Research and the economy

Adam Tickell, PVC Research and Knowledge Transfer, University of Birmingham

Overview World leading research universities

– Outstanding fundamental scienceGood in itselfUnpredictable economic outcomes

– Invisibility cloakToo much instrumentalism is risky

– Graphene But ...

... universities drive growth Major element of regional economic

infrastructure– University of Birmingham turnover approaching

£0.5bn with multiplier over £1.2bn to West Midlands

economy Highly effective leverage for capital

investment UKBA notwithstanding, major contribution to

balance of payments And ...

... growth through knowledge transfer and exchange New company formation

– Binding Site

£2.3 billion collaborative research with industry– £3.5 bn addition to GVA

Develops the advanced skills base– PhDs and first degree graduates

Most of our major partners want access to our best graduates

e.g. BP Scholarship Programme e.g. Over 80 key Arup staff are from UoB e.g. Collaborative degrees with KPMG

Underwrites R&D base– MNCs in global market for company investment

UK science critical to investment in UK arms of MNCs

– Universities and contract research organisations account for over a third of research spending by pharmaceuticals (4% in early 1990s)

Underwrites SMEs– Often unglamorous KTPS

e.g. The Supplies Group e.g. Drywite

A symbiotic relationship

Genuinely tripartite– Public investment– University expertise– Private investment

UKRPIF– Parameters– University of Birmingham/ Rolls Royce– Major new national research facility

Let’s hope the Chancellor is listening!