Research Councils UK today welcomed "Innovation Nation" and the Government's continued recognition of the role played by research, in all disciplines, in contributing to economic performance, policy development and better public services.
The document touches on many areas of the Research Councils' work. It recognises the value and emerging success of our relationship with the Technology Strategy Board. The Economic and Social Research Council is a partner in the new Innovation Research Centre, alongside the Board and the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills and NESTA. RCUK welcomes the expansion of the Knowledge Transfer Partnership scheme first proposed by the Sainsbury Review. Councils have tangible evidence of the success of the scheme and they look forward to discussing how they can continue to maximise its value.
RCUK acknowledges the importance, stressed in the White Paper, of stimulating innovation in SMEs. RCUK's recent "Impacts" publication illustrates the diverse ways in which our funding enables researchers to maximise the impact of their work by working with small businesses. The Research Councils are participating in vouchers schemes and have been encouraged by their role in building links between researchers and small businesses. They are delighted to see this success recognised in the White Paper by the extension of this scheme.
The long-term sustainability of the research base is a key objective of RCUK and it welcomes the importance accorded to this issue in Innovation Nation. RCUK today announces a review of the implementation of full economic costs in higher education under the chairmanship of Professor Alan Alexander.
RCUK published its international strategy in July 2007. Highlights included the launching of offices in China, USA and India. It is anticipated that the RCUK Office in Dehli, to be based in the High Commission, will open during the first half of 2008 and it will build on the work of the UK India Education and Research Initiative highlighted in the White Paper. RCUK also recognises that innovation does not respect international borders. It will be working with UKTI in highlighting how overseas businesses can benefit from the UK’s research excellence. RCUK will look forward to working with DIUS in the development of its international strategy.
RCUK places high value on public engagement with the researchers they fund and in enhancing the role of contemporary research in the classroom. Councils will continue to share their experience with DIUS in the development of its Science and Society Strategy, expected this autumn.
A good supply of well-trained, talented and motivated researchers is essential for research excellence and innovation. RCUK is leading on a new Concordat which will further the attractiveness and sustainability of research careers in the UK.
The Research Councils will contribute to the Leitch agenda by continuing to monitor the stock and flow of high level skills in the economy. They are working with the higher education sector to strengthen the transferable skills of researchers, which will enable them to work more creatively and entrepreneurially with one another and with business. RCUK looks forward to the development of a high level skills strategy.
The Research Councils take seriously the need to innovate as organisations. The RCUK partnership enables new ways of working. The Peer Review Project, which seeks to make the peer review process as effective and efficient as possible is just one example.
Speaking on behalf of Research Councils UK, Professor Ian Diamond said "Research provides the knowledge and ideas that enable innovation to flourish. Our challenge in contributing to the White Paper's objectives is to help researchers maximise the impact of this knowledge and by working closely with our partners such as NESTA, the Technology Strategy Board and the Regional Development Agencies and Devolved Administrations."
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About Research Councils UK
The seven Research Councils are independent non-departmental public bodies, funded by the Science Budget through the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS). They are incorporated by Royal Charter and together manage a research budget of over £2.8 billion a year.
Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the partnership between the UK's seven Research Councils. Through RCUK, the Research Councils work together to champion the research, training and innovation they support.
The seven UK Research Councils are:
- Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC);
- Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC);
- Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC);
- Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC);
- Medical Research Council (MRC);
- Natural Environment Research Council (NERC);
- Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).
Contact
Julia Short
RCUK Media Officer, Tel 01793 444435