A new independent report released today by UKRI underscores the pivotal role played by UK researchers and innovators in tackling the pandemic.
Conducted by Technopolis, the report ‘Impact evaluation of UKRI’s research and innovation funding response to COVID-19‘ unpicks how publicly funded research across the spectrum helped to shape government decision making, ease the impact of the pandemic and ultimately save lives. Research ranged from medicine to engineering, social science and the arts.
Long-term investment
In a series of recommendations, the report also emphasises how decades of strategic research and innovation investment prior to the pandemic, in infrastructure, capacity and international cooperation, underpinned the UK’s response.
Without this continued sustained investment, the report suggests the UK risks being left significantly vulnerable to future pandemics and other shocks.
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