The science base : research in universities / Cabinet Office (Office of Public Service and Science), Advisory Council on Science and Technology.

  • Great Britain. Office of Public Service and Science.
Date:
1992
Catalogue details

Licence: Open Government Licence

Credit: The science base : research in universities / Cabinet Office (Office of Public Service and Science), Advisory Council on Science and Technology. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    THE CASE FOR INCREASED PUBLIC FUNDING OF UNIVERSITY RESEARCH Background 1. Whether measured in terms of staff numbers or total research income, the UK Science Base has undoubtedly grown over the past decade. However, the way in which it has grown has placed undue strains on the funding of universities and is of considerable concern. It could be argued that universities have invited their problems by committing themselves to too much research given the resources at their disposal. However, it is neither practical nor desirable drastically to reduce the volume of academic science. It is in the national interest to restore the balance of resources compared to research activities and to ensure that procedures are introduced which will maintain that balance. Figure F - University Research Income - Proportions from Various Sources ee] || (EEE Fo ee Se see Z \ \\ ANZ \\ 77/8 78/9 79/80 80/1 81/2 82/3 83/4 84/5 85/6 86/7 87/8 88/9 MMB vac/urc EAA) Research Councils [| Industry SS Government Depts Charity L__] Other Funding sources are Included In 'Other’ where no specific breakdown is available Source: SEPSU Tables 2.4 and 2.7 2. As Government funding of the rapid expansion of academic science slowed in the 1970s, universities were encouraged to seek additional funding from other sources and have enjoyed considerable success in doing so. This is illustrated in Figure F which shows income received by universities (and which therefore excludes Research Council expenditure in own establishments). The proportion of university research income from these other sources is now twice that received from the Research Councils. The contribution to research from UGC/VEFC sources has also fallen from 82% of universities’ total research income in 1977/78 to 68% in 1988/89, and looks to fall further. 3. In order to carry out the growing volume of research funded from non-UFC sources, many more short term research assistants have been employed by the universities. These extra staff draw upon the university for support activities, such as computing, workshops and other central facilities, as well as amenities such as power, telephones, and office and laboratory space. In many cases the university administration has had to expand to process the increasing number