The Welcome Packs begin with an introduction to R&D and the organisations sponsoring this work. With a new cohort of MSs entering the Senedd, it is vital that the sector articulates what R&D is and how it benefits lives and livelihoods in Wales. They then contain information bespoke to the MS’s constituency or the nation.
Explore the contents
National and constituency-level statistics demonstrating appetite for action on R&D
Policy recommendations on how to support the R&D sector in Wales
Case studies showcasing the breadth of R&D happening across the nation
National and constituency-level statistics
In January 2026, CaSE polled 1,626 adults (16+) in Wales to understand how people think and feel about R&D. Bespoke insights from this research were included in the booklets for MSs, both at a national and constituency level.
How do people in Wales feel about R&D?
CaSE’s research shows that people in Wales:
Want to know more about R&D
Eight in ten people have heard of Research & Development and 53% were interested in hearing about R&D in the run up to the Senedd elections in May.
See R&D as an asset to their communities
Most (60%) would be proud if their area became well known as an important R&D hub in Wales and half (49%) would support an R&D laboratory being built in their area.
Want to see sustained R&D investment
Half (50%) think the Welsh Government should increase or maintain the amount of public money it invests in R&D in Wales.
Value R&D investment, regardless of their political leanings
A strong majority think it is important for the Welsh Government to invest in R&D, irrespective of which political party they intend to vote for.
Want all of the R&D sector to be supported
Around two thirds think that it should be a priority for the Welsh Government to support research carried out in Welsh universities and research organisations (68%) and to attract leading multinational research companies to bring R&D centres and jobs to Wales (66%).
What do Welsh constituents think?
CaSE commissioned constituency-level analysis to model constituents’ expected attitudes to their representatives, or the Welsh Government, taking actions to support R&D both locally and nationally. You can use the look up tool below to explore attitudes across constituencies.
Policy recommendations for MSs
In addition to encouraging MSs to start a conversation about what R&D can do for them and their constituency, CaSE has set out six policy asks of the new cohort of MSs to help R&D thrive in Wales.
We are calling on MSs to urge the Welsh Government to take the following actions:
Increase public R&D investment in Wales and secure joined-up, cross-party commitments to sustain this trajectory for the long-term.
Support a variety of pathways into R&D to create and retain a skilled workforce in Wales that underpins the next generation of jobs and industries.
Build on and leverage Wales’ strengths in R&D to maximise the nation’s share of UK and international funding.
Partner with universities and research organisations to develop sustainable funding models that enable long-term research and innovation.
Incentivise collaboration across universities, the NHS, businesses and other research organisations to accelerate adoption of research.
Strengthen access and signposting to R&D finance and commercialisation support to help innovative businesses start, grow, and stay in Wales.
Case studies of R&D across Wales
Wales has a wealth of excellence in R&D, with organisations across the nation expanding our understanding of the world, tackling society’s biggest challenges and engaging different audiences.
Each pack contains local case studies showcasing how R&D is improving lives and livelihoods in the constituency and across Wales and encouraging MSs to reach out to see it in action. You can explore all the case studies gathered, grouped by constituency, and find out more about each using the tool below.
Find out more