FIRM as this complements our research programmes and helps us develop new ideas. I’m sure that BT working more closely with such an illustrious set of partners will further enhance our programmes and help position MediaCityUK as a hub for innovation and excellence across the media industry.”
Professor Brian Longhurst, the University of Salford’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Media and Digital Futures, who directs the FIRM project, said: “I am very pleased to welcome BT to FIRM, and look forward to the further development of cutting edge innovation from MediaCityUK.”
