UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) have announced through their Chief Executive Ian Chapman that they are now advising universities to be “more strategic” in their funding applications.
In a speech to journalists at the Science Media Centre in London, Chapman stated that he wants UKRI to have a “strategic relationship” with universities.
The implication is that Universities have been focusing on short-term, “tactical” goals of securing maximum funding, rather than aiming for greater specialisation which would encourage disciplinary excellence.
Chapman acknowledged that this could mean fewer but larger grants being awarded from now on.
UKRI is a non-governmental public body funded by the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology. Their annual budget of £9 bn is used to support STEM research projects.
Chapman, who was appointed as Chief Executive in February by Science Minister Lord Vallance, admitted he wants his legacy to be defined by the growth in economic opportunities, as he aims to “tangibly improve the economic opportunities for our citizens.”
This new approach reflects the government’s position, which calls for more research specialisation in order to bolster their economic growth agenda. As Chapman described it, they will be doing “fewer things in research but doing them really well.”
“16EC2818 UKAEA CEO Prof Ian Chapman” by Cccheong is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.