Memorandum by Research Councils UK (RCUK)
INTRODUCTION
1. Research Councils UK (RCUK) is a strategic
partnership that champions the research supported by the seven
UK Research Councils. Through RCUK the Research Councils are creating
a common framework for research, training and knowledge transfer.
Further details are available at www.rcuk.ac.uk.
2. This memorandum is submitted by RCUK on behalf
of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Engineering
and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Economic and Social
Research Council (ESRC), Medical Research Council (MRC), and Natural
Environment Research Council (NERC), and represents our independent
views. It does not include, or necessarily reflect the views of,
the Office of Science and Innovation (OSI). RCUK welcomes the
opportunity to respond jointly to the House of Lords European
Union Committee and House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee
Inquiries into the European Commission Annual Policy Strategy
for 2008.
3. This memorandum provides evidence from RCUK
in response to the main topics and questions identified in the
consultation document, in addition to supplementary views from:
| Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
| Annex 1 |
| Engineering and Physical Research Council (EPSRC)
| Annex 2 |
| Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
| Annex 3 |
| Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
| Annex 4 |
GENERAL
4. The Policy Strategy is a high-level text which deals only
with outline policy initiatives. It is therefore useful as broad
indicator of key priorities, but needs to be read in conjunction
with specific planning and implementation proposals and communications
in the individual policy areas. Detailed comment from the Research
Councils is likely to be more appropriate at that level.
5. RCUK endorses initiatives across Member States to ensure
the flow of trained people and knowledge, particularly to facilitate
the transfer of knowledge and results between research centres
and SMEs and businesses.
6. RCUK welcomes the focus on sustainable energy and climate
change. The Research Councils have a significant research activity
in these area. The themes of energy, climate change and environment
are particularly strongly represented throughout the programmes
of EPSRC, ESRC and NERC. In addition, they are also of strategic
importance to AHRC and MRC.
7. Much of the research currently funded by AHRC and ESRC
relates directly to the Commission's four strategic objectives
of prosperity, social solidarity, security, and external relationships;
as well as the cross cutting priorities of climate change, the
Lisbon strategy and migration.
RESEARCH AND
TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT
8. We are pleased to see the strong emphasis on research
and technological development.
9. A significant initiative in this area is the proposed
European Institute of Technology (EIT). Whilst the EIT concept
has evolved in a positive way from the initial plans, there remain
a number of outstanding questions in relation to its purpose,
scale, governance and budget. It is crucial that the EIT is differentiated
from other initiatives in the areas of research, education and
innovation; at this point, it is not entirely clear that this
is the case. Indeed, there is a strong possibility of duplicating
efforts that are addressed elsewhere, including in the "several
European research initiatives" (section 2.2.), although it
should be noted that it is not clear precisely which initiatives
are being referred to here. It is essential that the EIT concept
is defined further and that there is ongoing and meaningful consultation
with the full range of stakeholders prior to it becoming operational.
The EIT could also be seen to raise some concerns with regards
to the principle of subsidiarity. Specifically in the area of
education, competence lies with Member States rather than with
the EU; thus it is crucial that the education-related aspects
of the EIT are developed with this in mind, and that universities
maintain flexibility and autonomy.
10. Whilst they could potentially be complementary, a clear
distinction should be maintained between the EIT and the 7th Framework
Programme (FP7), both in terms of activities and budget.
11. The European Research Council (ERC) is clearly a significant
initiative within FP7, and the establishment and operation of
an executive agency to implement the programme is an important
development. Whilst plans to establish this agency are well advanced
and in keeping with the ERC's independence from the European Commission,
there is rather less clarity over the establishment of an agency
for other parts of FP7 at this point; it will be important to
follow the developments in this area.
12. It is interesting to note that there is no mention of
the Joint Technology Initiatives (JTIs) within FP7 under 2008
priorities, although these may be subsumed under "several
European research initiatives".
13. We note that there are proposals in relation to health
and safety that might indirectly have an impact on research, as
is the case with the Physical Agents Directive (electromagnetic
radiation) 2004/40/EC which the House of Commons Select Committee
on Science and Technology has previously commented on,[33]
and developments with respect to these proposals might need to
be followed to ensure appropriate stakeholder consultation.
FINANCIAL ASPECTS
14. A further significant initiative for this period is the
preparatory work for the budget review (mentioned on page 4).
The initiative will need to be monitored with respect to research
funding.
15. Within Section 3 of the Communication (Human and Financial
Resources) there is mention that "due attention will also
be paid to audit and audit-related tasks in the research sector"
(section 3.1.2, "Contribution to a Central Pool"). It
would be useful to have, in due course, further details as to
precisely what is foreseen in relation to this.
Dr Adrian Pugh
Research Councils UK
17 April 2007
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