Imperial panel discusses future research policy at Conservative Party conference

Image credit: Institute for Government

Imperial and the Institute for Government partnered for a discussion on how the UK can build upon recent R&D policy to support science and innovation.

Professor Nigel Brandon, Dean of Imperial’s Faculty of Engineering was joined on the expert panel by Andrew Griffith MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology; Rain Newton-Smith, Chief Executive of the CBI; Giles Wilkes, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government and Chair Dr Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government.

Professor Brandon reflected on the importance of consistency for investment in research and development across governments and pointed to the substantial recent increases in the science budget. He also discussed the importance of funding for excellent research in universities, alongside targeted Government initiatives for promising technologies. 

Mr Griffith agreed with Professor Brandon that a mix of funding for specific missions and fundamental research was required. He also said that it is crucial that investment in ‘moonshots’, programmes that support bold ideas for fundamental research breakthroughs, must be continued despite the challenging environment for UK public finances.

Professor Brandon also described the importance of getting the whole range of policies pulling together to support research and innovation, beyond just the funding opportunities, that underpin research. This includes important immigration policies like the Global Talent Visa and the Graduate Route for international students, and also includes providing greater capital investments into startup and scaleup companies.

The panel continued with discussions on tackling the challenges that remain over the UK’s productivity, how the Government can best support the genesis of ideas for the future demands of UK industry, and the important role that Government procurement can play in attracting industry to invest in the UK.