Research and innovation conference 2022

• Professor Karen Holford CBE, Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor, Cranfield University

• Professor Paul Boyle, Vice-Chancellor, Swansea University and Lead for Research and Innovation, Universities UK
• Professor Dame Jessica Corner DBE, Executive Chair, Research England

• Professor Mark Smith, Vice-Chancellor, University of Southampton
• Dr Kate Turton, Interim Head of Research Sustainability and Engagement, UK Research and Innovation, UKRI
• Professor Richard Catlow, Professor, University College London (UCL) and Cardiff University and Former Foreign Secretary and Vice-President, The Royal Society 

The higher education sector is experiencing a financially turbulent time, and decisions that are made in individual organisations and in the policy space, mean that universities are needing to consider how they do their research and what areas they specialise in. This session explores what impact this all has on the research and innovation community.

• Professor Richard Jones, Vice-President for Regional Innovation & Civic Engagement, University of Manchester
• Alex Favier, Director of Global Reputation and Relations, University of Nottingham
• Dr Joe Marshall, CEO, NCUB

Turning research and innovation into a business is not only about recognising opportunity but is also vital for economic growth in the UK. It is estimated that in the next 5 years, nearly 20,000 businesses and charities will be formed as a result of universities. Universities are also a magnet for securing global business investment, and these investments can play a major role in creating high-skilled jobs in local industries. This session will discuss the role of research and innovation in the levelling up agenda, including how international partnerships can have great local impact.

Choose one to attend

• Linda Holliday, Deputy Director for Global Mobility and Employee Inclusion, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) 
• Dr Anjali Shah, Former Co-Chair, UK Research Staff Association and Research Manager, University of Oxford
• Chair: Harry Anderson, Policy Manager, Universities UK

International postgraduate research (PGR) students are critical for the UK’s R&D capability and the UK’s future talent pipeline to support the government’s long-term goal of making the UK a science superpower. This session will discuss how we can support and diversify international postgraduate recruitment to the UK, including how overcoming financial and immigration barriers could significantly help sustain a dynamic and inclusive research environment.

• Heather Bovill, Deputy Director for Surveys and Economic Indicators, Office for National Statistics

• Hannah Browne, Lead Policy and Research Analyst (Knowledge Exchange), HESA

• Chair: Jovan Luzajic, Policy Manager, Universities UK

This session will delve into how the use of data and statistics is fundamental for measuring research and innovation impact. How can you use data to answer important questions, demonstrate positive results, and drive growth?

• Professor Matthew Flinders, Professor of Politics, University of Sheffield
• Nick Hillman, Director, HEPI
• Jon Baldwin, Director of Business Development & HE Strategy, Worktribe

As the research endeavour becomes more complex, collaborative and co-designed, research leadership has become more important than it has ever been. In this session we will discuss how researchers will need to develop new skills in working with larger teams and networks, ensuring that the UK research is “fit for the future” rather than “fit for the past”

• Dr Hamish McAlpine, Principal Consultant, Oxentia
• Shomari Lewis-Wilson, Senior Manager, Research Culture & Communities, Wellcome
• Tripti Rana Magar, Senior Strategy Advisor, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) 
• Hilary Noone, Research & Innovation Culture Lead, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) 

In this session you will hear an update on the project commissioned by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Wellcome Trust, which aims to inform conversations about how the initiatives can best promote a more inclusive and welcoming research culture while minimising bureaucracy.

• Professor Ralf Toumi, Co-Director of the Grantham Institute, Climate Change and the Environment, Imperial College London
• Briony Latter, Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations, Cardiff University
• Joanna Marshall-Cook, Head of Sustainability Programmes, University College London (UCL)
• Chair: Julie Tam, Deputy Director, Policy, Universities UK

This session will provide case studies of how research is integral to tackling the climate emergency, and how to conduct your research with sustainable practices.  

• Dr Ben Bleasdale, Director, Discovery Decade project, Campaign for Science and Engineering 
• Kim Hackett, REF director, Research England
• Dr Lewis Dean, Head of Wales Innovation Network, Universities Wales
• Chair: Michael Thompson, Interim Director of Communications, Universities UK

This session will discuss how we can evidence and communicate research and innovation impact to gain public and political support to ensure that the research and development community can thrive.

• Professor Karen Holford CBE, Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor, Cranfield University

• Christopher Buckland, Head of Research Commercial, Cranfield University
• Kelly Pullin, Head of Strategic Co-ordination, Research England
• Sarah Ashwood, Senior Policy Advisor, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)

Whilst there is a good understanding in the sector on managing security-related issues, how do we disseminate this information down to research leaders and managers to embed it into research practice? This session will discuss how researchers can be supported to ensure they are considering issues for national security throughout the research process.

• Dr Joe Marshall, CEO, NCUB  
• Shomari Lewis-Wilson, Senior Manager, Research Culture & Communities, Wellcome
• Chris Hale, Director of Policy, Universities UK

With numerous reviews concluding in the sector, we will end the day looking to the future and discussing the likely landscape for research and innovation over the next few years. 

• Professor Karen Holford, Vice-Chancellor, Cranfield University