B.R.I.D.G.E

A short course for all involved in research to help them to develop an entrepreneurial mindset, and explore alternative pathways within research practice to the more formal / traditional routes.

About B.R.I.D.G.E

The Building Researchers Innovation and Developing Goals with Enterprise (B.R.I.D.G.E) course offers an introduction to entrepreneurship for researchers from any discipline and at any stage of their career.

This short course will help you to develop your entrepreneurial mindset and expand your commercial knowledge so that you can start to explore with confidence, a variety of alternative pathways within your research practice to the more formal or traditional academic routes.

By providing an integrated approach to enterprise, entrepreneurship, and innovation as part of a researchers' broader development it doesn't matter if you have little or no business experience, because the course will help you to build your skills, understanding and comfort in operating in a more commercial and opportunistic way.

Furthermore, BRIDGE will be part of the developing cross-faculty research community where collaboration and knowledge exchange easily takes place. It wishes to actively encourage researchers to work together by bringing together their specific discipline specialities for mutual gain and institutional benefit.

Apply for BRIDGE

BRIDGE - previous masterclass leaders and experts

Jennifer Manson Bridge '22

Jennifer Manson is Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of Podium, an Oxford-based community-moderated social network designed to end abuse, toxicity and misinformation online.

She has a background in computer science, and her early career was in technical software design and development. She founded her first company (in real estate) in 2003, her second (in publishing) in 2012, and returned to technology in 2016, to make a greater global impact. She is skilled and experienced in all aspects of business leadership and management, and is also a trained executive coach and mentor. Jennifer has previously taught at the University of Canterbury, NZ; Farnborough College of Technology; Queen Mary’s College, Basingstoke; and assisted as an external assessor at the National Film and Television School.

Dr. Ed Cole Bridge '22

Ed Cole has over 25 years of experience translating innovations from research labs to market, and has developed a background that uniquely combines science, business and aspects of intellectual property law during that time. He has held various senior IP manager roles in industry and in the academic sector and is currently the IP and commercialisation manager at Oxford Brookes. Previously he has worked in Coventry University where he held a position as IP Executive supporting engineering researchers translating research into industry, and prior to this held a position as Vice President IP licensing in Rovi Corporation (TIVO), with responsibility to monetize the company’s portfolio of 500 digital entertainment patents in the EMEA regions. He was Business Development Director IPR Licensing at British Telecommunications plc, undertaking out-licensing from a pool of 10,000 patents to multinationals companies in the telecommunications, mobile and video streaming markets and Vice President at BTG plc (British Technology Group, previously UK’s largest IP commercialization firm) with responsibility for technology investment in electronics, engineering, materials and IT sectors. Edward holds a PhD in Chemistry and is an inventor on two patents.

Cheryl Cole Bridge '22

Cheryl is an award-winning journalist and editor with over 20 years’ experience in implementing effective communication and publishing strategies. She is currently the editor at DiversityQ and has previously led editorial strategies for HSBC, GSK, The Birmingham Post, Investment Week and Bloomberg. From her own experiences, Cheryl has is passionate about affording equal opportunities to all, in the workplace, regardless of their difference.

Charles King Bridge '22

Charles King is COO of ROVR Systems, the latest of his ventures with start-ups. He has worked in this arena for over 25 years, and is still actively learning. Charles has a science and technology background and international experience of technology development and transfer. He was a Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence at OBU for three years and enjoys working with embryonic companies.

Dr Fawzi Abou-Chahine Bridge '22

Fawzi Abou-Chahine, PhD is the Director of Chahine Communications. He writes business proposals for corporate clients and start ups, to secure funding and also helps researchers commercialise their innovation and develop meaningful careers. He recently published a book titled “A Jobseeker’s Diary” which talks about the challenges PhDs face when transitioning from academia to business, including handling unemployment and the mental health impacts of job seeking."