Transcript HistoryResearchFunding

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THE FUNDING OF RESEARCH IN
UK UNIVERSITIES
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HISTORY OF FUNDING
The history of research funding of science
in the UK falls into two distinct eras:
Pre World War II (up to 1939)
Post World War II (from 1945)
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Pre World War II (up to 1939)
The organisation of research in a university physics or chemistry
department was very different from the current structure.
Assistants: The research was centred on the professor who was
the head of the department. He would have working for him a
number of assistants, who would do the teaching and pursue
research under his guidance.
Doctorates: There was no such thing as research students. The
degree of Ph.D. was still unknown, it was only common in the
U.S.A.
To progress an assistant would submit his papers, typically after
about 10 years of research, for a D.Sc.
Universities: shift towards research-orientated PhDs.
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Pre World War II (up to 1939)
Research funding was relatively small and went directly to the
professor. This came from:-
Private individuals
Companies
Government
Many of the famous scientists, such as Lord Rutherford, would
refuse money from companies as they felt this would mean they
would have to work on problems that did not interest them.
“We don’t have the money. So we have to think.”
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Post World War II (from 1945)
Boffins: The Second World War changed the
government and public view of science. It was clear in
the UK that scientists (‘boffins’) had played a major role
in winning the war. There are numerous examples,
obvious ones being:-
1. Radar
2. The jet engine
3. Plastics (synthetic materials)
4. Atom bomb ( nuclear energy)
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Post World War II (from 1945)
France: It is interesting to examine what happened in France. The
French were shocked at how easily they were overrun by the
Germans at the start of the war. They had (falsely) believed that
their science and technology was the best in the world in 1938.
After the war de Gaulle vowed that France would not fall into this
trap again. The result was a complete overhaul of the education
system with the establishment of ‘Ecoles Superiore’ and a focus on
science and technology. The benefit to France has been a far
greater awareness of science amongst managers and politicians
and a respect for science by the public.
In contrast the UK was stuck with the concept of ‘two cultures’
expressed in the writings of C.P. Snow. (scientists & non-scientists)
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Post World War II (from 1945)
After the Second World War the UK government began to give
serious financial support to science and into scientific training.
This involved:1
Establishing
centres
specialised
research
institutions
and
(The Royal Radar Research Establishment (Malvern, moved from
Swanage in 1942 to be safe from german commando raids,
spawned QinetiQ.
The Atomic Energy Authority ste up in 1945 (RAF Harwell)
2
Providing funds for research in UK universities.
3
Providing grants for students to study of PhDs.
4
Encouraging
research
in
(British Gas, Coal Board,
industry.
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nationalised
industry
CEGB, etc.) and private
ORGANISATION OF RESEARCH FUNDING TO UK
UNIVERSITIES
It is useful to understand how research has been funded by the UK
government; which department of government is responsible, how it
is decided for a given university department, how do individual
researchers get funds, etc.
It has been quite complex and has changed again very recently.
Dual Support: Since 1945 to September 2005 the principle that has
been applied has been that of dual support. The two parts of the
support are:
infrastructure
and
projects
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RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE
The research infrastructure are the basic requirements
needed to undertake the research. This means:Lab space
Lighting and heating
Technical support
Secretarial support
Postage
Telephones
Basic equipment
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PROJECTS
To undertake a specific research project then there will
be additional requirements on top of the infrastructure.
This could be:Specialised equipment
Consumables
Skilled manpower (postdoctoral or research students)
Travel funds
PCs
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THE MODEL OF FUNDING UP TO 09/2005
GOVERNMENT MONEY (TAXES)
INFRASTRUCTURE
PROJECTS
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF TRADE
RESEARCH COUNCILS
UNIVERSITY FUNDING SECTION
(SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH COUNCIL,
SRC)
(SCIENTIFIC AND ENGINEERING
RESEARCH COUNCIL, SERC)
(UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMITTEE,
UGC)
(HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING
COUNCIL FOR ENGLAND, HEFCE)
UNIVERSITY X
DEPARTMENT C
DEPARTMENT A
DEPARTMENT B
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RESEARCHER
RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE
FUNDING: RAE
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY FUNDING SECTION
(UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMITTEE,
UGC) from 1945 to 1985
(HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING
COUNCIL FOR ENGLAND, HEFCE)
since 1985
Based on Research
Assessment
Exercise Grade(RAE)
UNIVERSITY X
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The
amount
of
funding done mainly
on a historical basis
- number of staff,
number of students,
etc
PROJECTS FUNDING
Researcher puts in
application for a
specific
project;
judged by peers
DEPARTMENT OF TRADE
RESEARCH COUNCILS
(SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH COUNCIL,
SRC)
(SCIENTIFIC AND ENGINEERING
RESEARCH COUNCIL, SERC)
RESEARCHER
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FROM SEPTEMBER 2005
fEC: The research councils will provide ‘full
economic costings’. This means that an applicant
will apply for BOTH infrastructure and project money.
This has meant that some money has been shifted
from HEFCE to the research councils. HEFCE will
still provide some infrastructure money, based on
RAE.
Present: 80% from RCs (100% of exceptional items,
studentships). But the long term view is that all research will be
funded from the research councils and that HEFCE will mainly
fund undergraduate teaching.
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