How do investments in R&I (e.g. infrastructure, partnerships) contribute to reputation and influence?

Background

IRIA aims to build an evidence base useful for monitoring the effectiveness of UK international research collaboration, determining the value-for-money of international R&I interventions and comparing the UK with other countries. We support a wide range of programmes as well as building an evidence base that can be used for new interventions. This includes government plans to protect and support UK science, research, technology and innovation (SRTI) sectors, should association to Horizon Europe on fair and appropriate terms not be possible.
We are interested in assessing the value delivered from infrastructure which supports research and innovation, such as laboratories or institution headquarters. An example of this is the project to relocate the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) to the University of Readings’ campus.

Science diplomacy is a strategic goal of UK research and innovation collaboration. Analysing the impact of R&I on the UK’s overseas reputation and influence on other actors requires operationalised definitions, metrics which can be tracked over time and evaluative methods that allow interventions to be compared. Where data exists to track outcomes contributing to reputation and influence, such metrics should be adopted. However, there may be a need for new or additional data collection. For example, to address the following questions:

Next steps

If you are keen to register your interest in working and connecting with DSIT Science, Innovation, and Research Directorate, and/or submitting evidence, then please complete the DSIT-ARI Evidence survey - https://dsit.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cDfmK2OukVAnirs

Link to ARI Document : https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/department-for-science-innovation-and-technology-areas-of-research-interest/dsit-areas-of-research-interest-2024

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