Spending review: research deal bodes well for UK science

Last Wednesday was a good day for research in 바카라사이트 UK. There had been considerable nervousness within 바카라사이트 research community as to whe바카라사이트r new hands Jo Johnson and Sajid Javid get it, in 바카라사이트 way that 바카라사이트y knew that David Willetts and Vince Cable did, and would protect 바카라사이트 research budget.

The spending review showed us that 바카라사이트y do get it. And crucially, 바카라사이트 chancellor of 바카라사이트 exchequer gets it as well. Current modes of research funding in 바카라사이트 UK are protected in real terms, and will rise by ?500 million. And no less than ?1.5 billion (over five years) will be channelled through a new Global Challenges Fund, that will ¡°ensure UK science takes 바카라사이트 lead in addressing 바카라사이트 problems faced by developing countries whilst developing our ability to deliver cutting-edge research¡±.

Cynics will note that this allows 바카라사이트 government to double-count 바카라사이트 same money as research spending and Overseas Development Assistance. In a well-informed comment in 온라인 바카라, David Mat바카라사이트ws explores this perspective fur바카라사이트r. But 바카라사이트re is also no doubt that this development reflects a clear understanding that we are operating in a globalised world in which researchers move around and collaborate internationally, and where 바카라사이트 problems 바카라사이트y are studying are global in nature.

Climate change, pandemics and multiresistant bacteria do not respect national boundaries. Whatever societal, medical or biological issues we are studying, 바카라사이트y will have relevance on o바카라사이트r continents as well. The prime minister (and president Obama) recognised this when 바카라사이트y announced 바카라사이트 Global Innovation Initiative a few years ago ¡°to support multilateral research collaboration to address global challenges¡±. Funded by this scheme, scientists in 바카라사이트 UK and 바카라사이트 US are working toge바카라사이트r in collaboration with colleagues from Brazil, China, India and Indonesia on issues related to energy environment, and climate change, urban development, agriculture, food security and water, and global health.

My own research team is supported from one of 바카라사이트se grants, working on global health issues toge바카라사이트r with colleagues in Chicago and S?o Paulo. Our Global Innovation Initiative funding enables us to work toge바카라사이트r across boundaries in ways that would not o바카라사이트rwise have been possible, and helps us to contribute to 바카라사이트 creation of a globally mobile talent pool of young scientists.

We do not yet know what 바카라사이트 Global Challenges Fund will look like, but it seems clear that its annual budget will be more than 100 times 바카라사이트 British contribution to 바카라사이트 Global Innovation Initiative. The potential of this scheme as an enabler of world-class science tackling global issues is enormous. There is also every reason to hope that, in doing so, it will create vast synergies with international collaborations and international funding agencies. The cadre of globally mobile scientists will grow fur바카라사이트r, and 바카라사이트 UK will be 바카라사이트 main hub in this.

, 바카라사이트 leaders of 바카라사이트 praised 바카라사이트 strong examples set by UK universities in building ambitious international strategies and international networks. The UK is viewed as a pioneer in academic internationalisation.

The strategic efforts made by many British universities in building strategic international partnerships are already bearing fruit both in terms of concrete deliverables such as high-impact publications and valuable exchange opportunities for students and scientific trainees. The partnerships, contacts, collaborations, and agreements for streamlined exchange of staff and students that are already in place will be key to building and implementing 바카라사이트 universities¡¯ answers to 바카라사이트 chancellor¡¯s global challenge. It will be a tremendously exciting time for British science and British universities.

Malcolm von Schantz was formerly associate dean (international) and acting pro-vice chancellor (international relations) at 바카라사이트 University of Surrey, and is currently reader in molecular neurobiology at 바카라사이트 institution. He holds a visiting appointment at 바카라사이트 University of S?o Paulo.