It’s well known that universities are central to training the next generation of teachers, nurses, engineers and entrepreneurs. Another often overlooked area of what UK universities do is research and innovation.
Research is the discovery and creation of new knowledge and ideas. Universities undertake many different types of research, from cutting-edge activity that leads to new discoveries and breakthroughs, to equally important foundational research, which provides evidence and understanding of complex topics.
Innovation is how universities share their knowledge, research, and facilities to help develop new ideas and products, peoples’ skills and new or emerging businesses, as well as support for industry and public services.
Together, university research and innovation are making life-changing discoveries, attracting billions in investment across the UK, and creating the jobs and businesses of now and for the future. But for this to continue, UK universities need a long-term, sustainable commitment from government.
Every day, university researchers are expanding our knowledge, solving today’s biggest challenges and preparing us for what tomorrow brings.
From making groundbreaking scientific and medical discoveries to creating the products and jobs of the future. University research makes a real difference to people’s lives.
Research that is happening in every part of the UK is among the best in the world – over 80% was classified as ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ in the latest national assessment.
Breakthroughs like fibre broadband, the Covid-19 vaccine and wind power technology were all developed at UK universities.
And it’s not just our medical and scientific research. Research in the humanities, social sciences and arts is equally vital – our creative industries alone are worth £115 billion*.
Research undertaken at Loughborough University has been pivotal in getting a Living Wage established as a recognised standard across the UK, and its adoption by around 13,000 Living Wage employers.
Research in one field can also often be applied to another. For example, there is a range of research in the arts and humanities that tackle medical challenges.
A project by researchers at the University of Nottingham, and funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) is using storytelling to transform how eating disorders in men and boys are understood. The research is helping medical practitioners and educators to reflect on their engagement with males who may be suffering from eating disorders.
Falmouth University’s flagship programme for economic regeneration in Cornwall, Launchpad, uses their research and innovation as well as partnerships with industry to create new high-growth companies that are based in the county. Since it was established in 2016, the project has created 73 new businesses, 189 jobs, 59 new to market products, and helped to generate £22.5 million Gross Value Added (GVA) to the local economy.
University research creates the knowledge to make us ready for future challenges and opportunities, whatever they may be.
Many universities are helping us to understand and take advantage of new technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI). For example, ground-breaking advancements in data analytics by researchers at the University of the West of Scotland have led to wide-ranging socio-economic impacts globally. From smart farming adoption in South East Asia, to award-winning search and rescue drone developments used by Police Scotland.
Our universities also kickstart new businesses, help industry innovate, and support public services.
The knowledge created by university research also improves teaching at universities, equipping students with the skills they need for the future.
This report puts forward practical actions to address economic and social disparities across the UK.
King’s College London is innovatively using simulation and the latest technologies to help train the next generation of health care professionals.
The University of Birmingham, working in partnership with Siemens, uses the university’s campuses in Birmingham and Dubai as a ‘living lab’, where data from the university’s building technologies, estates infrastructure and energy plants provide applied learning for students and create a platform for cutting-edge research.
Universities collaborate with partners around the globe, helping tackle the world’s biggest challenges, like infectious diseases and the climate emergency.
Scientists at the University of Manchester and the University of Liverpool have developed a new vaccine for the Zika virus, which is currently being trialled. If successful, the new trial could lead to a major breakthrough in tackling the Zika virus, for which there are still no approved vaccines or treatments available anywhere in the world.
Researchers at University College London (UCL) are working with partners in the US on new technology that could lower the carbon footprint of fabric and plastic manufacturing and researchers at Bangor University have developed a tool that is being used to assess and minimise the ecological impact of commercial fishing methods.
Research and innovation brings billions of pounds in investment into towns, cities and regions all over the UK and plays a huge role in generating economic growth by supporting jobs and prosperity, boosting skills and opportunities, and building pride in place and local communities.
Public funding for university research and innovation helps bring in private investment, allowing universities to maximise their impact and support long-term economic growth and prosperity across the UK.
It also delivers value for money, with proven returns on investment for public funding – every £1 of public R&D spending stimulates between £1.96 and £2.34 of private spending.
But to make sure this continues, universities need long-term, stable funding and strategy from the UK Government. Without this, UK universities’ capability for world-leading research and innovation will suffer, impacting our ability to drive growth and prosperity across the country.
*The UK creative industries contributed £115.9bn Gross Value Added (GVA) the UK economy in 2019.