Panel discussion: Does the UK do too much research?

UK research and innovation will receive an extra £2bn annual public funding by 2020, and the Government has made a commitment to increase total R&D investment in the UK to 3% of GDP, with 2.4% milestone in 2027. Meanwhile, the establishment of UKRI represents a shift in the structure of the research funding landscape. Successful delivery will require major increases in business investment alongside higher levels of public spending. This raises important questions:

• Are research and innovation funders currently investing in too many research topics without resourcing projects adequately?
• Should the research community keep exploring further areas or should funding could be concentrated in a smaller number of existing fields with high potential?
• What are the optimum roles of universities, research institutes and business within the research and innovation landscape?
• What is the optimum balance of funding between different funding streams?
• Who should determine research and innovation priorities?

This panel discussion will bring together representatives from funders, business and academia to consider these and other questions and reflect on how the UK can continue to ensure a world-leading and sustainable research base.

The panel members will be:

• Felicity Burch, Head of Innovation and Digital, CBI
• Richard Jones, Professor of Physics, University of Sheffield
• Imran Khan, Head of Public Engagement, Wellcome
• Graeme Reid, Professor of Science and Research Policy, UCL (Chair)
• Helen Swift, Public Affairs, Airbus

Event schedule:

18:00-19:30 Panel discussion

19:30-20.30 Drinks reception

Register for the event