Chartered ABS response to the Nurse Review of Research Councils

research

The Chartered Association of Business Schools has responded to Sir Paul Nurse’s ‘Review of the UK Research Councils’.

Professor Simon Collinson, Chair, Chartered Association of Business Schools said: “We welcome proposals for a common research fund to support cross-cutting activity across the Research Councils in support of inter-disciplinary research. This does however raise questions over how the ‘science ring-fence’ can be preserved. The Chartered Association of Business Schools recognises the importance of the investment in STEM to the long-term future of the UK economy, but we have called for research funding in STEM to be connected with business and management research. As the Review recognises, the complex “path from scientific discovery to the marketplace…often needs to draw on research from a range of disciplines.” Business and management research capability is well placed to enable the translation of discovery and invention into innovation.

“We will offer to work with the Government and Research Councils to identify proven models of inter-disciplinary research which benefit from collaboration between STEM and business and management researchers.

“The Review also recognises there is a need for more strategic investment in the skills needed, at all levels, to help businesses to be internationally competitive. With 56% of small business failures attributed to poor management, we know that business sustainability, for businesses of all sizes, and the UK’s productivity can be improved through investment in management skills and research. With world-class business and management knowledge expertise abound in the UK’s business schools, we will consult with the Research Councils and Innovate UK on the role business schools can play as part of the solution.”

A copy of the review, published on 19th November 2015, can be downloaded here