UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) today published its corporate plan for 2020-21.
The plan sets out its new vision that will guide how it works with its multiple partners and communities to bring about ‘an outstanding research and innovation system in the UK that gives everyone the opportunity to contribute and to benefit, enriching lives locally, nationally and internationally.’
The 30-page document shows the breadth and complexity of the interconnected research and innovation landscape and how UKRI’s mission ‘to convene, catalyse and invest in close collaboration with others to build a thriving, inclusive research and innovation system that connects discovery to prosperity and public good’ will be achieved.
In her foreword UKRI’s new CEO, Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, emphasises the organisation’s ambitions, as a steward of the research and innovation system, to nurture and support its communities.
It aims to bring them together, catalyse creativity and incentivise a diverse and inclusive system that builds on existing strengths, provides critical capability, fosters private and inward investment and creates new knowledge to enrich lives and build prosperity.
The plan demonstrates how UKRI-funding has been used to contribute to the UK’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic crisis, from understanding the spread of COVID-19, its impact on society, to its efforts in the development of diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines.
It also cites examples to illustrate how UKRI is working with partners to tackle local, national and global challenges, such as Research Sustainability, Modern Slavery, Digitisation, and Climate Change.
The plan sets out the four elements of how UKRI will deliver on its mission, these are:
- to convene and catalyse by listening to and connecting diverse communities to create new combinations, and working in partnership with others
- to incentivise the development of a research and innovation system that realises its vision via its choice, policies and behaviour
- to invest in people, ideas and infrastructure
- to conduct high-quality research and innovation.
Each element has a set of priority objectives for the year that cross reference with other aspects of UKRI’s plan. The document lays out how each of the nine constituent councils’ strategies and activities will combine to deliver UKRI’s mission together.
Working with our communities
Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, UKRI’s CEO, says:
Working in partnership with our communities we have achieved a lot since our establishment, but there is a lot more to do if we are to achieve our vision of a flourishing and inclusive research and innovation system.
To achieve this we must engage, listen to, and partner with our many stakeholders. This is a collective endeavour and we will use our position and reach to convene industry, academia, the third sector, government and civic society to build a dynamic research and innovation system which is fit for the future.
The 2020-21 Corporate Plan we are publishing today is the first step in the development of a longer term Strategic Plan which we look forward to co-creating with our many stakeholders.