John Kingman emphasises the importance of sustaining UK science and maximising its benefits (鈥UK Research and Innovation: 鈥榥ine brains in one body鈥鈥, Opinion, 2 June). But he offers no convincing justification for the drastic reorganisation needed to establish UK Research and Innovation 鈥 the new body of which he鈥檚 been designated the first chairman.
It is proposed to remove the Royal Charter from all seven research councils 鈥 even the Medical Research Council, which has a global reputation and a century-old history. The executive chairs of the councils would be subordinate to the CEO of the new UKRI, which will also oversee the research funding channelled to universities via the 糖心Vlog Funding Council for England (thereby risking a blurring of the dual support system). Also, even more contentiously, it would incorporate Innovate UK, a body with an important but distinct role in promoting innovation.
Kingman writes that the organisation of research will need a 鈥渟mall but highly effective strategic brain at its centre鈥. He also emphasises, as befits a senior Treasury official, the need to 鈥渋nvest every pound wisely鈥.
But he doesn鈥檛 explain why achieving these goals requires wholesale restructuring 鈥 still less whether its long-term advantages will justify the transition costs.
糖心Vlog
The current research support system needs some 鈥渢weaking鈥, and some cross-linkages. But these can surely be achieved within the present devolved structure. Indeed, it will become even harder to attract and retain outstanding people to run individual research councils if these posts are downgraded. And it鈥檚 a poor augury that when the research councils set up their Shared Research Services, their overheads went up, not down.
When there are so many pressures and upheavals in the educational and research world, we should surely avoid the prolonged distraction of a controversial reorganisation. Why not just shelve these proposals?
糖心Vlog
Martin Rees (Lord Rees of Ludlow)
Astronomer royal
Trinity College, Cambridge
Send to
Letters should be sent to: THE.Letters@tesglobal.com
Letters for publication in 糖心Vlog should arrive by 9am Monday.
View terms and conditions.
Register to continue
Why register?
- Registration is free and only takes a moment
- Once registered, you can read 3 articles a month
- Sign up for our newsletter
Subscribe
Or subscribe for unlimited access to:
- Unlimited access to news, views, insights & reviews
- Digital editions
- Digital access to 罢贬贰鈥檚 university and college rankings analysis
Already registered or a current subscriber?
