Making the case against cutting research

The UK Government would be ill-advised to cut spending on university research

Two of the School's leading academics played a vital role in making the case against budget cuts to the UK's Research Councils.

Professors Jonathan Haskel and Ammon Salter's work on the contribution of university research to the wider economy and the entrepreneurial nature of academics were key to the case Research Councils UK (RCUK) is making to the UK Government.

Some of the key findings of the report include:

• Continued public investment in research is essential for the success of UK business and industry.
• The greatest long-term productivity advances come through breakthroughs in basic knowledge.
• Publicly funded research raises the productivity of research and development in the private sector.
• Research institutions produce highly trained graduates which are an essential resource for UK companies and foreign companies investing in the UK.
• The high quality of UK research makes the country attractive for inward investment by international business and industry through collaborations.

RCUK Impact Champion, Professor Dave Delpy said: "The UK has long been a nation that leads research innovation and this is the key competitive advantage we must preserve. It is vital that we continue to produce the best in academic research that has an impact on us all and attracts the best business and industry from around the world to the UK."

A full copy of the report is available from RCUK here. A new film to accompany the report featuring interviews with Professors Haskel and Salter is now available to view here.

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Notes to Editors

About Imperial
Consistently rated amongst the world's best universities, Imperial College London is a science-based institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching and research that attracts 14,000 students and 6,000 staff of the highest international quality. Innovative research at the College explores the interface between science, medicine, engineering and business, delivering practical solutions that improve quality of life and the environment - underpinned by a dynamic enterprise culture. www.imperial.ac.uk
For further information or to arrange interviews contact Mark Howard on 0207 594 9154 or 07725 159796 email mark.howard@imperial.ac.uk