The future of UK research and development (R&D) is at a pivotal moment. It faces a complex interplay of global and domestic uncertainties including from a changing geopolitical context, domestic political fragmentation, declining public trust in institutions and rapid technological development. Now is the time for the R&D sector to take deliberate steps to ensure R&D remains resilient and relevant in the decades ahead.
CaSE has developed a long-term vision for UK R&D in 2045 that sets out desirable outcomes that the sector would like to see, as well as the challenges and trade-offs that need to be addressed for this to become reality. The vision is based on views gathered through an extensive consultation process with CaSE’s membership – including businesses, universities, charities and learned and professional societies – as well as a diverse array of stakeholders across the R&D sector.
The vision sets out four themes for a successful UK R&D system in 2045:
R&D delivers benefits for the economy and society
R&D is embedded in society, with greater public involvement
R&D fosters national capability while being outward looking
R&D features in an open innovation system, with strong public and private collaboration
This vision is intended to guide both the R&D community and the UK Government in shaping the future of the R&D system. CaSE is exploring the themes from the vision in greater depth through a series of roundtables. The discussions aim to further explore the challenges, opportunities and trade-offs identified.
About this briefing
This briefing provides recommendations to unlock progress towards the first and second themes from the vision, which sets out that in 2045:
R&D delivers benefits for the economy and society by:
Driving growth and public benefit, improving lives across the UK while addressing national and regional societal needs.
Being a core part of the UK’s identity and economy, with strong public and political consensus supporting long-term investment.
Having public trust in research as R&D institutions and researchers behave ethically, transparently and are accountable for the impact of research.
Ensuring innovation being developed is shared equitably, that benefits are widely distributed and technologies such as AI are treated as public goods.
R&D is embedded in society, with greater public involvement by:
Being fully integrated into society with public awareness that R&D supports key challenges such as healthcare, climate change, crime reduction, and the cost of living, rather than being seen as a separate sector.
Increasing public participation in R&D, with citizens actively involved in research, funding decisions, and policy development.
Having stronger connections between R&D and communities, recognising that societal challenges are not solely found within the R&D sector.
Promoting scientific literacy for all, embedding critical thinking, evidence-based decision-making, data literacy, and AI skills in education from an early age to reduce barriers to participation.
Participants were asked to assess the feasibility of these themes of the vision within the current policy landscape, explore trade-offs and identify policy interventions needed to deliver it.
This briefing highlights what stakeholders identified as some of the barriers to delivering this vision, and what could be improved. The briefing sets out recommendations towards making this vision a reality, which are aimed at Government, the research community, businesses and funders.
Download and read the full briefing
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