RCUK position statement
Research Councils UK (RCUK) welcomes the new report “A Vision for UK Research”
from the Council for Science and Technology (CST). We will consider the recommendations
made carefully.
RCUK funds excellent research that has an impact and so welcomes CST’s conclusion
that funding should focus on excellence and realising the benefits of that research.
The RCUK Framework for the Future: Excellence with Impact confirms our focus on
excellence and ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position on research.
RCUK already has actions in place which support many of CST’s recommendations.
In particular RCUK is:
- underpinning the UK’s world leading research base by supporting excellent
research that has impact and helping attract collaborations with and investment
from international business and industry
- implementing the initiative recommended in The Roberts Report, SET for Success
(2002) to lengthen funding of PhD training which is now at an average of 3.5
years
- ensuring that, through its Research Careers and Diversity Strategy, the
best potential researchers are attracted into research careers as well as helping
higher education institutions improve the quality of their research training
and improving the retention of the best researchers by promoting better career
development
- running a Researchers in Residence scheme which offers early stage researchers
an opportunity to use their expertise in schools or colleges to create quality
experiences for pupils and support the professional development of teachers
- supporting the current developments in the Research Excellence Framework
(REF) to put in place incentivisation and reward mechanisms for academics engaged
in high-impact research
- providing a strong focus on public engagement activities working with schools,
academic researchers and the general public to provide training and funding
opportunities for researchers to engage with the public
However, sustained investment in the UK research base both now and in the future
will be essential to realising the full potential of UK research and maintaining
a global competitive advantage.
- ends -
Further information
Contact:
Alexandra Saxon
Head of Communications
Tel: 01793 444474 or email:
alexandra.saxon@rcuk.ac.uk
Notes for editors
Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the strategic partnership of the UK's seven
Research Councils. We invest annually around £3 billion in research. Our focus is
on excellence with impact. We nurture the highest quality research, as judged by
international peer review providing the UK with a competitive advantage. Global
research requires we sustain a diversity of funding approaches, fostering international
collaborations, and providing access to the best facilities and infrastructure,
and locating skilled researchers in stimulating environments. Our research achieves
impact – the demonstrable contribution to society and the economy made by knowledge
and skilled people. To deliver impact, researchers and businesses need to engage
and collaborate with the public, business, government and the third sector.
www.rcuk.ac.uk.
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 & Technology Facilities Council (STFC).