R&D across the UK is contributing to the innovations that underpin the UK’s ability to tackle global challenges, but the R&D sector often struggles to articulate a compelling public narrative about this work. Throughout 2024, CaSE has convened a group of expert organisations to develop an evidence-led public messaging guide that can help advocates convey the value of UK-based R&D with global impact.
CaSE is urging organisations across the R&D and development sectors to draw on this guide and work together to convey a clearer narrative to the public and political audiences on the value of this important part of the research landscape.
This project built on a nationally-representative survey of 4,000 UK adults and four focus groups. The results and the accompanying ‘Guide for Engaging the Public with Global-Facing R&D’ are published today.
This new data shows the strong starting point for advocates in this area, with 77% of the public agreeing that R&D should be used as a tool to solve global issues. Using the insights from the research, CaSE has identified three effective connection points that should be at the heart of messaging in this area: partnerships, pride and pay-offs. Advocates should emphasise that R&D happens in partnership, use language that connects with the public’s sense of pride in UK-based R&D, and demonstrate that it brings benefits to the UK.
“It should be a partnership, whether that’s through funds or through the sharing of knowledge. It’s not down to one person, one country, one place.”
Focus Group Participant, Female, 20s, Insurance, Coventry
The guide also offers advice on three common challenges faced by those talking about R&D: timelags, expensive projects, and competing priorities.
The research also found that:
71% thought higher income countries should work in partnership with lower income countries to solve problems
A majority said that if the UK invested money into R&D to come up with new solutions to problems facing other countries, it would have a meaningful positive impact (62%) and that they would feel proud (61%)
59% would prefer large R&D infrastructure to be paid for by and built in the UK so the UK can benefit from job creation and be a key part of the research, compared to 24% who said they would prefer it to be built elsewhere so the money can be used on more pressing national issues
53% agree that cutting funding for R&D that benefits other countries would be a mistake, with just 14% disagreeing
This work builds on the model CaSE has developed through its wider Discovery Decade work on public attitudes to R&D, and further demonstrates the value of public-centred messaging for all parts of the R&D sector. By working in partnership with leading organisations in this area, CaSE has been able to deliver tailored, evidence-led messaging advice. CaSE hopes this will be the start of a broader conversation about building better connection between different parts of the R&D sector and public audiences.
Commenting on the project
R&D is a global endeavour, and its benefits are felt far beyond the countries that lead on any particular discovery or advancement. I hope that this work can support the wider R&D and development sectors to work together to raise the profile of global-facing R&D carried out in the UK, and galvanise public support.
Dr Alicia Greated
Executive Director, Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE)
Over the last year, we’ve been laser-focussed on developing practical messaging advice which is backed up by robust data on public opinions. We hope this new Guide can help align messaging around global-facing R&D, and leave the public with a clearer sense of its value.
The recent Budget was a reminder that public finances are under continued pressure, and further investment will only flow from compelling arguments.
Dr Ben Bleasdale
Director, CaSE Discovery Decade programme
As part of a Partners group of organisations with expertise in this area, Wellcome helped guide this project throughout its development, allowing the Guide to draw on Wellcome’s experience as an advocate for global-facing R&D.
Commenting on the project
Science is the key to tackling the biggest global health challenges that humanity faces. But they cannot be solved by one country alone. Public sentiment is clear – research must be a collaborative effort between countries. Investment in R&D in the UK can have huge economic benefits domestically, while also providing shared health benefits worldwide. For those in affected communities, it provides hope. It is important to engage with these communities to drive the most appropriate, effective and accessible solutions, and we look forward to building on the insights from this report to drive progress for equitable global health.
Martin Smith
Head of Policy Lab at Wellcome
Notes for editors
About the poll
CaSE commissioned a nationally representative poll of 4,000 UK adults from Public First, to explore attitudes to global-facing R&D. The poll was conducted online, from 27th-29th June 2024.
About CaSE
The Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE) is a charity that works to put science and engineering at the heart of the UK’s future. The UK’s leading advocacy group for science and engineering, our membership spans 100 scientific organisations, including businesses, universities, learned societies and charities, as well as individual scientists and engineers. Collectively our members employ over 336,000 people in the UK, and our industry and charity members invest around £32.2bn a year globally in R&D.
We collaborate with our members, partners and the public to lend our clear, expert voice to decisions about science and engineering. We specialise in developing non-partisan, responsive solutions that help research and innovation to thrive in ways that improve people’s lives and livelihoods.
Charity number: 1147492. Company number: 7807252.
About Wellcome
Wellcome supports science to solve the urgent health challenges facing everyone. We support discovery research into life, health and wellbeing, and we’re taking on three worldwide health challenges: mental health, infectious disease and climate and health.
This work was supported by grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Global-Facing R&D
How can we tell compelling stories about UK-based R&D that tackles global problems?
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