Research-focused universities launch collaborative to give voice to critical research
SOAS was part of a new national collaborative comprising ten leading research-focused universities - ResearchPlus – that was formally launched today at a special Parliamentary event in Westminster.
ResearchPlus seeks to give a collective voice and advance the social and economic contribution of research-focused universities that constitute a critical element of the UK’s research and innovation system and that deliver vital research-informed education and advanced skills.
Through shared purpose and strategic coordination, the collaborative will engage with government, industry, and civil society to support economic growth, prosperity, and societal wellbeing across the whole of the UK. The collaboration denotes an expansion and re-imagining of universities’ contribution to the public good.
Attendees at today’s official launch, at the Cholmondeley Room, in the House of Lords, included Vice Chancellors from all ten ResearchPlus partners, The Rt Hon. Lord Hain, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, the Rt Hon. Dr Peter Kyle, Jordan Cummins, UK competitiveness director at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and CEO of Universities UK, Vivienne Stern MBE.
The Rt Hon. Peter Kyle MP, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, said: “Innovation is crucial to the UK’s future and so much of our potential will come from higher education. Whether it’s through university labs or collaborations with investors, entrepreneurs, businesses, pharma, science, aerospace, or even fashion, every sector is connected to our universities. As a country, we can only move forward with a strong pipeline of innovation ready to be commercialised. That’s why the work of ResearchPlus is so important, it brings these partnerships together and helps turn world-leading research into real-world impact.”
The Rt Hon. Lord Hain, added: “Our research-focused universities are priceless partners to the UK industry and technology sectors producing ground-breaking solutions, developing top-end skills and making significant contribution to our economy. These universities are also central to our local communities as educators, employers and neighbours. ResearchPlus is the collaboration of universities that we have been missing. Now there is a vehicle for government to hear the collective voice of university research that is truly diverse and will bring solutions to the challenges of our time.”
Professor Sasha Roseneil, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Sussex and Co-Chair of ResearchPlus, said: “There is a very real need for ResearchPlus. A significant number of research-focused universities are not aligned to any university mission group, and so have long lacked a voice in articulating our strengths, our potential, and our needs. ResearchPlus will give visibility and profile to universities that constitute a critical element of the UK’s research and innovation system, and that deliver excellent research-informed education and advanced skills.
ResearchPlus will give visibility and profile to universities that constitute a critical element of the UK’s research and innovation system, and that deliver excellent research-informed education and advanced skills.
In a speech at the event - Professor Andrew Jones, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Brunel and Co-Chair of ResearchPlus – underlined that the UK’s strength in research and innovation lies in the diversity of its higher education sector. He emphasised that at a time when the UK’s higher education sector faces significant financial and reputational challenges, it is vital for institutions to work collectively to strengthen the system overall and boost the UK’s international competitiveness.
ResearchPlus partner institutions span the UK’s cities and regions, combining world-class research with a strong commitment to civic engagement, innovation, and social mobility.
The founding partners are alongside SOAS are Brunel University of London; City St George’s, University of London; Keele University; Royal Holloway, University of Londo; University of Essex; University of Hull; The Open University; University of Sussex and Ulster University.
Found out more about ResearchPlus via: https://researchplus.ac.uk
