New insights into how mobility across academia and industry can help build a more dynamic research workforce and strengthen the UK’s position as a leader in innovation, are today published in a new report from the National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB), Researcher Mobility Taskforce, Marking one year on.
Rosalind Gill, Head of Policy and Engagement at NCUB, said: “Intersectoral career mobility isn’t just about moving researchers between academia and industry – it’s about creating a vibrant and responsive research ecosystem. We’ve made encouraging progress over the past year, but it’s clear that more needs to be done to remove barriers and foster a culture where researchers can move fluidly between sectors. By facilitating these transitions, we can unlock new innovations, drive productivity, and ultimately boost the UK economy.”
Gill concluded: “A thriving researcher workforce is vital for delivering our national ambitions, encouraging business investment, and driving economic growth. Today’s new report shows that greater intersectoral mobility benefits both researchers and businesses, creating a mutually beneficial exchange of skills and ideas. We are calling on universities, businesses, and policymakers to work together to build the structures and mechanisms that support these opportunities. Only then will we ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of global research and innovation.”
NCUB has today published a new report that underscores the importance of intersectoral career mobility for researchers, marking one year since the recommendations from the 2023 Researcher Career Mobility Taskforce. The report includes contributions the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, UK Research and Innovation, Cranfield University and the British Academy. The report presents new insights about how these and other organisations are taking action to improve mobility.
The report outlines four key priorities for further action, including enhancing public mobility initiatives, embedding mobility within the Research Excellence Framework, and scaling up best practices for organisations across sectors. We are calling for sustained action to ensure a more interconnected research workforce that can meet the evolving challenges of the future.
Download the full report: https://bit.ly/ncubmtfpdf
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