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 ESR

C MRC

NERC

STFC - C

ore Pro

gramme

STFC - C

ross-Council

faciliti

es1

STFC - I

nternati

onal Su

bscriptions2

0

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 serviceCo-fundersResearch Councils, HEFCE

TSB

Government Depts, Agencies

Local authorities

International

BrokersUKTI, LEPs, CBI

NCUB, NESTA, FST

Non-profit, NGOs

Academies, learned societies

Supporting Government growth strategy

Aerospace Agri-tech Automotive Construction

Education Information Economy

Agri-science

Advanced materials

nano -technology

Big data Energy storage

Regenerative Medicine

Robotics and Autonomous

systems

Satellites and Space

Synthetic biology

Eight Great TechnologiesOil & 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.

Any questions?alexandra.saxon@rcuk.ac.uk

@AlexandraSaxon