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A thread on Investment and Place in today's BEIS R&D Roadmap:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-research-and-development-roadmap
1/ It’s a staggeringly comprehensive (and honest) SWOT analysis for UK R&D, and a sprawling sector consultation.
If the Manifesto was for the cash, this Roadmap is for the questions.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-research-and-development-roadmap
1/ It’s a staggeringly comprehensive (and honest) SWOT analysis for UK R&D, and a sprawling sector consultation.
If the Manifesto was for the cash, this Roadmap is for the questions.
2/ The 2.4% target survives, sitting proudly alongside its recent partner: “£22bn by 2024/25”.This double-act of deadlines/targets still feels too abstract as a public-facing message, but the sums are certainly transformational.
Without doubt the 2020's are the R&D Decade.
3/ Cautious praise for UKRI is balanced by a vote of confidence in its "central role" in delivering the Roadmap.UKRI to be supported to "develop a strong voice" for R&D. Our imminent R&D Decade report will offer some thoughts on finding that voice: https://wellcome.ac.uk/what-we-do/our-work/our-policy-work-government-investment-research
4/ New money = new approach? The Roadmap chimes in on calls for greater risk appetite in the UK’s R&D funding system.The UK's new £800m ARPA-style funder will be a big experiment, but BEIS obviously see high-risk funding as gap in the UK’s offering.
5/ Fundamental change ahead for universities, as the Roadmap calls for a new ‘compact’ with English institutions.A brief mention of strengthening “accountability for discretionary funding” (read: QR) could veil a huge shift in financial autonomy for HE.
One to watch.
6/ This ‘compact’ extends to a wider review of university R&D funding, to find a "healthy balance" across dual-funding.However, positive to see QR's varied roles noted (building partnerships, nurturing new fields), as showcased in our QR/REG report:
https://wellcome.ac.uk/sites/default/files/empowering-uk-universities-how-strategic-institutional-support-helps-research-thrive.pdf
7/ Can’t see anyone disagreeing with the future of REF aspiring to be "fair" and "unbureaucratic".But a tension may arise between a desire to streamline, and REF's potential role in incentivising the Roadmap's other ambitions (e.g. research culture).
8/ And a review of full economic costs too? Christmas comes early for my inner nerd.Government will "work with other funders to consider opportunities to fund a great proportion of fECs".
Long a thorn in the sector’s side, could a sustainable solution be on the horizon?
9/ On Place, we’re offered more oomph behind the levelling up agenda.The R&D Place Strategy will be joined by an R&D Place Advisory Group to explore broadening local influence in decision-making, and "significantly expanding" the regional presence of national R&D funders
10/ Those behind the recent ‘Missing £4bn’ report will surely welcome the Roadmap asking whether "existing, core funding streams deliver sufficient economic benefit to places across the UK".Their report already has some fresh ideas ready to pitch: https://www.nesta.org.uk/report/the-missing-4-billion/
11/ In summary, the Roadmap leaves no stone unturned, questioning the money, motivations and methods that will propel UK R&D into the future.
At a time of change for the UK, its a much-needed pitstop and hopefully a chance for an honest conversation about what works.
At a time of change for the UK, its a much-needed pitstop and hopefully a chance for an honest conversation about what works.
