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UK’s ‘R&D roadmap’ is published today by @beisgovuk. It reaffirms govt’s pledge to double public R&D investment to £22bn a year by 2025, and initiates a consultation on how this should be allocated https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-fires-up-rd-across-the-country-to-cement-the-uk-as-science-superpower (1/9)
Initial headlines: 300m fast-tracked for scientific infrastructure; new ‘Office for Talent’ based in No.10 to attract ‘top global science, research & innovation talent’; extension for PhD graduates’ right to live & work in UK to 3 years; & new Innovation Expert Group. (2/9)
But the real action is yet to come, as Roadmap triggers a ‘big conversation on what actions need to be taken & how’. Includes 8 ‘high level questions’ which will lead to a ‘comprehensive R&D plan’ as part of autumn Spending Review. (3/9)
Much to welcome here: strong focus on lessons to draw from coordinated R&D responses to Covid-19; role of R&D in post-pandemic rebuild; research culture; talent & mobility (inc new ‘R&D People & Culture Strategy’). (4/9)
Section on global collaboration restates aim for UK involvement in Horizon Europe projects ‘open to third countries’. But strikes a harder note on wider association, which is dependent on ‘a fair & balanced deal’. (5/9)
Also notes that ‘if the UK does not associate with...Horizon Europe, the government will commit to meeting any funding shortfalls and putting in place alternative schemes.’ So closer EU links will be weighed alongside other options on cost-benefit basis for UK research. (6/9)
Allowing PhD students to remain longer in the UK is a v welcome move. And Office for Talent is also potentially a good idea - provided it defines “talent” in a suitably broad way. Does seem odd though to base this in No.10 (albeit par for the course under present regime). (7/9)
Much talk in the document of need for ‘moonshots’ (apparently a term favoured by the PM). Reminds me of this Nature guide to scientific buzzwords & fuzzwords: https://www.nature.com/news/big-science-has-a-buzzword-problem-1.21354 (8/9)
Hopefully the journey from roadmap to ‘comprehensive plan’ will now be guided by an open, consultative and evidence-informed process. (9/9)
More coverage of R&D Roadmap & Office for Talent here: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jul/01/office-for-talent-to-be-set-up-for-scientists-who-want-to-work-in-uk?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other &
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/work-visas-for-phd-students-extended-to-boost-innovation-96ctgmtw2
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/work-visas-for-phd-students-extended-to-boost-innovation-96ctgmtw2
Full text of R&D Roadmap is now online here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-research-and-development-roadmap
Plus @beisgovuk has opened its online consultation here https://beisgovuk.citizenspace.com/innovation/r-and-d-survey/
