Universities enable future Government to deliver healthier, more sustainable UK through R & D

The Russell Group has published its manifesto setting out its vision for a bright future powered by research, innovation, and future skills development.

The Russell Group, which is chaired by Newcastle University Vice-Chancellor Professor Chris Day, has urged the next UK Government to commit to world-leading R&D investment to harness the power of world-leading research-intensive universities and strengthen the UK’s economy and resilience.   

Russell Group analysis shows that an additional £4bn in public R&D funding per year by 2029/30 is needed to sustainably meet a commitment of at least 3 per cent of GDP invested in R&D. A stretch target of 3.5 per cent GDP investment in R&D by 2034 would bring the UK closer to competitors in the OECD. 

  The analysis forms part of the Russell Group’s manifesto ‘A Bright Future’ released today (9 November 2023), detailing some of the key areas where universities and the next Government can work together to support future research and development and skills and workforce training in the UK.  

Professor Day, Vice-Chancellor and President of Newcastle University and Chair of the Russell Group, said: “Our universities, the research we do and the students we educate, will be key to enabling a future Government to deliver a healthier, more sustainable, and more resilient United Kingdom, underpinned by a thriving innovation-driven economy.

“This manifesto clearly demonstrates the potential that exists in universities to deliver for the UK, from providing a pipeline of skilled healthcare workers for the NHS to accelerating progress towards Net Zero. We look forward to working closely with the next Government and utilising our strength in R&D to provide the solutions that will build a bright and prosperous future for the UK.”

A Bright Future outlines how research-intensive universities, such as Newcastle University, already add significant value to the North East and the UK as a whole, but are keen to do even more to drive sustainable economic growth, create new jobs and boost public services.   

Dr Tim Bradshaw, chief executive of the Russell Group, said: “Research being carried out at Russell Group universities is delivering breakthroughs that are creating skilled jobs, giving the UK a competitive advantage in new fields like AI and giving the NHS new treatments and technologies to help keep us healthy.

“Supporting quality R&D and innovation and being ambitious for our research sector will be crucial to building a bright future for the UK. Get this right, and the next Government would be taking a huge step towards tackling problems like growing NHS waiting lists.”

The University already leads the National Driving the Electric Revolution Industrialisation Centre (DER-IC) project, the Institute of Electrification and Sustainable Advanced Manufacturing (IESAM), the National Battery Training and Skills Academy and is also home to the Faraday Institution’s only regional office, all with a focus on various aspects of electrification.

DER-IC is a national programme that helps industry develop the supply chains for power electronics, machines, and drives (PEMD) for all aspects of electrification. The National Battery Training and Skills Academy develops the skilled workforce for the Battery manufacturing companies delivered in partnership with New College Durham.

Co-funded by UKRI and Innovate UK, IESAM works across the region’s universities and the North East Institute of Technology to provide a common curriculum for electrification skills aimed at students, apprentices and college lecturers. Crucially, IESAM also works with industry to ensure its programme are aligned with industry needs.

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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