A new national collaborative comprising ten leading research-focused universities (including Ulster University) – ResearchPlus – was formally launched at a special Parliamentary event in Westminster this week.
ResearchPlus seeks to give a collective voice and advance the social and economic contribution of research-focused universities that constitute a critical element of the UK’s research and innovation system and that deliver vital research-informed education and advanced skills.
Through shared purpose and strategic coordination, the collaborative will engage with government, industry, and civil society to support economic growth, prosperity, and societal wellbeing across the whole of the UK. The collaboration denotes an expansion and re-imagining of universities’ contribution to the public good.
Attendees at the official launch, in the Cholmondeley Room, in the House of Lords, included Vice Chancellors from all ten ResearchPlus partners, The Rt Hon. Lord Hain, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, the Rt Hon. Dr Peter Kyle, Jordan Cummins, UK competitiveness director at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and CEO of Universities UK, Vivienne Stern MBE.
Vice-Chancellor of Ulster University, Professor Paul Bartholomew, explains what this powerful and influential coalition means for Ulster University:
“Along with our partner universities, the new collective voice represents a distinctive and essential part of the UK’s research base, bringing agility, interdisciplinary strength, and a deep connection to public and private sector partners.
“There is a very real need for ResearchPlus: it will give visibility and profile to universities that constitute a critical element of the UK’s research and innovation system, and that deliver excellent research-informed education and advanced skills.
“We believe that collaboration and proactive engagement across our universities can drive change and support the strategic coordination that is so urgently needed in the higher education and research system.
“We are well placed to be part of this new group and mission, given our keen focus on social policy development, proactive regional and societal balance, and globally significant innovation through deep industrial partnerships. Ulster University has for some time been intentionally at the forefront of economic growth, technological innovation, public services, and skills development and so we can confidently play our part in this sectoral collaboration.”