Research and the economy Adam Tickell PVC Research

Research and the economy Adam Tickell, PVC Research and Knowledge Transfer, University of Birmingham

Overview o World leading research universities – Outstanding fundamental science o Good in itself o Unpredictable economic outcomes – Invisibility cloak o Too much instrumentalism is risky – Graphene o But. . .

. . . universities drive growth o Major element of regional economic infrastructure – University of Birmingham turnover approaching £ 0. 5 bn o with multiplier over £ 1. 2 bn to West Midlands economy o Highly effective leverage for capital investment o UKBA notwithstanding, major contribution to balance of payments o And. . .

. . . growth through knowledge transfer and exchange o New company formation – Binding Site o £ 2. 3 billion collaborative research with industry – £ 3. 5 bn addition to GVA o Develops the advanced skills base – Ph. Ds and first degree graduates o Most of our major partners want access to our best graduates o e. g. BP Scholarship Programme o e. g. Over 80 key Arup staff are from Uo. B o e. g. Collaborative degrees with KPMG

o Underwrites R&D base – MNCs in global market for company investment o UK science critical to investment in UK arms of MNCs – Universities and contract research organisations account for over a third of research spending by pharmaceuticals (4% in early 1990 s) o Underwrites SMEs – Often unglamorous KTPS o e. g. The Supplies Group o e. g. Drywite

A symbiotic relationship o Genuinely tripartite – Public investment – University expertise – Private investment o UKRPIF – Parameters – University of Birmingham/ Rolls Royce – Major new national research facility

Let’s hope the Chancellor is listening!