research councils uk investing in excellence with impact alexandra saxon head of rcuk strategy unit
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Research Councils UKInvesting in Excellence with Impact
Alexandra SaxonHead of RCUK Strategy Unit
Research Councils
We invest £3 billion pa in knowledge creation and its translation:
World-class research
Facilities and technologies
High-level skills, PhD training
Knowledge exchange, innovation
Research Councils UK (RCUK)
• Partnership of the UK’s seven Research Councils.
• Key areas of activity:– Research policy– Knowledge exchange and impact– International– Research careers– Equality and diversity.– Public engagement with research.– Efficiency and harmonisation
Research Council allocations2011 - 2015
AHRC
BBSRC
EPSR
C ES
RC MRC
NERC
STFC
- Core
Progra
mme
STFC
- Cro
ss-Council
faciliti
es1
STFC
- Inter
national
Subscr
iptions20
100,000
200,000
300,000
400,000
500,000
600,000
700,000
800,000
900,000
Baseline 2010-112011-122012-132013-142014-15
Science budget allocations 2011 - 2015
Baseline 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 0
500,000
1,000,000
1,500,000
2,000,000
2,500,000
3,000,000
2,549,353 2,596,196 2,573,678 2,586,641 2,599,812
1,731,3001,662,112 1,699,578 1,685,689 1,686,321
87,832 87,465 86,547 86,547 86,54743,616 24,496 24,140 24,165 24,005
163,805 205,637 191,963 192,864 179,221
Research Councils
HEFCE (QR+HEIF)
National Academies
Other Programmes
UK Space Agency
Supporting UK research excellence
UK ranked 2nd in world for research excellence
Innovation
Applying knowledge or ideas to develop new products, services or processes…
New ways of living, doing business, growing economies
For business, public services, non-profit sectors
Partners in innovation and growth
Researchers
Universities
Public research institutes
Users
Business
Government policy
Public service
Co-funders
Research Councils, HEFCE
TSB
Government Depts, Agencies
Local authorities
International
Brokers
UKTI, LEPs, CBI
NCUB, NESTA, FST
Non-profit, NGOs
Academies, learned societies
Supporting Government growth strategy
Aerospace Agri-tech Automotive Construction
EducationInformation
Economy
Agri-science
Advanced materials
nano -technology
Big data Energy storage
Regenerative Medicine
Robotics and Autonomous
systems
Satellites and Space
Synthetic biology
Eight Great Technologies
Oil & GasOffshore windNuclear
Life Science
Professional Business Services
Industrial Strategy
Engaging with business
Listening to business needs
Brokering access to scientists, data, skills
Translating existing knowledge
Co-designing new research and innovation with more than 2,500 businesses
11
Drivinginnovation and growth
Researchers Business
Brokeringpartnership & engagement
Fundingresearch & innovation
Knowledge exchangeTranslation
Co-designCo-delivery
Public Engagement
• Three core aims:
– Listening to the public
– Inspiring young people
– Supporting researchers
Case studies
Dr Mark Reed, Rural Economy and Land Use
Dr Ceri Lewis, University of Exeter
Excellence with impact
RCUK is committed to excellence with impact.
This means continuing to invest in the best research, people and infrastructure; whilst aiming to
enhance the impact of that funding on society.
What is impact?
• The demonstrable contribution that excellent research makes to society and the economy by:
– fostering global economic performance, and specifically the economic competitiveness of the UK,
– increasing the effectiveness of public services and policy,
– enhancing quality of life, health and creative output.
The application process
Academic beneficiaries • Should cover potential academic impact and pathways towards realising
that.
Impact Summary • Should cover potential economic and societal impact and seek to
answer two questions:• Who might benefit from this research?• How might they benefit from this research?
Pathways to Impact• Should detail the activities which will help to engage with the identified
potential beneficiaries:• What will be done to ensure that potential beneficiaries?
have the opportunity to engage with this research?
Pathways to Impact
• Think about who might benefit and the sorts of activities that might engage with those beneficiaries at an early stage of planning your research.
• Think about the resources needed for engagement from the outset.
• The primary criterion for RCUK funding remains excellent research.
Common characteristics
Common characteristics of problematic quality Pathways to Impact
Common characteristics of high quality Pathways to Impact
Vagueness, lack of specificity
Activities are not project specific, but routine activities for University research posts
Lack of consideration of broader beneficiaries, likely impacts and appropriate mechanisms.
Activities narrowly focused and end focused.
Good consideration of the relevant beneficiaries, user needs and tailored activities
Clear description of deliverables and milestones.
Involvement of users from the outset.
Clear commitment for realising both academic and non academic research impacts.
