million+ criticises proposals to turn back clock on research funding
The university think-tank million+ has criticised proposals from the think tank Policy Exchange which would reverse the funding of world-leading research in UK universities. In a Policy Note on the link between innovation, industry and universities, Policy Exchange, a group which advises the Conservative Party, suggests that research funding in the UK’s universities should be concentrated at pre 2001 levels and questions the merit of the public funding of research in all universities.
Pam Tatlow, Chief Executive of the university think tank million+, said: “These proposals show no real understanding of the scale and impact of the world-leading research that is undertaken in universities throughout the UK or of the relationship between funding excellent research wherever it is found and innovation in the private and public sectors. Many universities, their staff and students will be very concerned if these proposals are indicative of a Conservative Government’s future approach to research funding. The net effect would be to remove resources from world-leading research with funding re-trenched in a small group of institutions and consequent damage to university-business collaboration, non-STEM research, postgraduate opportunities and international research and teaching partnerships.
The Conservative Party supported the important principle that all universities should undertake teaching and research in the 1992 FE and HE Act. In spite of the evident success of modern universities, it is disappointing that Policy Exchange wants to turn the clock back, rewrite history by undermining the primary purpose of a university and restrict research-informed teaching and the creation and application of knowledge to a small number of staff and students in a very small number of institutions.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- million+ is a leading university think-tank, working to solve the complex problems in higher education. www.millionplus.ac.uk
- For more information please contact Pam Tatlow on 0207 7171655 or 07795 645241