CaSE sets out four actions for a thriving future research system

The Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE) has put forward a list of actions which the government, funders and the research sector need to take – in order to better position the UK’s R&D system to meet future economic, societal and strategic challenges.

The latest publication, as part of its Reimagining R&D series, is based on the idea that the R&D system needs future-proofing against coming challenges. Following consultation across the sector, the campaign group has set out four overarching recommendations, alongside the series of briefings on specific areas which it has published in recent months.

CaSE argues that the UK will have to be “more strategic” about its research strengths, and highlights the need for an international R&D strategy. It also proposes that the sector needs to be more “visible”, and better at highlighting its own value.

In the short-term, both the government and research funders are called on to take action to protect the financial sustainability of the sector. Finally, CaSE stresses the need for longer-term funding cycles, sustained infrastructure investment, and an end to the constantly changing policy landscape which has characterised recent years.

Today’s publication is accompanied by three briefings on different dimensions of a positive future R&D system. The latest, on the economic and societal benefits of research, makes recommendations including that public engagement should be made a core part of R&D funding, and that government, funders, universities, businesses, charities and public bodies should “align around a clearer, more coherent, cross-sector narrative of how R&D delivers both economic and societal value.”