Chemistry for the Next Decade and Beyond: International Perceptions of the uk chemistry Research Base
D To what extent is the UK chemistry community addressing key technological/societal challenges through engaging in new research opportunities?
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- Recommendation D.1
- Recommendation D.2
- Recommendation D.3
- Recommendation D.4
- Summary Findings: Some awareness among chemists of opportunity to solve major societal challenges by linking to other disciplines
- Recommendation E.1
5.D To what extent is the UK chemistry community addressing key technological/societal challenges through engaging in new research opportunities?Summary Findings: The situation is much improved since 2002 Opportunities for integration across disciplines are not yet fully realised between the physical & life sciences, engineering and medicine 5.D.1 What are the key technological/societal challenges and research directions in chemistry research? To what extent is the UK chemistry research community focused on these? Are there fields where UK activity does not match the potential significance of the area? Are there areas where the UK has particular strengths? Chemistry has a long tradition of addressing issues of societal concern and contributing to economic development through timely technological advances and innovations - the chemical and pharmaceutical industries are but two examples. As the world moves towards dealing seriously with the issue of sustainability, major societal challenges related to energy needs, climate change, health and wellbeing, management of water resources, and preservation of the environment, among others will require chemistry-based new technological interventions and solutions. The Panel found some degree of awareness among the chemistry research community of these emerging challenges and societal expectations. Moreover, the recognition was evident that Chemistry has a key role and much to contribute as an enabling central science. The situation is much improved since the last International Review (the ‘Whitesides’ Review). However, to date there has been a limited response by the Research Councils to these challenges and opportunities, which will obviously require full harnessing of the multidisciplinary connectivity of Chemistry. There are pockets of relevant excellence distributed throughout the UK but overall the scale of activity is inadequate for the task at hand. Recommendation__D.1'>Recommendation D.1: The research community and the Research Councils should work together to define priorities (balance core versus societal needs) and also jointly develop new support structures to enable the UK to contribute effectively to the transformational research needed in the decades ahead. 5.D.2 In terms of the defined remits of the relevant research council programmes, are there any areas which are under-supported in relation to the situation overseas? If so, what are the reasons underlying this situation and how can the situation be remedied? The EPSRC very recently initiated a dialogue with the Chemistry community to identify ‘grand challenges’ for Chemistry and in so doing provided a platform to begin to address the major issues of societal concern. The preliminary findings offered some potentially worthy challenges to the core of Chemistry. However, the Panel viewed the goals of this exercise as too narrow to embrace the full range of necessary disciplines to meet the criteria of true societal Grand Challenges (see 5.I.). Thus the spectrum of possibilities for Chemistry as a discipline had not been harnessed to the full extent. In the information provided, the Panel noted a smaller focus on energy related research than the opportunity or the magnitude of the problem requires. In areas such as drug discovery, imaging and diagnostics, green and environmentally benign processes, the Panel encountered some significant successes with participation from industry. Recommendation__D.3'>Recommendation D.2: It is suggested that wherever critical interdisciplinary depth exists, centres or research groupings be created, preferably through public-private partnership and adequate long term funding, to find solutions to some of the key societal concerns. Such structured and focussed research efforts will play an important role in developing future leaders of international stature. 5.D.3 Is the research community structured to deliver solutions to current and emerging technological/societal challenges? If not, what improvements could be implemented? The consensus view of the Panel was that the question here is poorly posed. Recommendation D.3: The research community and Research Councils should work in partnership to define the emerging technological/societal challenges and jointly craft appropriate ways to deliver solutions. 5.D.4 Are there a sufficient number of research leaders of international stature evident in the UK? If not, which areas are currently deficient? While the UK can be justifiably proud of it world-leading chemists, most of them are near or beyond the traditional retirement age. A few much younger leaders have been recognised by national awards and prizes but there are insufficient numbers for the size of the discipline. Many UK Chemistry departments seem to have an age distribution profile peaked around 40 and are thus potentially poised to generate a substantial number of new leaders in the near future. Recommendation D.4: The Research Councils, the Royal Society and charities should enhance their efforts to identify and support emerging leaders in Chemistry. 5.E To what extent is the chemistry research base contributing to other disciplines and multidisciplinary research?Summary Findings: Some awareness among chemists of opportunity to solve major societal challenges by linking to other disciplines Effective response requires commitment to multidisciplinary connectivity There is evidence of an improved situation relative to that seen in the previous International Review. However, the extent falls short of what is likely to be necessary to move effectively into new areas and conduct cutting edge research that is competitive on the international scene. 5.E.1 What evidence is there that there is sufficient research involving investigations from a broad range of traditional disciplines including materials, physics and engineering as well as chemists? The organic/polymer science interface is a good example of integration of chemistry with physics and materials but there is seemingly little integration of chemistry with the discipline of chemical engineering. In addition, there is some evidence of co-location of research activities involving interactions across the interfaces with life sciences and medicine but this opportunity has yet to be fully exploited. However, the situation is evolving in a positive way, with selected examples of joint appointments across disciplines. 5.E.2 Are there appropriate levels of knowledge exchange between the chemistry community and other disciplines? What are the main barriers to effective knowledge and information flow and how can they be overcome? See previous answer. In tackling ambitious, complex problems, not to mention Grand Challenges, it is necessary to view the goals broadly from a number of different perspectives, including an appreciation of the contributions engineering can make. With some exception, evidence was lacking of effective and productive collaborations with engineering. The barriers are likely derived from too narrow a definition of Chemistry in the UK. The current situation presents an opportunity for DTCs. 5.E.3 What evidence is there to demonstrate the influence that funding has had in encouraging multidisciplinary research? There is evidence of well-intentioned efforts to encourage interdisciplinary research through DTCs and programmes but not so many multidisciplinary efforts. For example, the very recent attempt to define grand challenge initiatives could be viewed as an encouraging but incomplete attempt to move the community in this direction. However, it is important to preserve the fundamental core chemical research so that the UK will have the knowledge base to solve the next, unknown problems of society. As mentioned above, more care needs to be taken to define the multidisciplinary grand challenges at a broad enough level to allow for chemists to exercise their full range of ideas and capabilities and tangible social benefits to emerge. Recommendation E.1: More DTCs and other mechanisms are needed to help define local, regional and even national efforts with sufficient “mass” to have a global impact. Download 435.25 Kb. Share with your friends:
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