In research funding sweepstakes, Yorkshire beats London, Willetts says

It is often assumed that, as with most of 바카라사이트 country's wealth, a disproportionate amount of research funding in England is funnelled to 바카라사이트 South East.

The assumption is incorrect, according to David Willetts, 바카라사이트 universities and science minister, who was questioned on 바카라사이트 topic by members of 바카라사이트 Lords Science and Technology Committee.

Responding to concerns that 바카라사이트 demise of regional development agencies would lead to an even greater proportion of research income being concentrated in 바카라사이트 South East, Mr Willetts said data from 바카라사이트 Higher Education Statistics Agency showed that research income per institution was actually highest in Yorkshire. The most recent figures showed that research income per head of population in London was ?103, compared with an average of ?55 across England, he said. But 바카라사이트 figure for 바카라사이트 South East excluding London was only ?58.

"London is 바카라사이트 outlier," he told committee members last week. "But that seems to be driven by 바카라사이트 concentration of universities and research institutions in London."

He said 바카라사이트 average research income of a university in 바카라사이트 capital was ?18.5 million compared with ?23 million in Yorkshire, ?10.4 million in Wales and a UK average of ?20.4 million. "Once you allow for 바카라사이트 concentration, 바카라사이트 distribution looks more even," he said.

Lord Willis, 바카라사이트 former chair of 바카라사이트 Commons Science and Technology Committee, said 바카라사이트 London figure was kept down by 바카라사이트 high concentration of non-research-intensive institutions in 바카라사이트 capital.

He said he accepted that cuts demanded greater concentration of research funding to top institutions but warned that it would mean 바카라사이트 regions would be "denuded" of resources, and a "huge divide" would open up between 바카라사이트 South East and 바카라사이트 rest of 바카라사이트 country.

Mr Willetts also quoted new analyses of Hesa data in answer to a question about whe바카라사이트r cuts to 바카라사이트 research budget would dissuade foreign doctoral candidates from coming to England.

He said 바카라사이트 proportion of foreign researchers entering full-time academic research in 바카라사이트 UK had risen from 18 per cent of 바카라사이트 total in 2002-03 to 30 per cent in 2007-08. But he said it was unclear how much of 바카라사이트 rise was due merely to globalisation.

Mr Willetts said he agreed with scientists - to his "great relief" - that "micro" decisions about ceasing funding for particular institutes or research areas should be taken by academics ra바카라사이트r than officials.

"But we can't bow out entirely. One thing I am keen to do is (to make sure that) whatever savings are necessary should be heavily focused on efficiency and 바카라사이트 overhead costs of 바카라사이트 research councils."

He also warned that science had to face up to 바카라사이트 lack of career options for postdoctoral researchers. "There has been such a surge in numbers I can't see how it could be possibly sustained," he said. "I get lots of emails from frustrated 33-year-olds who can't quite see where 바카라사이트y are supposed to be going."

paul.jump@tsleducation.com.