research facilities and their use

A change of direction from description of an area with a few ideas, to a cri de coeur to ensure UK research capabilities recognise real life issues.

There are approx 160 academic institutions in the UK, some 30 public sector research establishments any number of corporate labs, and Large Research Facilities such as the European Bioinformatics Institute, Diamond and Harwell European Fusion Research Centre.

Concentrating on the public sector what do they generate and how do they play a part in the UK innovation system?

I've previously mentioned for industry the critical aspect of these places is the provision of skilled people for industry. Academic excellence and the research output is the parallel line helping in the development of new and existing industry development. For me the interesting part is how these facilities in totality enable the UK to innovate through the development of knowledge and using a partnering and cooperative approach.

Within the UK there is a recognition of the importance of playing a strong part in UK PLC. The tie between blue skies research, problem solving research and industrially focussed problem solving is essential to avoid the problem of academic arrogance, balkanisation and isolation. Which I'm glad to say is less of an issue in the UK than many other countries.

All leading to my strong support for new research measurements approaches and a hope that will it be extended to other institutes! In current financial climes the justification for research needs to be simple and compelling with a recognition that it is not just about markets but about fundamental development of knowledge and a recognition of where it cab be used. And if you're really nice to me I'll give you a list of instituations worth talking too and others who aren't.