Russell Group of Universities

Our new report, Future Ready, shows how universities are playing a key role in Industrial Strategy missions like economic resilience, clean energy and healthcare. Putting universities at the centre of the Industrial Strategy will harness the strength of our sector to transform our economy and public services. With that in mind, we are delighted to announce a new Russell Group expert advisory panel to develop detailed proposals on how to maximise universities' impact. The panel will include former Secretary of State?Greg Clark;?Jennifer Tippin, Group Chief Operating Officer for NatWest Group;?Lucy Yu, CEO of the Centre for Net Zero?(Octopus Energy);?Robert Scott, Vice President of Human Genetics and Genomics at GSK;?and?Arnab Basu MBE DL,?Chief?Executive of successful university spinout Kromek. Find out more on our website ?? https://lnkd.in/eUKh3Maj

The Russell Group's Hollie Chandler and David Ahluwalia joined colleagues from across the science and research sector at this morning's Wellcome Trust reception in Westminster. It was great to share lots of positive discussions about the value of research-intensive universities to R&D and economic growth. Find out more about how our universities are helping to create long-term growth in all regions and nations of the UK in our latest report, Future Ready. https://lnkd.in/eGgbaZdb

Today's report from the Office for Students on the financial sustainability of universities once again highlights the significant challenge facing the higher education sector. ?? Responding to the report,?Dr Tim Bradshaw, Chief Executive of the Russell Group, said: “While the report clearly shows the number of institutions that could be at risk if they aren’t able to deliver on their plans for change, a wider concern is what this might mean for the government’s ambitions for opportunity and economic growth. “The?recent announcement?of a small tuition fee uplift in England from 2025-26 is a good start. Now serious consideration must be given to securing a long-term funding and policy landscape that supports institutions to be financially sustainable. This is important so universities can continue to offer high-quality education, deliver breakthrough research and provide invaluable civic contributions to cities and regions across the UK". Read our full response here ?? https://lnkd.in/eC6YUEpU

?? "Today’s announcement is a welcome sign that government is engaging seriously with the financial difficulties facing universities and students... We look forward to working with government?on shared priorities, so universities can continue to increase opportunities for disadvantaged students and provide high-quality education and research". Professor Chris Day, Chair of the Russell Group and Vice-Chancellor of Newcastle University, gives our response to today's announcement of higher education reforms. Read the full statement ?? https://lnkd.in/edFE7n4V

Hear our Head of Higher Education Policy Joanna Burton speaking at THE Campus Live on 27-28 November in Birmingham. Read the full schedule and find out more ?? https://lnkd.in/ermxJBcJ

Applications close at 5pm on Wednesday for the role of Policy Manager. We're looking for someone to develop and advocate for Russell Group policy positions on research and innovation, managing a challenging and varied portfolio of work. More details, including how to apply, can be found on our website ??

In a challenging fiscal context, government's protection of the R&D budget, and core research funding in particular, is a welcome sign of its intention to place research at the heart of its missions and Industrial Strategy aims. Some key stats from this Budget: - ￡20.4bn committed for 25/26, a real-terms increase - ￡6.1bn protected budget for core research funding - ￡25m R&D missions programme - ￡40m proof-of-concept fund to help universities commercialise research,

?? "In a challenging fiscal landscape, we are pleased to see the government has protected the R&D budget, including core research funding, and recognised the value of research and innovation as a key pillar of the growth mission. This will allow universities to continue to deliver on growth and productivity, contributing to job creation, regional investment and advances that improve public services". See our full response to today's Autumn Budget, including the multi-year R&D missions programme?and changes to National Insurance, on our website. ?????? https://lnkd.in/esuujQBM

? "We all understand the challenging fiscal environment we’re working in, and it’s inevitable that the government will need to make some tough, and unpopular, decisions. But if they can commit to backing R&D for the long term, it will bring fruitful rewards. R&D is an investment, not a cost." In The Guardian this weekend, Nobel Laureate Prof Sir Andre Geim and Prof Dame Nancy Rothwell, formerly?president and?vice-chancellor of The University of Manchester, call on government to back research with robust and sustainable funding, or risk cutting off a pipeline of innovation and discovery.

Pleased to have my blog featured by HEPI today setting out priorities for the upcoming Budget and how the OBR might be undervaluing the impact of public R&D: https://lnkd.in/e54YYqCW