200 likes | 302 Views
Research Councils UK Investing in Excellence with Impact. Alexandra Saxon Head 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
E N D
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
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 Industrial Strategy Life Science Information Economy Education Professional Business Services Construction Agri-tech Automotive Aerospace Nuclear Offshore wind Oil & Gas Eight Great Technologies Advanced materials nano -technology Agri-science Energy storage Regenerative Medicine Robotics and Autonomous systems Satellites and Space Synthetic biology Big data
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
Driving innovation and growth Funding research & innovation Brokering partnership & engagement Knowledge exchange Translation Researchers Business Co-design Co-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.
Any questions? alexandra.saxon@rcuk.ac.uk @AlexandraSaxon