UCU welcomes select committee's report on science funding

The report warns that 'failure to continue to increase investment in science would be both counterintuitive and counterproductive.'
 
The union, which gave evidence to the committee earlier this month, agreed with the committee's call for the government to increase spending on science in the next Budget, to demonstrate its commitment to the principle of a knowledge-based economy. UCU reiterated its opposition to plans to force 25% of university research to be assessed on 'economic impacts'. The report said that measuring impact and then allocating funds fairly would be 'insurmountable.'
 
UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'We often hear encouraging words for science and innovation in this country. However, warm words mean very little if we are unprepared to commit to proper funding. We welcome the select committee's calls for the government demonstrate its commitment to science by properly funding it. Science parks are being put up in the likes of China and India; we cannot afford to be left behind.'
 
Speaking about assessing future research by economic impact, Sally Hunt said: 'Academic research benefits all of society and we shouldn't be looking to reduce it to a series of impact indicators. History has taught us that some of the biggest breakthroughs have come from speculative research and it is wrong to try and measure projects purely on their economic potential. If implemented these plans would strangle talent and destroy initiative.'