The site has been the home of research facilities since 1960, when the Weed Research Organisation was established there. It was later used as the Technology Centre of the Cookson Group. The site was bought by Oxford University in 1998, arranged by Professor Brian Cantor and supported by the then Registrar, David Hughes, and Vice-Chancellor, Colin Lucas. Brian Cantor became the first academic director from 1998-2002. Professor Peter Dobson was appointed as the academic director in 2002. Since then the Science Park has doubled in size, hosts more than 30 companies and has more than 20 research groups from 6 different University Departments. A new access road opened in 2012. The university owns of land surrounding the research park, mainly devoted to agriculture, of which the Science Park is developed on a 10-acre site at the centre.
Research groups
There are over 20 research groups on the site variously from the Departments of Materials, Engineering Science, and Earth Sciences, with Physics, the OeRC and Business Services and Projects all represented in Oxford Supercomputer machine room. Highlighted areas include:
Begbroke Nano- Dr Alison Crossley
Processing of Advanced Materials Laboratory- Patrick Grant
Oxford Materials Electron Microscopy and Micro analysis Group
Oxford University Supercomputer
Commercial activities
Begbroke Science Park has over 30 different high techspin out and start-up companies. In 2017, a new science enterprise centre, known as the Begbroke Innovation Accelerator, was opened in the park as an extension of the Centre for Innovation and Enterprise.
Knowledge transfer
Two Knowledge Transfer Network units are located on the site:
Materials Knowledge Transfer Network, which provides access to the latest technological knowledge and international discoveries on materials: metals, composites, plastics, ceramics, minerals, technical textiles and smart materials. The team at Begbroke specialise in transport applications.
