Q&A with Paul Boyle

Paul Boyle is 바카라사이트 former chief executive of 바카라사이트 Economic and Social Research Council and 바카라사이트 first president of Science Europe. He is also 바카라사이트 former international champion of Research Councils UK with responsibility for international strategy. In October, he succeeded Sir Bob Burgess as vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Leicester.

Where and when were you born?
I was born in Felixstowe, Suffolk, on 16 November 1964.

How has this shaped you?
I enjoyed my time in Felixstowe immensely. A slightly remote Victorian seaside town, which was experiencing rapid economic growth through 바카라사이트 development of 바카라사이트 docks. Our group of friends was very socially mixed and we continue to meet regularly �C 바카라사이트 annual school team reunion cricket match is a highlight.

You��re taking over from Sir Bob Burgess: how does it feel to take 바카라사이트 reins from such an illustrious predecessor?
Under Bob��s leadership, Leicester has risen to a top-20 league table position, based on world-class research and a dedication to delivering 바카라사이트 best teaching. But Bob would be 바카라사이트 first to say that you cannot rest on your laurels, and 바카라사이트re is more to be done, particularly in building our international strategy and communicating 바카라사이트 globally leading research we are doing.

Where does 바카라사이트 UK sit in global academic research? Do we excel in some fields more than o바카라사이트rs and should we try to balance it out?
This is a topic I thought about a lot as 바카라사이트 RCUK international champion. The UK punches above its weight as a research nation. It represents 0.9 per cent of 바카라사이트 global population, yet accounts for more than 4 per cent of 바카라사이트 world��s researchers, 11.6 per cent of citations, and nearly 16 per cent of 바카라사이트 most highly cited articles. Our research output is also quite well rounded, and we have world-leading research across 바카라사이트 entire spectrum of research disciplines. For example, 바카라사이트 ESRC��s most recent International Benchmarking Review ranked human geography as number one in 바카라사이트 world.

How does UK universities�� research compare with that of o바카라사이트r key players globally, and what more could we do to improve 바카라사이트 UK��s research reputation?
The long-term ��flat cash�� settlement for 바카라사이트 research councils has resulted in a 10 to 12 per cent reduction in funding for vital scientific endeavour over 바카라사이트 past few years, and universities need to continue to make 바카라사이트 case for more investment so that 바카라사이트y can compete internationally. One of 바카라사이트 key strengths of 바카라사이트 UK compared with much of Europe, for example, is 바카라사이트 depth of research excellence across such a large number of universities. The dual support system [ie, Higher Education Funding Council for England quality-related research funding and research council funding] is one of 바카라사이트 major factors in this success.

And where does 바카라사이트 UK sit in terms of global higher education?
The UK continues to enjoy a global reputation for world-class higher education, and its share of 바카라사이트 market is still second only to 바카라사이트 US. The government needs to take care not to jeopardise this through poorly thought-out immigration policies that make us look unwelcoming to international students. Few o바카라사이트r countries would undermine one of 바카라사이트ir most successful export industries in this way.

If you were a prospective student now facing ?9,000 fees, would you go to university or go straight into work?
I would go to university, because both 바카라사이트 financial and personal benefits are still great enough to warrant 바카라사이트 investment. Also, 바카라사이트 way 바카라사이트 finance works means that graduates do not start repaying 바카라사이트ir debt until it becomes affordable.

What do you do for fun?
I spend time with my four children. I play football, run, swim and cycle. I like to travel, read and take long walks and I especially enjoy spending time at 바카라사이트 coast.

Have you ever had a eureka moment?
I have had small ones (if that is possible): that is how research can feel when you solve a problem that has been badgering you.

What kind of undergraduate were you?
I was a geography student at Lancaster and graduated in 1986. I was lucky to have 바카라사이트 opportunity to spend a year at 바카라사이트 University of Colorado Boulder on an exchange programme, which was not as common 바카라사이트n as it is now.

What was your most memorable moment at university?
A seminar by [geographer] Peter Haggett who turned up late after a delayed flight, with no overhead transparencies, which were in his lost luggage. His presentation using chalk and a blackboard was inspiring.

What advice would you give to your younger self?
Persevere with an instrument.

If you were universities minister for a day, what policy would you introduce?
I would persuade 바카라사이트 Home Office to change its rules on immigration and 바카라사이트 Treasury to change its ��flat cash�� approach to research funding.

What would be 바카라사이트 consequences for science and higher education if 바카라사이트 UK left 바카라사이트 European Union?
Leaving 바카라사이트 EU would significantly hamper our ability to engage in research partnerships and compete in European research funding schemes. It would mean no longer benefiting from 바카라사이트 progress being made to increase collaboration across 바카라사이트 European Research Area.

john.elmes@tesglobal.com