Chemistry for the Next Decade and Beyond: International Perceptions of the uk chemistry Research Base
Download 435.25 Kb.
|
- Navigate this page:
- Areas in need of emphasis and encouragement
- B. Strengths of UK Chemistry Research in the UK is internationally recognised well placed to tackle society’s greatest challenges
- Overall academic-industry collaboration is a positive distinguishing feature of UK Chemistry
- UK chemistry derives enormous strength from recent large investments in infrastructure, shared equipment national user facilities
- Early career researchers
- Instrument development
- D. Weaknesses in UK Chemistry
- E. Framework Findings UK Chemistry on the Global Scene (Questions A and B)
- Research Culture and Early Career (Questions C and H)
- Societal Impact Multi-disciplinary Research (Questions D and E)
- Societal Benefit of UK Research (Questions F and G)
Chemistry for the Next Decade and Beyond: International Perceptions of the UK Chemistry Research Base Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Chemistry for the Next Decade and Beyond International Review of UK Chemistry Research 19 - 24 April 2009 “If the victory at Waterloo, which set the stage for Britain’s pre-eminence in the century that followed, was ‘won on the playing fields of Eton’ as the Duke of Wellington famously observed, it may be equally true to say that the contest for pre-eminence in the 21st century will be won on the campuses of the world’s research universities.” “Research Universities: Their Value to Society Extends Well Beyond Research.” Robert M. Berdahl, President, American Association of Universities, April 2009 FOREWORD This is an exciting time for Engineering and the Physical Sciences, when the UK seeks to extend both its economic and social impact and international reputation for cutting edge fundamental research. This is the second International Review of Chemistry and reflects the important contribution of this area to the UK. This contribution enables progress by bringing a fundamental knowledge and understanding of chemistry which drives advances in many areas. Chemistry research underpins a wide range of activities that benefit society including discoveries that lead to new industries, materials and technologies as well as helping to conquer diseases. Chemistry will be indispensable in attacking the challenges of climate change, energy and sustainability. The preparation for this review has been ongoing for over a year and we would like to thank our colleagues on the Steering Committee, which included representation of the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Institution of Chemical Engineers, the Chemistry Innovation Knowledge Transfer Network (CI-KTN), the Biochemical Society, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry and the Institute of Physics. We also thank our colleagues from the Medical Research Council, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and the Natural Environment Research Council who also supported and helped to guide the review. Specific thanks must go to the EPSRC staff for their unwavering support and hard work which enabled the panel to do its work so effectively. This report, the culmination of these activities, is entirely the work of the International Review Panel to whom we are very grateful – their expertise, team work, enthusiasm and capacity for sheer hard work impressed all those who came into contact with them. To Professor Mike Klein, Chair of the International Review Panel, we are hugely indebted; his commitment and leadership were vital to both the review and the completion of this report. We also warmly thank all those in the academic research community, together with their collaborators in industry who are so vital to the health of UK chemistry research, for rising to the challenges and opportunities that this review presented. We are especially grateful to those who coordinated and participated in each visit, often travelling some distance to meet the panel. Due to the way in which the community worked so well together, the panel interacted with a great many researchers and witnessed a wider range of exciting advances in the short time available to them than would have otherwise been possible. We hope this report will stimulate further debate around the findings and recommendations highlighted and we genuinely welcome your feedback on any issues raised. Comments should be sent to the Chemistry International Review team at chemistryintreview@epsrc.ac.uk . Professor David Delpy Professor Jim Feast Chief Executive, EPSRC. Steering Committee Chair. EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThe 2009 Chemistry International Review Panel completed a week long review of Chemistry research throughout the United Kingdom. Although sponsored by the EPSRC the Panel was charged to include the whole chemistry research base that is funded by the Research Councils, charities and industry. This document presents the Panel’s perceptions, embodied in the form of findings and recommendations, culminating from their high-level review. Importantly, the Panel offers a number of suggestions to sustain and improve the excellent Chemistry research that is occurring throughout the UK. The main findings and recommendations of the Panel are given below and in the body of the report. The review took place during the week starting Sunday, April 19, 2009 and involved an International Panel consisting of 18 scientists. The Panel convened in Manchester for background briefings from Professor David Delpy, FRS (Chief Executive, EPSRC) and other stakeholders, as well as an overview of the RAE exercise from Professor Jeremy Sanders, FRS. The Panel was then divided into two groups, each of which visited four separate locations (one per day). The whole Panel then reconvened near London to share information and formulate the findings and recommendations contained in the report. The focus of the review was centred on eight Framework Questions (see Annex A), formulated by the Steering Committee, chaired by Professor Jim Feast, FRS. However, the Panel did not feel overly constrained by these and used the format of town hall meetings at each location to hear the voice of the community, albeit briefly. The Panel made a point of engaging early career research (ECR) scientists at each location. In brief, the overall health of chemistry research in the UK is good. There are significant changes of research emphasis across the UK since the last International Review. There are pockets of truly outstanding (world-leading and world-class) work going on and numerous examples of very well-supported research groups. The community is aggressively utilising all of the funding streams available through the Research Councils, charities, Europe and industry. Importantly, the top-level research is not confined to just one location. There are excellent examples of international collaboration, especially via EU programmes and a number of good examples of cooperation with industry. Multi-disciplinary research efforts are expanding. Pockets of excellent multidisciplinary research are being nucleated via Doctoral Training Centres (DTCs). Chemists in the UK have definitely shed their ivory tower attitudes and are better prepared than in the past to tackle society's challenges. The panel was impressed with the calibre and intellectual strength of some of the ECR scientists they met. However, the general situation for some of the ECRs gives cause for concern. Another concern was the degree of communication and engagement of the chemistry community in both implementing policy and dialogue with decision makers. The following perceptions (findings and recommendations) were developed by the Panel on the basis of presentations and discussions during the week-long review. A. Recommendations The following recommendations were developed by the Panel on the basis of presentations and discussions during the review. Other recommendations are contained in the main body of the report.
Areas in need of emphasis and encouragement:
(The USA has finally acted boldly with funding of 46 Energy Frontiers Research Centres2)
(There is a role/opportunity for Universities – spinouts and big Pharma)
(Nanomedicine and more) In addition, the relevant stakeholders in the chemistry community need to address:
(Need to enhance the participation of theory and computation especially in areas that involve energy, materials and health applications)
B. Strengths of UK Chemistry Research in the UK is internationally recognised & well placed to tackle society’s greatest challenges
Overall academic-industry collaboration is a positive & distinguishing feature of UK Chemistry
UK chemistry derives enormous strength from recent large investments in infrastructure, shared equipment & national user facilities
Early career researchers
Instrument development
C. Positive Trends (since 2002)
D. Weaknesses in UK Chemistry
E. Framework Findings UK Chemistry on the Global Scene (Questions A and B)
Research Culture and Early Career (Questions C and H)
Societal Impact & Multi-disciplinary Research (Questions D and E)
Societal Benefit of UK Research (Questions F and G)
Download 435.25 Kb. Share with your friends:
|