Universities UK responds to comments from Business Secretary Vince Cable on science funding
Universities UK has responded to comments today by Business Secretary Vince Cable about government investment in scientific research.
Speaking from the Universities UK annual conference at Cranfield University, Professor Steve Smith, President of Universities UK, said: "Universities understand the constraints on public funding and the need to target scarce resources in the most effective way possible. However, the coalition government is in danger of sending the message that the UK is not a serious player in the field of science and innovation.
"The UK is currently a world leader in science and research. We’re second only to the US in producing 14% of the world’s most highly cited papers, despite our size and relatively lower levels of public and private funding.
"Research funding in the UK is already funded selectively on the principle of excellence. 87 per cent of UK research submitted to the RAE is already either world leading, internationally excellent or recognised internationally. Levels of research funding are strongly weighted towards world leading research and internationally excellent research. This makes it highly concentrated."
Professor Steve Smith will be addressing these issues during his keynote speech tomorrow (10.30am) at the Universities UK annual members’ conference at Cranfield University. The Universities Minister David Willetts will also address the conference tomorrow morning.
Notes
1. The results of the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE2008) shows quality levels as:
4* Quality that is world-leading (17 %)
3* Quality that is internationally excellent (37%)
2* Quality that is recognised internationally (33%)
1* Quality that is recognised nationally (11%)
Visit: http://www.rae.ac.uk/news/2008/results.asp
2. In terms of research funding (in England): 4* research is weighted 9, 3* 3 and 2* 1, 1* and unclassified research receives no funding.
3. For more information about Vince Cable's speech, visit: http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/Detail.aspx?ReleaseID=415357&NewsAreaID=2
4. Universities UK’s members’ annual conference will take place at Cranfield University from 7 - 9 September 2010. Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts will address members on the morning of Thursday 9 September following the keynote speech from Universities UK President Professor Steve Smith. The Universities UK press office can be contacted at the conference in Cranfield University on 07766 997091 or email
pressunit@universitiesuk.ac.uk
5. Universities UK (UUK) is the representative organisation for the UK’s universities. Founded in 1918, its mission is to be the definitive voice for all universities in the UK, providing high quality leadership and support to its members to promote a successful and diverse higher education sector. With 133 members and offices in London, Cardiff and Edinburgh, it promotes the strength and success of UK universities nationally and internationally. Visit:
www.universitiesuk.ac.uk