UK research is vital to boosting innovation for economic and business growth, according to a booklet published today (11 March 2013) from Research Councils UK (RCUK).
The Research Councils take a variety of approaches to support innovation and deliver impact from research. Significant activities, highlighted in the booklet Innovation and the Research Councils, include:
- training of skilled people and supporting their movement within the economy
- development of collaborative research programmes with a range of partners, including universities and research institutes, business and industry, and government departments
- investment in major research capabilities, such as national research facilities, research institutes and major research centres
- support of impact-related capabilities, such as Innovation and Knowledge Centres and Research and Innovation Campuses.
Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts said: “Science and research in their own right are vital to the UK economy and society. But our research base is also fostering innovation by interacting with business and passing on the latest knowledge to industry. This drives long-term, sustainable growth, creates jobs and keeps the UK ahead in the global race.”
Research Council commitment in the research and innovation campuses in particular seeks to ensure that there is immediate and long-term impact from research. This is achieved through, for example, advances in specialist facilities design and the creation of jobs in construction; the creation and support of high value jobs; and spill-over effects in job creation and economic activity.
The booklet, Innovation and the Research Councils, has been launched at ‘Innovate UK 2013’, a major three-day UK trade event for industry and business, which kicks off today in London.
The booklet draws on a number of case studies to demonstrate this innovation in action. The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), for example, operates several world-class research facilities in the UK and provides access to others abroad. UK industry makes use of these facilities to develop their products and processes. This is a unique offering to the UK’s industrial community because these facilities are beyond the financial reach of any one company or university.
Also included in the booklet are a number of other case studies that demonstrate the impact of Research Councils have on innovation by working directly in partnership with business and industry, spanning sectors such as oil and gas; retail, agri-tech, food production; and manufacturing. These collaborations help business and industry to develop high-level skills, as well as having access to cutting edge research.
Professor David Delpy, RCUK Impact Champion, said: “All Research Councils seek to ensure that the outputs and outcomes of their funded research have significant short and long-term benefits for the economy and society.
“Through the research we fund, the infrastructure we provide and manage, both nationally and globally, the talents we develop and help prosper, and the partnerships with business, industry and government that we forge; the Research Councils nurture innovation and the broad contributions of our world-class research to the growth and wellbeing of the UK.”
In addition, RCUK will be launching a new exhibition at Innovate UK 2013, which brings together world-leading innovation from all seven Research Councils and demonstrates how publicly funded research directly contributes to UK growth and wellbeing. Day one of the event focuses on how collaboration between the UK research base, business and the wider 'innovation ecosystem' supports business growth and impact. It will address issues such as protection for intellectual property, standards development, and access to funding.
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Further information
Contact:
Katie Clark
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Tel: 01793 444592 or email: Katie Clark
Notes to editors
Innovation and the Research Councils is available here.
Innovate UK 2013 is a joint venture from the Technology Strategy Board and UK Trade & Investment, which sees the two organisations unite the highly successful Innovate and TechWorld events. www.innovateuk2013.co.uk
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Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils who annually invest around £3 billion in research. We support excellent research, as judged by peer review, that has an impact on the growth, prosperity and wellbeing of the UK. To maintain the UK’s global research position we offer a diverse range of funding opportunities, foster international collaborations and provide access to the best facilities and infrastructure around the world. We also support the training and career development of researchers and work with them to inspire young people and engage the wider public with research. To maximise the impact of research on economic growth and societal wellbeing we work in partnership with other research funders including the Technology Strategy Board, the UK Higher Education funding bodies, business, government, and charitable organisations. 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).