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Strategies and Experiences to Improve Research Uptake: the Royal Society and UK Science Funding

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Strategies and Experiences to Improve Research Uptake: the Royal Society and UK Science Funding Strategies and experiences to improve research uptake: The Royal Society and UK science funding Wider context Credit crunch UK Government Deficit New government Spending cuts The Royal Society Advisory Group Sir Martin Taylor FRS (Chair), Former Vice-President and Physical Secretary, The Royal Society Professor Glynis Breakwell, Vice-Chancellor, University of Bath Professor Ann Dowling DBE CBE FRS FREng, Professor of Engineering, University of Cambridge Sir Martin Evans FRS, Director, Cardiff School of Biosciences Sir Richard Friend FRS. Professor of Physics, University of Cambridge Professor Rachel Griffith FBA, Deputy Research Director, Institute for Fiscal Studies Professor Wendy Hall DBE FREng FRS, Professor of Computer Science, University of Southampton Dr Emily Holmes, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford Professor Richard Jones FRS, Professor of Physics, Sheffield University Professor Ben Martin, Science and Technology Policy Research Unit (SPRU) Paul Mountford, President, Emerging Markets, Cisco Professor Helga Nowotny, Vice-President, European Research Council Sir Paul Nurse FRS, President, Rockefeller University, New York City Dr David Roblin, Vice-President Global R&D, Pfizer Lord Sainsbury of Turville FRS, Gatsby Charitable Foundation Lord Waldegrave of North Hill, Provost, Eton College Sir Mark Walport, Director of the Wellcome Trust Sir Alan Wilson FRS FBA, Chairman, Arts and Humanities Research Council 7 Engagement across the political spectrum Lord Sainsbury of Turville FRS, Lord Waldegrave of North Hill, Conservative Labour Public R&D expenditure, 1970-2007 The UK punches above its weight The Cambridge phenomenon People in and outside science Global competition Average annual growth in R&D budgets, 1997-2007 ‘By the end of 2020…China will join the ranks of the world’s most innovative countries’ President Hu Jintao, Jan 2006 Investing in the downturn 0.60% 0.50% 0.40% Green technology R&D 0.30% GDP 0.20% 0.10% 0.00% Finland Norway Canada Portugal Germany Sweden USA Recommendations 1. Put science and innovation at the heart of a strategy for long-term economic growth 2. Prioritise investment in excellent people 3. Strengthen Government’s use of science 4. Reinforce the UK’s position as a hub for global science and innovation 5. Better align science and innovation with global challenges 6. Revitalise science and mathematics education Since the publication of TSC Work to get the recommendations of the research taken up Aim to influence policy in a number of ways…. A chorus of voices... James Dyson – Ingenious Britain Council for Science and Technology – A Vision for UK Research House of Commons/House of Lords S&T Committees Hauser – The Current & Future Role of Technology Centres in the UK NESTA – Rebalancing Act British Academy - Past, Present and Future Plus reports from Universities UK, Russell Group, 1994 Group, CaSE etc. Lobbying Investment in the science base, 1986-2015 21 Three scenarios Scenario 1: Weathering the storm (flat cash / -10%) Painful but manageable. Could only be delivered through substantial efficiency savings and some rebalancing of priorities. Scenario 2: Slash and burn (-20%) An acute challenge, which would fundamentally damage the quality, productivity and capability of the UK’s research base, and its reputation overseas. Scenario 3: Game over (-30%) Catastrophic and irreversible effects, compounded by the acceleration of investment in the US, Germany, France, China and elsewhere. Quiet diplomacy In addition we use informal meetings, letters, and private briefings to influence policy But are they Butlistening? are they listening? Comprehensive Spending Review The Chancellor has announced that the Science Budget will be maintained at £4.6 billion over the Spending Review period (2011-2015); In the context of widespread and, in some cases, deep cuts in public expenditure, this outcome is a positive one for science; However, there remain specific questions about capital expenditure, international subscriptions and the balance of funding across the Research Councils; And so the process continues.... “The flat cash settlement for the core science budget is very welcome news in the context of this extremely tough Spending Review. The government has recognised the importance of sustaining the international standing of UK science in a context where other nations are forging ahead. There remain areas of concern, ...” Lord Rees, 20 October 2010 Multiple approaches to ensure the uptake of the research • High quality policy research • Wide dissemination of the findings – Marshalling a chorus of voices • Continued engagement of key figures – Speaking events and – Private meetings • Media • Letters • Presence at party political conferences Ian Thornton [email protected] 11/10/2010 31.
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