Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
page title: Higher Education Gateway

Research Forum

The Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education, Alan Johnson and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Science and Innovation, Lord Sainsbury of Turville announced the establishment of their Higher Education Research Forum to be chaired by Sir Graeme Davies, Vice-Chancellor of the University of London on 18 December. The membership has been drawn together through nominations from higher education representative bodies and key sector stakeholders. The Forum met six times between January and July 2004, and also liaised with the wider sector. After its last meeting, the Forum submitted advice to Ministers on two issues: the relationship between teaching and research, and incentives for collaboration between institutions. Ministers considered the advice, and responded to the Forum Chair early in November 2004.

The Government has published a ten-year investment framework for science and innovation alongside the 2004 Spending Review. The framework sets out the Government’s ambition for UK science and innovation over the next decade, in particular their contribution to economic growth and public services, and the attributes and funding arrangements of a research system capable of delivering this.

The Government welcomes the Science and Technology Select Committee's recommendation that the RAE should continue as proposed in 2008.  In highlighting some of the complexities and concerns of peer review research assessment exercise, the report also commends the funding bodies on their open minded, constructive and positive approach to addressing many of the sector's concerns during and since the consultation on Sir Gareth Robert's review of research assessment.
 
The Government notes the Committee's comments on the RAE within the dual support system and universities' wider activities - teaching, research and knowledge transfer.  The Government's Science and Innovation Investment Framework published in July 2004 announced significant increases in the Spending Review to the science base of an additional £1billion in 2007 -2008 compared with 2004 -2005 higher.  This increased investment and anticipated actions to support the delivery of reforms to improve the quality and ensure greater sustainability of our research base, address many of the areas highlighted in the Committee's report.  Co-ordinated work across Government, with the funding bodies and key stakeholders is in hand to take forward implementation of the Government Framework.  The Government will continue this work with its partners to provide a full response to the Committee's recommendations.
 
http://www.hefce.ac.uk/news/hefce/2004/raesel.htm
 
http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm/cmsctech.htm#reports

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