The UK is regarded as one of the best places in the world to undertake research. This reputation is based on the international standing of our universities, laboratories and facilities and on the world class reputation of our scientists, academics and support staff.
To achieve the UK’s ambition of moving to a higher level of research and development (R&D) intensity, as outlined in the Government’s ten-year Science and Innovation Investment Framework, it is crucial that the UK has sufficient highly skilled researchers, technicians and other R&D support staff, both home grown and attracted from abroad. Equally, it is important that this stock of talent is replenished over time, with younger researchers being encouraged to pursue a career in academia.
It is the role of the Research Councils, in collaboration with the Higher Education Funding bodies, to identify where demand is likely to have an effect on the long-term health of certain research disciplines and adopt policies and support initiatives to enhance recruitment and retention where necessary.
The UK Research Base Funders’ Forum, considered the first annual report on the health of the UK research base in January 2006. This second annual report builds on the initial analysis, bringing together findings from a variety of sources and drawing on knowledge from the Research Councils to reflect on the situation at the sub-discipline level.
The report explains how the Research Councils are continuing to respond to the challenges identified in relation to the long-term health of certain disciplines and sub-disciplines. This includes schemes to attract postgraduates into shortage areas and to enhance career structures. In addition, the Research Councils, in collaboration with the Higher Education Funding Bodies, have implemented a number of capacity building schemes to address areas of immediate concern. Examples include:
- EPSRC, HEFCE and the Scottish Funding Council have launched the Science and Innovation Awards scheme to secure strategically important research areas that are missing or at risk in the UK. Funds are used to foster research groups in areas of national need within EPSRC’s remit;
- BBSRC, MRC and the Higher Education funding bodies, together with the pharmaceutical industry, have established an £11 million fund to build capacity in integrated mammalian biology;
- AHRC, ESRC and HEFCE have launched a £20 million initiative to develop world-class researchers with language skills to undertake research to help the UK’s understanding of the Arabic world, China, Japan and Eastern Europe.
Health of Disciplines: Annual Report 2008 
Health of Disciplines: Annual Report 2007
Health of Disciplines: Annual Report 2006
For further information on the UK Research Base Funders’ Forum please see their website: http://www.berr.gov.uk/dius/science/science-funding/funders-forum/index.html
For further information on HEFCE’s work on strategic subjects please see their website: http://www.hefce.ac.uk/aboutus/sis/ongoing.htm