BELFAST—The strengths and opportunities within British academic research are being offered to industry, government agencies and scientists as part of a national academic data base created last year. The information, known as British Expertise in Science and Technology (BEST), was developed by the publishing firm Longman Cartermill, at the University of St. Andrew’s. Set up in March 1986, BEST covers 180 institutions and contains 14,000 records of scientists and their work.
Michael Tobert, the company’s managing director, explained at the annual meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science here how BEST might be used by a customer. “If the Scottish Development Agency wishes to attract a particular American company to invest in, say, Livingston, it is very handy to be able to tell them that within 50 miles are 70 scientists doing precisely what they are interested in." There are four principle markets for BEST, Tobert said. ...
