What data and metrics exist which could be used to estimate the return on R&I activities?

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.

We seek to provide monetised estimates of the impact of international R&I, especially international collaboration in R&I. This is salient for collaboration between more economically developed countries (or HMG non-ODA interventions) but is also relevant for collaboration between the UK and less economically developed countries (or HMG ODA interventions). We are also interested in being able to quantify ODA outcomes which cannot be appropriately monetised. The aim is to build an evidence base comparable to domestic impacts of R&I, for example by addressing questions including:

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 ARIs : 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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