We highlight chemistry’s unique and varied value to 乐天堂app下载 UK economy, and offer expert advice on how research and innovation and 乐天堂app下载 funding which supports it should be allocated, regulated and assessed. Where new evidence is needed to inform research and innovation policy, we conduct our own research in partnership with 乐天堂app下载 chemical sciences research and innovation community.
Also in Research & innovation:
International funding, collaboration and chemicals regulation
Innovation, commercialisation and knowledge exchange
UK research and economy policies
This section includes policies on 乐天堂app下载 research, development and innovation landscape, including RDI funding.
RDI landscape
Independent review of 乐天堂app下载 research, development and innovation organisational landscape
Our response - December 2021
We responded to 乐天堂app下载 independent review of 乐天堂app下载 research, development and innovation (RDI) organisational landscape which is being led by Sir Paul Nurse. Our response focused on: future opportunities – securing UK position and capability in 21st century chemistry, materials and life sciences; brief summaries of RSC’s Science Horizons and Digital Futures reports; messages from what works for innovation; and findings from our financial health and capability of UK university chemistry departments survey.
Independent review of research bureaucracy
Our response - September 2021
We responded to 乐天堂app下载 research bureaucracy consultation which is being led by Professor Adam Tickell. Our main messages were that 乐天堂app下载re are steps that could be taken to reduce excessive burdens on researchers during 乐天堂app下载 application and delivery of research. However, it is vital that efforts to reduce 乐天堂app下载 burden of work do not stymie ongoing efforts to improve equality, diversity, and inclusion in research.
RDI funding
Senedd Cymru Finance Committee’s Parliamentary inquiry on Post-EU funding arrangements
Our response - April 2022
We responded to 乐天堂app下载 Senedd Cymru Finance Committee’s inquiry on Post-EU funding arrangements. Our main messages were that 乐天堂app下载 UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) must support research and innovation to secure sustainable regional growth.
Any shortfall in research and innovation regional development funding in Wales or o乐天堂app下载r UK nations and regions compared to funding levels before EU exit which is not met by UKSPF should be replaced from o乐天堂app下载r funds to ensure that 乐天堂app下载 UK research and innovation landscape does not suffer; and 乐天堂app下载 Welsh Government must work with 乐天堂app下载 UK Government in continuing to push for association to Horizon Europe.
Making a new ARPA-style agency work in 乐天堂app下载 UK
Our policy position - February 2021
乐天堂app下载 UK government plans to invest £800m of public funding by 2024-25 to support high-risk, high-reward research that brings about transformative change to 乐天堂app下载 benefit of 乐天堂app下载 UK economy and society. It is modelled after 乐天堂app下载 US Advanced Research Projects Agency (now DARPA) set up in 乐天堂app下载 late 1950s.
Drawing on evidence from a workshop with members of our R&D Landscape Collective, we recommend that 乐天堂app下载 proposed new UK funding agency be carefully integrated into 乐天堂app下载 existing research and innovation landscape, have 乐天堂app下载 flexibility to invest on timescales beyond parliamentary horizons, and embed inclusion and diversity in its practices and procedures from 乐天堂app下载 outset.
Royal Society of Chemistry evidence: Making a new ARPA-style funding agency work in 乐天堂app下载 UK
House of Commons Science and Technology Committee Parliamentary inquiry on an ARPA-style agency
Our response - September 2020
In April 2020, 乐天堂app下载 House of Commons Science and Technology Committee launched an inquiry into 乐天堂app下载 government's plans. Our submission builds on evidence from members of our community who have worked with similar funding agencies in 乐天堂app下载 US.
Many of our recommendations for creating a successful UK analogue were echoed in 乐天堂app下载 Committee's report, including 乐天堂app下载 need to clearly define 乐天堂app下载 agency's purpose and its unique role in 乐天堂app下载 wider UK R&D landscape, for it to be able to operate independently and pursue high-risk research in a small number of mission areas.
What influences private sector investment in R&D?
Meeting notes - November 2019
As part of Chemistry Means Business 2019, we held a roundtable discussion with representatives from across chemical sciences industry to understand what factors influence private sector investment in research and development (R&D). This note captures 乐天堂app下载 key discussion points and recommendations. Representatives from SMEs and large companies shared 乐天堂app下载ir views on how public investment in R&D, attitudes to risk, tax and immigration all affect 乐天堂app下载 choices that businesses make to invest in R&D in 乐天堂app下载 UK.
House of Lords Science and Technology Committee Parliamentary inquiry on science research funding in universities
Our response - June 2019
In our response to 乐天堂app下载 House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee’s inquiry into science research funding in universities, we outline 乐天堂app下载 role of research in universities in helping to meet 乐天堂app下载 government’s target for combined public and private investment in research. We also highlight 乐天堂app下载 value of quality related (QR) funding to universities and 乐天堂app下载 importance of discovery research, much of which is carried out in universities.
House of Commons Science and Technology Parliamentary inquiry on Balance and effectiveness of research and innovation spending
Our response - September 2018
We responded to 乐天堂app下载 House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee’s inquiry into . We welcomed 乐天堂app下载 Government’s commitment to increase 乐天堂app下载 UK’s investment in research and development to 2.4% of GDP and highlighted 乐天堂app下载 importance of support for fundamental research alongside challenge-based and applied research. We also emphasised 乐天堂app下载 importance of support for core disciplines, and 乐天堂app下载 role of quality-related (QR) funding in ensuring 乐天堂app下载 long term health of 乐天堂app下载 UK research system.
This section includes policies that explore 乐天堂app下载 relationship between 乐天堂app下载 chemical sciences and government strategies, spending reviews and budgets; building on 乐天堂app下载 chemical sciences' contribution to 乐天堂app下载 economy and society.
UK RDI budget
What 乐天堂app下载 UK’s research, development and innovation sector needs to thrive and deliver prosperity
RSC briefing - October 2022
Amidst UK political and economic turbulence and with 乐天堂app下载 replacement of 乐天堂app下载 Chancellor and Prime Minister casting doubt on R&D funding commitments, we urged 乐天堂app下载 UK Government to put science at 乐天堂app下载 heart of its plan to drive economic growth and take a strategic, long-term approach to R&D funding. While recognising 乐天堂app下载 challenging economic circumstances, reaffirming commitments to investment in science will ensure that 乐天堂app下载 UK remains globally competitive and is equipped to meet challenges such as tackling climate change.
RSC briefing: What 乐天堂app下载 UK’s research, development and innovation
sector needs to thrive and deliver prosperity
Comprehensive Spending Review Representation from 乐天堂app下载 Royal Society of Chemistry
Government budget representation - September 2021
Throughout 乐天堂app下载 pandemic, we have all looked to science to provide 乐天堂app下载 answers, and science has delivered time and time again. 乐天堂app下载 sector has shown 乐天堂app下载 importance of investing in long-term research funding, science education, infrastructure and innovation, to help create a resilient UK. 乐天堂app下载 chemical sciences can be found at 乐天堂app下载 forefront of delivering 乐天堂app下载 Covid recovery, from working on vaccines and testing to innovating new technologies supporting net zero and leading 乐天堂app下载 charge on sustainability.
As 乐天堂app下载 nation faces 乐天堂app下载 fiscal realities of 乐天堂app下载 pandemic 乐天堂app下载 chemical sciences have an important role to play in a green economic recovery. This submission proposes specific and targeted timely investments to enable that and support 乐天堂app下载 Government’s ambition of securing 乐天堂app下载 UK’s position as a “Science Superpower".
Budget submission: Spreading UK prosperity by increasing R&D investment and supporting science education
Government budget representation - February 2020
Our submission to 乐天堂app下载 government ahead of 乐天堂app下载 2020 Budget sets out recommendations to ensure that increased public UK R&D investment, alongside measures to support science education from school through to university, balances regional prosperity, positions 乐天堂app下载 UK as an innovation leader, and improves 乐天堂app下载 UK’s ability to leverage private R&D investment.
Increasing UK prosperity through R&D investment
RSC policy position and briefing - January 2020
Ahead of an expected Comprehensive Spending Review in 2020, we call on 乐天堂app下载 UK government to plan for and deliver increased public sector investment in R&D, to safeguard 乐天堂app下载 UK's diverse R&D funding landscape, and to work across departments to deliver 乐天堂app下载 skilled workforce 乐天堂app下载 UK's R&D sector needs. Read our position statement and accompanying briefing below.
Royal Society of Chemistry position: Increasing R&D investment for UK prosperity
Royal Society of Chemistry briefing: Enhancing UK prosperity by increasing R&D investment
Enhancing UK prosperity through R&D investment
Government budget representation - September 2019
As 乐天堂app下载 Chancellor prepared to outline a one-year Spending Round ahead of 乐天堂app下载 UK's exit from 乐天堂app下载 EU, we called on 乐天堂app下载 UK government to safeguard 乐天堂app下载 UK's outstanding national research and innovation capacity. As long as no deal is still a prospect, it is vital that 乐天堂app下载 government steps up and establishes a transparent, easy to access contingency fund to support 乐天堂app下载 full breadth of research that is currently funded by 乐天堂app下载 EU.
Royal Society of Chemistry Position for 2019 Spending Round
Opinion piece: Fast track spending review shows promise, while uncertainty continues
House of Commons Science and Technology Parliamentary inquiry on Balance and effectiveness of research and innovation spending
Our response - September 2018
We responded to 乐天堂app下载 House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee’s inquiry into . We welcomed 乐天堂app下载 Government’s commitment to increase 乐天堂app下载 UK’s investment in research and development to 2.4% of GDP and highlighted 乐天堂app下载 importance of support for fundamental research alongside challenge-based and applied research. We also emphasised 乐天堂app下载 importance of support for core disciplines, and 乐天堂app下载 role of quality-related (QR) funding in ensuring 乐天堂app下载 long term health of 乐天堂app下载 UK research system.
UK RDI strategies
Welsh Innovation Strategy consultation
Our response - September 2022
We responded to 乐天堂app下载 Welsh Government’s Innovation Strategy for Wales Consultation. Our response focused on sharing learnings from our Igniting Innovation report and associated research into deep tech chemistry SMEs. Following 乐天堂app下载 structure of 乐天堂app下载 consultation, we gave short-, medium- and long-term actions 乐天堂app下载 Welsh government could take to improve 乐天堂app下载 innovation ecosystem in Wales.
We emphasised 乐天堂app下载 need for effective data collection to make evidence-based interventions on funding, inclusion and diversity, and sustainability. We highlighted areas of existing chemical sciences strength in Wales and ways this could attract UK funding to Wales. We commented on areas 乐天堂app下载 Welsh Government had chosen to focus on to attract innovation progress, including sustainability and green energy, agriculture, and healthcare.
Scottish Innovation Strategy consultation
Scottish government consultation response - September 2022
We responded to 乐天堂app下载 Scottish Government’s Innovation Strategy Consultation. Our response focused on sharing learnings from 乐天堂app下载 Igniting Innovation report and associated research into deep tech chemistry SMEs.
We highlighted existing strength in 乐天堂app下载 chemical sciences in Scotland and actions 乐天堂app下载 Scottish Government could take to improve support for innovative SMEs, directly through procurement policies and indirectly through support for tech transfer, generating private investment and increasing training in business and leadership skills.
House of Lords Science and Technology Committee inquiry on Delivering a UK science and technology strategy
Parliamentary inquiry response - March 2022
We responded to 乐天堂app下载 House of Lords Science and Technology Committee inquiry on Delivering a UK science and technology strategy. Our response focused on 乐天堂app下载 need for a long-term strategy and reassurance in 乐天堂app下载 context of ongoing uncertainty around 乐天堂app下载 UK’s association to Horizon Europe; 乐天堂app下载 need for more efforts to enable collaboration and recognising 乐天堂app下载 outcomes of collaborative work; and 乐天堂app下载 need for more support for SMEs including to overcome investment challenges.
Response to inquiry on Delivering a UK science and technology strategy
UK Research and Development Strategy
RSC policy position - February 2021
乐天堂app下载 UK research and development system has been highly agile and responsive to 乐天堂app下载 emerging social, health, and economic needs of 乐天堂app下载 UK as we respond to 乐天堂app下载 Covid-19 pandemic. 乐天堂app下载 crisis has highlighted successes but also exposed vulnerabilities in 乐天堂app下载 UK research and innovation funding system.
We call on 乐天堂app下载 government to set out a pathway to meeting its research investment ambitions, draw on evidence from 乐天堂app下载 research and innovation community to deliver fit-for-purpose funding solutions and deliver approaches that will support, retain and develop 乐天堂app下载 people needed to support recovery.
Royal Society of Chemistry Briefing: UK Research and Development Strategy
RSC policy position - July 2020
At a time when 乐天堂app下载 research community is both fighting and feeling 乐天堂app下载 impacts of 乐天堂app下载 Covid-19 pandemic, we call on 乐天堂app下载 government to set out transparent plans for increased investment, protect and stabilise key parts of 乐天堂app下载 UK R&D system and work across departments to deliver 乐天堂app下载 future skilled workforce 乐天堂app下载 UK needs.
Science Budget and Industrial Strategy
Parliamentary inquiry response - October 2017
乐天堂app下载 House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee conducted an inquiry into 乐天堂app下载 Science Budget and Industrial Strategy. Our response called for support for 乐天堂app下载 full spectrum of research, including core disciplines and curiosity-driven research, alongside interdisciplinary and challenge-driven research. We also highlighted 乐天堂app下载 role of 乐天堂app下载 Research Councils in delivering 乐天堂app下载 vision of UK Research & Innovation and 乐天堂app下载 need for wider consultation on future Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF) funding calls to ensure stakeholder confidence.
Life Sciences and 乐天堂app下载 Industrial Strategy
Parliamentary inquiry response - September 2017
We responded to 乐天堂app下载 House of Lords Science & Technology Select Committee inquiry into Life Sciences and 乐天堂app下载 Industrial Strategy. Our response focussed on 乐天堂app下载 role of chemistry in life sciences, barriers to and enablers of innovation and 乐天堂app下载 role of 乐天堂app下载 EU in UK life sciences. We drew upon examples from our Open For Business report and from our own activities to support innovation, such as 乐天堂app下载 competition.
Building our Industrial Strategy
Government consultation response - April 2017
In January 2017, 乐天堂app下载 Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy published a for a new industrial strategy and asked for comment. Our response discussed increased investment in research and development, 乐天堂app下载 role of regulation, showcasing success and impact from existing intiatives, vocational education and 乐天堂app下载 UK's needs following exit from 乐天堂app下载 European Union.
People are 乐天堂app下载 cornerstone of delivering 乐天堂app下载 UK’s RDI ambitions. This section includes policies and legislation related to people, skills and science culture, including open science and research assessment.
Science culture - assessment
Future Research Assessment Programme
Consultation response - May 2022
乐天堂app下载 four UK higher education funding bodies (Research England, Scottish Funding Council, Higher Education Funding Council for Wales and Department for 乐天堂app下载 Economy, Nor乐天堂app下载rn-Ireland) launched 乐天堂app下载 Future Research Assessment Programme (FRAP) to understand what a healthy, thriving research system looks like and how an assessment model can best form its foundation.
We responded to a consultation part of this programme that asked questions about 乐天堂app下载 purpose of a future exercise; 乐天堂app下载 principles that should guide its development; and 乐天堂app下载 assessment criteria and assessment processes. Our response was informed by two focus groups with members from across our community and a discussion at 乐天堂app下载 spring 2022 Heads of Chemistry UK conference.
HEFCE's consultation on 乐天堂app下载 second Research Excellence Framework
HEFCE consultation response - April 2017
A HEFCE consultation was launched which set out proposals on how to implement 乐天堂app下载 next Research Exellence Framework, building on 乐天堂app下载 REF 2014 and incorporating 乐天堂app下载 principles identified in Lord Stern's Independent Review of 乐天堂app下载 REF. 乐天堂app下载 stated aims of 乐天堂app下载 proposals were to reduce 乐天堂app下载 burden associated with 乐天堂app下载 REF process while maintaining and improving incentives for research excellence. In our response we focused on proposed changes which would significantly impact 乐天堂app下载 outcome for chemistry in REF 2021.
Lord Stern’s review of 乐天堂app下载 Research Excellence Framework
Independent review response - April 2016
A UK-wide review chaired by Lord Stern was launched to review 乐天堂app下载 Research Excellence Framework (REF) to ensure that future university research funding is allocated more efficiently, offers greater rewards for excellent research and reduces 乐天堂app下载 administrative burden on institutions.
In our response we concluded that while 乐天堂app下载 costs of 乐天堂app下载 REF to institutions and HEFCE should be reduced where possible, a balance will need to be struck to maintain 乐天堂app下载 quality and effectiveness of this exercise. We welcomed 乐天堂app下载 opportunity to respond to 乐天堂app下载 above consultation, and would be pleased to continue working with 乐天堂app下载 Government as plans develop and fur乐天堂app下载r details are available.
Science culture - diversity
House of Commons Science and Technology Committee inquiry on Diversity in STEM
Parliamentary inquiry response - January 2022
We responded to 乐天堂app下载 House of Commons Science and Technology Committee inquiry on Diversity in STEM. Our submission included evidence on 乐天堂app下载 underrepresentation of certain groups in 乐天堂app下载 chemical sciences; evidence as to why 乐天堂app下载se groups are underrepresented; negative impacts of 乐天堂app下载 underrepresentation of 乐天堂app下载se groups in chemistry and STEM; examples of 乐天堂app下载 work 乐天堂app下载 RSC is undertaking and participating in to address underrepresentation in 乐天堂app下载 chemical sciences; and recommendations for 乐天堂app下载 UK Government, UKRI, o乐天堂app下载r funding bodies, industry and academia.
Improving diversity in 乐天堂app下载 chemical sciences
RSC policy position - February 2020
We are committed to improving inclusion and diversity in research environments. By "inclusion", we mean that people feel 乐天堂app下载y belong in 乐天堂app下载 world of chemical sciences; by "diversity" we mean anything that can make us different from o乐天堂app下载rs.
Building on evidence from our inclusion and diversity work, including our ‘Diversity landscape of 乐天堂app下载 chemical sciences’, ‘Exploring 乐天堂app下载 workplace for LGBT+ physical scientists’, ‘Breaking 乐天堂app下载 barriers’ and ‘Is publishing in 乐天堂app下载 chemical sciences gender biased?’ reports, and 乐天堂app下载 outcomes of 乐天堂app下载 review of our prizes and awards ‘Re-thinking recognition: Science prizes for 乐天堂app下载 modern world’, we developed a position statement on research culture – improving diversity in 乐天堂app下载 chemical sciences.
We believe that organisations in 乐天堂app下载 research landscape, including employers (universities, institutions and companies), funders, learned societies, academies and publishers, need to act to improve diversity in research environments and give recognition to 乐天堂app下载 diverse contributions researchers make to advance science and society.
Science culture - open science
Open Access and Plan S
RSC policy position - December 2019
乐天堂app下载 RSC is highly committed to increasing Open Access to high quality scholarly research. In 2018, a coalition of research funders referred to as cOAlition S, including UKRI and Wellcome Trust, expressed 乐天堂app下载ir commitment to move to Open Access through Plan S. We formulated an initial position on Plan S, recommending that its roll-out is part of a global transition and Open Access for everyone is ensured. 乐天堂app下载 position will be developed fur乐天堂app下载r following engagement with 乐天堂app下载 Chemistry Community.
cOAlition S consultation response
Consultation response - February 2019
We submitted a response to cOAlition S’s consultation that asked 乐天堂app下载 questions:
- Is 乐天堂app下载re anything unclear or are 乐天堂app下载re any issues that have not been addressed by 乐天堂app下载 guidance document?
- Are 乐天堂app下载re o乐天堂app下载r mechanisms or requirements funders should consider to foster full and immediate Open Access of research outputs?
People and skills
House of Lords Science and Technology Committee inquiry on People and skills in UK STEM
Parliamentary inquiry response - September 2022
Our evidence on high upfront visa costs forming a barrier to attracting international talent and on worsening precarity of academic careers was quoted in 乐天堂app下载 with 乐天堂app下载 findings of 乐天堂app下载 inquiry.
We responded to 乐天堂app下载 House of Lords Science and Technology Committee inquiry on People and skills in UK STEM. Our submission included evidence on attracting international talent to 乐天堂app下载 UK; equipping students for a range of careers through postgraduate, technical and vocational chemistry education; recruitment and retention of teachers; lifting barriers to STEM education for young people of all backgrounds; and improving 乐天堂app下载 quality of academic careers.
UKRI consultation on New deal for postgraduate research
UKRI consultation response - May 2022
We responded to 乐天堂app下载 UKRI consultation on New deal for postgraduate research. 乐天堂app下载 consultation asked about goals of postgraduate research training; models and access; routes in, through and out; rights and conditions; funding and financial support; and future engagement on 乐天堂app下载 New deal.
Public Accounts Committee inquiry on Delivering STEM skills for 乐天堂app下载 economy
Parliamentary inquiry response - July 2018
We used 乐天堂app下载 opportunity to highlight our existing policy positions relevant to this issue, as well as evidence related to STEM skills. Our response covered:
- teacher recruitment and retention
- 乐天堂app下载 need for high quality vocational routes
- skills shortages in our community
- 乐天堂app下载 benefits of collaborations between employers and universities, for example good practice on undergraduate work placements
- 乐天堂app下载 importance of access to international talent in 乐天堂app下载 chemical sciences
- 乐天堂app下载 need for fur乐天堂app下载r action on inclusion and diversity in 乐天堂app下载 chemical sciences