CaSE’s 40th Anniversary: Reimagining R&D

Watch the Conference

Timestamps

• Opening remarks: 1.50 – 16.55
• Session One: 16.55 – 35.30
• Session Two: 37.50 – 1:22.15
• Session Two: 1:22.30 – 2:03.50
• Annual Lecture from Professor Sir Ian Chapman: 2:35.45 – 2:58.20
• Questions from the audience: 2:58.30 – 3:33.15
• Closing Statements: 3:33.20 – 3:41.20

Introductions and Session One: In conversation with Denis Noble  

The conference began with welcoming remarks from CaSE, event sponsors and our hosts:

• Alicia Greated, Executive Director at CaSE
• Sarah Main, Vice President Government and Academic Relations at Elsevier
• Elizabeth Chamberlain, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at the Institute of Physics

For session one, we were proud to welcome Denis Noble, founding member and ex-chair of Save British Science (now CaSE). In conversation with current CaSE Chair Robert Sorrell, the two spoke about the reasons for founding SBS in 1986 and how the origins of CaSE connect to the conversations and issues we face today.

Session 2: How can public attitudes help shape the future of R&D?

As priorities shift across the public and political landscape, the R&D sector risks losing touch with vital stakeholders. Understanding how the public think and feel about R&D can help advocates to adapt our messaging and evolve how we engage and involve the public. In this session, experts from several major studies of public attitudes came together to discuss the trends, explore the implications and consider how the sector can respond in the short and long term. 

Session 3: How will the UK R&D rise and respond to the challenges of the future?

The R&D system in the UK is constantly changing. The sector in its current form will inevitably need adapt to be fit for the future, just as it has evolved in the past to meet the needs of today. In this session, panelists will discuss the challenges UK R&D may face in the decades to come. We will be considering how the sector can reshape itself, and the voices that must be included in this process, to futureproof the R&D sector against foreseen and unforeseen hurdles. 

Annual Lecture delivered by Professor Sir Ian Chapman, CEO of UKRI

In his lecture, Chapman expounded on his approach to running UKRI by focusing on their three missions: advancing knowledge, improving lives, and driving growth. He reinforced that being cost-effective and delivering meaningful outcomes to the public is the most important aspect of the research system, with value-for-money on investment being vital. He affirmed his belief that the UK’s differentiator from other economies is the quality and depth of its research system, but that the research system currently sits undervalued. Ian also maintained that curiosity driven research remains a priority despite difficult budgetary pressures. After his lecture, Ian answered a wide range of questions from the audience.