Annex 3
Memorandum from the Engineering and Physical
Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
1. EPSRC welcomes this inquiry by the Science
and Technology Committee as we have serious concerns about:
— the UK's capacity in some strategically
important areas of the engineering and physical sciences research
base. Research capacity is heavily dependent on the university
sector but the base of permanent staff is shrinking in these core
subjects (relatively and, in some cases, absolutely). Partly this
results from a deliberate shift of resources toward new scientific
opportunities in the life sciences, but partly it is an accidental
consequence of the turning away from the hard sciences, where
resources in universities largely follow student whims and the
driving force for universities in appointing (or replacing) academics
tends to be teaching loads;
— the supply chain of young people
pursuing qualifications in engineering and physical sciences who
will provide the future well trained scientists and engineers
necessary for the economy as well as the research leaders needed
in our universities.
2. The UK is dependent on engineering and
physical sciences to provide the basis for the knowledge economy
and to contribute to progress in the life and medical sciences.
The attached paper (annex A) provides an analysis of the issues
of sustaining the core physical science and engineering.
3. EPSRC is taking urgent action in the
short term to strengthen research capacity in areas of scientific
and economic importance that are especially at risk. In partnership
with the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE)
and the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) EPSRC
has launched a pilot scheme to award three to five large, long-term
grants (typically £3-5 million over five years) to support
research groups (including support for up to three lectureships)
in strategic areas. Examples of such areas include statistics,
mathematics/computer science interface, chemistry/process engineering
interface, power engineering, energy research and the emergent
area of cognitive systems. A crucial part of the scheme is a commitment
from the host university to continue to support the lectureships
after the end of the grant to grow and sustain research capacity.
4. This pilot is a "proof of concept"
stage and to have a real effect in halting the decline in research
capacity a continuing programme of these awards is needed. In
taking this forward EPSRC will work both with existing partners
as well as seeking new ones (eg business and the Regional Development
Agencies.)
5. The above is an indication of action
being undertaken by EPSRC to address immediate issues around research
capacity. Research Councils are just one of many partners that
have a role to play in addressing these broad issues. To address
the problem the development of a framework is needed which addresses
the national and regional need for research and training in all
key shortage areas, while respecting the autonomy of individual
universities to make decisions consistent with their own policies.
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