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 third theme from the vision, which sets out that in 2045:
R&D fosters national capability while being outward looking, and sees:
The UK leverages R&D to foster sovereign capability and safeguard national security – with data considered a sovereign asset.
The UK leverages its agility and flexibility as a small state, and uses strength in R&D as a soft power asset.
R&D is aligned with strategic domains, has translation capacity and the domestic and international talent it needs to thrive.
People choose R&D careers and perceive R&D as a desirable career option.
The UK has broadened beyond its traditional alliances – research collaboration has enabled the UK to grow its international partnerships with emerging economies.
Participants at a roundtable were asked to assess the feasibility of the third theme of the vision within the current policy landscape, explore trade-offs and identify policy interventions needed to deliver it.
This briefing highlights what stakeholders at the roundtable identified as working well, including the actions already being taken by the sector and Government that help to achieve this vision. It also sets out some of the barriers to delivering this vision, and what could be improved. A key aim of this work is to ensure we identify clear recommendations that work towards making this vision a reality, which are aimed at Government, the research community, businesses, and funders.
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