The Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund Event
On 4 March 2019, fifty senior research leaders from the Social Sciences and Humanities gathered at Saïd Business School to explore the opportunities and challenges represented by this major government research initiative.
A panel chaired by and Professors Sarah Whatmore and Karen O’Brien brought together senior representatives from ESRC, AHRC and industry to share perspectives with colleagues on the opportunities and challenges. The ISCF aims to bring leading research institutions and business together to tackle the UK’s widening productivity gap and is the key to delivering the government’s commitment to raise investment in research and development to the equivalent of 2.4% of UK GDP.
Professor Mark Pollard, Associate Head of Division (Research) said:
The contract between the public and academia has changed, we need to get better at articulating the socio and economic value of our work. So far ISCF funding calls have been heavily weighted towards science and technology, there is an opportunity for us to redress the balance. We need to identify our areas of strength and deepen our relationships with business, policy makers and our interdisciplinary networks.
If you wish to know more about the key learning from the event or wish to develop and engage with the Industrial Strategy, please contact the Business Engagement and Partnerships team.
Photo shows the panel:
Professor Sarah Whatmore, Head of Social Sciences Division and Professor of Environment and Public Policy; Professor Paul Nightingale, Director of Strategy and Operations ESRC and Professor of Strategy at University of Sussex; Professor Edward Harcourt, Director of Research, Strategy and Innovation at the AHRC and Fellow of Keble College; Susan Penwarden, Non Executive Director at ESRC and General Insurance Director at Aviva; Professor Karen O’Brien, Head of Humanities Division and Professor of English Literature.
