In December 2004, Newcastle was designated as one of six English Science Cities.

The others are:

• Bristol

  An area which is home to the UK's aerospace industry, Europe's Silicon Valley, and a hotbed of creative industries and environmental technologies.

• Nottingham

  Whose vision is that by 2020 it will be recognised as an international location for scientific, research and teaching excellence.

• Manchester

  Whose aim is to bring together the many innovators working in the city across a range of disciplines to develop significant economic growth.

• Birmingham

  Which has identified a particular interest in Advanced Materials, Digital Media, Energy, Medical Technology and Healthcare Transport Technologies.

• York

  Which has particular interest in several areas, including biosciences, for which it is internationally renowned.

Not only do the Science Cities develop their own initiatives but they also work together, with key staff meeting regularly, to create a cohesive nationwide approach to science.