November 2024
Starting from:
£99 + VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
This conference focused on next steps for growing the UK’s role in international research and R&D collaboration.
It was an opportunity to assess the way forward for increasing UK research capabilities and expanding international partnerships to help meet global challenges.
With innovation cited by the new Government as a key enabler for achieving ambitions for economic growth, alongside a focus on improved relationships with the EU and globally - but set against financial constraints - delegates discussed how these tensions can best be addressed in the context of international research strategy. We also expected discussion on how financial challenges being experienced by HEIs could impact the UK contribution to international research.
Delegates discussed how government and regulators can work with stakeholders to:
- structure longer R&D funding cycles proposed by the Government, stimulate private investment, and improve partnerships with industry
- identify opportunities for support from the National Wealth Fund, the Industrial Strategy and reforms to the planning system
- expand skills in key sectors identified by the Government, such as aerospace, AI, automotive, defence, energy and life sciences
In light of the UK’s re-association with the EU-funded Horizon Europe and Copernicus programmes on the same terms as member states, attendees discussed how to further boost research participation and maximise the benefits of renewed partnerships. They also discussed how the UK can continue to promote its added value as a member and contribute to shaping policy priorities for the next funding programmes.
We expected the conference to bring out latest thinking on identifying and forging new international partnerships, including with the Global South, following the recent G7 Science and Technology Ministerial agreeing shared commitments to strengthen international collaboration and boost research, as well as to move forward R&D cooperation with Africa.
Further areas for discussion included strategies for maintaining the UK’s attractiveness as a research destination, how best to harness the UK’s established research clusters, and options for hosting a new international research facility, as well as attracting global talent and improving researcher mobility while retaining expertise within the UK.
All delegates were able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. Those that attended include officials from DBT; DfE; DSIT; UKRI; UKSIN; Defra; Dstl; IPO; HMRC; Department for the Economy, NI; DESNZ; DHSC; EA; FCDO; FSA; GO-Science; IPO; UKHSA; UKSA; the Welsh Government; and The Scottish Government.
