A report out today (Thursday) shows the UK continuing to lead the way in building international research collaborations - but cautions that universities must build on these links in the context of an increasingly globalised research environment.

The report - by Technopolis for Universities UK and the UK Higher Education International Unit - finds that strengthening research collaboration is also vital if science is to meet the big global challenges such as climate change and infectious disease. It is also important that the UK continues to attract and retain links with the best scientific talent to ensure that it stays at the centre of global innovation networks.

The report reviews trends, examines competitor countries’ policies and UK universities’ management of international research collaboration.

The reports finds that:

• UK scientists are engaged in 50 per cent more international collaborations than 10 years ago
• there has been strong growth in international research collaboration in the recent past which is expected to continue
• international research activity has increased its share of total UK research outputs from 30 per cent in the 1990s to around 40 per cent in 2005
• the UK’s most prolific international partnerships are with researchers in the United States, Germany and France
• the UK’s fastest growing international partnerships are with researchers in China, where there has been a doubling in the output of international research papers between the 1990s and 2005
• larger, well established research countries, including the UK, have seen their share of global international research output eroded
• strategically managing this activity will help universities build on existing international partnerships

Professor Eric Thomas, Chair of Universities UK's Research Policy Committee, said: “There is a commitment from all institutions across the sector to expand the level of international research collaborative activity. Having a strong international research record ensures the UK continues to be seen as one of the locations of choice for researchers, or a key partner of choice.

“As the report confirms, universities must build on this success and ensure that all institutions have a strategy in place to increase international research links.”
ENDS

Notes

1. The research report - “International research collaboration: opportunities for the UK higher education sector” - is available to download from the UUK website by clicking here
2. For more information on the work of the UK Higher Education International Unit, visit: www.international.ac.uk/
3. Universities UK is the major representative body and membership organisation for the higher education sector. It represents the UK's universities and some higher education colleges. Its 132 members http://www.UniversitiesUK.ac.uk/members/ are the executive heads of these institutions. Universities UK works closely with policy makers and key education stakeholders to advance the interests of universities and to spread good practice throughout the higher education sector. Founded in 1918 and formerly known as the Committee for Vice-Chancellors and Principals (CVCP), Universities UK is celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2008.
4. Technopolis provides high quality, practical, knowledge-based research, advice and management support services to policy makers and those responsible for putting policy into practice. http://www.technopolis-group.com/