Strategy set to strengthen research and innovation excellence

The University has launched a new strategy on how it will use its world-class research and innovation to tackle some of the society’s biggest challenges.

Research and Innovation Strategy 2030 sets out the University’s plans and ambitions for the next six years, including the creation of three research Missions, specific areas where a critical mass of outstanding work will be marshalled to find solutions.  

The Strategy also highlights new opportunities for staff and partners and details how the University’s research environment will be strengthened.  

Discovery research

On research, the Strategy commits the University to sustaining excellence across all its disciplines. Discovery research remains the bedrock of its work and provides the crucial underpinning for interdisciplinary collaboration. 

Alongside discovery research, for the first time Edinburgh is adopting a series of focused Missions to strengthen the University’s role in tackling urgent global issues. 

The Missions, based on established excellence and ambitions, are: to shape the future of health and care; to harness the power of data, digital and AI for the public good; and to tackle the climate and environmental crisis.  

We are delighted to share this ambitious Strategy with the world. Edinburgh’s work has always made a difference to the world, and the new strategy drives forward this proud legacy. It will help us foster an inclusive and enabling environment that positions us to produce world-changing research and innovation.

Deeper engagement

The Strategy also lays out plans for deeper engagement with external partners.  

For example, it commits the University to doubling the number of academics engaged with industrial partners, aided by the creation of an Innovation Career Path for researchers who want to focus on commercialisation and industry engagement.  

The ambition is that, through institutional support and recognition, the Path will help address the gender imbalance that emerges between the profiles of student enterprise and later stage companies.  

The Strategy further articulates the global reach of collaboration in research and innovation, with a vision for enhancing ties with Europe, North America, Australian and Asian partners. 

Supporting colleagues

The document also establishes how the University will support the people behind the research and innovation.  

It sets out how Edinburgh will enhance career development and stability at all levels and in all roles within the research and innovation community, incorporating initiatives from the Research Cultures Action Plan that seek to address inequalities in research careers.  

The Strategy articulates how the University will foster responsible and sustainable research practices that will leave only a positive impact upon people and the planet, and unveils commitments to new policies on ethics and global engagement.   

Edinburgh’s extraordinary research has been changing the world for nearly 500 years, and this visionary new strategy sets a clear path for how we will continue doing so in the years to come. We are building on strong foundations, but, as the strategy shows, we are always seeking to find ways for our work to bring even more benefits to society, to further improve the environment in which research colleagues work, and to ensure our research and innovation is sustainable. I look forward to seeing the fruits of this strategy as it embeds itself into all levels of the University and beyond.

Related links

Research and Innovation homepage

Research and Innovation Strategy 2030

^{Picture credit: folios - Laurence Winram}