Written submission to the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology Inquiry into Delivering a UK Science and Technology Strategy

Abstract:

The House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology Inquiry's call for evidence in early 2022 asked for contributions on whether the UK research and innovation system can deliver the ambition to increase the proportion of GDP spent on research and development to 2.4% by 2027 and to make the UK a 'science and tech superpower' by 2030. This document is the written evidence submitted by the Faraday Institution, submitted to this inquiry titled Delivering a UK Science and Technology Strategy. It provides evidence to the following five questions: What would it mean for the UK to be a 'science superpower?' Does the introduction of a science and technology strategy challenge the Haldane principle and UKRI's commitment to fund outstanding research? Is the UK realising the potential of its research investment? What more should be done to encourage private-sector investment in research and development in the UK? How well does the UK collaborate on research with international partners and what can it learn from other countries? This submission emphasised the need for long-term funding in areas of strategic importance based on learnings from other international research organisations. Top researchers can sometimes require 5 to 10 years to deliver research outcomes that can be commercialised. Linking fundamental research directly to the relevant industrial challenges is expected to realise much richer benefits than current research practices. In particular, the response highlighted the need for research institutions and research programmes to be actively reviewed, influenced and challenged by the private sector.

Publication Year:

2022

Publisher:

Faraday Institution

DOI:

No DOI minted

Author(s):

Faraday Institution