The Research Councils are greatly saddened to learn of the death of Sir Gareth Roberts. He will be missed by the many who worked with him over many years including those within the Research Council community.
Sir Gareth was a pioneer in addressing the issue of research careers. While chairing the Research Careers Initiative Strategy Group (1997-2002), Sir Gareth recognised "...the need to develop policy and practice in relation to the growing number of staff employed exclusively or predominantly to carry out research". The publication of his report SET for Success in 2002 provided a blueprint for a set of measures to address critical issues affecting the supply of scientists and engineers.
The Government accepted all of Gareth's recommendations in relation to postgraduates and postdoctoral researchers and provided additional funding to the Research Councils approaching £250 million in the 2002 and 2004 Spending Reviews. The impact of the report is such that it still remains a milestone and rock on which current policy is based in 2007.
Sir Gareth's legacy can be seen now in the realistic levels of PhD stipends and in the provision of transferable and career development skills where 'Roberts Money' has become the standard terminology in the HE sector. The establishment of the RCUK Research Careers and Diversity Unit owes much to Gareth's foresight and influence and RCUK is proud to be taking forward the agenda for which Gareth so successfully provided the impetus.
The energy and enthusiasm of Gareth's commitment to research careers has enthused many in the HE sector and his legacy will continue to make a major contribution to nourishing and reinvigorating the science and engineering base in the UK. Future generations of researchers will benefit from the work he put in on their behalf.
Our sympathy goes to Gareth’s wife and family.