A new Government department that focuses on science will elevate the UK’s international role as a research leader, experts say.
A dedicated Department for Science, Innovation and Technology “is a really positive sign that the Government is taking science seriously,” said Martin Smith, head of the policy lab at Wellcome, a health research charity.
The new department will focus on turning scientific and technical innovations into practical, applicable solutions to help ensure the UK is the most innovative economy in the world, said Downing Street.
The department will be spearheaded by Michelle Donelan, who was named its first Secretary of State.
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“Putting science at the heart of Government is a recognition that the biggest drivers of the UK’s success at home and abroad are rooted in research,” Mr Smith said.
“When it comes to the biggest global challenges – such as Covid and climate change – research is the key. Through research the UK can be a global force for good in these areas. It’s a tremendous opportunity to make science a big part of what the UK does.”
“The new Secretary of State will need to quickly establish the department as the driving force of the science agenda right across Whitehall. Science matters to the whole of Government, and with a seat at the Cabinet table she can press this point. There’s widespread agreement that research is a driver of economic growth and health, linking to security, net zero, green tech and climate change.”
Figures in the science community told i what the new department’s priorities should be:
Horizon Europe
The science world is united in its belief that the first priority for the new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is finalising the UK’s association with Horizon Europe, the £84bn EU funding programme for research and innovation.
Experts say it will allow the UK to be involved in world-leading research and development projects.
Hetan Shah, chief executive of the British Academy, said: “At the top of the in-tray for the new department is continuing to push for association to Horizon Europe. The scientific and research community is united in its view that being part of this is key to long term collaboration and the next generation of research.”
Mr Smith added: “Top of the in-tray should be supporting UK researchers to collaborate with partners across the world. The ready-made framework for that is the Horizon Europe programme, which countries beyond Europe such as Japan and New Zealand are also joining. Sadly, the broader UK-EU negotiations on the Northern Ireland Protocol are holding up the UK’s membership, and the UK is having to pull together contingency plans. But even while preparing for the worst, the Government should keep the door open to joining Horizon.”
Ethics of technology
Mr Shah said a key priority for the new department is to think about the ethics, regulation and behaviour around new technology.
He said the department could consider: “How can the UK become a leader in ethical AI or the regulation around driverless cars? What are the tech and research needs for an 80 per cent services economy like ours?”
The new Government team, he said, should look for insight from philosophers, lawyers, anthropologists, engineers and physicists.
Small businesses help
Following proposals to cut R&D tax credits which could penalise small businesses, Dr Daniel Rathbone, assistant director of the Campaign for Science and Engineering, said the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology needs to ensure there is sufficient support for these ventures.
The changes to R&D tax credits come as the Government aims to simplify the system from two schemes to just one. But the Treasury has already acknowledged the reform “creates challenges for some R&D intensive SMEs and those in the life sciences sector in particular and believes there is merit to the case for further support”.
“Any further changes will be announced in the usual way, at a future fiscal event,” the Treasury said last month.
Regional innovation
Dr Tim Bradshaw, chief executive of the Russell Group of public research universities, said: “We hope the new Secretary of State will take the opportunity provided by the Spring Budget to back the development of more innovation clusters to create jobs and investment across the UK, built around the talent and research of our world-leading universities.”
Innovation clusters refers to businesses and organisations centred around research-intensive universities across the UK. They can help revitalise regional economies.
An example from the Russell Group is the University of Sheffield, which is working with Doncaster Sheffield airport to develop a local district with the potential to create up to 35,000 jobs and 3,000 new homes worth £6.5bn to the local economy by 2037.
Green skills
For Dr Emily Grossman, a science broadcaster and resident expert on The Alan Titchmarsh Show, a priority for the Government must be to ensure enough people have the training to transition the UK to a green economy.
The bestselling science author and co-founder of Scientists for Extinction Rebellion said: “As our Government knows, if we want to prevent the most catastrophic impacts of climate breakdown it is vital that we now do everything we can to accelerate the transition to a net zero economy. Decarbonisation is key to that.
“However we also need to urgently address the fact that we currently don’t have enough people trained in the relevant skills needed for a new ‘green economy’. For example, plumbers who can install heat pumps or people trained in forestry to meet our tree planting targets.
“An investment in this ‘green skills gap’ by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology at this crucial time could create hundreds of thousands of jobs and apprenticeships that will be essential to see us through the transition to a green economy.”
Immigration policy
Mr Smith said immigration policy is very important to globally mobile scientists.
“But at the moment the UK has an incredibly expensive visa regime. Michelle Donelan should make the case for bringing the cost of UK visas down to ensure we can attract the best researchers from around the world to continue their work here.”
Professor Sir Peter Bruce, vice president of the Royal Society, agreed the department need to tackle barriers to international collaboration. He called for reforms of the visa system to make the upfront costs of applying to work and study in the UK comparable with other leading nations.
Funding
The science world is eagerly awaiting the budget for the new department.
Professor Bruce said: “A long term vision for science and innovation, and a commitment to deliver funding on par with leading science nations is essential for providing stability and attracting investment and international talent to the UK.”
Better collaboration
Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, chief executive of UK Research and Innovation, said the department needs to prioritise building a fully joined up system for science innovation and research across the country, “spanning all disciplines and sectors, connecting discovery to prosperity and public good”.
“This includes world-leading medical research and climate change science, as well as the latest breakthroughs in AI, and our thriving creative industries.”
“This initiative will capitalise on world-class talent and skills across the public, private and third sectors, and prioritise a high-productivity, high-growth economy with innovative public services, and high-quality jobs for citizens across the UK. Everyone has a stake, from primary school pupils to care home residents. This is a shared national endeavour.”
