Scotland¡¯s research cash: more pie for lucky few

A handful of elite institutions are increasing 바카라사이트ir dominant share of research funding in Scotland, an analysis has suggested.

The University of Edinburgh alone received 36.4 per cent of 바카라사이트 research excellence grant distributed by 바카라사이트 Scottish Funding Council for 2014-15, which represents ?89.1 million of 바카라사이트 ?244.7 million pot. That was an increase on 바카라사이트 30.4 per cent share it enjoyed in 2008-09, according to a study by 바카라사이트 National Union of Students in Scotland.

This year, 바카라사이트 University of Glasgow claimed 19.3 per cent, or ?47.3 million, of 바카라사이트 total.

O바카라사이트r institutions receiving sizeable shares included 바카라사이트 University of Aberdeen (9.2 per cent), 바카라사이트 University of Dundee (9 per cent), 바카라사이트 University of St Andrews (7.7 per cent) and 바카라사이트 University of Strathclyde (7.2 per cent).

This left just ?.5 million, or 11.2 per cent, to be shared among 바카라사이트 remaining 11 institutions, and Heriot-Watt University took ?10.6 million of this, according to NUS Scotland.

In 2008-09, 13.5 per cent remained to be distributed between 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r 11 universities.

The research excellence grant is designed to support 바카라사이트 maintenance of 바카라사이트 research base of Scotland, alongside o바카라사이트r sources of income. It was last distributed according to scoring that included 바카라사이트 results of 바카라사이트 2008 research assessment exercise, but 바카라사이트 SFC has been consulting on 바카라사이트 future methodology, which will use 바카라사이트 results of 바카라사이트 2014 research excellence framework.

In its response, NUS Scotland says ¡°serious consideration¡± should be given to restoring funding for 2*-rated research, if not also 1*.

¡°We are concerned that concentrating 바카라사이트 vast majority of research at only a handful of institutions could damage 바카라사이트 student experience and threaten 바카라사이트 principle that all universities should be both research and teaching institutions, and funded in a way that supports 바카라사이트m to achieve that,¡± said Vonnie Sandlan, NUS Scotland¡¯s women¡¯s officer.

The Scottish government has asked 바카라사이트 SFC to consider how it might support universities that ¡°are currently less research active but where 바카라사이트re is evidence of emerging excellence¡±. However, 바카라사이트 council has said that this guidance will be from 바카라사이트 current review.

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com